CSR vs POFQ

[disneylove16]

Looking for opinions from anyone who has stayed at both please! DF and I stayed at CSR last trip and loved it. We both love the theme for POFQ (or POR) and would like to try it, but are nervous to try a different resort since we know we like CSR. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[minijeanie]

I have stayed at both. Love CSR but is extremely bigger than POFQ. The latter is quaint and has the boat that brings you down to DS which is a great feature. Also POFQ is in close proximity to MK if you are looking to spend a lot of time in that park.
On the flip side, CSR has that great food court and huge hot tub.
What are you looking for? Are you bringing kids?
You can't go wrong with either one

 

[saskdw]

I personally find the theme at POFQ to be hideous so I would never consider it based on that reason.

What you gain at POFQ is a smaller more compact resort and a boat to Disney Springs.

You give up all the extra Deluxe amentities at CSR and arguably better bus service.

Extra amenities at CSR: Fitness center, spa, salon, sauna, lap pool, night club style lounge and 2 outdoor lounges, 2 table service restaurants, Business Class room option.

It also has a bigger pool, much better water slide, and the largest hot tub at WDW.

Having said all that I do think all the Mod resorts are the best bang of the buck at WDW and would stay at any of them if CSR was sold out. POFQ would be my last choice just because of the theme.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I've stayed at CSR and POR (not FQ) and really enjoyed them both. In my experience, CSR was quieter and had better bus service...but they are both beautifully landscaped/themed and have yummy food courts.

 

[nkereina]

We've stayed at all the mods. POR is our favorite, followed by CSR. But in reality, they're all very similar. The main differences are theming and also CBR was noticeably larger than the rest for us. While you may prefer one over the other, chances are you won't hate one if you already like CSR.

Main difference you'll notice between POFQ and CSR is there are fewer amenities. With CSR being a convention resort, they have two TS restaurants, a larger lounge/bar, a larger QS menu, and then Cafe Rix is like a QS-lite location that none of the other mods have. POFQ's pool area is also smaller. But, it's a smaller resort. The boat to DTD at POFQ is also a great perk. I think it's worth the try, just for something different.

 

[disneylove16]

Thanks everyone! It will be our honeymoon, and no kids. We don't get to go to WDW too often, so that's why I'm putting so much thought into the decision. I'm so torn, because the boat to DS sounds so nice, and we really love the theming for POFQ or POR, (plus it would be nice to try something new). But, DF also loves Pepper Market, we like the rooms, and it sounds like the bus service is preferable at CSR.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I'm not sure I understand the comment about better bus service...we prefer resorts such as POFQ that have one bus stop. The resorts that have the buses that make multiple stops within the resort simply feel endless with the stopping and loading/unloading of strollers, scooters, people, kids, etc, Have stayed at both and prefer POFQ. Loved the boat to Disney Springs!

 

[pmaurer74]

We stayed at POFQ last October and loved it. Our new favorite moderate.

 

[magicaldisney]

We have also stayed at both and like both for their different reasons. It's all personal preferences, but for us a lot of the fun going to Disney is to try different resorts each time you go. So, I really think you should give POFQ or POR a try. You mentioned trying either and we prefer POR. We don't need a small resort and we love the grounds at POR. Both offer boat service to DS. Bob's entertainment in the evening is something you should try at POR, very fun. POR offers a bigger store and food court, and also has a table service. However, it does have multiple bus stops within the resort, but that's never bothered us.

 

[magicaldisney]

I just noticed, are you thinking of these resorts for your honeymoon in a couple of months? If so, have you considered renting a DVC reservation and staying at a deluxe resort?

 

[Nancyg56]

A honeymoon? I would choose CSR. I love POFQ, it is my favorite Moderate resort, but I travel with kids. I like the size of the resort, as well as the small pool. IT is really a lovely resort with gorgeous grounds, a water taxi to DS and POR, and a little "bar" with evening entertainment.

If I was traveling on my honeymoon, I would choose CSR. I think that onsite restaurants and the lounge, along with the largest pool make it a prefect choice for honeymooners. I must say I stayed there and I did not like it, and for no good reason. The rooms were spotless, the beds comfortable. The resort was stunning, decorated fo Christmas with gorgeous understated ornamental plants etc. The service was great, the CM's friendly, and the choices ford inning were also very nice. It was me.

 

[Olaf63]

I agree with PP's. If it about size, then POFQ is the place but it you want extras, then I'd book a business class room at CSR. The new spa at CSR is fantastic and has the couples massage room.

 

[AllieBoo]

We have stayed at both and like both, but prefer POFQ a little more. We like that it is a small resort and it's not too far a walk to anywhere. We also much prefer the food court at POFQ over the Pepper Market at CSR. We also like being by the river and being able to take the boat to Disney Springs if we want to, and also being able to use the pool at POR. I do think the rooms at CSR are a little nicer. I personally like to try new resorts though, so I don't think you would be sorry if you tried POFQ.

 

[VillainFavs]

POFQ has only one bus stop, no endless loops around the resort before heading to the parks! And you take a quiet stroll along the river, down to POR and go on a beautiful carriage ride--can't beat that for a honeymoon! The cobblestone paths and gardens are so quaint and peaceful. It's such a lovely resort with the jazz music playing. Boat ride to DS. Friendliest CMs anywhere.

