Thank You Port Orleans Riverside

[4 The Love Of Disney]

I am afraid that this post should have been made 6 months ago...but better late than never. Just wanted to write a commendation to the following staff at Disney World - Port Orleans Riverside Resort

On our trip in January 2013 we went from Ontario Canada to go on the Disney Dream Cruise and then follow it up with a 10 night vacation at Disney World POR. Prior to the cruise we flew into Orlando and stayed at the Holiday Inn Orlando for one night. My wife left her favourite red Disney jacket in the closet of the Holiday Inn hotel (we didn't notice this until we got to POR after the cruise and started to unpack). She had worn the jacket on the plane.

I called the Holiday Inn and was advised that yes housekeeping had found the jacket and turned it in to lost and found. The hotel manager had confirmed he would hold it for me. So my next visit was to POR front desk (where I explained the situation) to speak to someone about arranging a taxi for me to go to the Hotel to pick up the jacket (not how I was planning to spend my day but you do what you have to do to keep the wife happy) . He said he could do that, but asked if I could hold for a minute while he checked something.

After a couple of minutes he returned and said he would do one better. He asked if I had confirmed that the jacket was indeed there and I said yes. The CM then advise that they would send one of their runners (in a vehicle) to pick it up for me at no expense the next day. I was in amazement! That Disney would go out of their way to pick up a jacket at another non-Disney hotel over an hour away when it is not their fault (nor really their problem) just goes to show how they really go out of their way to spread the Magic! I gave the CM all of the info, hotel name, address, number and name of the Manager that confirmed it was there. The CM told me to go and enjoy my Disney vacation and they would take care of it!

Sure enough the following night, after a fun-filled day at Magic Kingdom we returned to our room at POR and on our bed was - voila - my wife's jacket in a Disney bag! What a fantastic gesture ! I immediately called the front desk and thanked them whole-heartedly! And did the same when we went down to the front desk the following morning!

This is why we Go Disney when we travel ! Never have to worry about anything - except for maybe that our vacation is too short!

Thanks again for the Magic, Disney!

 

[Missytara]

We had some wonderful pixie dust sprinkled on us at POR one year when I took three friends from work. My BFF's mom had pancreatic cancer and had been close to dying the year before when we went to Europe. Her mom had taken a turn about a week before we left, but she decided to go ahead. The next morning, she got the dreaded call.

My BFF and my other friend went up to the concierge desk to get the number for Southwest to call to change her plane ticket. They swung into action.

They had her plane ticket changed in a matter of minutes.
They call Guest Services to take her back to the room as quickly as possible.
They called one of their runners to pick her up at the room in 20 minutes (they arrived right on the button).
They drove her directly to the airport and escorted her all the way to Southwest, explained the death of her mother and stayed with her until she safely checked in and there were no issues with the change in reservation.
She came back to the resort, to our room and assured us our dear friend had gotten safely on the plane and was on her way home.
She asked if there was anything more she could do for us and apologized again for how sad it was she had to go home.

We were so grateful. That is why I always go back to Disney as well. I have had some wonderful customer service.

 

[sephorachick]

I am afraid that this post should have been made 6 months ago...but better late than never. Just wanted to write a commendation to the following staff at Disney World - Port Orleans Riverside Resort

On our trip in January 2013 we went from Ontario Canada to go on the Disney Dream Cruise and then follow it up with a 10 night vacation at Disney World POR. Prior to the cruise we flew into Orlando and stayed at the Holiday Inn Orlando for one night. My wife left her favourite red Disney jacket in the closet of the Holiday Inn hotel (we didn't notice this until we got to POR after the cruise and started to unpack). She had worn the jacket on the plane.

I called the Holiday Inn and was advised that yes housekeeping had found the jacket and turned it in to lost and found. The hotel manager had confirmed he would hold it for me. So my next visit was to POR front desk (where I explained the situation) to speak to someone about arranging a taxi for me to go to the Hotel to pick up the jacket (not how I was planning to spend my day but you do what you have to do to keep the wife happy) . He said he could do that, but asked if I could hold for a minute while he checked something.

After a couple of minutes he returned and said he would do one better. He asked if I had confirmed that the jacket was indeed there and I said yes. The CM then advise that they would send one of their runners (in a vehicle) to pick it up for me at no expense the next day. I was in amazement! That Disney would go out of their way to pick up a jacket at another non-Disney hotel over an hour away when it is not their fault (nor really their problem) just goes to show how they really go out of their way to spread the Magic! I gave the CM all of the info, hotel name, address, number and name of the Manager that confirmed it was there. The CM told me to go and enjoy my Disney vacation and they would take care of it!

