It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[mkycrzy1971]

We really enjoyed the food court last year, I hope they did not change it to much! My son keeps on telling me that he wants the large taco bowl like last year, and I think its gone!

No mexican that I seen....mostly hamb, chicken fingers, pizza, pasta, salads, and after 5pm they have a carving station that looked good (although we did not try it).

 

[NYMomof4]

Just wanted to add a comment about the pin station question. POR does not have an official cart but in our experience, the CMs in the gift shop are great pin traders and there is a pin board available to trade off of for up to 2 pins per day that the gift shop CMs keep behind the counter. You have to ask to see it but my kids found some cool cast member pins on it.

We'll be back at POR in August for a visit

 

[mousiemom]

how were the buses? Did they have the frozen cokes there?
Thanks, we will be there in 3 days!!!
Mousiemom

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

how were the buses? Did they have the frozen cokes there?
Thanks, we will be there in 3 days!!!
Mousiemom

I was dissappointed that they didn't have the frozen cokes anymore.

 

[scottny]

do rooms have fridge or do you have to request one?

 

[SHSFire]

Scott,

There are small dorm sized fridges in the room, nicely hidden in a cabinet so it blends into the decor. We just returned last Tuesday and had a great stay at POR.

Julie

 

[mkycrzy1971]

how were the buses? Did they have the frozen cokes there?
Thanks, we will be there in 3 days!!!
Mousiemom

Having stayed at this resort in the past (and thinking it had great bus service), this time I thought the bus service could be a lot better...we would set at the parks and DTD and watch 2-3 buses for ALL of the other resorts (including the All Stars) before we even had 1 bus come and pick up so many people that (several times) those at the end of the line had to wait for the next bus....however, we did not let it ruin our fabulous time..I just think that the next time we go to WDW we will be staying at another resort because of the frustration with this situation... I love POR, but it is time to move on to another "home"...hope you have better luck...and remember, what ever happens keep the "magic" in your trip.

 

[mkycrzy1971]

do rooms have fridge or do you have to request one?

All rooms have them...no need to request...have fun!

 

[Dusted]

Hello all.

Just a few quick 2cents from us- we stopped by to preview the resort for our next trip.

We are DVC owner who lucked out with that wacky 40 % code a while back. We booked a room along with my mom and dad. Should be nice.


While at Old Key West we took the Ferry to DTD and then back to POR.

Nice Ride. Cool views of the old Tree Villas that the exchange students are now using...

POR seemed great. Nice lobby, nice courtyards, views of marinas, food court seemed fine but not very special. DH had a rough time in the mens room, some wierd odor offended him, and continued to do so thru our snack at the food court. I told him it was just him, I smelled nothing, but he insisted. Maybe it was the cleaner or something.

Otherswise, seemed nice. Great pool area, really nice sandy playground, piano bar, marina, etc.

Wish it had private balconies, but that's another story.

Seemed really nice for the $. Never stayed at a moderate. Always seem to find the $ to upgrade last minute, but this stay is combined with my Mom, so we'll have to see how it pans out.

Seems really nice overall. If interested, I would give it a try...

 

[Pixiedust34]

We've never charged anything to our room before as I've always used my Visa, but this time we're not on the dining plan and I think we'd rather charge some meals to our room. Is there a limit to how much you can charge to your room during a trip? I think I remember reading that there was a set limit which differed for values/moderates/deluxes and room charges, but I can't remember the details.

Our plane lands at 8:45 AM, and we're hoping to be at POR around 10:00--10:15 with Magical Express. Is that a good estimate for an arrival time, or does it take longer than that since POR probably isn't the first stop that ME will do? I know that our room might not be ready that early, but it would be a nice surprise if it were. As soon as we're settled with check-in (and bell services for our carry-ons if our room isn't ready), we'll be headed to Animal Kingdom and we're hoping to have time for lunch plus the 1:00 Nemo show.

TIA! We are looking forward to staying at POR again. It's such a nice and relaxing resort. : )

 

[jenr812]

We've never charged anything to our room before as I've always used my Visa, but this time we're not on the dining plan and I think we'd rather charge some meals to our room. Is there a limit to how much you can charge to your room during a trip? I think I remember reading that there was a set limit which differed for values/moderates/deluxes and room charges, but I can't remember the details.

Our plane lands at 8:45 AM, and we're hoping to be at POR around 10:00--10:15 with Magical Express. Is that a good estimate for an arrival time, or does it take longer than that since POR probably isn't the first stop that ME will do? I know that our room might not be ready that early, but it would be a nice surprise if it were. As soon as we're settled with check-in (and bell services for our carry-ons if our room isn't ready), we'll be headed to Animal Kingdom and we're hoping to have time for lunch plus the 1:00 Nemo show.

TIA! We are looking forward to staying at POR again. It's such a nice and relaxing resort. : )

IIRC, I believe they pre-authorize your card for a set amount and once that is reached, they pre-authorize your card for another set amount. I am not sure what the amount is, however. I hope that makes sense.

RE: ME I've never used it as we drive, but that is only an hour and 15 minutes from your take-off time. That doesn't seem like much time at all - how long is your flight??

 

[Pixiedust34]

IIRC, I believe they pre-authorize your card for a set amount and once that is reached, they pre-authorize your card for another set amount. I am not sure what the amount is, however. I hope that makes sense.

