Port Orleans News

Walt Disney World released the 2016 Room and Package Rates for their resort hotels, including Port Orleans, at 6am EDT on 22 June. Bookings can now be made via their website or telephone booking line up to the regular 499 day advance limit (meaning the cut-off is currently around 3 November 2016).

The full price structure for all room categories in 2016 is now listed on the Room Rates page.

Prices this year vary from $197/night for the cheapest Value rate Standard View rooms up to $378/night for a Pool View Royal Room at Christmas time. The average increase from last year’s rack rates is 4.54% (French Quarter accounting for about 3.75% of this, with Riverside higher at nearly 5%) so not exactly in tune with America’s current negative inflation rates or its reduction in average hourly earnings. All of which may make staying on-site at Disney in 2016 a significantly more pricey option in real terms for many people.

The premium nature of the various Royal Guest Room categories continues to stay pretty flat compared to the tiering that was in place when the Royal categories were first introduced back in 2012. There is often very little difference between the price of Standard View Royal Rooms and the various higher categories — and at many times of the year, Garden, Pool and River views are all exactly the same price.

I have no idea why French Quarter’s Garden View rooms are currently showing as cheaper than Standard View rooms for most dates. It could be an error within Disney’s pricing systems which will be rectified at some point, or it could be the intended rate. Whichever, it’s currently a bit of a bargain!

Also, for some reason, Pool View and King Bed rooms at French Quarter are now mostly more expensive than the previously top-tier River View rooms. I guess I can understand the Pool View premium price as those rooms give an excellent guarantee of proximity to the main building and also to the bus stop and boat dock, but I’m not sure why King Bed should have followed suit too. Maybe people are starting to realise that you can legitimately request any view type that you want when you book a King Bed room?

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I just heard that the Port Orleans Riverside lobby is now a "rainy day" location for character visits. On those really stormy days where Florida downpours could keep you and your kids away from the parks, you might just find that the characters come to you instead.

This is NOT a scheduled meet-and-greet and it will only happen sporadically, often with very little notice even to the resort cast members. So if it does happen to occur while you are there, make the most of a lovely photo opportunity - but don't make special plans around the possibility of it happening.

This photo was taken during the afternoon of Wednesday 10 June in the main registration lobby, where Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Tigger and Stich were greeting resort guests.

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The June 2015 Recreation Activities and Movie Schedules for Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter are now available. See the main Recreation Activities Schedules page for full-size printable PDF versions.

The evening campfires will commence at 7pm this month and the Movies Under the Stars will be screened at 9pm daily at both resorts. The feature swimming pool opening hours are 9am—11pm.

New for this month: Splash into summer with the Disney Junior Pool Party featuring music and activities from some of your favourite Disney Junior shows. Join in with awesome activities and games such as Sofia Says, Doc McStuffins Trivia, sing-alongs and much more!

Also, at 9pm on Friday 26 June at both resorts there's a special Movie Under the Stars feature premiere of Disney Channel's "Teen Beach Movie 2" (rated TV-G).

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WDWMagic.com has today reported the following information relating to Rapid-Fill Mug purchases at Port Orleans Riverside:

Reported by guests staying at Pop Century, All Star Resorts, and Port Orleans Riverside, the new pricing structure consists of a single option of $16.49 + tax for the entire length of stay. The 1 day, 2 day, and 3 day options have been eliminated, and the $16.49 is a reduction from the previous $17.99 length of stay price.

Rapid Fill mugs allow refills of fountain drinks, tea and coffee at the resort self-service beverage locations.

It isn't clear yet if the new pricing will be rolled out to all hotels.

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Over the past month or so I've been working my way steadily through a backlog of over a thousand image files which have been building up on my hard drive from my past few visits to Port Orleans. The urgent newsworthy pictures were posted at the time of course, but I still had a lot of multiple-exposure 'HDR' photos which needed processing, and a ton of general background images too.

• Riverside, Sassagoula Steamboat Company
• Riverside, Riverside Mill
• Riverside, Ol' Man Island
• Riverside, Magnolia Bend
• Riverside, Alligator Bayou
• French Quarter, Port Orleans Square
• French Quarter, Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory
• French Quarter, Doubloon Lagoon
• French Quarter, District and Accommodation Buildings
• Fun and Entertainment
• Sassagoula River Cruise to Downtown Disney
• Miscellaneous
• Royal Guest Rooms
• Alligator Bayou Rooms
• French Quarter Rooms

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