New poster! POFQ or "good neighbor" hotel?

[cambra]

Cindy'sMom...I know..isn't it crazy?? I can probably get it at $130/nite if the FL resident's rate opens up...if not..then I can get a "room only" rate at about $135/nite.

This time of year is expensive too! I can't find the rate that Minnie told me about for AKL...if anyone else can help me!! I can only find a rate for about $260/nite and up!

My hubby says NO WAY!!!! Considering that we live about 45 minutes away from Disney..no way can I spend $1000 for 3 nites!!!! CRAZY!!!!

I keep checking Mousesavers. But still can't find the AKL for less than $260.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Just checked again and came up with the same rate. $188.43/night incl. tax. Go to WDW site, click on FL residents, click on first offer, enter dates, select AKL, after it pulls up offer scroll down to the bottom and change the offering to standard view as opposed to deluxe or whatever comes up, hit update and that's the rate I'm getting. I really hope you can get this rate as we just stayed there for my DD7 birthday and it was awesome. Loved this resort. And don't worry about not getting a savannah view, the upgrade frequently, and even if you don't get one the hotel is incredible and filled awesome viewing posts. But POFQ will be just as magical. so don't sweat it.

 

[Kimmielee]

I have a 5 year old that LOVES POFQ!! The Serpent slide... the boat to DTD...

We walked POR while staying at POFQ and I have to say the compact size of FQ won me over by far! I'd hate to be so far away from everything in a bigger Mod resort.

We stayed in the furthest room, third floor and still made it anywhere we needed to go within 10 minutes tops! Gotta love that!!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

cambra... I know it's a lot of money... but it's worth it!! I am willing to pay that much for POFQ. The boat ride to DTD is worth every dime... and the fun Doubloon Lagoon.. it's worth every dime... The Beignets.. it's worth it.. The room decor... the ambience of the resort... very charming... very lovely... it is worth it! Great bus service.. great CMs.. and great Mouskeepers.

 

[indigoxtreme]

We just stayed at POFQ too. We had a vehicle as well and never used it. The buses were great and we never had to park or walk the parking lots. The boat goes to DTD and to PORiverside as well and since they are sister resort you are free to use the amenities at both. So you can use the pools etc at POR, the fishing hole etc. Your children will love the POFQ pools playgound etc. The themeing is also great.

 

[cambra]

Minnie..I was finally able to locate the FL Residents rates...thank you so much!

I think we are definitely going to keep our reservation at FQ. It was my first choice...and although we could stay at AKL for about the same price...FQ is more appealing to me for this particular trip.

We have been to Animal Kingdom many times as well as Busch Gardens..and we live less than a mile from a zoo here in Florida that we go to all the time and feed giraffes etc...so that "theme" isn't very exciting for us...but the resort does look INCREDIBLE! And the rates are good.

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and opinions! I am just gonna keep calling to get that FL resident rate that I deserve!!!!!!!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Cambra: Check the WDW site again for the FL resident rate for POFQ for your dates. I just checked for someone else and got a considerably lower rate that your paying.

 

[cambra]

Minnie! You know...I checked about 20 minutes ago and NOTHING..then I just read your post and checked again...and VOILA!!! It shows the rate!

The only problem is...I have to pick my son up from Preschool...like NOW! And I can't sit on the phone! Plus, it is for a Standard room...I have a water view...any difference in your opinion? I know you haven't stayed there..but in general..is there a difference!

Thanks again....you ROCK!!!

 

[Kimmielee]

The only difference from water view to Standard is the view of the river that the boat sails on to go to and from POR and DTD.

In my humble opinion.... we had a waterview but kept the curtains drawn most of the time that we were in the room, so why pay for it?
Our favorite building is Building #5, close to the pool, food court, etc... but there really isn't a bad location on the property!

Last time there we were in Building #7, top floor, corner room, water view ... the absolute farthest that you can get from everything and myself with a 5 year old...we did fine and made it most everywhere within 10 minutes!!

Enjoy!

 

[cambra]

The only difference from water view to Standard is the view of the river that the boat sails on to go to and from POR and DTD.

In my humble opinion.... we had a waterview but kept the curtains drawn most of the time that we were in the room, so why pay for it?
Our favorite building is Building #5, close to the pool, food court, etc... but there really isn't a bad location on the property!

Last time there we were in Building #7, top floor, corner room, water view ... the absolute farthest that you can get from everything and myself with a 5 year old...we did fine and made it most everywhere within 10 minutes!!

Enjoy!

Hi Kimmielee...thanks for the info...and you are right...considering that it is "outdoor corridors"...I suppose the view doesn't really matter too much anyway!

I can save about $170 by going with a standard view!

Thanks

 

[cambra]

Oh..and one more thing...where can I find an online map of the FQ resort...many posters name building numbers and I would love to see the layout...thanks again for any help!!!

