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

[Katelly]

Is coffee included with the refillable mug or is it just soft drinks? We haven't been to WDW in six or so years and we stayed at CBR last time and I can't remember if you could get coffee w/ the mug. I'm pretty sure we did, but don't know if that has changed now.

 

[mickey1968]

One trick that worked well for me last week was to fill my cup before I got in line to order my food etc. Then by the time I was ready to sit down I could refill my cup again.

 

[kittyab]

Is there a good grocery store near the Riverside Resort?

 

[kittyab]

BTW, I called the hotel directly and put in a request for a fridge

 

[Sue M]

Is coffee included with the refillable mug or is it just soft drinks? We haven't been to WDW in six or so years and we stayed at CBR last time and I can't remember if you could get coffee w/ the mug. I'm pretty sure we did, but don't know if that has changed now.

Yes! Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, the brewed ice tea, all included.

 

[Sue M]

Just got back from a wonderful 8 night 9 day trip to WDW. Stayed in a RR at POR. Had a great trip except one minor issue. Two pairs of my husbands shorts went missing from our room. We know we packed them because he wore them (pictures to prove I'm not crazy LOL). I did laundry brought them back to the room ironed and put them away (in a hanging cubby in the closet). Two days later hubby went to get one of the shorts and they were MIA:-( I went to the front desk to see if maybe housekeeping had seen them or accidentally taken them with the towels. No one has seen them. Has anyone else had anything like this happen before. My travel agent said that she has heard of a bunch of thefts at POR lately:-( mostly clothing related.

That is so awful that someone would go into your room and help themselves to your clothing glad you reported it, and I hope they do investigate. Sad to think it might have been someone working at the resort.

Unfortunately wdw does have its share of thefts. I'm always careful to lock my passports, Jewlery, phone, and anything of importance in the safe.

I've even heard of people stealing others mug, and special Disney Towels at the pools or water parks.

 

[Sue M]

As from this month, the POR and POFQ feature pools (i.e. Ol' Man Island and Doubloon Lagoon) will have extended lifeguard operating hours of 9am-11pm. However, outside of those times both pools (including the hot tubs) will be CLOSED and guests will not be allowed to use them.

Off-season (e.g. 5 January - 15 February 2014, but those dates are subject to change) the feature pool and hot tub hours will be reduced to 9am-9pm.

The five POR quiet pools will remain available for swimming at any time outside of these hours, at your own risk of course, it's only the feature pools that will have restricted access.

Andre

Thanks Andre. Too bad the hot tubs close so early one thing I enjoy is an evening soak after a day in the parks!

 

[jaybee1026]

I haven't posted here in forever but we received our Mickey mail today. 23 days til our stay at POR. Our family is so excited!

 

[andrewilley]

Is it too late to fax in a room request? We check in Sat, 11/9/13.

IMHO, what have you got to lose? It's still two days away and nothing will have been allocated as yet anyway (unless it's a multi-room booking or special requests). Go for it!

Mention that you would have preferred a River View but that category wasn't available at the time you booked, so if anything might have become available in the meantime you would be happy to pay the difference.

Is coffee included with the refillable mug or is it just soft drinks? We haven't been to WDW in six or so years and we stayed at CBR last time and I can't remember if you could get coffee w/ the mug. I'm pretty sure we did, but don't know if that has changed now.

Yes you can. And coffee (now Joffrey's brand) is not monitored by the chip control system (nor are tea, hot chocolate or water).

Is there a good grocery store near the Riverside Resort?

The nearest proper grocery store would be Goodings at Crossroads, which is about 10 minutes drive from POR, or a 20-25 minute walk from the bus stops at the Rainforest Café end of Downtown Disney.

BTW, I called the hotel directly and put in a request for a fridge

Well you called the WDW Call Center, which masquerades as the resort front desk (unless they transferred your call through to the resort directly, but that is normally only done in very specific circumstances as the call center's job is to screen calls away from the resort staff). They will have added your request to your reservation notes. Good luck anyway, hope you get your fridge.

Thanks Andre. Too bad the hot tubs close so early one thing I enjoy is an evening soak after a day in the parks!

Yeah, me too. Not sure why the hot tubs had to be closed with the pools, but I guess it's some kind of overall safety concern (aka removing the risk of litigation).

Andre

 

[ny3boys]

We fly to my In-laws tomorrow and head over to POR on Sunday! The boys are soooo excited! The little guy has still been coughing, so I am hoping the warmer, drier weather down there will be good for him. The forecast is for 30's in the day and 20's in the evening here, and showers/snow showers. bbbbrrrrrr!

