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

[sunset7132]

Another question:

We are in the car rental camp. We want to take MDE so we don't have to hassle with luggage and pick up a car on property. Last time we used the car care center. Should we use a DTD location since it's closer?

Gosh...I'm having so much fun planning right now. It's too bad it's too far away to look at crowd calendars, schedule ADRs, etc. So, I'm thinking about the bigger stuff...

Lynne

I called Alamo and set up a car for nov 9 th ... They told me to call the shuttle service a day in advance and they will pick us up at pofq. If you go on their (Alamo) website and fill out a 2 minute registration you will receive a member number and get 10 percent off

 

[DonaldDuck77]

First of all thanks for everyone who reassured me about the RR not being too girly for all my men! (I don't know how to do multiple quotes.) I'm so excited to change resorts. (I did this last year, too. I'm sure my TA thinks, here we go again.)

When I emailed my TA yesterday to change from CSR to POR, she responded that she's on a cruise at the moment and will get back to me next week. Sigh! I suppose that's okay. Besides, I think she's actually working and not vacationing...

Thanks all. I'm so excited about a Princess room for my 50th birthday. Sad, isn't it?

Lynne

Not sure why TAs need to feel like that. What is their purpose, anyway, if not to take care of any vacation needs?

I don't think I will be using a TA again after this time. I have learned enough that I can do what I need on my own. (This message board has been far more helpful, and I have even taught her things she didn't know through this board.) I had no control over important changes. My TA seems to have been on vacation/researching on any important date that I needed her. If there are any mistakes made, there is nothing you can do about it. I discovered an error in an ADR that took away my fantasmic dining package (glad for the recent FP+ availability). Someone who doesn't ever click around on the Disney website would probably have walked up to the restaurant on that day and not had the reservation they thought they did through the TA. The TA company policy is that they take care of dining reservations for you one time. Due to one of the many vacations she was on, my 180 day was while she was gone. So by her choice, she made dining reservations at 2 different times. Then by her own suggestion, we allowed her to change something else about the dining. Then, when free dining came out, she made a comment about how much more she had helped with dining compared to the company policy I would suggest to not use a TA you know outside of that, or one that has a primary job that takes away from their availability to take care of your needs when you need them.

Sorry, vent over. It's still Disney, and we can't wait. 34 days

 

[RedPanda]

Just (finally!) booked our room at Riverside for February! I've been waiting for a discount to come out, since we're trying to budget carefully for this trip. Had a bit of a snag when the website wouldn't let me book because evidently I made a mistake when entering my daughter's age -- the month and day of her birthday were reversed, so she was turning up older at the time of travel than she should've been. And although they let you enter the birthday through the site, they won't let you edit it. So I had to call, and it took several tries to get through.

I just realized I didn't make any room requests while on the phone with the agent -- I hope that doesn't mean I need to get back on the line. I wanted to request a mansion room. Should I just wait and send a fax when we're closer to our stay?

 

[WishnDisney]

It's going to be more hassle and wasted time using DME and then renting a car at Disney. Just pick up your luggage and rent a car at the airport.

Maybe. We did it last time, though, and it worked out great. We just hopped on the DME, checked in, and then called National and they came to get us and took us to the Car Care Center. We then went to Wal-Mart and picked up Water, etc., and by the time we got back to our rooms, all of our things were there. Then we took off for the parks. We took a very early morning flight so it all worked out great.

I think my DH who does all the driving, appreciated the DME, and not having to deal with luggage and find his way to the hotel.

Lynne

 

[WishnDisney]

Not sure why TAs need to feel like that. What is their purpose, anyway, if not to take care of any vacation needs?

I don't think I will be using a TA again after this time. I have learned enough that I can do what I need on my own. (This message board has been far more helpful, and I have even taught her things she didn't know through this board.) I had no control over important changes. My TA seems to have been on vacation/researching on any important date that I needed her. If there are any mistakes made, there is nothing you can do about it. I discovered an error in an ADR that took away my fantasmic dining package (glad for the recent FP+ availability). Someone who doesn't ever click around on the Disney website would probably have walked up to the restaurant on that day and not had the reservation they thought they did through the TA. The TA company policy is that they take care of dining reservations for you one time. Due to one of the many vacations she was on, my 180 day was while she was gone. So by her choice, she made dining reservations at 2 different times. Then by her own suggestion, we allowed her to change something else about the dining. Then, when free dining came out, she made a comment about how much more she had helped with dining compared to the company policy I would suggest to not use a TA you know outside of that, or one that has a primary job that takes away from their availability to take care of your needs when you need them.

