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

[starrysky]

Thank you. Another question: is this lounge a bar? Only accessible to adults? Seems unlikely, but I gotta ask.

As far as I know its not adults only as it is aimed at everyone.

 

[dogodisney]

Thank you. Another question: is this lounge a bar? Only accessible to adults? Seems unlikely, but I gotta ask.

There is a bar offto the side but there are a lot of tables. It is open to everyone and is family friendly. My girls were 15, 14, & 5 when we were there in Sept. We all had a good time. We got to POR aroound 11 pm to check in and Bob was playing so after we checked in we went and watched him. We went back the next night so we could see more of the show.

 

[Makeminemusic]

Made our reservations for POR Dec 17-23 with DDP . Using my free military 5 day ticket plus 4 others (wife, 2 daughters and one boyfriend) for $99 each. Got 40% off 2 rooms too! Thank you Disney for your support of the Military!!

 

[duffy]

As far as I know its not adults only as it is aimed at everyone.

There is a bar offto the side but there are a lot of tables. It is open to everyone and is family friendly. My girls were 15, 14, & 5 when we were there in Sept. We all had a good time. We got to POR aroound 11 pm to check in and Bob was playing so after we checked in we went and watched him. We went back the next night so we could see more of the show.

Thanks! Sounds good.

 

[webstah]

I found out one year, and this may have changed, but once you buy your under 18 a soft drink, refills are free.

 

[momminnie]

Hi All! We are going in Sept. with another family. We are staying at POR and I have requested the Magnolia Terrace section. The family that we are going with has never stayed any where except WL (like 3 times). We couldn't afford to stay there this time so they booked at POR with us. The husband is verrrry concerned about the buses not getting to the MK as soon as the boat did or what ever. He is also concerned about the food court being to far away. I have stayed at POR in the AB back in 2002 and I don't remember any difficulty with the buses (the week after Thanksgiving). He doesn't believe me. I tell him he is going to have nightmares about the bus not letting him off at the MK. Can someone also tell me what the mansions look like. Do you enter the rooms from the out side like tha AB or are there corridors? Sorry so long but thanks for reading.

 

[monami7]

We were at POR on March 22-29 in Magnolia terrace. We LOVED the resort so much I booked 5 days in Sept when free dining was announced. I cann't wait. We are DVC mambers and will be staying at AKL as well for the second half of our stay but I coldn't stay away from POR. We love the grounds and the relaxed feeling all around the resort.

 

[redhead09]

Newbie here! So much information .... WOW!

Question for all you POR pros....
We have booked POR for end of Sept, and will be traveling w/ our 4yr old. I have read that the South Bus Stop is the "main" stop...should we try to get something closer to that? Or does it matter?. I would prefer to be closest to a stop and all the other activities. Suggestions, recommendations...does it not really matter..

Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

I would prefer to be closest to a stop and all the other activities.

Grin, you and everyone else staying there, of course.

The closest buildings to the South bus depot and the food court/etc are the "Alligator Bayou" lodges 14-18 and 27, but if you get located a bit further out then there are other bus stops closer to the other rooms, although the walk back to the food court can get longer.

It's a big resort, with two distinct types of accommodation building, and some people prefer the styling of the "Magnolia Bend" mansion buildings on the other side of the river. See the map in the first post of this thread, or maybe check out a more detailed discussion of the various options at www.portorleans.org/faqs.php.


momminnie: The Magnolia Bend mansion buildings are accessed the same way as the Alligator Bayou rooms (i.e. from an outside, but covered, walkway), but the buildings are a bit bigger. The closest walks from rooms to the food court & the main bus stop are in Alligator Bayou rooms (see above).

Buses are always luck of the draw (anywhere, not just Port Orleans). Some people have fabulous experiences, others less so. Oddly, it doesn't seem to make much difference how busy the time of year that you go. What I would say is that getting on a boat right outside WL will probably result in a slightly quicker journey to the MK, sure - but just you try to get to Epcot that way! Tell him there's more to Disney than just getting on a boat to the Magic Kingdom.

Andre

 

[dogodisney]

Made our reservations for POR Dec 17-23 with DDP . Using my free military 5 day ticket plus 4 others (wife, 2 daughters and one boyfriend) for $99 each. Got 40% off 2 rooms too! Thank you Disney for your support of the Military!!

We are using the military deals too, We will be there the same time as you except we are checking in on the 19th and checking out on the 24th. Merry Christmas!

 

[alleymaxx]

I am getting ready to fax over my building request for an upcoming trip to WDW and my question is how do you word your request? I know this is silly but I want to make sure I dot all "i's" & cross my "t's". TIA!

 

[andrewilley]

I am getting ready to fax over my building request for an upcoming trip to WDW and my question is how do you word your request? I know this is silly but I want to make sure I dot all "i's" & cross my "t's". TIA!

