It's The Port Orleans FAQ Thread!!!

[Zoebear]

POR ROCKS!
Just returned, loved it
Seriously, it was incredible.
Faxed my room request again 2 days before; got in building 14 - parking lot view which was just fine by us as it was close to the bus stop.
Towel animals almost every day
Clean rooms
Pool towels
Great food (!)
Fun bikes
Boat to DTD
Hair wraps
Ducks, bunnies etc.

AHhhhhhhhh.
Can't wait to go back !

 

[UAB master]

I haven't read all 146 pages of this thread, but I have a question. I've read about the "general store" at POR. What kind of groceries does it have? We were planning to make a grocery store stop on our way for milk, poptarts, bottled water and maybe some snacks. Could I wait until we get to POR and just buy that stuff in the general store? If they do have it, how do the prices compare to that of a grocery store?

 

[andrewilley]

I know the bus comes from POFQ, then to POR, then onwards, but I cannot remember which way around the bus travels.

At the moment, even the bus drivers don't seem to know the answer to that one!!! Normally the route (after 10.30am) used to be South, West, North, East (i.e. clockwise) but there have been recent reports of some buses doing the opposite route - and even going on to POFQ afterwards in a few cases. Personally I think it's all part of the new computerised system settling down and Disney testing various options. But for now, there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer.

Andre

 

[myrsfmly]

I am hoping for my August stay to get 1 king room for the adults and double for the kids... does anyone know if there are any that are connecting (double to king) not just adjoining in the mansions?

Thanks

 

[Zoebear]

Last week it was almost exclusively
west/north/east (whatever is the right order) then south last.
If it was busy we only stopped at POR - or a least, first. Don't know about when we got off the bus!!

 

[Zoebear]

I didn't notice a whole lot of 'groceries' at the store - doughnuts Entemans etc., a few things like that. Selection of drinks including beer ...
If you want 'groceries' I'd suggest Garden Grocer. We had great luck with it.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Last week it was almost exclusively
west/north/east (whatever is the right order) then south last.
If it was busy we only stopped at POR - or a least, first. Don't know about when we got off the bus!!

So from your experience last week, we need to be around the West stop, and allow an extra 10-15mins to get around POR before leaving for whatever park, is that right?

 

[YesMickey]

I am hoping for my August stay to get 1 king room for the adults and double for the kids... does anyone know if there are any that are connecting (double to king) not just adjoining in the mansions?

Thanks

There are no connecting rooms, only adjacent rooms.

 

[pkondz]

Not completely true. There are only certain nationalities eligible for the prizes. If you're from the USA you're fine, but apparently you can wave goodbye to your castle suite stay if they find out you're from France (or most other places). The exact wording in the T&Cs is: "Void for persons who are not legal residents of the fifty (50) United States ("U.S."), District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom ("UK"), Australia, Japan". That technically applies to all prizes, but I'm guessing they don't bother asking for the minor ones.

Andre

Ah yes. Forgot about that. Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

I was vjust wondering about the size of the beds at POR as i will be sharing a bed with my sister who tends to smack people in her sleep and would like to know what to expect ??? I have seen photos and the dont look very spacious but if anyone has any 1st hand experience then help would be appreciated .....

The beds are double beds. If a Queen is too small for the two of you... watch out for that smack!

 

[lazydoxy66]

POR ROCKS!
Just returned, loved it
Seriously, it was incredible.
Faxed my room request again 2 days before; got in building 14 - parking lot view which was just fine by us as it was close to the bus stop.
Towel animals almost every day
Clean rooms
Pool towels
Great food (!)
Fun bikes
Boat to DTD
Hair wraps
Ducks, bunnies etc.

AHhhhhhhhh.
Can't wait to go back !

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!! I am so hoping we have a great experience at POR.

 

[Henlady]

There ARE some "connecting" rooms (rooms with an inside door between/connecting the 2 rooms) in the Allegator Bayou section of PO-R. I have stayed in them before, and have requested connecting rooms for our Sept trip. I was told that it is noted on my ressies, but of course, they cannot guarantee since both rooms contain mostly adults (me,dh,dd/dgs, ds/df). They try to give families with small children the connecting room option first, which makes sense. We were assured that at least adjacent rooms would be available, which would be fine also.

