The 100% Original POFQ FAQ

[CleveRocks]

Is there a store where I can buy milk and fruit?

Milk -- single-serve containers in the food court, larger ones in the gift shop.

Fruit -- maybe a stray banana or apple in the food court if you're lucky. If you need additional grocery items, consider getting a grocery delivery.

Do ALL rooms come with fridges? I have seen a few different answers on these forums....

Any conflicting information you've gotten is either outdated or from people who simply don't know. ALL ROOMS IN ALL THE MODERATE AND DELUXE RESORTS HAVE FREE FRIDGES. POFQ is a "Moderate" resort. EVERY ROOM has a fridge. They are as standard in the rooms as carpeting and a TV.

About how long do the buses take to get to the parks? I know WDW is ginormous, but I read it can take up to 45 minutes! That seems very long to me to be on a bus.......especially if we come back to the hotel to rest in the afternoon.

I can't imagine a bus taking 45 minutes unless it breaks down or something.

Buses run about every 20 minutes, sometimes more often. Let's say you just missed a Magic Kingdom bus and have to wait at the stop for the full 20 minutes. Then you get on the bus and go to the 4 stops in POR (which happened to me only TWICE in my week there last November -- only twice was I on a bus that also stopped at POR before heading to a park). So that's another 5 minutes. Then 15 minutes for an unusually slow ride to MK. That's 40 minutes, and that's a worst-case scenario.

Figure an average wait of 10 minutes and an average ride of 10 minutes, so about 20 minutes total on average.

What are park hours like in NOV??
What is the weather like at night?

For Nov. 1-6 you won't have bad crowds at all. You'll be leaving early enough to miss any big crowds caused by "Jersey Week," since that will probably start in full after you leave (I don't know the 2008 dates). Every year, ALL the schools in NJ close for two days (a Thursday and Friday near Veterans Day) for a state teachers convention, and a lot of us run to WDW. This year, the schools are closed Nov. 8 and 9. A bunch of people do what I do, and go to WDW for that week. A lot of teachers do this, too, leaving more substitutes in classes than usual, with fewer kids than usual. As a result, a lot of schools don't start new material or do anything extremely important that week, making it more attractive to take the kids out of school, etc. ANy big crowds don't occur until the Friday-Saturday-Sunday of Jersey week, and I strongly suspect that if you leave on Nov. 6 (2008) that you'll miss that.

It's a nice time of year to go. Swimming was iffy -- it wasn't cool outside, but it was just shy of HOT enough for a comfortable time getting OUT of the pool. This didn't stop our then-6 and 4 year olds, of course!

We brought hoodies for all of us in our backpack and put them on many but not all nights. We never got to the point of putting on long pants, if that gives you some idea. But your mileage may vary. Before I went I not only asked what you are asking, but I went to websites that provided historical weather info for that time of year.

POFQ is great. HAVE A GREAT TIME!

 

[pumpkin5156]

Milk -- single-serve containers in the food court, larger ones in the gift shop.

Fruit -- maybe a stray banana or apple in the food court if you're lucky. If you need additional grocery items, consider getting a grocery delivery.
Any conflicting information you've gotten is either outdated or from people who simply don't know. ALL ROOMS IN ALL THE MODERATE AND DELUXE RESORTS HAVE FREE FRIDGES. POFQ is a "Moderate" resort. EVERY ROOM has a fridge. They are as standard in the rooms as carpeting and a TV.
I can't imagine a bus taking 45 minutes unless it breaks down or something.

Buses run about every 20 minutes, sometimes more often. Let's say you just missed a Magic Kingdom bus and have to wait at the stop for the full 20 minutes. Then you get on the bus and go to the 4 stops in POR (which happened to me only TWICE in my week there last November -- only twice was I on a bus that also stopped at POR before heading to a park). So that's another 5 minutes. Then 15 minutes for an unusually slow ride to MK. That's 40 minutes, and that's a worst-case scenario.

Figure an average wait of 10 minutes and an average ride of 10 minutes, so about 20 minutes total on average.
For Nov. 1-6 you won't have bad crowds at all. You'll be leaving early enough to miss any big crowds caused by "Jersey Week," since that will probably start in full after you leave (I don't know the 2008 dates). Every year, ALL the schools in NJ close for two days (a Thursday and Friday near Veterans Day) for a state teachers convention, and a lot of us run to WDW. This year, the schools are closed Nov. 8 and 9. A bunch of people do what I do, and go to WDW for that week. A lot of teachers do this, too, leaving more substitutes in classes than usual, with fewer kids than usual. As a result, a lot of schools don't start new material or do anything extremely important that week, making it more attractive to take the kids out of school, etc. ANy big crowds don't occur until the Friday-Saturday-Sunday of Jersey week, and I strongly suspect that if you leave on Nov. 6 (2008) that you'll miss that.

