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

[Jellybass]

Thanks Andre. Another question for the board, if we use the Magical Express, why would we need to request an early check in for FQ when using online check in? We would get to FQ around noon and may just go directly to the pool or DD, that being said wouldn't early check in (which may negate any special room request) be useless if ME is handling all of our luggage regardless?

 

[taylor3297]

I LOVE your siggie!! My family sits by while I ask for a knife to get every last bit of the Lapu-Lapu soaked pineapple!! Not leaving ANY of it behind!!!!

I always bring a spork or two with me when I visit. No telling how many Lapu Lapu's I will be drinking.

 

[andrewilley]

Thanks Andre. Another question for the board, if we use the Magical Express, why would we need to request an early check in for FQ when using online check in?

There's no such thing as early checkin per se. Just use the online system to tell them what sort of time you are likely to be arriving; if a room is ready when you get there, that's great - if not, they'll let you know when it's available.

A lot of people like the idea of being given their room immediately, rather than being "dispossessed" for a few hours. If having your requests met is more important to you than just having a room ready for when you arrive, just select that option in the online checkin process.

It won't affect your luggage though, that will find its way via ME to your room whichever option you choose.

Andre

 

[Jellybass]

There's no such thing as early checkin per se. Just use the online system to tell them what sort of time you are likely to be arriving; if a room is ready when you get there, that's great - if not, they'll let you know when it's available.

A lot of people like the idea of being given their room immediately, rather than being "dispossessed" for a few hours. If having your requests met is more important to you than just having anroom ready for when you arrive, just select that option in the online checkin process.

It won't affect your luggage though, that will find its way via ME to your room whichever option you choose.

Andre

Great, thanks again.

 

[pooch]

I always bring a spork or two with me when I visit. No telling how many Lapu Lapu's I will be drinking.

Not proud, I ask for a steak knife!!!

 

[billyboyblue]

Just booked POFQ for our first wedding anniversary! First time staying at this resort, any suggestions or tips when staying here? Thanks!

 

[lisalonglash]

When did the make your own pasta become available at French Quarter? I know that Riverside has it, but in all my stays at French Quarter -the last in May this year- they only had pasta with meatballs.
The beignets are always freshly made when ordered.

Great question! I'd also like to know if FQ's food court has the make-your-own pasta now

Also looking forward to trying the beignets!

 

[dani7776]

I like building 5 it's close to everything right in the middle =) we are going Aug 30-sept 7 can't wait it will be our 5th time at POFQ we love it there

 

[andrewilley]

Just booked POFQ for our first wedding anniversary! First time staying at this resort, any suggestions or tips when staying here? Thanks!

You've picked a lovely place for it, very relaxed and pleasant place to stay. As for tips and suggestions, well apart from have a good read through this rest of this thread, taking a horse-drawn carriage ride one evening in the first thing that spring to mind, and the boat ride to Downtown Disney is nice too.

Andre

 

[aml3679]

We are very excited - we have not been to Disney World in 10 years and this is our first time ever staying on site. We will be there for 13 nights this December.

We have a few early ADR's for breakfast and was wondering what is the best way to get there:

- Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom
- Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary
- Kouzinna at The Boardwalk
- 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian

By early, I mean between 9 and 9:15.

Also, we have 2 non-park days and would like to see many of the resorts and what is the easiest way:

The resorts we have dining reservations at are: The Grand Floridian, the Boardwalk, The Contemporary and Fort Wilderness.

Our must see other resorts:

The Polynesian - this will not be a problem since it is a Monorail resort.

Wilderness Lodge
Yacht and Beach Club
Caribbean Beach
Coronado Springs
Pop Century
Art of Animation

and if we have time the other resorts not mentioned.

Thanks for your help.

 

[andrewilley]

Answers in red...

- Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom Take the bus to MK
- Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Bus to MK, then walk over to the Contemporary
- Kouzinna at The Boardwalk Bus to Studios, then Friendship Boat to the Boardwalk
- 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Bus to MK, then ferry boat (or monorail if no boat currently in sight from the dock) to the Grand Floridian
By early, I mean between 9 and 9:15.

Andre

 

[rccllap]

Okay so this is kind of resort-specific, but also Disney-general as far as "early check in" is concerned.

This will be my first time staying at POFQ, but not my first time on property.

I'll be honest, in the past my mom has made all the arrangements and handled all the check-in & out's.

My understanding has been, however, that it really doesn't matter what time we get there, we can leave our luggage with bell services and go on to do whatever even if our room isn't ready. We will get all checked in and stuff, just not have key access. Is that accurate?

