How is Port Orleans French Quarter?

sherabby · Post by **sherabby** » Oct Mon 20, 2008 6:19 am

Esmeralda wrote:We're staying at French Quarter in December and I can't wait!

A strange question - my mom is really annoyed by those old air conditioning units (the ones that hang right below the windows) when they cycle on and off in the middle of the night. Do these rooms have those or have they been upgraded?

They had those in our room when we went in August this summer. We ended up leaving ours off for most of the night. It would get too cold at times with it on.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 7:50 pm

boilerbabe wrote:Thanks DisBeamer, have a wonderful trip!!!

A belated thank you for that! I'm back now.

We had a great (short) stay at POFQ and I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has.

Overall, the resort was as nice as it has been every time I've gone. Very clean, rooms were in good shape, staff was all very friendly. A bit of a wait to check in (we got there the same time as a Magical Express bus), but nothing major and no wait for the room (though we were there after 3 so I didn't expect one).

The food court, for those who haven't seen it, is pretty small but it's adequate for the size of the resort - which is also pretty small (one of the reasons I like it so much). We didn't have any problems getting breakfast or finding a place to sit. It's actually such a nice compact resort that it's easy to get food 'to go' and have it still be hot when you get back to your room.

We had a complementary upgrade to a water view. Third floor, facing the river. The view was great though I hafta say, the boat going back and forth to DTD and to Riverside makes a lot of noise. I mean ... it's not deafening or anything, but it does continue fairly late at night and if you had a light sleeper in your room you might find it annoying. It's not any louder than the a/c anyway.

The only negative I found this trip - and it was not an issue last December - was the bus service. We encountered some long waits and some really, really full buses. That said, however, after talking to my parents who were staying at CBR, and other guests around the parks, I think this is a property-wide issue at the moment. If I had to guess, I would say that it is because bus service has been cut back in general due to the cost of fuel (we heard that at one point a few months ago, as I recall). So I would say to make sure to allow extra time to get where you're going and be prepared to stand as the bus shares a lot of its routes with Riverside. One nice thing, though, is that it doesn't share on the way back from the MK, so you have a better shot at getting a seat when you're leaving.

Anyway, that's my 2-cent review. If anyone has any questions, I'm happy to help.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 11:23 pm

Welcome back DisBeamer! We're just gearing up for our trip!

It's been a very long time since I've stayed at POFQ, but from all the reviews, it sounds like we'll enjoy it!

What food items did they have at the food court? Mostly quick service stuff? Did they have H2O shampoo and conditioner?! Or is it still that combined stuff? I know the Deluxe resorts have it and Coronado does now too. But someone had told me it was b/c Coronado has suites?!

How did you manage the room upgrade?! Just lucky?

I remember when we visited WDW last Oct. the buses seemed slower to me even then! I'm sure with the rise in fuel costs, it doesn't help the situation.

Thanks for the feedback!!!

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Oct Fri 24, 2008 2:11 am

The food court area is only that - a food court. The sit-down restaurant closed a few years back (actually around the 2001 closing, I think), but Riverside still has its sit-down place if you want one kind of 'in the area'. We really only went to the food court for breakfast and they had the standard Mickey Waffles with sides, breakfast platters with eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage etc., french toast... the standard Disney brekkie stuff. They also have the scrumptious fried Beignets with powdered sugar. *drool* I think the evening stuff was also typical when I glanced at it - chicken, burgers, fries, pizza, etc. There were a few 'grab and go' areas around the 'hot food service' parts with cereal, fruit and yogurt in the morning as well. Not sure if that's 24 hrs a day or they change for later meals.

They sadly do not have the nice (deluxe resort) H20 stuff. It is H20, but it's have the combo shampoo/conditioner one. (Yuk!) My parents reported the same at CBR so I think the folks at Coronado are just being spoiled.

The stuff we had at the Contemporary last Dec was so nice too. I wish they weren't cheaping out on it at the moderates and values (end of soapbox).

The upgrade was just pure luck. I didn't ask for it or anything, as we don't spend a lot of time looking out the windows in the moderates (and there's no patio or anything to sit on). We checked in and she just told us we had a complementary upgrade. I guess we got pixie dusted or something. =)

It's still my favorite of the moderate resorts. I love the atmosphere of it. I hope you guys have a great time too!

kschn3671 · Post by **kschn3671** » Oct Sat 25, 2008 6:04 am

Take the boat down to pleasure island. it is really good

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Oct Sun 26, 2008 11:58 am

Two questions hopefully some of you can asnwer for me....

1. Has anyone ever taken the carriage ride at PO?! My DH and I were planning on doing that for our Anniversary!

2. Is it possible to walk from PO to Downtown Disney?

Thanks!

sherabby · Post by **sherabby** » Oct Mon 27, 2008 7:11 am

Beignets! I miss those! We used snack credits for them for morning or late night treats! We also loved POFQ! Glad to hear you had a very nice trip and got upgraded too!

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Oct Wed 29, 2008 10:20 pm

Thanks sherabby.

Boilerbabe, I haven't been on it myself but I saw them walk by a few times while we were there. It looks so cool!

I'm pretty sure you can't walk to Downtown Disney. I mean .. you might be able to if you wanted to walk along the roads but I think it'd be a) dangerous and b) take a really long time.

The best way to and from DTD is definitely the boat though, depending on how good your bus-mojo is, if you time the bus right that might be quicker.