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

[skipperkim]

Does anyone know if they plan on refurb-ing POR when they are done with POFQ? I'm just curious what the proposed time frame could be and are they planning on Queen Beds at POR as they are putting in at POFQ? Any help will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!!

Maybe Andre will know. I wonder though if the AB section will be getting queen size beds. Would there still be room to pull out the trundle?

 

[Missytara]

Does anyone know if they plan on refurb-ing POR when they are done with POFQ? I'm just curious what the proposed time frame could be and are they planning on Queen Beds at POR as they are putting in at POFQ? Any help will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!!

Paperwork was filed for POR and it is apparently going to start after POFQ is completed sometime mid-spring next year. They also filed paperwork to refurb the elevators in the Mansions at the same time.

No certainity on whether the queen sized mattresses will show up in AB or the mansions.

 

[andrewilley]

Maybe Andre will know. I wonder though if the AB section will be getting queen size beds. Would there still be room to pull out the trundle?

It's all in the Updates page.

I'm pretty sure I posted it here too, but it may have got lost in this lengthy thread.

I’ve also heard that the bedside tables will be made smaller (18 inches wide) to allow for... queen beds! From what I’ve gathered, the third-bed option in the Alligator Bayou rooms will be retained, but probably not in the form of the current trundle beds due to adverse guest comments about them being rather low to the ground. The talk I heard was of some sort of Murphy bed arrangement which might pull down from the wall, but I can't see quite how that would fit into the room layout, especially with connecting rooms. Time will tell on that one, I suspect.

By the way, following a couple of requests I've recently added an RSS Feed for the Port Orleans news updates, please feel free to subscribe if you want, and let me know if you find it useful.

Andre

 

[peaches00]

OK, thanks! Just wanted to clarify, since a few of the entire AB buildings are considered "preferred" (14, 15, 18, and 27). I wasn't sure if the entire buildings of Magnolia Terrace or Oak Manor might be considered as "preferred" too, because of their location.


Adding to my above post: I'm now being told that Magnolia Terrace or Oak Manor are considered "preferred" buildings for 2011, so unless I book as "preferred" (not just request), there is no chance I will get a room in either of these mansions. I'm really confused.

i just talked to someone as i originally booked preferred because i thought oak manor was preferred but they said only ab buildings were preferred and after i read above quote i called and they told me that no mansions were preferred???? i booked riverview hoping that will give me an edge to get oak manor. we both smoke so we want building near smoking stations and the mansions look gorgeous. does anyone know for sure???

 

[Missytara]

i just talked to someone as i originally booked preferred because i thought oak manor was preferred but they said only ab buildings were preferred and after i read above quote i called and they told me that no mansions were preferred???? i booked riverview hoping that will give me an edge to get oak manor. we both smoke so we want building near smoking stations and the mansions look gorgeous. does anyone know for sure???

I was curious, because I usually always get Oak Manor/pool view, which I think is close to the Main area. I am getting ready to book my next trip when I get home on the 5th and so I called CRO to find out.

I called twice and talked to two different CM's, both of whom did say that only Alligator Bayou room numbers come up at Preferred.

So I can stay at Oak Manor and pay standard price - I am one happy camper!

Calling Andre.........

 

[andrewilley]

Calling Andre.........

I wish I knew for sure, but even the resort don't seem absolutely sure yet, and at DRC it's the usual story of different cast members giving out different information.

I must say I was rather surprised when someone said that Oak & Magnolia would be included though, and my own money would still on just the four AB buildings, but this is Disney we're talking about...

Could you add that to the list of things to research next week? LOL

Andre

 

[Missytara]

I wish I knew for sure, but even the resort don't seem absolutely sure yet, and at DRC it's the usual story of different cast members giving out different information.

I must say I was rather surprised when someone said that Oak & Magnolia would be included though, and my own money would still on just the four AB buildings, but this is Disney we're talking about...

Andre

Both CM's said it was the 4 AB buildings that physically came up on the computer......and both commented that my desire to stay in Oak Manor would remain a standard room, unless I want that pool view room again.