 

[audracooper]

We arrived yesterday at POR around 12:30. Rooms were ready for my sister's family and mine. They were a long hike to bldg 26. Once we got there we realized they weren't connecting which we really wanted because of the kids. So I called and after about a 15 min hold they did upgrade us to pool view rooms that are connecting. Upgrade was complementary! Still quite a hike to bldg 39 but it's fine. At least the kids can swim right outside our window! Rooms were very clean when we arrived. White sheets and blankets...no frig although we did request one. The white actually looks crisp and fresh in person, I'll post pics later today after mouse keeping comes. Weather great and lines are short! Managed to get in 9 rides yesterday at MK in about 3 hours before we ate at Ohana last night. Only negative so far is the distance to our room, but I think we were spoiled from staying at Poly last trip so we will get used to it. Happy Happy!!

Oh by the way...for anyone who has requested a credit for not having a fridge how and when did you ask for it? Thanks!

 

[Katelly]

Yes! Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, the brewed ice tea, all included.

Yay! Thank you.

 

[Sue M]

We arrived yesterday at POR around 12:30. Rooms were ready for my sister's family and mine. They were a long hike to bldg 26. Once we got there we realized they weren't connecting which we really wanted because of the kids. So I called and after about a 15 min hold they did upgrade us to pool view rooms that are connecting. Upgrade was complementary! Still quite a hike to bldg 39 but it's fine. At least the kids can swim right outside our window! Rooms were very clean when we arrived. White sheets and blankets...no frig although we did request one. The white actually looks crisp and fresh in person, I'll post pics later today after mouse keeping comes. Weather great and lines are short! Managed to get in 9 rides yesterday at MK in about 3 hours before we ate at Ohana last night. Only negative so far is the distance to our room, but I think we were spoiled from staying a poly last trip so we will get used to it. Happy Happy!!

Oh by the way...for anyone who has requested a credit for not having a fridge how and when did you ask for it? Thanks!

In August we stayed our first night at Pop. Went to room and no fridge. So on our way out we stopped at the lobby concierge desk to request a credit. The CM I dealt with gave me a hard time about it, saying fridges were no longer listed as an amenity. I said that when I booked they were!!! She finally gave me the credit.

 

[Sue M]

Is there a good grocery store near the Riverside Resort?

We've gone to the Publix on Vineland. It also happens to be just across the street from the Premium Outlet Mall

 

[kittyab]

Does Gooding's sell Liquor?

We are looking for drinks for the room & morning snack stuff. We are not big breakfast eaters.

 

[Sue M]

Does Gooding's sell Liquor?

We are looking for drinks for the room & morning snack stuff. We are not big breakfast eaters.

Not sure, never shop there, more expensive! If you have a car I'd drive to Publix. It's not far from DTD.
We just get breakfast stuff, yogurt, OJ, bagels & cream cheese, maybe milk & cereal, and wine. And there is a liquor store near Publix I believe.

Or you could pick up food also in the resort shop. It's prob not much more then what Goodings charges!

 

[kaylasmom07]

It's really concerning hearing people not getting the refrigerators they requested. I take medication daily that requires refrigeration and we are also traveling with a baby and need a fridge for her milk . We are flying and won't have the room to bring a cooler with us. We leave next week, and I've already added the request to my reservation. I will send a fax at 4 days out, but at this point I'm not too hopeful that we will actually get one.

I don't usually worry about things too much, but I'm worried about this. I'm not sure what I'm going to do! The last time I went in 2009 we were able to add a fridge to the room for an up charge per night. I guess that's not an option anymore??

 

[dansdad]

It's really concerning hearing people not getting the refrigerators they requested. I take medication daily that requires refrigeration and we are also traveling with a baby and need a fridge for her milk . We are flying and won't have the room to bring a cooler with us. We leave next week, and I've already added the request to my reservation. I will send a fax at 4 days out, but at this point I'm not too hopeful that we will actually get one.

I don't usually worry about things too much, but I'm worried about this. I'm not sure what I'm going to do! The last time I went in 2009 we were able to add a fridge to the room for an up charge per night. I guess that's not an option anymore??

I know it's hard not to worry about these things, but try to relax. I have not read one person here on the DIS that had a legitimate medical need NOT get a fridge. I am pretty confident in saying that the fine folks at POR will take care of you.

 

[babydoll65]

I'll be heading down to wdw in three days. Pofq room only then switching to POR. How early can you check-in. Since I can just walk over to POR from pofq I was hopeing to just run over at around 6am so I can get my dining credits because we have a 9:15 adr at kona cafe. Do I have to officially check out in person at pofq? I'm just worried about the long lines at check-in since free dining starts on 11/11.

 

[dansdad]

i'll be heading down to wdw in three days. Pofq room only then switching to por. How early can you check-in.

6:00am