I know, this has been asked a thousand times...

[eeyore29]

...but which Moderate should we choose, between POFQ and CSR?

I'm trying to get some feedback to help make this decision because I've finally persuaded DH to upgrade to a Moderate for our next trip. We booked ASMu since that was my favorite Value so far; now I'm not sure between CSR and POFQ when we upgrade. I'm leaning towards POFQ since it isn't as spread out and I'm sure it has my kinda food. I've also heard so many good things about CSR, but I'm worried that it's too spread out (although I liked that their bus stops at the parks seem closer-and YES, I know that can change at ANY time so that's not my tie-breaker!). We're not thinking about CBR since we're not "beach" people among other reasons. I think POR is beautiful but it also seems more spread out & I don't like that there aren't elevators in all the buildings. The theming isn't that important to us, since we're just 2 adults. Since y'all are so helpful, these are my questions:

CSR

If you request a room close to the main building, are you likely to get it?

If you're in a room all the way back, would you take a bus or a golf cart to the main building? If so, how often are there buses/carts? If not, how long/far is the walk?

When going to/from the parks, do the buses stop at all of the stops around the hotel or just the main one in front? (not sure if there's a bus that only goes around the resort you'd have to take to the main building and then transfer to a park bus) Seems like you'd be spending a lot of time on buses...or is it pretty quick to go around the whole hotel?

Is there plain/American food available in the food court, like burgers/fries, pizza, and so on? Or is it all Western/Mexican? Does it count as counter or table service with the dining plan?

POFQ

If you request a room close to the main building, are you likely to get it?

Since the POR & POFQ share buses, when going to/from the parks, do the buses stop at all of the stops around POR or just the main one in front? If you've also stayed at the All-Stars how would you compare the bus-sharing?

Those are all I can think of for right now (I might add more later). Sorry for such a long post. I know everyone's got their own taste/reasons/opinions so I'm hoping your answers to these questions will help make up my mind!

 

[msteddom]

I have only stayed at POFQ so I will try and answer those questions:

If you request a room close to the main building, are you likely to get it?

POFQ is so small that even the farthest buildings are only a two minute walk to the main building

Since the POR & POFQ share buses, when going to/from the parks, do the buses stop at all of the stops around POR or just the main one in front? If you've also stayed at the All-Stars how would you compare the bus-sharing?

It really depends on what time of day it is. Sometimes the bus will fill up at POFQ and head straight to the parks, sometimes it will travel to all the POR stops as well adding an extra 10-15 mins. The same is true coming from the parks.

Melissa

 

[juligrl]

POFQ

If you request a room close to the main building, are you likely to get it?

Since the POR & POFQ share buses, when going to/from the parks, do the buses stop at all of the stops around POR or just the main one in front? If you've also stayed at the All-Stars how would you compare the bus-sharing?

Those are all I can think of for right now (I might add more later). Sorry for such a long post. I know everyone's got their own taste/reasons/opinions so I'm hoping your answers to these questions will help make up my mind!

Never stayed at CSR but have stayed at POFQ and loved it!

Even the furthest buildings out from the main building are close -which makes getting a "close" room almost not necessary.

 

[eeyore29]

Thanks for your answers so far!

Just thought of a few more questions for CSR: is there more than one place to refill your mugs? If so, is there anywhere towards the back of the resort? If not, is it really worthwhile to get one since the refills are so far away?

 

[sassyseaprincess]

Our first favorite is Coronado, second is CBR, our family didn't care for PQFR, the rooms and we had 3, were smelly and damp the air spit out water the whole time. we ask if could change room at the front desk they told us all of the rooms were the same and the food court wasn't impressive. We stayed at the Casita waterview it was wonderful close to the main lobby the food court was fun and easy with really good food we didn't share a bus to the park so there was alway room, it also helps that many of the people there we going to conferences, so during the day it was not busy at all.

I hope this helps. and that you have a great time.

 

[MELSMICE]

We stayed at both CSR & POR in April. We walked to POFQ numerous times & thought that resort was nice.

Here's what I liked or disliked about each resort:

CSR

Main pool was great - lots of tables & loungers were not crowded together at all. There was a lot of room to walk. Had a nice big pool bar.

We didn't go to the quiet pool, but walked by many times & it was just as nice.

We don't mind being far from the main building because we enjoy the walk. It seems that if you were close to the main building, you were far from the pool. If you were closer to the pool, you had quite a walk to the main building.

There were 4 bus stops I believe (maybe 5).

Grounds were beautiful to walk around at any time of day.

While the food was good I was a little "put off" by the Pepper Market because they charge a 10% service fee for the server to bring your drink to the table. This is a food court. You order the food, you bring it to your table, the server brings your drink & you get charged 10% when you pay on the way out. I wouldn't eat there again just because of that.

