Thanks , do we tip the taxi driver and if so how much do most tip ? Can we just go out front and ask for a taxi or do we need to call ahead of time ?
Taxis are often waiting outside, but the resort can call one for you pretty quickly if not. A few dollars would be a fine for a tip on a $15 ride.
I have been scanning through the thread and not too much stands out as far as "insider tips" go for the resort, but I thought I'd ask anyway. Anyone know of any secrets they wouldn't mind sharing?! We are looking at a river view room fingers crossed for building 14 or so. Figured I would make the request at booking and again a few weeks before. We are also hoping for
free dining, as we are going in September. Thought about upgrading, but not really sure? :
TIA!
There's a pretty good chance FD will happen for September, and if it does they will change your booking to whatever is available in the offer at that time, which might not be the same room category. River View is a pretty safe option location-wise, as even if you don't get your request for building 14 all of the other rooms are along the circular river bank pathway and so the walking distances to anywhere are pretty good.
Can you get them without paying the surcharge? Has any one had any luck getting luck getting one by just requesting it? Or are they reserved exclusively for those paying the rate for a preferred room?
It does happen sometimes, but don't count on it. You may have better luck by NOT asking for it directly, but phrase your request in such a way that a preferred location would look ideal for you. Adding extra impromptu pixie dust for guests is something that the allocators love to do if they can, but my feeling is they like to do it for families who seem to need it, or would find it most magical, rather than just because someone has asked for what amounts to a free upgrade.
So we are booked for POR in November in a preferred room, but hoping and praying for FD, it's looking good. But was just running numbers, to go up to a a Royal Room, our daughters will be 7 & 5, it's only an extra $100 for the trip. Is it worth it? I think my girls would love them and it will feel a little more Disneyish than a AB room. Input?
For daughters of that age, and only $100 extra, I'd go for it - they'll love it! The $100 will be worth it for the look on their faces when they first walk into the room, and it will be something they will remember long after other details may have faded. They are the demographic these rooms were made for.
Just curious why you recommend online check in. I've always been a bit tentative about it, although my last few trips I did use it. Does it lessen your chance of those wonderful magical upgrades?
I always reckon what have you got to lose? Even if there are lots of people waiting for the online checkin cast members, the line moves much quicker and often they will pick you out before you even get into the line and check you in using hand-held tablets. And if the regular line is a lot shorter for some reason, use that one, they can still check you in.
Make sure your requests are listed in your booking beforehand (or faxed if you prefer) and hope that the CM allocating the rooms a few hours before you get there (it is done manually) finds you something special from the pool of Ready rooms available to them on the system at that time.
And if you don't like what you get offered when you arrive, remember that you are not 'locked in' and you can always ask them to check again to see if anything better has become available in the intervening few hours. Effectively gives you a double-dip into the room pool. It really is a win-win as far as I can see.
Andre
