Port Orleans - Comments Wanted

[WDWOKW92]

My wife and I are going to the Mouse House in late September for 6 days/5 nights. I'm considering an upgrade from the Value Resorts to a Moderate, namely Port Orleans. I recall that this is the smallest of the WDW resorts but also the one with the most charm of the Moderates. Is it worth the extra few hundred dollars over the Value resorts? If you have stayed there, what are the positive/negative aspects of it? Any other Moderates you care to recommend over PO? Thanks and have a Disney day!

 

[lucky978]

I've stayed at both Port Orleans - Riverside and Port Orleans - French Quareter. I think when you are refering to a small resort, you are talking about French Quarter (POFQ). We love it there. It's quaint enough that you could walk to the pool, the food court (no sit-down restaurant) or the bus stop. The pool is great, too! So far, this is my favorite resort.

 

[speedyf]

We recently returned from Port Orleans Riverside.

It was ok...but, I liked Pop Century better (we stayed there last summer). I didn't like the fact that Riverside shared a bus with POFQ. Of course, of the 5 bus stops (POFQ, Main Stop at POR South Depot, West Depot, North Depot, East Depot)...we were the last stop and the bus was always full or standing room only.

If I were to choose to stay in a moderate again....I would choose POFQ. It's small which means less walking and you are first on the pick up and drop off schedule for the bus which will virtually guarantee you a seat on the first available bus every time.

I haven't stayed at any other moderates....but, all the advantages I thought a moderate would have over a value turned out to be an afterthought....in my opinion, of course.

We had noisy neighbors for a few nights....that's just the luck of the draw. You can't blame a resort for the neighbors you have and it didn't really bother us that much.

I thought the bus service would be quicker since we were closer to MK and Epcot. But, since the buses have to make 5 stops compared to the Pop Century bus' 1 stop...the bus time ended up being about the same.

The food court was better at Pop in my opinion. More drink options (frozen coke) and the food was prepared better...of course, again....that's just the luck of the draw on who is cooking the food. I'm sure the burgers, chicken tenders, and pizza are the same at both resorts....it's just a matter of how it's cooked.

The boat to Downtown Disney is nice...but, a bus is faster. If you like a relaxing boat ride...then, it's something you will like.....but, we were hungry at the time and wanted to get there as quickly as possible....so, we took the bus.

The waterslide and waterfalls at the main pool close at 8pm....so, if you are late swimmers like us (we like to swim after returning from the park at about 9pm or 10pm)....then, the main pool offers no big advantage over any other value pool.

The fridge in the room is nice to have.

I know everyone thinks differently and has different tastes. We are the type of family that just wants a clean room with a bed and shower. We dont' spend much time exploring the resort...we are there for the parks. After trying a moderate for the first time, I've come to the conclusion that I will either stay value or at a monorail resort (if I could ever afford that) from now on. I don't think you get enough benefits for the 50% more that you pay staying at a moderate over a value. The only reason we tried it was because we had a pin rate of $79 compared to a pin rate of $59 at a value.

Of course...this is just my opinion. Everyone is different and you may end up loving the moderates.

POFQ would be the only moderate I would ever consider in the future. It is first on the bus route and is small for a lazy guy like me. Its layout is about the same as a value layout with many buildings very close to the main building. It also has no restuarant besides the food court.

Again...just my opinion.
Speed

 

[Simba's Mom]

Do the upgrade! I'm probably the "thriftiest" person around, yet I found the moderates to be well worth the extra money. Better theming and more recreation offerings. And at POFQ you have Scat Cat's Lounge, a nice place to sit and relax in the evening, next to the food court. Also you can rent bikes, take the ferry to DTD, walk over to POR to use their facilities, and it's a beautiful walk too.

 

[pennst8r]

We love staying at POR! We have 3 boys and they love the place! Bus stops are close, dining hall is close. If you look you may see the otter in the lake--that's their favorite part.

I like that there are quiet pools in each cluster of rooms that you can go to at any time.

 

[Bob P]

Also, if you do a search on these boards you'll find dozens of threads with comments on PO.

Have fun at WDW!

Bob

 

[bytheblood]

I just posted a review a little bit ago. Maybe that will help.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=838793

 

[doodlebug]

We stayed there for 6 nights in Apryl and just LOVED POFQ!! We almost didn't move over to AKL because we liked it soooo much.. The bus system is really great, the food court is really good, nice having Downtown Disney just a short boat ride away.. And it's pool and grounds are beautiful and quiet!! We will definately stay here on our next trip!!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

We stayed at Port Orleans last week for part of our trip. Then we went to Wilderness Lodge.
We loved both. If you are going to stay in teh PO try to be smart about bus.
They should really add a bus or 2.
If it looks like it is going to rain then try to get to the bus stop before the rain starts. If it gets heavy for 15 minutes then you will find it very hard to get on a popular locations bus because every one waits for teh rain to stop.
We were at a good depot but if we passed alot of the latter depots.

 

[drakethib]

My wife and I are going to the Mouse House in late September for 6 days/5 nights. I'm considering an upgrade from the Value Resorts to a Moderate, namely Port Orleans. I recall that this is the smallest of the WDW resorts but also the one with the most charm of the Moderates. Is it worth the extra few hundred dollars over the Value resorts? If you have stayed there, what are the positive/negative aspects of it? Any other Moderates you care to recommend over PO? Thanks and have a Disney day!

We have stayed at POFQ and Riverside.

Both are great but our first love is Riverside, We stayed their for our Honeymoon when it was Dixie Landings and even though we are now DVC members, Riverside will always be our "home".

The senery and relaxing atmosphere their cannot be beat IMHO.