It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[DisneyParkFan]

Made my ressies yesterday so now it is less than 200 days (199) until I arrive at POR and WDW for Halloween weekend. Hope to stay in one of the Magnolia Bend mansions.
Plan to do the MNSSHP in the MK.
Still have to make ADR at my 180 day mark.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Hi Everyone!

We (me 48 & DS 14) will be in POR November 7 - 15! Any other Dis-ers planning a trip then? I finally received a postcard code, (the first time ever - I felt like I won the lottery, LOL ) which I used for November 9 - 15. We are SOOOO excited. We've visited POR but have never stayed there.


We were supposed to stay at POR in 2005, but at the last minute my DSIS & traveling companion had to cancel due to her job, so we had to switch to ASMU (budget constraints) - the worst hotel experience I have EVER had! So I'm absolutely thrilled to be staying - finally - at POR . I've requested either Magnolia Terrace or Acadian House - an upper floor for quiet. These 2 mansions don't appear to have any nearby smoking sections - a concern for me since I have asthma. Oak Manor was the formerly smoking mansion, is that right?

Can't wait to see Bob Jackson again...any other fans out there? We LOOOOVE Bob!!! His show is 'A Must Not Miss' on our Disney to-do list! We've also enjoyed the food court. I've been hearing some negative things about Boatwrights though - I'd love to hear about any recent experiences.

A big "Thanks!!!" to andrewilley for the wonderful website - the best mansion photos I've seen. Thank you for all your hard work putting this together! I'm sure I'll be visiting your site MANY times between now & November.


To add the icing to the cake, I just discovered that Food & Wine will still be going on at Epcot when we arrive AND MVMCP will also be going on during our trip. I don't think it could get any better than this!!!

Jessica

 

[quiltymom]

We will be arriving at around 7 AM on Saturday, June 7. I realize our room won't be ready at that early hour, but can we "pre" check in, get our resort ID's so we don't have to pay for parking at the parks and maybe use the resort pool while waiting for our room?

The answer is yes. It's a beautiful resort, so you may also want to think about taking a walk throughout POR, then head on over to the FQ to explore. Take your camera and get some shots, too. Just keep checking back to see when a room is available. We got one at noon that had just been cleaned.

 

[FUNROVER]

My husband is a very light sleeper so I am looking for the quietest room location possible. It really doesn't matter how long the walk is to the main building or bus stops as we will be using a rental car to get to the parks. Does anyone have an idea? I know I might not get my request but I at least want to request the right area. By the way, it's just my husband and I so the room set up is not an issue. Thanks for your replies.

 

[quiltymom]

My husband is a very light sleeper so I am looking for the quietest room location possible. It really doesn't matter how long the walk is to the main building or bus stops as we will be using a rental car to get to the parks. Does anyone have an idea? I know I might not get my request but I at least want to request the right area. By the way, it's just my husband and I so the room set up is not an issue. Thanks for your replies.

We stayed in Parterre Place in the small building next to the quiet pool. It was VERY quiet and we loved the location. We faced the garden and the parking lot was very close.

Our room:

the view to the pool/laundry from just outside our door:

If I turned a bit to the right, we could see the parking lot through the garden (I'll post that pic later if you want to see it). We never heard any noise.

I've requested either Magnolia Terrace or Acadian House - an upper floor for quiet. These 2 mansions don't appear to have any nearby smoking sections - a concern for me since I have asthma. Oak Manor was the formerly smoking mansion, is that right?

Yes, it was. That's why we chose Parterre Place since it was previously a non-smoking building. I love the gardens of Magnolia Terrace!

 

[Mermaid4me]

subscribing!!!!!!!!!

Mermaid4m3

 

[FUNROVER]

I appreciate the info and the pictures. I would have never thought of that building being quiet as it sits at the front of the resort. It's definitely on my list of maybe's. It is difficult choosing a resort that you've never explored.

 

[disneymom1980]

Hi everyone. My family and I are staying at POR in October. I stayed there about 9 years ago when it was Dixie Landings and loved it. Although this may have been answered somewhere on the thread, I was wondering if the doors are metal. If they are, I was planning on making magnets for our doors. Thanks to anyone who can help with this!

 

[pkondz]

Geez, I can't remember... but great idea. Check this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=859541

and this one too:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1423428&page=0&highlight=metal+resort+door

sounds like you might be able to use magnets, but no guaranties.

 

[*disneyqueen*]

Hi all!

I am in the pre pre pre early stages of planning a trip for (fingers crossed ) next April/May!!!
I really like the POR due to the fact that it fits a family of 5.(and I think we can swing a moderate resort)
It seems to have everything that I am looking for!