You only do it a couple of days before your arrival, and prior to that make absolutely sure you have had your requests noted on your original booking. Don't overdo it or be TOO specific, and make your most important requests first.

The wording is up to you but don't be pushy or demanding, just tell them how extra magical they could make your vacation by giving you a room in your desired location. Tell them why too, and say how much you like the resort maybe?

There are no guarantees, but I don't see how it can do any harm. If, when you check in, you find your room is too far away from what you wanted, ask nicely and see what they can do to change it for you. Also tell them you are prepaped to wait until later in the day if they think more rooms will become available (this may need a backroom supervisor to check). But above all work with them; they want you to have a great stay and if they can help you, they will.



Andre

 

[alleymaxx]

You only do it a couple of days before your arrival, and prior to that make absolutely sure you have had your requests noted on your original booking. Don't overdo it or be TOO specific, and make your most important requests first.

Andre

Hi Andre -greetings from Birmingham, Alabama. Thanks for your reply. My trip is next month. Would you still recommend 2 faxed requests or just 1?

I certainly don't want to seem to pushy....

 

[andrewilley]

Hi Andre -greetings from Birmingham, Alabama. Thanks for your reply. My trip is next month. Would you still recommend 2 faxed requests or just 1?

Hi, from the real Birmingham... LOL!

No, don't send more than one fax, and do it a couple of days before you arrive. Any more than 4-5 days out and the resort won't yet have your details on their local computer system. Outside of five days, call the Disney Reservations Centre (or your travel agent) directly to have your requests noted.

Andre

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Hi, from the real Birmingham... LOL!

No, don't send more than one fax, and do it a couple of days before you arrive. Any more than 4-5 days out and the resort won't yet have your details on their local computer system. Outside of five days, call the Disney Reservations Centre (or your travel agent) directly to have your requests noted.

Andre

The info on here is so helpful!!

Do I call the resort number (Tel: (407) 934-6000 from post on page 1) rather than the reservation line to make my room request? There isn't an email address is there? I can't fax . . . don't think my office would appreciate me dialling internationally!

There is definitely a hairdryer in each room, isn't there?! The one thing that panics me is Florida humidity with no hairdryer!!!!!!!!

 

[dogodisney]

Yes the rooms have hairdryers.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Do I call the resort number (Tel: (407) 934-6000 from post on page 1) rather than the reservation line to make my room request? There isn't an email address is there? I can't fax . . . don't think my office would appreciate me dialling internationally!

There is definitely a hairdryer in each room, isn't there?! The one thing that panics me is Florida humidity with no hairdryer!!!!!!!!

The resort number does not actually go directly to the resort, but to a Resort Call Center (they do not put calls through to the resort). It is better to make your room request with Reservations, but if you call the resort number the call center operator can add the requests as well.

If you need a strong hairdryer, better bring one along! Although some guests find the dryers work fine for them, many find the hairdryers too weak - not hot enough or strong enough.

Have a great trip!!

 

[dalt01]

The resort number does not actually go directly to the resort, but to a Resort Call Center (they do not put calls through to the resort). It is better to make your room request with Reservations, but if you call the resort number the call center operator can add the requests as well.

If you need a strong hairdryer, better bring one along! Although some guests find the dryers work fine for them, many find the hairdryers too weak - not hot enough or strong enough.

Have a great trip!!

that looks like a bichon but i cant quite tell about the other? sorry to be off topic.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

that looks like a bichon but i cant quite tell about the other? sorry to be off topic.

Both Maltese ...the little one (5 lbs) is 16 yrs young and the bigger one (12 lbs) is 14 1/2 yrs young. I am convinced Jackie had a great grandparent who was Bichon, but she has a total Maltese face, personality, hair etc...she is just the size of a Bichon, not as long (although many puppymill or back yard breeder Maltese are larger).

Both of our were adopted as seniors. The little one, Gracie, directly from a puppymill after being a breeder for 13 horrific years. Jackie at age 7.

They are wonderful, happy furbabies ~ we love them dearly.

 

[dalt01]

Both Maltese ...the little one (5 lbs) is 16 yrs young and the bigger one (12 lbs) is 14 1/2 yrs young. I am convinced Jackie had a great grandparent who was Bichon, but she has a total Maltese face, personality, hair etc...she is just the size of a Bichon, not as long (although many puppymill or back yard breeder Maltese are larger).

Both of our were adopted as seniors. The little one, Gracie, directly from a puppymill after being a breeder for 13 horrific years. Jackie at age 7.

They are wonderful, happy furbabies ~ we love them dearly.

Jackie looks a lot like our Jasper, a 5 year old Bichon. that is why i made a connection. i was not "dog people" till the day he came into the home. now its his place and he kindly lets us hang around