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

[andrewilley]

OK, because it's quiet and a bit too hot to be outside at the moment (in the UK, shock horror, same daytime high as Orlando today!)... or just because I've got far too much time on my hands ... I just generated the following from the raw rack rate data:

I can't figure out why in 'Peak' season (e.g. mid-March to mid-April) King Bed rooms (gray) are priced about $20 higher than even River View (blue), unlike any other part of the year where King and Pool show as the same price (the gray line for King is mostly hidden behind the orange line for Pool).

Andre

 

[siskaren]

We arrive at PORFQ on 7/28. We have three rooms.
Have only skimmed this great board so I'm happy to hear the new lobby is up and running. I'm a little confused about refrigerators....I thought every room had a fridge.....not true???????

Thanks
Karen

Check post #2696.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

The lobby photos look lovely...we were at POFQ in mid-June during temporary lobby and I guess I will just have to go back again to see the finished product!

 

[MickeyEars]

After 4 stays at Riverside I booked our first ever stay at French Quarter yesterday. I am really looking forward to the small size of the resort and to having only one bus stop.
This also looks like it's going to be our first ever trip without our boys. We have gone every year since they were born and at least one of them has always gone but after much discussion they have both opted out for next year. They are 23 and 20 now so we knew this "day" was coming.
It's going to be different without them but husband and I both love Disney World so we must carry on!!

Carla

 

[snykymom]

Ok, I hate to bring up a the Refrigerator debacle, but I have a question and Andre, you seem to be the Answer Guy for POFQ and POR. I have a DH and DD with a few medical related issues and I called Reservations yesterday as soon as the news broke about having a refrigerator available for me if possible. DD has struggles with Epilepsy (gran mal seizures) and blood sugar issues, so it is imperative that I be able to keep a refrigerator with cheese, crackers, peanut butter, fresh fruit and a few other items so her sugar doesn't drop too low and then she have a seizure. When I called the young lady I spoke to said if it was available, it would be a beverage cooler type refrig. But now I'm reading on so many threads how it is a small medical cooler type thing that is used to house injectable medication. If this is the case, this just isn't going to do. Do I need to go on and rent a small dorm type refrigerator to have brought in or should I see what happens. We will only be there for 7 nights, but I just don't want to run into any issues especially with her walking in the parks all day long and trying to adjust her sugar. Does anyone have any advice? I just don't know what to do, I've been back and forth on this all day, and DH says just wait and see what happens. But I'm a planner and I like to have all my ducks in a row, KWIM. Help.....anyone.

I would contact the Guests with Special Needs line, which Andre referenced. The phone number is (407) 824-4321, rather than the general Reservations line. They should be able to allay your fears.

 

[andrewilley]

I would contact the Guests with Special Needs line, which Andre referenced. The phone number is (407) 824-4321, rather than the general Reservations line.

The number I have for the Special Assistance Line is 1-407-939-7807. The 4321 number is a general tickets/info/etc line.

Andre

 

[snykymom]

The number I have for the Special Assistance Line is 1-407-939-7807. The 4321 number is a general tickets/info/etc line.

Andre

Thanks for the correction, Andre - I just pulled the one I had off the Disney website.

 

[cdhale]

So excited for our first ever POFQ stay in less than two months!

 

[OThopeful35]

The new lobby looks amazing!! Can't wait to check it out for myself in a few weeks!!

 

[Jellybass]

Fridge or no fridge just over a month out. I am hoping those lower crowd levels the last week of August is true.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Fridge or no fridge just over a month out. I am hoping those lower crowd levels the last week of August is true.

We've always had good luck the last week of August--hope it holds true this year as well. We arrive on the 25th and got the free dining PIN! First time at POFQ and can't wait!

 

[uktivo]

Sorry.. wrong thread.. I will repost in the correct one... DOH!

Hi.. Was hoping I could get a quick reply as I need to confirm my booking to Disney tonight pre 8pm UK time.

A bit of a long story.. But I originally booked with a Travelcity UK for the POR with a water view room (I was under the impression this was a preferred location, it isn't) so I've spent the last few days talking with Travelcity about how we make this better. They quoted me a price of 928 pounds (that’s 1410usd) to upgrade to a preferred room. I politely declined and have now cancelled that booking (with a full refund) booked direct with Disney and Virgin Atlantic directly.

So, here's my question.

I have booked a preferred room at the POR for May next year. I have requested a ground floor, courtyard view.
Questions:
1. Is this a good choice?
2. Could I be a little more precise and perhaps name building numbers? Any input which is the best?