Can someone tell me where the whirlpool is located? and

This might sound silly, but here goes. Our youngest will only be 3 years old and I'm not so sure she'll sleep on a trundle. Would it be possible to stay at a resort that only sleeps 4, but bringing our packandplay for her to sleep in. Would we have to tell them? I know that sounds devious, but we are in the room for such a short time!

 

[andrewilley]

Can someone tell me where the whirlpool is located? and

This might sound silly, but here goes. Our youngest will only be 3 years old and I'm not so sure she'll sleep on a trundle. Would it be possible to stay at a resort that only sleeps 4, but bringing our packandplay for her to sleep in. Would we have to tell them?

The spa pool is located right next to the main pool on Ol' Man Island.

You don't have to use the trundle bed if you don't want to, the resort can provide you with a pack'n'play type bed if that's what you prefer. That way you've got both options open to you.

Andre

 

[mom2mykids]

Geez, I can't remember... but great idea. Check this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=859541

and this one too:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1423428&page=0&highlight=metal+resort+door

sounds like you might be able to use magnets, but no guaranties.

I'm pretty sure they are metal. I had my LGMH and stuff already for our trip, then left the bag next to the couch when left the house Oh well at least I have it for next time!

 

[Kimber1963]

Hi everyone. My family and I are staying at POR in October. I stayed there about 9 years ago when it was Dixie Landings and loved it. Although this may have been answered somewhere on the thread, I was wondering if the doors are metal. If they are, I was planning on making magnets for our doors. Thanks to anyone who can help with this!

Disneymom--We'll be there from 10/24 thru 10/31--maybe we'll see you there!

 

[robinb]

This might sound silly, but here goes. Our youngest will only be 3 years old and I'm not so sure she'll sleep on a trundle. Would it be possible to stay at a resort that only sleeps 4, but bringing our packandplay for her to sleep in. Would we have to tell them? I know that sounds devious, but we are in the room for such a short time!

Sorry . At Disney a child is "free" (resort, park passes, dining) if she is under 3. Since your youngest will be 3, that means that you will have to stay in a resort which sleeps 5 (or 2 smaller rooms). You will also have to buy her a park pass and pay for all her meals ... including the character meal where she only eats 5 bites because she is so excited to meet Mickey.

 

[DrDeb]

the spa pool @ POR is wonderful-- a different feel ...even with children... not so much chaos-- enjoy we'll be there in Sept AND going to the pool & whirlpool on our 1st. day!!!!!

 

[*disneyqueen*]

Gald to hear that the whirlpool is next to the pool. I was afraid it would be somewhere way out of the way.

How hard is it to request a room in AB? I guess I should say, from all the reports, I REALLY REALLY want a room somewhere in there. If I make enough calls or a big enough stink, do you think they will accomodate?

Also, how is the bus "system" at that end of the park. I don't understand it much, but I wonder if we will be on the bus for a horrible amount of time.

 

[andrewilley]

Given that half of the rooms at POR are in the Aligator Bayou section and the other half are mansion buildings, it's very unlikely that they wouldn't be able to find you at least somewhere in AB when you check-in - unless you are checking in at 10pm on a really busy day when the resort is already full.

Sure do all the advanced requesting things that you like, but as a backup plan have a map in your hand when you get there and ask what room they've allocated for you before they get as far as issuing you with a key card. There's almost always the chance to change when you're at the checkin desk.

But whatever you do, be polite and enthusiastic with the cast members rather than complaining and you'll probably get a lot further!

The buses are generally fine, honest. Anywhere in the AB 14-18 & 27 buildings is lovely and very convenient for both the food court and the main bus stop.

There are more tips about rooms & buses at my www.portorleans.org site, but I'm really going to have to stop going on about that before I get thrown off here...

Andre

 

[ampc3]

ohhh , thanks for that thread, I have never seen that before!

 

[kileybeth]

when are you going again? and how old is little Emily?

we just returned from POR-AB for one last trip before our 2 year old turned three. You can be at Dsiney and turn three and it is still all right for a room for 4 but if she will already be 3 when you go . . .no luck.

We went in Sept when our DD2 was 28 months and again in April when she was one month shy of 3 years. It made a huge difference. Sh needed the pak n play in Sept but by April she was more then ready for the trundle or her ready bed is actually where she slept. highly recommend ready beds. love them.

I guess it depends where she sleeps at home too. . .

happy planning!

 

[aubriee]

We'll be at PORS in Sept with my mom, who will be in an ECV. We really want to be in the Alligator Bayou section, but know they don't have elevators, so requested bottom floor, close to main building, and mentioned the ECV. However, looking at the pictures, even the bottom floors seem to all have steps. Are there ramps for ECVs in the Alligator Bayou buildings?