Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part One [Thread now FULL and closed]

[miklaur]

I was wondering if the boat to Downtown Disney stops at different places in Downtown Disney. My Mom is joining us and although she plans to rent a wheelchair/scooter at the parks, she is not planning to do so for DTD. We are eating at Planet Hollywood on our first night and wonder how much of a walk that will be for her? Thanks so much!

 

[miklaur]

I've just updated my floorplan layout maps for the two Royal Room buildings (Oak Manor and Parterre Place). Only relatively minor changes, but several (15) of the rooms which were originally classified as River View - but which had slightly oblique, courtyard-facing views of the river - have recently been reclassified to Garden View category, and the map now reflects that. The breakdown table has also been updated to match.

See www.portorleans.org/images/buildingmaps/Floorplan-POR-MagnoliaBend.pdf.

Andre

Just want to say thank you!

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I want to be in the mansion section. I booked a garden view room. What building should I request to be closer to the lobby, bus stop, etc.? Thanks in advance.

 

[jewelsb]

My husband and I just returned from an 8 day, 7 night stay at POR. This was our first time staying on Disney property, and overall we were very pleased with our choice of Riverside. The resort is absolutely gorgeous, and we loved the general atmosphere. Here are some of my observations from our stay:


I did take a lot of pictures that I wouldn't mind sharing if there is any interest. They just need to finish uploading onto photobucket.

Great report!! Would love to see pics too! Our first visit coming up in 55 days!

 

[Gruff320]

I did take a lot of pictures that I wouldn't mind sharing if there is any interest. They just need to finish uploading onto photobucket.

Yes, please share your pictures! Our trip is in September and enjoy reading everyone's trip reports and seeing their pictures Great trip report, btw!

 

[Gruff320]

Very excited about our stay in September at POR!

In the 90's, when I used to be a CM, we would go to the food court at POR (Dixie Landings) for a meal every once in a while because we enjoyed the property so much, but I've never actually stayed there so we're really excited!

We are booked for Garden View, but before I did my research and was just looking at pictures, I called and requested AB or Oak Manor. Then, as I did more research (here and at portorleans.org), I found out that Oak Manor is exclusively Royal Guest Rooms (oops!) but I'm happy with AB anyway. I like all of the foliage around AB I've seen in photos.

Anyway, thanks for all of the great posts and trip reports. Keep 'em coming! It keeps my excitement level up since we have a few months to wait before our trip!

 

[Disneylvr]

Does anyone know how I could find out if any sports groups/teams will be staying at POR in May, specifically May 25th - June 1? Not a big deal, I just want to be prepared.

 

[klwdisney]

Hi again! 20 days out and 2 more questions!!

1. Does the pool have towels? We arrive at about noon on a Sunday and in case our room isn't ready I told my friend to bring a bathing suit for her 7yo DS so he can swim while we wait. She asked if she should pack a towel too and I honestly wasn't sure.

2. I booked our rooms in Feb using the Spring Sale. I booked us both Standard Rooms. My mother whined because last trip we had a River View Mansion that we both loved but I am trying to keep this a budget trip for my friend and her son (who have their own room). I kept telling my mother that honestly we're not in the room enough and should just be happy we're there. Well now that we're less than 3 weeks out, I'm wondering if I should upgrade our view. Is it too late to do so? Meaning, if I upgrade our view would it cancel out our original reservation and book a whole new one, minus the sale?? (our travel dates are 5/19-5/25 - then transferring to POLY for 1 night and 2 days of relaxation before flying home )

 

[andrewilley]

Hi again! 20 days out and 2 more questions!!

1. Does the pool have towels?

2. I booked our rooms in Feb using the Spring Sale. I booked us both Standard Rooms. My mother whined because last trip we had a River View Mansion that we both loved but I am trying to keep this a budget trip for my friend and her son (who have their own room).

1. Yes, there are towels provided at the main pool (not at the quiet pools, so grab some from the main pool first if you need them).

2. Unfortunely, a room category change from an already-booked offer is only possible if the same offer is currently available in the system for the new room - you can't just change it later and keep the discount. But it never hurts to ask of course.

Otherwise, why not put in a nicely worded fax a few days before you arrive explaining that you stayed in a lovely river view room (number xxxx) last time you were at the resort, and although you were not able to book that same category this time due to the Spring Sale & also because of accompanying another party, could they try to find rooms somewhere near to that area, or generaly near the river, if possible. Basically, what have you got to lose?

Andre

 

[klwdisney]

Thanks Andre!!

I'll definitely try to word it nicely in the fax and keep my fingers crossed and hope for a little pixie dust!

My mother seems to think that since I've gone so much I'll be treated as a VIP haha She doesn't seem to grasp that many many other people have been many many more times than I have

 

[bumbershoot]

Does anyone know how I could find out if any sports groups/teams will be staying at POR in May, specifically May 25th - June 1? Not a big deal, I just want to be prepared.

