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

[Megsmachine]

Yes, but ideally only in the Alligator Bayou section.

Some mass-market travel agents may not be able/willing to book that combination (e.g. Disney UK) but you'll definitely be fine booking with WDW direct, or a specialist agent such as the folks who own this site. (Other fine specialist travel agents are available of course, but I expect I'm not allowed to mention them )

Andre

Thanks for answering my question! And of course thanks for answering it the way I wanted....

 

[Katers]

I've been reading throught the past 100+ pages and I've got a question. I read that POR will start charging for preferred rooms next year. I recently booked 2 rooms (Grand Gathering) for March 2011 in AB, water view and requested building 18 (building 14 was criticized for being a little noisier because of extra thru traffic). Anyway, my point is that never was I told this was a preferred area or charged extra for it. Is it possible that the price for water view is the same as preferred so if you pay for one, you automatically get the other? Though I can't imagine that would be the case since there are water view rooms in less convenient buildings. Anyone have insite into this? Thanks!

-Katey

PS - I hope POR is as wonderful as it sounds. We stayed in POFQ 4 years ago and it was lovely. 2 years ago we splurged on a Garden View at the Contemporary and were upgraded to Bay view so we got a little spoiled. We can't afford that splurge this time so I'm hoping we won't be disappointed. BIL is already complaining about the lack of monorail.

 

[dsnydaddy]

I've been reading throught the past 100+ pages and I've got a question. I read that POR will start charging for preferred rooms next year. I recently booked 2 rooms (Grand Gathering) for March 2011 in AB, water view and requested building 18 (building 14 was criticized for being a little noisier because of extra thru traffic). Anyway, my point is that never was I told this was a preferred area or charged extra for it. Is it possible that the price for water view is the same as preferred so if you pay for one, you automatically get the other? Though I can't imagine that would be the case since there are water view rooms in less convenient buildings. Anyone have insite into this? Thanks!

-Katey

PS - I hope POR is as wonderful as it sounds. We stayed in POFQ 4 years ago and it was lovely. 2 years ago we splurged on a Garden View at the Contemporary and were upgraded to Bay view so we got a little spoiled. We can't afford that splurge this time so I'm hoping we won't be disappointed. BIL is already complaining about the lack of monorail.

No, I do not believe that it is true that if you get a preferred room you will automatically get a waterview. The reasoning behind the preferred room is that you will get a room that is close to the main amenities of the resort. Looking at the map, building 15 is definately close to the food court and not far from the main pool BUT many of the rooms have a parking lot view. Conversely, there are a lot of rooms in building 24 that have an excellent waterview but that building is far from any of the amenities. Since Disney has not yet publicly defined which rooms are "preferred," I'm assuming that the reservations people will take your requests and log them like normal and leave the logistics to the managers when room assignments are due. I'm hoping that they are placing a higher priority on making sure that those who paid extra will receive a room assignment that they will be happy with.

BTW: I happen to LOVE POR! The theming fits me and my family so well. It is one of the most beautiful resorts on the property. And while I'd agree that being at a monorail resort is very nice, you'll still need to spend some time on buses for HS and AK so the monorails utility is somewhat limited for the premium price you pay.

 

[Katers]

Dsndaddy, are you saying that they are not yet charging extra for preferred building requests for 2011? If that's the case, does that mean I'll be automatically charged extra for the request later or will I need to follow up and request it again and then pay the difference? I really want building 18 so I'd be very disappointed if I didn't get placed there because I booked too early and people who booked after me (when the preferred price option was available) got all the available rooms. I'm willing to pay the preferred price if I know it's an option. What should I do...keep calling and asking if it's available or assume they will just add it to my balance? Sorry for the extensive questions but I'm really confused by this. Thanks!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Dsndaddy, are you saying that they are not yet charging extra for preferred building requests for 2011? If that's the case, does that mean I'll be automatically charged extra for the request later or will I need to follow up and request it again and then pay the difference? I really want building 18 so I'd be very disappointed if I didn't get placed there because I booked too early and people who booked after me (when the preferred price option was available) got all the available rooms. I'm willing to pay the preferred price if I know it's an option. What should I do...keep calling and asking if it's available or assume they will just add it to my balance? Sorry for the extensive questions but I'm really confused by this. Thanks!

I would call to be sure you have a preferred room booked asap. Now that it is in the system, there should be no problem, but if the CM tells you it is not possible ask to speak with guest services and tell them it is bookable category on line (be sure to check on line that is it available for your dates).

CBR has had Preferred rooms for years and the way it works there is that you can book one or the other category, but not both. So we book preferred and request a bldg # and lake view as our requests. All but once (which was our very first stay and there as not pref category back then) we've had a preferred location, corner room in the bldg we wanted. we do always ask at check-in before the keys are made up so any room changes can easily be made - this happened a couple of times.

So, I would book preferred category then request (if you will have a heavy stroller, might want to add first floor).
1. bldg 18
2. River view

Hope this helps and everything works out great!

 

[dsnydaddy]

Dsndaddy, are you saying that they are not yet charging extra for preferred building requests for 2011? Thanks!

No, sorry I gave that impression, They are charging for 2011. They have not yet defined which buildings are going to be considered preferred. That's a bone of contention with me. If they start charging for preferred rooms they should delineate the rooms that you would be paying extra for. They, however, do not.

 

[dsnydaddy]

So, I would book preferred category then request (if you will have a heavy stroller, might want to add first floor).
1. bldg 18
2. River view

Hope this helps and everything works out great!

Now remember that River View is an added cost on top of the Preferred room status. Not much but you'll pay for it.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Now remember that River View is an added cost on top of the Preferred room status. Not much but you'll pay for it.

