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

[Missytara]

I'd be interested in this as well. We really like being close to the main bldg. but we want to be in the Mansions, and I do not know if there is a Preferred Booking for those bldgs., does anyone know? If so, I may upgrade to Preferred Status if I need to, so I can get one of those rooms in the Mansions.

Bldgs 14, 15, 18, and 27 are preferred in AB only.

Anything else, you can book standard, king, waterview or riverview.

With the new categories opening up so recently, I think it is going to take some time before we have some hard and fast data (and people contributing to this thread) to figure out where they are going with this.

That being said, having booked waterview several times and getting anywhere from a fountain to a pool to a river view; I would say riverview is going to be the real deal. You are going to be facing the river.

But again, we need some time to see where people are actually getting assigned.

 

[Missytara]

For those of you who have stayed at POR multiple times.....how are the CMs at meeting room requests? I have paid for the river view category and was hoping for top floor in Magnolia Bend (bldg 85 or 90). FYI I did make these requests at the time of initial booking. We are a family of four so hopefully we won't be in AB.

Also, with the new room categories, does anyone know exactly which rooms in Magnolia Bend are river view? Is is just the ones immediately on the river (next to the walking path) or does it include all rooms on the river side of the buildings?......some of which I, personally, would consider courtyard view.

Anyone?

I can only give me opinion, since there is really NO hard and fast data on this with the new categories. It has only been since the first of the year.

But I can say from my experience; with standard view, I had woods or courtyard. With waterview, I had fountain, pool, or river.

I believe that riverview is going to be actually that - however, some riverview rooms are slightly blocked by stairways. The one next to me last year was. I had full view.

Again, this is only my opinion and I think time will tell as we see these categories take shape and more people report back where they are staying.

 

[andrewilley]

Also, with the new room categories, does anyone know exactly which rooms in Magnolia Bend are river view? Is is just the ones immediately on the river (next to the walking path) or does it include all rooms on the river side of the buildings?......some of which I, personally, would consider courtyard view.

I'd like confirmation on this too, I would hope that for the extra dollars, you would get the closest rooms to the river, rather than set further back, but I don't know for sure.

Andre

 

[anorman]

For those of you who have stayed at POR multiple times.....how are the CMs at meeting room requests? I have paid for the river view category and was hoping for top floor in Magnolia Bend (bldg 85 or 90). FYI I did make these requests at the time of initial booking. We are a family of four so hopefully we won't be in AB.

I have read on several reviews sites that POR CMs are not that great at meeting room requests. Has anyone had experience (either good or bad) with this?

 

[DaniB]

On another thread I read today, someone mentioned while breakfast starts at 6:30am at POR, a hot breafast is not available until 7am.

Can anyone tell me how this works? TIA!

 

[Missytara]

On another thread I read today, someone mentioned while breakfast starts at 6:30am at POR, a hot breafast is not available until 7am.

Can anyone tell me how this works? TIA!

Actually it starts at 6:00 am; the bakery and beverage station are open then.

The hot line stations and grab-n-go, etc. open at 7:00 am.

 

[DaniB]

On another thread I read today, someone mentioned while breakfast starts at 6:30am at POR, a hot breafast is not available until 7am.

Can anyone tell me how this works? TIA!

Actually it starts at 6:00 am; the bakery and beverage station are open then.

The hot line stations and grab-n-go, etc. open at 7:00 am.

Well, shoot! I sure was hoping for someone to yell "wrong!!" I think that just tipped the scales.

Thanks for the quick reply Missytara. I have been debating over switching from POP to POR for a week now. If our income taxes come through, I wanted to pay the extra $690 for a king-bed there.

But... On our first 2 full days we need to take Mears to Universal Studios. I figured to be there by 8am, we need to arrange for Mears at 7 or 7:15am. Which means breakfast at 6:30am.

And I have a Segway Tour another day. We need to take a taxi to arrive by 7:30am. So again, 6:30am breakfast. And we both like hot breakfasts.

 

[Missytara]

Well, shoot! I sure was hoping for someone to yell "wrong!!" I think that just tipped the scales.

Thanks for the quick reply Missytara. I have been debating over switching from POP to POR for a week now. If our income taxes come through, I wanted to pay the extra $690 for a king-bed there.

But... On our first 2 full days we need to take Mears to Universal Studios. I figured to be there by 8am, we need to arrange for Mears at 7 or 7:15am. Which means breakfast at 6:30am.

And I have a Segway Tour another day. We need to take a taxi to arrive by 7:30am. So again, 6:30am breakfast. And we both like hot breakfasts.

Seriously, I wouldn't pass up the chance to stay at POR just because you cannot get breakfast there early on two mornings out of your entire trip.

Remember, you have a fridge and they have a toaster and a microwave in the food court. You could make instant oatmeal and get a roll/croissant from the bakery.

Then you can pick up a snack when you get to Universal.

 

[seadd67]

Just sitched to POR from BWI/CL. I try to go up and spoil my self with a Delx,but at the end the beauty and love for POR drew me back. Last time we where at POR was 2006,we have been at POP for the last 5 years and that was hard enough to draw away from togo to BWI. The BWI fourm was great and I really appreicate all there help and comment,kind of feel bad I am pulling away from there but i did it. So has anything changed In that last few years?. I will be eager to read up on the fourm.

