Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part Three (NOW CLOSED, see 2014 thread)

[Pt0872]

Not that we'd use it but anyone know how much the babysitting services are? We have a 6yo daughter and an 8yo son. Just something I'm wondering about...wife and I don't get a lot of time alone.

 

[BebopBaloo]

We went in Sept and had no issues with the busses. Even staying for illuminations and hallowishes we never waited more than 15 mins and most times all 4 of us got seats. Although if we did it again in the preferred rooms we would walk to the west depot to get on the bus.

Stacy

Good to hear. We're used to waiting about 15 minutes, or less and for some reason in my mind POR has always seemed like the mod that would have bus issues...of course even combined with FQ it has less stops than CBR.

 

[BebopBaloo]

You really need something to compare it to, I found the wait and time to load most times to be less than at Pop or AKL. We just happened to be on the most popular bus routes for our park days because it was always either MNSSHP or an EMH day at the park.

Thanks for your reply. We're used to the All Stars, which we've had good experiences with.

 

[peainapod]

So excited!! Just got off the phone booking POR for my son's first bday trip. I literally know NOTHING about it. We are avid WDW fans and this is the only hotel we have never either been to visit or stayed at.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Andre...quick question please

You said on the previous page something about more ride photos. We got PP+ last year and got all of our ride photos on that. Is it the same as that still or are they adding even more ride photos? Like are more rides adding this feature?

 

[TooBoyz4us]

45 days for us too, just made my final payment today! Woo Hoo! First stay at POR and first trip for hubbie and me as empty nesters. Having mixed emotions about going to Disney without the kids, eventhough they're grown and in college and working, but excited about the new experience that awaits us. We are going to just go at a relaxing pace and enjoy the resort, instead of our usual commando style.

Hi ya 1GR8DISNEYFAN,

We have almost the identical situation to you! (Except that we are arriving a week earlier )
This will be our first time staying at POR, and our first trip without the kids. We are not quite empty nesters, as ours still live at home.Well, actually, one left the nest and has come back
Anyway.......they are both too busy with work, college and girlfriends to be bothered vacationing with Mom & Dad anymore <gasp!>
So, we are on our own. We are planning a super relaxing pace, and a wonderful week just enjoying eachother and some peace and quiet

 

[kittyab]

Does anyone know how much a case of coolers or beer is at the gift shop/general store?

 

[dansamy]

All ears might have the price...

 

[TX Momof2]

Hi Andre,

I LOVE this thread! Ok, I'm booked Preferred in AB. How should I do room requests? Is bldg 14 the best? I would love a river view, but also second floor??? Really, don't want parking lot view if it's avoidable.

 

[kittyab]

I may try to hit the duty free shop.... We are flying to Orlando via Alberta.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

Thank you to those who made recommendations about what to do for transportation after our 9:45 reservation at Narcoossee's. I think we will play it by ear, and if necessary we will take a cab.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

Hi ya 1GR8DISNEYFAN,

We have almost the identical situation to you! (Except that we are arriving a week earlier )
This will be our first time staying at POR, and our first trip without the kids. We are not quite empty nesters, as ours still live at home.Well, actually, one left the nest and has come back
Anyway.......they are both too busy with work, college and girlfriends to be bothered vacationing with Mom & Dad anymore <gasp!>
So, we are on our own. We are planning a super relaxing pace, and a wonderful week just enjoying eachother and some peace and quiet

How wonderful for you! I hope you have a magical trip.
I feel like this trip will make us feel young again. We live in So California and have been going to DL together since high school,(over 30 years), but it has been many years (I think before kids which is 23 years) since we have gone as just a couple. I know it will be different, but I am expecting great!

 

[andrewilley]

You said on the previous page something about more ride photos. We got PP+ last year and got all of our ride photos on that. Is it the same as that still or are they adding even more ride photos? Like are more rides adding this feature?

I think that will definitely happen, yes. The more such new features they add to the system (tied to the RFID and wide-field Magic Band sensors) the more PhotoPasses they can sell. They've got to get their $2bn (and counting) investment back somehow...

Ok, I'm booked Preferred in AB. How should I do room requests? Is bldg 14 the best? I would love a river view, but also second floor??? Really, don't want parking lot view if it's avoidable.

