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

[ny3boys]

I read on another board that POR is a testing resort for tv bus monitors. The pic showed a tv screen with estimated bus arrivals for each destination. It looked rely cool! I think it was at the south depot. That she man bus stop, right? Can anyone tell me if the times seem fairly accurate on it?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I am having so much anxiety about the refrigerator situation!

We will be arriving on 11/27 for our first stay at POR and have a Royal Room booked. I am assuming for the sake of planning that we will NOT have a refrigerator in our room.

We will be flying and I was going to try Garden Grocer on this trip. DD9 is a picky eater and I have digestive issues, so bring able to have her favorite foods and my GI safe foods in our room will make our trip so much smoother. All of the wonderful restaurants, snacks and treats at WDW are not a part of our plans.

What I can't figure out is whether to purchase and pack a soft sided cooler (looking at one from LL Bean) or to add a foam cooler to my order from Garden Grocer? The soft sided cooler is about $50, but I can reuse it. The foam cooler is $8, but I would leave it in the room when we check out.

I have never used either type of cooler and am not sure how well they work? We'll be keeping yogurt, milk, cheese and deli turkey in the cooler, so it needs to stay COLD. (Another facet of my anxiety here!! What if it doesn't stay cold enough?!?)

What have you all found that works best?

Thanks!!

We used a small cheap cooler and it worked fine. The foam cooler will provide as much insulation as the soft sided, if not more, so the only consideration is if you want to spend more money and keep the cooler. Take ziplock bags to put your yogurt, cheese, & deli meat in. If you fill the cooler with ice, everything will still be cold in the evening. We got about 24 hours out of ours. We would fill it before going to bed and wouldn't need to refill until the next night.

I need some advice/opinions, maybe Andre or Venomhatch can weigh in on this.

We have a standard royal room booked next month. We will be checking in at about 5pm. We would like to request Oak, first floor. The request has been added to our reservation and I will also fax in my request.

Here is my question. Is it better to do online checkin? or regular checkin? to get requests met. Maybe it doesn't matter? I know they are just requests.

What do you think?

We weighed whether or not to do online, and decided to do it. It doesn't make a big difference and may even help. We had several requests online and then more by fax. You can always change the online check-in if you want, anyway.

I think a key to requests, (Others will correct me if I'm wrong) is being willing to wait for a room if you arrive in the morning. We arrived early, reiterated our requests and said we had no need for the room until evening as we were headed to the parks. We received most of our requests and some pixie dust! If you arrive and want a room right away, then you need to take what they have.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

The CMs have given us nothing but pixie dust. It's our honeymoon and the pins have helped make our stay fantastic plus our room was upgraded. What an amazing resort!

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!! Have a wonderful time.

May love each other more than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I read on another board that POR is a testing resort for tv bus monitors. The pic showed a tv screen with estimated bus arrivals for each destination. It looked rely cool! I think it was at the south depot. That she man bus stop, right? Can anyone tell me if the times seem fairly accurate on it?

I can't tell you where in this thread (you could try searching - and it might have been the last thread) but I remember this being discussed. I believe those that used it thought it was relatively accurate.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

Were here !!!

This could not have been a more magical day!!

Checked in at 10:30ish and ALL of our requests were met, and then some.
We are in Alligator Bayou, building 37 , and first floor!!!
(This is one of 3 buildings I requested to be in close proximity to a bus stop and the parking lot)
As a bonus, we also got a CORNER ROOM, that I did not request
No fridge.......but we honestly did not expect one, and planned to use our cooler anyway, so big deal at all.

I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this resort!!!

The only downer of the day has been that it rained all morning until about 2pm. We went ahead and followed the plan for Epcot anyway and had a great time.
Traveling as grown-ups only is allowing for a nice slow and easy pace.

Oh---one goof was that I insisted we got off at the wrong bus stop when returning from Epcot! It was my fault.............and a mistake I won't make again

Dinner is in a couple hours at Cape May Cafe. Yummmo!!

