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

[Loopner]

I didn't see any POR ornaments while we were there last month. I was actually looking for a POR magnet but they didn't have those either. The only thing I found that was POR specific was a pin. It seems like they don't have much in the way of resort specific merchandise anymore.

Aw... thanks for your reply. I'm seriously bummed, though. I don't buy myself a lot of things for souvenirs, but I loved buying ornaments (and magnets, too). I am not a fan of all the generic dated stuff. I'll probably just skip buying that stuff if there aren't resort specific things anymore. Ohhhhhh well.

 

[andrewilley]

I don't buy myself a lot of things for souvenirs, but I loved buying ornaments (and magnets, too). I am not a fan of all the generic dated stuff.

Ditto. I wish they'd bring back more resort-specific merchandise, I dislike all the generic stuff too. They seemed to be starting to about a year ago, but that all seems to have stalled again now.

At Port Orleans you can get a resort pin, a postcard and an art print, but that's about it.

Andre

 

[dworldlovers]

Thanks to all who make this wonderful thread!! We check-in to POR March 1 and it will be our 5th time there!! We our Disney super fans and have stayed from Value to Deluxe, but POR is definitely our favorite and we are looking forward to our trip very much!! The girls (DW and DD) ran the Princess Half last year and that made for a much different vacation. Our trip before that, I was very sick while at Disney (not Disneys' fault!) so we are ready for an all-out hit-the-parks-running Disney vacation!! As many have said before, we'll sleep when we get home!!!!!

 

[Nole95]

What part of Downtown Disney does the boat drop off at? Does it still run until 11, and does that mean the last boat leave DD at 11?

 

[siskaren]

What part of Downtown Disney does the boat drop off at? Does it still run until 11, and does that mean the last boat leave DD at 11?

It drops off by Rainforest Cafe. According to http://portorleans.org/ferryboats.php, the last boat leaves DTD at 11:30. The bus runs until about 2:00 am.

 

[djbogue]

We are here at POR now and someone asked about distilled water and Cin raisin bread awhile back. We walked over to POFQ and I saw today two gallons of distilled water and cin rais bagels. Haven't looked at POR yet.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

What kind of requests can be made if you book garden view(if preferred is not an option). I'm assuming you can't request the buildings close to the food court because they are already reserved for the preferred booking category..or no?

 

[jepperson1]

Here now - arrived this afternoon. First time at POR, and we LOVE it. I upgraded last minute to a royal room as a surprise for my wife, and it's worth every cent. I have two boys, 3&6, and they made a comment about princesses, but they love the fireworks headboard. We just had to point out that there are princes too. DS3 is sleeping on the floor on Aladdin's magic carpet because he wanted to so bad.

I've seen lots of mention of how bad the walk is from some areas. We are at the farthest end of Parterre Place, and coming from always booking values - it's not long at all for us. Maybe 5 min to the main building.

Too bad those white sheets ruin everything.

Actually, I think the look is way better. It would be too dark in here with those gaudy bedspreads.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Here now - arrived this afternoon. First time at POR, and we LOVE it. I upgraded last minute to a royal room as a surprise for my wife, and it's worth every cent. I have two boys, 3&6, and they made a comment about princesses, but they love the fireworks headboard. We just had to point out that there are princes too. DS3 is sleeping on the floor on Aladdin's magic carpet because he wanted to so bad.

I've seen lots of mention of how bad the walk is from some areas. We are at the farthest end of Parterre Place, and coming from always booking values - it's not long at all for us. Maybe 5 min to the main building.

Too bad those white sheets ruin everything.

Actually, I think the look is way better. It would be too dark in here with those gaudy bedspreads.

Great report! Have fun!

 

[archrd]

We are here at POR now and someone asked about distilled water and Cin raisin bread awhile back. We walked over to POFQ and I saw today two gallons of distilled water and cin rais bagels. Haven't looked at POR yet.

Thanks so much for looking for the distilled water for me

 

[rainboots]

Can I ask a newbie question?
We are due to arrive at POR on feb 3. We are coming from MI. What is the advantage/purpose of online check-in now? If we run into weather delays does it screw anything up?
Thank you so much!!!

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

What kind of requests can be made if you book garden view(if preferred is not an option). I'm assuming you can't request the buildings close to the food court because they are already reserved for the preferred booking category..or no?

I was just coming to ask a similar question. My 4 year old and I arrive on 4/8 for just two nights. I've booked a garden view room. This will be our first stay at POR and was wondering what would be a good building to request?

 

[momof3littles]

Can I ask a newbie question?
We are due to arrive at POR on feb 3. We are coming from MI. What is the advantage/purpose of online check-in now? If we run into weather delays does it screw anything up?
Thank you so much!!!

