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

[taraaplin]

What should we request to get something close to busses? We are a family of five with a new 3 year old and stroller! Our baby turns 3 day of arrival (no way to change date and didn't want to be dishonest). Any tips for room requests? We booked a standard room

 

[dansdad]

What should we request to get something close to busses?

"Close to bus stop" works.

 

[taraaplin]

Is it really that easy? There isn't a particular building or room to request?

 

[dansdad]

Is it really that easy? There isn't a particular building or room to request?

It's really that easy. If you request a certain area and it's not available, the room assigner won't know why you wanted that area. With multiple bus stops there are lots of standard rooms close to a bus stop that opens up the options.

 

[jennthompson111]

I have a question about discounts for POR. I tried to search for historical discounts but couldn't find anything specific.

Since it's a moderate resort what is the typical level of room only discount? I've seen deluxe up to 35% but wasn't sure for moderates. We are staying in Nov/Dec. and plan on staying at POR either way, I'm just hopeful for some kind of discount!

 

[bbak3030]

Thank you we did that last year. This is definitely the best advice dispute our prior POR experience We shopped for an hour while the kids crashed in the stroller. Unfortunately the buses were very "off" that night and when we got to the huge line (only line at the bus stop was for POR) people were saying it had been 45 mins since the last bus and they were in line for more than an hour. Buses were coming regularly for all other hotels including POFQ (would have jumped their bus but caught in the 2nd row of a 3-4 lane line.). Only time we have ever had a bad bus experience in all our trips... This year there is an 11 pm parade. So will we have to wait 2 hours or fight crods to leave at 11? I have only been when there is one parade a night.

We caught the 11:00 parade as the park was closing. First of all the parade was AMAZING at that time. Very light crowds and easy to see. Much better than the earlier one! Second-we didn't have to wait long for a bus at all. Maybe 20 minutes, and they had the busses rolling in frequently. There were a lot of people but it wasn't bad. Definitely worth the wait!

 

[andrewilley]

This year there is an 11 pm parade. So will we have to wait 2 hours or fight crods to leave at 11? I have only been when there is one parade a night.

If you don't mind hanging around until 11pm, the park will be MUCH quieter for the second parade as a lot of families will watch the first parade and the fireworks and then head out. By the time the second parade finishes, it'll be a nice leisurely exit for you, and much shorter bus lines. The mass exodus is right after the fireworks.

There are 3 of us myself DH and DD (6) we had booked a pool view room with TA but MDE says a standard room - given peak season and our small numbers which area do you guess we might be given?

I would get that checked in advance, as if you have booked a Pool View that's what it should show on all your documentation (including MDE). You could be in Alligator Bayou or the mansions (there are actually more AB rooms, but some of those will be given over to families with five people). So without putting in a request, it could easily be either section.

It's really that easy. If you request a certain area and it's not available, the room assigner won't know why you wanted that area. With multiple bus stops there are lots of standard rooms close to a bus stop that opens up the options.

Exactly, POR has a circular road which goes around the outside of all the accommodation buildings, with four bus stops in all, so there are a lot of buildings which have some rooms close to one or other of the bus stops (although in the larger Mansion buildings, some of the other rooms in the same building can be much further away from the bus stops). Better to tell them WHAT you want rather than asking for one specific building, unless you have other criteria anyway.

If you want a generally good location, relatively close to the main buildings and the main (South) bus stop but without requiring a Preferred Location booking, you could ask for buildings 16 or 17, but do explain why you are asking for those buildings too - I suggest asking for an area "close to a bus stop, for example buildings 16 or 17".

Since it's a moderate resort what is the typical level of room only discount?

I've seen 25% sometimes, but it's really luck of the draw depending on how well the resort is selling at the time without discounts. Bouncebacks can be even higher sometimes, but that won't help you.

Andre

 

[taraaplin]

Thanks! When should I send the fax? Arrival is in 13 days... Do I put on there that day of arrival is youngest son's 3rd birthday... Just in case they want to spread a little pixie dust or does that make me sound like I want something for nothing?

