Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER Resort

[fairytalelover]

Do you not read the news posts on my site? http://www.portorleans.org/news.php?first=140616

This is how it looked last Christmas when it was specially re-opened (as table service) for the festive period:

Andre

will it be set up like that again for the Christmas season?

 

[andrewilley]

I was wondering if there was anything recently taken?

That shot was taken six months ago, during the 10 days over Xmas that it was open to the public. Since then it has been closed, and they are refitting it ready for when the food court goes into refurbishment, so we'll have to see what they've done when it opens on 11 July.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

will it be set up like that again for the Christmas season?

We'll tell you at Christmas.

There was no advanced notice at all last year, it just opened one day and that was the first anyone outside of Disney knew about it. (There was no pre-booking)

Andre

 

[fairytalelover]

We'll tell you at Christmas.

There was no advanced notice at all last year, it just opened one day and that was the first anyone outside of Disney knew about it. (There was no pre-booking)

Andre

do you remember about when it opened up last year? Just wondering since we will be there Nov 29-Dec10

 

[Bellestreak]

I think it should definitely be done by then, I'm guessing at sometime early/mid October, but I have nothing official (or unofficial) to back that up.

Andre

We received the email for our stay Oct 16-30. I guess there is a chance it's ending during our stay, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[plumsiren]

If we didn't receive an email does that mean that this wont coincide with our stay? We are arriving Nov 29th.

We arrive the day before you do! Hi future neighbor!

 

[fairytalelover]

We arrive the day before you do! Hi future neighbor!

 

[andrewilley]

do you remember about when it opened up last year? Just wondering since we will be there Nov 29-Dec10

It was open December 21-30, literally just for the Christmas week. Maybe if they do it again they might be able to plan a little longer?

Or who knows, maybe they might even open it up again permanently? I do know they want to do something with that space, I'm just not sure they feel there is a high enough demand for a permanent table-service location at FQ.

Andre

 

[Ladyfish77]

hmmm, so do you think they will have limited seating or do you see other areas where they could put the tables to provide seating? I think that would be a big issue here.

 

[andrewilley]

I can't answer the seating questions yet (I assume there will be some over-spill into the Scat Cat's Club area too) but I can confirm a few things that people have been asking:

1) Yes, you will definitely be able to use your refillable mugs (they are part of the Dining Plan after all, there would be a LOT of complaints if refills were not available).
2) Yes, beignets & dipping sauce will be available.
3) Yes, hot breakfasts will be available in the morning just like normal.
4) The menu will be very similar to what you can get at present, although the exact details have not been finalised as yet so I can't be too specific. Suffice to say that staples such as Mickey Waffles, Bounty Platters, French Toast, Pancakes, etc should be available at breakfast time, and for lunch/dinner there will be things like Jambalaya, Po'Boys, burgers, chicken sandwiches, pizzas, baked potatoes, gumbo/soup, roast salmon, etc. As usual, the dinner menu will include a few extra items not available at lunchtime. I'm not sure whether make-your-own items will be available, but as I said the menu is still to be finalised.
5) The Grab & Go range may even be extended to include bakery items, sandwiches, muffeletta, etc.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

A few more answers to some of the other questions about the FQ food court refurb:

• Tables in Wonderland will continue to be accepted at the temporary location at FQ, but it won't be accepted at the Riverside Mill (even though that may act as an overspill location).
• The best information on the end date for the refurbishment at the moment is that it will definitely be done before Thanksgiving, but how much before then is not certain.
• The extra transportation between FQ and Riverside will probably take the form of a minibus/van transfer shuttle, but it will be based on what the actual level of demand turns out to be.
• Evening entertainment at Scat Cat's Club at French Quarter will continue as normal (which currently means the excellent Jason and Billy from Off Kilter).
• A few little hints on what to expect from the refurb: some of the 'scarier' giant face masks will be removed, but other parade icons will remain to maintain the theming. The overall design will be remodeled slightly, with new paint, flooring, equipment, etc. I also gather that after the refit the drinks fountain area may include the new Coca Cola "Freestyle" machines, which I think is great news!

