Need advice for trip planning!

[Angela0917]

Hello!
My Fiance are planning a trip to Disney World for our honeymoon from April 26-May 3rd, 2009. We really like POR and POFQ. In your opinions, which one is nicer? Does one have perks that the other doesn't, or are they pretty much the same thing? Also, how soon should I book our trip? And does anyone have any advice for saving money?? Is it better to book through Disney or a travel agent? I haven't been to Disney since I was little, and my fiance has never been there, so we're clueless! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[MomWDW]

I think French Quarter is more romantic... The theming to me is more couple based, where Riverside (to me) is more family based.

Other then that- they are pretty much the same.

 

[tigergrad]

Ditto. Small, not-so spread out. Romantic walk along river, carriage rides, nice food court & pool. IMO - best of the mods!

 

[Hopefully]

I too like POFQ better than POR. It is my favorite Mod. It is smaller, more romantic and everything is convenient. We stayed in Building 5 and we were near the pool, the food court and the bus stop. We were picked up first in the morning and dropped off first in the evening.
We loved it there.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

I agree with the POFQ opinions.

I always like to use a travel agent, as they keep an eye on things and can really help you out by finding discount codes and booking ADR's. My agent is "earmarked" and fantastic. Highly recommend one.

Package deals come out staring around the August timeframe, and you can book then. If you are really concerned about getting there, have your agent book a room only and then convert it to a package when the rpicing comes out.

Good luck!!

 

[KatMark]

We have stayed at neither one, but have visited both and walked the grounds. We would definitely say POFQ over POR.

 

[Angela0917]

You guys are awesome! POFQ it is!! Are any of the rooms with Garden Views or other views worth the extra money? Or do you think we should just stick to standard?

 

[GuardMusic]

I've only stayed at POR, not POFQ. I can't imagine any of the "views" being that fantastic at a moderate to warrant extra cost.

I have never used a travel agent because I've heard too many horror stories and don't want to trust others with my trip.

I recommend getting a
1. quote from a "Disney" specific travel agent
2. quote from Disney website
3. pricing each piece on your own
Then make a decision. The big issues will be if you need a rental car, to purchase tickets and if you are interested in the dining plan.
Gayle

 

[Angela0917]

I've only stayed at POR, not POFQ. I can't imagine any of the "views" being that fantastic at a moderate to warrant extra cost.

I have never used a travel agent because I've heard too many horror stories and don't want to trust others with my trip.

I recommend getting a
1. quote from a "Disney" specific travel agent
2. quote from Disney website
3. pricing each piece on your own
Then make a decision. The big issues will be if you need a rental car, to purchase tickets and if you are interested in the dining plan.
Gayle

Ya, I was reading about the different "views" at this resort and I know it's more for a pool view. Like, I could care less about seeing the pool, haha! I was thinking of just going for standard. The only way I think it would be worth it to upgrade for the view is if I was staying at AKL or one of the resorts with a view of MK. But I figured there was nothing to see at POFQ, but I just wanted to make sure!!

We will definately need to purchase tickets and we are definately interested in the dining plan. Are you saying that may be an issue doing it on my own, or with a travel agent? I don't think we'll need a rental car, we're planning on being in Disney the entire time.

 

[buzznina]

The only extra we pay is when we want to have a King bed. Sometimes if we have not requested it, we will ask at check-in for a King and was given one at no extra charge. This has worked 2 out 4 times, but it does not hurt to ask/plead.

 

[GuardMusic]

You can add the tickets & dining plan on your own or with a travel agent. I always check the $ difference between an agent doing it (likely in a package) or doing it myself with each piece. The decisions for you will be 1. is there a price difference and 2. do you want full control or do you want to have someone else (agent) worry about all this.

We never do the dining plan and usually already have tickets or rent DVC points, so a package is never an option for us.

 

[Minnie Rose]

We've been to the POR riverside a couple of times and it's fantastic.
Yes, it's big, so you have to walk a bit to get to places, but the walks are very enjoyable like: along the river, over cute bridges, there's an island where the pool is, etc. Both times we went we had a river view room. We paid for waterview, and of course they cannot guarantee that is gonna be pool or river, but we put on a request for river view a couple days earlier by fax, and again at check in and they've always been nice and gave us the riverview room, one time it was even a corner room, with two windows instead of one and on the second floor, and the view was very peaceful; we were very happy of the choice. We like the portion of the resort called "Magnolia Bend" and both times we stayed at "Parterre Place", it's a nice location because it's close to the foot bridge to go to the lobby, restaurants etc, but is a building not so big like the others, so is more quiet. The theme of the room and of all Magnolia bend is romantic, kind of "Gone with the Wind".
At POR you have a marina where you can rent little boats, and you can have also carriage rides.
We liked the POR a lot, it's our favorite moderate.
The "saving" advice that I can give you is that we book trough AAA, we are members, and the discount you get makes quite a difference, especially over several nights. If you are a member try to go to AAA online and check the availability and prices; we only book trough AAA, I surf the web a lot to check the best deals, and I noticed that AAA always got the best prices.

Hope this helps.

Have fun!!!