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

[germ539]

Love the webcam but is it just me or does it look a little blurry? Didn't know if it was or if it was because of rain or something?

Either way, makes me want to jump on a plane and go there again.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Hi all, we are staying one night in a royal room before going to our SSR timeshare. Since it is only one night, we don't have any requests. Is online check-in much quicker. I haven't done it before and wondering whether to try it.

If you do online check-in, when you arrive at the resort they will have your packet ready. It saves a small amount of time when there are not many people. As I understand it, if there are lots of people in the regular line, online check-in can save substantial time.

When you do online check-in you will tell them approximately when you will arrive. You may make any requests with the online check-in, though it doesn't sound like you will need any.

Have a good, if short, stay!

 

[ColonelHathi]

Honestly, we stayed at CBR on our very first Disney trip back in "99. The bus experience there was HORRID. I know that a lot has changed within the system since then (better routing,planning etc)but once you have such a bad experience at a resort, its hard to go back.

I don't think we would EVER stay at CBR again. Since I could not get FD yesterday at our originally booked POFQ our choices in this order were POR,CSR and then CBR. I most likely would have settled for no free dining before moving to CBR.

I'm happy that you are happy with your decision.Sometimes its best to go with that "gut feeling" over all else.Happy Planning

That is so comforting, thank you! You have no idea! The insanity yesterday was crazy, and it really sucked a lot of pixie dust out of me, which is saying a lot. I am of course still hoping that FD frees up around the 45 day mark when they have to have their packages paid off, and the offer is still valid, but planning to go with the flow. Meh, it's still all good. Our room discount that we got with AAA is now better than the RO offer too, which I don't totally get but I'm cool with it because it's locked unless we make changes.

I did tell DH that it also means that it might have a better chance a getting a room in the mansions, since we are only a family of 4 and many fams of 5 switched to POR with FD. It's my preferred choice so kiddos don't argue about the murphy bed!

 

[hippsmom]

Thanks for the info on the buses. I had such a great experience with buses at POFQ that I am trying to convince myself it will be okay at POR. Sounds like it could be hit and miss and it sounds like getting preferred room would not really improve the situation. Torn between my current RR ressie or preferred room at CSR but I do not like the look of CSR and it seems so far away from everything. Indecision!

 

[donna6635]

Ok, so I need some help here. When I called yesterday to get free dining, nothing was available for my stay Oct 19-25, have a RR booked. I'm taking myself...the old lady at 54, 2 friends I work with who are 27 and 22 and a 3 year old...All first timers, except me of course. I was able to get a room at CBR with free dining and 6 day passes with park hopper for about $600 more. My POR ressie is room and dining only, I have an annual pass. WHAT should I do?? Keep RR or switch????

 

[andrewilley]

Link to live webcam is on portorleans.org! YAY! Thank you Andre! Looks like another fun view/location!!!!

Not only a nice location and view, but a working fridge too, the world is good. The Port Orleans gods are looking down favourably on me...

I'm streaming via the Eyes on Ears site, but I think the DIS-gods still frown on links to there, so just go to www.portorleans.org and the video stream is on the front page there too, with links to bigger versions.

Is online check-in much quicker. I haven't done it before and wondering whether to try it.

I think it helps, yes. Worked well for us anyway. They sometimes even have roving CMs with tablets who will meet you in the line (or even the lobby) and get you sorted out.

I am looking at one of the 360 degree pics that Andre has up of a typical Bayou room.I noticed that there is an older style AC unit underneath the window, but also a thermostat for central AC located on the wall.
Do they both work, or just one.

Also, does the usual by-pass method work for the wall thermostat?
We like it cold to sleep at night.

All Port Orleans rooms still have the under-window air con units, but they are now enclosed and controlled by wall panels. I've not noticed if they use a motion sensor, just the thermostat, but then again we don't leave it on overnight (a bit too noisy).

Love the webcam but is it just me or does it look a little blurry? Didn't know if it was or if it was because of rain or something?

I've turned the quality setting down a bit as I was getting bandwidth issues with the internet connection in the room (I've got a perfect Wi-Fi signal here, but the back-end data rate is somewhat lacking in terms of video streaming needs at the moment).

