It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[MS_mom_1965]

I also stayed in a corner room with two double beds and a trundle bed.

 

[teacup317]

I don't know where I found this great site but there are LOTS of pics of POR ~
http://www.portorleans.org/ - we are going to be there in May also. Can't wait!!!!!!!

 

[andrewilley]

I would like to get a room within an easier walking distance of bus stop, food court and with luck, the quiet pool, though the pool is not a deal breaker. I am also crazy about landscaping. Usually we are laid back about room assignments, but due to the above & the short time frame, I'm concerned.

Any photos or room number suggestions?

If you fancy POR's Magnolia Bend section (for which the room interiors are very much like French Quarter) then I'd suggest trying for a river view corner room in either Oak Manor (building 90) or Parterre Place (building 95) - i.e. in the sections immediately either side of the quiet pool. That will give you great access to the quiet pool and a fabulous view - especially towards dusk with the ferryboats going up and down the river and the horse-drawn carriage going along the opposite bank of the river. It's a very short walk over the nearby bridge to the ferry dock & food court area, or a quick walk along the front of the hotel to get to the main bus stop (generally a better choice than the three outer depots, which are the last pickup points and don't start to be used until 10.30am anyway). I'd suggest an upper floor room if possible as there will be less foot traffic outside the door and the view is lovely.

Andre

 

[SplashMom]

We just returned from our first visit to POR and we loved it. We had requested the mansions section but when we arrived, we were put in the AB section. I was quite disappointed at first but once I realized how close we were to everything, I loved the location. We got a king bed which I had requested but I couldn't book because it wasn't available when I made my reservation. We were in building 16, a few steps from the parking lot (we had a car). It was just next to the quiet pool, which was very quiet (wonderful) and about a 2-3 minute walk from the food court/store/marina. The landscaping was beautiful and it was so quiet and peaceful. I would definitely book the same location again!

 

[sl_underwood]

I am going to ask for AB building 14 or 18, first floor room. We are leaving in 2 weeks, when do make my request?

 

[andrewilley]

I am going to ask for AB building 14 or 18, first floor room. We are leaving in 2 weeks, when do make my request?

That's a great choice, it's where I always try for. My favourite location is in the row of rooms 1409-1416 - in fact that's my desktop wallpaper right now! Room 1412 is pretty much perfect, as its a corner room overlooking the water and is just about the shortest walk you can get to both the food court and the main bus stops. That area can sometimes be tricky to get though as building 14 is often held back for guests with walking issues - and don't forget that as "water view" rooms, the ones I mentioned should officially cost extra, but there's no harm in asking! And just around the corner is very nice too of course.

Don't rule out building 27 by the way, that's very nice too. We had room 2756 last year, which is an upper floor corner room which overlooks the river BUT is not considered to be a "water view" for billing purposes as the door & main window face out onto the pathway rather than the river.

I assume you've already got your request in with your booking (if not, try to do that now) but contacting the resort directly by phone or fax about 3-4 days before you arrive can't do any harm either. Good luck!

Andre

 

[MS_mom_1965]

I have to disagree with an earlier statement that the bus stops aren't used until 10:30. We got on the bus several mornings at the North stop between 8:15 and 8:30. One morning at around 7:30 for an EMH.

 

[sl_underwood]

That's a great choice, it's where I always try for. My favourite location is in the row of rooms 1409-1416 - in fact that's my desktop wallpaper right now! Room 1412 is pretty much perfect, as its a corner room overlooking the water and is just about the shortest walk you can get to both the food court and the main bus stops. That area can sometimes be tricky to get though as building 14 is often held back for guests with walking issues - and don't forget that as "water view" rooms, the ones I mentioned should officially cost extra, but there's no harm in asking! And just around the corner is very nice too of course.

Don't rule out building 27 by the way, that's very nice too. We had room 2756 last year, which is an upper floor corner room which overlooks the river BUT is not considered to be a "water view" for billing purposes as the door & main window face out onto the pathway rather than the river.

I assume you've already got your request in with your booking (if not, try to do that now) but contacting the resort directly by phone or fax about 3-4 days before you arrive can't do any harm either. Good luck!

Andre

I did not specify anything when I booked except first floor room as 2 of my children have stamina issues and can not walk long distances and ds cant manuever stairs well (must be carried- ever carried a 40 lb kid up a whole lot of steps, not fun) After reading through this entire thread, it became clear to me the resort is very spread out and unless I want to be carrying kids everywhere I better find a room thats fairly close to everything.

