Well...just returned from our trip to POFQ and the World! It was an interesting trip and I will share some of the highlights (and lowlights) of our adventure...
Tis was a trip for the boys, me and two 17-year old and 1 18-year old boys. My son will be a senior as well as his two buddies. I wanted to do a big trip next year, but I started thinking that after he graduates next year he may have other plans...
I booked my trip through AAA> I usually book all trips through the internet or on my own, but gave AAA a try because I wanted two rooms and they actually offered the best rate for the type of package I wanted.
The Lowlights
When we arrived at the resort The reservations were screwed up. Let me say up front that part of this is how the trip was booked through AAA. In some respects Disney's mouse hands were tied. The kids were shown in my room and one of the kids (the 18 year old) was in a room alone. Add to that I requested connesting rooms, but was given adjacent rooms. At frist we were in different levels, but was able to get them to change it to righ around the corner.
An additional problem we had was in order for the kids to have proper access we would have had to play a key game, meaning that one of us would have had to use anothers keys so everyone could be where they needed to be. I did not like the idea of playing that game especially if one of us had to prove who we were. It just did not feel right, but the CM said he could not provide any other solution. I was not happy but kept my cool. Then it dawn on me to ask if we could have an extra key for each room. That way we could have an extra key each and work around the system. Sounds confusing I know, but what else could I do?
When we made it to the room I encountered another surprise...they were SMOKING ROOMS! MAN o MAN! You could smell the stench the second you opened the door. Mind you I am a former smoker and if you choose to do it fine, but I never could smoke in my house and especially where I sleep! was no happy, but I had to live with it until I could reach the rep at AAA to try to work it out.
The next day (to make a long story short) I reached the AAA rep he in turn contacted Disney and after two nights in the smoking room we were moved to connecting rooms. and they were non smoking! YESSS!
We had one other problem (then I will move to the more positive experiences of our trip...Once the rooms were reassigned the dinign plan was screwed up...meaning that we did nto have combined meal creditis. I had some and the other room had some. I learned pretty quick that I had to keep track of who paid for what and also what was left on each. I do nto blame Diseny for this. It was the way the trip was booked. Now with that said would I use a service like AAA again? Maybe if the price was right, but I now know to pay closer attention to how the trip is booked...
ok enough griping...
Port Orleans French Quarter
I read a lot about this resort on this board before the trip. I have stayed at a few of the properties. I think the last time was the Contemporary.Concierge. (which was great) I also have stayed at one other moderate, Coronado Springs. I was not sure how I would like the theme of POFQ. Here is my take on the "joint"... I LOVED IT! It was laid back yes, but there is a charm about it that I really liked. I also liked the river. I liked the trees (they were cuting some down as we left today.hmmmm) I liked the streets the room was nice and the A/C worked like nobody's business...You could hang meat in there! I loved strolling along the banks in the evening. Sometimes I would sit on the bench and watch the boats go by. I like a lot of activity, but there was something about that place that I liked a lot. In fact I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.
The CM's were hit or miss...Most were just fine, but if you got one that was not up to snuff that was a bad time... I give the CM's an overall grade of "B". They could easily get an "A" if they change a few things. (very minor stuff)
My room was clean and housekeeping did a good job (no towel animals). I tipped daily (both rooms...even the smoking ones)
I walked to Port Orlaens a couple of times. It was a nice looking resort. I did nto walk to the side where the rooms were only to the main building and food court. Some have reported that the walk is 15 minutes. I found it to be about 10, but I am a tall guy with no young kids so that may have made the difference.