Well I'm sure you know that your trip is starting over Memorial Day weekend, so I would expect "yay we have a 3 day weekend" crowds.

Alas I don't know how to check for other things unless you know the name, like pop warner (early December), etc.

 

[LovingDisny]

Balance Paid Off
Online Check In Done
A Million Spreadsheets Created
......


Now what do I do for the next 42 days!? Ha!!

This is me also! I keep looking at the map, looking at the picture thread, looking at pictures from our last trip. The wait is driving me crazy. As well as everyone who comes into contact with me. Especially DH - I know he will be most happy when June 9th finally gets here. He is trying to be patient with me

 

[Disneylvr]

Well I'm sure you know that your trip is starting over Memorial Day weekend, so I would expect "yay we have a 3 day weekend" crowds.

Alas I don't know how to check for other things unless you know the name, like pop warner (early December), etc.

Yes, I am aware that the resort and parks will be crowded that week/weekend. We are part of the "yay we have a 3 day weekend" crowd, LOL! I just want to know if sports teams/groups might be staying at POR. We experienced them during spring break 2009 and 2011 and one whole team would take over the quiet swimming pool every afternoon at CBR, the resort they were staying at then. They created a little more noise than usual and I just want to know if I should expect those kind of groups at POR. Someone mentioned a basketball competition at the World of Sports that weekend and maybe the teams are staying at POR, anyone know?

 

[bartleby1]

Like most things in Disney, it's for both. Make sure your kids bring their autograph books to get his autograph! He calls the kids up on the little stage and has them dance to the music and then later has them parade with him through the lounge.

Also, if sitting at a table is important be sure to get there no later than 8.

Thanks! Sounds like fun! This has always been on the list of things to do and we never seem to make the time for it. Now I wish we had gone to see him when the kids were a couple of years younger - we'll, at least my 13 year old. She's now entered the "too mature" stage to parade around, LOL! Maybe I'll have to take her place, he he! Do you think that would embarrass her, LOL?

 

[klwdisney]

One more question! One that's been asked 10 million times so Im even more sorry!!!

I just wrote up my room request fax and saved it to my computer so I can send it the week we leave. One more thing checked off of my To Do List!

Anyway, I cannot seem to find the fax number to send it to?
Can anyone provide me with that number so I can save that to the fax?

THANKS SO MUCH!! Now I'll try to not ask anymore questions!

 

[andrewilley]

Anyway, I cannot seem to find the fax number to send it to?
Can anyone provide me with that number so I can save that to the fax?

See the title of this thread?

Andre

 

[klwdisney]

thanks. i am stupid for not checking there. i just didn't know if it was a separate special fax number directly to Mr Elg's office.

 

[germ539]

Just out of curiousity, I went to Disney's website today for our trip dates 5/26-6/1 for POR and it comes up SOLD OUT (nothing available), so I wonder if it really is or if other websites have the availability. I've never seen the whole resort being "not available for your dates". Glad we have reservations. Would there be a chance that they are overbooked and they would have to move people to another resort? I'd hate to have to go to another resort but if they would upgrade us to a deluxe, I wouldn't balk at that (we have two groups in our party, so two room reservations)

I just tried reserving for a single room and it still shows POR being completely booked. I'm not surprised, between the 30% off deal, and the fact that those days are some of the busiest days at the parks (includes a couple of SWWs, Memorial Day, Gay Days at AK, HS, and MK).

I wouldn't worry about overbooking though. They don't tend to overbook the Moderates like the Values -- though I suppose anything is possible.

Keeping fingers crossed we don't get "bumped" to another resort if they have overbooked. I really am looking forward to staying here again (we stayed in 1995 when it was Dixie Landings)

 

[SkywayGuy]

This is me also! I keep looking at the map, looking at the picture thread, looking at pictures from our last trip. The wait is driving me crazy. As well as everyone who comes into contact with me. Especially DH - I know he will be most happy when June 9th finally gets here. He is trying to be patient with me

Get on YouTube and search for Disney's Port Orleans Riverside. That will fill some of the time!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hi!! I have a question...hoping someone can answer this...maybe Venom? I think you had said you worked at POR? I could be totally imagining that too! LOL

Anyway...we are travelling this fall. We are driving. We plan to leave in the afternoon on October 29. We have about a 17 hour drive. It should put us in Disney about 6 or 7 am. At this point, our ressie starts on October 29th. We are hoping to keep that so we are guaranteed to get in a room when we get there for a little nap. My DH works nights so that is the best time for him to drive as it's when he is used to being awake. Anyway, I called the POR direct and asked if the res would be held even if we checked in technically the next day. The very nice woman I spoke with said that yes it would as long as I called en route to let them know we were still coming. My question (actually two) are do we think that is accurate information? And, we are hoping for free dining. If we get free dining, will they keep that on our ressie if we show up a few hours late? Hoping someone has the answer for me