It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[Lovemy3babes]

Building 15 was great for our family of 5. close to the bus stop, old man river and the lobby-building 14 would be good too

Thank you!!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I have another thread going trying to decide between POR and the Swan for the 5 of us--the kids are 9,12,and 15. The 9 year old will fit in the trundle as he is short for his age. But I am getting feedback that the Swan would be much better for us. Do you think POR would be too small for my family?
Robin M.

 

[jenr812]

I have another thread going trying to decide between POR and the Swan for the 5 of us--the kids are 9,12,and 15. The 9 year old will fit in the trundle as he is short for his age. But I am getting feedback that the Swan would be much better for us. Do you think POR would be too small for my family?
Robin M.

Well I've never stayed at the Swan, but I guess it just depends on your personal preference. We didn't feel crowded when we stayed at POR, but we weren't in our room for anything other than sleeping, showering, getting ready, etc. We weren't there hanging out. If we had to spend any extended period of time in our room, I imagine it would feel crowded. But I think that would happen with 5 people in any sized room, unless it was a suite. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful

 

[magicmom99]

I have another thread going trying to decide between POR and the Swan for the 5 of us--the kids are 9,12,and 15. The 9 year old will fit in the trundle as he is short for his age. But I am getting feedback that the Swan would be much better for us. Do you think POR would be too small for my family?
Robin M.

We stayed at POR with 5 in the room and didn't feel crowded. The large bathroom area with the double sinks really helped. My kids are a little younger, but my 9 year old slept on the trundle with no problem and his is an average size kid. I've never stayed at the Swan either, but we did fine in POR and I would stay there again.

 

[daver]

I have another thread going trying to decide between POR and the Swan for the 5 of us--the kids are 9,12,and 15. The 9 year old will fit in the trundle as he is short for his age. But I am getting feedback that the Swan would be much better for us. Do you think POR would be too small for my family?
Robin M.

Our 14 year old slept in the trundle bed last year with not much trouble... frankly, we didnt do much in the room except sleep. It depends on what you like I guess. It is small but manageable.

 

[daver]

Hi

We just booked for 2/10-2/12~Have never stayed at POR, any suggestions for what building to request. We are usually at the parks most of the time and will probably hang out at Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island at night.

I have read that there is a boat to Downtown which is great, anyone know how late it runs or should we hop on the bus for the ride back at night. Also, we don't have kids with us, so what I think we need is something close to boat/bus and food.

Thanks!

Jeannie

Best building in my opinion is bldg#14 in the front closest to the main bldg. You are a 2 min walk to the dining area, a 4 minute walk to the main pool, and about 4 minutes to the bus depot through the parking lot. Also if you have kids, ask for a ground floor room. You do NOT want to have to carry passed out kids up a flight of stairs at 11:00pm every night. (lesson learned)

 

[Nicole786]

I'm booked for the POR March 1st and i absolutely can not wait!! this is our first time staying inside disney after years of park experience

I searched through the threads all night but couldn't find a consistent answer on the bus situation. Are travel times bad? Not counting wait times, how long would you say it took to get from POR to MK or Epcot? thanks!

 

[popinl]

We've got ADR for Crystal Palace at 8:05 on March 11th. I have read that there is an early bus for people heading to MK for Character Breakfasts, anyone have any experience getting from POR to MK for a character breakfast. What time should I be catching the bus...anyone know when it starts running?

 

[jenr812]

We've got ADR for Crystal Palace at 8:05 on March 11th. I have read that there is an early bus for people heading to MK for Character Breakfasts, anyone have any experience getting from POR to MK for a character breakfast. What time should I be catching the bus...anyone know when it starts running?

I cannot remember exactly what time the early bus is, but we did use it a few times - once for an 8:05 at CP, like you. We got to the park in plenty of time. You can ask the drivers or the CM in the lobby what time to be outside. HTH!

 

[jenr812]

I'm booked for the POR March 1st and i absolutely can not wait!! this is our first time staying inside disney after years of park experience

I searched through the threads all night but couldn't find a consistent answer on the bus situation. Are travel times bad? Not counting wait times, how long would you say it took to get from POR to MK or Epcot? thanks!

I can't remember Sorry! Hopefully someone else can help. Maybe make a general post on the resort forum asking people who are just returning?

