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

[Cinderumbrella]

I am staying at POR in a few weeks & wondering if anyone knows how early the buses to HS start for SWW? We are hoping to get to the park early to sign up for JTA & apparently the gates often open earlier than the listed time of 8am for this event.

Someone on the SWW thread on the theme parks board said they were on a bus from AKL by 6:45 am yesterday, backing up what Dansdad posted above.

That being said, if JTA is THAT important, I would recommend taking a taxi from POR to DHS instead. I wouldn't rely on a bus that realy in the AM, but YMMV.

(Since we aren't trying for celeb autographs or JTA since we've done it, we will be at the POR bus stop by 6:55 am for all 3 Weekend 4 days, just to be near the front of the line to get positioned quickly in the character lines. If no bus shows up by 7:10, we will grab a taxi).

 

[mlsst124]

Someone on the SWW thread on the theme parks board said they were on a bus from AKL by 6:45 am yesterday, backing up what Dansdad posted above.

That being said, if JTA is THAT important, I would recommend taking a taxi from POR to DHS instead. I wouldn't rely on a bus that realy in the AM, but YMMV.

(Since we aren't trying for celeb autographs or JTA since we've done it, we will be at the POR bus stop by 6:55 am for all 3 Weekend 4 days, just to be near the front of the line to get positioned quickly in the character lines. If no bus shows up by 7:10, we will grab a taxi).

Do you think getting a taxi will be difficult? We have only ever used the disney transportation while there. We will be there weekend 3 so I can let you know what ends up working for us!

 

[Disneylvr]

You know venomhatch was really encouraging faxing very specific requests and lots of guests were reporting much success with that. Now venom seems to have almost disappeared from this thread and faxes are being discouraged? I leave in 6 days and was going to fax on Monday now I am not sure I should do so at all. I am not sweating it out or anything because we will take what we get but I still wanted to at least make a few specific requests in a fax that couldn't be made on online check in. For example, we want to be near a parking lot and wouldn't even mind a parking lot view.

 

[awfullybigadventure]

You know venomhatch was really encouraging faxing very specific requests and lots of guests were reporting much success with that. Now venom seems to have almost disappeared from this thread and faxes are being discouraged? I leave in 6 days and was going to fax on Monday now I am not sure I should do so at all.

I didn't think anyone was saying DON'T fax, just keep requests more general and remember they are just requests, not guarantees.

 

[visitingapril09]

I just returned from 7 days 6 nights, and I want to go back already! I went in with no expectations, no requests which I stewed over for a few days and then.....

Holy pixie dust, got upgraded to a RR at Parterre Place, we got very lucky with the buses and never waited longer than 10 minutes at any time. We loved the short walk to the food court, but would have walked further as we enjoyed the scenery, and sometimes would take a longer route to just look around. We were truly happy to be there. I think on our next trip we will definitely stay at POR again, and possibly take a few more non park days. I was very impressed with the hospitality. The only low point was a boat ride back from downtown disney, where a child was having a melt down and kicked both my daughter and myself in the back during her tantrum. My 7 year old daughter in her beautiful infinite wisdom, turned to me and said, "it's ok mom, she is just having a bad time, we are having a great time, so just ignore it". We loved the quick serve area, although at times a little chaotic. We also enjoyed movies under the stars one night, what a great way to wind down. We also really enjoyed the quiet pool after a busy and hot day at the park. We found our TS picks all to be good choices, but so hard to leave room for a snack. Very sad to leave! Especially with much colder weather back in Canada!

Sounds like a wonderful time and how lovely that you got a royal room!! Our mother daughter trip begins in 9 days. So very excited and hope we make as many memories as you did!

 

[siskaren]

I didn't think anyone was saying DON'T fax, just keep requests more general and remember they are just requests, not guarantees.

Also, Andre posted recently about not stressing about when to fax, but he never said not to fax.

 

[siskaren]

For example, we want to be near a parking lot and wouldn't even mind a parking lot view.

If you booked standard view, that's most likely what you'll get.

 

[andrewilley]

Also, Andre posted recently about not stressing about when to fax, but he never said not to fax.

