Port Orleans News

Port Orleans Riverside’s fabulous piano-playing entertainer “Ye Haa” Bob Jackson returned to his regular gig at the River Roost Lounge on Wednesday 18 March after a month of recuperating from back surgery.

Walt Disney World’s online checkin facility is now available, allowing resort guests to pre-register for their stay via Disney’s website up to ten days in advance of their arrival date. This new system allows you to provide such information as full guest names, arrival & departure times, on-site (e.g. cell phone) contact details, a credit card number for room-charges and also any special room requests (although, as always, these cannot be guaranteed). A welcome folder, which will include your room key cards, will then be waiting at a new quick-pickup location in the resort lobby.

For more details, or to use the service, log in to the My Disney Vacation page at www.disneyworld.com or go directly to www.mydisneyreservation.com.

Walt Disney World Resort launched a new Online Check-In Service today, designed to simplify and streamline guest arrivals. The new service is complimentary and available to guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts open as of February 2009.

Within 10 days of their arrival dates, guests are able to provide check-in information, advise the resort of their arrival times and request room preferences (although those cannot be guaranteed). Guests can also register the names of all the people in their party and provide a credit card to cover charges at the resort hotel.

Upon arrival at their resorts, guests visit a special welcome location where their room keys and other registration material are waiting. Disney cast members are also available to provide additional information and answer questions.

Meeting professionals can also arrange private group check-in at a Disney resort convention center or other locations.

“Our new Online Check-In Service offers added convenience and time savings for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests,” said Kevin Myers, vice president of Resort Operations for Walt Disney World Resort. “It’s the latest benefit created as part of our continuous effort to provide a seamless and hassle-free arrival experience for our guests as they begin their Disney vacation.”

www.mydisneyreservation.com/guest

Boatwright’s Dining Hall no longer serves Breakfast as of this morning, only Dinner. This means that the only on-site breakfast options for guests staying at either Riverside or French Quarter will be the counter service locations — and no more Sweet Potato Cakes or Banana-stuffed French toast! It is unclear at present whether this is merely a short term cost-cutting measure due to the current economic downturn or if this curtailment will continue through into the peak summer months. Disney’s official word on the subject is as follows:

As a part of our normal course of business, we regularly evaluate our offerings and make appropriate adjustments as needed. Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside will no longer be open for breakfast effective Sunday, February 22, 2009. Dinner will continue to be offered daily.

Guests looking for dining options at Port Orleans - Riverside throughout the day are invited to visit the Riverside Mill for a wide variety of meals or the River Roost for lounge-style dining. If looking for a more formal dining experience, please visit one of our many other Resort restaurants for breakfast or lunch including Olivia’s at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort or The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

The Ol’ Man Island feature swimming pool and hot tub reopened today after a three week rehab which started on 2nd February. Following this, one or more of the Alligator Bayou quiet pools may be closed from 23rd February to 6th March.

Port Orleans Riverside’s fabulous piano-playing entertainer “Ye Haa” Bob Jackson is currently convalescing following back surgery on 16 February. He hopes to be able to return to work at the River Roost Lounge on 18 March. We wish you a speedy recovery Bob — everyone is missing you. Why not leave Bob a message on his Facebook page?