Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2014 (Please read first post for FAQs!)

[harmon54]

I have a question about booking with orbitz-I have read that you should only book for 2 people on or it or it charges you incorrectly- if I book for 2 people and want to add my kids later can I just do that at check in? If I have 5 total how will that work since I will need to be in alligator bayou (no preferred rooms available to book). Thanks

 

[Pineappley]

I have a question about booking with orbitz-I have read that you should only book for 2 people on or it or it charges you incorrectly- if I book for 2 people and want to add my kids later can I just do that at check in? If I have 5 total how will that work since I will need to be in alligator bayou (no preferred rooms available to book). Thanks

Book for two, then either call Orbitz or use the online chat facility and ask them to add your children. I did it last week and they just sent a fax through to POR while I was waiting and my daughter was added to MDE almost immediately.

 

[FLkid]

Suggestions for my online check in requests?

First time staying at POR! This is the hotel I've been wanting to stay at forever.. I've stayed at saratoga springs and pop so far and I've always asked for location request help on this forum and have never been disappointed.

I'll be solo for part of my trip, I don't use the pools and I don't mind a "little" bit of a walk for a good/quiet location. I have a standard room booked so I know that narrows it down a bit. Just looking for suggestions!


Thank you!

 

[Luv2Run]

There's a really great thread by Venomhatch that addresses how to fax in room requests at POR/POFQ specifically, and includes a template for faxing in room requests. There's also a really handy page on PortOrleans.org that explains faxing in room requests, as well.

If you pull up the resort map, you can see which building numbers are assigned to which section of the resort. You can include the building number options in your fax request ("Magnolia Bend - Bldg. 80 or 85, please"). I drafted my room request fax today, and included a couple Disney clipart images to make it a bit more eye-catching.

 

[thumper*]

WOO HOO booked us at POR for 2 nt's in Sept for a standard view.

I was going to just book us at The Bueana Vista Best Western for our first night in town prior to our AKL check in because we were going to do DTD that night. Long story a touch shorter. Hubster recommends leaving a day earlier and why not stay on Disney property. YAY. I do the research and see PO fall prices fall in line w/ what we wanted to spend a night, plus the benefit of boat transport to DTD. So a no brainer.

I'm an AKL girl but am looking forward to trying a new resort and am excited to experiance the beauty of PO. Love all your guys pictures.

Strange computer thingy going on though.
Started researching POR on Sunday on my home laptop and was given room prices for standard rooms and no kings available at R.

Wanted to research a little more prior to committing to FQ vs. R. so made no ressy.

Last night got on a PC at work during a slow period and it showed no standards available but kings were at R. Humm I immediately think well I lost that opportunity of a lower rate w/ a standard room. Once home from work got online on my laptop to make reservations for POR and low and behold it is now showing me standards available but no kings again. Just thought it strange.

Thanks to all of you wonderful posters and your info, it helped make the decision easy.

 

[Venomhatch]

There's a really great thread by Venomhatch that addresses how to fax in room requests at POR/POFQ specifically, and includes a template for faxing in room requests. There's also a really handy page on PortOrleans.org that explains faxing in room requests, as well.

If you pull up the resort map, you can see which building numbers are assigned to which section of the resort. You can include the building number options in your fax request ("Magnolia Bend - Bldg. 80 or 85, please"). I drafted my room request fax today, and included a couple Disney clipart images to make it a bit more eye-catching.

Thanks, Luv2Run! I was out planting my Banana Trees and getting some more landscaping supplies.

 

[kbmartin]

Strange computer thingy going on though.
Started researching POR on Sunday on my home laptop and was given room prices for standard rooms and no kings available at R.

Wanted to research a little more prior to committing to FQ vs. R. so made no ressy.

Last night got on a PC at work during a slow period and it showed no standards available but kings were at R. Humm I immediately think well I lost that opportunity of a lower rate w/ a standard room. Once home from work got online on my laptop to make reservations for POR and low and behold it is now showing me standards available but no kings again. Just thought it strange.

Thanks to all of you wonderful posters and your info, it helped make the decision easy.