RE: ME I've never used it as we drive, but that is only an hour and 15 minutes from your take-off time. That doesn't seem like much time at all - how long is your flight??

Thanks for the info. on charging items to your room.

Our flight is a little over 2 hours, leaving at 6:25 AM and landing at MCO at about 8:45 AM. We've used ME for Pop Century, which was the first stop from MCO, but I don't think POR is the first stop and I'm wondering how long it usually takes from the time you land until the time you're getting in line for POR check-in. I know this varies on how many stops there are and on how long you wait for the ME to be loaded, but an average time would give us a ball park figure of arrival time.

 

[jenr812]

Thanks for the info. on charging items to your room.

Our flight is a little over 2 hours, leaving at 6:25 AM and landing at MCO at about 8:45 AM. We've used ME for Pop Century, which was the first stop from MCO, but I don't think POR is the first stop and I'm wondering how long it usually takes from the time you land until the time you're getting in line for POR check-in. I know this varies on how many stops there are and on how long you wait for the ME to be loaded, but an average time would give us a ball park figure of arrival time.

Oops I misread your original post and missed the important word LANDS! LOL I thought you were taking off at 8:45am That's what I get for DISing too soon after waking up!

 

[jess98ac]

Thanks for the info. on charging items to your room.

Our flight is a little over 2 hours, leaving at 6:25 AM and landing at MCO at about 8:45 AM. We've used ME for Pop Century, which was the first stop from MCO, but I don't think POR is the first stop and I'm wondering how long it usually takes from the time you land until the time you're getting in line for POR check-in. I know this varies on how many stops there are and on how long you wait for the ME to be loaded, but an average time would give us a ball park figure of arrival time.

We landed about 1:30 on a Saturday afternoon and were in line checking in at 3. The ME bus stopped at POR, SS, and OKW...I know we were second, I think it stopped at SS first. I would say as long as there are enough people there that early, and depending on what day of the week it is (that will determine how busy) 10:15-10:30 may not be a bad estimate.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We landed about 1:30 on a Saturday afternoon and were in line checking in at 3. The ME bus stopped at POR, SS, and OKW...I know we were second, I think it stopped at SS first. I would say as long as there are enough people there that early, and depending on what day of the week it is (that will determine how busy) 10:15-10:30 may not be a bad estimate.

Thanks! I imagine it will be busy at Magical Express and at POR check-ins because it's the first day of value season and a lot of people will be arriving that day for the reduced rates.

 

[mommyaof2]

We really enjoyed the food court last year, I hope they did not change it to much! My son keeps on telling me that he wants the large taco bowl like last year, and I think its gone!

When we were there last month I saw alot of people eating a large taco salad. So that was still there.

 

[mkycrzy1971]

When we were there last month I saw alot of people eating a large taco salad. So that was still there.

Not to my knowledge...we were just there May 8-15th and I looked for taco salads and Quesadillas (because we had them during a previous trip and loved them) and did not find them in any section of the foodcourt at POR...I thinkthat someone said at least the quesadillas are still in the foodcourt at POF...OR I guess I could have overlooked them...we ate at the foodcourt only about 3 times during our stay.

 

[mkycrzy1971]

We've never charged anything to our room before as I've always used my Visa, but this time we're not on the dining plan and I think we'd rather charge some meals to our room. Is there a limit to how much you can charge to your room during a trip? I think I remember reading that there was a set limit which differed for values/moderates/deluxes and room charges, but I can't remember the details.

Our plane lands at 8:45 AM, and we're hoping to be at POR around 10:00--10:15 with Magical Express. Is that a good estimate for an arrival time, or does it take longer than that since POR probably isn't the first stop that ME will do? I know that our room might not be ready that early, but it would be a nice surprise if it were. As soon as we're settled with check-in (and bell services for our carry-ons if our room isn't ready), we'll be headed to Animal Kingdom and we're hoping to have time for lunch plus the 1:00 Nemo show.

TIA! We are looking forward to staying at POR again. It's such a nice and relaxing resort. : )

Hi! We were just at POR may8-15th...they do NOT pre-auth your card for your spending limit...you have a set $1000 limit and when that is reached they send it through...for example, we were at AK and had charges of $912 on our room and did not realize we were there already ...we went to the outpost and tried to charge $120 to our room but it was denied...the CM said that the computer said we had reached our limit...I paid with my debit and then called POR front desk..they put the $912 charges through and reset my charging privleges...it was simple. But in my experiences with WDW and POR, they have never pre-auth my card....as for Magical Express....we used it this time...our flight arrived at 9am...were on a bus and headed toward POR by 9:20-9:30am....checked in around 10-10:05am and our room was READY!!! I was so impressed...no luggage to hassle, and our room was ready! We dumped our carry on bags in our room, went to the food court to get a bite to eat (we had been awake since 3am) and casually made our way to the Magic Kingdom...it was about 12 noon when we arrived at MK...from now on, I will not do it any other way...ME is the way to go!

 

[Nickie729]

Does anyone know if they still have smoking rooms at AB? I only ask this because hubby smokes. Thanks

 

[Olallamom]

There will no longer be smoking rooms as of June 1 at any WDW resort.