Port Orleans Review w/Pics -LONG!

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!! Love POR!!

 

[Nolcrest]

I have a wierd question. If you're staying in an AB room there seems to be a bench/trunk. Does it open or have drawers for storage? I'm always looking for extra storage space. Thanks.

I tried to open the bench/trunk. It doesn't open ( or I'm a moron and just don't know how too ). I was thinking the same thing that it would be great to be able to store more stuff in it. It is great though that the beds are high off the floor. Very easy to store luggage under them. The dresser drawers are deep too.

 

[Pocahantas]

Thanks for sharing your pictures. They are great! We are staying at POFQ for the first time in October and I cannot wait! I booked a carriage ride on one of the evenings!

 

[mrsdisneyfan]

Thank you for the great post. I recently had to cancel WL and rebook at POR. I have been very depressed about this but after seeing your pictures and reading your post I am really looking forward to POR. Thank you so much. I feel like you saved my trip.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Wow! That review was long- but So-o-o-o worth it. We are going in October and as I have said in previous posts, we've always stayed deluxe, so I am a little nervous about staying at a mod. Your review just made me breathe a huge sigh of relief. We had requested a mansion room but the Bayou rooms looked cute too. Also, great pics- especially of the towel animals. Since we've never gotten one I did not know what they looked like...

 

[cottontail]

Hi: Thanks for the great report and pics, how long approximately was the walk to the cafeteria style restaurant from your building?

Deb.

 

[jennymouse]

Wonderful review and photos! I've book CSR for two nights before BCV over Thanksgiving and now I'm wondering if we'd like POR better. It looks so cozy! You said you went to CSR to check it out; how did they compare?

 

[Nolcrest]

Hi: Thanks for the great report and pics, how long approximately was the walk to the cafeteria style restaurant from your building?

Deb.

I would say it took us about 6 minutes. Hard to judge because I was always looking at something. The walk was leisurely. It didn't feel long at all.

 

[Nolcrest]

Wonderful review and photos! I've book CSR for two nights before BCV over Thanksgiving and now I'm wondering if we'd like POR better. It looks so cozy! You said you went to CSR to check it out; how did they compare?

I know that CSR is beloved by many. This is strictly my opinion. I was very glad that we switched from CSR to POR. You must understand though that I like woodsy, wooden, free form, lush lanscaping settings.

We went in the summer and my major reason for switching was that I thought the theming of CSR would seem "too hot & arrid". To me CSR was very open not much shaded paths. The walk around the lake seemed long. Maybe because it is open and you can see the whole lake, unlike POR where you don't visually see it all. CSR didn't have many bridges crossing the lake so you would need to walk around (though I do understand they now offer internal rides on carts).

I thougth I'd be wowed by the pool and I wasn't. I really came to feel this vacation how I truly like free form design - not geometrical.

We did not at all like the Pepper Market setup. At 8:50 in the evening there was a line of people waiting to get in to be seated. My DH said no way would he have enjoyed that. Their lounge seemed to be an open air type lounge. I like the dark coziness of POR - I'm a corner type person.

I just really liked the quietness, lush landscaping of POR. I like the various textures you experience at POR. If you sit outside the Riverside Mill there are cobblestone walkways, wooden walkways, decorative cement, the rope fences around the marina. I enjoy all the textures (weird, but I now realize that what makes POR appealing to me). For me POR is was very relaxing.

CSR was loud when we were there. My husband said he did not like the wide open feel to CSR. I did like their gift shop however.

I've learned that I'm a WL/PO type of person. Natural landscaping and wood. I'm not too attracted to beachy stuff though I do appreciate the various theming of the resorts.

I might feel differently if I was there in the winter months but overall I will stick with PO.

You may very well like CSR if that type of theming appeals to you. Enjoy your trip. The villas look lovely.

 

[cottontail]

Hi: What about the parking lot. We tend to use our car quite a bit, is it a short walk to the parking lot? I see on a map from deb wills it looks like it is behind building 37. Oh one more question is building 39 non smoking?

