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

[andrewilley]

We check in in 4 days! Faxed my room request yesterday, haven't heard back yet.

I wouldn't be too surprised about not getting emails for a while as I believe David will be out of the office for about three weeks, and he's the one who often replies by email.

Andre

 

[WOODY13]

Has anyone on here booked a room online instead of calling? How did it go?

 

[Srbright]

I must confess to having changed. We went from POR pool view to POFQ pool view last night. We still have free dining as it was available there but had been sold out earlier in the week.

As there are only 30 pool view rooms at FQ we know where we will be staying.

Stacy

 

[SkywayGuy]

We check in in 4 days! Faxed my room request yesterday, haven't heard back yet. We requested either magnolia terrace or ground floor in a close bayou room. We'll see! We have a large stroller so stairs aren't an option!

We check in in five! See you there (the anticipation is almost unbearable isnt it?)!

 

[tinkerbell1984]

I wouldn't be too surprised about not getting emails for a while as I believe David will be out of the office for about three weeks, and he's the one who often replies by email.

Andre

I put my fax in his attention...Now I'm wondering if I should just call Disney and ask for Magnolia Terrace only to assure that I at least have an elevator and am close to the pool...Instead of the more detailed fax I sent him...

 

[tinkerbell1984]

We check in in five! See you there (the anticipation is almost unbearable isnt it?)!

Totally! So excited!

 

[andrewilley]

I put my fax in his attention...

Which is exactly why I keep advising people not to send faxes to any specifically named individuals. Don't worry though, I'm sure they will have set something up for faxes to be dealt with by someone else in the department while he's away.

Andre

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I put my fax in his attention...Now I'm wondering if I should just call Disney and ask for Magnolia Terrace only to assure that I at least have an elevator and am close to the pool...Instead of the more detailed fax I sent him...

If you are that worried that they won't see it, re-send it Attention: Room Assignors.

 

[LisaTC]

One thing I did as recommended by VenomHatch was I put my email address on the Fax that was addressed attention to the Room Inventory Manager. I got a return email that it was received and my request was granted. Just a thought...

 

[DisneyFive]

We just flew Southwest and did ME, and checked bags and printed boarding passes at the hotel the morning we left.

Thank you for this! We've done this with Delta and Airtran, but I wasn't sure about it now that Southwest bought Airtran. We're using Southwest in late Sept this year.

Dan

 

[SkywayGuy]

Does anyone know if they serve a Mint Julep at the Muddy Waters pool bar? I'm not really a drinker, but it sounds lovely to sip one in the open air by the pool.

I've often said that waiting is one of the hardest things to do in life. Right now, I just want to be done with work, and out on the open road headed to POR!

 

[Princess Vespa]

I will be faxing a room request to just ask for 2nd floor with a good view. I paid for the preferred room - since I want to be close to the transportation since we will be relying on the buses. We are not traveling with children this time, girls only. Leaving the kids and husbands at home!! Spending my 40th birthday doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour!!!

I will be asking for late check out on the day we leave since our flight home is not until 7pm. Is this something that I should ask when I check in or is it OK to include in the fax? 2nd floor to limit the noise. I usually request 1st floor since I don't want anyone under my children (and trust me, no one wants to be under my kids - not really the quiet, gentlest of children ) I don't really have much to request, so maybe I don't even need to send a request.

I am just so excited to be in WDW for my actual birthday . I did this instead of having a party. 16 more days!!!!

 

[Cobern]

We are here now the grounds are gorgeous as is the lobby. We were not granted ANY of our requests and told they would not move us . We have 2 kids under 3 so I waned to be closer tot he cross bridge to and from the food court and main bus depot (royal room Riverview). I asked for Oak and was put in PP . Note to anyone who parks and has a riverfront room it is near impossible to find a direct path from parking lot to room without stairs or just plain out of the way. Our room was not ready at checkin so we went to DTD to feed the kids ad burn off steam. They were supposed to send a text and never received one came back at around 4 (almost 5 hours later) after talking to another family on the boat and they had never received a text either. Turns out the system was not working right but the girl at checkin did not seem to care when I mentioned this to her.

Everyone has been super friendly and the kids are really enjoying themselves. At AK today all the rides and meet and greets were basically walk ons . At MK last night we walked right on Little Mermaid and used FP for the princesses and Mickey and waited just a few minutes for each!

Overall we are having a great time but I doubt I will stay at this resort again

 

[LisaTC]

Does anyone know if they serve a Mint Julep at the Muddy Waters pool bar? I'm not really a drinker, but it sounds lovely to sip one in the open air by the pool.

I've often said that waiting is one of the hardest things to do in life. Right now, I just want to be done with work, and out on the open road headed to POR!

Bet they can make you one. Awesome bartenders there...make a killer bloody mary!

We are here now the grounds are gorgeous as is the lobby. We were not granted ANY of our requests and told they would not move us . We have 2 kids under 3 so I waned to be closer tot he cross bridge to and from the food court and main bus depot (royal room Riverview). I asked for Oak and was put in PP . Note to anyone who parks and has a riverfront room it is near impossible to find a direct path from parking lot to room without stairs or just plain out of the way. Our room was not ready at checkin so we went to DTD to feed the kids ad burn off steam. They were supposed to send a text and never received one came back at around 4 (almost 5 hours later) after talking to another family on the boat and they had never received a text either. Turns out the system was not working right but the girl at checkin did not seem to care when I mentioned this to her.

