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

[DonaldDuck77]

My TA emailed me that all resorts would have magic bands by October 20th. I don't know if that is the same info we already had, or if TAs in general have been given an official release that from October 20th all resorts would have the bands. No word on when it would be available for November checkins.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Not sure if your question was answered... We have not stayed at this resort before but will be there in 25 days. I have asked the same question and was told there is not much storage at all... in fact I was advised to bring a hanging closet organizer and collapsible laundry hamper. I bought them and they are already packed in the suitcases. They cost about 14.00 each at Target. Good luck.

We stayed 9 nights in a Royal Room. There are three draws that are each decent sized in the main cabinet under the TV beside the frig, there is a small drawer in the bedside table between the beds and space underneath. The top of the AC unit by the window is solid without vents so some things can be placed there. There was in the Royal room an ottoman or whatever you call it that would hold a suitcase. There is also a shelf above the closet hanging bar, a shelf above the sinks, and an open area under the sinks.

We found plenty of room for bathroom items on the shelf and underneath the sinks. We put shoes on the floor under the sink area. We then stacked two large empty suitcases in the corner of the sink area and hung up the folding shelves. We did use a handful of hangers, but didn't have much to hang up. One drawer we filled with stuff, the other two with clothes. Then other clothes in the folding shelves.

The folding shelves and collapsible hamper worked out great and provided enough space. Other items and purchases went on the shelf above the hanging bar. I dislike living out of a suitcase and we were able to completely unpack.

Thank you to all those that suggested the folding hanging shelves and collapsible hamper.

 

[Disneylover99]

Here now.... Love our royal room, we got a ground floor corner in oak. Paid for and gota standard view but as I lay here on the bed watching it pour out of my windows I see no parking lot. It's definitely not a garden or river view but still beautiful. Even dh loves the room because of all the details. As i said its pouring! Our shoes are soaked! We left dhs about 2 hours ago its been raining nonstop but @ least my room is beautiful

Yay! Glad you love your room! We have a standard Royal room booked in December. Ground floor corner in Oak sounds perfect for us too! Hope the rain stops soon!

 

[lifeguardette]

Hey all, I've just entered my confirmation to POR riverside for my family's trip nov 16-23. Are they still testing FP+ and MBs? When should I expect the email inviting us to this test? Thanks!

 

[delilah18]

Got Mickey Mail today
So excited it just makes it more real

 

[mickey1968]

I got my Mickey Mail today too! 33 days and it can't get here fast enough!!!

 

[galaxyg528]

Yay!!! Got my Mickey mail from my TA!!! 20 days!! question though. I ordered photo pass plus through my TA. Should there be something in my Mickey mail?!?

 

[CareHeartsDisney]

My TA emailed me that all resorts would have magic bands by October 20th. I don't know if that is the same info we already had, or if TAs in general have been given an official release that from October 20th all resorts would have the bands. No word on when it would be available for November checkins.

I'm a TA and information regarding which resorts are being tested is on the Disney Travel Agents site. Most resorts are being given an opportunity to test for a certain range of dates such as 9/10-10/31 (CR, Pop, YC, AKL, AKL-Jambo, AoA, BC, BCV, Poly, POR), 9/30-10/31 (AKL-Kidani, ASMo, BLT, GF, POFQ), 10/7-10/31 (ASSp, BWI, BWV, CBR) and 10/14-10/31 (ASMu, CSR, OKW, WL, VWL). According to this information that was posted, most resorts should be included in the testing by 10/14 (I don't see SSR or FW campgrounds or cabins on the list & I triple checked). None of the resorts are listed for testing of MBs past 10/31 so that might be when the official roll out takes place.

 

[galaxyg528]

Yay!!! Got my Mickey mail from my TA!!! 20 days!! question though. I ordered photo pass plus through my TA. Should there be something in my Mickey mail?!?

found it it's in with the other coupons lol I couldn't look until my daughter fell asleep lol

 

[Katelly]

So excited....in seven days I can do online check-in!! I'm going to have a million questions now about POR as we've never stayed there before. I'll only ask a few for now lol.

When you take the boat from POR to DTD, where does the boat dock when it gets to DTD? Is it closer to Pleasure Island, Marketplace or the West Side?

Can we take the boat from POR to POFQ to visit that resort or do we need to walk there? Can we rent bikes at POR and ride to the French Quarter?

Thank you kindly!

 

[Disneylover99]

When you take the boat from POR to DTD, where does the boat dock when it gets to DTD? Is it closer to Pleasure Island, Marketplace or the West Side?

