Has this Mommy made an error??

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Stop reading! Seriously, you're over thinking it. POFQ is a beautiful resort and one of our favorites. You don't have to either go value or deluxe. Your choice is perfect and you'll have a wonderful trip!

Excellent response.

POFQ is a great resort and a very easy walk, bus or boat ride to POR. POFQ was the first WDW resort we stayed at and our DS was seven at the time. He had a great time in the pool.

You don't have to search very hard to find a post on why the Poly is the worst resort on property. Each one of the resorts has posts like this. We have stayed at many of the WDW resorts and have enjoyed each one for different reasons and would recommend each of the resorts we have stayed at.

Plus it is an enjoyable boat ride to and from DTD.

 

[Mamato3Princes]

Stop reading! Seriously, you're over thinking it. POFQ is a beautiful resort and one of our favorites. You don't have to either go value or deluxe. Your choice is perfect and you'll have a wonderful trip!

Couldn't have said it better myself! You'll all have a great time!

 

[goofy4tink]

Quick story. Back in '99, we stayed at then DxL, now POR...not POFQ but very similar, they are sister resorts. My dd turned 6 on that first trip to WDW. And we love it. Ok...fast forward a few years. Dd was now 8...I had booked POR, but then got a great deal at WL. Well, a few months pass and I get one of the FairyTale pkgs...buy 4 nights get 3 free. Ok...it's now going to cost us about $150 more to stay at the Polynesian!!!! Dd was so excited...she really wanted to stay there, but it had always been too expensive. She was over the moon...well, until we got there at least.
As we were walking around, checking it all out after we got into our room, I asked dd how she liked the Polynesian. She stopped, frowned, and said, and I quote...'Well, it's ok, but it's not all Disneyfied like POR!!! It's pretty and all, but I kinda wish we were back at 'our' place!!'' Seriously??? I thought I was going to die. So, live and learn.

I can't for the life of me figure out why any one resort is better for first timers. You will love POFQ..it's a beautiful resort, with a terrific atmosphere for the kids. The kids I've seen there sure do look happy enough!!!!!

 

[LuvLDM]

Don't worry, POFQ is a lovely resort!

I think it's perfect for children that age, great pool, food court and the fact that's it's a relatively small property makes it much easier to get around w/ little ones.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mmmears]

I think it's silly for anyone to tell you that you have to stay at either Pop or Poly. I think any Disney property will be great for you and your family. I don't get why it would say only Value or Deluxe either.

My DD's first stay was at the YC and the GF. We have since stayed at the Poly and never once wished it was the first place we stayed at.

I think you should choose whichever resort fits your budget and looks pretty to you. I think POFQ looks like a lovely resort, btw.

 

[pigletto]

I would agree that you are over thinking it. I am pretty sure I know which website you are speaking of. There's some good info there, but a lot of it relies on opinion.
If I had spent our entire first trip at Pop I would have been miserable. On the other hand, we LOVED CSR and POR and this summer will mark two trips at each. The kids liked Pop, but they really enjoy the mods more as well.
Nobody can determine for you what themeing and atmosphere you will enjoy most. That's a matter of individual taste. I prefer something quieter for instance and find that at the mods.
I think you likely went with what appealed to you most, and I doubt you went wrong.

ETA) And while we did really enjoy the Poly it makes my wallet cry lol. I left that trip thinking "Well, that was nice. Let's go back to a mod next time." The additional cost was not worth it to me for the same amount of enjoyment. Everyone will feel differently on that. Only you know what your spending limit is.

 

[toodycat]

Disney is kid-friendly by definition. To say that only two resorts are good for a child's first visit is silly. Kids remember the theme parks and characters before the theme of the resort. Most of them are happy to use any pool, especially one with a good slide like at POFQ. My son's first visit was a split Poly/GF. The Poly was a last minute addition when flights were changed and the GF was sold out. DS was 6 and he had a good time at both resorts, but he has no distinctive memories of either. You are going to have a great time. Don't stress about this.

 

[TinkNH]

I dont think there is any non kid friendly resort

My parents took DD and my niece when they were 7 to PORS they had a blast!

I am sure you will have a great time!!

 

[Sammie]

It's Disney, it has a pool, and an arcade, what is there for a kid not to like.

 

[Karabee]

I know what article/blog you're talking about and it's pretty much the only one out there I tell people NOT to read. Moderates are great, and plenty kid friendly. To have people who are staying for their first time choose between POP and a place as expensive as POLY is ridiculous.
You'll have a wonderful time there! Don't forget to enjoy the boat to DTD

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I am 171 days out from our trip..ADRs made...two rooms booked at the POFQ for me, my DH, DMIL and DD5 and DD3. We chose POFQ because we could not afford a deluxe - but I did not want a value stay for our first trip. I have been reading tips from a website I just found for first visits and they recommend either the Poly or the Pop for the first visit. They DO NOT recommend a moderate due to the lack of Kid friendly theming. Am I going to regret going with POFQ? Am I going to feel like my girls are missing out - or should I stop overthinking this?

You have a great trip planned. I have been travelling to Disney since 1976, and I have stayed at every level of resort. I think POFQ is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT for a first trip.

I have read that same website you are referring to (about going Deluxe or Value), and while I agree with many things on that website, I do NOT agree with that advice. You and your children will LOVE POFQ.

