Need Help deciding between POFQ and All Star Movies/Other Values or Mods

[Jarthur]

Long time reader, first time poster. Hoping to get some help on deciding which resort I should book for my family of 3 ( wife and 6 year old) for a 8 night stay in January.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about POFQ, but I’m not sure if the difference in price (~$970) is worth upgrading from a preferred room at All Star Movies (where we’re currently booked). Also considered staying at Pop, but we’ll be there during the Skyliner scheduled maintenance in January so it didn’t really make sense in my opinion.

We have 6 day park tickets so we’re planning on being at the parks for the most part, but are planning on have some afternoon breaks and 1 or 1.5 rest days during our trip. This will be also be our first trip to Disney world (for all 3 of us), so I’m looking to make it the best as possible and get the most out of it.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Irish_Mike]

All Star Movies is the nicest of the three values in my opinion, but the transportation (shared with the other All Stars) can often be frustrating, particularly in the morning and closing. If you're driving, it's less of a concern.

POFQ is a really quaint property and well themed, and the boat is really nice to take to Disney Springs. The rooms aren't as colorful or themed, but I like the little touches. If you can swing it, I'd lean upgrading myself.

 

[SteveH]

While we loved totally POFQ I'm not sure I'd drop another $200/night. The food at POFQ was fair, but the ability to ride the boat to DS is a huge benefit. I will say do not order the Jambalaya at POFQ what a bowl of disappointment.

 

[CynBeth]

My DH and I have never stayed at any of the All Stars but love POFQ and POR. I threw that last one in as an option . Both are well themed and also love the boat to DS. If your child is a girl she might like a royal room at Riverside. They are sister resorts so you can always visit each other’s food court. FQ is smaller and has a Mardis Gras theme while Riverside is larger and part of it is themed with mansion houses and part as a bayou.

 

[Dug720]

but the transportation (shared with the other All Stars) can often be frustrating,

I've stayed multiple times at Sports and Music, and the only time we've shared busses were midday and the really late post-closing times (like when you hop in line for FOP just before closing or have an ADR right at closing). Never at opening or standard closing.

And POFQ/POR are just as likely to share during those times, so...

 

[a1tinkfans]

The thing about values is… imho..there’s no coverage at the long bus lines, rain or sun.. the beds are simply the worst, the walls are so thin you hear everything including the convos and toilets .
it is Very family oriented thus lots of Noise and limited amenities all around BUT.. it’s a cheap room and if resort time is not any focus, doable for some people.
As far as mods POR ( 20+) and POFQ, ( 10+) they are in another league.

I’d suggest Pofq simply thinking the one cool kid pool, one bus stop, lovely grounds and small enough to get about easily. The ONLY way we stay at POR is Preferred room as otherwise you can walk for miles, have buses full and wait Xtra time and preferred is the South Depot ( first pick up) and near Everything up front. Boat to DS is great and walking between the resorts to use Either pool is also available. Great resorts.

So, I think the decision is What do you think will work best for Ur family overall dynamic … if it comes to the money being the Most Imp overall and expectations.
It’s funny, we started at the mods many years back..and it just seems that once you UPgrade resort type it’s nearly impossible to go back down. AKLJambo, Just can’t leave it, lol
Safe travels and have an awesome time wherever you Stay!!

 

[Nabas]

Long time reader, first time poster. Hoping to get some help on deciding which resort I should book for my family of 3 (wife and 6 year old) for a 8 night stay in January.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about POFQ, but I’m not sure if the difference in price (~$970) is worth upgrading from a preferred room at All Star Movies (where we’re currently booked). Also considered staying at Pop, but we’ll be there during the Skyliner scheduled maintenance in January so it didn’t really make sense in my opinion.

We have 6 day park tickets so we’re planning on being at the parks for the most part, but are planning on have some afternoon breaks and 1 or 1.5 rest days during our trip. This will be also be our first trip to Disney world (for all 3 of us), so I’m looking to make it the best as possible and get the most out of it.

Any advice is appreciated!

We've stayed at POFQ and each of the All Stars several times.

$970 is an extra $121 per night. Depending on your dining plans, that will pay for much (or even all) of your food each day.

POFQ is a nice, quiet hotel. Its French Quarter theming is (IMO) rather romantic. I typically recommend it for couples. The food court and pool are on the smallish side, but then POFQ is the smallest Moderate Resort. (It is much smaller than the Value Resorts.) In keeping with its French Quarter theming, POFQ has somewhat adventurous (for Disney) food choices. The best of all food choices are the beignets. They even have a gluten free option! We sometimes make a special trip for them, even when we are staying elsewhere.



All Star Movies is boisterous. Lots of people walking about. Small children running around, having fun in the larger pools. It has a large food court with (mostly) simple food choices. It can be loud at night when everyone is returning from the theme parks.

A six-year-old will have fun at either.

It really depends on what kind of experience the two of you want: relaxed or active.

 

[DizKids2]

DH & I just stayed at All Star Movies a few weeks ago. It was our first time at an All star in almost 20 years. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. We actually had great luck with busses, so the fact that we had to stand out in an uncovered area to wait did not impact this trip. The new room style was nice. We at breakfast at the food court and everything was good.

All of that being said, we were there for 2 nights and did not spend a ton of time at the resort. We typically stay at Moderates (cheapest option for our family of 5). For a longer stay, I would still recommend the moderate resort option if the money is an ok swing for you. They do have a more relaxed vacation vibe to me and I think a resort day at a moderate would offer more than a resort day at an All-Star. What is nice about POFQ is you do get the small resort feel like you would have at an All-Star, but can also walk to POR and have new places to eat or take the boat to Springs as well.

