Disney's Port Orleans Resort

Hi Everyone,

I was pretty sure I was going to book my anniversary trip in May(changed to may because of the weather)at one of the Port Orleans resorts but I keep hearing how bad the bus is in hotel reviews. One person said that they had to wait 40 minutes each way to get to the parks.Does anyone know how bad the bus transportation really is? My second choice would be the Cornodo Springs resort and third if I could afford it is the Wilderness lodge.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!!

Disney's Port Orleans Resort

the bus transportation is pretty slow-the buses make multiple stops within each resort and sometimes other resorts as well. The buses come every 10-20 minutes so 40 minutes is probably about right. You%26#39;d have the same problem at Coronado Springs and the WL,though there is a boat to the MK from Wilderness Lodge. Rent a car if you possibly can or stay at an Epcot resort hotel-at least you can walk to both MGM and Epcot from them.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort

Coronado Springs is a bit more centrally located but might not be a good choice if you%26#39;re planning on using the Disney Dining Plan - this resort does not participate in the dining plan. http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/packages08a.htm

You can see where the resorts are in relation to the parks on this map: disneyworldlinks.com/Resort-Park-Presentatio鈥?/a>

Keep in mind too that the Port Orleans resorts have boat transportation to Downtown Disney which gives you access to more restaurants, etc. The boat ride itself can be romantic.

I enjoy the buses and find that they are best at park opening and closing. But if you%26#39;re really concerned, have you considered renting a car? A compact car can be quite reasonably priced and parking is free at the resort and theme parks for resort hotel guests.

The bus transportation is probably faster for Magic Kingdom though. Cars must park at the Ticket %26amp; Transportation Center and take either a ferry boat or a monorail to the Magic Kingdom. It adds one more wait before even getting into the park.

We stayed at both POR and CSR twice each this past year and many times before. The Disney Bus Transportation works quite well, IMO, from both of those Resorts. Have never waited 40 minutes at any Resort for a Bus. The perk at POR is indeed having the option of Boat Transport to DTD. The Perk at CSR is that it is a beautiful Resort, the Food Court, Pepper Market, is unique ( it is on the Dining Plan by the way, the Table Service Restaurant Maya Grill is not ) and the Pool and Hot Tub are wonderful.

The Wilderness Lodge is by far one of our Favourite Resorts. It%26#39;s a very relaxed Resort and you get that ';far away'; feeling. The Boat ride to MK is a nice bonus. You can also take the Boat over to Fort Wilderness Campground, we love to go over early in the morning for a nice Breakfast at Trails End. We%26#39;ll be staying there next Sept again.

We go to Disney 3 -4 times a year, always stay on Disney Property at a Disney Resort and Never rent a car. I think you%26#39;ll be fine at any of the Resorts you have mentioned.

May will be lovely, the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot is a %26#39;Don%26#39;t miss';. Happy Planning

DH and I stayed 11 days @POR in late September during free dining plan. POR was booked for that and we never noticed a crowd-except in parks. We LOVED POR!!!!

We must have been extremely lucky--we rarely had long waits for bus to or from the parks. Many times it was just walk up and hop on. The longest wait may have been 20 minutes, and that was once or twice. We were on vacation and in no hurry anyway. :-)

Besides, it was fun to sit @bus stop and people watch.

The transport system made everything so simple for us! We asked bus driver/s or in hotel lobby for ';directions';.

I would not rent a car if you are spending week @WDW. It was easy to get from POR to a Park and to another Resort for dinner reservations. We enjoyed boat rides to Downtown Disney from POR, boats started @1100 a.m.

Also it is easy (w/park hopper) to exit Epcot (@International Gateway %26amp; ride boat (or walk) to the Boardwalk.

Wish I was there now. ((+.+))

Given the choices you describe I would reccomend staying at Port Orleans and renting a car. The Wilderness Lodge is a Superior resort, but you%26#39;re still at the mercy of the bus more often than not. Bus service at Disney is spotty at best,especially at park closing and also your ability to travel from resort to resort. You can rent an intermediate for pretty short money.

The only bad waits we have had at POR were returning from the parks at closing times - maybe 30 mins or so queueing. Mind you, I%26#39;m guessing this would be the case for many other resorts as well.

The one bonus at POR is the boat transportation to DTD.

Just wanted to let you know that Coronado Springs IS on the dining plan for 2008. Allears info not updated, but CSO restaurants are on the list on the Disney site now. Also, several Downtown Disney eateries have been added. For buses, IMO, Pop Century is the best because they have their own bus. It does not stop at other resorts. The Coronado Springs bus doesn%26#39;t stop at other resorts either, but there are sever bus stops at the CSO, so it takes a while to get going. Looks like your price range is going to be moderate though, so I would suggest POFQ (we will be there in May also). The bus will stop at the Riverside bus stops as well, but that time of year shouldn%26#39;t be too bad for crowds anyway. Best of Luck!!

Is this your first time at Disney? I have had good luck and back luck with the buses. It is going to be more frustrating waiting a long time, if it is your first. I have waited 40 minutes.

Sometimes one can just get a feeling it the bus is going to be late. If this happens, I usually look for a cab. If at a hotel and no cabs, some of the valets will gladly shoot you over to the park in their car. For a price of course.

I never rent a car. The cabs are reasonable and clean.