This happened to me when we booked in April. My husband and I wanted a King, but it was only showing Standard and Royal rooms. I booked one of the Royals, and then the next day I noticed that there were King rooms available online. So I just called WDW and had them switch it. It wasn't that difficult to do, but it's too bad these problems are still happening at all!

 

[Disney4nonah]

Hi, First of all, I love this thread, i check in weekly for all the news.
But now I have a question. I'm a little nervous, just booked Jan 19-28, 2015 because booking for late Jan opened up yesterday. And there are no Standard Views left? does anyone know is it a big group like the cheerleaders (can't remember the name of the event) that have booked everything?
Anyway booked a Garden View as it's what they had available. *twist arm*
Also, If and when the October specials for January are released. Am I in a better position of qualifying for the HOPEFULLY room rate discount because I have a higher the Standard View, Garden View Room Category??
Any help is appreciated.

 

[ALD85]

Hi, First of all, I love this thread, i check in weekly for all the news. But now I have a question. I'm a little nervous, just booked Jan 19-28, 2015 because booking for late Jan opened up yesterday. And there are no Standard Views left? does anyone know is it a big group like the cheerleaders (can't remember the name of the event) that have booked everything? Anyway booked a Garden View as it's what they had available. *twist arm* Also, If and when the October specials for January are released. Am I in a better position of qualifying for the HOPEFULLY room rate discount because I have a higher the Standard View, Garden View Room Category?? Any help is appreciated.

It's just the site. If you keep refreshing it will eventually pop up. It must be from all the traffic. It's not just POR that's showing (or not showing) some room categories.

 

[smec73]

Where is your favorite location/room to stay?
We stayed in a Royal Guest room in Oak Manor last time, and liked it. Wouldn't mind hearing what others have to say about other rooms and locations on the property.

 

[Disney4nonah]

It's just the site. If you keep refreshing it will eventually pop up. It must be from all the traffic. It's not just POR that's showing (or not showing) some room categories.

My TA said there was nothing. I told him about refreshing. I guess i don't really mind. I'm more concerned with any big group of screaming girls. I husband would be so thrilled, NOT

 

[Disney4nonah]

Where is your favorite location/room to stay?
We stayed in a Royal Guest room in Oak Manor last time, and liked it. Wouldn't mind hearing what others have to say about other rooms and locations on the property.

The Expense of a Royal Room is lost on me. I like Standard view of a nice parking lot because i'm never in the room. But last time at POFQ we did have Garden View and King Bed and it was nice walking out of the room to the sound of a trickling foundtain... Very Excited for my first POR Mansions Stay...

 

[keahgirl8]

I usually stay in the mansions, but I booked a preferred location this time. I thought it would be nice to be close to the main building, since I am there for PHM weekend. I have never stayed in Alligator Bayou!

 

[Venomhatch]

My TA said there was nothing. I told him about refreshing. I guess i don't really mind. I'm more concerned with any big group of screaming girls. I husband would be so thrilled, NOT

The Expense of a Royal Room is lost on me. I like Standard view of a nice parking lot because i'm never in the room. But last time at POFQ we did have Garden View and King Bed and it was nice walking out of the room to the sound of a trickling foundtain... Very Excited for my first POR Mansions Stay...

I usually stay in the mansions, but I booked a preferred location this time. I thought it would be nice to be close to the main building, since I am there for PHM weekend. I have never stayed in Alligator Bayou!

This reply is generalized for all three posts.

I tend to agree I don't like to be around all the noise that is sometimes produced by this. But honestly I have not heard much noise after the refurb. I mean I had to once stick my head out the door around 11pm to see why a kid was jumping up and pounding down on the second floor walkway outside our room. But the parents were quick to fix that.

It is a gamble no matter where you stay when thinking about this. But most importantly remember your at Disney and let the Magic and Happy feelings sink in. Don't stress, we all have enough of that outside of Disney lol.

About the Royal Rooms, I say it is definitely a do at least once thing. To me I will never pay for a royal themed room again because of two things. As Andre says you can only push the firework button so many times and it loses it's wow factor, and the decor is cool, but they scaled it back by changing it again since the refurb. Second, my little one is not so little and she is now 13 and kinda is drifting away from the in room items and more of what we get with our money. For example, paying more for location but not for decor.

