HI Russell and thanks for the great questions!
I absoutley LOVE
Port Orleans and have been anxiously awaiting the debut of the new Royal Guest Rooms. I think you will be surprised to find that the price difference between the Royal Guest Rooms and the Standard Guest Rooms is surprisingly minimal.
Prices do change based on travel party size and arrival dates, so I encourage you to visit
DisneyWorld.com and enter in your specific dates to estimate the cost. These rooms are not scheduled to be available for guest bookings until March, so please be sure to adjust your travel dates accordingly in order to see availability and pricing online. You can also call the experts at the Walt Disney Travel Company at (407)WDISNEY to discuss booking a stay in one of these amazingly magical Royal Guest Rooms.
To answer your second question, the rooms at Port Orleans, both Riverside and French Quarter, open to the outside!
Hope I have answered your questions and encourage you to write back with any follow ups!
Magical Greetings,
Amanda F.