Port Orleans French Quarter Q&A Thread, New for 2012 (thread now FULL and CLOSED)

[gr8tdame]

Oops! I miscounted, the last 5 years at POR. Can't believe it's been so many years.

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[MJ6987]

Mini-review of POFQ

We got back on Friday from 2 weeks at POFQ (from the UK) and here is my impressions of our first stay at this resort...

POFQ vs POR

We stayed at POR last time (2 years ago) - the resorts are obviously quite similar and share some facilities. Overall I think I prefer POFQ for a few reasons:
(i) the buses - the buses from the Parks are often shared between the two resorts and last time we often went to POFQ first and then around all the POR bus stops! This time we were the other way around - every time except once we went to POFQ first - no messing and much quicker. Also, in the morning, we either had a bus just for POFQ or had one that had already picked up from POR and then came to our resort and then straight to the Park. We only once waited more than about 10 mins for a bus (about 30 mins for AK) at both ends of the day!
(ii) I slightly preferred the theming at POFQ but not a lot in it (personal choice - they are both very nice)
(iii) A more compact resort - everything in easy reach
The food court at POR probably edges it although I was pleasantly surprised at POFQ which had some items that POR didn't, which take me to...

Food Court

We had free QSDP: the amout of food on offer was ridiculous with 2 big portion meals a day (including desserts) and 2 snacks a day - maybe this is a U.S. thing? We enjoyed the food court and every meal we had from there was good, and there is a surprising amount of choice - I rarely had the same meal twice (and even then only by choice) and the staff were great. We always got a table straightaway although I could imagine this might be different at a peak time of year. The only strange thing was getting milk for our cup of tea where we had to ask one of the CM's to get it out of their fridge which was a bit annoying (last time at POR they just told us to help ourselves out of the guest fridges - the mini cartons). The POR food court is also only a short walk away which offers some different choices

Room

Initially I was a bit frustrated because I had requested a room in block 5 or 6 near the food court, etc (via my travel agent plus followed up with a call to the resort a few days before arrival) but this seemed to have been disregarded and we were put in Block 1 which was the furthest away from the main building! I didn't say anything as we were too tired from a 9 hour flight and transfers! In the event, it was Ok as the resort is so compact. The exact same thing happended last time at POR by the way, where we weren't even put in the same section (i.e. mansions as opposed to my Alligator Bayou request!). Not sure where I am going wrong here! Anyway the room was fine, virtually identical to POR rooms - just big enough for our family of 4 and nicely decorated. All the facilities we needed were there. My wife and kids were a bit disappointed that we didn't get any towel animals a they saw them in lots of windows on the ground floor on the way back to the room each night (we were on the top floor) and my wife had read many Trip Advisor reviews which mentioned them (!). This was despite us leaving a $5 tip everyday so I suspect maybe our Mousekeeper just didn't know how to do them (I understand that it is an optional course - maybe Disney should make it mandatory to make this more consistent like on the Cruiseline?)

Pool

Nicely themed and a nice pool overall - the slide was a bit lame (probably not aimed at adults though!). Plenty of places to sit and the Spa is a nice extra. there is also a pool bar.

Transportation

Buses were excellent - see top section. The Boat to and from Downtown Disney is an excellent bonus to this resort (also POR) and is quicker and nicer than the bus - an enjoyable jouney in itself.

Other

I recommend people walk to POR at least once, both for a change of scene on the food and also to experience "Yeehah" Bob Jackson in the POR lounge - a great performer!

That's it, ended up being longer than I thought!

 

[andrewilley]

I had requested a room in block 5 or 6 near the food court, etc (via my travel agent plus followed up with a call to the resort a few days before arrival) ... Not sure where I am going wrong here!

Glad you had a good time, and thanks for the review. It's best to FAX rather than phone the resort a few days before you arrive (see www.portorleans.org/room-requests.php) as the incoming phone lines are answered by an offsite central switchboard who can only access the computer reservation screen to add a request, nothing more. You need to specifically ask to even be put through to someone physically at the resort.

Andre

 

[wdw71]

I do not think the resorts accept faxes for room requests any longer. I heard this on a podcast (The Dis or wdw today) over the last year. I have always just made my room requests at the time of my reservation and gone over them with the CM at checkin. We have always had our requests granted.

 

[Missytara]

I do not think the resorts accept faxes for room requests any longer. I heard this on a podcast (The Dis or wdw today) over the last year. I have always just made my room requests at the time of my reservation and gone over them with the CM at checkin. We have always had our requests granted.

That is correct.

 

[Sue M]

mj6987 thanks for your review. We are looking forward to our first stay. Nice to hear they have some good selections at their food court. We usually eat at the parks, but will prob have 1 or 2 dinners at the resort.

 

[andrewilley]

I do not think the resorts accept faxes for room requests any longer.

