It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[twob4him]

1) Refrigerators are standard in all POR rooms. You will not need to request one.

2) Yes, safes are also standard in each room. It probably will not hold a camcorder.

3) When I was there last September very small bottles of shampoo and conditioner were provided. Its been posted on these boards that within the past month the resorts have been changing over to a new toiletries provider, H2O. I don't know how large the containers are for the new products, but I'm sure someone else here will have the answer.

So has anyone seen the new toiletries? Are the bottles of shampoo and conditioner bigger???? Are the products pretty good?

 

[handicap18]

4. we have friends staying at ASM. How easy is it to travel between resorts and is it worth it to take a taxi instead?

5. If our friends would like to stay with our kids at our resort while we go off on our own, will they be able to take advantage of the pools and playgrounds even though they are guests at another resort?

Thank you for any help you can give us. I am just trying to make this first family vacation as successful as we possibly can!

If they/you want to go to your hotel from their hotel (or vise versa) they/you would have to take the Disney transportation to one of the parks or transportaion center then switch busses to the other hotel. Either that or take a taxi. No idea on taxi costs.

Any guest staying at one Disney Resort Hotel can use all the ammenities at any other Disney Resort Hotels. It would be a different issue if they were staying off site.

 

[mkycrzy1971]

If they/you want to go to your hotel from their hotel (or vise versa) they/you would have to take the Disney transportation to one of the parks or transportaion center then switch busses to the other hotel. Either that or take a taxi. No idea on taxi costs.

Any guest staying at one Disney Resort Hotel can use all the ammenities at any other Disney Resort Hotels. It would be a different issue if they were staying off site.

As far as I know this is not correct---I have always been told by CMs at WDW that you may only use the pool of the resort in which you are a guest (with the exception of sister resorts such as POR/POFQ). For example if you were a guest of a value resort you are not welcome to use the pool at the Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, POR, CBR, etc. HOWEVER; (to the couple staying at POR) since the couple you are having keep your children are actually sitting in your place, I say it should not be a problem...I do not think you could actually have this couple come and meet you and everyone swim, but I do not see a problem when they are actually standing in your place. My suggestion would be to give ONE of your room keys to this couple so they can prove the rented room in POR. DON"T FORGET to keep a key for yourselves

 

[Disneyolic]

Any guest staying at one Disney Resort Hotel can use all the ammenities at any other Disney Resort Hotels. It would be a different issue if they were staying off site.

This used to be true many years ago but not now, as far as pools go.

You can visit any other resort and use their marina, restaurants, things like that. The pools are a different matter. However, since I have heard that they do not ID you at POR's pool, I guess someone could actually "get away with it". I don't approve of that practice though, just to set the record straight.

 

[ang38]

I've also read somewhere, can't remember that some-one actually asked their resort if friends staying at another on-site resort can swim with them and were told yes. When we stayed at AKL our teenagers at night went to another hotel and swam with friends. The security knew they were staying at AKL and said it was alright. I wouldn't say to pool hop to other resorts just to pool hop, but to spend the day with family or friends since you are both staying on site should be ok. If you feel uncomfortable doing it then just ask the cm at your resort first so you can have peace of mind : )

 

[Disneyolic]

So has anyone seen the new toiletries? Are the bottles of shampoo and conditioner bigger???? Are the products pretty good?

Cathy - Here is a link to another post that shows a picture of the new H2O products. New Toiletries

 

[amy2girls]

Just back on saturday am, awesome trip. Weather was very nice. Crowds were moderate, but took advantage of fast passes. No dreams, we didn't even see the dream team! We stayed in building 27, room 2742. Awesome location!! Any ?'s!!

 

[Disneyolic]

Just back on saturday am, awesome trip. Weather was very nice. Crowds were moderate, but took advantage of fast passes. No dreams, we didn't even see the dream team! We stayed in building 27, room 2742. Awesome location!! Any ?'s!!

That is the building that I would like to request. How long a walk to the food court and the bus stop (which bus stop did you use)?

Glad you had an awesome trip!!!!

 

[amy2girls]

5 min walk to everything. The main pool bridge is right in front of the building. We used the South Depot bus stop which is right at the main building and always the first stop for drop off and pick up. Great location!

 

[Sunshein]

We are part of a grand gathering but our friends wanted to save some money by staying at the ASM instead. We prefered to keep our reservation ot POR and be close to everything and have a little more interesting place to stay. I would hope that being part of a grand gathering gives you some sort of privileges therwise what is the point of going together? I would hope that we could all hang out at each others resort if we wanted to. I understand the ethics of pool hopping, but it isn't as if we are just heading to some resorts pool because we aren't happy with our own or felt like trying them all out. We are just trying to spend some time with our friend on our vacation that doesn't involve racing through the parks. I will definitely speak to the cm's beforehand though since I am not interested in breaking a whole bunch of rules, but I am just saying that the spirit of the rule is not to prevent what we want to do.

 

[jenr812]

In the spirit of this thread, can we not make this a pool hopping debate please? That has been done so many times on the DIS and it gets ugly. I'd hate to see the POR FAQ thread turn ugly. Technically, pool hopping is against Disney policy except for DVCers. People are going to do what they're going to do regardless. So let's just leave it at that. OK?

