Port Orleans French Quarter Stay 2022

[Porsche4]

I am considering a stay at Port Orleans French Quarter but would love some feed back regarding what I am looking for in a resort and if POFQ will give me what I want.

1. Firstly I am a very early riser and need a place to be able to sit in the mornings and write my diary while my daughter sleeps in. I usually do this at the Solarium at Beach Club, does POFQ have a communal lounge area or nice places to sit where I could do this?
2. My favourite park is EPCOT so I am looking for a resort where I can quickly get to and from EPCOT so that I can enjoy an afternoon break and return for evening dining options. Does it take long to get to EPCOT from POFQ?
3. What is bus transportation like from this resort to the parks, is it efficient? I read that it shares its service with Riverside which I feel would add considerable time to the commute. I intend to travel in November so would love to hear from anyone with any experiences at that time of year.

 

[LilyWDW]

I am considering a stay at Port Orleans French Quarter but would love some feed back regarding what I am looking for in a resort and if POFQ will give me what I want.

1. Firstly I am a very early riser and need a place to be able to sit in the mornings and write my diary while my daughter sleeps in. I usually do this at the Solarium at Beach Club, does POFQ have a communal lounge area or nice places to sit where I could do this?
2. My favourite park is EPCOT so I am looking for a resort where I can quickly get to and from EPCOT so that I can enjoy an afternoon break and return for evening dining options. Does it take long to get to EPCOT from POFQ?
3. What is bus transportation like from this resort to the parks, is it efficient? I read that it shares its service with Riverside which I feel would add considerable time to the commute. I intend to travel in November so would love to hear from anyone with any experiences at that time of year.

1. There isn't really a lounge besides in the main building where you check in. There is also a space near the food court where the bar is in the evenings that would be empty in the morning. But if the weather is nice there are SO many beautiful areas on the grounds. That would be my first choice.

2. I can't remember how long it took exactly, but it never felt super long. I also love EPCOT and spend a lot of time there.

3. I have only ever had 1 instance with bad buses at POFQ in 4 stays there. That was an early evening trip to Magic Kingdom where we waited 40 minutes for a bus... and we were not the first ones there. Other then that, never had a problem. Buses run about every 20 minutes give or take. Only in my first stay did we share with Riverside. The next 3 stays we never went over there in the mornings nor shared at the end of the day. All but the first stay were in late Sept/early Oct.

POFQ is my favorite resort and I am also hoping to stay there in 2022 (early December). It holds some amazing memories for me. I cry when I arrive and I cry when I leave. If you have more questions, let me know!!

 

[Porsche4]

1. There isn't really a lounge besides in the main building where you check in. There is also a space near the food court where the bar is in the evenings that would be empty in the morning. But if the weather is nice there are SO many beautiful areas on the grounds. That would be my first choice.

2. I can't remember how long it took exactly, but it never felt super long. I also love EPCOT and spend a lot of time there.

3. I have only ever had 1 instance with bad buses at POFQ in 4 stays there. That was an early evening trip to Magic Kingdom where we waited 40 minutes for a bus... and we were not the first ones there. Other then that, never had a problem. Buses run about every 20 minutes give or take. Only in my first stay did we share with Riverside. The next 3 stays we never went over there in the mornings nor shared at the end of the day. All but the first stay were in late Sept/early Oct.

POFQ is my favorite resort and I am also hoping to stay there in 2022 (early December). It holds some amazing memories for me. I cry when I arrive and I cry when I leave. If you have more questions, let me know!!

Thanks for all the info Lily. I have been tossing up between Caribbean Resort because it has the Skyliner to get to EPCOT quickly and easily and POFQ because I really love the look of the resort. If it doesn't take too long to get to EPCOT I think I will stay at POFQ and change the way I tour (rope drop at EPCOT, tour till one then home for a rest, back late afternoon/early evening for dinner and International Showcase). In your experience are the rooms quiet, which buildings have you stayed in and what would you recommend. Thanks again

 

[LilyWDW]

Thanks for all the info Lily. I have been tossing up between Caribbean Resort because it has the Skyliner to get to EPCOT quickly and easily and POFQ because I really love the look of the resort. If it doesn't take too long to get to EPCOT I think I will stay at POFQ and change the way I tour (rope drop at EPCOT, tour till one then home for a rest, back late afternoon/early evening for dinner and International Showcase). In your experience are the rooms quiet, which buildings have you stayed in and what would you recommend. Thanks again

I have been in buildings 5, 1, 7, and 2. The only building I did not like was 7. It wasn't the building itself, but that was on my solo trip and I was pretty much in the far corner so when it was dark when I got back, it was a bit uneasy. Building 2 was river view and could get a little loud due to the boats, but not loud enough to cause problems with sleep and I am not a deep sleeper. It is a really quiet resort in my experience. You would hear the normal noise of people coming back or heading to the parks, staff going by in their golf cart, the boat horns... but again, it never bothered me. I slept just fine and felt like I could relax at any hour of the day.