Deb.

 

[Nolcrest]

Hi: What about the parking lot. We tend to use our car quite a bit, is it a short walk to the parking lot? I see on a map from deb wills it looks like it is behind building 37. Oh one more question is building 39 non smoking?

Deb.

Very short walk to parking lot. Maybe 2 min. I believe 39 is non-smoking. At least all the doors on the 1st floor had the no smoking symbol on them. I didn't smell any smoke as well.

 

[marc1477]

Great pics. I want to go there now...lol.

 

[jennymouse]

I know that CSR is beloved by many. This is strictly my opinion. I was very glad that we switched from CSR to POR. You must understand though that I like woodsy, wooden, free form, lush lanscaping settings.

We went in the summer and my major reason for switching was that I thought the theming of CSR would seem "too hot & arrid". To me CSR was very open not much shaded paths. The walk around the lake seemed long. Maybe because it is open and you can see the whole lake, unlike POR where you don't visually see it all. CSR didn't have many bridges crossing the lake so you would need to walk around (though I do understand they now offer internal rides on carts).

I thougth I'd be wowed by the pool and I wasn't. I really came to feel this vacation how I truly like free form design - not geometrical.

We did not at all like the Pepper Market setup. At 8:50 in the evening there was a line of people waiting to get in to be seated. My DH said no way would he have enjoyed that. Their lounge seemed to be an open air type lounge. I like the dark coziness of POR - I'm a corner type person.

I just really liked the quietness, lush landscaping of POR. I like the various textures you experience at POR. If you sit outside the Riverside Mill there are cobblestone walkways, wooden walkways, decorative cement, the rope fences around the marina. I enjoy all the textures (weird, but I now realize that what makes POR appealing to me). For me POR is was very relaxing.

CSR was loud when we were there. My husband said he did not like the wide open feel to CSR. I did like their gift shop however.

I've learned that I'm a WL/PO type of person. Natural landscaping and wood. I'm not too attracted to beachy stuff though I do appreciate the various theming of the resorts.

I might feel differently if I was there in the winter months but overall I will stick with PO.

You may very well like CSR if that type of theming appeals to you. Enjoy your trip. The villas look lovely.

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm going to try and switch if there's room for us. I think POR would feel more appropriate for the holidays as well. Just hope we can get a bottom floor room so we don't have to pack the stroller up those stairs.

 

[ginga]

Nolcrest,
We too just returned from POR and have also stayed at CSR. Boy, you must be my twin because I agreed with about every word that you said in describing both. You write a great review! We also loved the layout/landscaping of POR, much, much more than I even expected. It was indeed so wonderful just to sit outside the mill and watch the boats come in and the carriages take off. We just didn't find CSR as interesting.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

GREAT review (I enjoyed the entire review!!) and GREAT pics!!! My girls LOVE POR and so do DH and I!! We will be trying CSR in a few days (to try something new since we've staying in AB and the Mansion section), but I'm sure the girls will get their way and we'll be staying at POR on our next trip in April/May. Not that that's a bad thing!!! I LOVE "Dixie Landings"!!!

 

[safaulk]

I really appreciate all the details you put into your report. The description gave me a good idea of how wonderful POR is!! We leave in 13 days for POR! Can't wait!!!!

 

[Tina1]

Thank you the pics were wonderful Tina

 

[dsneygirl]

Great report. Thanks for sharing.

 

[tomerin]

your great trip report and pictures verified my choice in making PO my next place to stay

 

[Davefrompgh]

Nice review...my family and I are thinking about POR for next trip...I do not like the jesters in POFQ...I looked at all the pictures....I think I would personally like the Magnolia area, better....someone indicated there are 5 pools between AB and Mag..where is the themed pool...does it have a slide...are there any bldgs in Magnolia close to themed pool and food court....does anyone else have any pictures of Magnolia side...which Magnolia bldg do you prefer and why? I think I would like 1st floor, if possible...thanks bunches