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

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Because we are planning to arrive after 7pm, is there any benefit to an online check in? We will be arriving at the end of April (on a Saturday). Thanks in advance!

I don't think when you check-in will make too much difference. Are you asking just in terms of how long it will take?

We were recommended by our travel agent to NOT check-in online because sometimes you get a little extra magic by checking in while onsite. I don't really know what this means. So I'm tempted to check-in onsite this time.

We checked in online last time and it was very simple. We showed up to the resort and a very nice CM greeted us with an iPad. He asked ours names, went behind the desk, and came back with our check-in documents and we were set! It literally took 2 minutes and we didn't have to wait in any lines.

So if you are in a rush and want to get started on your Disney vacation ASAP then it may be worth checking in online.
 
Can anyone tell me the Mill has any to go containers? I thought it might be nice to do a waffle run for the family while they get dressed in the AM. I'm the early bird.....
 
Can anyone tell me the Mill has any to go containers? I thought it might be nice to do a waffle run for the family while they get dressed in the AM. I'm the early bird.....

They have plastic plate covers, and paper bags which you can put stuff in to carry (or just carry on a tray if that's easier).

Andre
 

Can anyone tell me the Mill has any to go containers? I thought it might be nice to do a waffle run for the family while they get dressed in the AM. I'm the early bird.....

They will put plastic domes on the plates and a large bag to carry it in. We did that every morning. DH would go get the food then we would split it up in the room. So much easier with young ones who take a while to get ready. Then they could eat and dress quicker. Then we could just go. So easy! No looking for tables either.
 
We are booked at Port Orleans-Riverside June 12-21st. We were able to get a discount rate (spring discount) for the first 4 nights of our trip thus getting a preferred room cheaper then the garden view were were budgeting!! For the last 5 nights, we were not able to get a summer discount for the room (despite calling the first day the discount began and daily ever since) so we ended up having to make a 2nd reservation for the last 5 nights to be in a garden view room (what we were able to budget for).

My question is, when I send a room request should I send two separate ones for each of the two reservations or combine it all into one? I am leaning towards combining it all into one, but wanted your opinions. I have the letter written already (yes, I am a little ahead of the game), but was hoping someone could look it over.

Secondly, if I were to combine both reservations into the same request letter, when would I need to fax it in...the requests that are most important would be for the 2nd reservation...starting on day 5 of our vacation at Riverside. Do you think it would work to fax it in on June 6th...our first reservation (preferred location) at riverside starts on June 12th and the second reservation (garden view) at riverside starts on June 16th?

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!!
 
My question is, when I send a room request should I send two separate ones for each of the two reservations or combine it all into one?

I'd just send one fax about both bookings, the usual 3-5 days before you arrive. For the second section... well you're there anyway, go and talk to someone rather than faxing again! :)

Do explain in your fax that you have two continuing bookings only because the system would not allow you to book a single block, and they will most likely do their best to let you stay on in the same room anyway, if they possibly can. You'd still need to technically check out / check in at the front desk, but it shouldn't be much of a hassle.

But as I keep trying to say to people, suggestions on how/when to send faxes are just a "best practice" guide, there isn't a cast member at the resort assigned to the task of checking dates of stay versus fax delivery timestamps and vindictively shredding mistimed requests...

Andre
 
I remember reading that there was roofing work going on at POR. I think on one of the royal room buildings? Is that still going on? I have a reservation for a Royal room starting next week and want to request whatever building isn't having roof work, and to hopefully not be looking at construction from our room. I don't care about distance from the main building or transportation, just the noise and "ugly" factor of roof work, since this is our first time at POR. Anyone there now or know which building/view to avoid the roof work?
Thanks.
 
Anyone there now or know which building/view to avoid the roof work?

It's Oak Manor, and yes the work is still ongoing.

You'd probably be better requesting a room away from current construction work, rather than in a specific building, as otherwise you might get a Parterre Place room which directly overlooks work going on in the next building (I'm not sure which wing is being worked on at the moment).

Andre
 
Just got back home last night, so a quick recap of our stay at POR:

1. Requested in the fax and received Magnolia Terrace w/ garden view. Bonus: corner room w/ 2 windows. Bed comforters are not needed for either practical or aesthetic reasons. The rooms are great without them.
2. Beautiful resort, period.
3. Bus transportation: although closest to the East stop, we used South exclusively as the walk was good exercise (there are too many places to eat and drink at WDW. My diet's will power went on vacation somewhere else.) At no time was the wait for a bus anywhere unreasonable nor were the buses too crowded. Complainers: you need to shut up. You are not the only ones on vacation.
4. Lines at all quick service locations were reasonable. Complainers: see bus admonition.
5. Beautiful resort, period. (Needs to be said again)
6. Magic bands: virtually glitch free except when we found out that there is a $500 credit limit automatically placed on them regardless of your credit card's account limit.
6. FP+ : great system for us (not interested in most of the rides) and we easily made adjustments to both ADR and attractions when our plans needed tweaking.
7. POR is a beautiful resort and will stay there again!
 
