Can't get POFQ - Which Mod should I pick

[mistydoodles]

From someone who has been to CSR, I would definitely pick CSR over POFQ/POR. It has the best transportation of all the mods, best pool and food options. I've stay at 3 of the mods and CSR is the best by far. No issues with any belligerent guests and the CM's are great. POFQ/POR shares transportation and can be a nightmare leaving the parks.

Did you find that you had to wait long for a bus?

 

[Lilolvr]

Did you find that you had to wait long for a bus?

Never! CSR has the best transportation I've experienced out of the mods. The fact that it's a convention resorts helps because it keeps the buses less crowded and the same goes for the pools.

When I stayed at POFQ and POR, the shared bussing was a major issue for me with my two kids and the strollers. CSR was a pleasure in comparison.

Here is a quote from another DIS'ers point of view that has stayed at both.

Here are my experiences with bus service, courtesy coaches, pools, housekeeping, conventions (and more).

BUS SERVICE: The transportation to and from the theme parks rocks! In my experience, it blows the POR bus service right out of the water. The wait for buses was usually between 1-10 mins and surprisingly, that includes the buses from MK to CSR. We only had to stand on a bus once from MK. Even though we caught the bus to the theme parks at bus stop #1 at El Centro (the last stop to be picked up for theme park transp), we always found a seat.

CSR's central location is a huge plus. It never seemed to take too long to get anywhere, including MK.

Only once did we experience a bummer of a long trip. That was when we wanted to go to Typhoon Lagoon in the very late afternoon. Typhoon shares a CSR bus with downtown Disney. So when we got on the bus at El Centro (bus stop #1), we had to make the trip around the entire resort picking up and dropping off guests. Then we had to go to downtown Disney Market Place, then Pleasure Island. From the time we got to the bus stop at CSR bus stop #1 til we got to Typhoon, was about an hour due to traffic, DTD crowds, and bus stops. Because of this, we only got to spend about 45 mins at Typhoon Lagoon, but that's what we get for leaving so late in the first place.

About POR.. I am not dissing POR. I will always have a special place in my heart for POR as it was our first onsite stay back in 97. And although I find POR has the most beautiful grounds, the bus service there is severely lacking. Plain and simple, they need more buses!

Buses in general: There were a few times from MK that we felt the bus driver was driving too fast. I noticed this more on this trip than on any others. I thought it was just me, but I heard others mention this as well.

 

[Quinn222]

I would never pick POR over CSR, and I've stayed twice at both. My first visit to POR was nice, I liked it. Second visit, this past April, was horrible. Rooms were filthy when we checked in and never cleaned properly. Bus situation was not fun and they put us in a room so far from the main building we had to drive to get there. And we had told them my 80 year old mother was going to be with us and to please put us up close.

CSR has always been spotless. I've never had any trouble with convention people, I've never even noticed them. The Pepper Market is fantastic, way better than any other food court. You can get room service, have spa treatments, get your hair done. Bus service is the best, never had more than a five minute wait. CSR is a deluxe-lite. I've got two more trips planned, one as a solo.

 

[Buzz2001]

For skipperkim, the armoires are different in all three sections so the ones in the casitas are different from the cabanas and ranchos. Just in case you want to give CSR another chance.

I see mayl's back with the guy convention routine. Not all conventions at CSR are all male and CSR is not the only convention resort at WDW. GF, CR, Y&BC, BW and the Swan and Dolphin are as well but I guess they don't google over there unless its on their laptops.

CONVENTIONS: Upon arrival, the MPUC convention was being held at CSR. Representitives from US Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserves, Special Operations forces, and more, were in attendance. These folks were a nice addition to CSR. Most in uniform and some there with their families. If you were a single woman at CSR that week, you would have been in for a real treat... er.. but that is getting off the subject.

The second convention during our stay was the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Folks from this convention started trickling in on Wed and flooding in on Thurs, Fri, and Sat. While they made no negative impact on the resort, the lobby was packed and crowded with conventioneers with luggage in tow almost every hour of the day including 1 am on a few nights. We left the resort on Sunday, but we did not experience any ruckus or much yelling at night. We once heard someone singing, which was pretty, and thought it was the entertainment from El Centro, but realized it was someone from the convention practicing.

That said, there were some unhappy gospel conventioneers. From what I could see and hear, some were not happy about all the walking in the heat with their luggage, waiting in the heat for the coaches, trying to find their way around the resort, heck, just trying to find an elevator is a feat in itself on your first day... one older woman commented to me that she didn't think this family vacation resort was the proper place for a religious convention. Others complained about the prices. I'll tell you one thing, though, the Gospel Conventioneers sure gave the courtesy coach drivers a run for their money. It was nice to see somebody using those cars for their intended purpose.

So as for CSR being a convention resort, neither convention took much away from our vacation. If a crowded lobby is what I have to deal with for that awesome bus service with low crowds, I'll take it!

Well said tinkerbellmagic

 

[hmmchowell]

I'm so glad to have found this thread. I just upgraded to POR from Pop with my Disney Visa discount. I was worried about the buses as I have mobility issues and will be in an ECV. Also, my husband has a bad back and we will have our DD8 with us. The Disers have put my mind at ease once again. We are excited to be staying at a new and different resort.

 

[debsays]

Coronado Springs or Carribbean Beach Resort....those would be our pick in that order. I'd go with CSR, VERY, VERY nice for a moderate. You won't be dissapointed ESPECIALLY their food court area.

 

[cymbaldiva]

If I couldn't get POFQ, I'd go POR as well. Make sure to ask for a Bayou room, the layout in that section makes it feel more secluded.

