It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[Disneyolic]

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

Thank you so much for your answers. Great detail and I appreciate it. We are actually going at the end of June and, from what I hear, it is peak Summer season so the crowds will be in force. I am reconsidering DME as I keep hearing bad things about the luggage retrieval after 11 pm - and our flight comes in at 10:58 pm. I'm considering getting a van escort for our trip to the resort and utilizing DME on return to the airport.

How was the return DME to the airport? What time was your flight and how much time did you have once you arrived at MCO?

Thanks so much for your answers and comments. I know it's hard to even be on here after a Disney vacation. Try writing a trip report...it really helps you relive your vacation. I would love to read it!

 

[popinl]

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

We rented a surrey bike for the 5 of us. You have to be over 18 to drive/steer it. They didn't have helmets. Our DS5 rode in the front area and the rest of us pedalled. It was quite fun. You can go around from AB to the Mansions, and you can also go up to FQ.

Can't remember how much it cost...something like $20 for 30 minutes. This kids were bugging us to do it all week so we did it on our last day.

 

[pixiedust_in_ak]

Thank you so much for your answers. Great detail and I appreciate it. We are actually going at the end of June and, from what I hear, it is peak Summer season so the crowds will be in force. I am reconsidering DME as I keep hearing bad things about the luggage retrieval after 11 pm - and our flight comes in at 10:58 pm. I'm considering getting a van escort for our trip to the resort and utilizing DME on return to the airport.

Another option that may be easier and cheaper for you is to pick up your own luggage after you get off the plane and then walk it over to the DME counter. They will take your bags on the bus with you and you still get free use of the DME shuttle. Just don't put the luggage tags on your suitcase.

 

[popinl]

How was the return DME to the airport? What time was your flight and how much time did you have once you arrived at MCO?

Our flight out of MCO was supposed to be at 5:45. We were notified to be on the 2:40 bus, which didn't leave POR until closer to 3:00. We were supposed to make 2 more stops, but ended up being full after 1 more. That stop took a while as we were picking up a gentleman with a wheelchair. We finally got to the airport just after 4:00. Because we were flying back on March 17th and there had been a storm on the eastern seaboard on the 16th the airport was chaos!!! Took quite a long time to get our boarding passes then we rushed to go through security. Got to the gate just about 5:45 but our flight was delayed. Sort of a hectic end to the vacation. If the airport wasn't so busy it wouldn't have been so bad, but the lines were huge with people trying to rebook flights. I'm not sure if we would do the DME again. It was nice to not have to worry about the details. We probably would have run into the same issues returning if we had taken a van or rented a car...that was out of Disney's hands. I did mention to my dh that the line ups a the airport would have been handled better if Disney were doing them, very difficult to see what airline you were lined up for, and people had a hard time getting in and out.

And I agree with pixiedust about arriving...if you don't put the DME tags on your checked luggage you could just pick up your bags and put them on the bus yourself...if you took a van you'd be doing the same thing, but with DME it's free.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

We rented a surrey bike for the 5 of us. You have to be over 18 to drive/steer it. They didn't have helmets. Our DS5 rode in the front area and the rest of us pedalled. It was quite fun. You can go around from AB to the Mansions, and you can also go up to FQ.

Can't remember how much it cost...something like $20 for 30 minutes. This kids were bugging us to do it all week so we did it on our last day.

thanks for that info! My dd's 5 and 7 are excited to go on. My mom and I will be the drivers.

 

[popinl]

Deminl,

Please try to find out more info on food court and its estimated date to reopen. could you also see if there is hair braiding and prices.

I see there's already been info about the food court.

The hair wrapping is just behind the main building, near the restaurant. The price was, if I remember correctly, $1.50/inch and then beads were extra. I didn't see how much extra, probably depends on which beads you choose.

 

[loonytoony]

DO the TV's in POR have ports to hook up a DVD player? I have a small one that I'd like to bring for my son.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Do you have to be a certain age to book a room? We are 21 and 18. Its my senior trip and I just want to make sure that we don't get suprised by this when we call to reserve in a few days. Thanks!

 

[litlpixie]

Bye everyone, on my to POR...I'll arrive on Easter Sunday morning. This will be our 6th time at POR-AB, and we are soooo excited to get back "home"
I will report back here to let give you the update on the new food court items, crowds, and of course, the new baby ducks that were born.......
Happy Easter!!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

Bye everyone, on my to POR...I'll arrive on Easter Sunday morning. This will be our 6th time at POR-AB, and we are soooo excited to get back "home"
I will report back here to let give you the update on the new food court items, crowds, and of course, the new baby ducks that were born.......
Happy Easter!!!

Have a wonderful trip!! I'll look forward to reading about your POR stay when you return home. Have fun!

 

[Disneyolic]

Bye everyone, on my to POR...I'll arrive on Easter Sunday morning. This will be our 6th time at POR-AB, and we are soooo excited to get back "home"
I will report back here to let give you the update on the new food court items, crowds, and of course, the new baby ducks that were born.......
Happy Easter!!!

Have a wonderful vacation and a Happy Easter! I look forward to your report!

 

[loonytoony]

Does anyone know how much for the "mouse" boats?

 

[tkd lisa]

I just switched to POR Alligator Bayou for our free dining reservation. We'll be there from 31 Aug - 4 September. I'll try to bring my Lime Green Mickey heads to decorate our room!

We stayed in the mansions a couple of times (97 and 99) back when it was Dixie Landings.

I'm looking forward to seeing Alligator Bayou. Since I have boy/girl teens, I needed that trundle bed. Good thing my DD15 is a shrimp and can fit comfortable on it!

 

[loonytoony]

bump

 

[monami7]

Does anyone know how much for the "mouse" boats?

When we rode them they werwe $28 a half hour. I am not sure if that has changed. We are excited to be going on the DTD river with them! That is what we call it LOL.
HEidi

 

[prozario]

Does anyone know if I can email my room preference? On the unoffical guide it says you can email - but what is the email address? I asked disney and they said you can only do it by phone - than again she said, since rooms are assigned when i get to disney, i might as well tell my perference when i get there.

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

subscribing

 

[Disneymaddness]

Has anyone stayed in building 39 in Alligator Bayou? How did you like the location? TIA!

 

[Disneyolic]

Does anyone know if I can email my room preference? On the unoffical guide it says you can email - but what is the email address? I asked disney and they said you can only do it by phone - than again she said, since rooms are assigned when i get to disney, i might as well tell my perference when i get there.

I don't have the email address but I heard that rooms are definitely assigned about 4 days prior to arrival.

 

[Poohbear Fan]

Has anyone stayed in building 39 in Alligator Bayou? How did you like the location? TIA!

I have, I have! Twice, actually!

I love it...it's the perfect location, close to a quiet pool, not far from the parking lot and laundry, even not too far from the West Depot bus stop.

Wait a minute...do I want everyone to know this???

Truly, though, it is my favorite building. In fact, I'm hoping to stay in it again in 11 days!

Poohbear