Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part Two [Thread now FULL and closed]

[pawahl]

You cannot request 14 and 15, they are the preferred booking category. You can request 16.

I have been told by three different CM's that doing online check-in cancels out requests. You will get the first available room. You can reiterate your requests at check-in but it defeats the purpose because hey have to re-print your cards.

That being said, I never do online check-in and got all my requests. Until this trip.

I had Acadian House, first floor. I had upgraded from standard to garden view on the summer discount.

They gave us a room in AB, farthest one out on the second floor.

I insisted Acadian and he asked if I minded Magnolia Terrace, he had the perfect room. 8611, first floor, we are near the pool, near the parking lot for the car, and have a view of the gardens and beautiful staircase.

Thank you. We have paid for a pool view room, which costs the same as preferred room. We usually get the buildings we have asked for in the past. I am hoping we won't have any problems.

 

[Missytara]

We have 2 nights at POR (June 29-july1). there are 5 of us (2adults 3 kids). We have a standard room booked because that's all that was available for 2 nights. What room would be closest to the main pool? Also, if when we check in, they have a preferred location available, can we upgrade without losing our room discount? How does that work? Thanks!!
Amanda

Yes, because room discounts are done to fill rooms and then they close several weeks before arrival. You are basically starting a new reservation.

 

[Dsnyless in Seattle]

Question about the fold down Murphy beds in Alligator Bayou: Has anyone used one with a toddler? Our DD (3) just moved into a regular bed at home from a crib and moves around a bunch in her sleep. We've found her on the floor in the middle of the night several times, though strangely, never heard crying. (She's pretty tough.) I'm a little nervous, though, about these beds. I know you can request bed rails, but even with those, I feel like she might just scootch her way off the end and land on her head. I guess we could put pillows down though... Just curious if anyone had any experience with it.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We returned from POR on Thursday and today I received an email survey from the resort. Is this a common thing, or do you think we received it due to the housekeeping concerns we had? It was very detailed and allowed for feedback regarding the check in process, rooms, food court, shops, transportation, housekeeping, and recreation. I felt glad that I was given the opportunity to provide detailed and honest feedback. It makes me feel like they care about making changes to reflect the needs of their guests

 

[ChristineOH]

We have 2 nights at POR (June 29-july1). there are 5 of us (2adults 3 kids). We have a standard room booked because that's all that was available for 2 nights. What room would be closest to the main pool? Also, if when we check in, they have a preferred location available, can we upgrade without losing our room discount? How does that work? Thanks!!
Amanda

PP mentioned building 38. We stayed in 38 and loved it. LOVED it! It's so close to everything, and we loved the North Depot for the bus. However, 38 is all river view or garden view rooms. You might get a pixie dust upgrade and end up in a garden view room here, but for a standard room, 16 or 17 are your best bets for a request, or just request close to main building.

 

[Missytara]

We returned from POR on Thursday and today I received an email survey from the resort. Is this a common thing, or do you think we received it due to the housekeeping concerns we had? It was very detailed and allowed for feedback regarding the check in process, rooms, food court, shops, transportation, housekeeping, and recreation. I felt glad that I was given the opportunity to provide detailed and honest feedback. It makes me feel like they care about making changes to reflect the needs of their guests

I have been approached every time to do a survey, but it is usually at the parks. Never one from the resort perspective.

I love doing them to reflect the positive experiences I have had. But hopefully people do give honest answers that Disney can utilize.

It is a double edge sword for Disney. I watched a guy screaming at the concierge desk yesterday in reference to the busses to the point you could hardly understand him.

I was complimenting them about our great location that did not match our requests - it was like the CM was psychic.

 

[Missytara]

Thank you. We have paid for a pool view room, which costs the same as preferred room. We usually get the buildings we have asked for in the past. I am hoping we won't have any problems.

It does not matter. The game has changed. Yes, pool view does cost the same as preferred, but preferred books up rather quickly and most likely you won't get it. Those buildings are no longer requests.

You could be in Parterre Place or Magnolia Terrace, which also has pool view.

