It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[Disneyolic]

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.

Just curious...which bus stop on the route did you get on? I wonder if that makes a difference.

 

[magicmom99]

We always got on at South depot at the lobby, but we didn't try the other stops. This is the first stop (unless sharing with French Quarteh) and at busy times, the bus was full at this point. some days we didn't stop at the other stops. I'd guess they'd send another bus to those stops, but I have no idea.
For the most part, we got to the parks in about 15min and really didn't wait long for the bus first thing in the morning, but we had bad luck in the afternoon waiting for the bus. We waited about 45min on Thanksgiving day (I'd bet it had something to do with crowds though) We decided next time we would rent a car and drive if we were planning to take a break midday. If not breaking midday, the buses would be fine.

 

[dtl62]

I read that the food courts in POR will be closed for refurbishment until mid April. I'm wondering if this will make the food court in POFQ way too overcrowded. We are staing from 4/11 to 4/19, but I haven't been able to find the date that the FC will open again. Does anyone know?

 

[SuzyQue]

I read that the food courts in POR will be closed for refurbishment until mid April. I'm wondering if this will make the food court in POFQ way too overcrowded. We are staing from 4/11 to 4/19, but I haven't been able to find the date that the FC will open again. Does anyone know?

If you do a search on POR food court closed or POR food court refurbished, you'll find several threads talking about this.~~

 

[MickeyT]

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?

Both. Not much difference in services or amenities. The CBR is a brighter, lively pace where POR has more laid back, Southern feel to it.

Oh yeah, reference to another post, plenty of rabbits and squirrels but no spiders! We had read horror strories about Mousekeeping and service but nothing but good reviews here!

 

[MickeyT]

Just curious...which bus stop on the route did you get on? I wonder if that makes a difference.

We got on at the North Depot as we were staying at the Acadian House. (Right outside our door). The standing part was coming from the parks at night. As stated on another post if you are close to the South Depot it is the first stop and you can almost always get a seat then.

Another tip. Make sure which stop to get off on. We accidentally got off at the West Depot our first night back in and boy did we have a long lost walk through AB. And we had already done EPCOT and were whipped. Ahhh those Disney memories!!!!!

 

[dtl62]

If you do a search on POR food court closed or POR food court refurbished, you'll find several threads talking about this.~~

Thank you SuzyQue, that was a huge help

 

[popinl]

Ok....I'm not sure what will be in the room and what I need to pack.

• I've read that there should be a refrigerator and to ask for one if there isn't one.
• Do all the rooms have safes? How big are they? Large enough for a camcorder?
• How about in the bathroom, obviously there is soap, how about the shampoo/conditioner. Is there any hand cream?

If these things are going to be there anyway then I don't want to bring them with us. The less we have to lug down there the better

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Ok....I'm not sure what will be in the room and what I need to pack.

• I've read that there should be a refrigerator and to ask for one if there isn't one.
• Do all the rooms have safes? How big are they? Large enough for a camcorder?
• How about in the bathroom, obviously there is soap, how about the shampoo/conditioner. Is there any hand cream?

If these things are going to be there anyway then I don't want to bring them with us. The less we have to lug down there the better

1) Refrigerators are standard in all POR rooms. You will not need to request one.

2) Yes, safes are also standard in each room. It probably will not hold a camcorder.

3) When I was there last September very small bottles of shampoo and conditioner were provided. Its been posted on these boards that within the past month the resorts have been changing over to a new toiletries provider, H2O. I don't know how large the containers are for the new products, but I'm sure someone else here will have the answer.

 

[popinl]

Thanks for the info and pictures....it's our first on-site trip and since we're flying and not renting a car, I think I'm a little more obsessed with being prepared for everything

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Thanks for the info and pictures....it's our first on-site trip and since we're flying and not renting a car, I think I'm a little more obsessed with being prepared for everything

You're welcome, and for what its worth we've stayed onsite for the past 4 visits, with #5 coming up in 77 days (but who's counting?), and I obsess, too. We also have flown and not had a rental car, so the planning is different than if you had your own vehicle available. Anyway, I took photos in our room last September to help me remember better whats in the room right down to sizes, locations, etc.

 

[Symon]

We just got back last week, As far as toiletries, there was a bath bar of soap, a hand bar of soap and a small bottle (1-2oz) of shampoo/conditioner combo. I usually am fine with any kind of shampoo, but I really didn't like this one.

 

[popinl]

We just got back last week, As far as toiletries, there was a bath bar of soap, a hand bar of soap and a small bottle (1-2oz) of shampoo/conditioner combo. I usually am fine with any kind of shampoo, but I really didn't like this one.

I guess I'll pack my shampoo/conditioner as well as my hand cream. It's nice to know what to expect. A little off topic but how did you find it with the food court being closed? I hear there is some limited selection.

 

[Symon]

The food court closed wasn't a big deal for us, we ate breakfast in the room (cereal, etc.) and usually lunch and dinner in the parks. We did look at the offerings at the food court grab and go sandwiches etc. and a buffet for breakfast and dinner. Both choices looked OK. We also did take the boat to POFQ one night and had dinner at their food court and swam in the pool, it was a nice time and had a relaxing walk back.

 

[Nicole786]

does anyone know if you can purchase a season pass at guest services? My cousin is coming with us on the trip so he doesn't have one, but we're arriving later in the evening. DD is an option, but just in case its past 11PM (it shouldnt be, but you never know) it would be really neat to just get one at the hotel!

 

[motofox4]

just wondering because i'm not really sure. we have a reservation for POR this coming december. is the food court closed every year at this time for refurbishing or did it just happen this past year?

 

[allaboutmm]

We just got back last week from POR, first time staying there.....we LOVED it! The only reason why the food court is close right now is for renovations. It should be fine by next December. POR is definately a new favorite for us!!!

 

[motofox4]

i'm really very happy to hear such great reviews of POR. We're really looking forward to staying there in December and it'll be our last vacation before we get married next May!!! I'm SO excited for both!!!!

 

[kxmeeh]

well, i've just downgraded from beach club to POR. We are treating my younger bil and sil (they are 16 and 18 and have never been anywhere, including a hotel room) and realized we could treat them and stay at por with 2 rooms for almost the same price. i guess sometimes, it's better to give to others and accept a compromise. anyway, i know we want the first floor, mansion, outside a pool. is this specific enough or should I actually request a certain mansion house and room #? i'm not too concerned about walking distance...i am the oldest going and i am 30. just when i thought i had everything planned, we add more ppl into the mix, haha such is life.

 

[binky]

well, i've just downgraded from beach club to POR. We are treating my younger bil and sil (they are 16 and 18 and have never been anywhere, including a hotel room) and realized we could treat them and stay at por with 2 rooms for almost the same price. i guess sometimes, it's better to give to others and accept a compromise. anyway, i know we want the first floor, mansion, outside a pool. is this specific enough or should I actually request a certain mansion house and room #? i'm not too concerned about walking distance...i am the oldest going and i am 30. just when i thought i had everything planned, we add more ppl into the mix, haha such is life.

First of all, what a nice thing to do for you BIL and SIL! I'm sure you will all have a wonderful time! And since this is your first trip (as I understand) to WDW, you won't be comparing POR to the BC or other deluxe. As far as requests, I would not be too specific. I would only specify what was most important; i.e., non-smoking, Mansions, 1st floor, near quiet pool - whichever is most important to you. From what I've read, the more things you request, the less likely your requests will be met. Have a wonderful trip!