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

[bfamily5]

We will be staying at POR for the first time at the end of March. We are in the AB section in a standard room. I've requested a room in a building closest to the preferred location. I've also requested a high floor. We have an ADR for 1 nt at Boatwrights.

For those who are experts at this resort, do you have any tips on things in the resort not to miss, any inside advice?

Thank you for any information that you can give me!

We broke tradition last year and stayed at CBR. We were surprised at how much we missed the boat to DTD! Also do not miss Yeehaw Bob in the RiverRoost Lounge and the Make your own Pasta is delectable! The carriage ride to POFQ is nice too Oh POR, how I have missed you!!!

 

[bbak3030]

32 days for us! We are hoping for connecting room with my sister and her family. We have reserved Royal rooms and I'm thinking of faxing in a request for connecting rooms on the 1st floor. Is that too much to ask and should I request EITHER connecting for 1st floor? Thanks for any advice!

 

[dansdad]

32 days for us! We are hoping for connecting room with my sister and her family. We have reserved Royal rooms and I'm thinking of faxing in a request for connecting rooms on the 1st floor. Is that too much to ask and should I request EITHER connecting for 1st floor? Thanks for any advice!

Requesting both is fine. Just make sure you list which one is most important first.

 

[Sue M]

We received the pin email on January 16. Oddly enough it was worded to tempt us into visiting again. It was from Disney Destinations. They must not check with existing reservations because we were already booked to visit again. But hey, I'm really glad they sent it. I love free dining!!!

Me too

I have a question about booking reservations and free dining. If I book our reservations now for our trip in Oct 2014 and then at a later date we have a PIN or they offer FD, can it be applied to our existing reservation?

Also, if they see that we already have a reservation, are we less likely to receive a PIN?

And last question (for now), when are PINs typically issued and when is FD for everyone usually announced (how far in advance)?

Thanks for your help!

Yes. We had existing reservation, arriving at POR 1/29!! We got the Pin a week before our trip, and I was able to apply it to our res. had to pay $50 change fee because it was past the deadline for changes, but still saved $279!!

Here in Florida now! Arrived yesterday, bright & early Wednesday dtiving up to wdw
It's warmer by 10 degrees here in Ft Lauderdale then Orlando

 

[jennyjinx3]

Me too


Yes. We had existing reservation, arriving at POR 1/29!! We got the Pin a week before our trip, and I was able to apply it to our res. had to pay $50 change fee because it was past the deadline for changes, but still saved $279!!

Here in Florida now! Arrived yesterday, bright & early Wednesday dtiving up to wdw
It's warmer by 10 degrees here in Ft Lauderdale then Orlando

Glad to hear you arrived safely Sue!

 

[merdie]

Does the Touring Plan room map show connecting rooms? I'm having a heck of a time finding connecting rooms, garden view in Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace.

 

[DJFan88]

Does the Touring Plan room map show connecting rooms? I'm having a heck of a time finding connecting rooms, garden view in Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace.

If you go on Andre's site www.portorleans.org and go under the maps section on right.
Next, after you see the main layout map of the whole properties, which just shows building numbers, there is a small section where it says if you would like a more detailed room info, to click there. If you do it will open up and show the room numbers and such, this may help you greatly.

 

[DJFan88]

Hmmm.... now that I look it doesn't say if connecting, maybe Andre will chime in......

 

[Sue M]

1 more day!! if you don't count today!!

 

[andrewilley]

Hmmm.... now that I look it doesn't say if connecting, maybe Andre will chime in......

I still haven't finished the fine detailing and PNG files, but these beta maps will tell you want you want to know in the meantime:

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

Andre

 

[merdie]

I still haven't finished the fine detailing and PNG files, but these beta maps will tell you want you want to know in the meantime: Andre

Thank you Andre! You are so helpful!

 

[DJFan88]

Thank you Andre! You are so helpful!

Love the site, always check there first, and nice to know he's available when needed!

 

[Luv_Tink]

I've been lurking and learning here on the POR thread for a little while now and I'm happy to finally say that we are booked for Dec 13-20th! We're a family of 5 so we'll be in AB and I went ahead and booked preferred with a request for top floor, nice view.

Our last trip to WDW was 9 year ago when we had a 3-year old and a 6-week old. Now our three girls will be 12, 9 and 7 when we go in December.

We're thinking of renting a car for this trip since we will need to get to Port Canaveral for a Christmas week cruise on the Fantasy. So I'll be looking for advice on that and where to get the best deals, etc. Right now, we think we want to take DME from MCO to POR then pick up the rental on either arrival day or the following day. We're still up in the air on that and it may depend on what we get for flights.

I'm looking forward to learning more about this resort from you all!

 

[WDW1979]

I've been lurking and learning here on the POR thread for a little while now and I'm happy to finally say that we are booked for Dec 13-20th! ....

Our last trip to WDW was 9 year ago when we had a 3-year old and a 6-week old. Now our three girls will be 12, 9 and 7 when we go in December.

...

I'm looking forward to learning more about this resort from you all!

Hi Luv_Tink, you will love Riverside! I have stayed at several deluxe-level Disney hotels, and while each of those has some great things in their favor, my family loves Riverside the most because of the beautiful landscaping and serene atmosphere. It is a pretty resort and a place where you will find relaxation after busy hours in the theme parks. Plus with many annual price increases above the rate of inflation at Disney deluxes hotels, Riverside feels better on the bank account. But even if those deluxes were the same price as Riverside, we would likely stay at Riverside most of the time because we love it so much.

My three children are about the same ages as yours, and they love Riverside. They also love the Murphy bed in each of the Alligator Bayou rooms.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Are all the rooms in Oak and Parterre Buildings Royal Rooms?

I would like to be in the Mansions and we have booked Garden View. I would like to be as close as possible to the foot bridge that crosses to the main buidling between Oak and Parterre. Since we don't have a Royal Room Booking does that mean requesting Oak or Magnolia?

THX!!

 

[Gorechick]

Are all the rooms in Oak and Parterre Buildings Royal Rooms?

I would like to be in the Mansions and we have booked Garden View. I would like to be as close as possible to the foot bridge that crosses to the main buidling between Oak and Parterre. Since we don't have a Royal Room Booking does that mean requesting Oak or Magnolia?

THX!!

Yes, all Oak and Parterre are Royal Rooms. You would have to request Magnolia.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Excellent! Thx!

 

[Venomhatch]

Excellent! Thx!

And I answered your other question about the preferred rooms in my room request thread.

 

[LeahA]

definitely do not miss using the boat to downtown Disney, one of our favourite things about Port Orleans Riverside....definitely go to the French Quarter side and have some snacks there....maybe have a swim there also. If your kids collect pins it's good to know that the gift shop has PIN BOARDS and you can ask to see them or ask what time they get brought out.

My kids love to pin trade, so this is good to know!

 

[LeahA]

We broke tradition last year and stayed at CBR. We were surprised at how much we missed the boat to DTD! Also do not miss Yeehaw Bob in the RiverRoost Lounge and the Make your own Pasta is delectable! The carriage ride to POFQ is nice too Oh POR, how I have missed you!!!

I am very excited to stay there, our first moderate!!! I've heard great things about Yeehaw Bob!