Andre

 

[chelynnah]

Coke freestyle machine! Heck yes!!

 

[1983DisneyFanatic]

As much as I like the coke freestyle machines, I dislike the lines they make. between people taking too long to look through the choices and make a decision and people who don't know how to work the machines, it makes for a longer wait. I have been wanting to stay at French Quarter for a while and I have it booked for our October trip, but I think I will be switching in the hopes of staying here on the next trip after the refurbishment is done.

 

[Tardisblue]

As much as I like the coke freestyle machines, I dislike the lines they make. between people taking too long to look through the choices and make a decision and people who don't know how to work the machines, it makes for a longer wait. I have been wanting to stay at French Quarter for a while and I have it booked for our October trip, but I think I will be switching in the hopes of staying here on the next trip after the refurbishment is done.

Exactly this. They are cool in theory but honestly provide too many options and create a log jam. They have these at the Cabana Bay Resort at Universal and one was broken down the entirety of our 4 night stay there. I'm not sure who drinks diet Mr. Pibb with orange flavoring, but I'm sure there's somebody out there you have to appeal to.

 

[highlander357]

If I may ask a different question, I am arriving next Wednesday. My flight lands at 9:00am. I suspect with Magical Express I would be at the resort by 10:30am. Are the rooms ever available that early? I did the online check in thing. We have a garden view, and I am requesting an upper floor. I was just wondering what others have experienced. Thanks.

 

[Evansvillegirl26]

If I may ask a different question, I am arriving next Wednesday. My flight lands at 9:00am. I suspect with Magical Express I would be at the resort by 10:30am. Are the rooms ever available that early? I did the online check in thing. We have a garden view, and I am requesting an upper floor. I was just wondering what others have experienced. Thanks.

When you check in online you can pick your options but they will also give ask you which is more important, to have your options met or to have your room ready sooner. So yes sometimes rooms are ready that early. But you have to be ok with maybe not getting exactly what you want. A few years ago though we checked into our Grand Floridian room at like 8am!!!! It was awesome.

 

[plumsiren]

A few little hints on what to expect from the refurb: some of the 'scarier' giant face masks will be removed, but other parade icons will remain to maintain the theming. The overall design will be remodeled slightly, with new paint, flooring, equipment, etc. I also gather that after the refit the drinks fountain area may include the new Coca Cola "Freestyle" machines, which I think is great news!
Andre

The removal of those giant heads would have me jumping for joy! I hope that happens!!

 

[ncc1701]

If I may ask a different question, I am arriving next Wednesday. My flight lands at 9:00am. I suspect with Magical Express I would be at the resort by 10:30am. Are the rooms ever available that early? I did the online check in thing. We have a garden view, and I am requesting an upper floor. I was just wondering what others have experienced. Thanks.

We had about 50/50 in our visits usually arriving before noon. Since online checkin I always put room available as our 1st choice.

 

[ncc1701]

Glad to hear about the freestyle Coke machine. I prefer regular lemonade over the pomegranate flavor. Now I can make "Arnold Palmer's" to drink .

 

[jlundeen]

A few more answers to some of the other questions about the FQ food court refurb:

• Tables in Wonderland will continue to be accepted at the temporary location at FQ, but it won't be accepted at the Riverside Mill (even though that may act as an overspill location).
• The best information on the end date for the refurbishment at the moment is that it will definitely be done before Thanksgiving, but how much before then is not certain.
• The extra transportation between FQ and Riverside will probably take the form of a minibus/van transfer shuttle, but it will be based on what the actual level of demand turns out to be.
• Evening entertainment at Scat Cat's Club at French Quarter will continue as normal (which currently means the excellent Jason and Billy from Off Kilter).
• A few little hints on what to expect from the refurb: some of the 'scarier' giant face masks will be removed, but other parade icons will remain to maintain the theming. The overall design will be remodeled slightly, with new paint, flooring, equipment, etc. I also gather that after the refit the drinks fountain area may include the new Coca Cola "Freestyle" machines, which I think is great news!

Andre

Thanks for the update, Andre!