 

[crazy4wdw]

Cambra: I just returned from POFQ yesterday. It is really a great resort. We were in building 4, which was next to French Quarter Square (where the food court, shop, and check-in is located). The location was great for trips to the food court to refill mugs. Our room overlooked a nice garden area; I would not splurge on a water view room. As others have mentioned, the rooms do have private balconies. The rooms at POFQ have recently been renovated and are nice. Transporation was very good; I don't think we waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. As POFQ is the first stop on the bus schedule, there were always seats available. Often by the time the bus stopped at the POR bus stops, the seats were gone and people had to stand. The only negative experience I had at POFQ was the food court. There are not many choices and the offerings for dinner were not very good. One night I had chicken parmesan and it was not very good. I heard other people complaining about the pizza. If you have any specific questions, let me know.

Link for POFQ/POR Map

 

[cambra]

crazy4wdw...thanks so much for the info! When I tried to get that FL rate..it was gone (again!!!). I guess I will have to keep trying!

And thanks for the link to the maps..I will have to check it out!

Will they (Disney, etc...) do anything special for my son's birthday if I tell them in advance?? And who do I tell?? I am going to start a thread asking but I am not sure where to post it...so I am starting here..hope someone reads!

 

[crazy4wdw]

I believe that Disney will do something special for your son's birthday. Have CRO make a notation of his brithday on your reservation. Also, you can remind the CM at POFQ at check-in. Hope you have fun!

 

[MinnieSummer]

CAMBRA: Every time you enter a park during your stay go to Guest Relations and pick up a Birthday Badge (they're free) for your son to wear. They get special recognition all through the park. Cast members have been known to break into rousing renditions of Happy Birthday when they spot a birthdya badge in a line. Also, if you make dining reservations ask for a cake to be brought to the table. Everyone will sing then as well. If it's a character meal they will sometimes come over too. If you arrange it in advance, you can ahve balloons in the room when you get there.

Keep trying for that rate. They show up frequently.

Don't splurge for the water view. Unless you are planning to sit in your room and look out the window it really isn't worth the extra money.

 

[YetanotherMouseFan]

I second the motion for NOT staying Water View at POFQ.
No balconies, so you really can't enjoy it. Plus, Disney tends to think of anything wet as Water View: this could be the pool, the river, a big puddle...many of the water views aren't directly water front anyway. Having stayed there 3 different occasions, I would choose buildings 2 or 5, for their central location to the pool, food court, bus transportation, boat to DTD, and the fact that neither of them have any possibility of a Parking Lot view!...6 doesn't either, but the other two are a teensy bit closer.
Keep trying on the rate, and call reservations-they often have a different pool of rooms than what is available online. Good luck and have a magical trip!

PS - (Birthday - I'm well over the age of consent, but Mickey sent me a signed card & photo and some balloons for my birthday 2 weeks ago. I was as tickled as a 6-year-old! LOL! So, yes, they will do something special if a birthday is mentioned on the reso)

 

[cambra]

Thank you all so much for all this great info!!!!!!!

I will definitely pick up the badge for him...thanks MINNIE!!

I can't get that rate, still!!! DARN!!! I couldn't call this a.m. when Minnie told me about it because I had 15 minutes to pick up my little one from preschool..and you know how long it takes to call the CSreps at Disney...I usually have to wait so long!

So, when I came home and checked online..of course the rate was not available...figures...it happened to me last week....I called, got the rate..but didn't book it...then I called back..and it was gone!!

Thanks for the info on building numbers...the link that was posted earlier does not work....anyone else have a link of an online map?

 

[crazy4wdw]

Cambra: I link for the POFQ/POR map is fixed. If it still will not work for you, try this one: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/pomap1.jpg

 

[MinnieSummer]

Cambra: You do of course realize how much fun it is to help someone else plan their WDW trip? I'm living vicariously through you right now as my trip in December is pretty much set. The excitement -- will she get the rate or not, will she stay at POFQ or not, where will they eat, will her DD have great birthday, what would make it better. I'm having a blast.

 

[cambra]

Cambra: You do of course realize how much fun it is to help someone else plan their WDW trip? I'm living vicariously through you right now as my trip in December is pretty much set. The excitement -- will she get the rate or not, will she stay at POFQ or not, where will they eat, will her DD have great birthday, what would make it better. I'm having a blast.

Minnie...you are a blast! Thanks so much for all your help! By the way...it's my son who is having a birthday...actually we have two little boys...I guess I didn't mention that..sorry!! But the advice on what to do for him is priceless...thank you...I would have never thought to do that!! Our other son will be 5 a week after our visit...maybe we should do the same for him?? But we will actually only be at Disney on our older son's b-day...oh well..I'll figure it out!

I am having tremendous computer problems....ugh!!

My pages are loading so slowly and the WDW site keeps "timing out" on me...so I guess I will have to call to keep trying for that rate!

I keep looking at AKL, too! Oh, what to do! It looks like a neat place....but I really like the idea of the boatride for the kids at FQ to DTD.