Everything but the kitchen sink!

[perfectscruggs]

We'll be checking into POR and are driving from Texas. Needless to say, we will have loads of stuff stashed in the car. Luggage, TV-VCR Combo, Cooler, Food, extra pillows, etc...

I've read that POR has many stairs and is a LARGE resort. My question is: is there help to lug all this into our room or do my son and hubby (lol) get much exercise? Do they have luggage dollys? I hate to leave the stuff in the van but I hate to ask for help.

Thanks.

 

[VickiVM]

Hi There fellow Texan!

We did the drive from San Antonio last fall and I know exactly what you mean. Fortunately for us we were at BCV and could take advantage of valet parking. We have, however, driven to POR and we were assigned a bldg. in the back next to parking so we were able to park practically outside our room. I believe the only people who get their luggage taken to their rooms are those who fly in without a car. If I'm wrong, someone correct me. Perhaps you can request a bell person and be ready to tip per bag.

 

[tar heel]

We travel with lots of stuff also and have stayed at PO-R a couple times. While the resort is large and spread out, there is parking at every building. The rooms have outside entrances. Alligator Bayou buildngs are two stories, so that's really not a lot of stairs. Mansions may be three (not sure). We always park as close to our room as possible, unload our stuff, then move the car under a tree. Even then, the car will not be far away. Often, we leave some stuff in the van and get it as we need it. A couple years ago, one of my boys went to the van to get something and left the sliding side door open. It was at least two days before we noticed it and nothing -- including a TV/VCR had been disturbed. The guy who came to recharge the battery was very nice, too.

Since many people arrive without cars, I'm sure you can also get bell services to unload your luggage if you really need the service.

 

[SamR]

POR is one of our favorite resorts, and we have stayed there a number of times. Yes, it is a bit spread out, but in general you are not likely to be too far from a parking lot.

As tar heel noted, AB buildings are two stories, so you will only have to deal with one flight of stairs if you end up there. The Magnolia Bend buildings are three stories, but they have elevators as well as stairs, so you can avoid the whole stair issue if you get a room there.

Lastly, if you don't mind a few bucks for tips, bell services will certainly assist you. On our last trip to POR (March, 2002), we had a van full of stuff plus three children to keep an eye on, so I asked for a bellman. He said "follow me in your car" and drove his cart to the parking lot nearest our room. We parked and then he loaded up a cart and proceeded to haul our stuff up to our room in one of the mansions at Magnolia Bend. He was a nice guy and really helped start our stay on a pleasant note.

 

[perfectscruggs]

Thanks so much for the info!!

I was under the impression that there was one central parking lot and you would have to lug your stuff to your rooms that were 10 minutes away (**grins sheepishly**).

I feel better knowing that you can park near the building and so do the men in my family (LOL).

Any tips on what building in POR - AB I could request? Would love to see the river but being near the bus depots are a plus as well. I'm sure this is already covered somewhere in the posts, so forgive my asking again.

Thanks!!!

 

[SamR]

I feel better knowing that you can park near the building ...

Of course, "near" is sometimes in the eye of the beholder (or in this case, the luggage hauler ). Depending on which AB building you are in, you may be able to park fairly close your building, or you may have to follow a lovely winding trail between other buildings to get to yours. Look at the following map:

Map of Port Orleans

You will notice that Sassagoula Circle is the road that circumnavigates the outside of POR. The parking areas are all off of Sassagoula Circle, with the buildings themselves further inside the circle. (The Alligator Bayou section is buildings 14 though 39.) So some buildings, like 15, 16, 17, and 24, are very close to parking, while others, like 26 and 27, are a bit of a hike.

Any tips on what building in POR - AB I could request? Would love to see the river but being near the bus depots are a plus as well.

I think that waterview rooms have a higher price, so if you booked a standard view, you probably will not have a view of the river unless you just happen to get a free upgrade (and I have no idea how likely that is). I think that buildings 14, 15, 16, & 18 are popular requests as they are near the main building (food court, store, etc), as well as the main bus stop.

Over on the Magnolia Bend side, Magnolia Terrace (building 85) is a good choice as it is near the main pool, very near the east bus depot, and is relatively close to the main building.

Of course, getting requested buildings is very hit or miss. You may have better luck by sticking to "near the main building", "close to a bus depot", etc. Also, there may be more choices available if you get there early in the day (and are willing to wait for a preferred room), as opposed to checking in late.

Good luck, and enjoy your stay at POR!