I'm another newb arriving for our first family trip on Feb 3 at POR also It sounds like online check in may speed things up a tiny bit, especially if you are taking something like the Magical Express and a substantial group gets off at the same time. Otherwise, it doesn't sound like it is that much faster but I'm not certain

Like you, I was wondering if there was any disadvantage to online checkin should we have a weather or other delay.

 

[andrewilley]

What kind of requests can be made if you book garden view(if preferred is not an option). I'm assuming you can't request the buildings close to the food court because they are already reserved for the preferred booking category..or no?

You can request near to the main buildings if you want. You probably won't get Alligator Bayou 14, 15, 18 or 27 (as those are preferred locations) but 16 and 17 are pretty good too, as are many of the mansion building rooms within Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace. You can also request which floor you would prefer, and a lot of people like the corner rooms with a second window.

What is the advantage/purpose of online check-in now?

Same as always, it means your welcome pack is prepared and ready for your planned arrival time, and hopefully your room should be ready too. You can also pre-customise your Magic Bands before you get there too. Basically it's mostly a time and convenience feature, and no it doesn't matter if you are delayed a bit, your room won't be given away. IHMO there is no downside, as even if you are not happy with the room you've been allocated you can still ask for it to be changed at the desk if you wish (in fact it helps in that aim, as when you physically arrive at the resort there will most likely be a different pool of Ready Rooms available compared to when they first allocated yours a bit earlier in the day).

Andre

 

[Venomhatch]

Good morning POR Fans!

"Remember your the one that can fill the world with sunshine."
~ Snow White

 

[mollyseven]

With regards to room requests....go to the first page here and click on the map of the buildings...then you can click on the individual building like magnolia terrace and see the actual room numbers, and they are colour coded so you know which are gardenview, pool view, standard view etc so you can see what options are..... it's very cool and helped me to put my room requests in.

 

[klitteral2009]

Here now - arrived this afternoon. First time at POR, and we LOVE it. I upgraded last minute to a royal room as a surprise for my wife, and it's worth every cent. I have two boys, 3&6, and they made a comment about princesses, but they love the fireworks headboard. We just had to point out that there are princes too. DS3 is sleeping on the floor on Aladdin's magic carpet because he wanted to so bad. I've seen lots of mention of how bad the walk is from some areas. We are at the farthest end of Parterre Place, and coming from always booking values - it's not long at all for us. Maybe 5 min to the main building. Too bad those white sheets ruin everything. Actually, I think the look is way better. It would be too dark in here with those gaudy bedspreads.

How last minute did you upgrade? I want to get a RR for my princesses but there hasn't been availability I was hoping maybe at check in we could try

 

[Loopner]

Good morning POR Fans!

"Remember your the one that can fill the world with sunshine."
~ Snow White

Love this Venom!

We're at 6 days and counting! I'm so excited to be going back to POR next week. The weather looks warmer. Now if only I could get rid of this cough.

 

[Venomhatch]

How last minute did you upgrade? I want to get a RR for my princesses but there hasn't been availability I was hoping maybe at check in we could try

I have seen some get upgraded at check in just playing uniformed and saying I wanted to see about the princess rooms but never could find out the availability. Some times we do on the spot magic like that. Others have come out and asked about it in their room request fax. But if you go that way don't seem to overly hinty on trying to get something for free because we do see those and do tend to try and save the magic for on the spot moments. Like lil ones with cute Disney themed outfits, at least I do. If you don't mind paying for it. Then request it in the fax and bring up the words I don't mind paying for the upgrade, I just really wanted my little girl(s)/boy(s) to have something special and I couldn't seem to find it available online.

Love this Venom!

We're at 6 days and counting! I'm so excited to be going back to POR next week. The weather looks warmer. Now if only I could get rid of this cough.

Yeah I try to spread a little daily magic when I can here!

 

[klitteral2009]

I have seen some get upgraded at check in just playing uniformed and saying I wanted to see about the princess rooms but never could find out the availability. Some times we do on the spot magic like that. Others have come out and asked about it in their room request fax. But if you go that way don't seem to overly hinty on trying to get something for free because we do see those and do tend to try and save the magic for on the spot moments. Like lil ones with cute Disney themed outfits, at least I do. If you don't mind paying for it. Then request it in the fax and bring up the words I don't mind paying for the upgrade, I just really wanted my little girl(s)/boy(s) to have something special and I couldn't seem to find it available online. Yeah I try to spread a little daily magic when I can here!

Thanks Venom I hate trying to get anything for free...I'm not good at evasiveness lol I'd just love to surprise them with it I appreciate your input!!