Sure enough the following night, after a fun-filled day at Magic Kingdom we returned to our room at POR and on our bed was - voila - my wife's jacket in a Disney bag! What a fantastic gesture ! I immediately called the front desk and thanked them whole-heartedly! And did the same when we went down to the front desk the following morning!

This is why we Go Disney when we travel ! Never have to worry about anything - except for maybe that our vacation is too short!

Thanks again for the Magic, Disney!

Wow! That is awesome!

 

[tjmj9801]

These are incredible stories and proof that the Disney model of customer service is alive and well, especially at POR. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Chime]

What a wonderful story. <3


We took my BIL last year for his first ever Disney vacation. He was going through a divorce and just needed a break and some magic. And he loves Stitch. He made it his goal for the week to collect a certain set of Stitch pressed pennies after finding one in MK that was labeled #1 of 7.
He spent a lot of time on this penny hunt and it became a fun scavenger hunt for our group over our week stay.

After doing some research we found out the last penny he needed was at Typhoon Lagoon. We had no plans (and certainly weren't going to pay for) a water park trip so we asked the front desk at our resort (Poly) if there was any way we could get permission to just run in and get the penny for BIL. We asked the front desk at about 9:30 at night - as we were heading to our room to sleep.

They told us probably not but they would make a call and see. The next morning he woke up to the penny in an envelope under his door. It really made my BILs trip.

 

[wiigirl]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[ernobrn]

What a wonderful story. <3


We took my BIL last year for his first ever Disney vacation. He was going through a divorce and just needed a break and some magic. And he loves Stitch. He made it his goal for the week to collect a certain set of Stitch pressed pennies after finding one in MK that was labeled #1 of 7.
He spent a lot of time on this penny hunt and it became a fun scavenger hunt for our group over our week stay.

After doing some research we found out the last penny he needed was at Typhoon Lagoon. We had no plans (and certainly weren't going to pay for) a water park trip so we asked the front desk at our resort (Poly) if there was any way we could get permission to just run in and get the penny for BIL. We asked the front desk at about 9:30 at night - as we were heading to our room to sleep.

They told us probably not but they would make a call and see. The next morning he woke up to the penny in an envelope under his door. It really made my BILs trip.

Ahhhhh this is amazing to me! Love Diz.

 

[Missytara]

I wish there were more threads like this.....sometimes it seems easier go complain to blow off some steam, but many people forget to compliment someone for service that they ultimately expect, but really is above and beyond the call of duty.

 

[bowbat]

This is a REALLY wonderful thread.

 

[LisaTC]

This thread gave me tears! Wow...can't say anything worthy, just WOW!

 

[buckeev]

Such a neat story!!!
POR Staff is incredible!
We'll be seeing our CM friends there in December, and hopefully making a few new friends at another "surprise" resort on a split-stay...(still ironing that part out!!!)

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I am fascinated by Disney as a business. They train their people to do these things as part of their business model, but that does not lessen the goodness or what it means to us all. How wise! I wonder if Mr Disney himself started this? I'll bet he did. I love Disney. I have given them a lot of my money and will continue to do so just for reasons like this.

I wish other businesses would think about this business model: Kindness and planning to go out of your way, when at all possible, will pay big dividends in the long run.

And kudos to the CM's that take the idea and run with it. They add so much value to all our vacations at Disney, even when these things don't happen to me personally.

 

[4 The Love Of Disney]

It's as if all of the employees have been empowered or feel empowered to sprinkle pixie dust. We have been to DW many times over the last decade and have been the recipient of a little magic each time I think.

In addition to my original post, another one that may not have been so out of Disney's way was one very hot day at Animal Kingdom my 4 year old son and I were waiting for my wife and other two kids to come off of the Expedition Everest ride. As we sat there, a custodial CM came up to my son and started to talk to him nicely (in front of me). She then asked me if it was okay if she did something. I hesitantly said okay, not used to strangers offering to do something, but it is Disney. She walked us to the closest ice cream bar vendor and told its operator, my friend here needs a treat. Out comes a Mickey Bar and you can imagine the look on the face of my 4 year old. After us saying thank you, she disappeared into the crowds.

A very simple gesture like that has a lasting effect on Disney guests I believe. I am not sure if the CM will remember (or my son for that matter) but I will. It cost Disney very little to make that appreciated gesture, but it definitely has a lasting effect and rates 5 stars in my opinion - to see my son's face light up. For all I know perhaps the custodial CM was using her own snack entitlement (I have no idea if they are even entitled to that) but in any case I took it as Disney giving my son a free ice cream bar. That has never happened to me anywhere else in my 40 plus years on this planet.

