It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[scottny]

Nice pics. I'm so excited to get there and still have a 3 month wait.

 

[scottny]

I got the packet from Disney, I may do it who knows.

 

[Number1Son]

Number1Son, would you share your room number of the corner King room? We are traveling in October, and would love something like that....

Many thanks!

9536. You have to res a king or a water view (same price for either, but no guarantee that you get both), and request the specific room "or something similar". As always, they don't guarantee requests, but they seem to do their best to honor them.

 

[Dusted]

Thank you Number1Son!

I enjoyed your pics! Some awesome shots! What kind of camera?

Also, did you find PP to be close enough to food, main pool, marina, or would Oak Manor - is that right? be closer?

Travelling with 4yo, and need to take as few steps as possible!

Again, thank you for your suggestions.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

We will be there May 2nd-May 8th. Does anyone know about the Surrey bikes? Do they require that children wear a helmet?
Thanks

 

[ruthma]

I just posted some POR pictures to Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/gp/7573710@N02/j0L8L2. It's not really a broad collection, because there are whole areas of the resort where I never took pictures. There's a selection of room pictures of a corner king in Parterre Place and most of the outside shots are up and down the river around Parterre Place. We've walked through AB in the evening, but I didn't take my camera with. Also, there's a scan of the resort map they give you when you check in.
Tim

Enjoyed your pictures very much. Am going to POR in Sept. Hoping to stay in Magnolia Terrace.

 

[jodistar]

Hi Everyone,

Love this thread, however, I thought it would be better off that I post my question than go searching.

My husband and I will be staying at POR this coming October (Our Anniversary). I've already requested a king bed in the room but how do I go about requesting a specific area/building -- I really want to stay in the mansion area.

Do I call the resort itself, or through Disney Reservations (how I reserved the room).

TIA,

Jodi

 

[Number1Son]

Thank you Number1Son!

I enjoyed your pics! Some awesome shots! What kind of camera?

Also, did you find PP to be close enough to food, main pool, marina, or would Oak Manor - is that right? be closer?

Travelling with 4yo, and need to take as few steps as possible!

Again, thank you for your suggestions.

Thanks, Dusted. I bought a Canon PowerShot SD700 IS 2 days before the trip. I wasn't accustomed to it on the trip, so I got a lot of bad shots, too. (Big tip: get to know your camera before you go!)

PP, where we were, was close to the bridge across the Sassagoula and right into the main building. The food court is on the other side of the main building from where we PP. With the mansions, distance depends on where in the building you are. But even at a stroll, you're only 5 minutes or less from just about anywhere in the main building. AB buildings are smaller, so it's easier to estimate distance from anything, and are generally closer to Old Man Island than PP or OM. The Unofficial Guide gives lots of tips on how to choose a building. If you really need to be close to both the main building and OMI and in the Magnolia Bend section, ask for something close to the river in Oak Manor or Magnolia Terrace (just remember, water view rooms cost extra, unless you get lucky at check-in and get a free upgrade -- but you shouldn't count on it!). You can get a good idea of scale by going to the Mapquest aerial view (click here). I didn't find it as big as I was afraid it would be -- it's bigger than a Holiday Inn, but it's not as big as the Magic Kingdom!

Tim

 

[jess98ac]

Heidi,
Unfortunately, no. The only thing that Disney guarantees is that you'll get the type of room you paid for, not any particular location. We got really lucky last week (or maybe they're trying extra hard during the Million Dreams celebration). I made only one request, for a specific room number because it's a corner king river view and I had stayed there last year. And I got it! You could try calling the hotel directly 3 days before you arrive; some people say that can help reinforce any written requests you made. I called, but that was more because I made the res through Expedia (never again! unless I take another last-minute vacation and can't get the res any other way -- but that's another story). I told them I was nervous about actually having a res because I never got any written confirmation. The CM on the phone was very nice, and even had the room request entered correctly. I don't know if the phone call helped, but it probably couldn't hurt. We walked all around both sections, though, and I honestly don't think any of them is "bad", just different. It's really a lovely resort, and I'm sure you'll be very pleased either way. I just got back last Saturday and I want to go back so bad it hurts!!
Tim

Anyone have any suggestions for rooms like this for the AB section. We really want AB and have paid for a king room, but would love to ask for a corner river view, too!! (knowing it's just a request of course!)

 

[kahliasmom]

Where are you from in the hudson valley? My DH and I just moved here from Albany (Colony actually) His whole family lives in the area.

Thank you to everyone who answered. I did know about free dining. We are very excited. We adopted our 2 girls this year. Lilly is home already she is from Haiti and Rory (Aurora Grace) from China should be home in the next 2 months. We have been waiting over 2 years for our babies to finally be home. This is already our year on a million dreams
Then to have free dining on our first Disney trip with them is really icing on the cake. I have waited so long to take them to WDW it really all seems to be falling into place (FINALLY)

Monami, I am from Dutchess County so more like the mid-hudson valley. I had friends that lived in Colonie years ago on Vly Rd. Ext. Salt Lake City is quite a change I bet from NYS. I read in someone else's post that had relocated to Salt Lake City that they didn't like it because they felt like they didn't fit in with the culture there. Congratulations on adopting your two daughters and being able to take them to Disney this year. That is great!!!!

 

[monami7]

You may have read another post by me. My DH grew up in Fishkill. I am not a fan of SLC. I am actually from Chicago, DH is from NYS though so we lived there for a while.

