It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[schaery]

DF and I are trying to decide between POFR and POR for our honeymoon trip in late August. Would someone please help us out by comparing the two in terms of a relaxing, quiet, and romantic atmosphere? I assume FQ has less hustle and bustle since it's smaller, but I'd rather have people's take based on first hand experience. Thanks a million!

IMHO, POR wins hands down. I'm actually talking about the Alligator Bayou section of POR. Because POR is bigger, I think that makes it seem less crowded also. I haven't stayed in Magnolia Bend so I'm not sure of the atmosphere there. The grounds in AB are wooded making them at least appear to be more private. August will still be busy with kids still out of school so you'll need all the help you can get to get that quiet, romantic feeling at WDW. There are loads of "wooded" pathways to walk around at POR. POR and POFQ are, of course, connected by a (very long) walkway that runs down by the Sassagoula River. There are a few seats along the way to stop and take in the view. I'm not sure if they leave from POFQ but there are nightly carriage rides for rent ($35) leaving from the boatdock at POR that are very romantic. Also, renting a SeaRaycer and cruising down the Sassagoula is a relaxing way to spend time together, although the boat traffic may be a little heavier in August. (We did that in Dec.). As you can tell, I'm a big fan of POR. I think I have pictures from AB that I'll upload for you.

Magnolia Bend looking across the river from AB.

Bridge from AB to MB

Riverside Mill Food court at POR

Alligator Bayou

Sorry I don't have any pics of POFQ. The walkway that you see in the last pic of AB is the one that connects to POFQ. It's on the same side of the river where MB is on the other side across the bridge. HOpe I've helped in some way. Not meaning to discourage you from POFQ. It's neat and lively but for a romantic resort, I'd choose POR between the two. And people have their preferences between AB and MB. I like the rustic feel of AB where others like the more elegant feel of MB.

 

[Cixelsyd]

wow, thanks for the prompt reply!! the pictures look amazing. I was leaning towards POFQ to begin with, but now I'm not so sure, so thanks for making it harder to decide!! just joking

seriously though, thank you for the helpful information, i might jus need to flip a coin and decide asap, cuz i certainly don't wanna wait till they get booked up.

 

[JPN4265]

Hello POR lovers! In the past few hours I planned a spontaneous trip to Disney with my mom. The trip will be very very brief arriving January 29 for 2 days. My DH will be staying home with DS12 and DS16 (this went over really well with my boys; not!). However, I am excited to be spending a few days just me and my mom.

I am looking forward to trying POR! Just a quick question.....does anybody know how long the boat trip takes from Riverside to Downtown Disney? Thanks for your help.

I have always found these to be the most fun trips!!!

 

[kxmeeh]

we were in room 3905 it was a double bed with trundle and we did have a corner room and it connected with the room next to us, which was great because we went with family. we swam everyday. it was a short hike to get to the food court, but we ate there alot. we were there from the 18th to the 26th and the only time we found the busses annoying was when we came home from the parks. we spend a half day in the park and a half day in the pool almost every day, and did nothing but swim on christmas day. the walk to the bus depot wasn't bad at all. there were 6 of us, and including carry ons, we had 16 pieces of luggage, our next trip we won't have to smuggle in presents. 3 of the checked bags were filled with nothing but christmas stuff. i found a family who checked in on christmas day and gave them the tree and ornaments.

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

Your room looks great! How exciting!
Did your corner room have a king? WE will have 2 beds with a trundle in AB. I requested a corner room, but was told those were only kings.
Your Christmas am looks wonderful!

we were there in April and although I hadn't requested it we did get a corner room and it had a trundle bed which I had requested. I can't remember the room number but it was in building 17.

 

[lucky978]

DF and I are trying to decide between POFR and POR for our honeymoon trip in late August. Would someone please help us out by comparing the two in terms of a relaxing, quiet, and romantic atmosphere? I assume FQ has less hustle and bustle since it's smaller, but I'd rather have people's take based on first hand experience. Thanks a million!

My vote for a honeymoon trip would be POFQ. It's our favorite moderate resort so far. I enjoyed it because of the "quaintness" and the atmosphere. The courtyards were beautiful and it is so nice to walk around.

POR seemed bigger and more spread out than POFQ to us. We're heading back to POR next month and are going to try the Mansions Section (not staying at POFQ because the pool is under construction). Last time we were in Alligator Bayou and really felt like we were in the swamp. The landscaping was abundant - but seemed a bit over-powering to us. Like it was out of control and nobody was maintaining it. (Sorry to all you Alligator Bayou lovers!). Just my opinion of course... Hopefully we will like the Mansions Section.

Best wishing on your wedding and honeymoon. I believe you will enjoy your trip regardless of where you stay.

 

[HockeyMomR]

I have always found these to be the most fun trips!!!

Thanks! I am looking forward to my quick trip just my mom and me! Typically I plan for months and months for our annual family trip to Disney. So, it is exciting to have planned this trip so spontaneously and be leaving so soon. I am also excited to try a new resort. POR looks beautiful in pictures!

 

[handicap18]

Oh no!!! Those are the dates we'll be there this November. I've heard the bus situation is bad at POR... and one thing that irritates me and gets me in a grumpy mood is waiting and waiting for the bus... yeah yeah I know, chill out, but I do know from previous trips this is the one thing that pushes my buttons.

Should I consider moving our ressie to POFQ then? We've not been to PO before so it won't really make a difference probably to us.

We went the week after Thanksgiving and found the buses to work out perfectly. The longest we waited at the hotel was about 15 minutes and that was because we had just missed the bus we wanted.

At the parks I don't recall there being any long waits. It seemed much better/faster than the All Star buses.

