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

[jennyjinx3]

Which building? did you like where you were then? Did I ask you that already?

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[mommy2paisley]

Where did you see the pics? I'd love to see them. We had a corner room but in alligator bayou last August. This April we booked a RR which is what I originally wanted for August but we had a big group so we didn't fit.

Glad someone posted a link! I couldn't remember where I had seen the pics, but that was where I saw them.

Anyone know if it's hard to get a corner room? I know you can request, but just wondering if it would be hard since there can't be too many of those.

 

[Koh1977]

Hi! Nice to see you here! Can't wait for your report on POR!

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[Koh1977]

How busy are the other bus stops in the mornings? (Thinking we'd be close to the West stop if we don't book preferred)

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[andrewilley]

Thanks Andre! One more question for you guys...if I book a pool view room, how feasible is it to get one in Alligator bayou section if I request it?

The chances are pretty good, yes. There are 139 Pool View rooms in the regular (i.e. non-Royal) sections of POR, of which only 41 are in the mansion buildings area so the odds are better than 2:1 in your favour.

Will be in the AB section, since people we are going with have 3 kids (we'll have 3 rooms for our party). I'd like to request bottom floor, since we'll have strollers. Which building is good to request??

Kinda depends on what you want. If it's proximity to the main pool that you're after, building 38. If it's a quieter area close to the outer bus stops, 24, 25, 34 or 37. However most people would probably say 16 or 17 though, which are the closest (non-Preferred) buildings to the main buildings and the South bus stop.

I always suggest explaining WHAT you want rather than asking for particular building numbers though - and you can use building numbers (or even blocks of room numbers) as an examples to illustrate your requests of course.

Are you basically on your own to get your luggage to your room or do they have carts at all or anything to load up? Thinking of a possible garden view room with the requests of Alligator Bayou section, ground floor (for ease of strollers), near quiet pool and near transportation. Too much to ask?

Bell Services can bring your bags to your room, as long as you don't mind tipping. Just drop your bags off at the main Bell Services desk on your way into the lobby, and once you've got your room let them know the number and they'll bring your bags over for you.

Anyone know if it's hard to get a corner room? I know you can request, but just wondering if it would be hard since there can't be too many of those.

They can't put everyone in corner rooms of course, but it can't hurt to ask and lots of people do get them. Just don't go into it with the expectation that your vacation will be ruined if you don't get one, treat it as a nice bonus if you do get one.

How busy are the other bus stops in the mornings? (Thinking we'd be close to the West stop if we don't book preferred)

It varies of course, but generally they are quieter than the main South Depot stop (I especially suggest the outer stops for MK buses). Try both, and see which works best for you from your room location.

Andre

 

[tcherjen]

We are staying in alligator bayou for 2 nights before moving to the cabins. I am so excited.

 

[Koh1977]

Andre - was just looking at your pics and was wondering where the 2013 AB pics are...it says there are a bunch of new ones (on the main gallery page), but all that are posted are from 2012 (when you click on the AB room page).

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[siskaren]

Andre - was just looking at your pics and was wondering where the 2013 AB pics are...it says there are a bunch of new ones (on the main gallery page), but all that are posted are from 2012 (when you click on the AB room page).

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Actually, it says the pictures were added in 2013, not that they were taken in 2013. And other than the fact some (or possibly all) of the rooms now have those stupid scarves at the bottom of the beds instead of the comforters, the rooms haven't changed since the renovations were completed in 2012.

 

[zabache]

They can't put everyone in corner rooms of course, but it can't hurt to ask and lots of people do get them. Just don't go into it with the expectation that your vacation will be ruined if you don't get one, treat it as a nice bonus if you do get one. Andre

That pic of the corner RR is awesome. It makes me more excited to stay there. I sure hope I get a corner room this time as well.

 

[Koh1977]

Actually, it says the pictures were added in 2013, not that they were taken in 2013. And other than the fact some (or possibly all) of the rooms now have those stupid scarves at the bottom of the beds instead of the comforters, the rooms haven't changed since the renovations were completed in 2012.

Oops. I guess you're right! I assumed they were taken last year. Sorry, Andre!

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[Koh1977]

Where's the self-service laundry located?

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[dansdad]

Where's the self-service laundry located?

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From http://portorleans.org/services.php


Washing machines and dryers are located in laundry rooms near to each of the quiet pools at Riverside and also behind Mardi Grogs (near to the Doubloon Lagoon pool) at French Quarter. Washing costs $2 per load, and individual portions of various detergents/etc — currently Tide, Clorox, Ultra-Downy and Bounce — are available for a further $1 if you haven’t brought your own. The dryers now cost $2 per hour, but if you have a big load you may still find that you need to use more than one cycle to get your clothes fully dry.

