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

[MinnieTink]

Just hopping on here, and >>bumping<<. We are considering POR for a trip in August to take advantage of free dining again

We are a family of 5 (me, DH and three kids, ages 15,11, and 4). I love that POR will accommodate a fam of 5 but I don't love the looks of that trundle bed... But we will be in WDW once again so we will figure something out!!!

 

[Csaks]

So I have a kind of oppsit smokeing question, I personal dont smoke but my DS and his GF do and we requestd AB, 14,18 or 27. I would love 14 is there any smokeing between 14 and the main building?

If I remember correctly there is a smoking area just to the left (if you are looking at the river) of 14 on the main walkway to the main building. I've stayed in 18, 17, 27 and that is the one I normally used. There is also a smoking area near the quiet pool behind 18. Most of them are on the main path that goes around the resort.

Hope that helps.

 

[seadd67]

Thanks, my DS and his DGF both smoke so I feel for them. I think sometimes I think smokers get a bad rap. Speacilay when socitey condones people drinking openly around kids,but smokers have to find a corner and smoke like criminals. I always look at them both equaly, and really never really understood the big diffrence. Yes I know there is millions out there with breathing problems. But there should be more thought into haveing access to smokeing areas, just as much as access to beer,just my 2 cents

 

[andrewilley]

I think consenting adults have just as much right to poison themselves with either substance, it's their choice - although moderate smoking has much worse long-term health implications than moderate drinking.

The bigger issue is that you can't inhale secondary alcohol, which brings us back to WDW. I guess they could have imposed a total ban on smoking on their property (WDW is actually all private property), so this is a compromise situation.

You can't please all of the people all of the time.

Andre

 

[esox]

Thanks, my DS and his DGF both smoke so I feel for them. I think sometimes I think smokers get a bad rap. Speacilay when socitey condones people drinking openly around kids,but smokers have to find a corner and smoke like criminals. I always look at them both equaly, and really never really understood the big diffrence. Yes I know there is millions out there with breathing problems. But there should be more thought into haveing access to smokeing areas, just as much as access to beer,just my 2 cents

Really??
I personally have no problem with people smoking in the designated smoking areas. But, I don't think you can compare smoking with drinking alcohol. The alcohol people drink DOES NOT go into the air and become ingested by children and others. Second hand smoke IS harmful to children and others. Secondhand smoke is classified as a "known human carcinogen" (cancer-causing agent) by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US National Toxicology Program, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization.

As a non smoker with young children, I appreciate that Disney has many designated smoking areas. That way, I as a parent can decide whether or not to expose myself and my children to second hand smoke.

I hope you have a magical trip and that your children are able to find smoking areas that are acceptable to them.

 

[anorman]

We just hit the 100 day mark until our first stay at POR!

I was just saying to my DH last night that I would love to take a river view room at POFQ and transplant it into POR. Last year we stayed at FQ and really loved it but having wandered up to POR several times, we thought we would give it a try. It still has that wonderful boat to DTD and I liked the theming better at POR than at POFQ.....a little more relaxing, I guess. I am also looking forward to the quiet pool option as well.

Hurry up August...I can't wait!

 

[bfamily5]

When I booked my families vacation it was Aug 14th, 2010...the new "preferred" room category did not exist. I spoke with a CM and requested building 14 or 18...so I know that request is on my ressie. Does anyone know if I NEED to call and "upgrade" the ressie, or should I just trust that because it was booked before those rooms were classified as "preferred" , I have a decent chance of getting one? TIA!

 

[KELLY]

We are staying CBR this trip. But next year we will be checking out the new princess themed rooms for sure. We have never stayed at CBR so we figured we will try it out. I love the PO resorts love the river and the whole feel of the resorts there. Hope I don't miss it to much.

 

[andrewilley]

When I booked my families vacation it was Aug 14th, 2010...the new "preferred" room category did not exist.

I'd call them and check. I suspect that to get building 14 you probably need to pay for it now, unless the resort is quiet and you get lucky.

The new room categories were released for bookings on or just before 9 Aug last year by the way, valid for arrival dates from the start of January onwards.

Andre

 

[jen42002]

When I booked my families vacation it was Aug 14th, 2010...the new "preferred" room category did not exist. I spoke with a CM and requested building 14 or 18...so I know that request is on my ressie. Does anyone know if I NEED to call and "upgrade" the ressie, or should I just trust that because it was booked before those rooms were classified as "preferred" , I have a decent chance of getting one? TIA!