Can we take the boat from POR to POFQ to visit that resort or do we need to walk there? Can we rent bikes at POR and ride to the French Quarter?

Thank you kindly!

The DTD boat from POR docks at the Marketplace and yes, you can take the boat from POR to POFQ or you can walk.

 

[Katelly]

The DTD boat from POR docks at the Marketplace and yes, you can take the boat from POR to POFQ or you can walk.

Awesome, thank you!

 

[waltsgrl]

Just returned home from a lovely 9 night first time stay at POR.

When we originally booked with Free Dining our TA was not able to secure a Royal Room but we did book a River View room. I used Venom's wonderful room request template (and I *might* have drawn stick figure princesses of my daughters!!) to see if a Royal Room was available. I offered to pay any extra fee... We were incredibly glad to find out upon arrival that we were upgraded to a RRGV corner room in Oak Manor, they did not charge for the upgrade!! It was wonderful an my three year old was thrilled!

We did not receive a working refrigerator, so I sent my husband to the front to inquire about the $15 per night credit. They gladly gave us the credit and apologized for the inconvenience. Not 20 minute later a working refrigerator was delivered to our room. It was completely unexpected!! Somehow we ended up with both credit and fridge in an upgraded room... Now that's pixie dust!!!

The resort was beautiful. We never had any trouble with transportation (always from south depot) and we found the food to be decent. I rather enjoyed the muffaletta flatbread, while my husband enjoyed the customizable pasta. Our room was always clean and the cleaning staff was wonderful at arranging my daughter's toys in funny positions for her to enjoy after a long park day.

It was a very successful trip, thank you for all the wonderful insight all the regulars!!!

 

[Pt0872]

Only have 2 questions....

What's the benefit of online check in.

We originally planned to take ME. But now we've rented a car. We have the yellow luggage tags...will disney still get our bags for us?

 

[lmhall2000]

Just returned home from a lovely 9 night first time stay at POR.


We did not receive a working refrigerator, so I sent my husband to the front to inquire about the $15 per night credit. They gladly gave us the credit and apologized for the inconvenience. Not 20 minute later a working refrigerator was delivered to our room. It was completely unexpected!! Somehow we ended up with both credit and fridge in an upgraded room... Now that's pixie dust!!!

It was a very successful trip, thank you for all the wonderful insight all the regulars!!!

Yep!!! You were pixie dusted!! I somehow managed the $15 credit but was made to feel that I was very much a nuisance for asking since I had no documented medical request on file...awkward!! So glad other desk workers are handling it nicely!! Sounds like a great trip!! I can imagine how your daughter loved the room!!

 

[bookgirl]

Only have 2 questions....

What's the benefit of online check in.

We originally planned to take ME. But now we've rented a car. We have the yellow luggage tags...will disney still get our bags for us?

Nope you have to ride DME for them to take your luggage. At least that is what I've been told by other guests and CMs.

 

[dansdad]

What's the benefit of online check in?

Theoretically, it should take less time to check in when you arrive as all your documents and KTTWs are printed and ready for you.

We originally planned to take ME. But now we've rented a car. We have the yellow luggage tags...will disney still get our bags for us?

No.

 

[bumbershoot]

We originally planned to take ME. But now we've rented a car. We have the yellow luggage tags...will disney still get our bags for us?

Here is the sanctioned "sticky" thread from the Transportation forum where using DME for luggage but not for people is discussed. It can work, it has worked. It might not work. Take your chances or don't.

 

[andrewilley]

(I don't see SSR or FW campgrounds or cabins on the list & I triple checked). None of the resorts are listed for testing of MBs past 10/31 so that might be when the official roll out takes place.

SSR and FW are 21 Oct, and the Grand Flo Villas will open with the system running on 23 Oct.

And yes, the current tests officially run until 31 Oct - but can you really see the brand new Grand Flo Villas only having them for 7 days? I think not! Extensions into November (or maybe even it will be 'fully live' by then) will happen sometime early in October I believe, but I don't have a date as yet.

Andre

 

[TDDisney]

Nope you have to ride DME for them to take your luggage. At least that is what I've been told by other guests and CMs.

When we rented a car from the airport, DH drove the car and me and kids rode the bus....all our luggage and us wouldn't fit in our compact car.
This year, my DH want us to stick together, so we are all taking the bus, then getting the car from Disney Car Care.....they'll pick you up from the resort.