Port Orleans French Quarter FAQ thread - Refurbished for 2011 - Now CLOSED

[itsalebeau]

They do! I've been in gift shops in value, moderate, and deluxe and they all have a small grocery area.

If you click on the link for portorleans.org and go to the bottom where it says 2010, you can click to see pics of milk, bread, etc. I don't know about prices. You'll pay more than running to Walmart or Publix but if you just need a few things, they have it!

http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-POFQ-Main.php

Ah! Brilliant! I can make pb&j for breakfast!! And there is liquor!

 

[kaffinito]

I assume there's a few designated smoking areas in the resort, correct? Does anyone happen to know where they're located at and if they're near to any of the rooms??

Both my mother & I are very sensitive to cigarette smoke (causes terrible headaches) and I'm pretty militant about keeping DD away from secondhand smoke.

Just request to be away from any DSA's.

And here's a map that shows were the DSA's are located .http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/PortOrleansMap.pdf

 

[NYEmomma]

Just request to be away from any DSA's.

And here's a map that shows were the DSA's are located .http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/PortOrleansMap.pdf

Thank you!! I didn't even think to look at the resort map for designated smoking areas. I'm calling and booking today so I want to get all my ducks in a row, lol.

 

[2girlsmom]

Hi, again! There is DEFINITELY liquor at the gift shop, they had a LOT when we were there in December. We loved everything about this resort, and are now thinking to book a short trip for the first weekend in October here, the prices are great, and we'll just upgrade our tickets in May to AP's to make it very reasonable. It will be our first F&W festival, and we're SO excited!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Hi, again! There is DEFINITELY liquor at the gift shop, they had a LOT when we were there in December. We loved everything about this resort, and are now thinking to book a short trip for the first weekend in October here, the prices are great, and we'll just upgrade our tickets in May to AP's to make it very reasonable. It will be our first F&W festival, and we're SO excited!

Food & Wine will be so fun! I'm so excited for our trip....are you sure you wouldn't rather wait till November?

I can't wait to try POFQ....your reviews form your Dec. trip had a big influence on our choice. Now just hoping for a code!

 

[JessicaW1234]

Hi,
We are visiting in November, looking at the resort map, I was wondering if anyone has photos of rooms and/or views from buildings 2,5 or 6? Anyone find building five loud from the pool?

Do all buildings have elevators? Where are they located? Do they have rooms next to them?

Anyone go at this time of year? How long does it take to MK? Does it stop at POR?

Thanks in advance!
Jessica

 

[Missytara]

Hi,
We are visiting in November, looking at the resort map, I was wondering if anyone has photos of rooms and/or views from buildings 2,5 or 6? Anyone find building five loud from the pool?

Do all buildings have elevators? Where are they located? Do they have rooms next to them?

Anyone go at this time of year? How long does it take to MK? Does it stop at POR?

Thanks in advance!
Jessica

November is a very good time of year to go.

Check out portorleans for the pictures of the new refurbed rooms; the refurb will be done in April. They also have pictures of the exteriors as well as resort maps that would be very helpful.

You can book a standard or garden view room which will not face the pool; facing the pool or being near it is actually a booking category.

They are three story buildings, so they do have elevators.

Buses do share with POR during busy times of the day, but mostly go by themselves and there is only one stop. Most parks it takes about 15 - 20 minutes to get to on the average.

 

[2girlsmom]

Hi,
We are visiting in November, looking at the resort map, I was wondering if anyone has photos of rooms and/or views from buildings 2,5 or 6? Anyone find building five loud from the pool?

Do all buildings have elevators? Where are they located? Do they have rooms next to them?

Anyone go at this time of year? How long does it take to MK? Does it stop at POR?

Thanks in advance!
Jessica

I think November will be wonderful. You should be aware that the temperatures in November and December can vary drastically, plan to pack a variety of clothing. In December we had weather for swimsuits and shorts for 1 day, and the rest of the week were in jeans, and mostly winter coats. However, 3 years ago, we had an entire week in the 80's, so wore mostly shorts/capris, and took a sweater or sweatshirt for late evenings.

The buildings do all have elevators, I believe they are all located in the rough center of each building, and as MissyTara said a garden view in building 5 would put you on the opposite side of the building from the pool.

As far as the busses, in the mornings and late at night, all the busses we had did NOT share with POR, only the middle of the day busses shared. When they were not shared, the bus to MK took maybe 10 minutes, to DHS was less than 5. When they were shared, they always go to FQ first, and then there are 3 stops at POR, so that probably adds another 10 minutes or so to the transits.

MissyTara, hmm, November... I'd have to look. We are thinking to go the weekend of Oct 1st, the marathon weekend, as we have a few friends who will be there the same weekend to hang out with, and the prices are so far looking pretty great for the time frame. What week are you there? I am trying to avoid taking my kids out of school for very many days, so also scheduling around their school breaks.

 

[Evi]

Thanks to everyone who answered my standard view/parking lot question. More so worried about headlights and traffic noise than the actual sight of cars, but I'm not worried at all now!



I would have to agree with that!!! Do you remember which room/building you were in? I'd gladly wear ear plugs and an eye mask if it meant seeing fireworks before I fell asleep

I know we were in building 7 room not sure of room number though I think it was 2019 or something like that sorry I shred my room keys.

 

[srutko1226]

DH and I are going late March, early April to get a break from work and new additions to our family.

We have always loved FQ and have stayed there
half the time in WDW over many years.

We paid for a king bed since because of grandbabies being born we never seem to sleep together much . It's the baby who keeps trying to jump out of the crib thing.

I am starting to worry we won't get a king room. What do you think? Should I call?