 

[kxmeeh]

Last visit we were in building 39, which was absolutly perfect for us at the time. this time, we are traveling with my sister, who will require a wheelchair. she is mobile, meaning she won't need one for in the room and won't need a roll-in shower, but she will not be able to maneuver through the parks all day. we debated bringing her wheelchair or just renting one, but she doesn't want to have the wheelchair in the airport. i disagree, but it is her decision. we have booked a water view, wanting a quiet pool view, and I can't tell from looking at the map which one will be closest to a bus stop. I am not worried about being close to the main building, I can always walk for take out and bring it back to the room if it's too far for her to walk at the end of the day. there will be 5 of us, so i know we will be in AB. any suggestions?

 

[Billyg]

Can anyone help me out? I am wondering if you rent any type of boat @ POR, can you take it to DTD and go shopping and then come back to the resort? Or do you have to stay around POR? Any help would be great. Thanks!

 

[andrewilley]

I did not specify anything when I booked except first floor room as 2 of my children have stamina issues and can not walk long distances and ds cant manuever stairs well.

If you booked directly with Disney, I would suggest giving them another quick call and getting this detail added to your reservation. It does sound as though you really could do with getting somewhere in the building 14 area on health grounds though. A fax to the resort just before you arrive, mentioning the above again, should certainly help too. Hope it works out for you.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Can anyone help me out? I am wondering if you rent any type of boat @ POR, can you take it to DTD and go shopping and then come back to the resort? Or do you have to stay around POR? Any help would be great. Thanks!

I guess you could hire a boat and go all the way down to DTD, sure - but for any length of time it could prove quite expensive! Why not just use the free ferry boat for your shopping trip?

Andre

 

[Billyg]

Just thinking of an idea to do something fun. Rent the boat for a couple of hours, go down the river, dock, go shopping and then come back. Something to do for awhile.

 

[mom2mykids]

Can anyone help me out? I am wondering if you rent any type of boat @ POR, can you take it to DTD and go shopping and then come back to the resort? Or do you have to stay around POR? Any help would be great. Thanks!

I think the only water craft you can rent there are the sea racer/ jet ski things. The free boats to adn from DTD run at pretty regular intervals. We never had a long wait at all - going to or returning from. The only thing if there is a storm with lightning then they shut them down until the storm passes or at least the threat of lightning passes.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I think the only water craft you can rent there are the sea racer/ jet ski things. The free boats to adn from DTD run at pretty regular intervals. We never had a long wait at all - going to or returning from. The only thing if there is a storm with lightning then they shut them down until the storm passes or at least the threat of lightning passes.

But even if the boats are shut down because of weather and you are already at DTD, you can always take a bus back to the resort (yep, I've experienced it ) It wasn't any problem at all.

Don't be afraid to take the boats to DTD, you can get back to the resort another way if you need to.

 

[Sk8Leigh]

Just thinking of an idea to do something fun. Rent the boat for a couple of hours, go down the river, dock, go shopping and then come back. Something to do for awhile.

That would be very expensive. The boats aren't cheap. And I'm not sure if they would let you dock at DTD with a boat from POR. I would just rent a boat and cruise around, and then take the free boat when you want to go to DTD.

 

[andrewilley]

I have to disagree with an earlier statement that the bus stops aren't used until 10:30. We got on the bus several mornings at the North stop between 8:15 and 8:30. One morning at around 7:30 for an EMH.

Interesting. I know that the buses which pick up at the main South Depot at POR don't normally continue on to the other three Sassagoula Circle pickup locations until about 10.30am. Is there a separate bus which serves the West, North and East Depots earlier in the day I wonder? That'd certainly make sense.

Andre

 

[tink-princess]

I was just reading back on this thread and I really need your help. My DF and I are going to Disney for our Honeymoon May 11-19th and are staying at the POR. I booked all my dining and then GULP I read this thread.. I have ADR's at 8:00 am some days in MK and other parks/ resorts... is this even possible using the buses?!?! We are coming from Canada and do not have a car. Please help, Im so beyond worried now, I want to be sick!!

My ADR's are:

- Crystal Palace: 8:00 am
- O'hanas: 8:10 am
- Akershus: 8:30 am
- Tuskerhouse: 8:05 am
- Chef Mickey's: 8:20 am

Please can anyone help me?

Kiki

 

[DisneyJo]

Don't worry Kiki the buses have always been running really early whenever we've stayed at any of the WDW hotels

 

[Disneymaddness]

On all our trips we have been at the bus stops by 7:30am and there are always busses running. Don't worry!