I need to figure out between PORFQ & PORR

[TaurusNYY]

I am confused as to what the real advantages are from over the other? I see at PORFQ there is an option to take the boat- which sounds very convenient. I will be going with my wife and 3yr old daughter. Can you walk to any of the parks from either of these locations. We plan on going in October so not sure how cold it will be and if that should be considered when choosing between these hotels (pools etc). Any help is appreciated.

 

[StephMS]

POFQ is our favorite.

You can catch the boat from both POFQ and POR.

The main pool at POFQ will probably appeal to your 3 yr. old, but you can use all the pools at either resort.

POFQ is smaller so all the rooms are fairly close to the lobby, food court, etc.

We like the food court at POR better.

POR has the royal rooms which your daughter would probably love.

It will definitely be warm enough to swim in October.

Hope you have an awesome trip!

 

[TaurusNYY]

Thank you for your reply- Is it a relatively small walking distance from the POFQ to the POR food court? thanks. They both sound great- but still confused . Thanks again.

 

[WouldRatherBeInWDW]

We took our 5 year old boys for the first time recently and I chose POFQ specifically for the size. All of the rooms are a very short distance from the pool and food court compared to POR. I think POR has preferred rooms, though, that put you closer. Plus, I think FQ is cuter for little kids.

 

[MEK]

Thank you for your reply- Is it a relatively small walking distance from the POFQ to the POR food court? thanks. They both sound great- but still confused . Thanks again.

I would estimate the walk at approximately a half mile. It is a pleasant walk by the water and the distance will actually depend on where you room is located in the resort. If you pull up a POFQ resort map (sorry don't feel like searching) you can see which buildings are closer to POR and which are furthest. You can always request a building (although not guaranteed).

Both resorts are very nice. The difference is the POR is very large with multiple bus stops. It has one main pool and lovely quiet pools. POFQ is much smaller and many people prefer it for that reason. It has one main pool and no sit-down restaurant.

POR loads first for the boat to DTD then POFQ gets on. They always save room for POFQ if the lines are long.

 

[Missytara]

I am confused as to what the real advantages are from over the other? I see at PORFQ there is an option to take the boat- which sounds very convenient. I will be going with my wife and 3yr old daughter. Can you walk to any of the parks from either of these locations. We plan on going in October so not sure how cold it will be and if that should be considered when choosing between these hotels (pools etc). Any help is appreciated.

The main difference between POFQ and POR is the size; POFQ is more compact and POR is more spreadout.

POR is my favorite resort, because I love the lush landscaping and the mansions.

You can check the weather when you get closer to your date or check a site what would list standard temps for that time of year. I would consider October to still be quite nice, especially if you are coming from the north. The pools are heated, so it would just be the walk back to the room would be chilly if the temps cooled down if you are not used to it.

Either resort would be good; POFQ has one pool and POR has six pools, so you are always going to be near some type of pool at either resort.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

You can walk between the resorts but not to any of the parks. There is a boat you can take to Downtown disney and then busing to get to the parks. POFQ has more of the New Orleans decor whereas POR has more of the bayou decor. Enjoy your trip!

 

[StephMS]

My son and I made the walk from our room in POFQ bldg. 2 to the POR main pool in 12 minutes (so about 10 to the food court area). Of course he was 14, so our trip was faster than yours will be with a 3 y/o in tow, but it is a very nice walk along the river.

 

[Missytara]

You can walk between the resorts but not to any of the parks. There is a boat you can take to Downtown disney and then busing to get to the parks. POFQ has more of the New Orleans decor whereas POR has more of the bayou decor. Enjoy your trip!

DTD has not had buses to the parks for several years now, since people would park for free at DTD and go to the parks, leaving little parking for shoppers.

DTD is a bus hub for resorts. It is advantageous when ending your day at a resort for dinner and coming back to the resort; buses run every 20 minutes from the resorts and the water taxi runs every 10 minutes after 4 pm.

When you get off at the bus hub, you will look out over the shops and see the top of the volcano at RFC. That is right by the dock, so it is easy to find.

However, it is not reliable to take buses from DTD to resorts in the morning. You have to board a bus to get to DTD, because the water taxi doesn't start running until 11:00 am. Also, they do what is called "dead-heading", where if a bus happens to become available going to the parks and enough people are waiting at the bus stop for that resort, they will "dead-head" a bus over there. Been there, done that, never again. My last day I like to go to Olivia's at OKW for breakfast. The first year, I waited almost an hour for a bus. Now I take a cab.

 

[TaurusNYY]

thank you all for your replies

 

[TaraPA]

We've been to WDW a few times in October & we're from the northeast - FL was still as hot as the surface of the sun & wayyyyy humid for us then! If you're from the south, you're probably used to that.

You can't walk to any park from either resort, and busses to parks can only be gotten at POR or POFQ, not DTD.

You will love it no matter which you choose!

 

[TaurusNYY]

Thanks Tara- we are coming from NYC- so this will be a great change of pace. I do not want overplan too much on the rooms- but love the ideas of preferred and themed rooms.

 

[nagshead]

I'm debating this now too! We've got a five and two year old and booked CSR but now I'm thinking pofq !!!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

If you haven't seen this website yet, it's one you should look at while debating the 2 resorts. www.portorleans.org.

I personally love POR better but I did discover that the mansions section is more my style after my last stay in the alligator bayou section.

I like the food court and the main pool better at POR. Also POR has more rooms so there is often more room discounts available at that resort so you can save more money on a trip.

That being said, I did book my next solo trip this fall for POFQ. I'm looking forward to staying in the smaller resort again.

 

[kirby428]

Thanks Tara- we are coming from NYC- so this will be a great change of pace. I do not want overplan too much on the rooms- but love the ideas of preferred and themed rooms.

No don't be lazy. Resort info is too easy to find. Why regret a selection AFTER your arrival...magic killer that can be avoided. Stayed at POR twice and POFQ twice. Loved them both. Differences are mostly what do you want to see in your room and when you go for a walk. Photos on DIS and many tour books give you a good idea.

Walking distances are strictly a personalized judgement. How fit are you, how long have you been on your feet at any point in the day, how hot and humid the weather, how much SLEEP did you get and how low is your blood sugar? All that plus how much shade does your walk provide CHANGES how any given distance will FEEL...TO...YEW. Left out he positive mental attitude thing. Hate it becomes five miles love it just a block or 2. Um city block.

 

[kirby428]

I am confused as to what the real advantages are from over the other? I see at PORFQ there is an option to take the boat- which sounds very convenient. I will be going with my wife and 3yr old daughter. Can you walk to any of the parks from either of these locations. We plan on going in October so not sure how cold it will be and if that should be considered when choosing between these hotels (pools etc). Any help is appreciated.

EPCOT resorts are within walking distance to both EPCOT & DHS. CONTEMPORARY RESORT is within walking distance to the MK. Even as close together as AKL is to AK, can't walk between them. Ditto with GF and MK. Wise to consider walking to the parks when you can. Beats the speed of getting there on the Disney boats and buses. ESPECIALLY the bus, biggest gripe factor found on all the resort threads.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I am confused as to what the real advantages are from over the other? I see at PORFQ there is an option to take the boat- which sounds very convenient. I will be going with my wife and 3yr old daughter. Can you walk to any of the parks from either of these locations. We plan on going in October so not sure how cold it will be and if that should be considered when choosing between these hotels (pools etc). Any help is appreciated.

We loved POFQ. I thought the buses in October ran well and I loved the ease of walking to the main building.

You cant walk to any parks.

if your daughter is REALLY into the princesses she will like the POR rooms.