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

[GirlDreamer]

Lol, yes you can drink distilled water. Distilled basically means it's cleaned for bacteria and such

 

[Emme]

Lol, yes you can drink distilled water. Distilled basically means it's cleaned for bacteria and such

I actually have a college degree...lol!! BUT, we have always used distilled water for ironing only. It doesn't leave marks on your laundry . Thanks

 

[andrewilley]

I actually have a college degree...lol!! BUT, we have always used distilled water for ironing only. It doesn't leave marks on your laundry . Thanks

It won't leave marks inside your stomach either. It's rather tasteless to drink though, as it is pure H2O distilled from steam, without any of the normal minerals/etc that you find in most drinking water. Not sure why they'd be selling it to drink, but it certainly won't do you any harm at all.

From a website:

Zephyrhills Distilled Water begins with natural spring water.
First, the water is passed through an activated carbon filter to remove any volatile organic chemicals, chlorine or any of the potentially unwanted by-products of chlorine such as trihalomethanes.
Then, a water softening system uses an ion exchange process to reduce the hardness of the water just prior to the distillation process.
Finally, the water passes through micron filtration and ultraviolet light, and is treated with low levels of ozone just before bottling.

Which is odd, as the process described there is filtration and purification, but most certainly NOT proper distillation.

Andre

 

[Disneylvr]

The resort shop will definitely be more expensive than GG, but for a few items it would do you fine. They have a range of basic items and drinks, such as:

(more product pics at http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-POFQ-Main.php)

Andre

Thanks! I might buy the donuts from the gift shop but order everything else from GG. I just remembered that we are going to need some personal care products for my DD that GG does carry and I know the gift shop will not. My only worry is our late night arrival (around midnight). I want to make sure we will be able to get our GG box at that late hour or at the very least, early the next morning.

 

[bookgirl]

Yup that was my question...lol. Can you drink distilled water??

It will have a flat or stale taste, I know water doesn't really have a taste but still it has a distinct difference from regular bottled water, since it lacks minerals and natually occuring additives that are in spring or filtered water.

They sell distilled water because anyone using a CPAP machine (for sleep apnea) or breathing treatment/air purifier/filter air uses distilled water as you don't want mineral deposits in your apperatus. Also if you are mixing dry formula or meal replacment powders for babies or those with digestive problems distilled water is better.

However it will be cold and wet and sometimes that's all that matters when you want a drink.

 

[kmrein]

I meant to do this sooner but just wanted to post a quick update here for anyone interested. I got back from an 8 day, 7 night stay two weeks ago and it was fabulous! I was with my parents, my 21-yr-old sister and husband (two rooms). We were put in building 3 and had rooms next door to one another.

I absolutely loved the atmosphere of the French Quarter and the size was just perfect. We were greeted with mardi gras beads when we arrived and also given more beads several times throughout the week. The cast members were incredibly helpful and friendly. In fact, last year, my husband and I stayed at the Polynesian and I can say without hesitation that I absolutely loved the French Quarter leaps and bounds over the Poly. For what you pay for each, I think the moderates are absolutely adequate for what I need out of a hotel room, and I really liked having a hot tub. I also loved the theming and being able to take the boat to Downtown Disney. The holiday decorations were lovely.

The buses were prompt and dependable. We shared with Riverside a few times but only during the middle of the day.

The food at the Floatworks was decent, standard quick-service options plus a few that are unique to the theme of the resort (I liked the shrimp po' boy). The people in our group that love desserts/sugary things enjoyed the beignets.

I'm not sure what else to add here, but I would be happy to answer any specific questions if anyone has them. Hope all going soon have a magical time!

 

[Disneylvr]

For those of you just back, do you happen to remember how many different colors of the refillable mug they sell in the food court? We are hoping there are at least 3 different colored mugs. Thanks for your reports! 12 days and counting down for us.

 

[BridgetR3]

I am NOT just back but there were three different color tops available back in March.

 

[want2bamommy]

In fact, last year, my husband and I stayed at the Polynesian and I can say without hesitation that I absolutely loved the French Quarter leaps and bounds over the Poly. For what you pay for each, I think the moderates are absolutely adequate for what I need out of a hotel room, and I really liked having a hot tub. I also loved the theming and being able to take the boat to Downtown Disney.

Our last stay was at the Poly and while it is a pretty resort we definitely didn't love it or feel like it was worth the hefty price. I'm really looking forward to our first trip at the POFQ too

 

[chekhovgirl]

For those of you just back, do you happen to remember how many different colors of the refillable mug they sell in the food court? We are hoping there are at least 3 different colored mugs. Thanks for your reports! 12 days and counting down for us.

I remember seeing at least three different colors- maybe four? Pink, blue, yellow, black? Sorry I can't tell you specifically.

We just got back and I agree with what has been said recently in this thread. We were really happy with our pick of resort when it came to size, bus service, ambiance, etc. We got beads upon arrival and several times after. The festively dressed gentleman at the door gave the kids coins to make wishes in the fountain and the one time we didn't walk through the lobby to get to the bus stop my 2 year old said, "Where's my money?"