That is correct.

It is? Not according to the person who reads the room request faxes at Port Orleans. He says fax is his department's preferred option in fact. I can't speak for other resorts though.

But definitely have your requests noted on your original booking anyway though.

Andre

 

[EpcotBill]

Food Court

We had free QSDP: the amout of food on offer was ridiculous with 2 big portion meals a day (including desserts) and 2 snacks a day - maybe this is a U.S. thing? We enjoyed the food court and every meal we had from there was good, and there is a surprising amount of choice - I rarely had the same meal twice (and even then only by choice) and the staff were great. We always got a table straightaway although I could imagine this might be different at a peak time of year. The only strange thing was getting milk for our cup of tea where we had to ask one of the CM's to get it out of their fridge which was a bit annoying (last time at POR they just told us to help ourselves out of the guest fridges - the mini cartons). The POR food court is also only a short walk away which offers some different choices

How did you get 2 snacks a day on QSDP? Didn't they cut that back to 1 snack this year?

ETA: I just looked it up and it is just 1 snack per day. See the upper left on page 2 of the brochure, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...altDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2012QuickService.pdf. Maybe it's different if you're non-U.S.

 

[EpcotBill]

When we checked in at POR on August 31, 2012 the CM said they received my fax but couldn't accommodate my request. So as of that date they were still reading fax's.

 

[MJ6987]

How did you get 2 snacks a day on QSDP? Didn't they cut that back to 1 snack this year?

ETA: I just looked it up and it is just 1 snack per day. See the upper left on page 2 of the brochure, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...altDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2012QuickService.pdf. Maybe it's different if you're non-U.S.

The UK plan was 2 this year.

 

[wdw71]

When we checked in at POR on August 31, 2012 the CM said they received my fax but couldn't accommodate my request. So as of that date they were still reading fax's.

Good to know

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[lov2b@disney]

On our way... Checking in for our first stay at FQ this afternoon!

 

[mom2travel]

On our way... Checking in for our first stay at FQ this afternoon!

Have fun!!!
We'll be there in 4 weeks & I can't wait!

 

[dfin]

Doing the single digit dance

 

[Sue M]

Doing the single digit dance

Yay! Have fun, and post all the details!

 

[jandm]

I used to work there, if anyone has any questions, let me know. I'll do my best to accommodate some answers. I worked in Housekeeping back in 2008 for the College Program.

Hi! We are traveling w/ family and would like to have adjoining rooms. Do all the buildings have these? We reserved Garden View rooms - which buildings would be closest to the bus stop and pool, yet have the best views? Trying to get an idea as to which building to request.

 

[andrewilley]

Hi! We are traveling w/ family and would like to have adjoining rooms. Do all the buildings have these? We reserved Garden View rooms - which buildings would be closest to the bus stop and pool, yet have the best views? Trying to get an idea as to which building to request.

Yes, all of the buildings have adjoining rooms. They also have connecting rooms (i.e. with an internal doorway linking the two) if that's what you were meaning? Closest to the bus stop and pool would be 4, 5 or 6 - see the map in the first post - all of which have some very pleasant garden/courtyard/fountain views.

Andre

 

[ncc1701]

We got back last weekend from a great 6 day stay. Other than 20 min. wait for a morning bus to DHS we had good luck with buses coming & going from the parks (even the 1 morning we decided to go to DTD to eat at WPE for breakfast & shop)
The only time we shared with POR was in the afternoon/evening. All the morning buses went straight to the Parks.
Just ate breakfast at the food court . Love the Mickey waffles. Always fresh and hot.
It may be time for the "Powers that Be" to consider a remodel of the food court stations/checkout area to make it less cramp.But that may be just based on being there at breakfast rush hour.
Room was clean and done up by 2:00 every day.

 

[Groomer Gal]

We are headed to POFQ in 16 days!!!!

We plan on a couple afternoons heading back from a park to our room for a rest.

I know it's always different but I was wondering if anyone could give me a general idea of how long I should plan on for Disney transportation?
We have ADR's that I would hate to be late for.

We are actually considering taking taxis to the ADR's just to be safe.

Thanks so much! We are getting SO excited! It's a surprise trip for our twins!

 

[ncc1701]

We are headed to POFQ in 16 days!!!!

We plan on a couple afternoons heading back from a park to our room for a rest.

I know it's always different but I was wondering if anyone could give me a general idea of how long I should plan on for Disney transportation?
We have ADR's that I would hate to be late for.

We are actually considering taking taxis to the ADR's just to be safe.

Thanks so much! We are getting SO excited! It's a surprise trip for our twins!

Since the bus at that time also picks up at POR we usually give ourselves 75-90mins. We have always arrived early and spend the extra time checking out shops or stopping for a pre-dinner drink. If you go for a taxi the staff can get one for you.