 

[Christie74]

We are staying at the POR in June and would like to visit the POFQ main pool one morning. What is the best way to get there? Thanks!

 

[webstah]

Depending on where your room is, you can walk, or take the boat to DTD and just get off when it stops at FQ on the way.

 

[Christie74]

Depending on where your room is, you can walk, or take the boat to DTD and just get off when it stops at FQ on the way.

Thanks. I'm sure the kids would love to ride the boat.

 

[copper0426]

Don't know if this is a new question or if someone has mentioned it, but on another thread someone said something about queens going into POR, Is this true and will it only be one bed like the one king or will it be like a queen and a twin.

So sorry if this is a repeat, but I am tired and did read back a few pages, but to go through 100 or so pages is kinda like finding a needle in a haystack for me right now.

Thanks.

Diane

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Don't know if this is a new question or if someone has mentioned it, but on another thread someone said something about queens going into POR, Is this true and will it only be one bed like the one king or will it be like a queen and a twin.

So sorry if this is a repeat, but I am tired and did read back a few pages, but to go through 100 or so pages is kinda like finding a needle in a haystack for me right now.

Thanks.

Diane

They put 2 Queen size beds in POFQ so rumor has it that they are doing the same at POR!!!

 

[andrewilley]

So sorry if this is a repeat, but I am tired and did read back a few pages, but to go through 100 or so pages is kinda like finding a needle in a haystack for me right now.

I'm going to start a new FAQ thread for POR once the refurb starts (won't be that different to this FAQ, just updated a bit and with less pages - for a while at least!)

Andre

 

[mommykds]

Wonder if POR will get rid of the trundle when the queen beds are installed. Hope not.

Also would anyone know if there is an iPod dock on the nightstand? My 15year old DD would appreciate this.

 

[mommykds]

I received the free dining in the mail yesterday. I have never gotten a pin in the mail before. Booking the family suite would cost $600 more than POR for this family of 5 with the FD so we are officially booked at POR...savings!!!!woohoo! It will be a tight fit because my kids are older but we don't really hang out in the room, but we do like to hang out at the resort so POR fits the bill nicely. My only room request was close to main building.

Our dining is the QSDP which sounds great for us as we end up cancelling ADR's because no one is hungry. This is the first time we are trying the QS.

Yay!

 

[happypaws]

I am wondering what the best way to get to Boma at AKL from POR is? I have dining reservations for breakfast there at 9am in a little over 2 weeks. I know you have to transfer at a park to get to another resort. Is there one park you would recommend over another to transfer, such as AK? Also, with the transfer is it likely to take over the recommended 1hr 1/2? Thanks!

 

[ClaudeGobet]

I am wondering what the best way to get to Boma at AKL from POR is? I have dining reservations for breakfast there at 9am in a little over 2 weeks. I know you have to transfer at a park to get to another resort. Is there one park you would recommend over another to transfer, such as AK? Also, with the transfer is it likely to take over the recommended 1hr 1/2? Thanks!

this is a tough one that i know from experience.
the quickest way is to take the bus to animal kingdom, then the bus to AKL from AK. unfortunately, this doesn't work for b-fast. return buses from the parks do not start this early. they figure you're going to be here at least a couple hours after arriving, you couldn't even get back to your own resort after disembarking w/out arranging a (literally) personal bus from the dispatcher.
the boats on the sassagoula typically don't run until 10am, stuck again.
if you don't want to cab it, i would suggest talking to the concierge. if you can confirm that buses at DTD will do return service to resorts that early, then catch an early bus to DTD, then tranfer to AKL. yes, i'd allow an hour to an hour and a half (just in case you're waiting on buses). if not, they can arrange a bus for you upon arrival at AK as they did for me. simply get off your bus, go to the little building at the end, tell them you need bus service to AKL, they will make a call (as you will not be getting a bus at the AKL bus stop). it will pull up right there where you are told to wait, done. this requires a little less travel time. either way you go, it may be safer to confirm and coordinate your travel arrangements via your concierge the night before. it is do-able.

 

[happypaws]

this is a tough one that i know from experience.
the quickest way is to take the bus to animal kingdom, then the bus to AKL from AK. unfortunately, this doesn't work for b-fast. return buses from the parks do not start this early. they figure you're going to be here at least a couple hours after arriving, you couldn't even get back to your own resort after disembarking w/out arranging a (literally) personal bus from the dispatcher.
the boats on the sassagoula typically don't run until 10am, stuck again.
if you don't want to cab it, i would suggest talking to the concierge. if you can confirm that buses at DTD will do return service to resorts that early, then catch an early bus to DTD, then tranfer to AKL. yes, i'd allow an hour to an hour and a half (just in case you're waiting on buses). if not, they can arrange a bus for you upon arrival at AK as they did for me. simply get off your bus, go to the little building at the end, tell them you need bus service to AKL, they will make a call (as you will not be getting a bus at the AKL bus stop). it will pull up right there where you are told to wait, done. this requires a little less travel time. either way you go, it may be safer to confirm and coordinate your travel arrangements via your concierge the night before. it is do-able.

thanks for your help, it sounds like disney can be accommodating when needed. I will probably talk to the concierge the night before just to play it safe