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

[jcemom]

I am not a coffee drinker so I can't comment on how well they work, but I know you can buy filters to make your own pods, and I've seen tutorials on how to make your own pods from regular filters too. If you like a particular brand or blend of coffee that doesn't come in a pod, then that might be a solution. Just Google "how to make your own coffee pods" and you should get results.

 

[sweetnjmom]

I bought the pods at Shop Rite.

I arrive in less than a month too and would really like a fridge!!

I'll have to check my Shop Rite, thanks!

I'm hoping since I still have over 3 months before my trip that the frig situation will be resolved by then. We were going to order milk, cereal, fruit and snacks from Garden Grocer (along with 2 cases of water). We don't want to waste snack credits on water when I can get them a whole lot cheaper, even with delivery fees.

 

[germ539]

Love to know if there is a residual coffee taste when you do this. We almost always travel with a small kettle because we don't drink coffee. Anyone?

We went the end of May and I took Quick Quaker to eat so i could run the water through the coffee maker to heat it up and since I didn't run a "test" run of water through it to "clean" it out, I thought it had an "after taste".

Personal opinion though.

 

[bartleby1]

I bought the pods at Shop Rite.

I arrive in less than a month too and would really like a fridge!!

What brand were they? I looked in my shoprite but couldn't find any pods, just k-cups. It is veryossible I missed them though since I had three kids in tow, LOL!

Thanks!

 

[bartleby1]

We went the end of May and I took Quick Quaker to eat so i could run the water through the coffee maker to heat it up and since I didn't run a "test" run of water through it to "clean" it out, I thought it had an "after taste".

Personal opinion though.

I always bring a small container of vinegar to run through the hotel coffee makers before I use them. That way I know they are clean, otherwise they kind of gross me out, LOL! That may help get rid if any weird aftertaste too, although I can't guarantee it since I've never used it for hot water before.

 

[4myboyz]

They are Melitta 100% Arabica Dark Roast Coffee Pods. They come in a box of 18. I probably only found them because I use Shop Rite From Home
I don't know how to upload a picture or I would.

 

[bartleby1]

They are Melitta 100% Arabica Dark Roast Coffee Pods. They come in a box of 18. I probably only found them because I use Shop Rite From Home
I don't know how to upload a picture or I would.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to look better when I'm at shoprite next week! Maybe I can get there without the kids is I have time to browse, LOL!

 

[freckles04]

Thanks for answering my preferred room question! It's much appreciated! Even though I know it's anecdotal experiences, it still helps a bit.

Now to hope that there is still availability for me on August 1st, since I'm not a Disney Visa cardholder.

If not... hey, we're still going to WDW and I'm EXCITED!

 

[916chipndale]

Just returned from our stay at POR. We checked in July 15th, and checked out July 25th. Booked a garden room, and didn't make any requests. Checked in just a little before 11 am and the room was surprisingly ready. We were placed in room 3944, so building 39. Close to the North Depot, and not to far from the main building. The room was very quiet and the landscaping was very nice. The buses were pretty good. There were a couple occasions where we just missed a bus and another was there in 5-10 minutes. Longest wait we had was at EPCOT in the afternoon, we waited 20 minutes. The buses were usually pretty crowded and standing room most of the time, which was no big deal to us. The boat to and from DTD was way better than the bus. When we checked in we had a refrigerator, and asked about the situation. The guy who checked us in only said what we already know (it would only affect half the resort, no changing during stays). That said, we did notice refrigerators being removed towards the end of our stay. I will try to post some pictures up later.

 

[scoobydooby]

Love to know if there is a residual coffee taste when you do this. We almost always travel with a small kettle because we don't drink coffee. Anyone?

Yes there is. I am a tea drinker and always take a travel kettle. Apart from anything else tea needs boiling water.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Yes there is. I am a tea drinker and always take a travel kettle. Apart from anything else tea needs boiling water.

It depends on the type of tea for ideal temperature to infuse, not all should be subjected to boiling water. That said, the coffee taste will not do so I will pack the kettle. Thanks for your input.

 

[mrsdrum]

We are headed to POR 8/4-11. We have a royal guest room with a garden view booked. I originally requested Oak Manor. I plan on faxing my requests as Oak Manor, 2nd floor. Any other suggestions? How far in advance should/can I do the online check-in?
Also I had planned on ordering a case of water and some groceries ( snacks, breakfast) from Garden Grocer, but am hesitant after reading about the whole refrigerator fiasco. Thoughts?
We are celebrating our 10th anniversary and the kids first trip to WDW. DD is 6 and DS is 8. Any other suggestions/ tips? Thanks

 

[zabache]

Ok guys, I'm checking in on Thursday is it ok to send my fax with requests on Monday or should I send it let's say tomorrow morning? Would it make a difference? I'm so excited!

 

[zabache]

We are headed to POR 8/4-11. We have a royal guest room with a garden view booked. I originally requested Oak Manor. I plan on faxing my requests as Oak Manor, 2nd floor. Any other suggestions? How far in advance should/can I do the online check-in?
Also I had planned on ordering a case of water and some groceries ( snacks, breakfast) from Garden Grocer, but am hesitant after reading about the whole refrigerator fiasco. Thoughts?
We are celebrating our 10th anniversary and the kids first trip to WDW. DD is 6 and DS is 8. Any other suggestions/ tips? Thanks

Just read your post after I wrote mine, lol. Did you call in your celebrations?

 

[mrsdrum]

Just read your post after I wrote mine, lol. Did you call in your celebrations?

I honestly can't remember I will call tomorrow and check.