Note: all of the laundry machines near the Port Orleans Riverside quiet pools use coins (quarters) for payment, but as from April 2013 the washers and dryers in the laundry room at French Quarter now ONLY accept credit/debit cards — you cannot use cash there, nor can you pay using a Magic Band.

The location of these laundry facilities is very convenient as you can set a machine load going and then take a relaxing dip in the pool while you’re waiting for it to finish. The machines are available 24 hours, but if you’re a night-owl and plan to use the laundry rooms after midnight you’ll need to take your Magic Band to gain access.

There is also a valet laundry service available weekdays and Saturday for which there should be a large laundry bag in your room. Place your items in the bag and fill out the form and it will be collected and then returned the next day. For express service, drop the bag off at Bell Services before 8:30am and it will be returned by 6:30pm the same day. It might be worth checking the rather expensive price list before you use the facility though!

Disney Valet Laundry Rates — 2009
Dry Cleaning Price Laundry Price
Suits $11.50 Shirts $5.50
3-Piece Suits $12.00 Pants $6.50
Coats $8.00 Socks $2.00
Pants $6.50 Undershorts/Panties $2.00
Jackets $7.50 T-Shirts $4.50
Overcoats $12.50 Sweatsuits $7.50
Shirts $6.25 Pajamas $6.00
Sweaters $7.50 Undershirts & Bras $2.00
Ties $3.50 Handkerchiefs $2.00
Blouses $6.25 Blouses $5.50
Dresses $11.50 Slips $4.50
Gown/Jumpsuits from $20.00 Nightgowns $6.00
Skirts $6.50 Tennis Shorts $5.00
Knit Shirts $5.00
Press only: 75% of Dry Cleaning charge. Silks, linens, pleats: 50% surcharge.
Lined: $1.00. Shirts folded on request: 10% surcharge. Minimum charge: $5.00

 

[Koh1977]

Thanks dansdad. I thought they were near the quiet pools but wasn't sure.

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[Koh1977]

And DME - what other resorts does POR normally share with? In what order? I think we might have stopped there on the way to BC one year but I can't remember...

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[siskaren]

And DME - what other resorts does POR normally share with? In what order? I think we might have stopped there on the way to BC one year but I can't remember...

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There's no set route for DME.

 

[andrewilley]

Actually, it says the pictures were added in 2013, not that they were taken in 2013.

Correct, I shot a load of various room interiors in Aug 2012 but it took me a while to get them all converted, colour corrected, etc. I've still got some to upload of the general AB area in fact, plus some more from Aug 2013.

I don't have any of my own pics of the white sheet / bed scarf variant yet, but as has been said nothing else was changed at that time. I'm going to have to re-shoot all of the in-room panoramas next trip, and they takes ages to do.

Andre

 

[Koh1977]

Correct, I shot a load of various room interiors in Aug 2012 but it took me a while to get them all converted, colour corrected, etc. I've still got some to upload of the general AB area in fact, plus some more from Aug 2013. I don't have any of my own pics of the white sheet / bed scarf variant yet, but as has been said nothing else was changed at that time. I'm going to have to re-shoot all of the in-room panoramas next trip, and they takes ages to do. Andre

I'm going to have to take a look at those on my laptop or desktop instead of my iPad sometime. They won't load on the iPad for some reason...

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[princessalismommy]

We leave for POR Tuesday morning, but I still have to finish working today and tomorrow. When I get done with work tomorrow, I will have worked 75 hours this week and have not even thought of what to pack. I have been so busy working and planning this trip for my family I totally forgot about my packing!! Wish me luck and maybe a little pixie dust once we get to POR! I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life! I'm beginning to think I may just sleep the whole time we are in Disney and I've been looking forward to this vacation for months. Nah ... I'll sleep after we get home!

 

[Koh1977]

We leave for POR Tuesday morning, but I still have to finish working today and tomorrow. When I get done with work tomorrow, I will have worked 75 hours this week and have not even thought of what to pack. I have been so busy working and planning this trip for my family I totally forgot about my packing!! Wish me luck and maybe a little pixie dust once we get to POR! I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life! I'm beginning to think I may just sleep the whole time we are in Disney and I've been looking forward to this vacation for months. Nah ... I'll sleep after we get home!

Wishing you a magical trip!

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[princessalismommy]

Wishing you a magical trip!

Thank you! Sorry if I sounded like I'm whining! I just want to be at Disney not at work lol