CR Garden Wing or POFQ

[ChvGator]

I keep going back and forth on these two and would appreciate thoughts / feedback. We're (myself, DH, and DD-6) and looking to stay for 5 nights in early December 2016. We'll likely have a car on sight, and would consider driving to HS and Epcot, but would want to use transit for MK. We will spend a lot of time in MK, and hop there 4 out of 5 days. With lots of MVMCP likely we'll be hopping a good bit.

Two years ago we stayed at WL. Lovely resort, but I thought the biggest plus was the quick bus access to MK. Not a fan of crowded buses or long transit waits. Who is, right?

So the price difference between POFQ and CR GW is not insignificant - $675. At $800 POFQ is less than I thought we'd spend. However, at $1475 CR is a bit more than i had initially budgeted, but doable.

I think I prefer the look of the CR room more, but am fine with the POFQ room as well. Both are standard views.

Thanks.

 

[loves to dive]

I would save my money. If you plan on driving anyway, you are only going to bus to MK, you daughter isn't in a stroller and POFQ doesn't share buses, (if they do it's with POR and POFQ is the first stop I think). I'm not a fan of CR, it just too contemporary for me

 

[disneyfan224]

If it is within budget, I would go with the CR. Having a larger room will pay off, and being within walking/monorail distant from the Magic Kingdom will be very convenient. Overall, I think it would be the better for what you are looking for.

 

[ReluctantDisaholic]

I prefer the atmosphere at POFQ, but if it's in the budget I would do CR for the convenience of walking to MK.

 

[happymommy]

For only the 3 of you, I don't see spending the extra. Personally, I'd add days instead if you could! I started taking my kids without DH when they were 4 and 6, since he works and I stay home with them. I'd rather go longer and spend less per night.

You'll still have 2 queen beds. I have stayed at CR 3 times. It's not my favorite honestly. Other than location, I don't see the draw.

I don't, however, drive at Disney unless I'm off site. I'd rather use the bus than deal with driving!

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have stayed at both and prefer POFQ.

CR is nice for the walkability to MK, but really other than that we were kind of meh about it.

We had GREAT bus service at POFQ.

The only reason we'd pick CR over POFQ is because there are 5 of us, but for 3 people? POFQ is just fine.

 

[Sue M]

Because of the # of days you plan on MK, I'd pick CR. The ability to walk back to your resort at park closing- priceless as you walk past the bus loop and see the long lines of people waiting. No matter how good a resort bus service is, the fact of the matter is at park closing they're all bad.

 

[ChvGator]

Thanks for the input. I will add that if the calendar remains consistent, 3 of our 5 days have MVMCP going on. Hence, we'll only have one late MK night. But there will be high crowds due to the limited number of wishes/MSEP that week.

However, I could also see CR vs POR impacting our touring plan. It'd be unlikely we'd go back to the resort for a break at POR because of transit time. No breaks may mean a later start or earlier finish some days. But is that worth the price difference?

 

[Babsy]

I have stayed at both and greatly prefer the CR over POFQ. The ease of walking to the MK is wonderful. However, you are also in a deluxe resort with lots of amenities that are not available at POFQ (only a food court for dining). The pool at CR is better than the pool at POFQ, IMO. The rooms are MUCH larger at the CR than at POFQ. The beds are more comfortable at CR. You have Chef Mickey's right there at your resort for character dining. You can take a boat directly to Fort Wilderness or the Wilderness Lodge. You are on the monorail for access to the Poly and to the GF. You can watch the fireworks from your resort.

I don't like the giant Mardi Gras heads hanging in the food court in POFQ. I am not fond of the serpent tongue slide at the POFQ pool. We weren't particularly impressed with the decor. The rooms are much smaller here and the bathroom is tiny - barely enough room for the toilet, tub and the door to open and close. You don't get an actual clothes closet, you get a rod next to the sink in the bathroom for your clothes. It is OK, but it is a far cry from a deluxe room.

Oh, and many of those garden wing GV rooms have awesome views!

You plan a lot of time at the MK, and the proximity to the MK is the major drawing card for the CR.

I would definitely choose the deluxe resort (CR) with great proximity to the MK over a moderate resort (POFQ) with bus service.

We LOVE the CR!

Good Luck!

 

[karly05]

I love POFQ, but if you can manage the $$$ for CR, I think the convenience to MK would be awesome, especially since you're planning so much time there.

 

[Accident]

I really like POFQ, the distance from rooms to amenities, and the short distance when your tied and just trying to get to your room. It would take a little more than close to MK to really make the rest of the pros for how we vacation to spend that difference in cost. If there was more reason like your concentrating on dining options in the resorts in that area, or it's just been awhile and a deluxe is a nice change then I would lean more towards CR GW

 

[katepass72]

We love Port Orleans, but you cannot beat the walk back and forth from the MK to the CR. The hours you save in transportation (especially with a younger child) are worth every penny of you can swing it.

 

[prgal0715]

I love CR but do *not* like the garden wing. To me, it feels far removed from the main part of the resort and, depending where your room is, it can be quite a walk to transportation. I was booked there last August and only spent two nights in the garden wing before moving to the tower. If location isn't really a factor for you, the rooms themselves are spacious, well-appointed and the bathroom is HUGE by Disney standards.

POFQ is very quaint, has only one bus stop and is super easy to navigate. The room is smaller than CR and the bathroom is teeny. (The size of the bathroom is a thing for me. I fully admit it!) That said, I'm staying at POFQ next week because it's really so affordable - with annual passes, it makes for a pretty inexpensive week away!

Both resorts have pros and cons, but I think you may actually like POFQ more.