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

[Mom2Kera]

We arrive at POFQ on 3/8. We should arrive by 1 p.m. - what are the chances that our room will be ready? We're planning on enjoying the pool, weather permitting, in the afternoon and taking a boat ride to DD. Will there be an outdoor movie in the evening? If so, what time?

Getting excited - packing this weekend DD(5) is crossing the days off on her calendar. She can't wait to ride the sea serpent slide!

 

[Bearybear]

Even if your room isn't ready, you can have them store your luggage and enjoy the pool. When we were there a few weeks ago, we arrived around 1 and our room wasn't ready, but they stored our stuff for us, and texted us with the room number once it was ready. Our KTTW card was automatically hooked up as a room key, so we didn't even need to make an extra stop.

I think the movies start at 7. We had a lot of fun watching Finding Nemo outside while we had some supper.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[GirlDreamer]

It's a bigger chance your room will be ready if you do online check in, as I've heard that you'll enter your expected arrival time as you do that.

 

[andrewilley]

I think the movies start at 7.

The start time varies by season, depending on when it gets dark.

Andre

 

[angierae]

The start time varies by season, depending on when it gets dark.

Andre

The March schedule says 8pm. I'm hoping it's 9 for April because we have a lot of 7pm dinner reservations and I want to catch at least one of these.


Another question, though - we have a package for 7 nights and then a room-only for the last two nights. Am I better off not doing online checkin and doing it when we get there so they can try to make sure we don't have to move rooms, or is it better to do online so they have more lead-time to make sure we don't have to change rooms?

 

[HappyGal]

Couldn't find this before I left - but I was interested in a Rollaway bed and asked on the phone to the reservationist. She said no ability to order in advance which was what the board said. When I got there, I requested a rollaway bed and they told us they were no longer available at POFQ since they are a fire hazard due to recent renovations (queen bed upgrade). This was this past weekend.

Thanks for posting this! I had reservations for POFQ and was planning to request a rollaway bed (the reservation person said it was fine). After reading your post, I called again and you are right, no rollaways allowed in POFQ. I've since changed our plans and now we'll be staying at the POR with a rollaway bed.

These boards are so helpful, thanks again!

 

[andrewilley]

The March schedule says 8pm. I'm hoping it's 9 for April because we have a lot of 7pm dinner reservations and I want to catch at least one of these.

Another question, though - we have a package for 7 nights and then a room-only for the last two nights. Am I better off not doing online checkin and doing it when we get there so they can try to make sure we don't have to move rooms, or is it better to do online so they have more lead-time to make sure we don't have to change rooms?

Well last August was 9pm, Sept was 8.30pm, Oct 8pm and Nov-Feb all 7pm. So as March is back to 8pm again, I'd guess April might be 8.30pm, and May-August 9pm? Just a guess though.

The resort should notice follow-on bookings and allow you to stay in the same room - have you requested that both bookings are 'linked' on your reservations? Online checkin does not harm your choices of getting requests fulfilled - indeed the room allocators actually prefer it. If you're concerned, send them a fax about 3-5 days before you are due to arrive mentioning both bookings. You will need to go back to the front desk at some point during your changeover day to be given new keycards though.

Andre

 

[andrewilley]

Thanks for posting this! I had reservations for POFQ and was planning to request a rollaway bed (the reservation person said it was fine). After reading your post, I called again and you are right, no rollaways allowed in POFQ. I've since changed our plans and now we'll be staying at the POR with a rollaway bed.

The same will apply at POR soon, roll-away beds will be discontinued due to the new queen-size beds. However, POR's Alligator Bayou section will still feature a fifth-person option in the form of the new murphy beds which are replacing the older trundle beds. If you need this, make sure you request Alligator Bayou rooms.

Andre

 

[BearcatsFan]

Just got our ressie changed to add FD - so excited! We ended up having to upgrade from a garden view room to a king bed room, though, and now I have questions ...

Are the king rooms scattered all over the resort? Do they have king rooms that aren't HA? What type of view do you generally get (paying a $25 fee to upgrade, I'm hoping they aren't of the parking lot!)?

Any other info you'd want to add would be great (ie: your room location, etc.).

TIA

 

[Missytara]

Just got our ressie changed to add FD - so excited! We ended up having to upgrade from a garden view room to a king bed room, though, and now I have questions ...

Are the king rooms scattered all over the resort? Do they have king rooms that aren't HA? What type of view do you generally get (paying a $25 fee to upgrade, I'm hoping they aren't of the parking lot!)?

Any other info you'd want to add would be great (ie: your room location, etc.).

