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

[mmullena70]

I complained earlier about the buses but I guess I should report on the good things about our stay last week. We absolutely loved, loved, loved POR! Even though it was full of people, it seemed quiet and tranquil. Maybe it was the Sassagoula River or the lovely trees. I don't know, but it seemed like we stepped back in time.

We had booked a Royal Guest Room and requested Oak Manor but got put in Parterre Place, on the back side. At first I was a bit disappointed. But our room was on the first floor and just steps away from the car. And we really weren't that far from the main building. The "big pool" as the kids called it was a little bit of a hike, but it didn't stop us from enjoying the pool, slide and hot tub. We also frequented the quiet pool, too. There were never more than 5-6 people there at the same time we were.

The room's decor was amazing. The white duvet covers didn't bother us a bit. The runner across the bottom of the bed and the blue dust ruffle were just perfect. The carpet and headboards were so busy with designs already that we felt a patterned comforter would have just been too much for that room.

Housekeeping was wonderful, too. Since the quiet pools don't have towels (something I learned on this thread), we had to bring towels from the room. Which meant when it came time to shower, we'd have already wet towels to use. Yuck! We would call housekeeping when we returned to our room and requested more towels. Each time, they were delivered within 10 minutes.

We traveled with friends, and all of us decided POR would be our resort of choice on our next visit. We will definitely take the time to reserve a horse-drawn carriage ride. We simply couldn't fit it in this trip. But it will be something special to look forward to!

 

[AmyKat]

So while we loved the resort, we'll stick with going in February like we have in the past.

This made my day! We are going in February for the first time. Our last trip was September 2012 and I've been a little worried that February is going to "feel crowded" compared to that.

 

[mmullena70]

This made my day! We are going in February for the first time. Our last trip was September 2012 and I've been a little worried that February is going to "feel crowded" compared to that.

We've gone twice in February and both times the crowds were very low. Of course, you never know what you're going to get with the weather, so be prepared. In Feb. 2012 it was cold for a couple of days, like a high of 40, then it warmed up to the 70's for the later part of our week. But having lower crowds was definitely a plus for us.

 

[andrewilley]

Connecting room assignments???

OK, it wasn't a very hard puzzle was it?

I've been trying to work out the best way to indicate which are the connecting rooms graphically on the maps (a greyed-out wall would be ideal, but I can't automate that via spreadsheet scripting in the same way I can the textual contents of the rooms).

Using more than one additional colour on the room numbers doesn't really work against every background category colour, so I've decided to use the red colour to indicate connecting rooms (which was previously used for general Accessible rooms) and added an extra text-flag to indicate the three different Accessible room options.

Does this seem to work, or has anyone got any other suggestions before I re-do all the maps? (I might bolden the back walls of the rooms, so no one thinks that back-to-back rooms connect to each other)

Andre

 

[AmyKat]

That looks fabulous! I would understand that on first glance, even without the bolded back walls. That will make my room request so much easier. Thank you!

 

[Dittz]

OK, it wasn't a very hard puzzle was it? I've been trying to work out the best way to indicate which are the connecting rooms graphically on the maps (a greyed-out wall would be ideal, but I can't automate that via spreadsheet scripting in the same way I can the textual contents of the rooms). Using more than one additional colour on the room numbers doesn't really work against every background category colour, so I've decided to use the red colour to indicate connecting rooms (which was previously used for general Accessible rooms) and added an extra text-flag to indicate the three different Accessible room options. Does this seem to work, or has anyone got any other suggestions before I re-do all the maps? (I might bolden the back walls of the rooms, so no one thinks that back-to-back rooms connect to each other) Andre

Looking at the map, it seems to work. I like the idea of knowing which are connecting rooms. Thanks for all the work you do.

 

[pumpkinjl]

We will be at the POR in March 2014.

Opinion: Which is better upstairs or downstairs? Why?

We have booked the preferred room. We have a 3 and 6 year old.

 

[AmyKat]

We will be at the POR in March 2014.

Opinion: Which is better upstairs or downstairs? Why?

We have booked the preferred room. We have a 3 and 6 year old.

Downstairs will probably be better for you. The preferred rooms are all in AB which doesn't have elavators. I don't think I would want to drag my stroller and my kids up the stairs after a day at the parks.

 

[webcreatrix]

When we were there in October we booked a Preferred (which is always AB). Wound up in Building 27 which at first I wasn't thrilled about as it seemed to be the furthest out of the Preferred, but wound up loving it. Short walk to pools, laundry, main buildings, busses, etc. Plus, it was really quiet where we were (corner room) without a ton of foot traffic. We really enjoyed that area. We have 2 and 5 year old and even with them walking we were no more than 3-5 minute walk from everything we needed.

