French Quarter vs. Coronado Springs -- any insights?

[jbr4gg]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Disney to take place in March, however, we're having a bit of trouble trying to decide where to stay. We have it pretty much narrowed down to POFQ and CSR, and can't quite decide between the two. We like the theme of both, and have read good and bad things about each, so I thought I'd make an account here and ask for everyone's opinions. Now, my biggest concern would be an issue of transportation time/effeciency, I guess. As far as what I can tell from what I've read, CSR is serviced by its own bus, however, it is in the Animal Kingdom area so is generally somewhat far removed; while POFQ is in the Downtown Disney area (which I believe would be closer to more of the theme parks -- please correct me if I'm wrong), but shares a bus with at least POR. Now, aside from my one specific concern, does anyone have any other opinion to share?

Thanks a lot in advice for any information. I've read the FAQS on CSR, read reviews elsewhere, etc...but we still can't make up our mind

 

[dfherrera]

We have stayed at both and without Kids, I prefer the French Qtr. Coronado has a better pool for Kids and I like the Pepper Market (food court) but it is a big conference area and at the time of year that you are going, could be pretty busy with non vacation minded folk. Last thing I want to see on vacation is a bunch of suits sitting around with their blackberry and laptop.

French QTR is a bit more romantic and is close to Downtown as you pointed out so the night life is quicker to get reach.

Have fun!

 

[sherrycurl]

I agree with the above posting. POFQ is much smaller and more intimate. When I stayed here it was very quiet with only a few families at the pool. This was over Memorial day a few years ago. The food court was busy at meal times and could get a little loud but it was tolerable. The buses were very good going to the park as POFQ is the first stop, but crowded at the end of the day. This to is very typical for all resorts as everyone is going to the same place. I really love this resort and would recommend it to anyone. Have a great stay at whichever resort you chose.


sherry

 

[Buzz2001]

Check out my CSR website for photos and pics. My DW and I love the white sand beaches at CSR and the hammocks. There is nothing like taking a stroll around the area at night when it is all lite up, very romantic. Not to mention it has a better pool and transportation as well as a sit down restaurant. CSR also offers a spa so you can get a couples massage.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17690071&postcount=1

 

[G8r4evr]

JMO of course, but I prefer CSR. The grounds were beautiful, Pepper Market had a great selection and it was very peaceful. Its been a while, but when we stayed at Port Orleans, I found the rooms to be too dark for my liking and I didnt really care for the rustic feel.

 

[tink_about_it]

CORONADO is also my opinion!! Coronado is palm trees, white sand, and fabulous margaritas. You won't find beaches or palm trees at POFQ. The pool is also great at CSR. CSR is the conference resort so it's honestly a little more upscale (as far as the grounds are concerned) Rooms are pretty much the same in size. It is a big resort. I would recommend the Cabanas section. It's between the food and pool. You'll have a great view! Make sure you request it!

 

[G8RFAN]

Ok my 2 cents. As far as the bus issue, CSR is so big that by the time the bus makes its rounds back to the main entrance, you have probably stoped at the same amount of stops compared to the POFQ/POR combination or at least it seemed like it. The walk to the main pool at CSR can be a very long walk depending on the area you get put at. The main pool and Pepper market are not close, so you can be conveniently located by one and far from the other. It still is an excellent resort and I would definitely stay there. HOWEVER, out of the two choices, our preference is POFQ. Not only is it compact, but having the advantage of hopping on the launch to go to POR for say dinner at Boatwrights, or a launch to DTD to cap off the evening appeals to our typical Disney visit. You really can't go wrong with either choice really.

 

[Lilolvr]

I've stayed at both and it's CSR for me hands down. No shared transportation is a must. The buses at CSR make very quick work of the 4 bus stops. The rides to all of the parks are quick and easy. And since it is a convention resort, the buses are empty because those guests are off doing their convention thing. And when you leave a park, there is no fighting the crowds in the queue. POR/POFQ share the queue as well.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Here's our take on both resorts:

POFQ
Compact, everything close
Boat service to DD
Carriage rides
Pool geared toward youngsters
Bus makes rounds at POR before going to parks
Small foodcourt and giftshop
No table service restaurant

CSR
Huge and spread out ... lots of walking
Large, gorgeous pool
Beautiful landscaping and themeing
Excellent, large foodcourt - large gift shop
Table service restaurant
Conventioneers abound ... everywhere
Direct bus service to parks; however wait times for buses can be long

 

[Fionasmommy]

We've stayed stayed at POFQ and CBR, and visited POR and CSR. Of them, POFQ is my favorite. I looooooove the ambience of POFQ, especially at night when the streetlights are lit and you can hear the jazz music coming from the lounge.

