Just back from PO-FQ! Questions?
- Thread starter kgkmom
- Start date
parrotheadlois
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2001
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- 2,158
Oh yay! I've been waiting for someone! I heard they were renovating some of the buildings, we want to stay in the mansion buildings, specifically Magnolia Bend, do you know anything about that?? We've booked a water view room, where'd you stay???
Thanks...
Thanks...
Howdy!
We stayed in the French Quarter, and Magnolia Bend is in Riverside. But I will say that Riverside looked absolutely beautiful! Disney was doing some renovation work on the roads around Riverside, but I don't know what was happening inside. If you've asked for a water view, hopefully you will be on the river. Our room at the French Quarter faced the Sassagoula River-our door opened right to it. The path along the river is beautiful, and many folks jogged, walked and biked every day.
Hope you enjoy your trip! The only bummer about Riverside, is that the buses pick up at French Quarter first, and sometimes, quite often I found, Riverside folks had to stand. Although, if you are in the mansions, you'll have a better time of it, as the bus will pick up there before the Bayou stops.
Have fun!
We stayed in the French Quarter, and Magnolia Bend is in Riverside. But I will say that Riverside looked absolutely beautiful! Disney was doing some renovation work on the roads around Riverside, but I don't know what was happening inside. If you've asked for a water view, hopefully you will be on the river. Our room at the French Quarter faced the Sassagoula River-our door opened right to it. The path along the river is beautiful, and many folks jogged, walked and biked every day.
Hope you enjoy your trip! The only bummer about Riverside, is that the buses pick up at French Quarter first, and sometimes, quite often I found, Riverside folks had to stand. Although, if you are in the mansions, you'll have a better time of it, as the bus will pick up there before the Bayou stops.
Have fun!
fa mulan
And I think to myself, "What a Wonderful World."
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2002
- Messages
- 267
Hi KGKMom! I hope you had a great trip. We are going w/ our 3 & 7 yo girls in Feb. 
and I'd love to know what you thought about the resort.
Did you have kids with you? How did they like it?
Did you have car or use Disney transp. and what did you think?
How was your room? Food court? Pool?
Thank you?
and I'd love to know what you thought about the resort. Did you have kids with you? How did they like it?
Did you have car or use Disney transp. and what did you think?
How was your room? Food court? Pool?
Thank you?
Hey there Fa Mulan!
I had my 9 year-old daughter with me, and my 33 year-old brother. My DD loved the pool. She thought the slide was the best. Adults can use it too, so it was very cool! The pool is smallish, but it is perfectly fine if you are going during a non-peak season. You also have the ability to use the pools at Riverside, if the FQ pool is too crowded. We never found the pool too crowded, though.
My DD loved the resort. I loved the cozy size and walkability of the place. It was incredibly quiet, even near the pool. We were in building six, and had a river facing room. Beautiful! The bathroom is very small, but there are two vanity sinks outside the tub/toilet area, which were very handy. The room was very well maintained (better during the week than on the weekend), and we were kept regularly supplied with soaps and shampoo. We were on the first floor, which was great after a long day in the parks. Sometimes the climb to the room can be the longest part of the way back to the resort!
The service was excellent. I called to borrow a hair dryer, and it was brought down within 5 minutes. In fact, every time we called for things, we were helped within 10 minutes.
I was amazed at the wildlife we saw at the resort. We took the boat to Downtown Disney from the resort, and we saw gorgeous birds drying their wings along the river (they looked like a crane species, but I wasn't sure), and every morning we saw different varieties of wading and shore birds along the river. We also saw some bunnies munching on the lawn every night, and of course frogs and lizards (little ones!). I said to my brother, we've seen more wildlife at the resort than at Animal Kingdom!
The size of the resort was great, because it was never a long walk to the food court or the bus or the pool. We had a car because we were attending a family wedding in Orlando, but we only used it to go to the emergency room (another story) and to Sea World. Otherwise, we used the buses to get to and from the parks. Being at FQ was great, because we were the first to be picked up and the first to be dropped off. I think we waited 15 minutes once for a bus, but that was the longest time. It was usually 5-10 minutes.
The food court was great. The prices were Disney, but the variety was fine. Lots and lots of fresh fruit in the morning, and delicious baked goods. My DD loved the Mickey waffles (I had one too-yum), and she also loved the cinnamon rolls. In fact, we didn't have a bad meal there. Nothing gourmet, but certainly fine. The pizza looked yummy, but we didn't try it. I'd say the breakfasts were the best meals there. The food court has a big TV, and we watched Toy Story and A Bug's Life a few times during our meals! We did get the refillable mug, which my DD and I shared. The mug was $10, but then the drinks are free. They had a very good variety of snacks, and the cashiers were extremely pleasant.
I loved this resort and would stay there again in a heartbeat!
Enjoy!
I had my 9 year-old daughter with me, and my 33 year-old brother. My DD loved the pool. She thought the slide was the best. Adults can use it too, so it was very cool! The pool is smallish, but it is perfectly fine if you are going during a non-peak season. You also have the ability to use the pools at Riverside, if the FQ pool is too crowded. We never found the pool too crowded, though.