Thanks for the info on the buses. I had such a great experience with buses at POFQ that I am trying to convince myself it will be okay at POR. Sounds like it could be hit and miss and it sounds like getting preferred room would not really improve the situation. Torn between my current RR ressie or preferred room at CSR but I do not like the look of CSR and it seems so far away from everything. Indecision!

Don't let stories (good or bad) about any resort's bus service either put you off or make you want to stay there - they are just too variable. We hear horror stories online all the time, but yesterday I arrived at the South Depot bus stop at 7:13am, the bus arrived four minutes later and we were getting off at the MK at 7:29am. Same with coming back, we arrived at the bus stop at the MK at 1:50pm, and got to the first POR stop at 2:07pm.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

#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?

As an update to this, yesterday I noticed that all of the pools at Port Orleans Riverside (even the quiet pools) now have boxes containing lots of kids' life-vests that you can just pick up and use. No more having to go to the marina to get one.

Andre

 

[lmhall2000]

Oh my !! My kids (all teens) are soo pumped by the webcam! A little too pumped, my 15 year old keeps coming and asking me to play it again! the river looks beautiful and the lush landscaping is right up my alley!! Thanks for putting it up..someone else mentioned cloudy, it was clear as a bell during the day, just checked it a minute ago, a little blurry, bet it's condensation from the evening humidity or nearby river effect...but the glow of the light and you can still make out the ripples in the river are cool!! Thanks!!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Not only a nice location and view, but a working fridge too, the world is good. The Port Orleans gods are looking down favourably on me...

As is befitting a VIP

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Ok, so I need some help here. When I called yesterday to get free dining, nothing was available for my stay Oct 19-25, have a RR booked. I'm taking myself...the old lady at 54, 2 friends I work with who are 27 and 22 and a 3 year old...All first timers, except me of course. I was able to get a room at CBR with free dining and 6 day passes with park hopper for about $600 more. My POR ressie is room and dining only, I have an annual pass. WHAT should I do?? Keep RR or switch????

I'm a bit confused. You initially say you can't get a POR room Oct 19-25 with free dining, but booked an RR. I assume this is without dining? I would go to CBR if it means the difference between free dining, or no free dining. However, then you say CBR with free dining is $600 more than POR room with dining? I think this may be comparing apples to oranges if one includes tickets and one does not.

However, all things being equal, CBR and POR are both very nice resorts on the same level of quality and service; therefore, I would go with the one that gives the best overall price package. I like free dining. It is a good deal for my family and I like not having to worry about how much food will cost.

The value of the dining plan depends on you and your groups eating habits. It might be better to use a room discount and skip the free dining. Only you can determine that.

 

[donna6635]

I'm a bit confused. You initially say you can't get a POR room Oct 19-25 with free dining, but booked an RR. I assume this is without dining? I would go to CBR if it means the difference between free dining, or no free dining. However, then you say CBR with free dining is $600 more than POR room with dining? I think this may be comparing apples to oranges if one includes tickets and one does not.

However, all things being equal, CBR and POR are both very nice resorts on the same level of quality and service; therefore, I would go with the one that gives the best overall price package. I like free dining. It is a good deal for my family and I like not having to worry about how much food will cost.

The value of the dining plan depends on you and your groups eating habits. It might be better to use a room discount and skip the free dining. Only you can determine that.

Yellowstonetim
Thanks for the reply...I think I am going to change over...Originally made plans in April, didn't add tickets to reservation because my annual pass doesn't expire until December. For 3 adult and 1 child , adding tickets for 6 days...think the price difference with free dining included is worth it. I just needed a little nudge.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Hi all, this is more of an ME question than POR, but wanted to get your thoughts. We are flying in in the evening, arriving Orlando around 8 PM. With deplaning, bus ride, etc I'm guessing we won't get to POR until at least 9:30. Although we're within the luggage delivery window, I know the resort is big and I know for sure we wouldn't want to be keeping the kids up until midnight (or, frankly, ourselves) waiting on bags. Would you not use the tags and do the luggage carousel at MCO/load all our own bags on ME, or do you think that's a bad idea? We've always just let the ME magic happen, but we don't usually fly at night.

Thanks!

