What's the big deal about Port Orleans?

[Magenta Panther]

Everybody seems to stay there. I mean EVERYBODY! I'm a bit confused as to why, though. Am I missing something? What makes this resort so desirable over a deluxe resort, or another moderate resort?

I've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. It was pretty, lots of water features and a nice LONG walk from your hotel room to Boatwrights and the Dining hall (depending on your room's location). It was okay. I doubt I'll stay there again, though. Never been to POFQ...

 

[Ember]

Add me to the PORS fan favorite list. We love, love, love this place!! In fact we had a chance to stay at AKL for our next trip, but opted to go for PORS instead. It's just so relaxing and beautiful and the food is so good. And we stay in the Royal Guest Room which I just adore. It's so magical and pretty and the kids go nuts over the fireworks. It's so funny how resort choice is such a personal thing. It's like falling in love, when you find the "one" you just know lol. But seriously there's just something about PORS that feels like home for us.

 

[Shadowgate]

Yup, PORFQ is by far my fave. I have stayed at all the moderates and the three MK monorail deluxes and for the cost my family and I find it the perfect fit. For us we spend 95% of our waking hours in the park so it is nice to have a nice place to sleep but we don't need everything a deluxe offers. Plus we can nearly do two trips to a moderate for the cost of a deluxe. As other have said it has the best transportation of any of the moderates and "generally" is the quietest of the moderates if not any of the deluxes we have stayed at as well. It is also a nice peaceful setting to return to after a long day in the parks with all its trees and landscaping.

 

[real mad hatter]

I've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. It was pretty, lots of water features and a nice LONG walk from your hotel room to Boatwrights and the Dining hall (depending on your room's location). It was okay. I doubt I'll stay there again, though. Never been to POFQ...

I've yet to see these LONG walks from any building at PORS to the food court..Unless your going round the perimeter...A nice stroll is what I call it...If however your finding it a long walk at this resort to the food court..God help you when you get to the parks...There's a reason I answered this question with that view...

 

[habuma]

We stayed at PORS on our honeymoon when it was known as Dixie Landings. That alone makes the resort a special place to us. We tried Caribbean Beach Resort, but it just wasn't the same. And although my Disney Bucket List has me staying at each resort at least once, it's hard to select a different resort when you *know* you'll like PORS.

Aside from that, we like PORS because of the atmosphere. It's just really nice there and doesn't seem to compare to the other moderates. It's the most deluxe of the moderate resorts, IMO. Also, speaking as a camera geek, there's plenty to snap pictures of.

Add to that all of the stuff that they have there: boats, bikes, a great food court, Boatwrights, Yehaa Bob at the River Roost, outdoor movies every night, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Mrs.Minnie]

We stayed at FQ on our honeymoon last October (has it really been a whole year???) and we had a fantastic time. DH had stayed at FW before, and I had only stayed at PC, so we were both new to it though not new to staying on resort. We have both said we can't imagine staying anywhere else now. It is gorgeous, the food is amazing, the pool is a lot of fun (even for us "big kids"!), the room was lovely with a HUGE bathroom shower. Staff was always incredibly sweet. Transportation was always great (even if we had to wait a while sometimes) and like many have said, it's the best bang for your buck. You truly get what you are paying for when you pick your place to stay and when staying there, the price is perfect. We're going back in 2015 with my parents and brother and we're trying desperately into convincing them the price is WORTH IT! (We spell frugal C-H-E-A-P where I'm from, so they aren't as willing as DH and me. )

 

[tmstephe]

Everybody seems to stay there. I mean EVERYBODY! I'm a bit confused as to why, though. Am I missing something? What makes this resort so desirable over a deluxe resort, or another moderate resort?

I can't add much that others haven't covered, but I think a lot of it comes down to personal preference and individual experiences. My family loves the ambiance and theme of POR, and we've also had great trips/stays there, which in turn makes us want to go there again. It's our "home" resort because it feels comfortable. Going back (typically 2-3 years apart) feels really special when we walk into the lobby or past the water wheel. Those intangibles, more than any specific amenity, are why we keep going back. I'm sure others feel exactly the same way about CSR, CBR, or any other resort.

 

[Skibum1970]

I've yet to see these LONG walks from any building at PORS to the food court..Unless your going round the perimeter...A nice stroll is what I call it...If however your finding it a long walk at this resort to the food court..God help you when you get to the parks...There's a reason I answered this question with that view...

Our first trip to WDW while staying at PORS, we flew in (not a long flight compared to crossing the Atlantic) and took the Magical Express to the hotel. We checked in and found that we were in Parterre Place, the very last building. Seeing that we didn't know where we were going and taking into account that we went up the wrong stairs, it seemed like a very long walk to my tired wife. After we got used to the place, the walk wasn't bad at all. Still, I can see where people think that it's a long walk because you have to walk it AFTER being on your feet at the parks all day.

For me though, I love staying at PORS. I find it peaceful and I enjoy the fact that I can take a walk around the resort. I love the waterviews, flowers, fountains, and everything else. The great food court. It's all been discussed.

 

[mickey2008.1]

PORS is a beautiful resort. The grounds and buildings a e well themed, at least in the mansion section. Fountains, the views of the river, bridges and walkways. Food court was really good as well, plus Rivers Roost bar with the entertainment. Transportation was great, never waited more than ten minutes for a bus or boat, maybe just lucky, but for eight days it was great. We were there 9/11-9/18 this year. The disappointment came from the CM's, not exactly the best. And the big wheel that Realmadhatter said keeps turning, well, it never turned. As compared to other mods, very good, to values, no comparison, but to a deluxe resort, it has the theming, but not the service or dining. So in all, best of the mods. The Royal rooms are awesome.