Thank you! This is the way I'm leaning.

 

[pumpkinjl]

What time of day would you recommend taking a carriage ride (in March 2014)?

 

[Katelly]

I think the carriage rides are only offered from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. We went at 9pm and took the ride to POFQ which was beautiful at night. Make sure you make reservations ahead of time for the horse and carriage. The rides were totally booked when we were there last week so I'm glad I had a reservation.

 

[Venomhatch]

I think the carriage rides are only offered from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. We went at 9pm and took the ride to POFQ which was beautiful at night. Make sure you make reservations ahead of time for the horse and carriage. The rides were totally booked when we were there last week so I'm glad I had a reservation.

Yeah the best times to go are at night! Such a nice couple or family must do activity!

 

[princessalismommy]

I am staying at POR in February. Thank you so much for the information on this thread! This is our first visit staying at this resort. We stayed at French Quarter during our only other visit to Disney in 2009. I was concerned that it would be too big as I am traveling with a group that includes my mom who is 73 years old( we are celebrating her retirement !!). My DD16 had her heart set on a royal room but the budget was tight and I opted for the garden view since no standard view was available. Since my DD, mom and i are in one room and my sister, brother -in- law and nephew are in another, I assume we will get the mansion section which is what my mother really wants anyway. I am trying to figure out the best location for us so that my mom will not have walk long distance to the food court and buses. She also wants an upper floor and preferably connecting rooms with my sister. Any idea what I should request?
Thanks again as this thread has been a huge help so far!

 

[siskaren]

Since my DD, mom and i are in one room and my sister, brother -in- law and nephew are in another, I assume we will get the mansion section which is what my mother really wants anyway. I am trying to figure out the best location for us so that my mom will not have walk long distance to the food court and buses. She also wants an upper floor and preferably connecting rooms with my sister. Any idea what I should request?

Thanks again as this thread has been a huge help so far!

They don't hold the Alligator Bayou rooms aside just for groups of 5, if that's what you're thinking - I've stayed at POR twice as a solo and been in AB both times. I would just ask for what you said - mansion section, upper floor, close to food court and buses, and connecting rooms.

 

[andrewilley]

Since my DD, mom and i are in one room and my sister, brother -in- law and nephew are in another, I assume we will get the mansion section which is what my mother really wants anyway. I am trying to figure out the best location for us so that my mom will not have walk long distance to the food court and buses. She also wants an upper floor and preferably connecting rooms with my sister. Any idea what I should request?

First, you are by no means guaranteed mansion building rooms (as there are approx. twice as many rooms in the AB section as there are in the mansions) so make sure you make that your first request. Then just request somewhere fairly close for access to the food court and buses, and upper floor connecting rooms. If you don't have a particular specific location in mind, best to let the room assigners see what they can do for you.

Andre

 

[princessalismommy]

Thank you so much! As you see, I'm new to this But I really appreciate all your help!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

OK, it wasn't a very hard puzzle was it?

I've been trying to work out the best way to indicate which are the connecting rooms graphically on the maps (a greyed-out wall would be ideal, but I can't automate that via spreadsheet scripting in the same way I can the textual contents of the rooms).

Using more than one additional colour on the room numbers doesn't really work against every background category colour, so I've decided to use the red colour to indicate connecting rooms (which was previously used for general Accessible rooms) and added an extra text-flag to indicate the three different Accessible room options.

Does this seem to work, or has anyone got any other suggestions before I re-do all the maps? (I might bolden the back walls of the rooms, so no one thinks that back-to-back rooms connect to each other)

Andre

Andre,

Room Assignment will just love you! Even more specific requests that can't be met.

Love you, mean it!

 

[andrewilley]

Looking at the map, it seems to work. I like the idea of knowing which are connecting rooms. Thanks for all the work you do.

OK, I've now created updated PDF files of the new building floorplans - would anyone like to check them out while I'm still working on the pop-up image versions for the site?

Click here for Alligator Bayou v2.0
Click here for Magnolia Bend v2.0
Click here for French Quarter v2.0

And Backstage Gal is of course absolutely right, as we always remind people - requests cannot be guaranteed. However since a number of people have asked if such details exist, I thought I'd try to add them to the maps anyway for completeness' sake if nothing else. Think of them as MyBuildingPlans+

Andre

 

[Sue M]

looks great Andre. It took me a minute or 2 to figure our orientation but that's just me

 

[Canooknic]

Nicely done Andrew! Seeing these plans has made me so excited about our February trip!!!!