It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[Shifletjl]

Great thread. Just subscribing so I can find later and read it.
We are staying at POR 6/07. It sure looks beautiful.

 

[hbehrman]

Are the views in AB better than the mansions? It seems like most people prefer AB over the mansions...
I would really like to hear about Magnolia Terrace, how is the view? If I request 2nd or 3rd flr Im assuming that I would get some kind of view. We just dont want to be looking directly at a parking lot. ( I would never hear the end of it from my mother)

TIA

We intentionally stayed in the mansions because there were only 4 of us (me, DW, twin DD4) and it would probably be the only time we would be able to do it. Our son (20mths) experienced the magic of Grandma and Grandpa at home. Next time we will be staying in AB for the trundle as there will be 5 of us. Personally, we loved the resort and probably will here exclusively (except with the possiblity of the new Family Suites when the kids get older).

Our choice was Magnolia Terrace due to the location and proximity to Ole Man Isle, Bus stop and away from parking lots and the main complex (but not too far away). My only worry was about noise and we experienced a very quiet stay; rarely seeing or hearing anyone else aroudn our room. One night on the bus back we conversed with another couple, got off at East Depot, said goodbye, walked to our room, and they were entereing there room 3 doors down from us; everyone had a good chuckle about that.

We had a garden view (8763) on the second floor and it was perfect for all of us. It was in an interior corner on the river side of the H with two windows, the view paralleled the horizontal on the H, and was next to the laundry (never heard it). It was probably the worst garden view from the window you could get, but we loved the location and you could stand or sit (if you took a chair outside) on the walkway to get a fantastic view of the garden. We used the central staircase and walked through the garden (much quicker than the twisty balcony walkways, trust me on this and avoid them) to get places and used the elevator in the central walkway when I carried my sleeping daughter(s) back to the room.

Staying in the mansions I did not get the feeling that (as many have stated here) that the resort is huge. Quite the contrary I felt everything was quite close and accessible (as long as you used the central stairway) based on where our room was located. I should also point out that we did not eat at the resort except on our arrival/departure and "rest" days so did not need access to the main building. I do understand that the resort is huge based upon the bus transportation going around the resort, but as far as walking IMO it was a great place to stay.

Ok the only nitpicky thing (really reaching here) was that (besides the wading/kiddie pool) the main pools shallow end was 3'6" which was just a little too deep for my twin DD4 to use by themselves. As they just turned 4 swimming lessons are on the agenda.

If you have any Q's about the mansions please post and I will try to answer them.

 

[MickeyT]

Thanks hbehrman. We are staying at POR in Dec for the first time. We have stayed at CBR and wanted something different. Trying to decide on AB or MB sections. (Part of the 'fun' of staying, making those decisions.) I have read a lot of post and reviews that slam POR housekeeping. Was your experience good? I know sometimes people do get bad service but sometimes it is just perception. Just trying to gain a little confidience for our trip. Thanks!

 

[tstobb]

Just back & had a great time!

"Mousekeeping" was wonderful. We left a note for extra towels & shampoo and they were waiting for us when we got back the 1st day. Every day we came back from the parks to find DDs stuffed animals & dolls posed - one day watching TV, another sitting & having a tea party, etc.

We were in building 26 which wasn't too bad but it was a walk to the lobby. Close to the main pool and West depot bus stop though. A note - if you are in this building, park in the spaces for building 35 - it's a lot closer to walk!

 

[hbehrman]

Thanks hbehrman. We are staying at POR in Dec for the first time. We have stayed at CBR and wanted something different. Trying to decide on AB or MB sections. (Part of the 'fun' of staying, making those decisions.) I have read a lot of post and reviews that slam POR housekeeping. Was your experience good? I know sometimes people do get bad service but sometimes it is just perception. Just trying to gain a little confidience for our trip. Thanks!

On the whole mousekeeping was very good. The only exception to this was one of my daughters had an accident one night and we asked for the bed to be changed the next day via a call to mousekeeping and it didn't happen. The whole room was cleaned and everything was done very well, but the bed had not been changed only made. I put this one down to a communication issue for when we called the next day (it was way too late for us to care when we discovered it) and it was resolved. This was the only bad thing we experienced and only my wife and I were a little dispapointed in the response. Otherwise service was good we left $5 tips with no expectations and received nothing special just a very clean and tidy room with plenty of towels, extra soap and shampoo. Oh, and the staff was very good about coming back to clean if we were still in the room when they first checked and they have until 5pm to clean their assigned rooms. If the language barrier is a concern mousekeeping via phone is the best solution.

 

[amy2girls]

How is AB # 27. How far is the walk to the pool, food court and bus stop. Is it non smoking. By the map it looks like a good alternative to #14.

 

[DISDVCER]

How is AB # 27. How far is the walk to the pool, food court and bus stop. Is it non smoking. By the map it looks like a good alternative to #14.