 

[Darkzeid25]

I could answer it with one word: Beignets. But it's more than that.
My wife and I stayed once at CB and thought it was great. But then we stayed at FQ last October and fell in love. It is a Moderate that feels more like a Deluxe in terms of theme and how easy it is to get around. You can have a bit of a hike to get to the food courts at Caribbean or Coronado.
It may have to do with Port Orleans being themed around a place I really want to visit but haven't yet, so it is a little like visiting New Orleans at the same time. We're booked to go again in February and can't wait!

 

[ml123_9]

PORS = AWESOME!

 

[mickeymatt]

PORS is the only moderate that I have stayed in. I love the themeing of both PO resorts. We have stayed there once on a short two night trip in Alligator Bayou and another time for a week in the Royal Guest Room. That was a one of our greatest trips. We can't afford a Deluxe but don't really like staying at the values if we can help it (Although we have stayed at all the values except AS sports and AoA) My wife is an artist and she is going to be in The Festival of the Masters in DTD. When we got confirmation they offered two resorts at a discounted rate PORS and POP. I wanted to try a different moderate this time but those being my choices we chose PORS for $44 more a night. To me it was a no brainer with the water taxi to DTD. Also I like to run in the mornings while wife and daughter are getting ready and it doesn't get much better running than around the Sasgagoula river in the morning. Hint: I run to some zydeco music on pandora so that it matches the environment and I am transported deep within Lousiana!

 

[DW1]

We have stayed at a number of different hotels. For years we stayed at CB and enjoyed it. After staying at Beach Club (easily my favorite ) we tried POR last winter. I have to say I really enjoyed this hotel and we will be staying there again this year.

I thought it was very quiet and peaceful. We went in December so it got dark early and I think that really added to the quiet feel the resort, the soft lighting made everything feel quiet and peaceful. Also, it was a quiet time of year so that helped.

The resort is really laid out and you could have a long walk to buses or food court. We upgraded to a preferred room and everything was right around the corner for us. That would be my recommendation for any moderate resorts, get the preferred rooms. Its a little more expensive but so worth it. Especially at CB and POR.

The food court at POR was definitely my favorite. A large area with plenty of seating. As opposed to CB and it feels very crammed together.

 

[DW1]

I suggest whichever moderate resort you choose you upgrade to a preferred room. Especially at POR and CB. They could both have quite a hike if your room is in the wrong location. Preferred rooms are always located near the buses, food court, pools, etc. We stayed at POR preferred last year and everything was very easy to get to.

POR was a lot quieter than CB and the food court area is much bigger. At POR you felt like you had privacy at your table while at CB, where it is very small, everyone feels on top of each other.

 

[jkl2000]

It's 10 to midnight on Saturday night and POFQ is SILENT! We're in building 2 on the far side from the pool. So peaceful. Enjoying an ice-cold Coors lite on the "terrace" and watching the ferries, listening to their soft horns tooting.

 

[ecranos]

Welcoming, relaxing, cozy. Pool, pool bar, bar entertainment, rooms, rentals....there is just something about the place. I know it seems crazy but its our Disney home away from home.

 

[John]

My next trip will be #18.....I will be staying at POR. I also consider this my "home" resort. Something I have not seen mention was the carriage ride that you can get at both PO resorts. Both resorts are incredibly romantic if it just the two of you.....The landscaping and surroundings make for a wonderful hand-in-hand stroll at night after a nice meal. Speaking of meals.... Boatwrights is very adequate for a nice quiet meal. Mad Hatter isn't a fan but as some had said YeeHaw Bob and a glass of wine caps off a great night!

Honestly these two resorts have some how escaped the cost cutting and maintence issues we have seen around property. To me it is still a gem. Are there drawbacks? I guess someone could come up with one or two.....but what resort doesn't? I have been to GF and for me it just doesn't fit. It is a very nice resort....just not for me. Even though if you stay in the mansions it can feel spread out, it still feels cozy.....warm....inviting. At POR you still feel like a guest. Not like you are a imposition to the Cm's. I think if you only get one chance to do a Mod..... this is the one you should try.

 

[Skibum1970]

It's 10 to midnight on Saturday night and POFQ is SILENT! We're in building 2 on the far side from the pool. So peaceful. Enjoying an ice-cold Coors lite on the "terrace" and watching the ferries, listening to their soft horns tooting.

That is a great part of the PORS/POFQ resorts as well as those with ferry boat options. Those horns sounding across the water are so nice. It's just another part that says, "Welcome to Disney". Yeah, it's just a ferry horn that isn't exclusive to WDW but it adds to the ambiance.

 

[BattleJ]

That is a great part of the PORS/POFQ resorts as well as those with ferry boat options. Those horns sounding across the water are so nice. It's just another part that says, "Welcome to Disney". Yeah, it's just a ferry horn that isn't exclusive to WDW but it adds to the ambiance.

Hi all, I am staying here with my husband and 3 kids /my parents (POR) any preferred building I should request? Can you request before or upon arrival only?

 

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

POFQ is our #1 choice (other than Poly or Contemporary...but...it's really just too expensive to stay there based on what you get for us)...FQ is quiet...awesome pool, short boat ride to DTD, our group loves the New Orleans theme...and it just feels like we are truly separated from reality when we're there.

Bus service at FQ has always been A+ for us too.

And even though there is no table service...the food court does have it's merits...no waiting for everyone to go get some breakfast...just trickle down from the room at your leisure...and you don't even know how many late night ice cream snacks I've consumed after a long day in the parks