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

[andrewilley]

But I notice that the food court isn't open until 7am. We will need to be on the bus around 7. So what breakfast options are there at 6:30ish? Just muffins from the day before?

There's plenty available from 6am (bakery, grab'n'go, etc) but some of the hot counters don't open until 7am.

Andre

 

[solana131]

Okay, thanks again Andre Aarrgghh....so hard to make up my mind!

 

[momto28weeker+1]

Can't wait to visit POFQ!!!

 

[stefani_]

I stayed at POFQ last summer, and I remember there was a little area near/across from the whirlpool that was blocked off by temporary walls with signs that said they were refurbrishing. Does anyone know what has been added, or whether those signs are still there?

 

[aubriee]

More recently, POFQ has gotten NO discount. Not even an AP rate. In the past, POFQ was a hidden gem and discounts were no problem. Now, everyone is flocking to the resort and there are no discounts to be had. I was not even able to get a bounceback ressie for POFQ. Unless the crowds stop smothering POFQ, looks like you will have to go with Riverside.

I found that same thing when I was there this past early Dec. I booked three bouncebacks for this year, but had a hard time finding dates POFQ was available with the discount. I could not get it for my May trip, even if I moved the dates up or back a week. I booked at CSR instead. I did get it for my Sept and Oct/Nov trips but had to move my Sept dates back two weeks and had to move the other trip from the first week in Dec to the last few days Oct/first few days of Nov. I tired four different Nov and Dec dates before the CM found Oct 27th-Nov 3rd. I wasn't too concerned and just assumed I'd switch my May trip from CSR to POFQ when the AP discounts came out. I called the very first morning AP discouns came out and still couldn't get POFQ. Last May the discount for POFQ was less than the discounts for the other three moderates. That's the first time I've ever seen that too. Usually the AP discounts for all four moderates are like 35%. This year the discount is a little less (more like 30%) and POFQ is either not included or has fewer rooms alotted.

 

[Emme]

WHOA! I am getting so psyched only 15 days until we arrive

We have a garden view and I asked for an exterior corner room. I am fine with any bldg. really. I'll let the Disney fairies place us but I would love a corner room with an exterior window.

Anyone else going then??

 

[wallawallakids]

WHOA! I am getting so psyched only 15 days until we arrive

We have a garden view and I asked for an exterior corner room. I am fine with any bldg. really. I'll let the Disney fairies place us but I would love a corner room with an exterior window.

Anyone else going then??

We will be there in 20 days!!! I can't wait!!! Have a great trip, btw!

 

[bookgirl]

I found that same thing when I was there this past early Dec. I booked three bouncebacks for this year, but had a hard time finding dates POFQ was available with the discount. I could not get it for my May trip, even if I moved the dates up or back a week. I booked at CSR instead. I did get it for my Sept and Oct/Nov trips but had to move my Sept dates back two weeks and had to move the other trip from the first week in Dec to the last few days Oct/first few days of Nov. I tired four different Nov and Dec dates before the CM found Oct 27th-Nov 3rd. I wasn't too concerned and just assumed I'd switch my May trip from CSR to POFQ when the AP discounts came out. I called the very first morning AP discouns came out and still couldn't get POFQ. Last May the discount for POFQ was less than the discounts for the other three moderates. That's the first time I've ever seen that too. Usually the AP discounts for all four moderates are like 35%. This year the discount is a little less (more like 30%) and POFQ is either not included or has fewer rooms alotted.

Gee I may be glad I booked early with the AAA discount to hold a room. I figured I'd just change to whatever discount came out closer to time but it's looking like I might have missed out on ANY discount for Oct, if I had waited.

I will say it probably is the fact that the rooms book early and the resort fills up that hurt the discounts. I know that I had hoped to book BC on a discount for this trip since I'm doing mainly DHS and Epcot but soon came to realize that all the rooms in the Epcot area sell out without discounts because of F&W.

I guess with POFQ's popularity that I'll be lucky to have had that AAA discount.

 

[2Tiggies]

Okay, thanks again Andre Aarrgghh....so hard to make up my mind!

What do you normally have for breakfast? I am very much a fruit and yogurt person in the morning although my daughter prefers something a bit more substantial, though not necessarily hot.

We have used a few variations on getting ourselves a "decent" breakfast early in the morning, ranging from grabbing a bag of bagels at the gift shop the day before and running them through the toaster in the foodcourt early in the morning, to ordering something the night before when out and heating it in the microwave.

We have often grabbed a sandwich and pastry/fruit pot to go from Main Street Bakery on our way out of MK late at night and kept it in the fridge for breakfast the next morning.

Although some of the hot stations don't start serving before 7 am, as Andre has mentioned, there are microwaves and there is a toaster for those emergency early starts when you really need to eat something substantial but you're too early to go with the regular food court options

 

[2Tiggies]

Usually the AP discounts for all four moderates are like 35%. This year the discount is a little less (more like 30%) and POFQ is either not included or has fewer rooms alotted.

