All Star vs. Port Orleans

[jasperdale]

The last time we were at Walt Disney World, we stayed at the All Star Music. However, we were thinking of going to Port Orleans next time. What are the main differences between the two places?

[Keith]

Welcome to the forums!

They're very different places in terms of styling. All stars is big bright and busy, PO is lazy, laid back and very beautiful. Have you had a look at the photos and description on here?

POR does have boats to rent.... ducks to feed <G>... a nicer food court ... a full service restaurant (at riverside).... piano bob (again at riverside)... and a nice boat ride to DTD.

For the difference in price over all stars, I think po is a bargain but then I love all stars too so ;-)

[BevW]

Hi and welcome jasperdale.

We stay at the All Stars for the budget and we stay at PO for the atmosphere.

[jasperdale]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/jasperdale/chrisanddonna.gifWe liked the All Star Music place just fine. However, my wife wondered about going to a moderate property. I'm wondering if the $400 dollar difference for a weeks stay is worth the extra money. (you can have some nice dinners for $400 bucks) :p

[BevW]

We split stays when we're not sure where we REALLY want to be..or if money is a little tight, we'll stay at a Value resort and then a Moderate resort.

If you'd rather have the nice dinners then go with the All Star Resorts. I've done that also...I'd rather have the money for the souviners! :lol:

But sometimes I'd like to stay in a better resort.

[jasperdale]

how difficult is it to "split" your stay between two different properties? we are going to be there for 7 days. if it is possible to "split" where we stay, i would really consider staying at a Deluxe property for the last 2 days of our trip, if it wouldn't be a huge headache to change properties. if anyone has tried doing this, did it work out for you?

[JuniorMickey]

I haven't done but but many members have. Disney will move your luggage for you so that makes it super easy :)

[BevW]

We are splitting our upcoming trip....3 nights a POFQ, 4 nights at Pop Century. We do this quite often because we like staying at different resorts.

It's not hard...when you make your reservations, just let them know what you want and they'll set it up for you. Make sure you check your confirmation when you get it in the mail...sometimes CMs make mistakes.

You can have the resort move your luggage for you, or you can move it yourself. We normally have our bags all packed and ready to go, then Check out....let the lobby know you're luggage needs to be picked up and transferred to your NEW resort. Now here is where I get confused...I can't remember if our luggage was in our rooms or if we had to pick them up. I remember picking them up....but I can't remember if that was because we were flying out that day or what. All my trips sort of run together when it comes to this sort of info.

ANYWAY....when you check out of your old resort...go straight to the new resort and check in.

It's not hard.

[Keith]

First of all, I agree with everyone else.. if it's down to some nice dinners OR a moderate, take the dinners... the moderates aren't so much better than it's worth losing anything else over.

Moving resorts is super easy! On the day you're moving, phone bell services from your room and explain you want your bags moved to XYZ resort. You can leave your bags there (or you can take them down to bell services if you really want but I don't see the point). Then that's it! go enjoy the parks and afterwards, just go to your new resort, checkin and show your ticket to bell services who'll have your bags moved to your new room (I have had the bags in my room before I checked in ONCE but I think normally they wait for you to checkin first). You usually don't even need to go to the checkout desk if your bill (put under your door the night before) is correct and you've left a credit card number at checkin.

[jasperdale]

that sounds great! has anyone stayed at the "Floridian"? i was thinking of doing 5 days at the all star resort and then going to the floridian for the last 2 days. (i really want to do something to surprise my wife. i think she would really be happy to get a surprise in the middle of the trip)!

[uscwest]

Several of us have stayed at the Grand Floridian. It is a truly magnificent hotel, but I'm not sure I would want to pay "rack" rate to stay there. We got into it on a Shades of Green overflow rate back when they were refurbishing and we stayed in the main building. It was a long weekend trip for Donna's 50th birthday.

[OKWTink]

The Grand Floridian is quite a nice place, isn't it? If you are not in the main building, you may not feel as though you are getting the full experience.