Not in this instance as you cannot book both - a guest who books a preferred category may request a water view within the pref category, but will not be guaranteed one. A guest who pays for a water view will not be put in a pref location unless it is a comp upgrade. We've had both 5 times, paying for a pref location. I've checked this with CBR managers more than once.

 

[dsnydaddy]

does that mean I'll be automatically charged extra for the request later or will I need to follow up and request it again and then pay the difference? I really want building 18 so I'd be very disappointed if I didn't get placed there because I booked too early and people who booked after me (when the preferred price option was available) got all the available rooms. I'm willing to pay the preferred price if I know it's an option. What should I do.. Thanks!

If building placement is a big deal to you, I'd call and add the preferred status to your reservation. Because my gamble is that since I paid for the preferred status, they'll give a bit more weight to my requests. (they don't have to but I'm hoping they will)

That said, on our first trip to WDW I did not pay for waterview, but had requested a highly desirable building. The powers that be granted my request and only when I checked in did I realize that the building that I requested had ONLY waterview rooms. So, I was upgraded for free. That my happen to you, but I think that it is a greater risk than paying for preferred and placing your request.

 

[dsnydaddy]

Not in this instance as you cannot book both - a guest who books a preferred category may request a water view within the pref category, but will not be guaranteed one. A guest who pays for a water view will not be put in a pref location unless it is a comp upgrade. We've had both 5 times, paying for a pref location. I've checked this with CBR managers more than once.

Yes you are correct. But POR has a particular categories for both River View and Water Views.

Interestingly, the Water View and Preferred locations categories are the exact same price while River Views are slightly higher than both.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Yes you are correct. But POR has a particular categories for both River View and Water Views.

Interestingly, the Water View and Preferred locations categories are the exact same price while River Views are slightly higher than both.

It is crazy! Of course, I should never say anything is absolute when it comes to Disney resorts, but unless it is a bookable category - i.e. preferred and river view, then it would be fine to add it as a request.

We all know a guest can request anything, even a view they did not pay for...and have read about it on the DIS. Personally, I don't understand why a guest would book a std room, then request an upgraded category...but people do so and even get their requests granted sometimes. We book what we want, then request a particular bldg or view within that category.

 

[dsnydaddy]

It is crazy! Of course, I should never say anything is absolute when it comes to Disney resorts, but unless it is a bookable category - i.e. preferred and river view, then it would be fine to add it as a request.

We all know a guest can request anything, even a view they did not pay for...and have read about it on the DIS. Personally, I don't understand why a guest would book a std room, then request an upgraded category...but people do so and even get their requests granted sometimes. We book what we want, then request a particular bldg or view within that category.

I think that is the best policy. a lot less disappointment that way.

 

[Katers]

Thanks, everyone, for the info. I called Disney this morning and the rep said that the cost of Preferred and Water view (what I had booked originally) were the same so all I had to do is switch to Preferred. Now I am guaranteed building 14, 18 or one other than I can't remember. I left the request for specifically building 18. Also, I requested water view but it's not guaranteed. According to the rep, you can be guaranteed either preferred or water view but not both (if you pay the price, of course). Personally, I don't understand why you can't pay for both but I guess that's too narrow of a selection. Anyway, I wanted you all to know how it worked out. Thanks again for the input. Now that I have that squared away, I can focus on all the fun we are going to have!!

-Katey

 

[Missytara]

Thanks, everyone, for the info. I called Disney this morning and the rep said that the cost of Preferred and Water view (what I had booked originally) were the same so all I had to do is switch to Preferred. Now I am guaranteed building 14, 18 or one other than I can't remember. I left the request for specifically building 18. Also, I requested water view but it's not guaranteed. According to the rep, you can be guaranteed either preferred or water view but not both (if you pay the price, of course). Personally, I don't understand why you can't pay for both but I guess that's too narrow of a selection. Anyway, I wanted you all to know how it worked out. Thanks again for the input. Now that I have that squared away, I can focus on all the fun we are going to have!!

-Katey

I think because there are more riverview rooms available than waterview rooms; although like we have all said, if you count the fountain, the water puddle in the parking lot, etc........

 

[jeanylaser]

thanks for the info!

 

[Debs Hill]

Hi guys! Wondering if anyone has been able to get any information about when the refurbs are starting at Riverside.....saw on the POFQ thread that they are starting now!! Also, has anyone been able to get any information about how many of the rooms will be the themed ones and when these might be complete?
Debsx

 

[mana_liz]

I just got off the phone with Disney reservations...according to the agent on the phone the new perferrred rooms will be in buildings 14,15,18, and 27.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I just got off the phone with Disney reservations...according to the agent on the phone the new perferrred rooms will be in buildings 14,15,18, and 27.

I imagine some of the MB rooms will be preferred, too.

 

[andrewilley]

I imagine some of the MB rooms will be preferred, too.

The resort front-desk staff haven't been told the details of the preferred allocation system yet, I asked them yesterday while I was picking a package up.

Andre

 

[sophie832]

I guess I'm bumping this thread up a bit...DH and I just made reservations for a stay at POR from Jan. 25-Feb. 1, 2011! We're taking our first trip to WDW this December, so at this point we really have no idea what any of the resorts are like. The Dec. trip is the big one, so we splurged on a stay at YC. When I was looking at the resorts, though, POR seemed really beautiful. So, when we got an airfare discount code we couldn't resist, we booked a second vacation We're just doing the standard room, no king bed, no water view, no preferred. Since we don't have any expectation when it comes to building/room location, we will be happy with whatever we get.

Any tips for POR first-timers?