It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[Layla]

My son and I just returned from 6 nights at the Port Orleans - Riverside Resort. I have to say, it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever stayed at. I had only been to WDW once before in 1983 and stayed at the Contemporary. At that time I remember being in total awe of that place but, when we went over to the Contemporary this trip, I wasn't impressed. It was just a huge concrete building, no real pretty landscaping or anything. It didn't even seem as clean on the grounds as Port Orleans. We also got to see parts of a few other resorts. Port Orleans Riverside I thought was by far the best!! We stayed in the Oak Manor Mansion and loved it!! And thanks for the tips on the mugs! We carried a back pack at all times to the theme parks, etc and just always had our mugs in it. When we'd get back "home", we'd walk by the food court on our way to our room and fill up our mugs. Anyway, just wanted to thank you all for your help in our decision on where to stay. You sure didn't steer us wrong, I was so happy with the Port Orleans Can't wait to go back!!

Nancy

 

[Layla]

Regarding transportation to the rooms, we were given a golf cart ride with our luggage to and from our room when we checked in and out.

Nancy

 

[LuvN~Travel]

A quick question here...what direction do the buses run around POR, clockwise or counterclockwise? We're thinking of going in May of 2005, and want to know what mansions to possibly beg for.
Kim

 

[EpcotBill]

When I was at POFQ 2 weeks ago the bus ran from FQ to Riverside, stopping at the South Depot first then going clockwise to the West, North, and East depot's.

 

[patsvette]

Hey everyone,My wife and i are going to be staying at POR on oct 24th-29th for our anniversary,we have been trying to go every year since we were married.This is my first time staying at port orleans riverside,ive stayed in grand floridian,poly, and contemporary and grand floridian was outstanding.But we wanted to try something different this time,we asked for a water view is there any particular room or area to ask for?We just found out shes pregnant also so this trip will be just to relax and enjoy each others company not as much as the rides and stuff (since shes pregnant)and high risk.So is the POR a good place to relax spend some quiet time etc...Also we asked for a king bed how are the beds and how are the rooms in general?Any pics of the rooms?We absolutley love disney,ive been going since i was 6 and and got her started when we went for our honeymoon there.OUr entire bedroom is disney ,our 2 cats are micky and minnie and enough disney globes to last a life time.Ok enough rambling ,thanks in advance .

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Thanks Epcot Bill!
Kim

 

[luvdisney14]

Does anyone have any information about the rehab at POR alligator bayou section?

 

[KathAnn]

I'd heard the PO-R was undergoing refurbishment and that refrigerators and coffee pots were being put in all rooms. Is this true - or is someone joking with me? My sister and I are due for our Disney holiday on 4th November 2004 (for 2 weeks) and can't wait to go. We were last there in 2000 (celebrating my 40th Birthday!) and stayed in Alligator Bayou #39. Great room that was really peaceful - hoping to get the same location again, but if we end up elsewhere I won't be too unhappy.

Even enjoy getting up at 4.15 am to get to the Airport for a flight to London, then on to Orlando! It's a long day's travel for us (we depart from Scotland), but the Disney experience makes it all worthwhile!

 

[Layla]

I don't know about the reburshing of the Bayou rooms, but when I was there a month ago, they were either reburshing or building a brand new mansion building. (There were 4 manions when we were there, not sure if there used to be 5? or if the one they were working on is brand new). I said it before, but will say it again, I thought the POR was absolutely gorgeous! The river, the bridges, the green grass and trees and just all the landscaping. A beautiful place for a couple expecting a baby to relax

Nancy

Can't wait to be able to go again!

 

[patsvette]

Thanks nancy,i feel better now,i cant wait to go.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Another question here.
Do the boats that run between Port Orleans and DTD, stop at both boat docks at POR and POFQ, both coming and going?
Our daughter gets tired easily walking a long distance, and if we stay at POFQ, I know we'd want to visit POR to have more food choices.
I know we could catch the bus over there, but want to know about getting back.
Kim

 

[KathAnn]

LuvN~Travel

Last time I was there in 2000 the boats stopped at both French Quarter and Riverside (then called Dixie Landings). You could get on at DL and off at FQ and vice versa. Boat travelling to Downtown Disney was great!

Enjoy the visit.

Kathleen

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Thanks for the info Kathleen. I hope they still do that.
Kim

 

[mapo]

Yes, PO Riverside and FQ are undergoing rehab in different locations. No guests are being put in buildings that are down for rehab or maintenance.

Yes, you can call your travel agent or Disney Reservations Center to REQUEST certain preferences. Prefrences include smoking/non-smoking, bldg/area (magnolia bend vs bayou), floor of bldg, etc. These are all REQUESTS, not guarantees! NOTHING except for type of room that you have paid for is a guarantee.

If you communicate these REQUESTS via your travel agent, the information *should* appear on the reservation for the Front Desk Host/Hostess to take into consideration.

If you send a fax, it ends up in the garbage. WDW Resorts do not accept faxed requests anymore regardless of where you heard or read it.

Phone calls to the resort will not help facilitate your *requests*. The resorts staff are busy with the guests that they have in house.

Remember that Resort staff can only see your reservation if you are coming in that day or the next couple of days. Please do not ask if you can get this rate or that, resort CMs have no control over your rate, the Disney Reservation Center controls all those issues.

Also remember that bldg preferences and likes/dislikes are a personal choice. They may not fit your needs. Resort CMs will fit your needs as much as possible given availability of rooms. CM trainign concentrates on that fact. However, DEMANDING or ASSERTIVE behavior does not increase the likelihood of your getting your *dream requests*.

Finally, have a government issues photo ID such as a driver's license for the person making the reservation---with that person at the check in desk. No room or room information will be given without that. Confirmation sheets are nice if things go wrong. However, shoving the paper or number into a CMs face is rude and does not facilitate the check in procedure. You are not a number, we like to treat you as a person. Once we have identified you as such person, we are eager to assist you to have the most magical experience possible.

Mary Poppins

 

[AllisonG]

Who has any idea what building/s have been rehabed? Which are in the process and which are done?
Thanks for your help!!

 

[Rhonna]

BUMP

With all the code releases today this is getting buried.

I also would like to know which building have recently been remodeled - specifically which of the mansion buildings?

I couldn't get AP rates for POFQ but they had some for POR - so I guess I need to do a little research.

Thanks for any help!

Rhonna

 

[katypop]

i had planned on staying at CSR but could not get the ap rate there, so POR here i come same thing happened to me in april, had booked CSR but couldn't get the savings so changed to POFQ and loved it there. this time i couldn't get POFQ either however, i'm hoping to love POR too i love CSR , have stayed there twice, but it is also exciting to stay at new places. any special tips i should know? so far i have requested non-smoking room in AB section. this is a solo trip-i did walk around the grounds on a previous trip and think i'd prefer this section. does anyone have an update on coffee pots and hair dryers? anyone else going between nov28 and dec 6?
katypop

 

[patsvette]

i too would like to know which rooms were redoneand which is better for more of a secluded private type room.

 

[Rhonna]

Okay, so I called the POR and asked which bldgs. in the Magnolia Bend section (mansions) have been recently re-done.

I was told by a CM at the front desk that 3 of the mansion bldgs. are already refurbished and the last one, Parterre Place will be finished by approximately the end of Sept.

Sorry, I don't know anything about the bayou section.

Rhonna

 

[patsvette]

Thanks rhonna.