New poster! POFQ or "good neighbor" hotel?

[cambra]

Hi all! I am sure these questions have been asked 1,000 times!

We live in FL, less than an hour from Disney. We are taking our two boys the first week of November to the parks for their birthdays...they will be 7 and 5. We have always stayed off Disney property, but have decided on POFQ for this special visit.

I was not able to get the FL rate (none available when I booked...but I was able to reserve at rack rate..which is a ton of money for a FL resident, I think...$165 a nite!) But, we really want to stay there.

But, after reading about other hotels I have come across ones such as the Hilton, DoubleTree Guest Suites, and Radisso Resort Parkway. They are extremely less expensive and offer much bigger rooms.

This trip isn't about the room size, we really just want the benefits of staying on Disney property. So, I really just want any advice any of you could offer, who have stayed in these "good neighbor" hotels...are they just as good as the "true" Disney hotels?

Thanks for such great info...I am so happy I found these boards!!

 

[stacy6552]

I would stay with Disney anytime anywhere rather than anyone else. This comes from experience.

That said, I would consider one of the value resorts. The price is better and the theming is loads of fun especially for kids that age.

 

[MinnieSummer]

My issue with the Good Neighbor hotels is that you don't have access to Disney transportation. Yes, they ahve a bus that takes you to and from the resort but it not a frequent run and if you want to run back to the hotel for a break in the afternoon you have to fit it into the hotel's schedule not your own. I also don't like that you have to walk into the parking lot to catch the bus. I stayed at the Hilton and had a real problem with that -- it didn't seem safe to be standing in a parking space with my then DD3. I also missed the bus and had an hour long wait for the next one.

POFQ is a really nice resort but your kids would probably enjoy POR more, or as mentioned previous, try a Value. I highly recomment avoiding the All Stars and staying at POP. My DD7 loves it there. She also loves CSR. After those two it's into the Deluxe category.

 

[cambra]

I looked into the Value resorts and they didn't appeal to me so much. After reading many many reviews about POR, it seemed like too big a resort to stay...many reviewers said it required a lot of walking to food courts and pools, etc. POFQ seemed better for kids to me...smaller and a much cooler pool, with the dragon slide and all.

But if you are saying there isn't much difference between POFQ and the Value resorts, maybe I should consider them more?

The other hotels I mentioned Radisson, etc...were so much less expensive I couldn't believe it! Since I have never stayed on Disney property...I just wondered what the difference was, since these other hotels are within Disney walls as well.

Thanks again for all the good info!!

 

[100AcreWood]

We stayed at the Doubletree near DTD in September. We're planning to stay at POR in December but only because I've heard such amazing stories about Disney around the holidays. After that, we're going to back Doubletree DTD for the next trip. The space was incredible. And I don't like disney transportation personally so I'll have a car anyway.

But I agree, if you use the Disney transportation Disney resorts are the way to go! The only other thing you get staying on site is the Mickey soap and of course the wake up call! Which I will look forward to in December

Your packages are sent to the Doubletree just like Disney resorts so that was the deciding factor for us. I don't like lugging around bags.

 

[LakeAriel]

I looked into the Value resorts and they didn't appeal to me so much. After reading many many reviews about POR, it seemed like too big a resort to stay...many reviewers said it required a lot of walking to food courts and pools, etc. POFQ seemed better for kids to me...smaller and a much cooler pool, with the dragon slide and all.

But if you are saying there isn't much difference between POFQ and the Value resorts, maybe I should consider them more?

The other hotels I mentioned Radisson, etc...were so much less expensive I couldn't believe it! Since I have never stayed on Disney property...I just wondered what the difference was, since these other hotels are within Disney walls as well.

Thanks again for all the good info!!

Please check the Nic suites. They look adorable and you get much more room. I stayed there when it was called the Holiday Inn Suites. If transportation isn't an issue definately look into it! If you need the bus definatetly stay on property. I just got back from POP and though it was my first time in a value I was pleasantly surprised!

 

[cambra]

You know..we probably won't use the Disney transportation either..we will have our own car (since we live near Disney!)...but I really liked the idea of being able to take a boat to DownTown Disney..that sounded really neat..so we really aren't staying on the property to use the other transportation.

We just wanted a "magical" experience for our boys by staying on the property. I just wondered if it was as "magical" staying at places like the DoubleTree (which looked like a nice place). It' s less expensive and has more space in the room...but is it as "magical"??

Most times we stay at the Comfort Suites Maingate East (next to OldTown). It's a great place...but we don't want another hotel like that this time.

