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

[GigiDisneyfreak]

I've recently seen conflicting info and wondered if any of you knew the actual truth.......we are booked for Dec 6 -13. I see that pop warner is the same week. Is there going to be a blackout for free dining during this week? I've seen it posted as was blacked out in past and not blacked out....would really like free dining during our trip.

Check the Free dining discussion 2014 thread. There are several people on there that are very knowledgeable about the dates historically for free dining. They may tell you too the best way to get FD is not to book your trip before it is offered unless you can go without FD.

 

[dansdad]

I've recently seen conflicting info and wondered if any of you knew the actual truth.......we are booked for Dec 6 -13. I see that pop warner is the same week. Is there going to be a blackout for free dining during this week? I've seen it posted as was blacked out in past and not blacked out....would really like free dining during our trip.

I don't have a crystal ball for the future but looking at the historical data from mousesavers, FD has been blacked out during Pop Warner the last 3 years.

 

[LiliBelle]

We will be arriving at POR well before the 3pm check in and were planning to get our MBs activated and head right to the parks!


If our room isn't ready, will they be able to put our perishable groceries in a fridge?

Also, for the luggage, if we have the resort hold it, will they deliver it to our room once it's ready? If not, I'm thinking maybe it makes more sense just to leave it in the car and deal with it ourselves when we get back?

 

[dansdad]

If our room isn't ready, will they be able to put our perishable groceries in a fridge?

Yep.

Also, for the luggage, if we have the resort hold it, will they deliver it to our room once it's ready?

Yep. Once you get back to your room just call Bell Services and they will bring your luggage to your room.

 

[maryj11]

We will be arriving before 3:00 also. My guess is we will get there around 12:00. How likely will it be that our room will already be ready ? We plan on eating at the food court then going to Epcot, but would like to be settled into our room before we head out.

 

[LiliBelle]

We will be arriving before 3:00 also. My guess is we will get there around 12:00. How likely will it be that our room will already be ready ? We plan on eating at the food court then going to Epcot, but would like to be settled into our room before we head out.

I think it all depends on the turnover from the night before, and any specific requests you've made. On our first trip with the kids, we had some specific requests and had to wait. Next trip, no requests and checked right in when we arrived early.

Good luck - hope we both can check in early!!

 

[OnceUponATime15]

We will be arriving before 3:00 also. My guess is we will get there around 12:00. How likely will it be that our room will already be ready ? We plan on eating at the food court then going to Epcot, but would like to be settled into our room before we head out.

Our last stay at Riverside (Sept 2012) we arrived at 10am & were pleasantly surprised that our room was ready! We took our stuff to the room & headed to DTD for brunch.

 

[maryj11]

Ok not sure ours will be ready we arrive on memorial day

 

[tabm01]

Our stay is from May 30-June 5. I just called to see how much it would be to add an extra night on the 29th. I don't want/need an extra day of dining because we would arrive late that night, so I would book room only. The CM told me that I couldn't be guaranteed the same room for the 29th and the rest of the stay if I booked room only. What are the odds that I would have to switch rooms on the 30th?

 

[dansdad]

Our stay is from May 30-June 5. I just called to see how much it would be to add an extra night on the 29th. I don't want/need an extra day of dining because we would arrive late that night, so I would book room only. The CM told me that I couldn't be guaranteed the same room for the 29th and the rest of the stay if I booked room only. What are the odds that I would have to switch rooms on the 30th?

We've done this 6 times and only had to switch rooms once. Make sure your 2 reservations are linked together in the system. Then prior to your arrival make a request to stay in the same room. Remind the CM checking you in for your package that you have a room only booked at the end and reiterate that you would like to keep the same room.

 

[kbmartin]

Hi everyone! My husband and I are finally going for our honeymoon in August this year, and we couldn't be more excited. I have been to POR once before, but a lot of this information is new to me! I have a few questions.....

1. Is the horse-drawn carriage ride worth the money? We'll be taking the ferry to Downtown Disney at least twice, so I'm wondering if it's really very different views/ambiance taking a carriage ride. I just thought it might be romantic, but I don't know! We're already spending so much money by staying nine days...

