Port Orleans Re-Opening

UNCgolf

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
dmw said:
I really like AKL as a resort better than POFQ. But... POFQ beats AKL for the proximity to the parks and boat access to DS and much better prices.
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Well AKL is by far the best resort on property in overall quality. Nothing else is really close if you're just looking at the hotel in a vacuum -- i.e. the restaurants, theming, etc. and ignoring any other factors like price and distance to the parks. Grand Floridian was second, but it's taken a huge hit with the loss of the orchestra, the terrible Enchanted Rose lounge, and other things.

Once you factor all of that in, I think Port Orleans is the best value because of the huge price difference between it and the deluxes while still getting beautiful grounds and easy access to most of the parks and Disney Springs. I prefer Riverside, but French Quarter is good too and they're essentially one resort.
 
dmw

dmw

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
UNCgolf said:
Well AKL is by far the best resort on property in overall quality. Nothing else is really close if you're just looking at the hotel in a vacuum -- i.e. the restaurants, theming, etc. and ignoring any other factors like price and distance to the parks. Grand Floridian was second, but it's taken a huge hit with the loss of the orchestra, the terrible Enchanted Rose lounge, and other things.

Once you factor all of that in, I think Port Orleans is the best value because of the huge price difference between it and the deluxes while still getting beautiful grounds and easy access to most of the parks and Disney Springs. I prefer Riverside, but French Quarter is good too and they're essentially one resort.
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I completely agree. POFQ is our resort of choice because AKL is just too much $$$. But... we sure do make it a point to visit AKL for a meal and explore the grounds. Sure hope Bob comes back to POR!
 
Disone

Disone

Well-Known Member
UNCgolf said:
Well AKL is by far the best resort on property in overall quality. Nothing else is really close if you're just looking at the hotel in a vacuum -- i.e. the restaurants, theming, etc. and ignoring any other factors like price and distance to the parks. Grand Floridian was second, but it's taken a huge hit with the loss of the orchestra, the terrible Enchanted Rose lounge, and other things.

Once you factor all of that in, I think Port Orleans is the best value because of the huge price difference between it and the deluxes while still getting beautiful grounds and easy access to most of the parks and Disney Springs. I prefer Riverside, but French Quarter is good too and they're essentially one resort.
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I don't think the enchanted Rose is a terrible Lounge. At least not the main library and the main bar. The Enchanted Forest section is lackluster and the patio has no theme execution at all. Those two areas of the lounge definitely need Improvement. But more than that I just think this lounges at the wrong Resort. A lounge based on a French Fairy Tail at a Beachside Victorian Resort just isn't a good match.

Regarding Port Orleans, I don't think Disney will be opening it anytime soon. Staffing and specifically housekeeping Staffing may be the largest obstacle for them to overcome.

Seems to me that this Staffing Challenge within housekeeping is also a big contributor as to why you will see this Disney slow to return to daily housekeeping service.

To a lesser extent the deluxe rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and to a greater extent of their remaining rooms at All Star Sports All-Star Music and Port Orleans Resort represent a significant demand for a few hundred housekeepers and the associated support roles that go with them.

At this point you hear commercials on the radio advertising housekeeping at the Walt Disney World Resort starting at $16 an hour, an indication that they have reached the end of the list of housekeepers waiting to come back. This does not bode well for the opening of the resorts that are not currently open.
 
UNCgolf

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
Disone said:
I don't think the enchanted Rose is a terrible Lounge. At least not the main library and the main bar. The Enchanted Forest section is lackluster and the patio has no theme execution at all. Those two areas of the lounge definitely need Improvement. But more than that I just think this lounges at the wrong Resort. A lounge based on a French Fairy Tail at a Beachside Victorian Resort just isn't a good match.
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That's what I meant by terrible; it doesn't fit in the hotel at all. The whole aesthetic is incongruous with the rest of the resort.

I don't think it's especially great in general, to be honest -- the furnishings even in the library/main bar looked kind of cheap to me when I was there. It didn't feel high end. The main thing is what you said, though. It just does not belong at the Grand Floridian in overall aesthetic or theme.

EDIT: Plus, they eliminated the orchestra area as part of the renovation to build the Enchanted Rose, which was a huge loss for the resort.
 
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James J

James J

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Disone said:
Regarding Port Orleans, I don't think Disney will be opening it anytime soon. Staffing and specifically housekeeping Staffing may be the largest obstacle for them to overcome.

Seems to me that this Staffing Challenge within housekeeping is also a big contributor as to why you will see this Disney slow to return to daily housekeeping service.

To a lesser extent the deluxe rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and to a greater extent of their remaining rooms at All Star Sports All-Star Music and Port Orleans Resort represent a significant demand for a few hundred housekeepers and the associated support roles that go with them.