POFQ

While we didn't actually stay there, like I said, we walked through quite a few times. It was nice but the "streets" were narrow, however, I guess it looks just like New Orleans.

There was a boat launch to DTD right near the pool.

The resort is small so there is not a lot of walking.

The pool area seemed small & I believe this was the only pool. I don't think there is a quiet pool, but I could be wrong.

Food court looked roomy with many choices.

POR

This was my favorite resort of the 3.

We stayed in the mansions section. I walked over the Bayou section & it is like being at another resort.

The food court was newly remodeled with lots of choices.

Loved the main area. The store is one of the biggest I've seen at a resort & we've stayed in almost every resort on property.

Rented a boat to DTD, which a lot of fun.

The main pool was alot of fun, although the tables & loungers were pretty close together (we like some space).

Had a nice big pool bar.

The quiet pool we went to was pretty big with laundry facitilies right there. There were quiet a few tables & loungers all spread out with lots of room.

There are elevators at POR.

I think you'll enjoy any place you choose to be honest with you!

 

[Hedy]

I've only stayed at POR, but when I stopped by CSR, the number of conventioners really struck me-that would effect the escape from the real world effect of WDW in my opinion, so I'd go with either PO resort.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I've stayed at both POFQ and CSR. I would pick POFQ over CSR anytime. We didn't really like CSR though many do. I prefer the food court at POFQ. CSR is very large. We even had a hard time finding the main pool-signs were lacking, we weren't the only ones lost. We had to drive to it from our room.

I love POFQ. It was the first mod we stayed at and it's my first, if not my 2nd choice. We stayed at CBR in Jan. 06 and like that one too.

I have always had good results faxing my room requests to the resorts 4 days before arrival. I usually ask for ground floor, near food court and parking lot. Bus stops not an issue. We've always gotten what we asked for though there is no guarantee.

Also, love the pool at POFQ and you can use the pool at POR too. And, did I mention the beignets at POFQ? Really good, and perfect for breakfast (or snack)

HTH, have a great time.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

It would have to be POFQ. I have been to CSR with the UCA AllStar Cheerleaders to CSR for meals and practices.....it just seems too much like a convention resort to me. When I go to WDW I want to have FUN.

 

[bubba73]

I picked POFQ even though I would love to stay at CSR. My reason was mainly the size of the resort. I have visited some of the larger resorts and when walking around with the CM, they got lost. That scared me.

 

[bab31]

Make a list of your pros and cons for each resort

Go to Buzz's website - you get a good look at the whole resort

For me the decision was easy after I wrote it all out

I originally was leading towards french quarter- heard too much about the negative bus issues sharing with POR. but Did like the thought of the boats to DTD. I didnt like the looks of POR

I like the southwest. the casitas really remind me of my trip to Mexico It was so relaxing to walk thru in the evening after being in the hype all day.
I like central airconditioning. I hate those wall units- this was a big plus for me as the wall units keep me awake.
I liked the bus system. Got to say there was only a handfull of people on the busses in general while we were there. There are 4 bus stops and the bus goes to each one. It didnt take an excessive amount of time for the bus to go around

I liked the pepper market- Yes the tip is kind of stinky but lets look at the dollars - you have a meal that cost lets say $8, it is now $8.80- not extreme enough to keep me from the place. It was also just my husband and I. I think a family of 4 or 5 might make me think differently. We also only ate there twice for breakfast and twice for dinner. We ate breakfast for the room with groceries delivered from Gardengrocer.The pepper market has a variety of food. If they are on the dining plan it is counter service.

I have to add a note that CSR has pillow top mattress' , a gym, a salon, and a spa. The margaritas at the pool are very good as a matter of fact also!

 

[Mr. Pig]

It may have been asked a thousand times but you will get a thousand answers. Each resort has it's fans. We have stayed at both and in fact we will be staying at both during a split stay in October. I can't honestly say one is head and shoulders better than the other. But to describe:

POFQ: - More traditional food court - not bad in my estimation.
- As others have said it is the smallest so even the further rooms are
not that far from the main building.
- The bus always stops there first, then goes to POR (if not full) and
drops off there first on return.
- Bus sharing is somewhat comparable to All Stars in time and
operation.

CSR: - You can refill mugs at Pepper Market or at snack place near the main
pool.
- At Pepper Market you are seated, you get your own food and they
stamp a card with what you get and you pay when you leave.
- They automatically add a 10% service fee (tip).
- If you are on the Dining Plan it counts as counter service.
- You can get a rib eye steak at about $18.00 for a CS credit - one of
the best value CS on site (and it includes drink, tax and the tip).
- Pepper Market has a wide variety of food - burgers, etc - not all
Southwest - check out allearsnet.com for menu's.