2. It sounds like a lot of people like Yee-Haw Bob's show... just wondering, will the show be interesting to us as young adults (late 20s)? I love piano bars, but I was wondering if it's overly "kiddy." We'll probably get to Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk at some point. How long do you suggest being at Yee-Haw Bob's show? Is it really packed all the time? For example - if we randomly show up around 10 pm, is it going to be difficult to find seats?

3. How is the breakfast at the food court? We're looking for something easy for a couple of the days... my husband just cannot go without his three meals each day (I just don't get it ... ).

Thanks in advance! So happy to have found DisBoards... so much info!

 

[Marsheliz]

I switched over to PoR for a weekend trip we have in June.... Only problem is- we had to book preferred as river, garden and standard was not available... The preferred room is running about $120.00 more than POP ( where we were booked for 2 nights ( we were going to try to stay cheap this time since it is such a short trip) and about 80.00 more than CBR.. I almost want to spring for a royal!

Is the preferred really worth the extra and where are preferred rooms located here? I really don't like the look of the AB rooms and I'm thinking I've read that on here... Anything to request?
(We love having a corner room...)

I just want to make sure I make a good decision as my 45 day mark is coming up on Tuesday! It is such a beautiful resort in the pictures!

 

[hunmcbunny]

I switched over to PoR for a weekend trip we have in June.... Only problem is- we had to book preferred as river, garden and standard was not available... The preferred room is running about $120.00 more than POP ( where we were booked for 2 nights ( we were going to try to stay cheap this time since it is such a short trip) and about 80.00 more than CBR.. I almost want to spring for a royal!

Is the preferred really worth the extra and where are preferred rooms located here? I really don't like the look of the AB rooms and I'm thinking I've read that on here... Anything to request?
(We love having a corner room...)

I just want to make sure I make a good decision as my 45 day mark is coming up on Tuesday! It is such a beautiful resort in the pictures!

All preferred rooms are in AB. So if you don't want AB then you will have to book a royal guest room if there aren't any other categories left. Check out www.portorleans.org its loaded with everything you need to know.

 

[fadingjamie]

1. Is the horse-drawn carriage ride worth the money? We'll be taking the ferry to Downtown Disney at least twice, so I'm wondering if it's really very different views/ambiance taking a carriage ride. I just thought it might be romantic, but I don't know! We're already spending so much money by staying nine days...

2. It sounds like a lot of people like Yee-Haw Bob's show... just wondering, will the show be interesting to us as young adults (late 20s)? I love piano bars, but I was wondering if it's overly "kiddy." We'll probably get to Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk at some point. How long do you suggest being at Yee-Haw Bob's show? Is it really packed all the time? For example - if we randomly show up around 10 pm, is it going to be difficult to find seats?

1. We did the horse-drawn carriage ride on our honeymoon. It felt like it was over quickly, but I think it's worth trying once. It is very romantic.

2. It's kind of kiddy, but I think they'll get into it. He sings a lot of songs that they would know.. "classics". Yes, I've heard him sing BINGO which would be an eye-roller for young adults, but we found as the evening went on, we got into the silliness and participated. A few drinks to take the edge off didn't hurt. The crowd is rather fluid in that there are always people coming and going but we were never unable to find a seat. Give the show at least a half hour to an hour.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

1. We did the horse-drawn carriage ride on our honeymoon. It felt like it was over quickly, but I think it's worth trying once. It is very romantic.

DH & I did the carriage ride last year & loved it. We chose to ride through POFQ & our guide Lori & her horse were amazing. A fountain of great information about the resorts & WDW. We are going for an overnight trip in May & DH just suggested we do it again but go around POR this time. It lasts right around a half hour & we went just before dark.

 

[Ceryssa]

We're booked in a RR in October and it looks like in the pictures there's no ceiling fan in those rooms. Kind of silly but we always sleep wot hours on at home, my husband has a hard time sleeping without it. Has anyone had an issue with the RR rooms not being cool enough? We aren't driving so we can't bring a fan with us.