Absolutely! Making requests and sending faxes is fine, just don't stress so much about it!

People have been asking which day of the week, and at what time, to send their faxes; would sending a fax six days out be a disaster (as I tend to suggest around 3-5 days); even which is the best room number to ask for. That's what I'm trying to say might be getting just a little bit overkill.

And please, don't be disappointed if you don't get an email back within the hour, or if your requests are eventually not met in full. However and whenever you do it, it's still only a request.

Andre

 

[Reagan&Co.]

It's in the My Disney Experience section, which you need to log in to (www.mydisneyexperience.com should get you there). If you are outside the US, you will get forcibly redirected to a local region site which may or may not allow you to do what you want - which is amazingly frustrating.

Andre

Thank you! My mistake was in thinking my reservations were linked (even though they were listed on MDE) when they were not. The option for online check in only shows up after reservations are linked!

 

[tinkerbell1984]

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 just checked in around noon. Room was ready and I DID get our request. Yay! We got building 17 ground floor.

 

[Disneylvr]

If you booked standard view, that's most likely what you'll get.

No, we are booked in preferred because we want to be in the Bayou for the first time (always get the mansions) and close to the main building. We get what we get but I don't want to waste time faxing if they are now being ignored by the room assigners like at the other Disney resorts. I guess it can't hurt anything to try.

 

[Disneylvr]

We just checked in around noon. Room was ready and I DID get our request. Yay! We got building 17 ground floor.

Just curious, did you fax your request or make then at time of booking?

 

[andrewilley]

I don't want to waste time faxing if they are now being ignored by the room assigners like at the other Disney resorts. I guess it can't hurt anything to try.

Erm... are we on the same thread here?

Andre

 

[amelia1]

We have POR Riverside booked for end of Oct. anyone know if they can accommodate a total of 6. May invite my niece along. That would give us 2 adults and 4 kids. We are currently booked in garden view for 5.

 

[ChristineOH]

We have POR Riverside booked for end of Oct. anyone know if they can accommodate a total of 6. May invite my niece along. That would give us 2 adults and 4 kids. We are currently booked in garden view for 5.

Only if one of the kids is under 3 years old.

 

[tinkerbell1984]

Just curious, did you fax your request or make then at time of booking?

I faxed. I asked for either magnolia terrace (any floor) or building 16 or 17 bayou ground floors. I didnt put in any request during online check in or when booking. Asked for close to main pool and bus stop. Got building 17 ground floor. It also seems from the portorleans.org site that we have been upgraded from standard to garden!

 

[siskaren]

No, we are booked in preferred because we want to be in the Bayou for the first time (always get the mansions) and close to the main building.

Well, I checked Andre's map on portorleans.org and there are some preferred rooms that overlook the parking lot, and I would imagine that not too many people request those rooms, so I would think you would have a good chance of getting one.

 

[bumbershoot]

You know venomhatch was really encouraging faxing very specific requests and lots of guests were reporting much success with that. Now venom seems to have almost disappeared from this thread and faxes are being discouraged?

But they aren't being discouraged.

And I can't speak for another person, but people come and go from threads, and it doesn't mean anything other than right now they aren't doing anything with that thread.




139 days out, and it feels like it's stretching to infinity. I mean, the time between is important, since I'm training for the TOT 10miler, but still, I want to be there... Our 2 nights (arrived first night around 2am so that first night hardly counts!) with an injured husband was simply NOT enough.

 

[kandim]

Well, I checked Andre's map on portorleans.org and there are some preferred rooms that overlook the parking lot, and I would imagine that not too many people request those rooms, so I would think you would have a good chance of getting one.

We were there in Feb in building 14, room 1403 if i recall correctly, it was facing the parking lot but there is enough foliage that you don't realize it. It was beautiful & a great location, close to main building & our car, too!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Well, I checked Andre's map on portorleans.org and there are some preferred rooms that overlook the parking lot, and I would imagine that not too many people request those rooms, so I would think you would have a good chance of getting one.

We were there in April in building 14 second floor preferred & overlooked the parking lot but that didn't bother us either since it was closer to the bus stop. Loved the quiet pool around the corner from building 18 too.