We're hoping to get to WDW around or a bit after lunchtime. The plan currently is to get our passes picked up and then go check in to the resort. Even though it will be later in the afternoon and not the ideal time to go, once we're situated I think we're going to go ahead to MK.

I'm dying for fresh beignets! I love them!!

 

[aml3679]

Answers in red...

Andre

Thank you!

 

[pooch]

We are very excited - we have not been to Disney World in 10 years and this is our first time ever staying on site. We will be there for 13 nights this December.

We have a few early ADR's for breakfast and was wondering what is the best way to get there:

- Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom
- Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary
- Kouzinna at The Boardwalk
- 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian

By early, I mean between 9 and 9:15.

Also, we have 2 non-park days and would like to see many of the resorts and what is the easiest way:

The resorts we have dining reservations at are: The Grand Floridian, the Boardwalk, The Contemporary and Fort Wilderness.

Our must see other resorts:

The Polynesian - this will not be a problem since it is a Monorail resort.

Wilderness Lodge
Yacht and Beach Club
Caribbean Beach
Coronado Springs
Pop Century
Art of Animation

and if we have time the other resorts not mentioned.

Thanks for your help.

we will be staying at POFQ about the same time, checking in 11/29.

 

[andrewilley]

My understanding has been, however, that it really doesn't matter what time we get there, we can leave our luggage with bell services and go on to do whatever even if our room isn't ready. We will get all checked in and stuff, just not have key access. Is that accurate?

100% correct. You'll even be given your keycards allowing theme park access, dining credits, etc. You just won't have front-door access to your room yet (or even be given the room number) before it has been cleaned and ready from the previous guests. That said, depending on what time you arrive, if a room happens to be ready then you might well be given access early anyway.

Andre

 

[3forWDW]

We will be traveling for 9 hours for our arrival at POFQ in Sep. It will put us after midnight arriving. I have reserved a Riverview room and requested Building 5. Also, to further complicate things, our day of arrival is the last day of Free Dining offer (25th). Couple of questions -- 1) Should I be worried about the check in time being on the 26th? I assume not since I will be paying for the room starting on the 25th. And this shouldn't affect my FD should it?? Should I phone the resort on my trip down to assure them that we are indeed coming? 2) I plan on faxing a room request to request a Building 5 room close to pool and river. However, I only reserved/paid for Riverview because Pool view wasn't offered for my dates with the FD offer and we really wanted to be center of the resort, close to pool, close to main building. Riverview would be great, but not the first priority So I also planned to put in the fax that if we can not be placed in a Riverview room in Bldg 5, we would prefer some "reverse" pixie dust and be put in a Bldg 5 garden view, or Bldg 4 standard view. If they are able to accomodate this request and we get a standard view, will they adjust my room rate? Or will it still be at the Riverview rate? Scared to change my reservation (if there are even any rooms available) to a different view to save $'s then have to ask for pixie dust to upgrade. 3) Should I do on line check in? With us arriving so late, the room being ready shouldn't be an issue, but with on line check in, will you know the room you are assigned ahead of arrival? We will be happy with wherever we are placed, we will be at Disney World. Just hoping dragging in there at 2 or 3 in the morn doesn't make everything too crazy!!

 

[aml3679]

Pooch: Hello to you also. Maybe we will run into each other. See ya real soon

 

[labfan]

When did the make your own pasta become available at French Quarter? I know that Riverside has it, but in all my stays at French Quarter -the last in May this year- they only had pasta with meatballs.
The beignets are always freshly made when ordered.

Sorry - a little typing error there. She had the make your own pasta at Riverside and one night she had the pasta minus the meatballs at FQ.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Also, we have 2 non-park days and would like to see many of the resorts and what is the easiest way:

The resorts we have dining reservations at are: The Grand Floridian, the Boardwalk, The Contemporary and Fort Wilderness.

Our must see other resorts:

The Polynesian - this will not be a problem since it is a Monorail resort.

Wilderness Lodge-Travel to MK then take one of the boats over
Yacht and Beach Club-Travel to DHS by bus, then before the entrance off to the right is the Friendship Boat Dock, take that boat over, its the 2nd stop.
Caribbean Beach-Take a bus to any park and transfer over to CBR bus, but be careful when you get there, the bus will stop at each "island" or at Old Port Royale, which is the Food Court and pool area.
Coronado Springs-Same as CBR, take a bus and transfer.
Pop Century-same with the bus
Art of Animation-walk across the bridge from Pop Century or take a bus.

and if we have time the other resorts not mentioned.

Thanks for your help.

Answers in Red.

 

[Jellybass]

Ok, I am going to opt out of the early arrival option of the room request form to try for top floor og Bldg 4, that seems to be the closest to transportation and the dining area.