 

[jenniferyawn]

Hey, y'all!! I'm so super excited we booked our ADR's for October 3-9!!!! Been looking forward to this one for a long time!! This will be our 3rd time at POFQ since my family absolutely doesn't want to try anywhere else! We LOVE it there!! I'd love to stay in bldg 4 close to the bus stop and food court, but I didnt' request any special one yet...I'd love a refurbished room...does anyone know which buildings will be finished before October? Thanks for any info!!

BTW...I noticed a lot of concerns about mousekeeping on the thread and I hate that...when we were there last February, the mousekeeping service was GREAT! My DD threw up over everthing twice and they came and shampooed the carpet...they were very sweet to us!

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Hey, y'all!! I'm so super excited we booked our ADR's for October 3-9!!!! Been looking forward to this one for a long time!! This will be our 3rd time at POFQ since my family absolutely doesn't want to try anywhere else! We LOVE it there!! I'd love to stay in bldg 4 close to the bus stop and food court, but I didnt' request any special one yet...I'd love a refurbished room...does anyone know which buildings will be finished before October? Thanks for any info!!

BTW...I noticed a lot of concerns about mousekeeping on the thread and I hate that...when we were there last February, the mousekeeping service was GREAT! My DD threw up over everthing twice and they came and shampooed the carpet...they were very sweet to us!

I'm pretty sure all of the buildings will be done and they'll be working on Riverside by October.

 

[KikiFan]

Hi All! My daughter and I are spending Christmas at WDW and POFQ!!

I've got a question, does anyone know what time the food court closes? We'll be arriving on Wed 12/14 late in the evening. We haven't booked the flight yet so I don't have the exact time, but I'm certain we'll be on the one of the last flights of the evening. - so I'm wondering if we'll be able to eat when we get there or need to make other plans.

 

[andrewilley]

We paid for a king bed since because of grandbabies being born we never seem to sleep together much . It's the baby who keeps trying to jump out of the crib thing.

I am starting to worry we won't get a king room. What do you think? Should I call?

If you paid extra for a King Bed room, you will get one. That is a specifically booked category, not just a request.

I'd love a refurbished room...does anyone know which buildings will be finished before October?

Don't worry, they're all be done by April. I fully expect that by October people on the boards will be starting to ask when the next refurb is due.

I've got a question, does anyone know what time the food court closes? We'll be arriving on Wed 12/14 late in the evening.

Most of the counters stop serving at 11pm, but you can still get some bakery goods, grab'n'go, and pizza until midnight.

Andre

 

[Missytara]

DH and I are going late March, early April to get a break from work and new additions to our family.

We have always loved FQ and have stayed there
half the time in WDW over many years.

We paid for a king bed since because of grandbabies being born we never seem to sleep together much . It's the baby who keeps trying to jump out of the crib thing.

I am starting to worry we won't get a king room. What do you think? Should I call?

As long as you paid for a king bed, you will get it.

Some of the king bed rooms are also the handicapped accessible rooms, so you may end up with one without the double sink and the large shower.

 

[mastermind307]

Just booked for Nov. 13-19 at POFQ. We just stayed there in Sept. 2010 and loved it. My parents are coming with us this time and it will be their first visit. I thought this resort would be perfect for them since it is small and quiet. Can't wait!

 

[Quacker1964]

Just 10 weeks to go for our first visit to POFQ! - it seems to have been booked for ages and now getting ever-closer.

Should all be refurbished and my old dad is looking forward to escaping this cold UK winter for the Florida sunshine.

Quick question:

Not really too many requests but as dad is slowing down a little these days (walks with a stick) can we request a ground-floor room and is building 4 or 5 the closest to the bus stops for him?

What else can we request and when would the best time be to make these requests?

I understand they are only requests, and as all floors have elevators and it is such a small resort it is no hardship if these are not met

One last thing - what is the internet connection like? - I know it is $9.95 per 24 hours. Is it high speed/wireless?

Steve

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Did everyone see all the threads with the new mug design?!!!

We're leaving in 3 weeks so I hope they are at POFQ by then. Someone called BWI who said they were not out yet but they are out at POP!

Hopefully we can get some updates on the mugs from those who are already at POFQ!!!!

 

[jen42002]

Just 10 weeks to go for our first visit to POFQ! - it seems to have been booked for ages and now getting ever-closer.

Should all be refurbished and my old dad is looking forward to escaping this cold UK winter for the Florida sunshine.

Quick question:

Not really too many requests but as dad is slowing down a little these days (walks with a stick) can we request a ground-floor room and is building 4 or 5 the closest to the bus stops for him?

What else can we request and when would the best time be to make these requests?

I understand they are only requests, and as all floors have elevators and it is such a small resort it is no hardship if these are not met

One last thing - what is the internet connection like? - I know it is $9.95 per 24 hours. Is it high speed/wireless?

Steve

Building 4 is the closest to the bus stop and will minimize his walking.

 

[CLPClarinet]

OK, I'm staying at POFQ for the first time and I do have to questions relating to "how to get to there from here".

1. I have an early morning reservation at 1900 Parkfare. Do I need to take a bus to MK and then take the monorail to the Grand Floridian?

2. I have a late night reservation at California Grill. Do I take a bus to MK and then take the monorail over? To get back late at night (probably when the mad rush after fireworks are over) do I go back to MK and get a bus from there? Or would it be faster to take the monorail to the TTC, hop over to EPCOT and get a bus back to POFQ from there?

Is there any faster way to do this? Does POFQ buses pick up from the Ticket and Transport Center? I can't remember if they do, but I do recall that Shades of Green used the TTC alot to get to places.