Port Orleans French Quarter Q&A Thread, New for 2012 (Read first posts for FAQs)

[middlesista]

Originally Posted by Sundancer UK

It will be me and my husband plus our 4 children and baby. We're going to need connecting rooms and that's the one question I've not seen come up in this thread so far!
How do I go about it? And how likely is it that we'll get it?
Ideally I'd like a room that we can see the pool from, so I can let my bigger children go swim but still keep an eye on them - I'd have to pay more for this wouldn't I? Not sure I can so might have to go without that.

Hi Sundancer - we requested a connecting room when we made our reservations and then called a week or so before and explained reasons for this and they were very accomodating. Make it clear that it is connecting room that you need and not adjoining. We were helping our daughter and husband w/caring for granddaughter on our last trip to WDW. For next trip we are planning there will be two granddaughters. The older would have just turned 5 and the other will be a 1 1/2. We made connecting rooms our priority request. Just let them know when you make your reservation the reasons you need the connecting room and follow-up with a call just before. We were advised not to make too many requests nor to call too often to become a nuisance.

[momof2twinboys]

We spent 10 days there in October in building 2 facing the pool - we could see the pool but we weren't right across from it. There is a lot of landscaping that might make it difficult to see the kids at the pool.

Building 2 was also where the boat for DTD departed from. It was close to the playground and just a short walk to the food court.

We had a first lost tooth while there and I asked it they did anything "special" - they put an extra photopass folder in the room with Mickey's autographed photo open and some balloons. I purchased Disney dollars for the tooth fairy to leave.

We got the Mickey towel and 3 others that we brought home.

My kids had turned 7 three days before our trip so I had them decorate the tip envelopes - they were quite creative considering they had never been before and only watched the parks dvd twice. I wish I had taken a photo of the envelopes when they finished them.

We decorated our room with purple, orange and green lights I found out for Halloween (perfect colors for the resort theme) and I used Halloween Disney window clings from Walmart. Dh thought I was crazy but he never once had to double check which room was ours and the boys could easily find it when they went exploring around our building.

[andrewilley]

Originally Posted by Sundancer UK

It will be me and my husband plus our 4 children and baby. We're going to need connecting rooms and that's the one question I've not seen come up in this thread so far!
How do I go about it? And how likely is it that we'll get it?

If your booking has one of the rooms containing unaccompanied minors, then you should definitely have your request for connecting rooms granted. Don't worry about it.

Pool View rooms are on the second and third floors of buildings 2 and 5. The similar ground floor rooms have a fence and vegetation obscuring the view of the pool, so they come under the Garden View category and wouldn't help you - but from the upper two floors you get a great view of the pool:



The free dining plan offer is different for UK visitors, and it is available for much longer periods than for direct-US bookings. There are no guarantees that the same offers will roll over into the next year though.

Andre

[middlesista]

Originally Posted by momof2twinboys

We spent 10 days there in October in building 2 facing the pool - we could see the pool but we weren't right across from it. There is a lot of landscaping that might make it difficult to see the kids at the pool.

Building 2 was also where the boat for DTD departed from. It was close to the playground and just a short walk to the food court.

We had a first lost tooth while there and I asked it they did anything "special" - they put an extra photopass folder in the room with Mickey's autographed photo open and some balloons. I purchased Disney dollars for the tooth fairy to leave.

We got the Mickey towel and 3 others that we brought home.

My kids had turned 7 three days before our trip so I had them decorate the tip envelopes - they were quite creative considering they had never been before and only watched the parks dvd twice. I wish I had taken a photo of the envelopes when they finished them.

We decorated our room with purple, orange and green lights I found out for Halloween (perfect colors for the resort theme) and I used Halloween Disney window clings from Walmart. Dh thought I was crazy but he never once had to double check which room was ours and the boys could easily find it when they went exploring around our building.

Love, LOVE to see the decorations that folks put in their windows!!

[kddisney502]

Originally Posted by middlesista

We stayed in Building 4 also but noted that it seemed a "designated smoking" area was right outside the food court and although we did not stay on that side of Building 4 we wondered if for those rooms closest to that area if it was a problem?

We stayed in building 4. We were on the 2nd floor near a smoking area. We thought it was fine. The smoking area is in the center of the courtyard so you shouldn't have a problem walking near the rooms. We were there a week and I only saw one person use the smoking area. I didn't even know it was a smoking area until we saw the one person.