Everyone has been super friendly and the kids are really enjoying themselves. At AK today all the rides and meet and greets were basically walk ons . At MK last night we walked right on Little Mermaid and used FP for the princesses and Mickey and waited just a few minutes for each!

Overall we are having a great time but I doubt I will stay at this resort again

If you are Riverfront on Parterre are you on the side closer to Oak Manor because you are close to the 2nd footbridge that comes out near the lobby area. We were in Oak Manor RR and used that footbridge most of the time. Seemed just as quick. Granted you aren't as close to the pool like if you were in the non Royal Mansions, but still convenient. Riverfront rooms are the FURTHEST from parking, yes they are!

We used the bus depot near the General Store to go to the parks and got off at the East Depot in the evening. That was a bit more of a hike, but a lovely one at that!

 

[KittyKat1978]

I just got back from a 7 night stay (May 4-11th) at POR in a Royal Room.

I requested 2nd floor, corner room and close to the main building. I got all requests but close to main building. I was in room 9235 (gardenview) and it was in the north wing of Oak Manor. It was only a 5 min walk so not as close as I hoped (south wing of Oak Manor or north wing of Pantree (sp?)) but not far by any means.

If I sat at my table, and looked out the window I could see the river. It was a great location, also close to the East bus stop which is the one I used the most. Only one bus I had to wait 25 minutes for (I think it was an MK bus) and half the time I had to stand and half the time I got to sit. At the end of the night at the parks, they always had two buses come at a time so the wait wasn't bad.

The only thing that went wrong for me was the person who was previously in my room set the refrigerator to 5 which froze my milk. So the first morning I had to eat dry cereal. So check the temp on your refrigerator!! I was able to de-frost my milk and eat regular cereal from the 2nd morning on.

I got three towel animals. The mickey head on the bed, an elephant who was wearing my minnie ears and an easter basket.

The resort was beautiful, although I didn't explore much as I am a parks person. I ate in the food court twice, the first time I got a burger which was way over cooked and dry. The second time I got a cajun chicken burger which was not spicy at all but I was very happy that it was an actual chicken breast not a mechanically seperated and put back together chicken breast which I really don't like. I also had the magic cookie bar which was very yummy.

I didn't end up booking the bounce back because I am not sure I can convince my mom to come with me for my birthday in Nov and I don't want to go alone. And just a note for those wanting to book the bounce back, your check in date needs to be on a day the bounce back is available (I didn't know this). For the dates I wanted I would have to book a 4 day package at regular rate (although a discount could come out) and then a 7 night room only BB.

I would definetely stay at POR again.

 

[tinkerbell1984]

Which is exactly why I keep advising people not to send faxes to any specifically named individuals. Don't worry though, I'm sure they will have set something up for faxes to be dealt with by someone else in the department while he's away.

Andre

Thanks, I just copied the template from the first page here and it says:

"Attn: Room Assignment Manager (David Elg)"

Then updated with my info and request.

No worries though, hopefully if we are on 2nd floor in Bayou we can just asked to be moved...No way we can haul 2 small kids and a huge stroller up the stairs several times a day...Esp since I'm the only adult other than my mom with a bad shoulder!

 

[photos_101]

I just booked a standard view Royal Room for July/Aug. They told me the views from the room would be mainly parking lot and roof tops. lol
With that said, What requests should I try to make when doing online check in? The view isn't really a factor for us. Basically 3 adults and a 17yo. Our main concern is being able to access the food court quickly and easily.
I was offered a garden view for about $40more but declined.
Any advice?
thanks.

 

[Viking Princess]

I just booked a standard view Royal Room for July/Aug. They told me the views from the room would be mainly parking lot and roof tops. lol
With that said, What requests should I try to make when doing online check in? The view isn't really a factor for us. Basically 3 adults and a 17yo. Our main concern is being able to access the food court quickly and easily.
I was offered a garden view for about $40more but declined.
Any advice?
thanks.

As I recall, you can't make any requests about where you are in the resort during online check-in, just where you are in a building. (eg. Top or Bottom Floor, Corner Room or Not) Any requests beyond that must be made a week in advance.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I just wanted to post a little happy dance since I've been so busy with the school year wrapping up that I haven't been on here much lately! We are 25 days out! Started our Disney Countdown poster at 30 days out. Got our Mickey Mail at around 35 days out! So exciting!!! Finishing out the school year with my first graders is making the time FLY!!!

 

[justthe2ofus]

We have my 4 yr old DS signed up for the Pirate Adventure Cruise on our upcoming trip. (LEAVE IN 8 DAYS!! ) I'll report back in on how it goes. From what I've read it sounds like the kids have a great time. I'm hoping my DS will love it!

Thanks. I can't wait to hear how your DS enjoys it. Enjoy your upcoming trip!!!! I wouldn't be able to sleep if I were leaving in 8 days. I'm so excited I am having difficult time sleeping now and we don't leave until 27 days...