How early you book does not give you a higher priority in terms of room assigments, even with the category changes. If you are really set on one of these buildings and would be disappointed in not getting them, you should upgrade to preferred. Otherwise unless you have a party of 5, you could be placed in the Mansions or AB (if available).

 

[FOCUS]

When I booked my families vacation it was Aug 14th, 2010...the new "preferred" room category did not exist. I spoke with a CM and requested building 14 or 18...so I know that request is on my ressie. Does anyone know if I NEED to call and "upgrade" the ressie, or should I just trust that because it was booked before those rooms were classified as "preferred" , I have a decent chance of getting one? TIA!

It would make sense that those rooms are first going to go to people who paid for the upgrade and it seems like a lot of people are paying for that upgrade...thus making it very unlikely that you will get that request fullfilled. So if you really want one of those buildings and can afford the upgrade, I would recommend upgrading. Best of luck.

 

[Csaks]

Thanks, my DS and his DGF both smoke so I feel for them. I think sometimes I think smokers get a bad rap.

Unfortunately like all segments of society we have our self important group. Those that smoke wherever and whenever they please. I can't argue with Disney's policy, they provide plenty of smoking areas in the resorts and parks.

What does bug they hell out of me is those self important non smokers that sit in a smoking area surrounded by smokers and proceed to tell me and others that the smoke bothers them and we should butt out. This has happened twice in 5 trips and it got more than a funny response from a few fellow smokers. I'm playing by the rules, yes it is not good for me. I am doing what is required of me not to bother others so don't get all self righteous when I am in the designated area. Peace.

 

[anorman]

Unfortunately like all segments of society we have our self important group. Those that smoke wherever and whenever they please. I can't argue with Disney's policy, they provide plenty of smoking areas in the resorts and parks.

What does bug they hell out of me is those self important non smokers that sit in a smoking area surrounded by smokers and proceed to tell me and others that the smoke bothers them and we should butt out. This has happened twice in 5 trips and it got more than a funny response from a few fellow smokers. I'm playing by the rules, yes it is not good for me. I am doing what is required of me not to bother others so don't get all self righteous when I am in the designated area. Peace.

IMHO, as a reformed smoker, those people who sit there and complain about the smoke in a desginated smoking area are just envious of those who are clearly enjoying one of the great vices. There are plenty of spaces for us non-smokers and we do not have the right to complain about smoke in a designated smoking area. If smokers are following the rules than non-smokers should just find somewhere else to sit.

 

[KCmike]

Is it Bob Jackson that plays the piano? What is his usual schedule?

 

[andrewilley]

Is it Bob Jackson that plays the piano? What is his usual schedule?

It certainly is. He plays at the River Roost Lounge, Wed-Sat, from 8.30pm until midnight.

Andre

 

[21hearts]

Never mind I was able to answer my own question. If I would of just kept on reading I would of seen that preferred rooms have been added to the hotel.

 

[DCDisney]

Better than booking a preferred room is letting them know you have medical needs. They can get you the absolute closest room possible by going that route. I was recovering from a blood clot on one of our trips and they got me the very first room off the lobby at AKL which REALLY helped.

 

[Csaks]

IMHO, as a reformed smoker, those people who sit there and complain about the smoke in a desginated smoking area are just envious of those who are clearly enjoying one of the great vices. There are plenty of spaces for us non-smokers and we do not have the right to complain about smoke in a designated smoking area. If smokers are following the rules than non-smokers should just find somewhere else to sit.

Thank you Anorman, ex smokers are usually the worst to complain glad you are not one.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I am a reformed smoker, and I quite honestly can't stand the smell of it now. I've not smoked since I was pregnant with my oldest DD, so I've been away from it for a long time and it does bother me now, but I will never be rude to anyone who smokes especially if they are in the smoking area. The only thing that bothers me is that they put so many of the smoking areas near CS places to eat, and even when I was a smoker, smoke near my food grossed me out. As much as I love getting my Dole Whip Float at the Aloha Isle, the smoking section right there almost ruins it for me. But I promise you will never hear me complain to you.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Better than booking a preferred room is letting them know you have medical needs. They can get you the absolute closest room possible by going that route. I was recovering from a blood clot on one of our trips and they got me the very first room off the lobby at AKL which REALLY helped.

I hope that you mean if someone really does have a medical issue to let Disney know. In order to get my handicap room close to my preference, I was told that I had to pay for the preferred rooms.

But seriously, please don't claim a medical need unless you really need it.

If I have totally misunderstood this post, please accept my apology.