[Sue M]

Originally Posted by middlesista

We stayed in Building 4 also but noted that it seemed a "designated smoking" area was right outside the food court and although we did not stay on that side of Building 4 we wondered if for those rooms closest to that area if it was a problem?

No, it wasn't a problem at all. The smoke area was far enough away that it didn't drift up to our room area. We were on top floor. It is too bad they chose to put the smoking area right in front of the food court doors though. Don't really understand that planning. However, there wasn't many people smoking there.

[mom2taylorandemily]

Originally Posted by Sue M

No, it wasn't a problem at all. The smoke area was far enough away that it didn't drift up to our room area. We were on top floor. It is too bad they chose to put the smoking area right in front of the food court doors though. Don't really understand that planning. However, there wasn't many people smoking there.

I agree with it being POOR Planning! We stayed there a couple of years ago in Dec. and in the morning, it seemed to be the worst. There were plenty of smokers out there, and on many days it rained in the morning, so that kind of made it worse. The smoke seemed to just hang at the overhangs so, you had to walk thru it to get into the food court. And let me tell you, for a family of non-smokers (me being a reformed smoker), it was very gross and choking, and could have easily tossed a stomach before breakfast. I do wish they'd reconsider those spots. I realize its so people don't get wet and that they have a place to sit, but they could choose one side or the other, but not both!!! Come on Disney, think about us non-smokers too.

[andrewilley]

Originally Posted by mom2taylorandemily

I realize its so people don't get wet and that they have a place to sit, but they could choose one side or the other, but not both!!! Come on Disney, think about us non-smokers too.

I guess there are many non-smokers out there who might agree with you - if people want to smoke that badly, surely they won't mind getting a bit wet?

It does sometimes seem that all the nicest peaceful, relaxing places to sit have been taken over by the devotees of the demon weed.

Andre

[pwdebbie]

Originally Posted by andrewilley

I guess there are many non-smokers out there who might agree with you - if people want to smoke that badly, surely they won't mind getting a bit wet?

It does sometimes seem that all the nicest peaceful, relaxing places to sit have been taken over by the devotees of the demon weed.

Andre

I agree 100%, Andre. My dh has lung problems and we are very aware of the seeming overabundance of the DSAs. It felt like we had very few areas where we could go.

[Pixiedust34]

Just bought our Sept. airfare and are getting so excited!

[middlesista]

Originally Posted by andrewilley

I guess there are many non-smokers out there who might agree with you - if people want to smoke that badly, surely they won't mind getting a bit wet?

It does sometimes seem that all the nicest peaceful, relaxing places to sit have been taken over by the devotees of the demon weed.

Andre

Since we were on the other side of Building 4 we only noted this when we walked to the food court but was curious if the rooms closer to the smoking area would be affected - glad to hear it did not seem to be a problem and thanks to folks for answering my question. With that said - I do agree that the location of the smoking area could be better thought out.

Thanks...

[taylor3297]

Whoohoo! I just booked a friend and I for March 16-19. This wasn't even a planned trip. My friend called me and said she had a meeting in Orlando on Monday, March 17 and wanted to know if I wanted to go. So we are going a couple days early and stay one day later.

I am so excited.

[DisneyMOM09]

Well it's official.... we are booked at POFQ for our October trip! I am a little nervous because we have always stayed at the Coronado Springs and I know this will be a different experience. I am excited to try a new resort, but a little worried that I won't love it as much as I love CSprings! I am really looking forward to taking the boat to downtown disney on our arrival day.

[Sue M]

Originally Posted by andrewilley

I guess there are many non-smokers out there who might agree with you - if people want to smoke that badly, surely they won't mind getting a bit wet?

It does sometimes seem that all the nicest peaceful, relaxing places to sit have been taken over by the devotees of the demon weed.

Andre

How true. I was a bit surprised with all the smoking areas they had. I was a bit concerned at first that our corner room was so close to the food court smoking area, but happily the smoke didn't seem to drift up to us.

Also surprised at how many choose to ignore smoking rules, and smoked anywhere, incl hot tub area

One woman always smoked directly under our room walkway in 2nd floor. That did drift up and I told front desk. Seemed to put an end to it.

[middlesista]

Originally Posted by DisneyMOM09

Well it's official.... we are booked at POFQ for our October trip! I am a little nervous because we have always stayed at the Coronado Springs and I know this will be a different experience. I am excited to try a new resort, but a little worried that I won't love it as much as I love CSprings! I am really looking forward to taking the boat to downtown disney on our arrival day.

The boat taxi to DTD was how we started our vacation last year - you will enjoy!!