Hi TooBoyz4us! I love reading your reports. They are making me so excited for our trip. We will be there in less than 2 weeks, also adults only! So happy to hear you are being sprinkled with lots of pixie dust! I hope the magic in your week continues and would love to hear more.

 

[SunshineDaydreamnVA]

Hi! We are planning our first trip for May, so excited! Sorry if this is a weird question, but are the ice machines loud, as to where you hear them in your room and it's annoying? We'd like to stay in Magnolia Terrace, standard room. Trying to decide on any special requests, but just not sure since we've never been there. Thank you!

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Hi! We are planning our first trip for May, so excited! Sorry if this is a weird question, but are the ice machines loud, as to where you hear them in your room and it's annoying? We'd like to stay in Magnolia Terrace, standard room. Trying to decide on any special requests, but just not sure since we've never been there. Thank you!

I was in Oak Manor and the ice machine and a drink machine were in there own little room with a door to the outside walkway and did not face any rooms. It was very small and I used it daily. I don't remember it ever being loud and I think the walls were pretty thick, although my room didn't border the ice machine room, I never heard of anyone complaining of the noise.

There are lots of different requests you could make, but any room is going to be great at Disney! I think if you ask for a specific building it is best to be more flexible on other things if you really want that building. It never hurts to ask as long as you realize it is just a request. Also, you can let them know which are important to you and which are of lesser importance.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Even for valet parking? That's unusual, apart from at busy times (when they want to stop people abusing the hotel's self-parking spaces just to save a few bucks). I've normally found that as long as you're an on-site guest (i.e. parking permit in window) and show you KttW card, then they are usually OK with casual visits to (say) eat at Beaches and Cream. But I would not plan to outstay the allowed 2-3 hours, other than by using valet parking, as it's not fair to guests staying at the hotel.
Andre

Andre, this is probably due to F&W going on. Boardwalk and Y&B are very strict about parking there during this time.

 

[katielafave]

I read on another board that POR is a testing resort for tv bus monitors. The pic showed a tv screen with estimated bus arrivals for each destination. It looked rely cool! I think it was at the south depot. That she man bus stop, right? Can anyone tell me if the times seem fairly accurate on it?

When we were there in October.there was a screen in South Depot with wait times. Fairly accurate, but ever changing. Example: arrived a and MK bus was 17 minutes out, then 19, then 15. So they are a helpful guide but probably not the most accurate until the bus is within 10 minutes or so.

 

[TooBoyz4us]

Hi TooBoyz4us! I love reading your reports. They are making me so excited for our trip. We will be there in less than 2 weeks, also adults only! So happy to hear you are being sprinkled with lots of pixie dust! I hope the magic in your week continues and would love to hear more.

Awwwww,thankyou 1GR8DISNEYFAN !!!!

You are truly going to love your adults only trip to Disney.While we are seeing things and thinking of things we did with the kids in the past, being alone is awesome !!!
We are now making new memories for US ;-)

Por is gorgeous!!!!

And our room is perfect!!!

Heres a cute story from this morning at DHS.
I stood in line to get a pic with Donald Duck. When I approached him, he pointed at my anniversary button, and made a gesture as if to say "You and me?" I said "Sure".
His handler asked me how many years we had been married and I told him 27. He said 'Yep, Donald its time for a new Duck isn't it?" Donald then took me by the arm and started walking me up the pathway ,waving goodbye at my husband as we went!!!!!Then he stopped and kissed me before saying goodbye.It was so fun!!

Tonight we are taking the boat to DTD for dinner.Yay!!!

 

[Venomhatch]

Awwwww,thankyou 1GR8DISNEYFAN !!!!

You are truly going to love your adults only trip to Disney.While we are seeing things and thinking of things we did with the kids in the past, being alone is awesome !!!
We are now making new memories for US ;-)

Por is gorgeous!!!!Tonight we are taking the boat to DTD for dinner.Yay!!!

Very nice pictures! Glad your having such a Magical time.