 

[dansdad]

We returned from POR on Thursday and today I received an email survey from the resort. Is this a common thing, or do you think we received it due to the housekeeping concerns we had? It was very detailed and allowed for feedback regarding the check in process, rooms, food court, shops, transportation, housekeeping, and recreation. I felt glad that I was given the opportunity to provide detailed and honest feedback. It makes me feel like they care about making changes to reflect the needs of their guests

Our last 4 stays at CBR we have either been emailed a survey once home, or been approached by a CM while waiting for ME with the survey on an IPAD. I too liked how detailed the surveys have been.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

We returned from POR on Thursday and today I received an email survey from the resort. Is this a common thing, or do you think we received it due to the housekeeping concerns we had? It was very detailed and allowed for feedback regarding the check in process, rooms, food court, shops, transportation, housekeeping, and recreation. I felt glad that I was given the opportunity to provide detailed and honest feedback. It makes me feel like they care about making changes to reflect the needs of their guests

This is the Guest Satisfaction Survey. The most important measurement Disney has. Management takes this very seriously, they get rated on it.

So be honest in your responses please.

PS: these surveys get sent to a random sampling of Guests, so probably not directly related to any issues you had.

 

[raider97]

We have requested buildings 14,15, and 16 in AB. I would like to know if it will help to check in online then send a request for certain buildings. We have been very lucky in the past when we have asked for certain buildings, but have never checked in online or sent a fewest by fax.

I don't see any pool view rooms in building 14 or 15. I do see some in building 16 and 18. You might want to switch your request to one of those two.

Good luck!!

Stephanie

 

[andrewilley]

We have 2 nights at POR (June 29-july1). there are 5 of us (2adults 3 kids). We have a standard room booked because that's all that was available for 2 nights. What room would be closest to the main pool? Also, if when we check in, they have a preferred location available, can we upgrade without losing our room discount?

I would just put in a request for WHAT you want (i.e. close access for main pool) rather than asking for a specific location, as the Standard View rooms are mostly located all around the perimeter of the resort (away from the main pool). You never know, you could get pixie-dust upgraded to a higher category of room which might give you better access. You can always ask at checkin if there are rooms any closer, and very often if there is something better for you they will do it with no extra charge (you cannot guarantee that though obviously).

Thank you. We have paid for a pool view room, which costs the same as preferred room.

They may cost the same, but they are technically different locations. A TV and a refrigerator might cost the same, but you can't watch Once Upon A Time on your fridge.

Every room falls into a single booking category, and there are a lot of Pool View rooms located all around the resort. There are none in buildings 14 or 15, but there are six Pool View rooms in building 18 (which is one of the buildings where the Preferred Location rooms are also found). There are some Pool Views in 16 and 17 too, which are quite close for the main areas too.

You could send a fax before you arrive saying that you would be happy to sacrifice your booked pool view to get a Preferred Location instead, which (as you say) would be a sideways jump rather than an upgrade - but that does depend on occupancy levels at the time and whether they can shuffle things around.

Andre

 

[Napria]

A TV and a refrigerator might cost the same, but you can't watch Once Upon A Time on your fridge.

(I must have the early morning sillies. I literally laughed out loud.)

 

[Missytara]

I don't see any pool view rooms in building 14 or 15. I do see some in building 16 and 18. You might want to switch your request to one of those two.

Good luck!!

Stephanie

The point is they do have to switch to those two buildings for requests. They did not realize that 14 and 15 are booking categories of preferred aand can no longer request them.

 

[freckles04]

Thank you. We have paid for a pool view room, which costs the same as preferred room. We usually get the buildings we have asked for in the past. I am hoping we won't have any problems.

I think you should switch your reservation to Preferred Room since you are wanting buildings 14 or 15. I booked a Preferred Room and am hoping for building 14 or 15. I would be pretty upset if I found out they gave my room away to someone who booked for Pool View.. because when I booked, I did my research on current room categories, and chose the appropriate category to start with. Not trying to be rude, just honest.

 

[kelleigh1]

For those who stay at POR regularly, do you find that they are sticklers about the check-in time? (is that 3pm or 4pm? - I can't remember.) Or are they pretty good about getting you into your room when you arrive?

