Room requests at Port Orleans Riverside

[candycake]

We are coming to stay at POR in late August, and would like to request a particular Alligator Bayou lodge. On our past trip, we had asked our travel agent (in the UK) to note our request on our reservation but on arrival at Disney, the request was not showing on our booking even though it was on the paperwork we had received from the travel agent at home. We had also rung Disney in advance last year (at tel no. shown on Disney POR webpage) but again there was no note of this on our reservation unfortunately. Does anyone know how we can ensure our request is noted (we know our preferred lodge is not guaranteed)? Thanks for your help

 

[cbettua]

When i booked the POR this time around I specifically asked for the alligator bayou rooms. When I spoke to the CM on the phone I confirmed I would get that particular room and she said yes. Now I have upgraded to the royal rooms, so I don't have any confirmation if I was going to get it or not. Try calling again and specifically say that you want one of those rooms.

 

[DisneyLizzy3]

If you are able to look at your reservation on the Disneyworld.com website, there is an option for "online check-in". If you click on this link, the website will allow you to request all of your room and stay preferences, however, these are not always guaranteed.

 

[sissa216]

If you book a preferred room, you are guaranteed to be in the alligator bayou rooms. Otherwise, for any other room type (non-royal), @DisneyLizzy3 is right that you can reenforce your request during online check in.

@cbettua - the royal rooms are only in the mansions/ magnolia bend, so you will definitely not have an AB room (unless you switch out of a royal room). Preferred would guarantee you AB if you have your heart set on it!

 

[candycake]

If you are able to look at your reservation on the Disneyworld.com website, there is an option for "online check-in". If you click on this link, the website will allow you to request all of your room and stay preferences, however, these are not always guaranteed.

Thanks for your advice, but having tried the online check-in, I seem only to be able to request a corner room or ground/2nd floor - I can't find where I can request a specific lodge. Any ideas? Thank you again.

 

[stuart]

See here http://www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php

 

[candycake]

Thanks for all your help, will give this advice a try for our upcoming holiday.

 

[radiohost]

We just booked riverside, what's special about alligator bayou?

 

[candycake]

For us, it's personal preference. We've only stayed in the AB lodges once, but we definitely preferred it to the mansions. We stayed in a lodge overlooking the river, which was very tranquil with beautiful surroundings, and a reasonably short walk from the food court and lobby (although, some of the AB lodges are very far from the main buildings, so I would recommend requesting a particular lodge or paying for a preferred location). Also, our room had been recently refurbished. Finally, the room can accommodate five as it has a fold down bed above a banquette bench seat - we don't use the extra bed, so the bench is a great place for mum to put a suitcase as she has a bad back and it saves her having to bend down to the floor all the time. However, the only problem we found was that when it rained, the back paths were soaking and seemed to retain the water for a long time. But if you don't mind wet feet, I'd go with AB!

 

[Marijil]

I had a similar experience where a room request made multiple times was not noted...we politely but firmly insisted on the desired building, however we had a medical issue, so we had some leverage