 

[Miss C]

We just checked in yesterday and have a great AB corner room. Our fridge was unplugged with a note, so we inquired at front desk later in the day to see if it would be possible to get one. They found one for us, but it hasn't arrived as of this morning. Ah we'll! It's vacation

It looks like they've started installing the RFID machines -- 3 of the 4 have the screens, but only 1 has the little platforms for the cups. They are still selling the non-RFID cups as of this morning and the machines are still in non-RFID mode.

Countdown: SINGLE DIGITS! YAY!!!
I'm another uber-planner here. For those who are there now, please keep me updated on any developments in the fridge situation if you hear/see anything and also any info the drink stations. I still plan to order a small bit from Garden Grocer, but just want to keep informed so I might be a bit more prepared, if needed. It would seem that we are going to WDW during a massive transition time (magic bands, rfid mugs, fridges, etc.) and circumstances beyond our control, so I'm planning to "roll with the punches". I know we'll still have a good time regardless of the circumstances.

We are headed to POR 8/4-11. We have a royal guest room with a garden view booked. I originally requested Oak Manor. I plan on faxing my requests as Oak Manor, 2nd floor. Any other suggestions? How far in advance should/can I do the online check-in?
Also I had planned on ordering a case of water and some groceries ( snacks, breakfast) from Garden Grocer, but am hesitant after reading about the whole refrigerator fiasco. Thoughts?
We are celebrating our 10th anniversary and the kids first trip to WDW. DD is 6 and DS is 8. Any other suggestions/ tips? Thanks

We will be there during the same time as you (8/5-8/16)! And staying in a Royal Room! AND celebrating our 10th anniversary too! And DD's upcoming 8th birthday! Be sure to say "Hi" if you see us... we'll be the ones with the rambunctious princess and several different matching shirts (at times). (I'm finishing the shirts tomorrow so I might post a pic before we go.) I plan to fax in our request on Monday.

I did have a couple of questions:
#1 - How much of a hold is put on the credit card at check-in? One CM told me that I wouldn't have to provide any credit card info if I didn't want to, but that doesn't sound right to me. We travel A LOT for work and I don't think I've EVER been to a hotel that doesn't ask for a card to cover incidentals. We probably won't be making any room charges (the uber-planner in me already has our meals and spending money planned out in gift cards) but I just don't want to go over our credit limit because of an amount just being held on the card.

#2 - Where can I send out mail at POR and does it get picked up daily? As much as I want to completely escape during our stay, reality dictates that some bills still need to be paid.

#3 - I know I read this somewhere, but am too tired to wade through pages and pages to find the answer : where can we get a life vest for my daughter? Can we check it out for the entire stay or just for her immediate use at the pool?

Thanks so much for the info on this board and thanks to Andre for the info on his website. We are all looking forward to being there!

 

[andrewilley]

Ok guys, I'm checking in on Thursday is it ok to send my fax with requests on Monday or should I send it let's say tomorrow morning? Would it make a difference? I'm so excited!

I'd send it early on Saturday morning. But it's not a science, don't worry too much about it!

It depends on the type of tea for ideal temperature to infuse, not all should be subjected to boiling water. That said, the coffee taste will not do so I will pack the kettle. Thanks for your input.

My DW drinks Earl Grey tea and insists on using boiling (i.e. still bubbling, not even just recently boiled) water. So we keep a US kettle in our Owner's Locker (travel kettles are useless at 110v, they take too long to boil).

#1 - How much of a hold is put on the credit card at check-in?

#2 - Where can I send out mail at POR and does it get picked up daily?

#3 - I know I read this somewhere, but am too tired to wade through pages and pages to find the answer : where can we get a life vest for my daughter? Can we check it out for the entire stay or just for her immediate use at the pool?

I don't think they do pre-hold any value on your card (other than charging your room fee for the duration of your stay course) but the card will need to be charged each time you hit a $1,000 balance. You don't have to leave a card on file if you don't want to, you just won't be able to charge to your room. This will be even more useful when MagicBands go mainstream in a couple of months.

There is a mailbox in the lobby, collected daily. Stamps can be purchased from the gift shop if you need them.

Yes, you can get life vests from the marina, and you can keep it for the duration of your stay. No charge (unless you don't return it!).

Have fun, maybe see you around the resort!

Andre

 

[zabache]

Just sent my fax.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

My DW drinks Earl Grey tea and insists on using boiling (i.e. still bubbling, not even just recently boiled) water. So we keep a US kettle in our Owner's Locker (travel kettles are useless at 110v, they take too long to boil).

She's right to insist on that temp for a black tea (and most herbals)! We drink a lot of green and white teas and they should have less intense heat. It really improves the taste. I have a nifty kettle at home that I can just press the type of tea and it heats to the proper temp. It would be cumbersome to take on holiday, for sure. We are a family of tea lovers and so my sister became a baristea and tea dealer, lucky for me now! Anyway, I'm sure there are some are wondering when this turned into a tea lecture (sorry 'bout that )

Now you have me thinking - OL isn't an option, but since we're planning to hire a car, we should just buy a kettle on our way in during our stop for supplies and gift it to another guest. We're trying hard to pack light so we don't have to wait around for bags. DME has spoiled us!

We are so looking forward to our October trip and POR!

 

[andrewilley]

Now you have me thinking - OL isn't an option, but since we're planning to hire a car, we should just buy a kettle on our way in during our stop for supplies and gift it to another guest. We're trying hard to pack light so we don't have to wait around for bags. DME has spoiled us!

Sounds like a plan, start a DIS POR pass-the-kettle-on thread!

Oh, and if you do decide to travel with a small kettle, it's worth remembering that they are hollow - pack small clothing items or souvenirs inside it (inside a plastic bag of course!) and it actually takes up very little space.

Andre