At both you can request a room close to the main building. If you make the request that simple you have a good chance to get it but of course it is just a request. I don't know if anyone ever did a study on how often requests are granted.

 

[yecats]

Both of these resorts are wonderful but in honesty are very different as moderates. I have stayed at both but my fav is CSR.

As for room request at both, the CM's at checkin will do there best to give you what you request if possible (ie if CSR has a large convention then you get what they have left but this also works the same at POFQ if a lot of people are staying there which many do as it is the smallest of all moderates). You can call CSR to inquire about your dates of travel to determine if any large conventions will be there when you check in.

Buses - CSR's have 4 stops and makes no additonal stops at any other resort. The buses going to the parks stop at the main building last (so it is possible to ride them to the main building if your room is further out in the resort; however, I believe that the DTD bus works in reverse so you would not catch that one to the front of the resort). Please go to Buzz2001 site as he has all of this info. listed on CSR. As for POFQ they share with PORS so there can be either 1 to 5 or 6 stops involved (I can't recall if POR has 4 or 5 stops). As stated above if POFQ fills the bus up then the bus won't continue on to POR; however, if the bus isn't full, then you will be making all of the rest of the stops before continuing on to the parks which will add more time on if you have ps at a rest.

Your deciding factor:
1 Are you planning on spending most of your time in the parks or do you plan on spending some time at the resort? If your in the parks most of the day, then POFQ will be wonderful as it is a compact resort with nothing more than a 5 minute walk away. If you are planning on spending some time at the resort then CSR is the better resort as there is a beach area, a larger main pool with great slide, large hot tub, pool bar, workout facility, hair salon, message salon and multiple quiet pools. There is also a large food court (4 times as many food options than at POFQ and it isn't all just spanish/mexican foods) as well as a sit down restaurant and room service is also an option here (POFQ only delivers pizza to the room).

2 Do you like to spend time at DTD/Pleasure Island? If you are planning on spending more than one day at DTD then stay at POFQ as the boat to DTD is romantic and a nice quiet get away. Otherwise, if not intending on spending much time at DTD you may want to stay at CSR.

POFQ is a wonderful resort that shares its land with POR so if you want a sitdown rest or a larger pool area/hottub then you will find yourself heading over to POR. If this is the case please stay for Bob's free show in the lounge at POR begining on Wed or Thurs and definately on Fri and Sat. nights - he is a wonderful entertainer.

I believe at CSR you can also bring your refillalbe mugs to the main pool bar for the fillup if you don't do that at the food court. Sorry so long but both have a lot of goods with a few cons.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

CSR has the best pool and slide of all the mods.
No Shared transportation like POR/POFQ.
CSR has it's own sit down restaurant and marina.

CSR has a full menu room service, a spa, salon and fitness center.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1509938
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1379456
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1390589
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1545004

 

[Lilolvr]

CSR!! Much better transportation at CSR, the pool is great and the food choices are fantastic!

 

[diznyfanatic]

We've stayed at both, and actually until we stayed at CSR, POFQ was our favorite Moderate.

I'd now choose CSR for a few reasons:

1. The bus service is infinitely superior at CSR. No sharing with other resorts, and we never had to wait long for a bus to anywhere. Bus rides were also very convenient to all of the parks.

2. The Dig Site pool at CSR is awesome.

3. We prefer the Pepper Market at CSR over the traditional food court fare at most resorts. You can order anything from a burger and fries to a steak dinner and everything in between and it's still only 1 CS credit on the Dining Plan.

Have a great time!

 

[MinnieSummer]

We've stayed at both and enjoy both for different reasons. The main reason we will stay at POFQ is the proximaty to DTD. If I'm planning to shop that's where we stay. If we're not planning on spending alot of time at the resort and only plan quik trips to the pool for cooling off we will also stay at POFQ if CSR isn't available. We don't have room requests as noone in my family minds walking although at POFQ this really isn't an issue. I'm not fond of the food court there as it is limited and I miss the sit down restaurant. I have had issues with the busses on a few occasions. Going to the parks is usually OK since POFQ boards first. However, leaving the parks, especially after the parades or fire works, can be a problem as POFQ and POR all lines up in the same place and it can be very crowded. If you are going in an off season this might not be an issue.

CSR is always our first choice when we are going to WDW, unless as stated above it is one of my shopping trips. We love it there.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I love POR and CSR..I don't like POFQ at all..I would pick CSR , in fact it's not even close...WE are heading for CSR in Dec