Our flight gets in around 10am and based on past experience, I expect we'll be at the resort by noon. Do you think there is a good chance that we'll be able to get in our room upon arrival?

We've stayed at POFQ, CBR and YC in the past and CBR was the only one where they really stuck to the check-in time. It was fairly frustrating because while I know I could leave our bags with bell services, I am not overly comfortable doing so.

 

[dansdad]

For those who stay at POR regularly, do you find that they are sticklers about the check-in time? (is that 3pm or 4pm? - I can't remember.) Or are they pretty good about getting you into your room when you arrive?

Our flight gets in around 10am and based on past experience, I expect we'll be at the resort by noon. Do you think there is a good chance that we'll be able to get in our room upon arrival?

We've stayed at POFQ, CBR and YC in the past and CBR was the only one where they really stuck to the check-in time. It was fairly frustrating because while I know I could leave our bags with bell services, I am not overly comfortable doing so.

It all depends on how full the resort is so it's hard to say. It's not the resort sticking to the check in time, it's how quickly they can turn the room over.

 

[Missytara]

For those who stay at POR regularly, do you find that they are sticklers about the check-in time? (is that 3pm or 4pm? - I can't remember.) Or are they pretty good about getting you into your room when you arrive?

Our flight gets in around 10am and based on past experience, I expect we'll be at the resort by noon. Do you think there is a good chance that we'll be able to get in our room upon arrival?

We've stayed at POFQ, CBR and YC in the past and CBR was the only one where they really stuck to the check-in time. It was fairly frustrating because while I know I could leave our bags with bell services, I am not overly comfortable doing so.

You can check in at 6 am when the computers roll over. A room can be available that early, but it may not suit your requests.

A room can be available as early as noon, but it may or may not suit your requests. If it is a busy check out day, you might have to wait a bit longer. For instance, I usually check in the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and I would rather wait until 1 pm for a room that meets my requests.

With the new computer system, they can release rooms earlier. It is not about them sticking to check in time, it is the availability, how busy the resort is and how much you want a room suits your requests.

The only really long wait would be for a DVC 2 or 3 bedroom villa, which take long to clean.

Also, if you are using ME, why not let them handle your bags. Whether you use ME or leave your bags with guest services, both are very safe.

 

[Missytara]

I think you should switch your reservation to Preferred Room since you are wanting buildings 14 or 15. I booked a Preferred Room and am hoping for building 14 or 15. I would be pretty upset if I found out they gave my room away to someone who booked for Pool View.. because when I booked, I did my research on current room categories, and chose the appropriate category to start with. Not trying to be rude, just honest.

I think that is the most appropriate way of putting it. I think they do not quite have the concept those rooms are an actual booking category; it is irrelevant that they are the same cost.

 

[webstah]

For those who stay at POR regularly, do you find that they are sticklers about the check-in time? (is that 3pm or 4pm? - I can't remember.) Or are they pretty good about getting you into your room when you arrive?

Our flight gets in around 10am and based on past experience, I expect we'll be at the resort by noon. Do you think there is a good chance that we'll be able to get in our room upon arrival?

We've stayed at POFQ, CBR and YC in the past and CBR was the only one where they really stuck to the check-in time. It was fairly frustrating because while I know I could leave our bags with bell services, I am not overly comfortable doing so.

We go down every September and get to the resort between 11 am and 12 pm. In 10 trips, we have only not had our room ready twice, and one time, we hadn't even made it out ot the main building before we had a text with our room number. Only once did we not get the room until after we hit a park. We just dropped our luggage off at Bell services and picked it up later.
That being said, though Disney will try to get you in your room as soon as possible, there are a lot of things that determine availablity. Room category (We've typically just book standard with connecting rooms if possible) how busy the time of year you go, do you want connecting or adjoining rooms, require first floor for disability reasons, etc...
So yes, there is a chance you could get your room right away, but it is not guaranteed.

 

[Missytara]

Andre - you have the general placement correct of the stairs, vending, and sidewalks.

However, the room numbers are incorrect. I.E., you have our room as 8511, and it is actually 8611. Funny, I was looking for our room number and it was not on the map. I almost went back to check in to see if they made a mistake, but we plodded along and found it.