The values (except AofA suites) only accommodate 4 people so you are being quoted for two rooms. POR has specific rooms that have a little Murphy bed which allows them to sleep 5. The AofA suites are quite a bit bigger than the POR rooms, have a small kitchen, and an extra bathroom. That is why they cost more. My family of 5 stayed in both on our trip and liked them both:)

Probably because you have 5 people. POR is the most economical because of that extra little pull down bed. If you can get the free dining deal too, that makes it even more economical!

First let me apologize -- I completely forgot that I asked this question and you were both so kind to respond!!

Anyway, I think you are right - it was a quote for a suite because of 5 people.

We did end up booking for September 20-24 and it will be our first POR stay!! We stayed at ASMo and Pop in 2010 and 2011, respectively. We liked them both, but now that we are a family of 5 (and she's over 3), we had to choose another resort. I'm looking forward to trying POR!!!

Thanks again!
Christy
 
Forgot to mention that we booked a Preferred Room. I see that those are buildings 14, 15, 18, and 27. I would prefer 14, so when it gets closer to September, i will request that. Is there any reason we might want to request a 1st or 2nd floor?
Thanks!
Christy
 
Just got back home last night, so a quick recap of our stay at POR: 1. Requested in the fax and received Magnolia Terrace w/ garden view. Bonus: corner room w/ 2 windows. Bed comforters are not needed for either practical or aesthetic reasons. The rooms are great without them. 2. Beautiful resort, period. 3. Bus transportation: although closest to the East stop, we used South exclusively as the walk was good exercise (there are too many places to eat and drink at WDW. My diet's will power went on vacation somewhere else.) At no time was the wait for a bus anywhere unreasonable nor were the buses too crowded. Complainers: you need to shut up. You are not the only ones on vacation. 4. Lines at all quick service locations were reasonable. Complainers: see bus admonition. 5. Beautiful resort, period. (Needs to be said again) 6. Magic bands: virtually glitch free except when we found out that there is a $500 credit limit automatically placed on them regardless of your credit card's account limit. 6. FP+ : great system for us (not interested in most of the rides) and we easily made adjustments to both ADR and attractions when our plans needed tweaking. 7. POR is a beautiful resort and will stay there again!

Andre or Venomhatch can you comment on the $500 limit. I know last trip it was $1000 but they told us we had to do nothing they just charged our card at that amount and you start over.
 
Forgot to mention that we booked a Preferred Room. I see that those are buildings 14, 15, 18, and 27. I would prefer 14, so when it gets closer to September, i will request that. Is there any reason we might want to request a 1st or 2nd floor? Thanks! Christy
We have a preferred room booked as well, and just want to be as close to the lobby building as possible. Building 14 would be ideal, but I don't think any of them will be bad.
As for 1st vs 2nd floor, some have said they prefer 2nd floor to avoid noise from people walking by on the ground level paths, and also it avoids having someone above you. The 1st floor on the other hand has a little less walking with no stairs to deal with, which is great for strollers and those with difficulty walking.
 
Andre or Venomhatch can you comment on the $500 limit. I know last trip it was $1000 but they told us we had to do nothing they just charged our card at that amount and you start over.

That was the same for me lillykat during my trip in Feb. I thought $500 limit was at Value Resorts.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards
 
Andre or Venomhatch can you comment on the $500 limit. I know last trip it was $1000 but they told us we had to do nothing they just charged our card at that amount and you start over.

This was our experience at the Values this month. When we got around $500 they just posted a payment to our CC on file. So, it's not like we got "denied" while trying to bill dinner to our room or anything. The problem for us was that we wanted to pay with gift cards, not our CC. So, we just had them reverse the charges from our CC and then paid again with GC. Wasn't a problem other than time lost. Next time, I will plan to go to front desk to pay with GC more frequently, before we hit those limits.
 
I thought it was this but above poster said it was $500 on his recent trip to POR which is why I was asking if anything changed.

Not as of 2 days ago. Some friends of ours just returned from CBR Saturday and the limit was still $1000.
 
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