 

[andrewilley]

Just did a little bit of digging and enquiring, and found Preferred Rooms are currently defined as:

Views Offered: Standard View, Garden View, Woods View or Courtyard View

Preferred Rooms are closest to: Restaurants, Transportation and Main Building

Located in Buildings: 14, 15, 18 & 27

Of course that's not to say things won't change at some point in the future...

Andre

 

[dsnydaddy]

Well, that is what I feared would happen all along. Since the rules are ill-defined one does not know whether or not to buy the preferred status. Grrr!

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

POR is where we are staying in a week or so .... what is the difference between the mansions and AB? We stayed AB quite a few years ago and would like to possibly try the mansions this time. What's the difference?

 

[Missytara]

POR is where we are staying in a week or so .... what is the difference between the mansions and AB? We stayed AB quite a few years ago and would like to possibly try the mansions this time. What's the difference?

The Mansions are more refined, while AB is more rustic.

Also AB is the place where a family of 5 is guaranteed.

And last but not least, AB does not have elevators, but only two floors. The Mansions do have elevators, but are three floors.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

The Mansions are more refined, while AB is more rustic.

Also AB is the place where a family of 5 is guaranteed.

And last but not least, AB does not have elevators, but only two floors. The Mansions do have elevators, but are three floors.

Which would you choose for my DH and I...Mansion or AB??

 

[andrewilley]

Which would you choose for my DH and I...Mansion or AB??

Without knowing your preferences, it's kinda hard to say! It's rather like asking a stranger whether the fish or the beef dish is better, it depends on whether you happen to like fish! Does the quiet rustic feel or the more ornate decor appeal to you more?

Andre

 

[laura428]

I just did a search on this forum for wifi and found the last post dated October 2008, so forgive me if this has been answered more recently...

Is there wifi at POR? I have a few Disney apps downloaded on my iPhone from previous trips, but was considering grabbing a few newer ones for my iPad (wifi only, not 3G). If it's only hardwire, I may just leave the iPad at home, safe and sound.

Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

There's no Wi-Fi in any of the Disney hotel rooms, although a few of the conference hotels offer it in the lobby.

That said, I guess you could always get a cheap wi-fi router from WalMart ($30 or less?) and plug it into the HSIA socket in the hotel room, but that's not free.

Andre

 

[laura428]

Thanks Andre, that's what I figured. I'll just update my iPhone apps and call it a day.

 

[seadd67]

I am looking to going Back to POR this June/July. I want to really get AB. We where there about 5 years ago and love It. We have been staying at POP,wich Is great, but now my DS Is older(he will be 18 In March) I thought of going back there. AB, we stay In Building 14 and love how close everything was any great secrets on how to talk the Mouse In to reserving It?. I know you can not reserve any rooms but I thought maybe someone had a great trick to influence them?.

 

[andrewilley]

In Building 14 and love how close everything was any great secrets on how to talk the Mouse In to reserving It?. I know you can not reserve any rooms but I thought maybe someone had a great trick to influence them?.

From the start of 2011, building 14 will considered to be one of the four "preferred" room category buildings, and there is now a premium price surcharge for those areas. By paying the extra charge, you will be guaranteed a room in one of buildings 14, 15, 18 or 27, and you could then request building 14 as your ideal choice.

See the Current Room Rates page at my website for more info as I have all the 2011 options and rates listed there.

Andre

 

[Bronte]

Is there any hope at all that any of the buildings will be renovated by the time we are there in early April ??? We only have four in our family and would rather stay in the french quarter because of the queen sized beds but have to stay in riverside because one of the families joining us has three kids. Thanks for any info ...

 

[Pixiedust34]

Is there any hope at all that any of the buildings will be renovated by the time we are there in early April ??? We only have four in our family and would rather stay in the french quarter because of the queen sized beds but have to stay in riverside because one of the families joining us has three kids. Thanks for any info ...

AFAIK, they will be finishing up with POFQ this spring and will begin work on POR after POFQ is finished. I keep hoping that the POR room renovations will be started ASAP, but it's hard to tell if the renovations at POR will even start in April if they are still working over at the French Quarter.

Hopefully there will be updates on the renovation timeframes closer to your trip.