1st time stay at PO-R/FQ

[daltonsdodisney]

We stayed 2 days at POR following the cruise. We eventually hope to try all the resorts so these two were next on our list. For whatever reason, it didn't seem as magical as I remember feeling about the other resorts. Maybe after the cruise, all else falls short. Anyway, we parked in guest lot and proceeded to check in around 9:30. I didn't really feel much ambience. Where's the music? Too early maybe? Anyway, I was told my room was not ready and to call back between 2-4. Okay, so I had planned for that and we had our suits, etc.. packed separately, changed and went to the pool. Luckily it was warm and mostly sunny. They are doing some refurbishing to the bridge area of the pool and had some white lattice board underneath it, so you couldn't access the other part of the pool by swimming under so we just went back and forth to watch the kids on the pool slide. We had lunch at the food court, which was okay, but expensive, especially after eating as much as you want on the cruise that was pre-paid! We called around 2 to check on our room and it still wasn't ready. I was getting concerned because we had ressies at Whispering Canyon at the WL at 6 and needed to shower, change, etc.. By 3, I told them of my reservations and she said she'd call housekeeping and put a rush on it. Finally, we were in our room by 4, after hauling our suitcases around a few laps, without any help on our room location. The rooms were cute, what I expected, but this theming didn't really appeal to me anyway, but I knew to expect Disney would do whatever nicely so it was okay. We left by 5 to take the bus to DD, then to WL. 1 hr. and 10 min. later we were there! Our PS had been mistakenly made for the following week, but they were able to get a table for us within 15 min. and put 2 large ones together in the back as we met some friends.
The next day was MK. We came back to the resort around 4 after the afternoon parade was cancelled due to storms. We rented a surrey bike then had dinner at the food court, (the garlic knots/marinara are good and the best buy in the whole place!), then went back for the Spectromagic parade. The last day, we had to be out by 10, but decided to spend part of the day at the FQ pool. We had breakfast in their food court and my girls enjoyed the free mardi gras beads with their choc. chip pancakes. They loved the King Triton slide and the large bathrooms/showers were perfect for us to clean up in before our drive home. Overall, we enjoyed both resorts but will probably try somewhere new next time so we can experience all Disney has to offer. Since this was a short trip, we couldn't really get the most of our resort stay. I would have liked to walk around the beautiful grounds, take the boat to DD, and watch the kids on the playground. Oh, and I never saw "Bob" the piano man that I read so much about on here.

 

[GoofysPrincess]

Did you say boat to DD? Can you board it from both POR and POFQ? Where does it land?

We're going to PO for our first time in Sept and I'm looking for more info. For just adults, did you like POR or POFQ better?

 

[daltonsdodisney]

I think just adults would enjoy PO-R more. It's very peaceful and has that cozy old-fashioned feel. There are a lot of winding paths to walk on and the river that runs through both resorts is a nice touch. We didn't have time to do the boats, but I hear they run from FQ to DD daily. One thing nice about staying there is you have priveleges at both resorts, so you feel like you get 2 for 1.

 

[Luv2Roam]

AT POR, the boats are right behind the main building. It is about a 20 minute ride to downtown and they drop you off right by RFC.
There is a stop now for FQ. I am not sure which is the first stop, since FQ was just opening as we were leaving.
And if the bus service remains bad at POR, the boat to DTD is your best bet.
On weekends, we were told is the only time the boat runs from Marketplace (where you are dropped off) to the West Side. And I don't know if that is evenings only, or day too.