Caribbean may be faster to EPCOT, but I feel that the small size and the FEEL of POFQ just makes up for the longer bus trip. And again, I don't feel like ANY of the bus rides are really all that long. Maybe I am just so relaxed when at Disney that it just doesn't bother me lmao.

 

[Lizgistix]

I'm trying to think how early in the morning you would be out. While the restaurant or lounge may not be open, I believe there is some seating that may be accessible. There are some tables outside, if I remember correctly. Or you could sit in the lobby atrium.

I believe for the busses, in the morning, both PO resorts have their own. On the way back at night, the bus we were on went to FQ first before going to Riverside.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I think you would love it! Enjoy... lovely resort and if you have the xtra time, take the walk along the Sassaghoula River and see POR, great food court and a lovely easy under 15 minute walk.

 

[DisneyPrincess1]

The thing that you give up in staying at a moderate resort is your private balcony. That said, this resort is a favorite of almost everyone, because of it's lovely ambience. If you don't mind sitting outside under a tree and writing you will enjoy it quite a lot!

 

[Porsche4]

The thing that you give up in staying at a moderate resort is your private balcony. That said, this resort is a favorite of almost everyone, because of it's lovely ambience. If you don't mind sitting outside under a tree and writing you will enjoy it quite a lot!

Sounds like heaven and I guess if the weather is not so good I can always head to the lobby and sit on one of the benches near the fountain. I do love the soothing sound of a water fountain. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Porsche4]

The thing that you give up in staying at a moderate resort is your private balcony. That said, this resort is a favorite of almost everyone, because of it's lovely ambience. If you don't mind sitting outside under a tree and writing you will enjoy it quite a lot!

I will miss my own private balcony and I sure will miss all the beautiful little cosy niches at Beach Club but I am afraid that having not visited for nearly ten years the price increases of the rooms there have made this once affordable little bit of luxury totally out of the question for an Aussie relying on decent exchange rates. This next trip will definitely be a more budget conscious affair from previous trips now that I am semi retired but I am looking forward to trying all the new things on offer and experiencing some new places to stay.

 

[Dug720]

The only building I did not like was 7. It wasn't the building itself, but that was on my solo trip and I was pretty much in the far corner so when it was dark when I got back, it was a bit uneasy.

I had to do a double take and make sure that (other than the "only building I did not like" part) I hadn't written that. I got stuck back there on a solo trip where I was a late arrival - like DME got there after midnight. I'd requested a closer building and expressly put that I was requesting that because I was solo, and while I know those are only requests, I've had good luck every other time and arriving so late, my gut feeling is someone else got assigned there and pitched a fit so they got put in the room originally assigned to me and I got dumped there. I'd been hesitant about staying there to begin with (I do NOT have good memories of my one trip to New Orleans and the environment did trigger them as I feared), and feeling dumped in the back corner of the resort didn't help. By the time I realized just how far back I was, I did not feel like walking BACK to the front desk to see if I could change, and I didn't want to take any time away from my vacation to deal with trying to move. But it just sealed that POFQ is NOT the resort for me (nor is POR).

 

[Porsche4]

I had to do a double take and make sure that (other than the "only building I did not like" part) I hadn't written that. I got stuck back there on a solo trip where I was a late arrival - like DME got there after midnight. I'd requested a closer building and expressly put that I was requesting that because I was solo, and while I know those are only requests, I've had good luck every other time and arriving so late, my gut feeling is someone else got assigned there and pitched a fit so they got put in the room originally assigned to me and I got dumped there. I'd been hesitant about staying there to begin with (I do NOT have good memories of my one trip to New Orleans and the environment did trigger them as I feared), and feeling dumped in the back corner of the resort didn't help. By the time I realized just how far back I was, I did not feel like walking BACK to the front desk to see if I could change, and I didn't want to take any time away from my vacation to deal with trying to move. But it just sealed that POFQ is NOT the resort for me (nor is POR).

