Resort Thread Disney's PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER Resort

[Doug S]

• 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!

Will the Freestyle machines be for the mugs or just individually purchased cups?

 

[JessietheNCCowgirl]

Wanted to give Andre a quick thank you for managing the POR threads and his website. We are just back from 9 wonderful nights at POFQ and I am homesick for it already. We received our room requests for a 3rd floor room in building 6 and had a view of the courtyard where the evening movies are shown. Our room was clean, quiet and housekeeping did a great job every day. We went to Disney Springs twice and had a great dinner at the Boathouse - will definitely visit there again. My family went to see Bob three times at Riverside, and Jason and Billy one evening (14 June) at Scat Cats - very entertaining. We watched the evening movie once in the Courtyard and was surprised that they now give out full size bags of Pop Secret popcorn (your choice of salted or buttered). Movies were relocated to the food court twice during the week due to weather (rain/thunderstorms).
We didn't get to try the new Beignet Sundae, but did order regular beignets, and as always found the food courts at both resorts (POR/FQ) to be excellent. Bus service was good (only one very squished/standing room only ride to Animal Kingdom one evening).
During this trip our family discussed how much we enjoy staying at the Port Orleans resorts - so much that we canceled the Grand Floridian reservation we had for August and booked the in-room bounceback offer for POFQ river view instead.
I know all the WDW resort themes appeal to different people, but to us there is just something very special about the PO resorts. It's such a calm respite away from the parks, the theming is gorgeous and what other resort can boast Ye Haa Bob? I'm so ready to go back in August (and can't wait to see the inside of Bonfamilles again!)

 

[hopelea]

DH and I are going for two nights in September. If we wanted to walk to Riversides food court, how long of a walk would it be? We are in no hurry, going to MNSSHP one night. Thinking a nice stroll would be romantic

 

[ncc1701]

DH and I are going for two nights in September. If we wanted to walk to Riversides food court, how long of a walk would it be? We are in no hurry, going to MNSSHP one night. Thinking a nice stroll would be romantic

It is romantic☺. We have stayed in all POFQ buildings except for #4. Depending on our walking speed & room location it was 10 to 20 minutes . We do it several times every trip to go to POR lounge, restaurants or the pool.

 

[Ndusmama]

DH and I are going for two nights in September. If we wanted to walk to Riversides food court, how long of a walk would it be? We are in no hurry, going to MNSSHP one night. Thinking a nice stroll would be romantic

It's about a mile depending on which building you are in. If you want to walk one way there is a golf art that picks up between the pool and the main building of POFQ I am not sure what building number at POR it stops at. I just know it's across bridge and then left I think two courtyards. Hopefully someone else knows building numbers.

 

[dawgfan]

Today is a big day. I will be calling after work to book a trip for next May. I will be taking my grandson and my daughter to see the mouse. He will be 5 in January. He spent the first two weeks of his life in the NICU. I made him a promise then that when he turned 5 we were going. He does not remember, but I do. My daughter and I discussed which resort for months and changed our minds multiple times. But our final was French Quarter due to we loved it there when we were there in 2010. We know he will love the splash area and the water slide.

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[andrewilley]

If we wanted to walk to Riversides food court, how long of a walk would it be?

Depends on where your room is located. To go from the food court door in the middle of FQ to the food court door at Riverside, the shortest walking distance is about 850 yards. From the very closest guest rooms (located at the end of FQ building 7) it's about 580 yards. So it could be as little as 6-7 minutes at a regular 3 mph walking speed if you don't get distracted along the way.

Andre

 

[Belleandtinker]

I spoke with someone from Disney today. (I sent an email regarding the closure of the food court earlier this week.) She told me that they will have a place to refill the rapid refill mugs and that the temporary location will have hot entrees, including hot breakfast items, lunch and dinner. She also stated that almost the full menu from the food court will be available to order. I feel much better about this after talking to her.

I've heard this same thing. Anyone else?

 

[chelynnah]

I've heard this same thing. Anyone else?

Yes. All is addressed by Andre earlier in the thread and highlighted in red in the first post on this thread in the current refurbishment section

 

[HollyMD]

Question- how late are the pools open in early Oct, and is it warm enough to still swim after the sun goes down?

 

[GWS]

Question- how late are the pools open in early Oct, and is it warm enough to still swim after the sun goes down?

Sorry I don't remember the times that the pools close at night but we have been to WDW 2 times during October and the weather is perfect and so are the pools. Yes still warm enough to enjoy the pools.

 

[HollyMD]

Thank you!! I want to make some pool time for the kids, but planning wise, it just fits better around 7ish!

 

[andrewilley]

Question- how late are the pools open in early Oct, and is it warm enough to still swim after the sun goes down?

Could still be 11pm, or might be back down to 10pm by then. And yes, swimming after dark is fine, it'll still be pretty warm.

Andre

 

[ArmyVet80]

We have 92 days until we (DW & I) take my 9 y/o niece and 4 y/o nephew to WDW for their first trip. It will be our 7th anniversary trip with 5 of those stays at POFQ too. We are a little bummed about the food court being closed but we don't mind walking to Riverside. We have planned some daily afternoon time at the resort so the kids can either get some pool time or take a nap.

 

[disdreams77]

Has anyone heard if Disney is offering folks a chance to move resorts if they would rather because of the food court being closed?

 

[andrewilley]

Has anyone heard if Disney is offering folks a chance to move resorts if they would rather because of the food court being closed?

You can always call them to move resorts (as long as you're booked direct with Disney), but you might lose any specific offers that were only available when you first booked. I really wouldn't worry too much though.

Andre

 

[Sydney2977]

I think the overall Mardi Gras theme will be staying, just the couple of large full-face masks which people found a bit creepy will be going.

Andre

DH will be so disappointed, hahaha... he loves this one!





I agree with them removing some of the large heads because to those who don't know what they represent they appear a bit scary- kind of like how some people feel about the clown at the Boardwalk pool.

 

[Tardisblue]

DH will be so disappointed, hahaha... he loves this one!

I agree with them removing some of the large heads because to those who don't know what they represent they appear a bit scary- kind of like how some people feel about the clown at the Boardwalk pool.

Right - he's regurgitating your soul back into the pool after metaphorically killing you.

 

[Luna81]

I think we settled on this resort for our first trip in May. So excited!

 

[jlundeen]

I agree with them removing some of the large heads because to those who don't know what they represent they appear a bit scary- kind of like how some people feel about the clown at the Boardwalk pool.

I try to not look at those big heads or the clown....creepy!