There are no River View category rooms within the Preferred Location booking category (only standard and garden views) so technically a river or pool view room would be an upgrade. However you can always ask, saying that the close location was most important for you, but an upper floor non-parking lot view, or even a river view if possible, would be really appreciated. You never know, you might get some pixie dust!

See the first FAQ post at the start of this thread, or check out www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php for more information on making requests. Make sure you prioritise your requests in your fax though, so they know which are your most important preferences.

Andre

 

[sunset7132]

Hi ya 1GR8DISNEYFAN,

We have almost the identical situation to you! (Except that we are arriving a week earlier )
This will be our first time staying at POR, and our first trip without the kids. We are not quite empty nesters, as ours still live at home.Well, actually, one left the nest and has come back
Anyway.......they are both too busy with work, college and girlfriends to be bothered vacationing with Mom & Dad anymore <gasp!>
So, we are on our own. We are planning a super relaxing pace, and a wonderful week just enjoying eachother and some peace and quiet

We went kid less last year for the first time and we had fd. I thought I was gonna be I sad but dh and I had a blast . Such a bias we are doin it again in 34 days Enjoy

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I think that will definitely happen, yes. The more such new features they add to the system (tied to the RFID and wide-field Magic Band sensors) the more PhotoPasses they can sell. They've got to get their $2bn (and counting) investment back somehow...

Andre

LOL Is it too much for me to ask to have the extras added in for my trip in 25 days???!!!

 

[kaysmommie]

I just booked a short 4 night stay at POR before our cruise on the Disney Dream in March. I need opinions please! So which do you prefer Alligator Bayou or the Mansions? We stayed in a Royal Room when they first opened but that was our only stay at POR. The DD13 prefers the Royal Room but she didn't even really walk through AB. Just said the name "Alligator By You" bothers her. DS9 says he doesn't care which section. And I'm undecided. LOL! It's a $100 less to book the garden view and $50 less to get a preferred in AB. Decisions decisions. Thanks in advance

 

[pianoronni37]

Thank you so much for this thread! I haven't been to POR since January 2012, and while it seems like a short time to be away, logically... well... it's just been forever.

Can't wait to get back in February, POR is my favorite of all the resorts. I can't bring myself to stay anywhere else. The tranquility, the peacefulness, the open layout, the boat to DTD, the river, the walk to POFQ...

Hurry up, February. My goodness.

 

[ny3boys]

Hi! My family of 5 is making our first ever trip to Disney Nov 10th-15th and staying at POR. Kids are DS9, DS8, and DS6. The youngest has some health issues (immune compromised, severe acid reflux disease, asthma, allergies, failure to thrive). I got some good information on the disABILITIES boards and the dining boards. We booked with a travel agent, and we did give her some room requests (connecting room with my ILs, near main building since DS6 tires easily and if gets sick we will be closer to assistance, first floor since we may use a stroller with him sometimes too, and a fridge since he needs to take in extra calories and drinks whole milk that isn't widely available on the property). Does anyone have any good advice for me? What are the chances we get those requests? Do you think that is too many? Should I fax in a confirming request before we leave, or is that something my travel agent takes care of?

Thanks!

 

[carmelhp]

We went to MNSSHP on the same day and did not have this issue. Granted hindsight is 20/20 but why would you have waited for 90 minutes without saying anything? The drivers and staff do not know who is waiting for what bus at each stop.

Stacy

What stop were you at and what time? As I said, others did go in and tell the staff though it shouldn't have been hard to guess that there was a problem when both of the shelters (A&B) had overflowing crowds. At least 3 MK buses passed without stopping and there must have been a dozen DT Disney buses pass during that time.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

This is something I try to explain when people ask which bus stop to wait at - the buses don't all use the same route, and the MK ones do the outer circuit first and then go to the South Depot. So if there has been a problem, and there are a lot of people waiting, they can fill up with guests from West/North/East before even getting to the South Depot. The theory is that some people coming back from the parks will then get off at the South Depot making more space, but personally I normally only get off a South if I'm in staying the region of the preferred AB buildings, so I think the numbers are pretty small compared to the likely queues. The bus drivers are meant to radio in for extra buses if they are full and have to leave a lot of guests behind.


Andre

Hi Andre, thanks again for all your great advice on this site and yours. We are finally getting really close - we get in late Tuesday night. Our first day in the parks is MK - does the outer circuit path apply even before park opening? We're in Royal Rooms so my thought is that the East stop is maybe our best bet the first morning then. Any wisdom appreciated!

Allison