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

[pooh2001]

One reason we like POFQ better than CSR is the boat to DTD.

I have read the boat to DTD from POFQ can be crowded & does not come often.
Can anyone comment on this issue ?

Will will be in WDW late June 2012 into early July 2012.
Most likely want to use the boat to DTD either on a shopping morning or for some evening fun.

Should we walk to POR and get on the bus from there - since POR is the first bus stop ?

Please advise.
Thanks and have a magical week!

 

[Missytara]

The boat stops first at POFQ coming from DTD and goes all the way to POR and then stops at POFQ again before returning to POR.

So it is actually getting stopped at MORE often than POR. Each trip, they are stopping twice at POFQ and once at POR.

In addition, they don't fill the water taxi at POR, just in case there are people waiting at POFQ that just missed the first one.

I am not sure why anyone would get that impression that POFQ is worse than POR; it is actually better off.

The boats also run every twenty minutes up until 4:00 pm and then they are running every 10 - 15 minutes after 4:00 pm; it is pretty constant and a lot quicker than even the buses. The buses seem to be running every 20 - 25 minutes or so, and they do share with POFQ sometimes at busy times. And POFQ would be the first stop coming from DTD and then going out to DTD.

And the last boat LEAVES DTD at 11:00 pm, so keep that in mind as well when returning.

 

[anorman]

The boat stops first at POFQ coming from DTD and goes all the way to POR and then stops at POFQ again before returning to POR.

So it is actually getting stopped at MORE often than POR. Each trip, they are stopping twice at POFQ and once at POR.

In addition, they don't fill the water taxi at POR, just in case there are people waiting at POFQ that just missed the first one. .

I don't know if this is usual practice, but last year when we stayed at POFQ we decided to take an evening boat ride up to POR with the intention of staying onboard and doing a return trip. When we got to POR the boat captain asked us to go ashore and if we wanted to do the return trip we would have to get in the back of the line at POR......we decided to just walk back since the line was quite long at POR. So I don't think that they allow people to get on at POFQ, go on to POR, back to POFQ, and then on to DTD.....at least this was my experience.

That being said, we never had any trouble with the boat service to DTD. It was a real pleasure at the end of a busy day at the parks, to relax and enjoy the scenery at a more leisurely pace.

 

[Missytara]

I don't know if this is usual practice, but last year when we stayed at POFQ we decided to take an evening boat ride up to POR with the intention of staying onboard and doing a return trip. When we got to POR the boat captain asked us to go ashore and if we wanted to do the return trip we would have to get in the back of the line at POR......we decided to just walk back since the line was quite long at POR. So I don't think that they allow people to get on at POFQ, go on to POR, back to POFQ, and then on to DTD.....at least this was my experience.

It is usual practice and it is posted at both docks, that you CANNOT take a full trip w/o deboarding and reboarding again if there is room.

Read the OP's question right above my answer (I probably should have copied it on my posting). Her question was NOT if she could ride it for the full trip; her comment was that she heard the water taxi doesn't come as often to POFQ.

My response was that there are actually two stops at POFQ for every single stop to POR. It stops both at POFQ from DTD to POR and again, POR to DTD.

But it brings to mind, we did have quite an unfortunate incident last year on the water taxi I was on; despite the fact that it clearly states that you will be asked to deboard and reboard at POR (the last stop) or DTD (the last stop), two young men were sitting in front of me very agitated and quite combative regarding the policy. They "vaguely" remembered seeing something about it; but complained that the Captain of the boat wasn't clear about the policy to them, so it didn't apply to them anymore and they should be free to ride it allllllll day.

After a very long and annoying ride back to DTD from POR; like I said, I was sitting right behind them (lucky for radios), they were met at the DTD dock with a manager and a security guard. They were whisked away (despite the fact they were still indignant about the improper way the Captain did not specifically single them out and explain the policy), and swiftly escorted off-site.

The Captain (a very nice lady who turns out was from the same town I went to college at), was given the rest of the day off by her supervisor, because he felt she had been through enough that day.