TIA

Since king bed is a booking category, you will have to request garden view, etc.

They are scattered throughout the resort and not all of them are Handicapped accessible.

 

[justakrazymom]

Just booked here this morning..9/17-27.. 2 garden view rooms ( 7 people) with free dining!!

 

[HappyGal]

The same will apply at POR soon, roll-away beds will be discontinued due to the new queen-size beds. However, POR's Alligator Bayou section will still feature a fifth-person option in the form of the new murphy beds which are replacing the older trundle beds. If you need this, make sure you request Alligator Bayou rooms.

Andre

Oh, Andre, I am so confused! After reading your tip, I called again and was told that I could have a rollaway bed in any but the rooms with trundles at POR.

I feel like I'm calling them all the time and each time I get a different answer! A trundle is no good for me as my kids are too big. I really need a rollaway and don't want to get there on Sept. 17th and be told, nope, sorry, rollaways are not allowed.

 

[andrewilley]

I feel like I'm calling them all the time and each time I get a different answer! A trundle is no good for me as my kids are too big. I really need a rollaway and don't want to get there on Sept. 17th and be told, nope, sorry, rollaways are not allowed.

Currently, roll-aways are probably still available at POR as the refurbishment is not yet complete. However, it is my understanding that the eventual intention is for the same rules to apply at Riverside as at French Quarter, which unfortunately will mean no roll-aways. I would expect this to be put in place once the refurbishments are complete, around August time, but I can't be sure about the timescale.

To get a definitive answer, I would suggest you call the resort directly on 1-407-934-6000. This will get you through to a call center first (no matter what they may say when they answer the phone) so ask to speak to someone in management actually at the resort and politely persist until they do put you through.

Andre

 

[HappyGal]

Currently, roll-aways are probably still available at POR as the refurbishment is not yet complete. However, it is my understanding that the eventual intention is for the same rules to apply at Riverside as at French Quarter, which unfortunately will mean no roll-aways. I would expect this to be put in place once the refurbishments are complete, around August time, but I can't be sure about the timescale.

To get a definitive answer, I would suggest you call the resort directly on 1-407-934-6000. This will get you through to a call center first (no matter what they may say when they answer the phone) so ask to speak to someone in management actually at the resort and politely persist until they do put you through.

Andre

Andre, you are the best! I called the number and got my answer right away! You were right, no more rollaways in any rooms with queen-sized beds. It's a fire code and it really makes a lot of sense. So now I can request a trundle in Alligator Bayou but I'm not so sure my daughter will fit. I'm off to reasearch trundle bed size...

 

[Lindzeer]

Just back from our first ever Disney trip (and cruise) and I just wanted to hop into this thread and give some feedback on POFQ. We LOVED it. It was so beautiful & quiet, yet still full of activity. The boat to DTD was amazing and a perfect little treat for our two year old. I ran on the pathway by the river several times and it was wonderful.

The bus service was really incredible- we never waited longer than 5 minutes for a bus (coming or going).

If I can be 100% honest, my husband and I are a little bit snooty when it comes to accommodations (We both work in the corporate world and are used to a certain level of service when traveling, etc), and we worried a little bit that going for a mod might be disappointing. NOT AT ALL. We did not for even a second feel like we were at a "second rate hotel". I am super glad we went for POFQ for this trip.

That said, we took the bounceback offer and are coming back in September for 3 days .. and we're going to stay at CR next time. When traveling with the little one, the bus transit did take out a lot of potential park time due to needing to go back for naps. It's definitely a pro/con thing, but once my kid(s) are older and the location isn't as critical, or if we do a full week at the world it's POFQ all the way.

 

[jeepwreck]

Glad you enjoyed your time..

We spend a full week there a month ago and enjoyed our self’s a lot.

 

[Dommiekazommie]

I originally booked pofq for our September trip. And was getting so excited. I've just finished readinf my way through this thread and the one before it (2008. I found that one first) and then free dining was released to public and they don't have my dates. So now I'm
Moving over to POR. Which I'm sure will still be amazing just a tad dissapointed! Oh well. Off to find the Por thread!

 

[vickalamode]

Just booked here this morning..9/17-27.. 2 garden view rooms ( 7 people) with free dining!!

Sweet! I hope you write another fabulous TR! With no crazy drama girlfriend involved

 

[justakrazymom]

Sweet! I hope you write another fabulous TR! With no crazy drama girlfriend involved

LOL.. I will def be writing another TR! The crazy girl is no longer the girlfriend so we should be in the clear!

 

[vickalamode]

LOL.. I will def be writing another TR! The crazy girl is no longer the girlfriend so we should be in the clear!

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