My DD loved the resort. I loved the cozy size and walkability of the place. It was incredibly quiet, even near the pool. We were in building six, and had a river facing room. Beautiful! The bathroom is very small, but there are two vanity sinks outside the tub/toilet area, which were very handy. The room was very well maintained (better during the week than on the weekend), and we were kept regularly supplied with soaps and shampoo. We were on the first floor, which was great after a long day in the parks. Sometimes the climb to the room can be the longest part of the way back to the resort!
The service was excellent. I called to borrow a hair dryer, and it was brought down within 5 minutes. In fact, every time we called for things, we were helped within 10 minutes.
I was amazed at the wildlife we saw at the resort. We took the boat to Downtown Disney from the resort, and we saw gorgeous birds drying their wings along the river (they looked like a crane species, but I wasn't sure), and every morning we saw different varieties of wading and shore birds along the river. We also saw some bunnies munching on the lawn every night, and of course frogs and lizards (little ones!). I said to my brother, we've seen more wildlife at the resort than at Animal Kingdom!
The size of the resort was great, because it was never a long walk to the food court or the bus or the pool. We had a car because we were attending a family wedding in Orlando, but we only used it to go to the emergency room (another story) and to Sea World. Otherwise, we used the buses to get to and from the parks. Being at FQ was great, because we were the first to be picked up and the first to be dropped off. I think we waited 15 minutes once for a bus, but that was the longest time. It was usually 5-10 minutes.
The food court was great. The prices were Disney, but the variety was fine. Lots and lots of fresh fruit in the morning, and delicious baked goods. My DD loved the Mickey waffles (I had one too-yum), and she also loved the cinnamon rolls. In fact, we didn't have a bad meal there. Nothing gourmet, but certainly fine. The pizza looked yummy, but we didn't try it. I'd say the breakfasts were the best meals there. The food court has a big TV, and we watched Toy Story and A Bug's Life a few times during our meals! We did get the refillable mug, which my DD and I shared. The mug was $10, but then the drinks are free. They had a very good variety of snacks, and the cashiers were extremely pleasant.
I loved this resort and would stay there again in a heartbeat!
Enjoy!
parrotheadlois
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2001
- Messages
- 2,158
Sounds lovely! Looking forward to that boat to Downtown! Thanks!
Winniemouse
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2001
- Messages
- 83
Thanks kgkmom, I've been waiting for someone to come back
and post a review. It sounds like you had a wonderful time.
We're going to be staying there 4/12-4/20 and I can't wait!
My question is: Did you request a spacific room area? and
if you did where your requests honored? How crowded was the
resort?
I noticed your from Providence RI. Your not very far from me
I'm in Connecticut. Right on the Connecticut RI boarder.
Thanks,
Winnie
and post a review. It sounds like you had a wonderful time.
We're going to be staying there 4/12-4/20 and I can't wait!
My question is: Did you request a spacific room area? and
if you did where your requests honored? How crowded was the
resort?
I noticed your from Providence RI. Your not very far from me
I'm in Connecticut. Right on the Connecticut RI boarder.
Thanks,
Winnie
Simba's Mom
everything went to "H*** in a handbasket
- Joined
- Aug 26, 1999
- Messages
- 36,871
Is the live entertainment back in the Scat Cat's lounge? They used to have a Saxaphone player there, and I missed him last trip-when it reopened he hadn't been hired back yet. It was only about 4 nights per week.
Simba's Mom-I didn't get to Scat Cat's, but my brother did one night, and he didn't mention any live entertainment. Wish I had a better answer!
Winninemouse-we requested non-smoking, first floor, and water view, and all our requests were honored. We needed a first floor because my folks were going to go with us, and they have trouble climbing stairs. They ended up staying home, but I left the request in. I'm glad I did, because we were very tired by the end of each day, and not having to climb the stairs was wonderful! I didn't fax my requests, because they had been noted when I booked the trip. Some folks say to fax anyway to be sure, but even then, some requests aren't able to be accomodated. The water view we got was beautiful-right on the river. Simply lovely.
Winnie, you might have a tougher time with your requests, since you are going around school vacation time, so if I were you, I'd fax the resort 3-4 days before you arrive, just to refresh their memory.
Have fun!
Winninemouse-we requested non-smoking, first floor, and water view, and all our requests were honored. We needed a first floor because my folks were going to go with us, and they have trouble climbing stairs. They ended up staying home, but I left the request in. I'm glad I did, because we were very tired by the end of each day, and not having to climb the stairs was wonderful! I didn't fax my requests, because they had been noted when I booked the trip. Some folks say to fax anyway to be sure, but even then, some requests aren't able to be accomodated. The water view we got was beautiful-right on the river. Simply lovely.
Winnie, you might have a tougher time with your requests, since you are going around school vacation time, so if I were you, I'd fax the resort 3-4 days before you arrive, just to refresh their memory.
Have fun!