I can only imagine what the ride from DTD to POR was like.....

 

[SV24]

I'm very excited about POR, especially the pool, but I think POFQ might have better suited my preferences. I thought the buildings were gorgeous and the smaller size appeals to me as we walked A LOT last year. We couldn't been farther away from the main lobby. Now I'm reading that FQ gets first dibs on the buses. Rats. Oh well, I'm still really happy and excited. I'm sure it won't be as bad as I think. I'm not going during peak season!

 

[anorman]

It is usual practice and it is posted at both docks, that you CANNOT take a full trip w/o deboarding and reboarding again if there is room.

Read the OP's question right above my answer (I probably should have copied it on my posting). Her question was NOT if she could ride it for the full trip; her comment was that she heard the water taxi doesn't come as often to POFQ.

My response was that there are actually two stops at POFQ for every single stop to POR. It stops both at POFQ from DTD to POR and again, POR to DTD.

But it brings to mind, we did have quite an unfortunate incident last year on the water taxi I was on; despite the fact that it clearly states that you will be asked to deboard and reboard at POR (the last stop) or DTD (the last stop), two young men were sitting in front of me very agitated and quite combative regarding the policy. They "vaguely" remembered seeing something about it; but complained that the Captain of the boat wasn't clear about the policy to them, so it didn't apply to them anymore and they should be free to ride it allllllll day.

After a very long and annoying ride back to DTD from POR; like I said, I was sitting right behind them (lucky for radios), they were met at the DTD dock with a manager and a security guard. They were whisked away (despite the fact they were still indignant about the improper way the Captain did not specifically single them out and explain the policy), and swiftly escorted off-site.

The Captain (a very nice lady who turns out was from the same town I went to college at), was given the rest of the day off by her supervisor, because he felt she had been through enough that day.

I can only imagine what the ride from DTD to POR was like.....

Wow...that sounds like a tense situation! Apparently we are not very observant since we didn't see the sign.....probably just not paying attention. But it is a completely understandable policy otherwise the boat would be complete chaos! Rules are there for a reason.

 

[Wonders10]

Maybe I am missing something in the posts re: the water taxi (which I've take many times as a guest at POR). If you get on at FQ, then they go to POR, why would anyone even feel the need to tell someone they are just doing a roundtrip back to FQ? They wouldn't make guests that are going to DTD from FQ get off at POR, right?

 

[Wonders10]

I'm getting concerned about the pool situation. Normally, we are quiet pool people (if there is a choice of pools) because we really just want to cool off in the water and relax. Since there is only one pool at POFQ and I'm guessing the crowds are insane right now (our trip is less than 2 weeks away!), what should I expect? Will I even be able to get a lounge chair in the afternoon?

Bumping my own post...think it got lost in the lemon and hot water chat

 

[AWHOFAN]

Maybe I am missing something in the posts re: the water taxi (which I've take many times as a guest at POR). If you get on at FQ, then they go to POR, why would anyone even feel the need to tell someone they are just doing a roundtrip back to FQ? They wouldn't make guests that are going to DTD from FQ get off at POR, right?

We were at POR and they stoped the two people behind us. They did not like seeing empty space on the boat. There was 15 on the boat from the start. They saved back space for POFQ. DID NOT ASK IF ANYBODY IS GETTING OFF AT FRENCH. He did yell 15 on board. We got off a POFQ thats 3 of us. And the day March 11,2011 was not crowded.

 

[AWHOFAN]

Bumping my own post...think it got lost in the lemon and hot water chat

March 11th 2011 the pools were empty. But it was cold. Two kids in the pool at POFQ, POR, and Coronado.

 

[andrewilley]

Maybe I am missing something in the posts re: the water taxi (which I've take many times as a guest at POR). If you get on at FQ, then they go to POR, why would anyone even feel the need to tell someone they are just doing a roundtrip back to FQ? They wouldn't make guests that are going to DTD from FQ get off at POR, right?