POR and POFQ share buses for all the parks except MK. Even with the 4 different bus stops at POR the bus rides overall were shorter than the All Star resorts (we've stayed at Movies 3 times).

We were in building 26 and it was fairly short walk to the West Depot. A little longer walk to the South Depot (which is outside the Hotel Store and Lobby area).

 

[motofox4]

would anyone happen to have pictures of the different buildings in the mansion section?? i found a couple on allears, but they only have oak manor and magnolia terrace and i wanted to see better/more pictures of the buildings... Also, is there a difference in the decorating style of the 4 sections in the mansion buildings?? I saw pictures of acadian house and oak manor and saw a little bit of difference in these 2 but not much.. TIA!!!

 

[Maukey]

Subscribing

 

[lucky978]

would anyone happen to have pictures of the different buildings in the mansion section?? i found a couple on allears, but they only have oak manor and magnolia terrace and i wanted to see better/more pictures of the buildings... Also, is there a difference in the decorating style of the 4 sections in the mansion buildings?? I saw pictures of acadian house and oak manor and saw a little bit of difference in these 2 but not much.. TIA!!!

I would like to see this, too. Anyone?

 

[lissiesmum]

I was reading in the WDW 2007 Birnbaum's travel book that there is an interactive fountain located here at POR. This is the first I've read about this and I was wondering if anyone knew exactly what this was or is it a mistake in the travel book? I was hoping it was like the interactive fountain at POP, but I would think that someone else might have mentioned these fountains before?

 

[lucky978]

Hi Neighbor!

I've never heard of interactive fountains at POR. I've stayed there once, and once at POFQ.

Sorry.

 

[lissiesmum]

hey lucky978! I had never heard of these fountains either in the year I have lurked on the disboards It must be a mistake, or maybe something they used to have but have gotten rid of?

 

[quiltymom]

would anyone happen to have pictures of the different buildings in the mansion section?? i found a couple on allears, but they only have oak manor and magnolia terrace and i wanted to see better/more pictures of the buildings... Also, is there a difference in the decorating style of the 4 sections in the mansion buildings?? I saw pictures of acadian house and oak manor and saw a little bit of difference in these 2 but not much.. TIA!!!

We stayed in Parterre Place in October and absolutely loved it! This is what our room looked like from the Disney Resort Room thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21962089&postcount=1368
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21963015&postcount=1372


I went around one morning taking shots of the mansions, but I forgot which some of them were! I was sure that I'd remember, so if anyone could label this first set of two photos, that would be great! (I think the first is Parterre Place and the second Oak Manor. I may have other pics on the other computer...)

The wing of Parterre place where our room was:

Magnolia Bend

Acadian House

From across the river - I think this is Parterre Place:

I hope this helps some.

 

[creativeamanda]

Wow! I am really excited about staying at POR now. Last visit we were at Pop Century. I can tell this is gonna be a big difference from PC.

 

[disneytriplets]

I have a few questions about POR. I tried the search function first, but the search isn't working for me anymore.

1. Silly one - Do the rooms have any type of step stools so little kids can reach the sinks? With three kids who can't reach, I think we'll need a stool so we don't break our backs.

2. Can I purchase bananas, apples, grapes, cold baby carrots, etc. at the food court? If so, does anyone remember how much they cost?

3. Does the food court sell slices of American cheese? My little guy likes to snack on cheese, but I have no way of transporting cheese from home. I'm thinking of ordering from Gardengrocer, but I don't know if POR can store cold items that are delivered with our shipment.

Thank you for your help!!!

 

[Sunshein]

I have a few questions about POR. I tried the search function first, but the search isn't working for me anymore.

1. Silly one - Do the rooms have any type of step stools so little kids can reach the sinks? With three kids who can't reach, I think we'll need a stool so we don't break our backs.

2. Can I purchase bananas, apples, grapes, cold baby carrots, etc. at the food court? If so, does anyone remember how much they cost?

3. Does the food court sell slices of American cheese? My little guy likes to snack on cheese, but I have no way of transporting cheese from home. I'm thinking of ordering from Gardengrocer, but I don't know if POR can store cold items that are delivered with our shipment.

Thank you for your help!!!

Hi! These are not silly questions as all!

1. No there are no stools but the sinks aren't ridiculously high either. I did not need a stool with my 4 year old and only for some things with my 3 year old.

2. You can purchase almost all of those things at the food court but they will cost you a fair bit. I remember buying an apple, an oatmeal cookie and a bottle of water and I think it cost me over $10! If you are on the DDP you can use snack credits for things like this too.

3. Again yes they have cheese but I strongly suggest GardenGrocer. we used them and your POR kept our things for us and put the things that could spoil like milk in a fridge. You have a small fridge in the room so don't go crazy but it was a very good investment on our part.

Good luck!

 

[drewswife]

subscribing

 

[quiltymom]

I have a few questions about POR. I tried the search function first, but the search isn't working for me anymore.

1. Silly one - Do the rooms have any type of step stools so little kids can reach the sinks? With three kids who can't reach, I think we'll need a stool so we don't break our backs.

2. Can I purchase bananas, apples, grapes, cold baby carrots, etc. at the food court? If so, does anyone remember how much they cost?

3. Does the food court sell slices of American cheese? My little guy likes to snack on cheese, but I have no way of transporting cheese from home. I'm thinking of ordering from Gardengrocer, but I don't know if POR can store cold items that are delivered with our shipment.

Thank you for your help!!!

You can get small bags of carrots as part of the kids meals at most Disney dining locations. I know this because DD ordered them just about every time. Some places also offer grapes with the kids meals, too.