Some of the other deluxes (which are probably less expensive) are incredibly nice too.

In all honesty, it is clearly what you want to do, but I like to think the more cost effective I can be with the accomodations the longer I can make my vacation. :D I like nice lodgings mind, not tacky, scary, dirty, buggy ones, but you won't find those problems on WDW property.

Look for specials. Some WDW resorts offer very nice price breaks from time to time and that could help you decide which resort to stay at.

I too have split my stay with absolutely no problem. It does require packing and unpacking though. If that's a factor for you, it can cut into your time.

All Star Resorts are an excellent value and of all the value resorts has the nicest food courts. :D

[jasperdale]

Thanks guys, for all your help! I am interested in a few more things, if I can get your advice.

So here are a few questions:

1. The last time we were at WDW, we went to the Hoop De Do s how and thought it was great. Are there any other "dinner shows" to go to and are they good?

2. If we choose to stay at the All Star Resort for the whole trip, we will want to dine out every evening. What are a couple of good places to go which are located in some of the deluxe properties? We ate all over the "parks" the last time, but we never made it to any other rental property.

3. Is there anything new that is a "must see"? (The last time we were at WDW was April, 2001)

Thanks so much for the help!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/jasperdale/gif2.gif

[Keith]

1. there's the luau at the polynesian but its nowhere near as good as the hoop dee doo IMHO. There's also mickeys backyard bbq open seasonally. There are loads of dinner shows outside disney but most are overpriced with poor food :( medieval times is perhaps the best of a fairly bad bunch

2. Boma or Jiko at Animal Kingdom lodge get good write ups (I didn't like the flavour though) Yachtsmans steakhouse at the yachtclub is amazingly good, totally recommended. Artist point at the wildeness lodge is usually great, try the salmon... california grill at the contemporary is a great experience... etc ...

3. oh wow... where to even start on that one :)

[BevW]

We're going to try Chef Mickeys for the first time ever for Thanksgiving. I've heard so much good stuff about this dining experience that I just know we'll love it! We've done Hoop Dee Doo several times and we did the Polynesian Luau once and we enjoyed it. But then I love watching the dancers! they're so graceful.

I understand that the food at the AKL is awesome too...we haven't tried there yet, but we will.

And do what we do...if we haven't seen it yet...go see it! You never know if you like something unless you try it! :lol:

I love House of Blues...good music and great food. Love the restrooms!! :lol:

[jasperdale]

I love House of Blues...good music and great food. Love the restrooms!! :lol:

You sound like my wife!

:rotfl:

[BevW]

You sound like my wife!

:rotfl:
Ah a lovely woman! Sweet, shy, never causes any problems. :lol:

[wdwgrandma]

Spoodles is good! And we enjoyed Narcoossee's and Citricos. We also love Yachtsman Steakhouse, California Grill, Boma, Jiko, Artist Point, and Victoria and Albert's.

[jasperdale]

ok, if we just stay at the all star resort for the entire 8 days, is it pretty easy to go over to some of the deluxe proporties to have dinner and look around?

and has anyone eaten at "bongo's"? i have a cuban friend who about fell off her chair when i sent her their menu. she said we have to go there to eat.

[jasperdale]

oh, i have another question. the travel agent is offering this plan where you get an ultimate pass, some dream thingie and the hotel. i am wondering:

is it cheaper to just book the hotel and ultimate pass separate? are the deals you find on the web really worth the time to look for? (for example, we live in kansas city, missouri and have been quoted around $2200 for air fare, 7 nights at an all star, and the ultimate park pass thingie with a couple of "extra" things thrown in which i think is the "dream" thingie [sorry about so many "thingie" comments.] do you think i could shave much off this price if i just booked the flight and hotel myself?)

by the way, this is a great forum.

[Vikki]

ok, if we just stay at the all star resort for the entire 8 days, is it pretty easy to go over to some of the deluxe proporties to have dinner and look around?
.

We did it a couple of times, and was a bit of a faff, but well worth it, especially Boma!