Disney Dining
We did the meal plan ( sorry the name is escapng me at the moment) The one with 1 snack, Table Service & Counter Service. My take on it is that it is worth the money. It is a lot of food. So choose wisely. Three of us can power down food, the other eats like a bird (he will probably live to be 300 years old). By the end of the week we had enough food. I will have to do a food detox to get rid of the cravings I have developed after the week. Let's see...the food highlights... Le Cellier, (WOW!) found that by accident...Got a reservation by accident too. It was late and we were starved, but it was worth the wait! I hughly recommend it (I hope you get "Char" as a server...she was fantastic!) Great food! I also used the dinign experience to teach the "boys" that there are other was to eat other than using your feet! Hmmm. Boma! WOW! Went there for dinner and folks on this board mentioned that some of the dishes were daring, and some were a little (coconut chicken soup delicious) curry in several dishes, but you know what? It was a wonderful dining experience. I also got the see the Animal Kingdom resort. WOW! What a lobby...(maybe next trip?) I can only imagine what the rooms must look like. Boma was so good that We went there again for breakfast before we left today. Again, it was great! We also did the Crystal Palace. good...My only waste was the Hollywood & Vine Diner. What a waste of a table service! (just my opinion, ok? Please don't hunt me down...
) The food had no imagination at all. I realize it is designed to be all american faire, but give me a break! All of the counter service meals were fine. They were what the were...
The Parks
Went to all the parks. All were fine. It was hot a humid. My son and I have visited many times. One of the kids (we are from California) had a little trouble adjusting, but after a couple of days he was ok. I will mention one park specifically...Animal Kingdom. I visited that park when it first opened. I was not impressed. It was just ok. I was encouraged by members of this board to give it another try..so we did. I went twice. I noticed a couple of things. One it has grown out a lot. Meaning the plants are taking shape. I liked the par. I think it still need work. I can think of a couple of things they could do but it is growing nicely, but it is still lacking. I believe there is a lot of hope for this park and I have not given up on it yet. I look forward to going again.
Last Note
I have to admit that I did something for the first time. I went to "La Nouba". I have wanted to go before and I have seen many of the Cirque Shows, but for one reason or another I had not made it. Well, this time I made reservations and paid for the tickets so I would be locked in. My son is a musician and fell in love with one of the pieces that someone had given him to play on sax. When We saw the show all I can say is FANTASTIC! what a great "friggin" show! (can I use that word here?) I mean it was just supe from beginning to end. WORTH EVER DIME! I brought my customary magnet and the CD for my son. Yes, it was a great show!
I could go on and on, but I will say we had a good time. I would recommend POFQ and the meal plan to anyone, and Le Ceillier, BOMA and La Nouba to everyone!
Tis was a trip for the boys, me and two 17-year old and 1 18-year old boys. My son will be a senior as well as his two buddies. I wanted to do a big trip next year, but I started thinking that after he graduates next year he may have other plans...
I booked my trip through AAA> I usually book all trips through the internet or on my own, but gave AAA a try because I wanted two rooms and they actually offered the best rate for the type of package I wanted.
The Lowlights
When we arrived at the resort The reservations were screwed up. Let me say up front that part of this is how the trip was booked through AAA. In some respects Disney's mouse hands were tied. The kids were shown in my room and one of the kids (the 18 year old) was in a room alone. Add to that I requested connesting rooms, but was given adjacent rooms. At frist we were in different levels, but was able to get them to change it to righ around the corner.
An additional problem we had was in order for the kids to have proper access we would have had to play a key game, meaning that one of us would have had to use anothers keys so everyone could be where they needed to be. I did not like the idea of playing that game especially if one of us had to prove who we were. It just did not feel right, but the CM said he could not provide any other solution. I was not happy but kept my cool. Then it dawn on me to ask if we could have an extra key for each room. That way we could have an extra key each and work around the system. Sounds confusing I know, but what else could I do?
When we made it to the room I encountered another surprise...they were SMOKING ROOMS! MAN o MAN! You could smell the stench the second you opened the door. Mind you I am a former smoker and if you choose to do it fine, but I never could smoke in my house and especially where I sleep! was no happy, but I had to live with it until I could reach the rep at AAA to try to work it out.
The next day (to make a long story short) I reached the AAA rep he in turn contacted Disney and after two nights in the smoking room we were moved to connecting rooms. and they were non smoking! YESSS!
We had one other problem (then I will move to the more positive experiences of our trip...Once the rooms were reassigned the dinign plan was screwed up...meaning that we did nto have combined meal creditis. I had some and the other room had some. I learned pretty quick that I had to keep track of who paid for what and also what was left on each. I do nto blame Diseny for this. It was the way the trip was booked. Now with that said would I use a service like AAA again? Maybe if the price was right, but I now know to pay closer attention to how the trip is booked...
ok enough griping...