It's a nice time of year to go. Swimming was iffy -- it wasn't cool outside, but it was just shy of HOT enough for a comfortable time getting OUT of the pool. This didn't stop our then-6 and 4 year olds, of course!

We brought hoodies for all of us in our backpack and put them on many but not all nights. We never got to the point of putting on long pants, if that gives you some idea. But your mileage may vary. Before I went I not only asked what you are asking, but I went to websites that provided historical weather info for that time of year.

POFQ is great. HAVE A GREAT TIME!

WOW! You are just chalk full of GREAT info. Thank you! Before I booked I researched the weather patter as well. We were set to go in Sept, but then I thought of the muggy weather and hurricanes (we're going on a cruise also), and I though better wait till November.

We here in So Cal have the same conference thing at the private school I went to, but ours was right before Thanksgiving. We'd all go to DL, too!

Any other tips you think of....pass em on down. Thanks again.

 

[moviegirl11]

I was wondering if anyone knew what kinds of views the king rooms offer?

 

[CleveRocks]

I was wondering if anyone knew what kinds of views the king rooms offer?

The king bed rooms are sprinkled throughout the resort. It's not like they are grouped all in one area.

One of the odd things about Disney is you can't pay for two upgrades at the Moderate resorts. You can pay extra per night for a king bed room, and you can pay extra per night for a water view room, but you can't pay double-extra per night to guarantee a king bed room with a water view. There surely are a few water view rooms with king-size beds, but people lucked into those rooms ... as I said, you can't reserve and pay for and guarantee BOTH upgrades, but a lucky few do get them.

So if you pay for and reserve a king bed room, your room might be anywhere in the resort. It's such a small, cozy resort that location doesn't matter much, anyway.

 

[hollieplus2]

Hi, we are going to POFQ in September and I have a question about getting to the parks. I see that POFQ is very close to epcot. Would it be faster to take the bus to epcot and then the monorail to the MK or just take the bus to MK. I thought that in the morning, especially when MK has EMH less people would be taking the bus to epoct and the monorail is pretty fast. What's your take on it.

 

[soontobewed07]

I was wondering if anyone knew what kinds of views the king rooms offer?

We had a King room we were on the first floor in building 2 (corner room) across from the pool We were unable to open the curtains as people were always walking by, but the room was very large. Hope these help!

VIEW FROM OUR ROOM

A FEW OF THE ROOM

 

[Magalex]

Helping out my sister who is planning a 1st time ever, once in a lifetime trip. They are in their 50's and taking grandson. What area/bldg. for quiet/scenic/garden view?

 

[skipperkim]

I like Building 4. It's close to the food court and bus stop.

 

[skipperkim]

Hi, we are going to POFQ in September and I have a question about getting to the parks. I see that POFQ is very close to epcot. Would it be faster to take the bus to epcot and then the monorail to the MK or just take the bus to MK. I thought that in the morning, especially when MK has EMH less people would be taking the bus to epoct and the monorail is pretty fast. What's your take on it.

Oddly enough, it would not be. While Epcot is literally across the street (you can hear the music from Illuminations at the bus stop at night), it would be faster to take the bus to MK. We always get to the parks first thing in the morning. The bus to MK was full, so it did not stop at POR. I assume they sent another bus to POR for MK.

 

[fsmith2845]

My family of 4 is booked to stay at POFQ from Aug 8-16th. It's my 3rd trip to Disney in 7 years, and first stay On-Site. We booked everything back in April and opted for the DDP. Paid everythign off a couple of weeks ago so we're all ready to go... DD13 and DD5 are dying to get going..

My question is, when should i expect to get my package from the resort.. I think i saw something like 40 or 30 days prior to first day of stay.. We have already gotten our P&PP tickets for Aug 15th.

Anybody know when the resorts send out info.. DW is starting to get a bit worried.. LOL

Thanks all

 

[soontobewed07]

2 weeks before you leave,but ours came a little sooner

 

[newjmom]

[ALL the schools in NJ close for two days (a Thursday and Friday near Veterans Day) for a state teachers convention, and a lot of us run to WDW. This year, the schools are closed Nov. 8 and 9. A bunch of people do what I do, and go to WDW for that week.