 

[podgirl]

Heres a cute story from this morning at DHS.
I stood in line to get a pic with Donald Duck. When I approached him, he pointed at my anniversary button, and made a gesture as if to say "You and me?" I said "Sure".
His handler asked me how many years we had been married and I told him 27. He said 'Yep, Donald its time for a new Duck isn't it?" Donald then took me by the arm and started walking me up the pathway ,waving goodbye at my husband as we went!!!!!Then he stopped and kissed me before saying goodbye.It was so fun!!

What a wonderful story! Enjoy your trip!

 

[andrewilley]

Here is my question. Is it better to do online checkin? or regular checkin? to get requests met. Maybe it doesn't matter? I know they are just requests.

Personally I do suggest doing online checkin - what have you got to lose? And if you're not happy with the room that you get given once you arrive (check on the map) then just ask if there's anything else available now. Some people suggest not ticking any of the extra options in the form if you already have requests on your main booking. You can still fax requests later (the usual 3-5 days out) if you wish.

I read on another board that POR is a testing resort for tv bus monitors.

Yes, POR is trialling this, but only at the South Depot at present. It seems to work very well because all of the buses are GPS tracked, and the system can adjust when a bus gets delayed due to traffic or wheelchair loads, etc. It also adjusts when a new bus is added to a route. It's more accurate the closer the time becomes of course.

are the ice machines loud, as to where you hear them in your room and it's annoying?

They are loud within the ice-machine room, but as these are generally within the facilities areas, with housekeeping storage rooms around them, they are not an issue in guest rooms.

Andre, this is probably due to F&W going on. Boardwalk and Y&B are very strict about parking there during this time.

Ah, of course, I'd forgotten about that. Yes, during the Food & Wine Festival period all of the Epcot area resorts are very strict about parking, so as to maintain space for hotel guests. Same with New Year's Eve, etc.

Andre

 

[siskaren]

Boy, that sure looks bland without the bedspread.

 

[emsmommy323]

Very, very vanilla. And I am usually a huge vanilla fan. But that's generic vanilla. :-/

 

[jcyoung]

Hey all...I'm new to this thread but wanted to share my excitement...I just booked our return trip for next October! My family just got back from our first trip a week ago. We stayed at POP, and while we enjoyed it, we have a family of 5 so we are trying out POR. I am so excited after reading these posts!

Now I am just crossing my fingers for free dining...but I'm a little nervous that they won't offer it since this year has been so busy during the fall season.

I think that I am a new Disney addict!

 

[dansdad]

I think that I am a new Disney addict!

Well then you've come to the right place. Welcome to the club.

 

[mch521]

Hey all...I'm new to this thread but wanted to share my excitement...I just booked our return trip for next October! My family just got back from our first trip a week ago. We stayed at POP, and while we enjoyed it, we have a family of 5 so we are trying out POR. I am so excited after reading these posts! Now I am just crossing my fingers for free dining...but I'm a little nervous that they won't offer it since this year has been so busy during the fall season. I think that I am a new Disney addict!

Welcome!! We are staying at POR for the 1st time this December & this thread has been super helpful. Looking to book next October too & like you hoping for free dining. (Fingers crossed)

 

[andrewilley]

Very, very vanilla. And I am usually a huge vanilla fan. But that's generic vanilla. :-/

I'm honestly trying to like the new look, but unfortunately there really is nothing to like. I guess it's hard to like nothingness.

Even a runner / bed scarf won't make a major difference to the overall blandness.

One poster on my own site summed it up perfectly with:

Disney Re-Imagines Bedspreads... Comes Up Blank!

Andre

 

[sunset7132]

I'm honestly trying to like the new look, but unfortunately there really is nothing to like. I guess it's hard to like nothingness.

Even a runner / bed scarf won't make a major difference to the overall blandness.

One poster on my own site summed it up perfectly with:

Disney Re-Imagines Bedspreads... Comes Up Blank!

Andre

I saw a picture it is very boring looking