ETA:
Here is some info from the UOG:
POR to MK: 19-39 min
POR to Epcot: 15-35 min
POR to MGM: 17-37 min
POR to AK: 25-43 min
POR to TL: 16-36 min
POR to DTD: 24-44 min
POR to BB: 37-57 min

Buses typically begin service to the parks at 7am when the official opening time is 9am. They generally run every 20 min. HTH!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

My DH and I will be at POR from 12/21/07-1/1/08. It will be our third trip to WDW, but first to POR. I am so glad to see this thread.

Any tips for us? It's just my husband and me and not only will we be there for the holidays, but also to celebrate our 8th anniversary. Has anyone ever celebrated an anniversary during your stay? Do they do anything special when you mention it to the front desk or reservationist?

We went on the carriage ride at POR. Check out allearsnet.com for all the details. It was only $35 for a 25 minute ride around the resort. It was wonderful. Have a great time!

 

[JoBird]

Sorry,
I posted this on the wrong thread!

 

[Flexan]

I have another thread going trying to decide between POR and the Swan for the 5 of us--the kids are 9,12,and 15. The 9 year old will fit in the trundle as he is short for his age. But I am getting feedback that the Swan would be much better for us. Do you think POR would be too small for my family?
Robin M.

​

When my wife and I took our three kids to POR (twice) we found the accommodations a little tight, but liveable. When Mrs. Flexan and the girls were getting ready, e.g., showering or putting on swimsuits, my son and I would stroll to the dock. When it was our turn, my wife and the girls would wander off until we were ready.

​

As far as sleeping, our eldest (daughter) chose the trundle bed. She's tall and lean but still fit quite well. She was twelve years old when last we went. After an exciting day at the parks and finally all in one place for the night, we did find ourselves talking in bed for quite a while before anyone could go to sleep. I enjoyed that closeness . . . for a week.

​

Hold your family tight around you. Soon enough they will off on their own. Go have fun!

 

[Lulu's Mom]

I can't remeber where I read this... so I am posting it here to see if I am correct in thinking that I rembered reading this somewhere. Anyway is there a direct transportation to FW from POR???? Thanks

 

[Disneyolic]

Hold your family tight around you. Soon enough they will off on their own. Go have fun!

This touched me. Thank you for just saying that.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I've been looking at POR reviews on all kinds of other sites. The only one that worries me was about spiders--I don't remember the site but it was headed "spiders Spiders SPIDERS!!" and that there were tons of them and one even bit a 3 year old. DD#1 is spider-phobic. Is this really an issue, was this woman overreacting, or should I hedge my bets by getting a 2nd floor room?
Robin M.

 

[daver]

I'm booked for the POR March 1st and i absolutely can not wait!! this is our first time staying inside disney after years of park experience

I searched through the threads all night but couldn't find a consistent answer on the bus situation. Are travel times bad? Not counting wait times, how long would you say it took to get from POR to MK or Epcot? thanks!

Nicole;

I never really found the travel times to be long except to Magic Kingdom. I would say you are 15 min rides to all except MK which is about 20 mins..... I could be wrong on this due to memory but the wait at the depots is not bad and the adrenaline and the anticipation seems to make the time go fast on the way there, but SLLLOOOOOWWWWWW on the way home.

 

[Nicole786]

Nicole;

I never really found the travel times to be long except to Magic Kingdom. I would say you are 15 min rides to all except MK which is about 20 mins..... I could be wrong on this due to memory but the wait at the depots is not bad and the adrenaline and the anticipation seems to make the time go fast on the way there, but SLLLOOOOOWWWWWW on the way home.

20 minutes? not bad at all! thanks!

 

[MickeyT]

We stayed at POR the week before Christmas and didn't really have any travel/bus problems. Had to stand a few times but that is always expected. There is a good transportation tool at ourlaughingplace.com that will give time estimates and alternate routes if you care to check it out. Enjoy!

 

[Nicole786]

We stayed at POR the week before Christmas and didn't really have any travel/bus problems. Had to stand a few times but that is always expected. There is a good transportation tool at ourlaughingplace.com that will give time estimates and alternate routes if you care to check it out. Enjoy!

thanks for the great advice!! i noticed you've stayed at CBR and POR, my original reservations were for CBR but i switched them...which do you like better?