Here are my criteria for a good room.
1. Location close to food hall and pool
2. A quite location away from lifts etc.
3. Somewhere where it’s not too dark

Any inputs would be most welcome.. I do need to confirm my booking this evening.

Thanks

 

[Jellybass]

We've always had good luck the last week of August--hope it holds true this year as well. We arrive on the 25th and got the free dining PIN! First time at POFQ and can't wait!

we didn't get the Free dining PIN unfortunately but we actually want to try without free dining, we always eat way too much with the free dining because we feel obligated to eat even though we are not hungry.

 

[andrewilley]

Hi.. Was hoping I could get a quick reply as I need to confirm my booking to Disney tonight pre 8pm UK time.

So, here's my question.

I have booked a preferred room at the POR for May next year. I have requested a ground floor, courtyard view.
Questions:
1. Is this a good choice?
2. Could I be a little more precise and perhaps name building numbers? Any input which is the best?

Here are my criteria for a good room.
1. Location close to food hall and pool
2. A quite location away from lifts etc.
3. Somewhere where its not too dark

Preferred room should be a pretty similar price to Pool View (varies slightly next year, but not by too much).

All four preferred buildings are nice and close to the main building, in the Alligator Bayou section (the buildings shown in blue in the map in the first post). There are no lifts in that section, so no worries there. I should request a "quiet area with a pleasant garden view" and that should cover your needs (i.e. avoid a parking lot view). Oh, and the upper floor would more likely be a bit quieter and maybe lighter (assuming you don't have any mobility issues of course). Asking for an outside-facing corner room is a way to get an extra window too, and hence more light.

You can confirm your booking tonight anyway, and worry about any requests later once you've had more time to think about it, as they don't really matter until a few days before you arrive.

Andre

 

[Goofy127]

We booked our vacation in March staying in Port Orleans French Quarter thru AAA. Our friends decided two weeks ago to book their trip but went thru Disney. They weren't able to link our reservations together. Is there anyway I can contact the hotel to see if they can put our rooms near one another? Any information would be helpful. Thank you

 

[lpizzuro123]

Sorry, no matter how nice they make the new lobby area - it will not be the same without Elliott Dyson playing there in the evenings. We will be staying there in November - but are so disapointed he will not be there .

Linda

 

[songkat]

I will be visiting again probably the end of January 2014, and kept going back and forth between an All Stars and POFQ. I've stayed at POR (and Dixie Landings) multiple times, and have eaten at POFQ, but never stayed there.

When I ran some prices, it seemed like POFQ is only roughly $300 more than All Stars. Its smaller size and (hopefully) freedom from big tour groups makes it very attractive. (Not to mention, beignets for breakfast... )

So, opinions? For those who have stayed there, is it similarly nice as staying at Riverside? Are there any downsides to staying here? I'm celebrating my 50th this trip, and wanted something nice, yet affordable.

Thanks for any input you may have.

PS - It's just two adult women, me and my sister - no kids.

 

[Nohal]

I ran the numbers and for me to stay at POFQ over ASMo for 8 nights is a difference of $800. I'm trying to justify the why I would spend that much more just to sleep. It is DH and me. I hope someone can convince me it is worth the extra money.

 

[andrewilley]

We booked our vacation in March staying in Port Orleans French Quarter thru AAA. Our friends decided two weeks ago to book their trip but went thru Disney. They weren't able to link our reservations together. Is there anyway I can contact the hotel to see if they can put our rooms near one another? Any information would be helpful. Thank you

Yeah, just get in touch with the resort (with both reservation numbers) and they should be able to sort you out. If you can't get them linked in advance, just send a fax 5 days before you're due to arrive for the room allocation team to make sure your rooms are nearby.

Andre

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I ran the numbers and for me to stay at POFQ over ASMo for 8 nights is a difference of $800. I'm trying to justify the why I would spend that much more just to sleep. It is DH and me. I hope someone can convince me it is worth the extra money.

This is very subjective, but I'll give it a try as we have done both value and CBR:

First, if you are on a budget and all you want is a place to sleep and you don't care about ambiance, pools, beautiful grounds, whirlpools, etc., than by all means don't pay the extra. I would always vote for fiscal responsibility and/or more days rather than nicer accomodations, but that is me.

That being said, POR and POFQ are amazing! Beautiful, recently refurbished, two great pools, hot tub/whirlpools, boats to DTD, carriage rides through the grounds. I stopped by earlier this year while visiting family to reconnoiter and decided this was the place for us in September. There is something that is impossible to assign a value about this pair or resorts. The beautiful resort is a part of the vacation and a wonderful contrast to a busy day in the parks. I vote go. But again, that is just me, it is subjective. You'll have a blast whatever you decide.