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks everyone! It will be our honeymoon, and no kids. We don't get to go to WDW too often, so that's why I'm putting so much thought into the decision. I'm so torn, because the boat to DS sounds so nice, and we really love the theming for POFQ or POR, (plus it would be nice to try something new). But, DF also loves Pepper Market, we like the rooms, and it sounds like the bus service is preferable at CSR.

For the above I would stick with CSR this trip.

CSR, stunning day or night, very much a great resort for adults while POFQ is VERY popular with young families and older guests due to size.
CSR, beautifully themed main pool with bar, food etc all there while POFQ themed is for young kids with small childlike slide and new huge water play area RIGHT NEXT to the pool.
CSR has about the largest hot tub on property while POFQ is not much bigger than one in my backyard.
CSR has lots of dining options with more than one TS, while POFQ has no TS.
CSR has some of the best bus service, POFQ is okay if you don't have to share.

Yes the boat to POR is lovely, like a free attraction but it will often be full, especially if it fills at POR on way to POFQ AND it if even begins to appear there will be lightning, they drop you off at the next stop whether it's yours or not SO yes I had to run in pouring rain from POFQ to POR so as to not miss my ADR. Bus might still be needed back and forth to DS.

 

[disneylove16]

I'm not sure I understand the comment about better bus service...we prefer resorts such as POFQ that have one bus stop. The resorts that have the buses that make multiple stops within the resort simply feel endless with the stopping and loading/unloading of strollers, scooters, people, kids, etc, Have stayed at both and prefer POFQ. Loved the boat to Disney Springs!

I've read a few times that the bus service is preferable at CSR. Not sure exactly why. I thought someone mentioned that POFQ shares a bus with POR and that takes up some time, perhaps that's why? I've never stayed there, so can't speak from personal experience.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. After a long night of discussing it with DF, we are going to stick to CSR. Our last trip (in 2010) was his very first trip to WDW. I've been going since I was a kid. He loved it, and loved the resort, said that when he thinks about our honeymoon we are at CSR, and is scared of going to a different resort and regretting it. He promised that on our next trip he will be up for any resort. Since I'm the Disney nut, and planned all our days, dining, etc., I figured I'd let him have this one. I understand where he's coming from on already picturing your trip in your mind. Thank you all for your input, we will definitely be doing POFQ in the future!

 

[disneylove16]

I just noticed, are you thinking of these resorts for your honeymoon in a couple of months? If so, have you considered renting a DVC reservation and staying at a deluxe resort?

Yes, it's for our honeymoon. The DVC looks great, but it's not for us. Thanks!

 

[fairytalelover]

We've stayed at both and we adore and prefer POFQ! CSR was pretty but so incredibly huge that it was super annoying to go from your room to the main builidng and when you're tired at the end of the day at the parks it sucked to have to walk so much to get to your room and God forbid you get to your room and decide your hungry because then you have to take your exhausted butt for another trek to the main building. At one point, our son was hungry but he preferred to skip the walk to the main builidng because he was so tired and found the walk annoying after a long day. We felt the same. We also did not liket he Pepper Market and the foods they offered there. We love the food court at POFQ. We also noticed that the staff at CSR was not very friendly as opposed to the staff at POFQ which we found so nice and helpful. At CSR, the staff at the food court was super slow and we would just watch them chatting with each other as we all stood in in long lines waiting for our food. AT CSR whenever we asked for something especially at the food court or the luggage area, they made us feel we were a burden to them. At POFQ, no matter where your room is it's only a super short walk to the pool, mainbuilding, bus stop, laundry etc... There is only one bus stop so that they dont share with anyone else so catching a bus is easy. The pool is great. The bar by the pool is great. Being able to catch a boat to DTD is awesome! I can go on and on about POFQ!

 

[nkereina]

I'm not sure I understand the comment about better bus service...we prefer resorts such as POFQ that have one bus stop. The resorts that have the buses that make multiple stops within the resort simply feel endless with the stopping and loading/unloading of strollers, scooters, people, kids, etc, Have stayed at both and prefer POFQ. Loved the boat to Disney Springs!

Just my own personal experience, but since POFQ only has one bus stop, we found it often crowded. And since there is no queue at the bus stops at the mods, whenever a bus pulled up, it was a mad dash to the door. No regard for who was there first. It was a little chaotic during the busier bus times and/or when a bus was delayed. CSR has 4 bus stops and the order was always the same, so you knew what to expect.

In terms of frequency of buses, that can be good or bad at any resort on any given day so I don't think one is better over the others in that regard.

 

[VACamm]

We have stayed at both.... my favorite is POFQ.... BUT....... the pool is small and the the pool theming is weird. The pool area at CSR is amazing! The pool bars at both are terrific though. The food court at both is the same in my opinion.... we generally only eat breakfast at the resort that we are staying at. Both resorts are absolutely gorgeous... so they are equal in my eyes. The main reason that I love POFQ the best is that there is 1 bus stop and the resort is so tiny.