 

[myrsfmly]

Just got off the phone with POR- the mansions also have connecting rooms

here's wishing for a king to double connecting!!!

 

[kwhite1022]

Is it ever to early to start dreaming and planning a Disney trip? Im getting the bug big time right now as my sister is currently in Disney staying at Port Orleans Riverside. I helped her plan her trip, and now I wanna start planning mine!! I stayed at what was then Dixielanding, for my honeymoon 11 years ago, then at POP with my 2 kids and hubby last Feb. We decided then that the next time we were stepping it up a notch, we did not like the chaos at a value resort. I wasnt sure Dixie exsisted anymore, the name change confused me....so glad to find out its still there. We are looking at going back in 2009 for either MNNSHP or Feb in 2010. I plan to stay at POR, I know so much more now then I did back on my honeymoon.....but I wonder if starting to dream and plan this far in advance will burn me out? Nah, no such luck I think. Im so happy to find this thread and learn things I didnt realize from when I was there back in 1997, never knew about the boat to DTD, or the carriage rides....perhaps some of that is new since then, but either way, Im pumped for our next adventure at the POR.

I do have a question. We are now a family of 5, do we have to request a certain area and a trundle bed at POR? I would like to be somewhat close to the food court and bus stop, dont care as much about the pool, as when we go its not necessarily warm enough to swim....or atleast it wasnt last Feb...we wore sweatshirts all week long.

 

[not_minnie]

I'm sorry I haven't read all the posts, but I'm at work (on my lunch hour) so I don't have oodles of time.

This will be our first time at POR. I reserved/paid for a king room, but haven't quite made up my mind where I'd like to be. I'm leaning towards AB but now I have 2 questions from posts I've read here:

1. Did I read correctly (in one of the last couple of pages of this thread) that AB is reserved for families and groups in the summer? It's just DH and I, so if that's the case I guess we'd be better off in MB?

2. Corner rooms w/2 windows!! Didn't know they exist. Are these available with king beds?

Decisions, decisions! I'm so glad I found this site TIA!

 

[pkondz]

Is it ever to early to start dreaming and planning a Disney trip?

NO!

I do have a question. We are now a family of 5, do we have to request a certain area and a trundle bed at POR? I would like to be somewhat close to the food court and bus stop, dont care as much about the pool...

The trundle beds (and room for 5) are in Alligator Bayou. the buildings closest to the food court and main bus stop are buildings 14, 15 and 18. See the resort map here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/port-riverside.htm

 

[pkondz]

1. Did I read correctly (in one of the last couple of pages of this thread) that AB is reserved for families and groups in the summer? It's just DH and I, so if that's the case I guess we'd be better off in MB?

2. Corner rooms w/2 windows!! Didn't know they exist. Are these available with king beds?

Decisions, decisions! I'm so glad I found this site TIA!

1. No, AB is not reserved for families and groups. AB is however the only place where a party of 5 can stay (2 beds plus a trundle bed). If you prefer AB, then request it! Just remember that it's only a request, not a guaranty.

2. Sorry, can't help you there. Just don't know. Perhaps andrewilley or someone else could help?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

There are some king bed corner rooms!

We were assigned one in AB bldg 14, 1ft floor - we did not request one and actually needed 2 beds, but the CM at check-in must not have realized it was a king room b/c we found out when we opened the door.

We were a family of two!

 

[Jengi4]

Hi all,
After getting my ADR's for our vacation, I'm sure we'll want to eat at POR while we are staying there...what are the chances of getting a table for 6 in Boatwrights without ADR's?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi all,
After getting my ADR's for our vacation, I'm sure we'll want to eat at POR while we are staying there...what are the chances of getting a table for 6 in Boatwrights without ADR's?

That will be dififcult in a crowded time - it's very popular. Why not make another ADR to be sure you're covered?