Oh yeah, my other two kids were quite jealous when they got off the ride. I had to get them and the wife a snack too -thank goodness we are on the DP

 

[tjmj9801]

It's as if all of the employees have been empowered or feel empowered to sprinkle pixie dust. We have been to DW many times over the last decade and have been the recipient of a little magic each time I think.

In addition to my original post, another one that may not have been so out of Disney's way was one very hot day at Animal Kingdom my 4 year old son and I were waiting for my wife and other two kids to come off of the Expedition Everest ride. As we sat there, a custodial CM came up to my son and started to talk to him nicely (in front of me). She then asked me if it was okay if she did something. I hesitantly said okay, not used to strangers offering to do something, but it is Disney. She walked us to the closest ice cream bar vendor and told its operator, my friend here needs a treat. Out comes a Mickey Bar and you can imagine the look on the face of my 4 year old. After us saying thank you, she disappeared into the crowds.

A very simple gesture like that has a lasting effect on Disney guests I believe. I am not sure if the CM will remember (or my son for that matter) but I will. It cost Disney very little to make that appreciated gesture, but it definitely has a lasting effect and rates 5 stars in my opinion - to see my son's face light up. For all I know perhaps the custodial CM was using her own snack entitlement (I have no idea if they are even entitled to that) but in any case I took it as Disney giving my son a free ice cream bar. That has never happened to me anywhere else in my 40 plus years on this planet.

Oh yeah, my other two kids were quite jealous when they got off the ride. I had to get them and the wife a snack too -thank goodness we are on the DP

Tears! Just amazing! The power of a simple gesture and pixie dust.

 

[kandb]

The last time we stayed at POR, they were doing major construction outside our door during the day (we were spending alot of time at the resort because my son was young). I called and told them we could not stay in the room during the day because of the loud noise and they moved us to a different part of the resort and sent both us and my mom (she had a room next to us) big canvas bags filled with snacks. They also gave us free fastpasses to use anytime since we lost some park time to pack up our rooms.

 

[Nina1]

I am afraid that this post should have been made 6 months ago...but better late than never. Just wanted to write a commendation to the following staff at Disney World - Port Orleans Riverside Resort

On our trip in January 2013 we went from Ontario Canada to go on the Disney Dream Cruise and then follow it up with a 10 night vacation at Disney World POR. Prior to the cruise we flew into Orlando and stayed at the Holiday Inn Orlando for one night. My wife left her favourite red Disney jacket in the closet of the Holiday Inn hotel (we didn't notice this until we got to POR after the cruise and started to unpack). She had worn the jacket on the plane.

I called the Holiday Inn and was advised that yes housekeeping had found the jacket and turned it in to lost and found. The hotel manager had confirmed he would hold it for me. So my next visit was to POR front desk (where I explained the situation) to speak to someone about arranging a taxi for me to go to the Hotel to pick up the jacket (not how I was planning to spend my day but you do what you have to do to keep the wife happy) . He said he could do that, but asked if I could hold for a minute while he checked something.

After a couple of minutes he returned and said he would do one better. He asked if I had confirmed that the jacket was indeed there and I said yes. The CM then advise that they would send one of their runners (in a vehicle) to pick it up for me at no expense the next day. I was in amazement! That Disney would go out of their way to pick up a jacket at another non-Disney hotel over an hour away when it is not their fault (nor really their problem) just goes to show how they really go out of their way to spread the Magic! I gave the CM all of the info, hotel name, address, number and name of the Manager that confirmed it was there. The CM told me to go and enjoy my Disney vacation and they would take care of it!

Sure enough the following night, after a fun-filled day at Magic Kingdom we returned to our room at POR and on our bed was - voila - my wife's jacket in a Disney bag! What a fantastic gesture ! I immediately called the front desk and thanked them whole-heartedly! And did the same when we went down to the front desk the following morning!

This is why we Go Disney when we travel ! Never have to worry about anything - except for maybe that our vacation is too short!

Thanks again for the Magic, Disney!

Just love this! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Sappermont]

Love, love, love this story! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[ernobrn]

The last time we stayed at POR, they were doing major construction outside our door during the day (we were spending alot of time at the resort because my son was young). I called and told them we could not stay in the room during the day because of the loud noise and they moved us to a different part of the resort and sent both us and my mom (she had a room next to us) big canvas bags filled with snacks. They also gave us free fastpasses to use anytime since we lost some park time to pack up our rooms.

Amazing! :-D

 

[Babypants24]

Awesome stories! I absolutely LOVE POR. I've stayed there many times and have never had a single complaint

 

[retlaw_yensid]

Now, these are the kinds if threads I love! There always seem to be a ton of threads full of complaints, disappointments, naysayers, and debbie downers. These threads are proof that the Disney Magic is still alive!