How did I forget that?! Yes that is a must also. He's very entertaining!
According to the Port Orleans site you can, but only between the hours of 10-5:30. You may want to call to confirm that though.
if that's your only issue go POR and get a bldg. near the main bldg., you will pay a little more for a "preferred room" but far less than Contemp...you will be close enough for food court, gift shop, bar, boatwrights, front desk, arcade, marina, pool AND south bus stop it will take longer than if you were at contemp but its reasonable, we were there xmas week and longest wait for bus after mk fireworks was 30 min and we had some handicap folks that required a little extra time on that bus
Were you WAITING at the MK bus stop for 30 mins., or was that the TOTAL time (waiting, riding)? Also, the "preferred rooms" are all booked for the week we're planning on going. The wife would like a "Royal" room if we do stay at POR. Are those ONLY in the Mansion Buildings? Looking at the map, it seems the Magnolia Building would be best? I hear the Oak is going to be experiencing some construction at the time. Seems like you're "in the know" when it comes to POR. Any additional guidance is appreciated Marijil!
We waited a good 20 minutes after fireworks on December 28...one of the busiest nights of the year...it was cool though because we weren't just standing...we were moving up as they had bus after bus after bus coming, which was good...royal rooms are in mansion bldgs only we have 5 in our family so we only stay at Alligator Bayou, I don't really know much about mansion rooms, you should check out portorleans.org, lots of info there
I think it depends on what time of year you go. We went in May and there were no problems with the buses, but the parks were not crowded at all. I
I stayed in a Royal Room last January. We were in Oak Manor and there was a bus stop behind our building. Quick walk across the parking lot. The buses can be crowded but nothing extraordinary.
Perhaps if I SAVE the $2500, I'll GET the "Kiss Goodnight" from the misses!
We never had to wait going early in the mornings. The only long waits were when we left right after a parade or fireworks. We did have to stand many times. We were in the mansions and it was a nice, peaceful walk to the main pool, lobby or boat ramp. Make sure and ask the first bus driver where they are starting pick-ups. They were not picking up South depot first when we were there June 2012. We actually walked over there because everyone said that was the first stop and we didn't want to stand, but when the bus got there, it was full. I asked the driver trainer, and she told us that would be the last stop, not the first.
Of all the resorts wdw resorts we've stayed at (cbr,por,cs, akl, wl), the POR buses were the worst we've experienced. May have been a fluke (it was sept) but it was pretty awful. Not to mention we had room issues and staff issues. POR is generally highly regarded around here but we much preferred CS. We'll try it again sometime but contemporary would be my next choice!