Did you use Disney transportaion to the parks? How long were the bus rides to each park from the hotel? (That is a major fact when we book our next vacation.) Was there shampoo & lotion supplied in your room each day? I hate to pack things if there are supplied. Thanks!
Hi!
Soap and shampoo were supplied daily, and I was able to call for a hair dryer to use for the week (I had forgotten mine at home, and there isn't one in the room).
The longest ride to the parks was about a 20-25 minute ride to the Magic Kingdom. All the other parks were 15-20 minutes away. I think the closest was MGM. If you stay at the FQ, the ride is a bit longer (a few minutes) because the bus picks up at Riverside after FQ. We used the buses exclusively, because we didn't want to deal with parking and the lines to get out of the parks at night. If you have a priority seating, you might want to leave at least 45 minutes for travel if using the buses. This would give you time to get to the bus stop, wait for and get on the bus, and then get to your PS after being dropped off. The great thing, is that the bus drops off at the entrance, while the folks who've driven need to be brought in by tram.
Have fun!
Soap and shampoo were supplied daily, and I was able to call for a hair dryer to use for the week (I had forgotten mine at home, and there isn't one in the room).
The longest ride to the parks was about a 20-25 minute ride to the Magic Kingdom. All the other parks were 15-20 minutes away. I think the closest was MGM. If you stay at the FQ, the ride is a bit longer (a few minutes) because the bus picks up at Riverside after FQ. We used the buses exclusively, because we didn't want to deal with parking and the lines to get out of the parks at night. If you have a priority seating, you might want to leave at least 45 minutes for travel if using the buses. This would give you time to get to the bus stop, wait for and get on the bus, and then get to your PS after being dropped off. The great thing, is that the bus drops off at the entrance, while the folks who've driven need to be brought in by tram.
Have fun!
Woo-hoo is right! I totally loved this resort, and would stay there again in a heartbeat. Some of the resorts are so themed, that it can be, dare I say, over the top a little? This one is understated, elegant, and calm. We've stayed at the All-Stars before, and one thing it ain't, is calm! We liked it there too, don't get me wrong, but the FQ is a totally different animal.
Nothing, I repeat nothing, would make me stay offsite ever again. There are too many deals available making it affordable to stay on Disney property, and the benefits far outweigh any small price difference you may find. (I'm comparing apples to apples, of course).
Have fun!
Nothing, I repeat nothing, would make me stay offsite ever again. There are too many deals available making it affordable to stay on Disney property, and the benefits far outweigh any small price difference you may find. (I'm comparing apples to apples, of course).
Have fun!
100%Disney
<font color=9999FF>On the lookout for a good sushi
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2002
- Messages
- 1,234
Glad you had a great time. Were the buses crowded? We have a toddler, and I worry about having to stand on a bus ride.
deecee99
<font color=FF66FF>Has sore hands from all that cl
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2001
- Messages
- 77
Hey there!
Thanks for postings!! Just wondering if you know of or saw a hot tub there at PO FQ? I'll be there and need one after running the marathon on 1/12 (sorry for the traffic headaches to those of you there then!) ...
-diane
Thanks for postings!! Just wondering if you know of or saw a hot tub there at PO FQ? I'll be there and need one after running the marathon on 1/12 (sorry for the traffic headaches to those of you there then!) ...
-diane
maciec
AHHHH....Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?
- Joined
- May 10, 2001
- Messages
- 4,545
are the boats to DD still shared with POR or do they launch right out of FQ? We were there 4 years ago at POR and I remember us picking up the people at FQ .... I just don't want to have to wait like those people did and am wondering if it would be better to walk over to POR.
Hi folks,
I've spent the past week moving into my new house, so I apologize for the delay in answering!
The buses were crowded at typically crowded times-after park closings, or for special events for example. Being at PO-FQ, though, meant we never had to stand. If bringing a toddler, most likely you'll have a stroller, and *that* did cause some bruising and took up some space on the bus. If you can get by with renting in the parks, or bringing an umbrella-type stroller instead of the 'cadaillac' strollers, then the buses should be relatively comfortable. Keep in mind that we were there in late October with the Wine & Food festival and the Halloween parties, so the crowded times were skewed a bit.
The boat to DTD left directly from FQ the two times I took it. We didn't stop at POR, nor were there folks from POR already on the boat. Maybe it was the timing.
Sarah
I've spent the past week moving into my new house, so I apologize for the delay in answering!
The buses were crowded at typically crowded times-after park closings, or for special events for example. Being at PO-FQ, though, meant we never had to stand. If bringing a toddler, most likely you'll have a stroller, and *that* did cause some bruising and took up some space on the bus. If you can get by with renting in the parks, or bringing an umbrella-type stroller instead of the 'cadaillac' strollers, then the buses should be relatively comfortable. Keep in mind that we were there in late October with the Wine & Food festival and the Halloween parties, so the crowded times were skewed a bit.
The boat to DTD left directly from FQ the two times I took it. We didn't stop at POR, nor were there folks from POR already on the boat. Maybe it was the timing.
Sarah
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