 

[lillykat]

We're booked in a RR in October and it looks like in the pictures there's no ceiling fan in those rooms. Kind of silly but we always sleep wot hours on at home, my husband has a hard time sleeping without it. Has anyone had an issue with the RR rooms not being cool enough? We aren't driving so we can't bring a fan with us.

No fan in the royal rooms. I am often hot but I was very comfortable in our room. AC worked well no complaints.

 

[KelleyK75]

Our stay is from May 30-June 5. I just called to see how much it would be to add an extra night on the 29th. I don't want/need an extra day of dining because we would arrive late that night, so I would book room only. The CM told me that I couldn't be guaranteed the same room for the 29th and the rest of the stay if I booked room only. What are the odds that I would have to switch rooms on the 30th?

I don't know for sure, but I did this same thing and didn't have to move. I had a reservation for a long time and about a month before arrival I called to see if I could add one more day. They said sure and added it on. I asked if I would keep the same room and they said yes. When I got to POR I never had a problem and didn't have to move. Good luck!

 

[KelleyK75]

3. How is the breakfast at the food court? We're looking for something easy for a couple of the days... my husband just cannot go without his three meals each day (I just don't get it ... ).

Thanks in advance! So happy to have found DisBoards... so much info!

With all of the time in the parks we didn't have time to do much at the resort (which I regret, because there was so much to do!) We did have breakfast though, and it was good. They have several different choices.

 

[LisaTC]

I switched over to PoR for a weekend trip we have in June.... Only problem is- we had to book preferred as river, garden and standard was not available... The preferred room is running about $120.00 more than POP ( where we were booked for 2 nights ( we were going to try to stay cheap this time since it is such a short trip) and about 80.00 more than CBR.. I almost want to spring for a royal!

Is the preferred really worth the extra and where are preferred rooms located here? I really don't like the look of the AB rooms and I'm thinking I've read that on here... Anything to request?
(We love having a corner room...)

I just want to make sure I make a good decision as my 45 day mark is coming up on Tuesday! It is such a beautiful resort in the pictures!

Preferred, as mentioned is in Alligator Bayou. I just looked for June 7th-13 and poolview is available and it is the same rate as Preferred. You could, then, fax a request for Poolview, mansions, near Old man's island bridge. Just a thought.

No fan in the royal rooms. I am often hot but I was very comfortable in our room. AC worked well no complaints.

Not for October, likely, would you be overly hot. I like to be cool, too. I'm a 53 year old female...need I say more? LOL, but did not feel uncomfortable at all. A/C worked well. I've seen small fans about 8" that run under $10.00 you could put on your night stand. Doesn't take up too much space, but will take up some.

Hi everyone! My husband and I are finally going for our honeymoon in August this year, and we couldn't be more excited. I have been to POR once before, but a lot of this information is new to me! I have a few questions.....

It sounds like a lot of people like Yee-Haw Bob's show... just wondering, will the show be interesting to us as young adults (late 20s)? I love piano bars, but I was wondering if it's overly "kiddy." We'll probably get to Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk at some point. How long do you suggest being at Yee-Haw Bob's show? Is it really packed all the time? For example - if we randomly show up around 10 pm, is it going to be difficult to find seats?

He's fun. Lots of slapstick, loud, overt type of comedy. All kinds of music & songs. Very silly, but entertaining. He's quite a talented pianist/musician really. He has a website. Worth a look for sure.

How is the breakfast at the food court? We're looking for something easy for a couple of the days... my husband just cannot go without his three meals each day (I just don't get it ... ) Thanks in advance! So happy to have found DisBoards... so much info!

I think they have a very decent breakfast. They have the typical breakfast platters available at all Disney CS resort places - eggs, sausage or bacon, potatoes or waffles, etc., we well as omelets and pastries, bagels, etc. I especially like their oatmeal. Sounds weird to get that at WDW, but they have all these toppings - craisins, raisins, bananas, nuts, fresh berries, granola, etc. You can get a snack size (which was very ample) or a CS size. I thought it was the best deal and very satiating.