 

[piglet1979]

We have stayed at POR and at All Star Music. Music was fine. We were only at the resort to sleep. The room was small though and having 2 young kid (6 and 7) we felt a bit cramped. Having a double stroller for this trip was rough and barley fit in the room. We also did not like the confusing parking lots and set up of the All Stars. Once we parked and were at our room we were fine but finding the right parking lot when they all are connected on no real signs that we saw to distinguish the resorts was rough.

We really liked POR. We took breaks in the middle of the day and went swimming. We used both the POR and POFQ pools. We liked POR better. The pools at mods are better as they have a water slide as well. The rooms are a bit bigger (plus no stroller this trip) and made it a bit more pleasant. I am not sure if this changed but Music only had full size beds where the mods had queens. Another plus for us.

We have also stayed at Coronado as well. This was a trip between the two above. I liked the rooms better here as they had wooden doors that slide close to separate the sink/bathroom area from the room. POR was just a curtain. The pool here was nice as well but I think the kids liked the one at POR better.

We never had an issue with the buses at any of the resorts that we stayed at. I don't remember much sharing of buses either. I know once we did between POR and POFQ but I don't remember any at Music. Coronado had the longest walk to the main pool and main building but wasn't too bad. We stayed in the mansions (not preferred) at POR and still had a close walk to the main pool and building and we were close to the walkway to POFQ, though we never walked it. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the resorts, it just depends on what you can afford and what amenities that you want.

 

[cutigerlady]

Your kids will be happy at either. My husband and I would prefer the moderate for access to a TS restaurant, less chaotic food court, lounge/bar area, and covered bus stops. I just stayed at CBR with my 10 year old and he had the quiet pool to himself 90% of the time. He enjoyed the massive play area and water slides. I liked a quiet lunch at the outdoor pool lounge and the ability to walk over to Rivera, plus the Joffery's stand right near my room/skyliner.

 

[VicarJT]

I agree that your child will enjoy either choice. You and your spouse would probably prefer POFQ - it's just gorgeous. It's small enough that every room is close to transportation and food, and in all of our years going there, we only dealt with a shared bus a handful of times.

Also, the pool at FQ is perfect for littles of that age. It's big enough that it's an adventure, there is a cool pool slide, and it's small enough that it's much easier to keep an eye on them. If you can swing it, I would spend more for a relaxing stay, particularly since this is your first trip. We are going at roughly the same time; fingers crossed for a discount that will make the choice even easier.

 

[disneyseniors]

Long time reader, first time poster. Hoping to get some help on deciding which resort I should book for my family of 3 ( wife and 6 year old) for a 8 night stay in January.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about POFQ, but I’m not sure if the difference in price (~$970) is worth upgrading from a preferred room at All Star Movies (where we’re currently booked). Also considered staying at Pop, but we’ll be there during the Skyliner scheduled maintenance in January so it didn’t really make sense in my opinion.

We have 6 day park tickets so we’re planning on being at the parks for the most part, but are planning on have some afternoon breaks and 1 or 1.5 rest days during our trip. This will be also be our first trip to Disney world (for all 3 of us), so I’m looking to make it the best as possible and get the most out of it.

Any advice is appreciated!

Hi OP: I think with a 6 y/o that ALL Star Movies would be a magical place to be. There are so many big disney Icons and fun looking places.

My husband and I are in our 70's with mobility issues, so we go to POFQ. We actually love the laid back atmosphere at POR which is our favorite resort. There arent many small kids icons or things at POR.

POFQ has a mardi gras feel with Alligators, bright colors and decor. Alot of older people with mobility issues go to FQ. It's because of the smaller footprint and only one bus stop. But waits could still be longer due to ECV;s,
I guess we are not fans of the mardi gras look, and wish we could be back at POR. There is a short walk along the river between both resorts.

I guess I would stick with where you now, because it is definitely a great place for kids. Good Luck

 

[acarsme123]

Just keep in mind that the All-Star hotels are where all the school groups usually stay, if there's any big events going on. I would opt for French Q or Riverside

Long time reader, first time poster. Hoping to get some help on deciding which resort I should book for my family of 3 ( wife and 6 year old) for a 8 night stay in January.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about POFQ, but I’m not sure if the difference in price (~$970) is worth upgrading from a preferred room at All Star Movies (where we’re currently booked). Also considered staying at Pop, but we’ll be there during the Skyliner scheduled maintenance in January so it didn’t really make sense in my opinion.

We have 6 day park tickets so we’re planning on being at the parks for the most part, but are planning on have some afternoon breaks and 1 or 1.5 rest days during our trip. This will be also be our first trip to Disney world (for all 3 of us), so I’m looking to make it the best as possible and get the most out of it.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[memakwed]

With a 6 yr old I think the theming at all star movies will ring out more to a true Disney experience. Will she get big easy architecture and theming? She’ll definitely understand character statues like Donald and Daisy and Dalmatians maybe not mighty ducks.

We can’t get the room we want for our trip so we choose all star movies because it’s theming is in your face Disney.

if I could get the room I truly want I’d spend the money to upgrade.
The upgrade will give you a little more in room space, better experience with transportation from my personal experience and the boat to Disney springs.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I really recommend looking at recent YouTube videos with full walk-thrus for both resorts. We've stayed at both and have fond memories of both. It really just depends on your personal preferences. The buses can be problematic no matter where you stay, so don't make a decision based on that alone. POFQ does have some Disney Film theming now, as the food court has Princess and the Frog theming, though still with a Mardi Gras vibe.