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

[hunmcbunny]

We have ddecided to go back to Disney!! Not until March 2015, but have already decided on staying at POR - I am SO excited. Let the countdown begin.

You are gonna love it! Definitely check out http://www.portorleans.org/ it has tons of info!

 

[3Rouselings]

You are gonna love it! Definitely check out http://www.portorleans.org/ it has tons of info!

Thanks so much this will be our third trip - we have stayed at All Star Movies and AoA the previous two times so we are looking forward to our first experience in a Moderate.

 

[Pineappley]

I have just booked flights for the end of October this year. So excited. Last year was our first time and supposedly a once in a lifetime holiday. Haha. Guess not.

I'm trying to wait for a free dining deal before I book POR, but I really want a preferred loc room. The only negative about our stay last year was the long walk to the main buildings.

How soon do preferred rooms get booked up? Am I risking it by waiting? There are two adults and a child.

 

[Vernie822]

Can't wait to travel here this September!!! I have heard so many great things and I'm so excited to see it all for myself!!!

 

[siskaren]

I have just booked flights for the end of October this year. So excited. Last year was our first time and supposedly a once in a lifetime holiday. Haha. Guess not.

I'm trying to wait for a free dining deal before I book POR, but I really want a preferred loc room. The only negative about our stay last year was the long walk to the main buildings.

How soon do preferred rooms get booked up? Am I risking it by waiting? There are two adults and a child.

The question is - are you planning to go even if you don't get free dining? If the preferred location is important to you, I would book now and hope for free dining, but keep in mind that there might not be preferred rooms available for your dates. (Booking now doesn't "hold" that room for the free dining promotion.)

 

[DJFan88]

I have a Preferred Room booked.

Does the following request sound reasonable or worded good?

2nd Floor
Closer to Quiet Pool

I understand of course that nothing is guaranteed and have sometimes gotten my requests and sometimes not. Just want to up the possibility,with 2nd floor being the most important aspect to me.

 

[Venomhatch]

I have a Preferred Room booked.

Does the following request sound reasonable or worded good?

2nd Floor
Closer to Quiet Pool

I understand of course that nothing is guaranteed and have sometimes gotten my requests and sometimes not. Just want to up the possibility,with 2nd floor being the most important aspect to me.

Yeah that sounds fine and not unreasonable. Actually it sounds like one that actually has a good chance of getting accomplished.

 

[Pineappley]

The question is - are you planning to go even if you don't get free dining? If the preferred location is important to you, I would book now and hope for free dining, but keep in mind that there might not be preferred rooms available for your dates. (Booking now doesn't "hold" that room for the free dining promotion.)

Thanks for the reply. It helped me to think about this more clearly. I'd be kicking myself more of I booked now and then had to lose the deposit and rebook to get free dining, than if I wait and when/if free dining or a good room discount becomes available I have to settle for a standard room or even pay more for a river view or something.

So that's it. I'm waiting until April/May when the free dining usually comes out for Autumn, if I've researched correctly?

 

[LisaTC]

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.

Yes, I have tried it...several times! It's pretty spicy, like hot wings! You can ask for extra. It is my favorite drink at POR. Garnished well, too! ABSOLUT pepper vodka and spicy Bloody Mary mix with a cajun-spiced rim, celery stalk, pepperoncini & jumbo green olives if I recall correctly!

 

[DJFan88]

Yeah that sounds fine and not unreasonable. Actually it sounds like one that actually has a good chance of getting accomplished.

Good - thanks.

Been learning from you and Andre!

 

[catflorida]

I have a river view room booked for one night June 14th. Since I don't want to be in the Mansion Bldg's, should I change to preferred location and give up the river view to guarantee Alligator Bayou. We have no kids, so walking distance is not a problem, I just prefer Alligator Bayou over the Mansion section. I could get a view of the parking lot in preferred location but is that view so terrible that I would miss a river view?

 

[hockeymumzie]

I called last night to see if I could add the discount rate to both of our reservations in Aug. Not only am I getting over $400 back we are also upgraded to riverview also.

 

[totebagg]

Thanks for the reply. It helped me to think about this more clearly. I'd be kicking myself more of I booked now and then had to lose the deposit and rebook to get free dining, than if I wait and when/if free dining or a good room discount becomes available I have to settle for a standard room or even pay more for a river view or something.

So that's it. I'm waiting until April/May when the free dining usually comes out for Autumn, if I've researched correctly?

If I am reading this correctly, if you had to rebook for free dining (if they have availability) them they would transfer any money you've paid including the deposit to the new reservation. Hope this makes sense!!!

 

[Pineappley]

If I am reading this correctly, if you had to rebook for free dining (if they have availability) them they would transfer any money you've paid including the deposit to the new reservation. Hope this makes sense!!!

I called and asked them what would happen if I booked now and then free dining was offered for my dates, would I be able to add that offer to my reservation. They told me that if I did that they would class it as a cancellation and rebooking and I would lose my deposit (£150 here in the Uk).

Does this sound correct?

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I called and asked them what would happen if I booked now and then free dining was offered for my dates, would I be able to add that offer to my reservation. They told me that if I did that they would class it as a cancellation and rebooking and I would lose my deposit (£150 here in the Uk).

Does this sound correct?

This does not sound correct. When booking through Disney, you can change to a Free dining promotion once it comes out without loosing anything. We did this for our 2012 trip, and one phone call saved us over $1000.

The only case where you would need to cancel and rebook is if you moved from a room only reservation into a package.

 

[Venomhatch]

Good - thanks.

Been learning from you and Andre!

No problem, I may not post as often as I want. But its because I am a tad bit busier lately. But I do try to help when I have the time.

 

[Pineappley]

This does not sound correct. When booking through Disney, you can change to a Free dining promotion once it comes out without loosing anything. We did this for our 2012 trip, and one phone call saved us over $1000. The only case where you would need to cancel and rebook is if you moved from a room only reservation into a package.

I wonder if it's different when booking in the UK? It was still direct through Disney. I must say when she told me that I was surprised as it seemed to contradict what I'd read on the forums.

 

[DrDad]

Yes, I have tried it...several times! It's pretty spicy, like hot wings! You can ask for extra. It is my favorite drink at POR. Garnished well, too! ABSOLUT pepper vodka and spicy Bloody Mary mix with a cajun-spiced rim, celery stalk, pepperoncini & jumbo green olives if I recall correctly!

When you said pepperoncini and pepper vodka you grabbed my attention!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I wonder if it's different when booking in the UK? It was still direct through Disney. I must say when she told me that I was surprised as it seemed to contradict what I'd read on the forums.

I am surprised, but it appears that is the case. I found a Disney UK website which indicates the terms and conditions, and mentions loss of deposit if you change and specifically does not allow changes from a standard package to a discount package if one becomes available. http://wdtc.disneyinternational.com/Terms-Conditions.asp

 

[Pineappley]

I am surprised, but it appears that is the case. I found a Disney UK website which indicates the terms and conditions, and mentions loss of deposit if you change and specifically does not allow changes from a standard package to a discount package if one becomes available.

Thanks for taking the time to find that. I appreciate it. It certainly clarifies the situation.

There's nothing stopping me booking on the US site though is there? Hmmm. The plot thickens.

So what US offers for POR, 17 Oct to 30 Oct, do you experts reckon might be revealed and when?