 

[delilah18]

So excited trip is paid off
Now let the countdown begin

 

[Objectivity]

Yellowstonetim
Thanks for the reply...I think I am going to change over...Originally made plans in April, didn't add tickets to reservation because my annual pass doesn't expire until December. For 3 adult and 1 child , adding tickets for 6 days...think the price difference with free dining included is worth it. I just needed a little nudge.

Can't you buy the tickets for free dining then use the tickets to reduce the price of your AP renewal?

 

[winterman]

Hi all, this is more of an ME question than POR, but wanted to get your thoughts. We are flying in in the evening, arriving Orlando around 8 PM. With deplaning, bus ride, etc I'm guessing we won't get to POR until at least 9:30. Although we're within the luggage delivery window, I know the resort is big and I know for sure we wouldn't want to be keeping the kids up until midnight (or, frankly, ourselves) waiting on bags. Would you not use the tags and do the luggage carousel at MCO/load all our own bags on ME, or do you think that's a bad idea? We've always just let the ME magic happen, but we don't usually fly at night.

Thanks!

I would definitely pick up your bags yourself. They should be able to deliver them by 11:00 but that's still late after a day of travel.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Hi all, this is more of an ME question than POR, but wanted to get your thoughts. We are flying in in the evening, arriving Orlando around 8 PM. With deplaning, bus ride, etc I'm guessing we won't get to POR until at least 9:30. Although we're within the luggage delivery window, I know the resort is big and I know for sure we wouldn't want to be keeping the kids up until midnight (or, frankly, ourselves) waiting on bags. Would you not use the tags and do the luggage carousel at MCO/load all our own bags on ME, or do you think that's a bad idea? We've always just let the ME magic happen, but we don't usually fly at night.

Thanks!

Just pick them up. I've done this before and it is easy.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

Hi all, this is more of an ME question than POR, but wanted to get your thoughts. We are flying in in the evening, arriving Orlando around 8 PM. With deplaning, bus ride, etc I'm guessing we won't get to POR until at least 9:30. Although we're within the luggage delivery window, I know the resort is big and I know for sure we wouldn't want to be keeping the kids up until midnight (or, frankly, ourselves) waiting on bags. Would you not use the tags and do the luggage carousel at MCO/load all our own bags on ME, or do you think that's a bad idea? We've always just let the ME magic happen, but we don't usually fly at night.

Thanks!

This is exactly our situation in 2 days. I am not putting the ME tags on, I don't want to chance it. Take into consideration that your flight might be delayed and that would make it even worse.

 

[siskaren]

Hi all, this is more of an ME question than POR, but wanted to get your thoughts. We are flying in in the evening, arriving Orlando around 8 PM. With deplaning, bus ride, etc I'm guessing we won't get to POR until at least 9:30. Although we're within the luggage delivery window, I know the resort is big and I know for sure we wouldn't want to be keeping the kids up until midnight (or, frankly, ourselves) waiting on bags. Would you not use the tags and do the luggage carousel at MCO/load all our own bags on ME, or do you think that's a bad idea? We've always just let the ME magic happen, but we don't usually fly at night.

Thanks!

Actually, I disagree with those who say to get them yourselves. Just pack what you need for the first night in your carry-ons and ask the resort to hold your checked bags for you until the next morning. And winterman is incorrect about when the bags should be delivered. It's about 3 hours after you check in, not three hours after your flight arrives. I would imagine that with an 8:00 flight, you should get to the resort no later than 9:30, but that would mean your luggage wouldn't get delivered until after midnight.

 

[mickey1968]

I have a question about driving on-site. Going to the MK can you take a right turn out of POR onto Bonnet Creek then go up and take Vista Blvd. over to World Drive? That puts you past the toll plaza. Will they let you do that or will they force you to go through the toll plaza?

I know that most people recommend the buses for MK, but that is where I have had the most horrible experiences having to wait for 3-4 buses then standing on party nights, so I thought I would try driving this time.

Thanks!

 

[maxiesmom]

Actually, I disagree with those who say to get them yourselves. Just pack what you need for the first night in your carry-ons and ask the resort to hold your checked bags for you until the next morning. .

I agree with this. It is always wise to pack what you need for the first 24 hours in your carry-on, just in case the airline misdirects your luggage. That way you should have everything you need right away with you. Let DME either deliver your bags or have them held until the next morning. Why spend more time at the airport if you don't have to? Especially with tired kiddos!