After 36 years travelling to WDW, my first value stay was just last year. I loved POP, and so did my daughter, but we both loved the moderates even more.

There is a covered area to wait for the bus, and to keep the sun and rain from beating down on you. The values do not have that.

There are fun pool slides at the moderate resorts that the values do not have. We have some of our best laughs on these slides. POFQ has the best slide for children age 3 and 5. Plus, the theme is adorable there. And the beignets in the morning are to die for.

You will LOVE what you have chosen! Have you checked out this website?

http://www.portorleans.org/

 

[kmb584]

Don't over think your decision!

DD's first trip to WDW was spent at POFQ and it was a FANTASTIC trip! Our room was the perfect size, the location was perfect, the resort was quaint and we never spent more than 10 minutes walking to the pool, gift shop, etc. In fact, if given a choice, I'd say that POFQ is just as close to a perfect, kid-friendly resort as you can get.

I haven't read through all of the posts here and I'm sure others have mentioned it, but: POR is right next door, just a short boat ride away, and offers a ton of amenities as well. DD loved taking the boat ride in the evening (if time allotted) to see the Clydesdales, explore the POR pools and playgrounds. The food court at POFQ is pretty good but I much preferred the one at POR, and more often than not we had our late dinners there.

It's a beautiful resort and I'm sure you and your family will just love it!

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

We loved our stay at POFQ. I've stayed a few places including PO, AKL, SSR, and ASMu. I have inlaws in New Orleans and we loved it. It's quiet and clean and the pool is neat with the slide and it's compact and the movies were on the lush green grass courtyard by our room and it wasn't a far walk to any of the busstops. I felt it was magical to be able to easily walk to the food court and to have live music in the lounge.

There is magic at Disney everywhere. The only way to really miss out is to spend all your time wondering what you're missing instead of enjoying what you're experiencing. I wish you and your daughters huge heaping handfuls of pixie dust and fun!

 

[cjnix29]

something else to think about...your kids will just love it. And, they have nothing to compare it too, so it will be awesome for them. They won't worry about what they are missing out on, or not seeing, etc, because everything is new and Everything will be magical. POFQ is a great resort. You will have a great time!!

 

[mistybroussard]

Thanks again for all the positive comments!

 

[wallawallakids]

Our first visit to WDW was at POFQ! I have 4 kids. They all LOVED it. It is Disney world, no mater where you stay, they will love it. The one thing I really did love at POFQ was the staff. They were great with the kids. Every single day there was someone at the door handing out balloons, colorful coins, or bead necklaces. My kids would race over there to see what they had out. They loved coming back from the parks and getting a little treat. Housekeeping made them lots of towel animals. My youngest DD actually slept with the bunny they made her for 5 nights! All 4 kids LOVED the pool. They liked the slide and the pool games. And they have a really nice little gift shop. They liked eating in the food court, tossing coins in the fountains, and running around the grounds. It is really pretty in the courtyard. We walked over to POR and played on their playground one day before we went to eat at Boatwrights (which was actually one of our BEST meals! And we ate at some signature places!! ) Also, the bus service was great. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. My only complaint was that even with two rooms it was a little tight for the 6 of us. But even that wouldn't stop me from going to POFQ again. I think you made a great choice. I hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[tjmw2727]

POFQ is very kid friendly and has some adult friendly perks as well so everyone will be happy. Great pool with a slide perfect for your kids ages, nice small resort with easy walking to everywhere and IMHO GREAT bus service. Mid size arcade but bigger than some

You can also walk to POR - and use both pool areas as they are a "shared reosrt". In between the two resorts is one of the best playgrounds on property (my kids say its the best). POR has the fishing hole and another QS restaurant and a full service. We love the boat to DTD as well.

IMHO as a pp said kid would definately find POFQ more fun that the Poly and maybe most of the Deluxe except maybe AK for the animals and BCYC because of the pool.

We are currently planning a multy family trip for Christmas and this is amoung the final top few choices as it has something for everyone including price !!

 

[*Fantasia*]

No.. no errors there! You made a great choice!! You and your family will have a wonderful time at POFQ!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think pretty much any Disney resort is kid friendly!

What makes POFQ kid friendly and so popular is that its a compact resort by Disney standards, it has a great food court with all kinds of kid friendly choices, excellent pool with a very cool slide, fun grounds to explore, a playground, a boat to DTD (what kid does not like to ride a boat?), pool games and movies, a sister resort right next door where there are more pools, playgrounds, bike rentals and fishing, and busses that take you to the coolest theme parks in the world!

The amount of information on the internet is astounding. And very helpful! But like all good things, it can be a curse too. Bottom line, your kids will be going on a vacation their mommy researched to and planned, and they will have a wonderful time!

The Poly is great, but that theme is no more kid friendly than POFQ. Pop is also great, but frankly, I love the mods and think they are the perfect choice!

Have fun, relax and just be excited!

 

[Bronte]

PORFQ is one of our favorite resorts !!!!!!!!
It is sooooo pretty and quite ... Fun for kids and adults alike.
My DH and I still go out there every trip no matter what resort we are staying at just to eat at the food court and catch Elliot at the Scat Cat Club (best one man jazz band ever IMO.)