I could go on and on about my personal opinion about rooms, pricing, and location but that is for the Private Messages.

 

[Disney4nonah]

This reply is generalized for all three posts.

I tend to agree I don't like to be around all the noise that is sometimes produced by this. But honestly I have not heard much noise after the refurb. I mean I had to once stick my head out the door around 11pm to see why a kid was jumping up and pounding down on the second floor walkway outside our room. But the parents were quick to fix that.

It is a gamble no matter where you stay when thinking about this. But most importantly remember your at Disney and let the Magic and Happy feelings sink in. Don't stress, we all have enough of that outside of Disney lol.

About the Royal Rooms, I say it is definitely a do at least once thing. To me I will never pay for a royal themed room again because of two things. As Andre says you can only push the firework button so many times and it loses it's wow factor, and the decor is cool, but they scaled it back by changing it again since the refurb. Second, my little one is not so little and she is now 13 and kinda is drifting away from the in room items and more of what we get with our money. For example, paying more for location but not for decor.

I could go on and on about my personal opinion about rooms, pricing, and location but that is for the Private Messages.

Thanks Venom! - I have a way with him, he'll be fine. He'll just be happy to be there. And those one off kids jumping from excitement doesn't bother him.
We rarely stress on vacation as we don't do anything commando and have a nice leisurely time, as leisurley as you can get at WDW haha

Good points on the Royal Room, Thanks!

 

[csjordan]

This reply is generalized for all three posts.

I tend to agree I don't like to be around all the noise that is sometimes produced by this. But honestly I have not heard much noise after the refurb. I mean I had to once stick my head out the door around 11pm to see why a kid was jumping up and pounding down on the second floor walkway outside our room. But the parents were quick to fix that.

It is a gamble no matter where you stay when thinking about this. But most importantly remember your at Disney and let the Magic and Happy feelings sink in. Don't stress, we all have enough of that outside of Disney lol.

About the Royal Rooms, I say it is definitely a do at least once thing. To me I will never pay for a royal themed room again because of two things. As Andre says you can only push the firework button so many times and it loses it's wow factor, and the decor is cool, but they scaled it back by changing it again since the refurb. Second, my little one is not so little and she is now 13 and kinda is drifting away from the in room items and more of what we get with our money. For example, paying more for location but not for decor.

I could go on and on about my personal opinion about rooms, pricing, and location but that is for the Private Messages.

My DS16 and DD12 both LOVED the RR's! I would stay there again in a heartbeat! They were 100% "all disney"!

 

[Venomhatch]

My DS16 and DD12 both LOVED the RR's! I would stay there again in a heartbeat! They were 100% "all disney"!

Yeah we also have a bad experience with one RR so that might have done it for us also.

 

[ericstac]

Well.. We are heading back in Dec to end the year at POR once again I think this has become our favorite place to stay.. Great place and value!

 

[VroomFam]

Just finished booking POR for September 20-28, 2014 and picked a River View Royal Room. With the AP discount, I am paying $190/night. Not really that much more than another room. And won't get stuck at the back over a parking lot. Have never staying in a mansion, always Alligator Bayou before, so this will be a treat!

Any preference on which room to request? The North wing of Partrerre in close to the pool and the 2nd bridge, but the views from the South wing of Oak Manor look better.

After the 8 nights, we have 4 nights on the Dream then back to WDW. Couldn't get POR, so we are staying in a family Cars Suite at Art of Animation. Looks pretty garish, but very Disney! Luckily, we like the movie Cars.

 

[andrewilley]

Any preference on which room to request? The North wing of Partrerre in close to the pool and the 2nd bridge, but the views from the South wing of Oak Manor look better.

Views in North wing of Parterre and South of Oak are fairly similar. The North wing of Oak is nice though, looks over the riverboat dock and lots to see going on. That was where I chose for my Royal Room stay anyway (a little bit more of a walk though, but not bad):

The things I have to do in the name of research, eh?

Andre