 

[zabache]

Thanks! When should I send the fax? Arrival is in 13 days... Do I put on there that day of arrival is youngest son's 3rd birthday... Just in case they want to spread a little pixie dust or does that make me sound like I want something for nothing?

I would definitely mention your sons birthday on the fax. Did you add that info to your reservation and ADR's? That way he will get a pin and lots of birthday wishes and special treats.

 

[taraaplin]

No we didn't add it to anything. I wish we would of now!

 

[zabache]

No we didn't add it to anything. I wish we would of now!

You still can. Call up Disney and tell them to make a note of it. Last August we celebrated DH and DS birthday plus our wedding anniversary. They got special cupcakes and cards signed by characters and we got little champagne flutes. We also wore different pins and got many happy wishes from a god of CM.

 

[taraaplin]

Does it matter that we booked with a TA?

 

[andrewilley]

Does it matter that we booked with a TA?

As long as they gave you Disney's 12-digit reservation number, it should be fine. You can always tell the resort in your fax 3-5 days before you arrive of course.

Incidentally, what time was your little'un born, they could still just be 2 when you first get to the parks...

Andre

 

[Vernie822]

Officially booked our reservation yesterday! Staying @ POR for 4 nights in September. Would've liked to stay longer but we are also fitting 2 nights in Tampa/Clearwater and 2 in Miami! We are big baseball fans and are trying to see all of the stadiums Just my boyfriend and I -- CANT WAIT! We will be there for the Food and Wine Festival!!

 

[hunmcbunny]

is it cheaper to book 2 rooms for 2 families as 1 package or for each family to book there own package? My son & his family might be joining us.

 

[taraaplin]

The little stinker turns three at 1:08 am! No such luck there. So looking forward to taking a break from reality and a cruddy year for the boys and I. My family had 3 family members with aneurysms/surgery this year. One ruptured (my mom) on vacation (not disney) with all my kids present last year. Needless to say the boys missed out and we all need a little pixie dust. The youngest will be thrilled that someone other than us just happens to know it's his bday! I did like recommended and let them add a note on our reservation package. Yay!!!

 

[hunmcbunny]

The little stinker turns three at 1:08 am! No such luck there. So looking forward to taking a break from reality and a cruddy year for the boys and I. My family had 3 family members with aneurysms/surgery this year. One ruptured (my mom) on vacation (not disney) with all my kids present last year. Needless to say the boys missed out and we all need a little pixie dust. The youngest will be thrilled that someone other than us just happens to know it's his bday! I did like recommended and let them add a note on our reservation package. Yay!!!

I'm so sorry for all that you have been through. Yes definitely make it known that its his birthday so he can get a special pin. We got one for being a first time disney person. We were amazed by all the attention we from CMs when they saw the pin. We got lots of little sprinkles of pixie dust the whole time we were there.

 

[masylimed]

A couple of years ago we went to POR for my daughter's sixteenth birthday. I brought some sweet sixteen decorations and put them in our window. I guess the housekeeping staff saw it and left an "autographed" birthday card from Mickey and Minnie in the room and a birthday message from them on the answering machine. Completely unexpected.

 

[flutterby3744]

A couple of years ago we went to POR for my daughter's sixteenth birthday. I brought some sweet sixteen decorations and put them in our window. I guess the housekeeping staff saw it and left an "autographed" birthday card from Mickey and Minnie in the room and a birthday message from them on the answering machine. Completely unexpected.

We'll be there for my sons 16th b-day and my annual 29th b-day. I can't think of a better way to spend our birthday week!

 

[LeahA]

I just read about this drink at POR. Has anyone tried it and is it spicy enough for someone like me who likes things very spicy?
thank you in advance for your replies.

I would love to know too! We will be there on Saturday, I will have to post and let you know!

Didn't realize you are going the same time we are.