The New and Updated Port Orleans Riverside FAQ Thread for 2008 --- NOW CLOSED

[Anna114]

I just booked POR Sept 27 to October 3rd with the 40% off code! We have never stayed at anything but the values so I am really excited.

Thank you all for helping me make my decision on choosing this resort

Shellie

Okay, so where did you get the code ?? I never get lucky with codes

 

[Anna114]

My DH, DS 13 and I will be there from Aug 21-Sept 1 It will be our first stay there. We are hoping to get an Alligator Bayou room. Are those that are going at that time, figure there will be free dining at that time? I'm making two different dining plans, one with FDD and one that we pay. I just heard that ADR's are back to 90 days. Being a planner that is sad news, but I know most are not as anal as I when it comes to ADR's. I want what I want when I want it.

I am sure you are quite right about the sinks being a big bonus.

We are planning on arriving sometime in the afternoon on August 23, and staying until the morning of September 5th, and it would be great to say hello to a fellow DIS'er.

 

[andrewilley]

My DH, DS 13 and I will be there from Aug 21-Sept 1 It will be our first stay there. We are hoping to get an Alligator Bayou room. Are those that are going at that time, figure there will be free dining at that time? I'm making two different dining plans, one with FDD and one that we pay. I just heard that ADR's are back to 90 days. Being a planner that is sad news, but I know most are not as anal as I when it comes to ADR's. I want what I want when I want it.

Looks like there'll be a bunch of us there around the same time.

Free dining started around that time last year, maybe a few days later. You might have to split your resort booking if that's the case, I think the offer did not apply if you check in before the start date. There are lots of other offers around though (not least of which is the 40% discount rate) so I don't know whether Disney will go with the free dining option in the same way as last year.

As for 90 days window, there's really no problem, you just plan to call at 90 days instead of 180 - you don't lose out on anything, as everyone else will be working to the same rules, you just make that call at 7am on a different day.

I rather hope it stays that way to be honest. It was always touch and go whether park hours would be available before the dining window opened up. This way (once they get the park hours beyond April sorted anyway!) you'll have more time to check the hours and work out all your plans, and then be ready to get all those bookings done in one go at 90 days (and don't forget the +10 for staying on site).

Andre

 

[Shell0616]

Okay, so where did you get the code ?? I never get lucky with codes

I waited for a code to come in my email and snail mail and it never came. I decided to call Disney directly and they were nice enough to look my info up and I had the discount! I was so excited about it. I never get codes. I would call and see if they have one for you. Good luck!

Shellie

 

[missbethb]

Who is eligible to recieve the "codes"? Is it for return visitors. I had figured this would be our once in a lifetime trip to Disney World but ... after all this planning I am looking forward to this trip soooo much, that if it is half as much fun as I am anticipating, we are definitely going to want to go back! Thanks for info for the newbie!

 

[Shell0616]

Who is eligible to recieve the "codes"? Is it for return visitors. I had figured this would be our once in a lifetime trip to Disney World but ... after all this planning I am looking forward to this trip soooo much, that if it is half as much fun as I am anticipating, we are definitely going to want to go back! Thanks for info for the newbie!

I am not an expert on codes but I will try and answer your question...

Sometimes Disney puts out codes for the General Public and they are good for everyone. Other times they send out random emails and postcards via snail mail. This one is random but it seems you can increase your odds of getting these codes by signing up on the Disney web site and ordering the vacation DVD from them. You can also get disounts sometimes by booking through AAA. I have AAA but I have not booked WDW through them. Only Disneyland so I can't comment on them or what discounts you get.

Good luck, have fun and welcome to the Dis!

 

[B9erSteve]

You can also get disounts sometimes by booking through AAA. I have AAA but I have not booked WDW through them. Only Disneyland so I can't comment on them or what discounts you get.

It can be sometimes difficult getting the AAA discount. It is my understanding that AAA blocks off a bunch of rooms at WDW and once those are spoken for... no AAA discounts available. You'll want to book early for your best choice of resorts with a AAA discount.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I just booked POR Sept 27 to October 3rd with the 40% off code! We have never stayed at anything but the values so I am really excited.

Thank you all for helping me make my decision on choosing this resort

Shellie

I just booked POR Sept 26 - Oct 4th with the 40% off code! What an awesome deal! You will love POR. It'll be our first time there with kids. WE stayed at the Poly last time but I'd rathar stay at POR.

