Port Orleans

[Shell820810]

Hi

I have changed my mind again...!:confused2

From definitely the Homewood Suites on I Drive, to definitely something in LBV to definitely a DTD hotel, to now possibly Port Orleans. There is just too much choice!!!

Which is preferred - Riverside or French Quarter - what is the difference? Which would be nicest for a honeymoon?

Also, where is the best place to get a good rate. They are currently about £1100 on expedia for 2 weeks end April/start of May 2007, but it will be 2008 I am going.

I know there is boat ride to DTD, but what about coming back - is there a bus? What time does it run to?

Any other info appreciated!

Thanks

[cerigirl]

There are sides for each Riverside and French Quarter. :d:

French Quarter is laid out like a little town, with the feel of New Orleans buildings, with iron-railings, gas lamps and ornate gardens/bandstands/cobbled streets. Riverside is laid out along a river and meanders from Mansion buildings, to Bayou rustic buildings, as you get closer to the swampier end of the river.

We haven't been yet, but we are staying in Riverside, simply because it is more laid out and has pretty gardens. I like the look of the mansions buildings, and the grounds are award winning, apparently. This may make it more suitable for a honeymoon, therefore.

The boats do run backwards and forwards to Downtown Disney, as well as buses. There are carriage rides around the complex, in the evenings, which sound romantic. You just pay the drivers direct, no booking - $35.

Happy Planning!:wavey:

[highlander447]

Riverside is more spaced out than FQ, FQ is close to pool, buses, food etc, U can use POR if u stay at POFQ or vice versa, one thing I did find was although we enjoyed POFQ it felt very chalet like and not Disney

[Lynn]

We stayed at PORS this year but I wish we had stayed at POFQ. I would personally say POFQ would be lovely for a honeymoon.

[LizzyBear]

I think FQ would be better for a honeymoon as it's a smaller resort therefore is likely to be quieter but i'm sure you'd be happy at either resort. We ended up choosing based on the theming (FQ has a mardi gras theme) :)

[tj+alana]

hi:wavey: we stayed in pofq last year,were quite fussy when it comes down to hotels and rooms,we loved the pofq,not to big not to small,pofq has the better pool so the riverside might be a bit quieter than fq,were going back this year,BA holidays charge about the same as the websites.hope this helps

[Shell820810]

Hi all

Thanks for your comments. Will have to do a bit more research!

[Shell820810]

oh also, are there any buildings with balconies or patios, or any areas where we could chill out in the evening with a bottle of wine?

[rpbert1]

We stayed in FQ last July for 2 weeks, and the place is really nice, and was extremely quiet when we where there, was expecting a bit more noise with the walkways to rooms.
It is quite small so everything is only a couple of minutes walk. The buses leave for the parks from FQ first and arrive back at FQ first, but the boat leaves from Riverside, although never had any problems when we where there.
There is a small bar Scats and a guy plays there Wed through Sat , he is very good and nice for a quiet drink before bed.
There is no Balconies at FQ or Riverside.
you could always get the boat to DTD for the evening, have a meal and a few drinks then either get the boat or bus back to resort

[Shell820810]

From the photos the rooms look a bit dark and dingy - are they old looking, or is this just the theming?

Is there only the one pool? Coronado seems to have "quiet pools" as well as the main one.

Do any of the moderate resorts have private outdoor space such as balconies or patios?

Thanks all!

[highlander447]

Hi no I Dont believe any moderate has the privacy space, sorry, but even the deluxes dont all have that privacy, they are not dingy rooms but its also not luxury, we where happy enough with the french quarter, pool wise it was never crowded

[rpbert1]

Heres a Pic of our room
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/rpbert1/florida/Picture307.jpg
we have friends who stayed at CBR and CS and said you can be quite a bit away from things depending on what building your assigned

[freedomathome]

We did a lot of research on this and after reading another Disney forum (Intercot.com) we found POFQ to be their favourite moderate and would be perfect for a couple. We can't wait to go in Sept!!

[wjd]

We stayed at POFQ for 3 days after our wedding, it was beautiful, we went to the bar on our 1st night, for a drink and I had my veil on, everyone was congratulating us, very friendly. We went to DTD on the boat it was lovely, we also got the boat back, the times they run were great. We'd love to stay there again it was very special.

[Bobbins]

Also, where is the best place to get a good rate. They are currently about £1100 on expedia for 2 weeks end April/start of May 2007, but it will be 2008 I am going.

We've recently booked to go to POFQ this April. I ended up booking through WDW's UK reservations site, although they had the price for a water-view room wrong (like £700 extra instead of £100 or so). I called the UK number and was quite surprised to be speaking to someone in WDW Florida! Anyway they quickly corrected the price and I booked it. The rate was about the same as the AAA rate booked with WDW USA, but the cancellation terms are much less flexible, and the whole amount has to be paid a couple of months before you travel. The advantage is that rate includes all taxes and it's in £ so no concerns about the exchange rate.

You could also book direct with WDW in the US. If you're an AA member (or if not, it's probably worth joining anyway for the discount) you can use the AAA rate, which takes about $30/night off the normal room rate. A possible advantage of booking direct with WDW US is that you only have to pay 1 night deposit, and you can cancel up to 5 days before you arrive with no penalty. You pay the rest of the cost when you check out. Of course the rates in US Dollars are plus tax (about 12%), and the exchange rate may work for or against you.

We booked Virgin flights direct with Virgin.

[amandathepanda]

Last year we did a week at Homewood suites I-Drive and theen moved to POFQ for a week. We loved it so much that we are doing it again in October this year. It was like 2 different holidays-fantastic!