Port Orleans French Quarter
I read a lot about this resort on this board before the trip. I have stayed at a few of the properties. I think the last time was the Contemporary.Concierge. (which was great) I also have stayed at one other moderate, Coronado Springs. I was not sure how I would like the theme of POFQ. Here is my take on the "joint"... I LOVED IT! It was laid back yes, but there is a charm about it that I really liked. I also liked the river. I liked the trees (they were cuting some down as we left today.hmmmm) I liked the streets the room was nice and the A/C worked like nobody's business...You could hang meat in there! I loved strolling along the banks in the evening. Sometimes I would sit on the bench and watch the boats go by. I like a lot of activity, but there was something about that place that I liked a lot. In fact I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.
The CM's were hit or miss...Most were just fine, but if you got one that was not up to snuff that was a bad time... I give the CM's an overall grade of "B". They could easily get an "A" if they change a few things. (very minor stuff)
My room was clean and housekeeping did a good job (no towel animals). I tipped daily (both rooms...even the smoking ones)
I walked to Port Orlaens a couple of times. It was a nice looking resort. I did nto walk to the side where the rooms were only to the main building and food court. Some have reported that the walk is 15 minutes. I found it to be about 10, but I am a tall guy with no young kids so that may have made the difference.
Disney Dining
We did the meal plan ( sorry the name is escapng me at the moment) The one with 1 snack, Table Service & Counter Service. My take on it is that it is worth the money. It is a lot of food. So choose wisely. Three of us can power down food, the other eats like a bird (he will probably live to be 300 years old). By the end of the week we had enough food. I will have to do a food detox to get rid of the cravings I have developed after the week. Let's see...the food highlights... Le Cellier, (WOW!) found that by accident...Got a reservation by accident too. It was late and we were starved, but it was worth the wait! I hughly recommend it (I hope you get "Char" as a server...she was fantastic!) Great food! I also used the dinign experience to teach the "boys" that there are other was to eat other than using your feet! Hmmm. Boma! WOW! Went there for dinner and folks on this board mentioned that some of the dishes were daring, and some were a little (coconut chicken soup delicious) curry in several dishes, but you know what? It was a wonderful dining experience. I also got the see the Animal Kingdom resort. WOW! What a lobby...(maybe next trip?) I can only imagine what the rooms must look like. Boma was so good that We went there again for breakfast before we left today. Again, it was great! We also did the Crystal Palace. good...My only waste was the Hollywood & Vine Diner. What a waste of a table service! (just my opinion, ok? Please don't hunt me down...
) The food had no imagination at all. I realize it is designed to be all american faire, but give me a break! All of the counter service meals were fine. They were what the were...The Parks
Went to all the parks. All were fine. It was hot a humid. My son and I have visited many times. One of the kids (we are from California) had a little trouble adjusting, but after a couple of days he was ok. I will mention one park specifically...Animal Kingdom. I visited that park when it first opened. I was not impressed. It was just ok. I was encouraged by members of this board to give it another try..so we did. I went twice. I noticed a couple of things. One it has grown out a lot. Meaning the plants are taking shape. I liked the par. I think it still need work. I can think of a couple of things they could do but it is growing nicely, but it is still lacking. I believe there is a lot of hope for this park and I have not given up on it yet. I look forward to going again.
Last Note
I have to admit that I did something for the first time. I went to "La Nouba". I have wanted to go before and I have seen many of the Cirque Shows, but for one reason or another I had not made it. Well, this time I made reservations and paid for the tickets so I would be locked in. My son is a musician and fell in love with one of the pieces that someone had given him to play on sax. When We saw the show all I can say is FANTASTIC! what a great "friggin" show! (can I use that word here?) I mean it was just supe from beginning to end. WORTH EVER DIME! I brought my customary magnet and the CD for my son. Yes, it was a great show!
I could go on and on, but I will say we had a good time. I would recommend POFQ and the meal plan to anyone, and Le Ceillier, BOMA and La Nouba to everyone!