 

[Dusted]

Number1Son,

Thank you! The link from mapquest was so cool! Brought the map to life so to speak! Can't wait, just added one more night so we wouldn't be flying home on Halloween- what fun would that be?

11 nights in Mansion room. I hope to have a view of the river - do any boats travel the river, or is it for show?

 

[Disneyolic]

Number1Son,

Thank you! The link from mapquest was so cool! Brought the map to life so to speak! Can't wait, just added one more night so we wouldn't be flying home on Halloween- what fun would that be?

11 nights in Mansion room. I hope to have a view of the river - do any boats travel the river, or is it for show?

There is a boat that you can take to DTD and also a marina to rent water craft! It is a beautiful resort. We stayed in Partierre Place back in 1997 and loved it.

 

[Number1Son]

There is a boat that you can take to DTD and also a marina to rent water craft! It is a beautiful resort. We stayed in Partierre Place back in 1997 and loved it.

Ditto.
Just an FYI -- if the nights are below about 65 when you go, and you're taking the boat to DTD in the evening (a great way to go to La Nouba!), take a jacket or sweatshirt or something because it can get about 10 degrees cooler on the water when you're cruising along between DTD and POR. Also, if you go for drinks or anything, pay attention to the last-boat-back times (usually 11 or 11:30), otherwise you'll be taking the bus back to POR.
Tim

 

[princess brianas mom]

We'll be staying at POR for the 1st time this Sept/Oct.

I booked our trip today.

I requested Magnolia Bend because I loved the look of the mansions.
I may be a little disappointed if we don't get a room in that section...
of course I'll get over it because HEY I'LL BE IN DISNEY!!!

I've looked thru the pictures probably a billion times on AllEars...Does anyone know where I can find more pictures of this resort?

 

[loonytoony]

Where do the buses pick up here?

 

[Number1Son]

Where do the buses pick up here?

4 locations:
East of Magnolia Terrace
North of Acadian House
Between Buildings 24 & 34 on the Northwest side
West side of the Main (Registration) parking lot

There's a map here.

Tim

 

[kahliasmom]

You may have read another post by me. My DH grew up in Fishkill. I am not a fan of SLC. I am actually from Chicago, DH is from NYS though so we lived there for a while.

Monami,

It was another post by you that I read. You were talking to another poster that was from Chicago. So your husband grew up in Fishkill. I grew up in Beacon, isn't that funny? I graduated from Beacon High School in '87.

 

[popinl]

You lucky ducky. We have to wait until June. So, I guess you can fill us in on:

1) If you utilized DME how was that and how long did it take to receive your luggage?

2) What kind of room did you reserve, your actual requests beforehand, and what kind of room you were given.

3) How were the busses?

Thanks so much and have a WONDERFUL vacation!

Sorry it took so long to reply...it's hard to face all these people looking forward to their vacations when mine is done

Anyway to answer your questions...
1) We did use DME, and although they tell you it could take 3 hours to get your luggage ours took more like 4. It was a bit worrisome, but I figured Disney would have everything under control. We arrived in Orlando around 5:00 pm, so didn't get our luggage til 9:00 pm, then I wanted to get organized. If we were doing it again, I think I'd claim our luggage unless we arrive much earlier. It may be faster for you as June won't be as busy as March Break time

2) We have 5 in the family so I knew we would be in AB. I put in 3 requests, non-smoking, Building 14, close to a bus stop. We didn't request a water view room, only standard. What we got was a corner room on the ground level overlooking garden areas in building 15. We found this location very good. Very close to the South bus stop which was nice in the morning and night...first on first off

3) for the most part the busses were great. In the morning the bus to MK made a direct run from the south bus stop. Usually we went to the other stops as well. We never waited for very long. A couple times the wait was about 15 minutes which really isn't that long but we were spoiled with the other times. We tried not to hit the busses at the really busy times, but after fireworks etc they have so many busses, that even then you don't have to wait long. We found a couple times that the busses were standing room only but since the ride isn't very long it really wasn't that much of a hardship.

 

[popinl]

You lucky ducky. We have to wait until June. So, I guess you can fill us in on:

1) If you utilized DME how was that and how long did it take to receive your luggage?

2) What kind of room did you reserve, your actual requests beforehand, and what kind of room you were given.

3) How were the busses?

Thanks so much and have a WONDERFUL vacation!

Sorry it took so long to reply...it's hard to face all these people looking forward to their vacations when mine is done

Anyway to answer your questions...
1) We did use DME, and although they tell you it could take 3 hours to get your luggage ours took more like 4. It was a bit worrisome, but I figured Disney would have everything under control. We arrived in Orlando around 5:00 pm, so didn't get our luggage til 9:00 pm, then I wanted to get organized. If we were doing it again, I think I'd claim our luggage unless we arrive much earlier. It may be faster for you as June won't be as busy as March Break time

2) We have 5 in the family so I knew we would be in AB. I put in 3 requests, non-smoking, Building 14, close to a bus stop. We didn't request a water view room, only standard. What we got was a corner room on the ground level overlooking garden areas in building 15. We found this location very good. Very close to the South bus stop which was nice in the morning and night...first on first off

3) for the most part the busses were great. In the morning the bus to MK made a direct run from the south bus stop. Usually we went to the other stops as well. We never waited for very long. A couple times the wait was about 15 minutes which really isn't that long but we were spoiled with the other times. We tried not to hit the busses at the really busy times, but after fireworks etc they have so many busses, that even then you don't have to wait long. We found a couple times that the busses were standing room only but since the ride isn't very long it really wasn't that much of a hardship.