Have a great vacation!

Joanne

 

[airplane]

Hi everyone,
I just booked POR and I leave in 8 days! I am excited to finally join this thread. Thanks for all of the wonderful info. I am not making any special requests b/c all of the areas look so beautiful. I am praying for warm weather

 

[Dannielle_1]

Staying at POR in late April/early May with my husband, son, mom and dad: two rooms.

I'm wondering, for those of you that used the outlying resort bus stops, how have your waits been? Particularly in the mornings when people are trying to get to parks first thing.

When my DH & I stayed at POFQ several years ago, it always seemed that the buses at this time were filled between POFQ and the first (main) stop of POR, so just wondering if they send extra buses regularly to pick up these areas as well.

We are leaning towards Alligator Bayou and I'm leaning towards putting in a request for 37, 38, 39 to be close to the North Depot and I like the look of these buildings. How far/what are the walk times like between From the buildings toward the back of the resort to the main building?

Also, can you see the mansions from buildings 37 & 38 or is there a bunch of vegitation to separate the two areas?

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[andrewilley]

Separate buses run to the 'outer' bus depots in the morning until about 10.30am, and then the South Depot buses start doing the full circuit around the whole resort. But personally I prefer sticking to the 14, 16, 17, 18, 27 Lodges area and using the South Depot if I can.

Also, can you see the mansions from buildings 37 & 38 or is there a bunch of vegitation to separate the two areas?

There are trees between, so you still feel like you're in the Bayou until you walk down the pathway to the Magnolia Bend section.

Andre

 

[cmsanto]

I'm thrilled that I finally committed to a place. Does anyone have any suggestions on buildings? We're staying in alligator bayou because we have five people in our room. The children are ages 3 and 5 ...

 

[andrewilley]

I'm thrilled that I finally committed to a place. Does anyone have any suggestions on buildings? We're staying in alligator bayou because we have five people in our room. The children are ages 3 and 5 ...

See the message right before yours...

I'm sure you'll love POR, it's a lovely resort.

Andre

 

[duffy]

What drinks are served at the food court? Last year we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, and all the kids could get to drink at breakfast was hot chocolate. There was no juice or milk for them in the mornings. Just soda. My kids aren't fond of soda, and neither am I!

According to the menus link on the Dis main page, there's cappuccino and espressos, and that's it??

 

[Maine-iac]

What drinks are served at the food court? Last year we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, and all the kids could get to drink was hot chocolate. There was no juice or milk for them in the mornings. Just soda. My kids aren't fond of soda, and neither am I!

According to the menus link on the Dis main page, there's cappuccino and espressos, and that's it??

I drank a lot of lemonade and DH drank a lot of punch. Will they drink those?

 

[duffy]

I drank a lot of lemonade and DH drank a lot of punch. Will they drink those?

My daughter would drink the lemonade. But no milk or juices? Lemonade isn't the healthiest drink. Oh, well.

 

[Maine-iac]

My daughter would drink the lemonade. But no milk or juices? Lemonade isn't the healthiest drink. Oh, well.

You could skip buying the mugs for the kids and just buy them juice or milk from the coolers. Healthier drinks cost more so they probably don't want to give them away. That is all I can think would be the reason.

You could buy larger containers of milk and juice in the store and keep them in your fridge.

 

[pixie dust 112]

They definitely have juice and milk in the coolers at the food court. They are just in bottles or cartons rather than fountain type drinks. We usually get the refillable mugs, but will buy the juice or milk in the morning.

 

[andrewilley]

Just spotted in another thread that the POR Ol' Man Island main pool will be CLOSED for rehab from 2nd Feb for several weeks (no reopening date was given in the letters sent out to guests). I know that some work has been planned on the water-slide supports, so I'm guessing that is what's happening.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Just wanted to quickly mention that I've just finished coding a completely new navigation structure for www.portorleans.org which should make it much faster and easier to use without changing the overall look and feel of the site too much. It should also make bookmarking pages a lot simpler, plus a host of other background improvements.

I know the Visitor Forum and the Gallery pages both load outside of the new menu structure, but I want to make sure everything else is working OK before I fully incorporate those into the new format. There may also be some issues with the Videos page in some browsers which I need to check further.

Anyway, if anyone has any problems with their current saved links breaking, or any pages not working, please let me know via the technical topic in the site's visitor forum. Thanks.

I hope you all like it!

Andre