At POFQ there are two directions that the boats travel - towards DTD and towards POR. If you get on a ferry bound for POR, the expectation is that you are heading for POR and will be getting off getting there.

If you want to go to DTD, just wait for the next DTD ferry to arrive, which may well be sooner than getting the first ferry to POR and trying for a 'round trip' anyway.

Andre

 

[Wonders10]

Ok, that makes sense. Now thinking about it, I do remember both sides of the dock being used so 2 boats could dock. I will stick with the DTD ferry so I don't have to get off

Thanks!

 

[NYEmomma]

We're contemplating doing breakfast at either Boma (AKL) or Fresh (Dolphin) for my dad's birthday. From what I understand, the best (only?) bus option would be to take a bus to a park and then to the resort. So I want to compare the time vs. cost of taking a cab.

Does anyone know approx. prices of going from POFQ to AKL and POFQ to Dolphin via taxi?

Also, is there any option besides 2 taxis for a party of 7 (6 adults & 1 toddler)?

 

[ElliBelle]

We stayed at POFQ for a weekend and loved it so much we are going back for 4 nights in May. Happy Mother's Day to me!

 

[David Brent]

13 more days for DGF and i. pretty excited. stayed at values and deluxes but this will be the first moderate for us. we are checking in early tues, march29 and checking out thurs, march31...being 130 miles away in north florida, we'd have to leave early tuesday, but my cousin who lives half an hour away in orlando said we could stay monday night! that saves us some sleep.

DGF is a teacher so this is her spring break. she is going on a girls trip to miami beach with her co workers the friday before, gets back sunday. we plan on getting at my cousins mid day on monday, probably hit up some outlet shopping, do non disney stuff.

since it will only take me half an hour to get to disney from my cousins house tues morning, what is the possibility of us getting our room? i don't make any requests, and i don't mind if we don't get a refurb, but from the looks of it, it seems that most of the rooms are refurb anyways. is there a chance there could be a room ready?? esp since i made no special requests, cause i just want to check in asap. what are the chances of us getting a room, checking in and making rope drop at MK tuesday morning? i might as well ask here.....thx for the help..

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Sorry, this is a really random question but does anyone know if POFQ or even POR sell the colored Mickey straws at the food courts (I think they are around .50 each)???!!!

I teach 4 and 5 year olds and thought that would be a great inexpensive thing to bring back for my 12 kids but I know not all resorts carry them.

I know at WL and the Values they sell them but I don't recall seeing them at CSR or Y&B last year. I know AKL doesn't sell them bc of the animals but I didn't know if POFQ or POR sold them...

PLEASE LET ME KNOW Thanks!!!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Sorry, this is a really random question but does anyone know if POFQ or even POR sell the colored Mickey straws at the food courts (I think they are around .50 each)???!!!

I teach 4 and 5 year olds and thought that would be a great inexpensive thing to bring back for my 12 kids but I know not all resorts carry them.

I know at WL and the Values they sell them but I don't recall seeing them at CSR or Y&B last year. I know AKL doesn't sell them bc of the animals but I didn't know if POFQ or POR sold them...

PLEASE LET ME KNOW Thanks!!!

I'm pretty sure they do at the checkout in the food court. We got them a year ago.

 

[mana_liz]

About the lemons -- It seems to me they were kept in a small refrigerator with a glass door there at the drink station. There was also some milk (or was it real 1/2 and 1/2?) in there as well as butter if I recall correctly.

There you go, the fridge is on the left-hand side of the counter (click for photo for larger version). Lemons galore!

Andre

Thank you

 

[Disney before Sally]

Does the round trip carriage ride only start in POR, or is there a POFQ boarding area?
Is the cost $35 per carriage ride or $35 per person?

 

[andrewilley]

Does the round trip carriage ride only start in POR, or is there a POFQ boarding area?
Is the cost $35 per carriage ride or $35 per person?

It only starts at the POR marina, so you'd need to walk over there first (or get the boat). The cost is $45 (not $35) per carriage and they can take up to four adults, or two adults and three children, for that price.

Andre