ERIC, We are booked at POFQ week of Nov 5 for this same reason but now am thinking maybe we should book the week before if it really gets that crowded because of New Jersey's week off? Is it really crowded that week?

Thanks,

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Could someone tell me if the doors at POFQ are metal doors? I'm hoping to decorate our door when we get there.

Also, (never stayed at a Disney resort before) but I think I read that your park tickets are on your room key? If so, is it already activated or do you have to activate it somewhere?

 

[fsmith2845]

2 weeks before you leave,but ours came a little sooner

Thanks... I thought it was a little further out than that.. everyone here is just getting a bit excited and starting to worry the info isn't coming.. I'll tell everyone they'll have to wait a little longer.. maybe stare at the P&PP tickets a bit longer.. LOL

 

[CleveRocks]

Could someone tell me if the doors at POFQ are metal doors? I'm hoping to decorate our door when we get there.

Also, (never stayed at a Disney resort before) but I think I read that your park tickets are on your room key? If so, is it already activated or do you have to activate it somewhere?

If you are buying your tickets through Disney, then your park tickets are encoded on the magnetic stripe on the back of the card that is also your room key.

When you check in, they give you your cards (one per person) and you are ready to go. No other action is required except to have fun!

 

[CleveRocks]

ERIC, We are booked at POFQ week of Nov 5 for this same reason but now am thinking maybe we should book the week before if it really gets that crowded because of New Jersey's week off? Is it really crowded that week?

You really won't notice any increase in crowds until Friday Nov. 9. Friday and Saturday and probably Sunday will be pretty crowded, but not as crowded as a typical summer day, probably. It's not going to be horrible. It's just that, for example, when you look back on your trip, you'll notice that the Tuesday you were there was a lot less crowded than the Friday you were there.

For about $8 you can subscribe to a website that offers a crowd prediction calendar. Looking at that chart might give you some more info on which to base a decision. That site can't be printed here, but if you send me a PM I'll send it to you. I haven't gone to that site since they started charging, by the way.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

bumping up for those with POFQ questions

 

[MeLaNie9]

We are staying at POFQ for the first time Nov 26-Dec 2. We are travelling with our kids and my MIL and SIL - chose POFQ because it was recommended on the DIS as the most compact resort for my MIL who may not be able to walk a whole lot (we at least want to minimize her walking around the resort so that she can do the majority of her walking in the parks). Which building is best to minimize walking to and from bus stop and boat? How about shortest distance to food court? Shortest distance to POR food? (I stayed at DL years ago and really liked the cajun-style food). Is the milk in the gift shop also single serving size or bigger? We do tend to eat breakfast (cereal) in our room.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

We are staying at POFQ for the first time Nov 26-Dec 2. We are travelling with our kids and my MIL and SIL - chose POFQ because it was recommended on the DIS as the most compact resort for my MIL who may not be able to walk a whole lot (we at least want to minimize her walking around the resort so that she can do the majority of her walking in the parks). Which building is best to minimize walking to and from bus stop and boat? How about shortest distance to food court? Shortest distance to POR food? (I stayed at DL years ago and really liked the cajun-style food). Is the milk in the gift shop also single serving size or bigger? We do tend to eat breakfast (cereal) in our room.

Buildings 4 and 5 would probably be the most convenient to minimize your MIL’s walking.

Both are pretty close to the food court, depending on which room you are in. Building 4 is a little closer to the bus terminal. Building 5 is a little closer to the boat dock.

A map of POFQ can be found here (ignore the Bonfamille's restaurant listed on the map - this has been closed for a few years now). http://www.solarius.com/dvp/wdw/port-orleans-map.htm

A photo of POFQ can be found on LiveLocal here http://local.live.com/default.aspx?...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=3949875

The largest size of milk in the Jackson Square gift shop is (I think) half quarts, which fit nicely in the door of the refrigerators in the rooms.

 

[thunderbird1]

Bldg 4 (or some of 5) is definitely closest to the food court/bus stop. Bldg 1 would be closest to POR, but it's one of the furthest away from the POFQ food court. Keep in mind, though, that, except during really busy times, busses stop at POFQ and then POR on their way to/from the parks. So if you were in bldg 4 and wanted to go over to POR, the shortest route with the least walking would be to hop on a bus (probably any bus--just ask the driver to make sure) and take that over the POR. The boat/walking path would certainly be scenic, but would also involve more walking. Have fun!