Sunshein, I see that you're new to the DIS - I hope I didn't offend you by my post, but I just don't want to see this thread go downhill since it is such a wonderful source of information on the resort we all love.

 

[Sunshein]

I take no offence. I had no idea what a can of worms I was opening. This will be my first time staying at Disney World and the first time we take our DD's 4 and 3 to Disneyworld and all I am trying to do is get information. I didn't know this stuff was debatable. I will work this one out with the CM's and leave it off the boards from now on. I do have to say though that this makes me a lot more leary of actually posting and more interested in just reading posts.

 

[Disneyolic]

In the spirit of this thread, can we not make this a pool hopping debate please? That has been done so many times on the DIS and it gets ugly. I'd hate to see the POR FAQ thread turn ugly. Technically, pool hopping is against Disney policy except for DVCers. People are going to do what they're going to do regardless. So let's just leave it at that. OK?

I totally agree with you. In fairness though, I don't think it has gotten into a big debate, but that doesn't mean it would not have. It's okay for someone to ask these general questions and have an answer but getting into huge debates really takes away from a lot of threads' good intentions.

 

[Candid]

I take no offence. I had no idea what a can of worms I was opening. This will be my first time staying at Disney World and the first time we take our DD's 4 and 3 to Disneyworld and all I am trying to do is get information. I didn't know this stuff was debatable. I will work this one out with the CM's and leave it off the boards from now on. I do have to say though that this makes me a lot more leary of actually posting and more interested in just reading posts.

Sunshein, feel free to ask any questions you may have!!! Don't stop just because some members may not agree (and I don't been any person in particular, just a generalization). Asking questions is the best way to find out anything you need to know.

 

[jenr812]

I take no offence. I had no idea what a can of worms I was opening. This will be my first time staying at Disney World and the first time we take our DD's 4 and 3 to Disneyworld and all I am trying to do is get information. I didn't know this stuff was debatable. I will work this one out with the CM's and leave it off the boards from now on. I do have to say though that this makes me a lot more leary of actually posting and more interested in just reading posts.

I am sorry - it was not my intention to make you feel that way at all It wasn't YOUR post that I was really referring to at all - it was the posts that I was anticipating from others, if that makes any sense. I was trying to head it off before it inevitably occurred.

I totally agree with you. In fairness though, I don't think it has gotten into a big debate, but that doesn't mean it would not have. It's okay for someone to ask these general questions and have an answer but getting into huge debates really takes away from a lot of threads' good intentions.

As I mentioned above, I realize this and didn't want Sunshein to be run off by the pool police. Apparently, I did exactly what I was trying to avoid.

Sunshein, feel free to ask any questions you may have!!! Don't stop just because some members may not agree (and I don't been any person in particular, just a generalization). Asking questions is the best way to find out anything you need to know.

Yes, please continue to ask questions and post. Again, I am sorry for upsetting you. I have seen threads become an incessant back and forth regarding pool hopping, reusing refillable mugs, and other such atrocities. I didn't want a new DISer to be attacked by an innocent question.

 

[Disneyolic]

jenr812 - Don't worry about it. By this time you must realize that people always have to chime in their thoughts on things, me included. I didn't disagree with you. I am probably glad that you had the b**ls to say it first. I have been in that position and it got ugly against my just wanting to keep the thread on topic. I really got bashed when I never meant any ill will. I thankfully did have a few people who finally stuck up for me. So, let's get on with it....

 

[Sunshein]

I appreciate what you are saying. I am relatively new to message boards altogether so this is pretty new to me. I will at the very least avoid the topics you listed above. I am very excited about staying at POR, but since we are travelling with two pretty young children, I want to do as much research as I can beforehand in the hopes of making it as enjoyable for them as possible. I know that with my DD4, sensory overload is a real problem. I loved the relative calm feeling of POR. Does anyone have any other advice for tavelling with little ones at POR?

 

[Disneyolic]

I know that with my DD4, sensory overload is a real problem. I loved the relative calm feeling of POR. Does anyone have any other advice for tavelling with little ones at POR?

I see you have a DD that is 4. What is the age of your other child? I have been to Disney many times with my young children. Their ages now are 7, 5 & 2 but have travelled with as young as 4 months. If you have any specific questions on how to help you with young kids, you can either PM me or try out the Family Board. That is an excellent board with lots and lots of advice! Sometimes too much advice...

Not that I am trying to "plug" my trip report or anything but I do have our past trip in there when my boys were only 2½ & 4. Check out the link below.

 

[jenr812]

Not that I am trying to "plug" my trip report or anything but I do have our past trip in there when my boys were only 2½ & 4. Check out the link below.

You're shameless!

When we went to Disney for the 1st time, my kids were 11, 6, and 2 (a month shy of 3). Are you bringing/renting a stroller? We rented a double and will do it again this time if needed. It's just so much walking and so hot. I liked having the rental but others prefer bringing their own Personal preference I guess. If I can help in other ways, let me know!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Hey everyone! I need a building recommendation please. I'll be alone with three kiddos. Which building would be close to the fun pool, bus stop and food court? I'd appreciate any help at all. I know to request 1st floor so I don't have to trudge up and down with the three monkeys, one stroller and all of our stuff alone. LOL! Thanks in advance!!