We were down at Art of Animation this past January for a week...planning a totally surprise engagement with my girlfriend for December (this year). I have narrowed down the three choices (I think) to Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans. It will be a quick weekend trip (Thursday-Sunday) with 3 nights and 2 days in the parks (Magic Kingdom and Epcot). I have not stayed at any of these resorts, but I am looking for help on deciding. Which would you pick? And why?
Surprise Engagement Trip - Help
- Thread starter shb5007
- Start date
DisneyWishes14
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2011
I would pick one of the PO's (POR or POFQ). They definitely have a more romantic feel than CBR and CSR (which really feels like a convention resort to me).
Tinkerbell8956
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2006
POFQ out of those choices. It's usually pretty quiet and has a nice atmosphere. I know you can do carriage rides from POR too, if you were interested in that at all. Coronado Springs has a lot of convention goers, so I've never really gotten a romantic vibe from that. Caribbean Beach is nice, I always found it to be a bit louder seeming, which may have had to do more with the decor than actual noise levels.
Disneylover99
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2012
Definitely POFQ or POR with a carriage ride.
hedberg1661
DIS Veteran and Patreon Supporter
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2013
Another vote for POFQ I think that is the best option for you.
DJFan88
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2004
Voting for POR. CBR has more of a family feel. CSR has the convention feel, as someone mentioned. I'm sure POFQ is nice, but I just feel like POR has more to offer, plus you can walk down to POFQ for something to do. Also not sure when there food court renovations are due to be finished.
POR plays Dixie music, has great paths to stroll on, yeehaw Bob in the lounge at night, make your own salads, pasta, boat ride to Disney Springs. Nice shaded bar at the pool. Not sure if there even is a bar at POFQ pool.
POR plays Dixie music, has great paths to stroll on, yeehaw Bob in the lounge at night, make your own salads, pasta, boat ride to Disney Springs. Nice shaded bar at the pool. Not sure if there even is a bar at POFQ pool.
Alright, I am setting up the trip (3 nights, 2 park days) this weekend. I have done more and more (and more) research on French Quarter versus Riverside and in a close decision I am going to go with French Quarter (king bed room) for the smaller size (intimate feel). We are both younger and active, so we can always walk down to Riverside for some more activity.
The first afternoon (flying into Orlando at 11am) we will probably head to Trader Sam's and then back to enjoy the resort and Disney Springs. I definitely want to take the boat ride to the Springs and the carriage ride seems great as well. I saw where they also have "Christmas" carriage rides in December. I hear Yehaa Bob is not to be missed as well.
Any other tips on this resort? Anything I should request during the reservation? Anything to make it more enjoyable?
I am keeping my eyes posted on the food court construction, but we will likely do dinners outside of the resort each evening (TBD - Springs, TBD - Magic Kingdom, and Le Cellier).
As for the park days, looks like Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will be the choices (secondary to construction and timing). I see they will have the "Very Merry Christmas Party" on the Friday we are on property. I guess I need to do some more research on that.
Thanks for the help thus far, this is getting very exciting!
The first afternoon (flying into Orlando at 11am) we will probably head to Trader Sam's and then back to enjoy the resort and Disney Springs. I definitely want to take the boat ride to the Springs and the carriage ride seems great as well. I saw where they also have "Christmas" carriage rides in December. I hear Yehaa Bob is not to be missed as well.
Any other tips on this resort? Anything I should request during the reservation? Anything to make it more enjoyable?
I am keeping my eyes posted on the food court construction, but we will likely do dinners outside of the resort each evening (TBD - Springs, TBD - Magic Kingdom, and Le Cellier).
As for the park days, looks like Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will be the choices (secondary to construction and timing). I see they will have the "Very Merry Christmas Party" on the Friday we are on property. I guess I need to do some more research on that.
Thanks for the help thus far, this is getting very exciting!
BridgeBuilder
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2016
I'm doing something very similar 
. Back in March, I took my girlfriend on a surprise trip to WDW and we stayed at CBR. This December, we'll be going for a week (Dec 12-18, Poly) and that's when I plan to propose. The March trip was a set-up for the big trip - making it not seem so crazy to be taking a WDW trip and therefore limiting "this is gonna be when it happens" thoughts. But to answer your question, I believe POR - as many others have said - is definitely best of the three listed for the romantic feel. CBR was wonderful and had a great relaxed vibe, but it is geared more toward families versus POR. I've never stayed at POR, but I've walked around the grounds and found it to be very lovely with a more "grown-up" feel.
. Back in March, I took my girlfriend on a surprise trip to WDW and we stayed at CBR. This December, we'll be going for a week (Dec 12-18, Poly) and that's when I plan to propose. The March trip was a set-up for the big trip - making it not seem so crazy to be taking a WDW trip and therefore limiting "this is gonna be when it happens" thoughts. But to answer your question, I believe POR - as many others have said - is definitely best of the three listed for the romantic feel. CBR was wonderful and had a great relaxed vibe, but it is geared more toward families versus POR. I've never stayed at POR, but I've walked around the grounds and found it to be very lovely with a more "grown-up" feel.
JinxedSydney
Lurker Extraordinare
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2011
Just wanted to say congrats!
There's something magical about WDW and I hope all of your planning will make your time simply lovely.Have a magical time!!! For us, it's always a bit sweeter with the Christmas decorations up.
BridgeBuilder
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2016
Contact guest services and/or the resort management about your plans for the engagement and they might arrange for something special in the room that night such as champagne. I've been talking with guest services about my plans and they've been more than happy to help out with some of the logistics of the proposal day (such as the staff playing along with a "narrative" that allows it to be more of a surprise).
buzznina
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2007
POFQ is currently our families favorite Mod and our "goto" resort. Love the size of it with the brick streets etc. Plus; with a king room you are guaranteed a corner room as well
It is just a 10 minute walk over to POR or you can take a boat, but this may take longer if you have to wait for it. They also do a very good job decorating for Christmas. I hope you have a great time
A LIFETIME OF LOVE and HAPPINESS! 
Eldest DS just got engaged 2 weeks ago tonight!
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