 

[skipperkim]

For skipperkim, the armoires are different in all three sections so the ones in the casitas are different from the cabanas and ranchos. Just in case you want to give CSR another chance.

Not very likely. But thanks for that info. Too bad they don't replace them. I know they redecorated at WL, so maybe someday it will be gone. Do you think they'll ever add a 2nd sink? We were there in April and always had really long wait for buses. It always seemed slow in the morning.

But PO has a special place in my heart, as does CSR for you. Probably mostly cuz I have a friend that works there. So it's one way I get to see him. Course I'm not fond of the desert, so that pretty much sums up why I won't be there. Yes, it has great services that are not offered at other moderates. I'm not there for those services. I'm there to be entertained. But that's what makes Disney so great, diversity.

 

[skipperkim]

I'm so glad to have found this thread. I just upgraded to POR from Pop with my Disney Visa discount. I was worried about the buses as I have mobility issues and will be in an ECV. Also, my husband has a bad back and we will have our DD8 with us. The Disers have put my mind at ease once again. We are excited to be staying at a new and different resort.

Since you are in an ECV you will be placed on the bus before others are allowed to board.

 

[mistydoodles]

We decided on POR after reading about all the moderates and taking in what everyone had to say.

We requested building 14 in the Alligator Bayou area since it is close to the main building and the 1st bus stop. It also doesn't look too far from the main pool area.

I know there were times that after the bus picked up at FQ and got to the first stop at POR it was standing room only but I am hoping that it won't be that way all the time.

If it gets that bad maybe we will have to walk over to FQ and get on that bus.

We really liked POFQ so I think we should be happy with POR. At least I hope so.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Coconuts]

Same thing happened to me. Wanted POFQ, but couldn't get it yesterday so I booked POR. Before I did it, I read every possible review on every WDW website to be sure. I am confident it is a great choice and I am sure you will too. Only mod I stayed at was CSR, and the walk to the pool was at least 20 minutes, now impossible with DS and DD! Have fun!

 

[mistydoodles]

Same thing happened to me. Wanted POFQ, but couldn't get it yesterday so I booked POR. Before I did it, I read every possible review on every WDW website to be sure. I am confident it is a great choice and I am sure you will too. Only mod I stayed at was CSR, and the walk to the pool was at least 20 minutes, now impossible with DS and DD! Have fun!

Yeah, I tried POFQ about 3 times yesterday and two times today. After that I just decided to embrace POR.

After reading everything about it I am actually looking forward to it. It looks pretty nice.

I hope you enjoy it as well.

 

[skipperkim]

Yeah, I tried POFQ about 3 times yesterday and two times today. After that I just decided to embrace POR.

After reading everything about it I am actually looking forward to it. It looks pretty nice.

I hope you enjoy it as well.

Have you decided what section you'll stay in? Oh, never mind AB 14. I'm sure you'll love it. It's not that far to POFQ.

 

[7nqb00]

CSR would be my choice.

 

[mistydoodles]

Have you decided what section you'll stay in? Oh, never mind AB 14. I'm sure you'll love it. It's not that far to POFQ.

I was almost going to go with the Mansions but I noticed that they were closer to the last bus stop so I decided to go with AB instead.

 

[mistydoodles]

CSR would be my choice.

It does look nice, Just not sure if it was for my family.

 

[Disneymaddness]

We just returned from POR yesterday. Our stay was great! We were in Building 15 and never had a problem with the buses. Our mousekeeper, Rosa, was awesome. Room was great and lots of towel animals. We also used both food courts, it's a great resort, you will love it.

 

[Cindie-rella]

We decided on POR after reading about all the moderates and taking in what everyone had to say.

We requested building 14 in the Alligator Bayou area since it is close to the main building and the 1st bus stop. It also doesn't look too far from the main pool area.

I know there were times that after the bus picked up at FQ and got to the first stop at POR it was standing room only but I am hoping that it won't be that way all the time.

If it gets that bad maybe we will have to walk over to FQ and get on that bus.

We really liked POFQ so I think we should be happy with POR. At least I hope so.

Thanks for your help.

You will definitely be happy with your choice! POR is awesome. AB is my favorite area to stay at the resort. Very cozy and quaint. The walk around the resort is sooo beautiful and peaceful. AB section is very shaded and all the winding pathways give this resort a very romantic feel. Bus trans is fine. We never had a problem. And like the others mentioned, it's just a few minute walk or boatride to the FQ. Also, Boatwrights has some very delicious meals. We love the Omelets at breakfast. You can also rent boats and bicycles, or even take an evening Horse & Carriage ride around the resorts. We'll be back at POR late Nov. for our 1st Christmas-time trip to WDW and I cannot wait! Have a great stay!!! And by all means get excited! You're heading to the prettiest moderate resort WDW has to offer!

 

[mikkiwikki]

We stayed at POR Nov 2005 - no complaints at all.

Bus service was fine..never more than 5 min wait. We were in building AB 25 we thought the room cozy - my daughter loved having her own rollaway...landscaping very cozy (albeit a bit worn looking) when we went. Mousekeeping setup cute character displays with all our souvenirs daily.

We would definitely stay there again. Actually 2 days agao - I had a ressie with disney visa discount and had originally booked POR....However I today switched to CBR because we want to try all of the resorts and not get stuck doing the same trip over as 2005. Im intrigued by all the moderates...would also like to try CSR soon.

You wont be unhappy with POR.

 

[mistydoodles]

Thanks for all the positive feedback on POR. We are really looking forward to it now. I think it will be nice to try something new.

We think next trip we will look into CBR or CSR to change things up.