Sorry, vent over. It's still Disney, and we can't wait. 34 days

Yikes, sounds like a nightmare. My TA is AAA and I use her to get their discount plus diamond parking. Last year, when Disney came out with bigger discounts closer to the trip, I had her rebook me under the Disney discount. It all worked out well.

I agree with you, though. I could definitely do this myself. I do tons of research and all of my own planning. I was up at the crack of dawn to do my own ADRs at 180 days. I made my own rental car arrangements. Will probably do that, too, plus my airfare since I'm really trying to control costs and am keeping my eyes out for good rental rates plus good airfare.

I'm probably her nightmare, between making changes to resorts, looking for discounts and trying to control things rather than let her do her job. Hey, it's just the way I am.

Lynne

 

[PeanutButterMom]

We head out for POR in 11 days! So excited!

I had asked about a million years ago (back when I first booked. You know, in June... ) about requesting rooms/areas of the resort, and I faithfully wrote down everything everyone told me. I downloaded the sample fax and fussed around with it to make it work for us. Does it make sense? Is there anything I should add? (I changed up all our actual info):

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Attn: Room Assignment Team
October 14, 2013
Resort Confirmation# (3TF73922)


Hello, and good day to you and your fellow Cast Members.

On October 19, 2013 my family and I will be visiting Walt Disney World at your Port Orleans Riverside resort. We are all looking forward to this trip from October 19th-28th with much excitement. It’s our first Disney trip ever! We would be most grateful if you could possibly accommodate a room request for the Magnolia Terrace Building, on the inside of the ‘H’ facing the river, maybe rooms 8748-8766 (we prefer the 2nd floor as we can be very sensitive sleepers)? We really like the Magnolia Bend area, specifically Magnolia Terrace. We feel that this building is in a perfect location; close to East Depot for transportation and Ol’ Man Island for our kids, as well as a view of the courtyard and hopefully fountain. The Magnolia Bend area is so picturesque and we are eager to be “Welcomed Home” for the first time. We have a paid Garden View as part of our reservation. We are so very excited to stay at Port Orleans. So it would be very magical to receive a little pixie dust if at all possible. It would be the most magical experience to achieve that one time for us. We understand that these are requests but if you can help us out to the best of your abilities we would be ever so grateful. We will be arriving at your resort very soon, and would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide in making our wonderful vacation more enjoyable and magical.

Sincerely,

PeanutbutterMom
Our Address
Phone: 407-555-5555
Email: (xxx@yyy.com)

* Building requested Magnolia Terrace (Building 85), Rooms 8748-8766
* Paid for Garden View
* Would prefer the Second Floor please, we are sensitive sleepers and would be easily woken by passing traffic.

Is my room explanation OK? This is what I'm talking about, but I know I can unclear sometimes:

 

[Just Love Disney]

Last year, since our plane arrived after midnight, we got a room near the airport and then took the hotel shuttle back to the airport in the a.m. to ride the DME to our Disney Resort. It all went rather smoothly and the hotel had free hot breakfast (bonus - )

Again this year we will be arriving at the airport around 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. on the 23rd but our resv. for POR begins on the 24th. We initially thought we'd just stay at the hotel near the airport again and repeat what we did last year, but then it occurred to me that we could get a room at a Value Resort for the 1st night so the 'Magic' could begin a little earlier and then move over to POR the next morning (I'm too cheap to pay for another day at POR since we won't be arriving until late night).

Which way makes more sense? Room near airport for one night or room at Value for one night?

Is the DME (big bus) still running around 10:00 p.m. or is it just the smaller shuttle bus?

If we stay at a Value, would it be a major pain to transport our luggage to POR in the a.m. and how would we go about doing that? (we all have rolling carry-on pieces).

Also, does anyone know what time the food court or in-room pizza is open until? And what about a pool? Are any still open 24 hours or did that all change last week? We are looking at All Star Movies Resort. (I'm referring to the pools at the ASMO - not pool hopping to another resort)

Thanks for all your help and advice

 

[Venomhatch]

Back again everyone. Good morning and hope you have a very Magical Day!