27 is a good building. It was non-smoking 3 years ago. I have never had more than a 3 minute walk to Old Man Island pool and that includes the time we were in AB #35.

 

[allaboutmm]

O.K. all you POR lover's I need your help. Just booked a few nights with our good friends (their first time at WDW!!). What standard room would you put a request in for? We need the trundle bed ,our friends don't, but would like to have a room that is close to ours. We are really hoping that once we get there we both can upgrade rooms, but we will have to wait and see.

 

[Pixiedust34]

O.K. all you POR lover's I need your help. Just booked a few nights with our good friends (their first time at WDW!!). What standard room would you put a request in for? We need the trundle bed ,our friends don't, but would like to have a room that is close to ours. We are really hoping that once we get there we both can upgrade rooms, but we will have to wait and see.

Buildings 14 and 15 are nice locations that are not too far from the food court, main pool, and buses. You'll be in the Alligator Bayou section if you get a trundle bed. An upgraded room would be a water view.

 

[bellenbuzz]

Stayed 7 nights........If you have any questions...please ask away !!


Watched Bob Jackson in the lounge, got his autographed photo for a memento!

Get the refillable Mug if you can walk to the food court easliy !! Totally worth it !

Love this Food Court too! Pretty good gift shop. Had everything we needed.
Really nice to have fridge in room.

Beautiful place! Loved the boat ride to DTD.

Buses from South Depot were awesome !! No problems at all !

I will stay here again absolutely !!

 

[TINKERIFIC]

subscribe

 

[amy2girls]

Bellenbuzz,
What is your trict to get your requests? Glad you had a great trip!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

The food court is going to be closed for quite a while. I wonder if they are going to switch over to touchscreen ordering like the newly renovated Captain Cook's at the Poly has.

If anyone going to POR soon finds out if major changes are coming to the food court, please post. : )

ETA: It would be great if they put in a frozen Coke machine!

 

[jenr812]

I imagine that they must be doing a MAJOR renovation since it will be closed til the end of April! I am so thankful that it will be open again before I go in May!!!

 

[Madsofa]

subscribing...staying at POR 3/7/07-3/15/07

 

[bellenbuzz]

Okay, the thing is you have to call POR resort DIRECTLY !!
You have to call the resort and ask to speak with the front desk.

NOW, the front desk will be able to access your room reservation 3 days before your arrival, only then it shows up in their computer system. Prior to that your room ressie is in the main WDW system.

So 3 days before your arrival, call POR's front desk and tell them to please posts your requests on your ressie.

Again, I called and requested ALOT:
I want Alligator Bayou section, Building 27, A Corner Room with 2 Windows, With 2 dbl beds, non-smoking and on ground level AND I Got each and every request !!!!
My view was gorgeous !! and Bldg 27 is a perfect location to access the everything.

Let me know if you have more questions, I am a WDW freak ! and Love POR !!! So again, Ask Away !!!

 

[leafette]

I stayed at POR twice and love the resort. Both times housekeeping was hit or miss, but, honestly, it wasn't something we let impact our trip at all. I didn't give it a second thought. I wouldn't hesitate to go back. We're trying POFQ for our 1/07 trip.

Thanks hbehrman. We are staying at POR in Dec for the first time. We have stayed at CBR and wanted something different. Trying to decide on AB or MB sections. (Part of the 'fun' of staying, making those decisions.) I have read a lot of post and reviews that slam POR housekeeping. Was your experience good? I know sometimes people do get bad service but sometimes it is just perception. Just trying to gain a little confidience for our trip. Thanks!

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Stayed 7 nights........If you have any questions...please ask away !!


Watched Bob Jackson in the lounge, got his autographed photo for a memento!

Get the refillable Mug if you can walk to the food court easliy !! Totally worth it !

Love this Food Court too! Pretty good gift shop. Had everything we needed.
Really nice to have fridge in room.

Beautiful place! Loved the boat ride to DTD.

Buses from South Depot were awesome !! No problems at all !

I will stay here again absolutely !!

Isn't Bob Jackson awesome!!!! We absolutely loved his show - wouldn't miss it!

Jessica

 

[MickeyT]

Wow Bellenbuzz. That's just what I wanted to hear. We leave next Thursday for POR and 6 days at the World! You just sent the excitment meter up another notch!!!!!!!

 

[UP Disney]

Are the views in AB better than the mansions? It seems like most people prefer AB over the mansions...
I would really like to hear about Magnolia Terrace, how is the view? If I request 2nd or 3rd flr Im assuming that I would get some kind of view. We just dont want to be looking directly at a parking lot. ( I would never hear the end of it from my mother)

TIA

Our view at Magnolia Terrace was quite nice. I specifically asked for NO parking lot view. We had to wait until one was ready but it was worth the wait to make sure we didn't get a parking lot view.