How best to visit POR

[Rock'n Robin]

I would like to show DH what POR looks like on our upcoming trip. I would like to get a bus from one of the parks to POR, look around, then get a bus back to that park (we don't have hoppers). The other option is to take the boat from POR to DD, then get a bus back to our hotel.
Which park (of MGM, MK, Epcot) would be best for this? And is there another way to check out the resort without a car? How long would it take?
Robin M.

 

[Piglet42]

MGM and Epcot are closest to POR, but it really should depend on what you are doing that day and when you can fit it in your schedule.
As far as taking a boat to DD, the boat ride is great, especially if you haven't done it before. I love looking at the Treehouse Villas. If it is in the evening, coming up on DD with all the lights on is a great picture opportunity. The only problem you would run across, is DD can get very busy in the evening. Depending on what resort you are staying at, you may end up waiting for a bus and it could be very crowded. However, if you plan on going to DD anyway, why not do it on the same night you can enjoy the scenery of POR.

 

[DAniece]

I would like to show DH what POR looks like on our upcoming trip. I would like to get a bus from one of the parks to POR, look around, then get a bus back to that park (we don't have hoppers). The other option is to take the boat from POR to DD, then get a bus back to our hotel.
Which park (of MGM, MK, Epcot) would be best for this? And is there another way to check out the resort without a car? How long would it take?
Robin M.

I'd suggest trying it from MGM or Epcot (MGM would be my #1 choice: 2 reasons... there's less "traveling" from MGM to Port Orleans due to the way roads etc are laid out, AND to us, MGM doesn't have as much to do in the afternoon as Epcot).

I'd encourage you to not do the boat -- 2 reasons again -- during busier times, we've had to wait through a "cycle" to get on a boat to go to DTD from POFQ (might be easier from POR though), AND the boat ride seems to me to take longer than the bus ride back to MGM would take

Just my opinions based on 8 or 9 stays at Port Orleans,
EG

 

[magicmouse2]

You can rent a water mouse from OKW and go up the Sassagoula. Or what about going to POR for dinner or breakfast at BOATWRIGHTS.

 

[helenabear]

I'd suggest doing it from MGM. Epcot to me always seems to have a lot of people in line waiting no matter when you go back. Not sure why either. I'd skip the idea of doing a boat because during some parts of the day, they do not run very frequently at all. If you happen to be at DtD take the bus. Though I admit I like the relaxation of the boat ride myself at times.

I second the idea of going to Boatwrights. We had a great dinner there a few years ago

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I saw a sign at POR last week saying that boat service to DTD doesn't begin until 11 am. Until 3 pm, the boats run every 20 minutes. After that, the boats run more frequently. Older ds rode the bus to and from DTD a number of times during our recent 9-day stay there. He reports that the buses ran very frequently throughout the day. He never had to wait more than a couple of minutes for a bus.