(Hi Shel-)
OP, I am going to give you a different view of Shelly's post...
She and I are friends; we met here on a different thread before our last trips last year. We both stayed at POFQ at the same time in different buildings. She was with her family (2 children) and I was with my DH.
Everything she disliked about POFQ, I loved.
I loved the fact that the resort was small and compact. I loved that I could walk from one end of the resort to the other in under 5 minutes. I loved the dark wood of the rooms. I thought housekeeping was awesome. We got towel animals everyday. I don't think Shelly got any.
I loved the theming of the resort. I loved the fact that I didn't have the "Disney Magic" thrown in my face from the time my eyes popped open until I dragged my poor, tired body to bed at night. After a long day of being around crowds for 12 hours at the parks, I like nothing more than to sit in peace and tranquility, listening to the sounds of crickets chirping while I soak my feet (or body) in the hot tub.
I loved waking early in the mornings before the world comes to life and walking over to grab a cup of coffee, then taking it down to the river to watch the birds and wildlife waking up, and listening to the river lapping at the sides of the river bank. I loved being able to walk over to POR and visually understanding why I never want to stay at that resort. (For me, I did not care for the sheer size of it, and the crowded food court really turned me off.)
I loved hearing the "clip-clop" of the horse and carriage, and the gas lanterns at night as I strolled the resort hand in hand with my DH.
I will say that POFQ reminds me of my hometown, Charleston SC, so maybe that is what appeals to me.
I think that POFQ might appeal more to adults than to kids, or even to parents on vacation with kids; however, we will be staying there with our children in October. So we will see what they think.
They have previously stayed at POP, and we really, really couldn't stand it. Even the kids said they disliked it. I know many people loved it, though, and so I understand when people say they don't like a resort.
We rented a car, so the busses were a non issue for us. As was the food court. We never eat breakfast, and that would have been the only time we'd use the food court. We stay in the parks from rope drop until closing each night.
I think ultimately, what this thread has proven, is that everyone has their own ideas about what they look for in a resort. You just have to try them all until you find one you love. One of the last things that sealed it for me was the first night we drove back in to POFQ after being at MK all day and when we pulled up to the gate, my DH rolled down the window to tell the guard to "Have a great night" and before DH could say anything, the guard said "Welcome Home!!". As we pulled off, DH looked at me and I at him, and we both smiled. Because to us, it was like coming home. We had found our resort.
Good luck with whatever you decide!!!
Jo
Is there any building better than another in terms of mousekeeping? This was our only frustration and we were in the same building both trips. Thanks