I feel your pain! Although we don't get AP's (may be worth us looking into though come to think of it) even the promotional discounts for POFQ have been smaller of not available. When I booked last year's trip in late 2010, the mods had 30% discounts going - except POFQ which had 15% I still booked it because we know where we want to stay but if we had not been able to be flexible with our dates (which we did have to be to get a discount at all).

I think the FQ secret is out - maybe we need to stop advertizing what a great resort it is

 

[summersalt]

Has anyone had success getting a roll away bed lately? I have a teenage son and daughter that do not want to sleep together. Should I bring the aero bed just in case? Can't wait to get back to POFQ!!

 

[LONES]

I've also found it more and more difficult to find discounts at FQ. This past January, we bit the bullet and booked Riverside to get the free dining. As much as I love FQ, we could get either FD or 30% room discount at Riverside, and nothing available at FQ. Here's my wishful thinking though.....

I think 2011-2012 were likely the perfect storm for making French Quarter look really appealing. For any random person looking at booking a moderate at Disney, they could be guaranteed a newly refurbished room with queen beds. With Riverside in the middle of their refurbishment, you would have to "request" a new room and hope for the best. CBR still has double beds, and even though CSR has queen beds, the "convention" designation might be a little bit of a turn off for the average family. The average person checking out the Disney website would look at FQ and see new rooms, queen beds, and no need to pay $25.00 a night more for a "preferred" location. I'm hoping that once the Riverside refurbishment is complete, (and I would have to think CBR is going to have to go to queen beds in the near future), that maybe FQ will start to open up a little. I may be way off base, or just over-thinking this.... but a girl can hope!!

 

[bookgirl]

Has anyone had success getting a roll away bed lately? I have a teenage son and daughter that do not want to sleep together. Should I bring the aero bed just in case? Can't wait to get back to POFQ!!

No longer allowed. The new Queen beds take up too much room and they no longer offer rollaways.

 

[maryj11]

Ok POFQ fans, we are thinking of staying there our first time in October. Havent decided between POFQ and CBR. Anyway I have a DGD who loves the pools and a daughter who smokes. We will probably book a garden view and I wanted to know if we requested building 5 first floor, would this be a good location for my pool lover and smoker ?

 

[GTADisneyGirl]

Hi Everyone! We are booked at POFQ this October and I am so SUPER excited!!!

This will be my 7th trip to Disney - but my first staying on resort (unless you count my childhood stay at the campground).

I can't wait - October can't arrive soon enough!!

 

[pwdebbie]

I think the FQ secret is out - maybe we need to stop advertizing what a great resort it is

I think people are picking POFQ because of the refurbishment. Once the animation resorts open, I think POFQ will not be as desirable. At least that's what I am hoping. Next trip is a year away, plenty of time for them to realize that they need to offer discounts for POFQ.

 

[momof2twinboys]

More recently, POFQ has gotten NO discount. Not even an AP rate. In the past, POFQ was a hidden gem and discounts were no problem. Now, everyone is flocking to the resort and there are no discounts to be had. I was not even able to get a bounceback ressie for POFQ. Unless the crowds stop smothering POFQ, looks like you will have to go with Riverside.

Are you talking about public discounts? I've received 4 pins in the last month - the last one was for $122 for moderate rooms Sun-Th via email. I had already booked POFQ and added the first pin for 10% off (via guest services) - a few weeks later I checked with guest services and had a 35% pin in my name. We also received a 20% pin (via email). I think the last one was around 30-35%.

 

[maryj11]

Are you talking about public discounts? I've received 4 pins in the last month - the last one was for $122 for moderate rooms Sun-Th via email. I had already booked POFQ and added the first pin for 10% off (via guest services) - a few weeks later I checked with guest services and had a 35% pin in my name. We also received a 20% pin (via email). I think the last one was around 30-35%.

Wow you lucky thing, I have been waiting on just one pin

 

[WINTER]

I think people are picking POFQ because of the refurbishment. Once the animation resorts open, I think POFQ will not be as desirable. At least that's what I am hoping. Next trip is a year away, plenty of time for them to realize that they need to offer discounts for POFQ.

The animation resort looks really kid friendly.. i dont think people would desire it if they dont have small children.

 

[dawgsgirl]

Are you talking about public discounts? I've received 4 pins in the last month - the last one was for $122 for moderate rooms Sun-Th via email. I had already booked POFQ and added the first pin for 10% off (via guest services) - a few weeks later I checked with guest services and had a 35% pin in my name. We also received a 20% pin (via email). I think the last one was around 30-35%.

You are a very lucky lady!! I have never ever received a PIN from Disney and don't ever expect to see one. Yes, I am talking public discounts. Although I think I saw where there was free dining for POFQ. I never get the dining plan so I did not pay attention to that. Anyway, I have always been able to get the AP discount and now nothing.