At this point you hear commercials on the radio advertising housekeeping at the Walt Disney World Resort starting at $16 an hour, an indication that they have reached the end of the list of housekeepers waiting to come back. This does not bode well for the opening of the resorts that are not currently open.
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Those in the know are hinting that Disney plan on re-opening the Port Orleans resorts by the end of the summer, so I'm very much keeping my fingers crossed that they're correct.
 
Disone

Disone

Well-Known Member
James J said:
Those in the know are hinting that Disney plan on re-opening the Port Orleans resorts by the end of the summer, so I'm very much keeping my fingers crossed that they're correct.
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We'll see, I must know different those in the know then you. I hope your's are right.
 
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Minnesota disney fan

Minnesota disney fan

Well-Known Member
James J said:
Those in the know are hinting that Disney plan on re-opening the Port Orleans resorts by the end of the summer, so I'm very much keeping my fingers crossed that they're correct.
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I read on another thread/site, that POR is being used for training CM's, this was posted by a CM currently going through the program. I hope POR, POFQ open soon too!
 
nickys

nickys

Premium Member
buckeyegator said:
first time staying on propert was in 1991, stayed at the the dixie landings, aka port orleans french quarter now
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Dixie Landings became Riverside.

Port Orleans opened first, themed on the French Quarter of New Orleans. Dixie Landings opened a year or so later with two sections - Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend.

And then about a decade later in 2001 they were both rebranded as they are today.
 
Tom P.

Tom P.

Well-Known Member
nickys said:
Dixie Landings became Riverside.

Port Orleans opened first, themed on the French Quarter of New Orleans. Dixie Landings opened a year or so later with two sections - Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend.

And then about a decade later in 2001 they were both rebranded as they are today.
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The memory that Dixie Landings most invokes for me:

"Accommodations for many guests of The Mickey Mouse Club are provided by Disney's Dixie Landings Resort, a family-priced resort in the heart of Walt Disney World."
 
The_Jobu

The_Jobu

Well-Known Member
If PO was to open in time for the 50th, how much heads up would Disney provide? Could it be as long as September and they suddenly open a free-for all to start booking for October?
 
CaptainAmerica

CaptainAmerica

Premium Member
UNCgolf said:
Well AKL is by far the best resort on property in overall quality. Nothing else is really close if you're just looking at the hotel in a vacuum -- i.e. the restaurants, theming, etc. and ignoring any other factors like price and distance to the parks. Grand Floridian was second, but it's taken a huge hit with the loss of the orchestra, the terrible Enchanted Rose lounge, and other things.

Once you factor all of that in, I think Port Orleans is the best value because of the huge price difference between it and the deluxes while still getting beautiful grounds and easy access to most of the parks and Disney Springs. I prefer Riverside, but French Quarter is good too and they're essentially one resort.
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Animal Kingdom Lodge has three excellent table service restaurants. Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside have zero decent table service restaurants between the two of them. I like Port Orleans too but... come on.

The location issue is also entirely overblown.

AKL to AK: 6 minutes
AKL to Epcot: 12 minutes
AKL to Studios: 13 minutes
AKL to Magic Kingdom: 12 minutes

POFQ to AK: 11 minutes
POFQ to Epcot: 7 minutes
POFQ to Studios: 13 minutes
POFQ to Magic Kingdom: 8 minutes

So you're saving 4 minutes to Magic Kingdom and everything else is a wash. People talk about AKL like it's in Tampa.
 
The_Jobu

The_Jobu

Well-Known Member
Bullseye1967 said:
They will announce at least 30 days prior to re-opening.
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Hmmmm.... that could be "interesting".

Ages ago I booked a week at Pop for late October. Now I need to add a few days to the end of it and there's no rooms anywhere on property. Hope they make some more available some time.
 
UNCgolf

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
CaptainAmerica said:
Animal Kingdom Lodge has three excellent table service restaurants. Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside have zero decent table service restaurants between the two of them. I like Port Orleans too but... come on.

The location issue is also entirely overblown.

AKL to AK: 6 minutes
AKL to Epcot: 12 minutes
AKL to Studios: 13 minutes
AKL to Magic Kingdom: 12 minutes

POFQ to AK: 11 minutes
POFQ to Epcot: 7 minutes
POFQ to Studios: 13 minutes
POFQ to Magic Kingdom: 8 minutes

So you're saving 4 minutes to Magic Kingdom and everything else is a wash. People talk about AKL like it's in Tampa.
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I don't understand your point? As I said, the dining is one of the factors that make Animal Kingdom the best resort on property.

Port Orleans is the best value because it costs half as much as AKL (or at least it does when I usually go; that may not be true year round). It's certainly lacking in dining (the boat to Disney Springs helps some there) but it has nicer grounds than most of the deluxes.

It sounds like you read my post and thought I was saying Port Orleans is better than Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is definitely not what I was saying. Regardless, value is subjective.
 

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