 

[EpcotBill]

Maybe. We did it last time, though, and it worked out great. We just hopped on the DME, checked in, and then called National and they came to get us and took us to the Car Care Center. We then went to Wal-Mart and picked up Water, etc., and by the time we got back to our rooms, all of our things were there. Then we took off for the parks. We took a very early morning flight so it all worked out great.

I think my DH who does all the driving, appreciated the DME, and not having to deal with luggage and find his way to the hotel.

Lynne

If it works for you great, go for it. I've done it both ways and it's much more efficient renting a car at the airport. You also get to pick from many car rental companies so you can shop for price. At WDW you're limited to Alamo or National. When you return to the airport you go when you're ready, not when DME tells you to be ready.

When we rent at the airport it takes just as much time to get our own luggage and rent a car as it takes to check in at DME and wait in line for the bus. Sometimes it can be a long wait for your bus to leave the airport and if your resort isn't the first stop there's more wasted time. Then there's the wasted time going to the Car Care Center to pick up and drop off your car.

I don't have any trouble finding the hotels. It's pretty easy and when we get there our luggage is with us, no waiting for it to be delivered.

That's just my experience. I like to save as much time as possible for the fun stuff.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Woo hoo! So excited it's finally here! Just got our dining reminder for Boatwrights tomorrow night!!!

I'm working until 1 today, then heading home to cram in the rest of the packing. DH and I will pick up the kids after school, then straight on to the airport. POR, here we come!

 

[WishnDisney]

That's just my experience. I like to save as much time as possible for the fun stuff.

You're right and after your prior post I mentioned it to DH again. This time around, he said, as long as we have our GPS is he is fine with picking up the car at the airport.

Full disclosure - DH really doesn't like Disney, but tolerates it for the rest of us. He is complaining about it being all the same thing. Can't see spending that amount of money to do the same thing we did last year. So (tongue-in-cheek), I tried to entice him with the thought of getting checked in and heading to Epcot to do all of DS No. 2's favorite things (which we did over and over and over again) last trip. Mission Space, here we come!

Okay...I know, I know...I've got 8 months to go...My OCD kicks in in the fall and I start obsessively planning!

Lynne

 

[Just Love Disney]

Woo hoo! So excited it's finally here! Just got our dining reminder for Boatwrights tomorrow night!!!

I'm working until 1 today, then heading home to cram in the rest of the packing. DH and I will pick up the kids after school, then straight on to the airport. POR, here we come!

How exciting! Hope you have a blast

 

[OneBadApple]

Not sad at all - I think it is fun and you are going to enjoy it! Makes me want to have a Royal Room, but there are 5 in our family so that is not an option

I wholeheartedly agree

 

[WishnDisney]

Sorry, vent over. It's still Disney, and we can't wait. 34 days

Ahhhh, 34 days...that's just a blink of time!

 

[mickey1968]

When you do a car rental at airport is there anyone at POR to take your bags from the car to the room?

 

[Skampigirl]

When you do a car rental at airport is there anyone at POR to take your bags from the car to the room?

We asked at Bell Services for luggage help the last time we rented a car and they said they would help only with DME passengers. They didn't turn us down flat - they said we "could" leave our bags, but it might be several hours before they would arrive in our room. So I took them up myself (3rd floor Magnolia Terrace). I figured I worked off enough calories for an ice cream Mickey bar, so I had one later.

 

[kittyab]

What is the check out time for Riverside?

 

[mickey1968]

We asked at Bell Services for luggage help the last time we rented a car and they said they would help only with DME passengers. They didn't turn us down flat - they said we "could" leave our bags, but it might be several hours before they would arrive in our room. So I took them up myself (3rd floor Magnolia Terrace). I figured I worked off enough calories for an ice cream Mickey bar, so I had one later.

That's what I am afraid of happening. Oh, well I will just gamble I guess.

 

[Skampigirl]

That's what I am afraid of happening. Oh, well I will just gamble I guess.

Parking was very convenient at the back of the building - it wasn't nearly as tough as I had feared and there are elevators in the Mansions, so that was very helpful too. Of course it would have been easier if it had been cooler than about 105 degrees

 

[disneymania0711]

45 more days here!!! And after two weeks of trying I finally scored a BOG FP+!!!!