Thanks for your input, sorry you had a bad experience there. Whenever I check in I always ask them to show me on a map where my room is, that way I can ask if there are any other rooms available if I am not happy with the location of where they have allocated me.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

I know everyone has an opinion but the big draw of POFQ is because ALL rooms are within a very short walk of the main building. There really is no "far back" building or room, I'm sorry I totally disagree with that statement. We have stayed there 6 times and no way has anyone in our family felt uneasy walking around POFQ, or really, any WDW resort at night. Our DDs even mentioned that walking is a lot less at POFQ, than at all the other WDW resorts that we have stayed at, including the deluxes. It's a great resort with an excellent theme, the brick roads, the French Quarter themed iron work etc. Have a great trip and if you have time take a carriage ride around both the PO resorts, especially at night

 

[Porsche4]

I know everyone has an opinion but the big draw of POFQ is because ALL rooms are within a very short walk of the main building. There really is no "far back" building or room, I'm sorry I totally disagree with that statement. We have stayed there 6 times and no way has anyone in our family felt uneasy walking around POFQ, or really, any WDW resort at night. Our DDs even mentioned that walking is a lot less at POFQ, than at all the other WDW resorts that we have stayed at, including the deluxes. It's a great resort with an excellent theme, the brick roads, the French Quarter themed iron work etc. Have a great trip and if you have time take a carriage ride around both the PO resorts, especially at night

Thanks for your input. We will be splitting our stay with a week at POFQ and a week at Fort Wilderness where we have stayed many times before and which we absolutely love. As we travel in your winter time where it gets dark early, we are always wandering around the resorts and the campground at night and I have to agree with you I never feel unsafe. I have always travelled as a single mum with two kids to WDW and the fact that I always feel safe and can totally relax there is one of the main reasons we holidayed there so often when the kids were younger. Now they are adults but they still love coming anywhere Disney with me so I am very lucky.

 

[hereforthechurros]

There definitely is a lounge type space, Scat Cat’s was converted into a coffee bar in the AM and cocktail bar in the PM. It was remodeled in 2019 and is quite large. Since it’s closed currently I don’t know about hours or what it will look like post COVID so you’ll have to keep an eye out.

There’s only one bus drops at POFQ which is nice but can also be full if sharing with POR. In general we’ve found the buses there to be reliable.

 

[Lizgistix]

Also read the street signs. I always giggle at Rue D'Baga

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for your input, sorry you had a bad experience there. Whenever I check in I always ask them to show me on a map where my room is, that way I can ask if there are any other rooms available if I am not happy with the location of where they have allocated me.

Works well if you arrive early enough. At 1am, everyone has already complained and gotten the better locations.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for your input. We will be splitting our stay with a week at POFQ and a week at Fort Wilderness where we have stayed many times before and which we absolutely love. As we travel in your winter time where it gets dark early, we are always wandering around the resorts and the campground at night and I have to agree with you I never feel unsafe. I have always travelled as a single mum with two kids to WDW and the fact that I always feel safe and can totally relax there is one of the main reasons we holidayed there so often when the kids were younger. Now they are adults but they still love coming anywhere Disney with me so I am very lucky.

To be clear, my safety concerns are less about people - though you DO still need to be on guard at Disney because things DO happen - and more about critters. Especially at a place like POFQ where you're right next to the river.

 

[nllmncsu]

I love POFQ and have stayed here 7 times. Are they going to open it up for 2022? I have stayed at numerous buildings but I usually request Bldg. 4, it's the closest to bus stop and next door to the main building. Have never been disappointed with the hotel and is my go to for a moderate.

 

[disneyseniors]

I don't know if this will help or not, but we have stayed at POFQ the last 3 times we were at WDW.
My husband would get up early in the AM, go outside to our beautiful courtyard and sit on a bench there and read.
He loved doing that. Be aware there are smoking areas around the courtyard by our building, but that didn't bother us.
Since the resort is so small with one bus stop, if there are alot of ECV's, it can take a while to get on a bus.
Since it is so small, alot of people with mobility issues stay there, us included, . It's easier for my husband to get around.
We love the resort, but prefer POR!

 

[pwdebbie]

We are another couple that rejected a room in Building 7. We live in the forest and that building was dark and surrounded by trees. (They may be gone now.) I come to FL for sunshine, not more shade, lol.

We've been in 5 three times, and 1 and 6 one time each. We've been on the water three times, very peaceful, boat horns did not bother us.