I wanted a place that was toned down and relaxing but still fun for the kids. POFQ was perfect because of the look and setting along the river, but it still had the alligators and themed slide, etc. which made it still look "fun" for them. They enjoyed the alligators and tried to play their drums and other instruments.

Food was- eh. It was okay, but we didn't like the hot food at breakfast (except for the oatmeal) and dinner left a little to be desired. Can get by while we're there, but I wish it were better for the money.

Overall, though, we liked it.

 

[chekhovgirl]

I also wanted to add that I really liked staying in a room that opened right to the outdoors instead of a deluxe that is an indoor hotel because we're from New England, so I like to get outside in that sunshine and warm weather immediately!

 

[Clochette nordique]

Our last stay was at the Poly and while it is a pretty resort we definitely didn't love it or feel like it was worth the hefty price. I'm really looking forward to our first trip at the POFQ too

same thing here,

Poussière de fée!

 

[mggeary]

This is going to sound like a silly question, but there are bagels at the POFQ quick service in the AM, right? My five year old was obsessed with eating a bagel every morning on the way out of the Poly and when we told her this trip we were going to stay at the "Princess and the Frog hotel", her first question was "do they have bagels?"

 

[MrsB1228]

This is going to sound like a silly question, but there are bagels at the POFQ quick service in the AM, right? My five year old was obsessed with eating a bagel every morning on the way out of the Poly and when we told her this trip we were going to stay at the "Princess and the Frog hotel", her first question was "do they have bagels?"

Yep, they have bagels at the food court, enjoy!

 

[disney777]

You can also buy a 6 pack of them at the resort store and toast them in the food court.

 

[andrewilley]

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our Port Orleans French Quarter friends!


And to start the year off properly, here's the brand new Recreation Activities Schedule for Port Orleans French Quarter for January 2012. For a printable version and other archived copies, please see http://www.portorleans.org/recreation-activites-schedule.php.

Andre

 

[DMGeurts]

The resort shop will definitely be more expensive than GG, but for a few items it would do you fine. They have a range of basic items and drinks, such as:

(more product pics at http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-POFQ-Main.php)

Andre

I just wanted to add... I know this is kind of an expensive option... But I have used these bottles for all our trips to Disney - and they are well worth the price tag. Depending on what you pay for a case of water, and to have it shipped to your hotel... then to have to carry around the heavy bottles all day. I bring one filtered water bottle (frozen the night before) into the parks, and refill it all day long for the girls and I to share, and keep refilling it through out our vacation at any water fountain I see. It has been a huge $$ saver for us.

Britta used to make filtered water bottles, and they discontinued them a few years ago - they were really hard to find. Well, they have started making them again, and they are - hands down - the best thing in Disney. They make the water taste normal - you can fill it from any drinking fountain... No bad taste either. I even use these at home because I like them so much.

Both Target and Walmart sell them - on the website they only sell them in a pack of 2 - but in the stores, they sell them individually for about $9 each (one filter included)... Here's the link: http://www.target.com/p/Brita-Blue-Green-Personal-Filtered-Water-Bottles-24-fl-oz/-/A-13277616 They are stocked in the home section by all the in home Britta filters.

I just thought I would throw this out there as another option for those that want cheap, great tasting water in the parks.

D~

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I just wanted to add... I know this is kind of an expensive option... But I have used these bottles for all our trips to Disney - and they are well worth the price tag. Depending on what you pay for a case of water, and to have it shipped to your hotel... then to have to carry around the heavy bottles all day. I bring one filtered water bottle (frozen the night before) into the parks, and refill it all day long for the girls and I to share, and keep refilling it through out our vacation at any water fountain I see. It has been a huge $$ saver for us.

Britta used to make filtered water bottles, and they discontinued them a few years ago - they were really hard to find. Well, they have started making them again, and they are - hands down - the best thing in Disney. They make the water taste normal - you can fill it from any drinking fountain... No bad taste either. I even use these at home because I like them so much.

Both Target and Walmart sell them - on the website they only sell them in a pack of 2 - but in the stores, they sell them individually for about $9 each (one filter included)... Here's the link: http://www.target.com/p/Brita-Blue-Green-Personal-Filtered-Water-Bottles-24-fl-oz/-/A-13277616 They are stocked in the home section by all the in home Britta filters.

I just thought I would throw this out there as another option for those that want cheap, great tasting water in the parks.

D~

I'll "second" the Brita bottles-we have used them everywhere and they make even nasty water taste great

(B.J.'s has them in a 3 pack for I think $24, and you can use the occasional BJ's Brita coupon for $7, which makes it a good deal if you can use 3.)

 

[chottsy]

glad to see the movies on the green start at 7pm...and not later.

if one is staying in building 4, 5 or 6 is the noise from the movie program intrusive?

 

[chekhovgirl]

glad to see the movies on the green start at 7pm...and not later.

if one is staying in building 4, 5 or 6 is the noise from the movie program intrusive?

Walking by the movie it sounded to me like i would be. We were in building 1 on the outside of it so it was very quiet. I wouldn't really care about the noise since it's not too late, we probably wouldn't even be in our room, but others with infants might feel differently.