The bus and boat systems there are great. POFQ is the first pick up for both, so you're pretty much guaranteed a seat. I can't tell you how many times we left people waiting at the POR boat dock, after nearly filling up the boat at POFQ! POFQ is also first off the bus when you return from the parks, so if you do end up standing (which may happen with any resort bus if you're out until the park closes) you won't have a very long wait.

It's also a tiny resort - half the size of CSR. It's the only mod that, in terms of number of rooms, in comparable in size to a deluxe. This of course means that no matter where your room is, you won't have a hike to the food court, pool, gift shop or bus stop. It's all right there! There's only one bus stop - that alone should tell you how compact it is!

Did I mention the ambience?!!

Now, in terms of shared buses... We stayed at CBR last fall, and they have their own buses. Unfortunately, the trips seemed longer than POFQ/POR - probably because there were more stops? So with 4 stops at CSR and 5 between POFQ/POR I don't think you'd see that big of a difference. And as a bonus - when we filled up the bus at POFQ, which happened quite a bit during the busy parts of the day, the bus went right to the park without even stopping at POR. So that's one stop! Can't beat that!

The boat to DTD is lovely, and would be a huge bonus if you plan to hit Pleasure Island, or just go there for shopping as we like to do. It's a wonderful ride, and incredibly convenient.

 

[kate&sarahsdad]

Our family loved CSR. It's a great resort with lots of amenities and things to do.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

We've stayed at both POFQ & POR and CSR and I would definately pick CSR over POFQ and POR - We had horrible bus transportation when I stayed at POFQ and POR. The bus service was bad getting to the parks and worse leaving the parks and returning to the resorts. We don't plan on staying at either POFQ or POR again because of the horrible transportation.

We had excellent bus transportation at CSR. We loved CSR and will definately return there again. The pool is really fun, we loved the beach area with hammocks, and we found it relaxing to stroll around the water to the Pepper Market in the evening. The grounds are beautiful!! We will definately return to CSR again

 

[johnnyr]

I have stayed at both. For me, it's hands down POFQ. I stayed at POFQ 5 times and would not hesitate to stay there again. I tried CSR once for a change and was really turned off by the size of the resort, location, decor of the rooms, bus service and Pepper Market. There was no magic there for me. Other's will argue these statements, but this was my experience at CSR. I do occaisonal business travel. CSR had that same convention feel to me. There were more people there on business (conventioneers) than vacation. Bus service was horrible!

If your main concern is transportation, POFQ IMO is the better of the two. They do share with POR, but you are the first pickup going, and first to be dropped off coming back. POFQ is also much smaller, quieter and has a very relaxing scenic boat ride to DTD. Good luck with your choice, but most of all have a great time!

 

[Schucraig]

CSR! Great pool, food and transportation! Good luck!

 

[7nqb00]

CSR! Great pool, food and transportation! Good luck!

Ditto!

 

[starbox]

CSR! I felt much more "transported to another world" by CSR and the dining is a million times better.

 

[Mickey23]

CSR! No shared transportation, great pool and pool bar, quick rides to all the parks and CSR has some deluxe amenities like a fitness center and spa.

 

[jbr4gg]

Many thanks to everyone for all the input. Just by reading your replies, it sounds like really, we can't go wrong with either one (which we already figured).

Thanks again!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I definately would choose POFQ over CSR. First CSR is farther away from anything except AK, therefore your ride to MK, MGM, and Epcot will take longer. Also it is a bigger resort that is surrounded by a lake so depending on which building you are staying at, you could be walking a long way to get to the restaurants and bus stops. As for POFQ, it is smaller, more romantic, and and beautiful. I love POFQ because no matter what building you are staying at you don't have a long walk. As for the bus situation, POFQ is the first to be picked up and dropped off so you are more than guaranteed a seat, especially the time you are going. Plus POFQ has a carriage ride that is wonderful, you can pool hop from POFQ to POR without any trouble, if you like to fish, you can do a catch and release, the ferry to DTD is such a relaxing ride, and you can rent boats to go up and down the river. We are staying at POR in June, I would of preferred POFQ, but my DH was insistent on POR. Not too upset about it though because one of my goals in life are to stay in each of the Disney resorts, at least once, and I have never stayed at POR...just visited numerous of times. Have fun on your trip wherever you decide

 

[Buzz2001]

I definately would choose POFQ over CSR. First CSR is farther away from anything except AK, therefore your ride to MK, MGM, and Epcot will take longer.

CSR is the closest resort to 3 of the 4 parks. CSR is only 5 mins from AK and MGM, 7 mins from Epcot and 10 mins from MK. MGM is just down the street.