Now I don't know what to do! $165/nite is a lot of money for a FL resident!! But, POFQ looks perfect for what we are looking for. The Value Resorts seem as though they are extremely crowded and noisy?? I wouldn't know...but from what I've read.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Okay, here I go again. Please stay on Disney Property. It really is magical. The hotels are all incredibly themed and not as cold as staying in "just another hotel". You can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours in the morning and evenings, you don't have to pay to park if you do drive to a park (but why would you) and it's just so convenient. POP is fun but no, I didn't mean to suggest that it was as good as POR. It's good but in a very different way. POR has a sit down restaurant which is very good, POP does not. POR has a water slide, POP does not. POP has a phenomenal food court, POR is just okay. POR has areas that are very relaxing, quiet pools, and beautiful landscaping, POP does not. POP is not a relaxing kind of place -- it's fun, larger than life. POR can be anything you want it to be. POR vs POFQ -- be careful. The walk from your room at FQ can be very long depending on where your room is and FQ does not have a sit down restaurant.

Any more questions or concerned -- I really want you to have a magical vacation. Oh, try again to get that FL resident rate. I've called on several occasions and nothing was available and then wallah, an opening came up.

 

[100AcreWood]

For some people they can't imagine staying offsite. For me, I can't imagine staying onsite when I can get more room and spend less money offsite.

But I do believe everyone should stay on site at least once to experience Disney 24X7.

 

[cambra]

Minnie..thanks for your replies! I will keep calling for that FL rate! My reservation is at the French Quarters, not Riverside...not to get confused! Because I am, for sure. I have read the that FQ is much smaller and Riverside is HUGE and the walks there are very very long! It was said that the FQ was less walking..now I am so confused!

I guess I will keep reading to decide!! We are DEFINITELY staying on Disney property...I was originally questioning the other hotels on the property, such as the Doubletree...and wondering if they were as magical...still on the property...but not a Disney themed hotel.

Now, I am wondering if we should go with the Value Resorts? Ugh!!! I also found a rate thru allears for the Swan or Dolphin for $177 a nite...only a few more dollars a nite for a Deluxe hotel than what I am paying for FQ.

Any thoughts on that????

 

[MinnieSummer]

Here's my take. If you are willing to pay $177 per night, check the FL resident rate at WDW hotels like WL or AKL. They are probably cheaper than that as it's not high season. If you can't get a good FL resident rate at one of these stick with a moderate. I'm going to get flamed for this but I just don't think of the Dolphin or Swan as having the Disney Magic and I don't think they are as great for kids. MHO. Yes the mods are spread out and may require some walking (so are some of the deluxe resorts) but the walks themselves can be very enjoyable and none of them are more than 10 minutes. POFQ is a beautiful resort and you will enjoy your stay there. I would definitely do POFQ over POP unless money is the issue. I'm not getting that impression so stick with POFQ unless you can get a FL resident at WL or AKL (or any of the deluxe resorts for that matter). Have I confused you enough??? Actually, you can't go wrong staying on property.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Just did a quik search AKL is $188.44 per night tax incl. during the beginning of November. Am I really confusing you now?

 

[cambra]

Minnie! Where did you find that rate for AKL? The best I could find was $260 a nite!!!!

Please don't misunderstand...money is an issue (isn't is always?? LOL) I think $165 is too high for a mod resort for a FL resident..but what can ya do??!!

From my searches...POFQ looks like the place for us...it just appeals to me the most! But, the boys would LOVE AKL!!!!

I would love to know how you found that rate...I am not so good at those kinds of searches! Thanks in advance!!!

PS>> I looked into the Swan and Dolphin and I agree with you...they didn't scream Disney to me AT ALL!!! And that's what we want...so those options are out!!

 

[MinnieSummer]

I checked the FL resident section of the WDW site. Put in dates for beginning of November and that's what I got. You can call them as well, I've always been able to get the same rate on the phone as I get on the internet. I just tell them what it was and they say "oh yes here it is" lol. Hope this helps.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Just realized something. If you are going up on Monday October 31st that could be why you can't get a cheap rate. The hotels are full because of MNSSHP. I didn't think and just put in 11/1 thinking the first week of november. If that's the case, you may want to adjust your arrival to come in on Tuesday and avoid the crowd.

 

[LakeAriel]

Wow! Let us know! No wonder she is called MINNIE!

 

[*Fantasia*]

cambra... stay with POFQ! I think this resort is great for your family! This trip is for them... for their birthdays! So have a wonderful time there... and enjoy the boat ride to DTD!! POFQ is my favorite moderate resort! In my opinion... it's the best moderate resort!! I love POFQ!!

 

[cambra]

Thanks Fantasia! It sounds wonderful!!

And Minnie..to be exact, our vacation dates are Nov 4th-7th. So, I will check into the WaltDisney site under FL Residents....duh...never thought to do that!!

We were originally going on Nov11th-14th...until I couldn't get a room anywhere...and when I finally did...I did more searching and realized that it's Soap Opera weekend...Veteren's Day (which I knew, of course) and a few more things going on over there...

Wayyyyyy too busy of a weekend.

 

[cambra]

OK Minnie...I still can't seem to find that rate! I went to the WDW site and went under FL Residents...but all that comes up are Value Resort options..and I can't see how to type in AKL...and when I do...for Nov 4-7 I get extremely high rates!

I know I could just call..and I will...but this saves me from sitting and waiting on the phone!

Thanks again..all this advice is so welcomed!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I would never pay that much for POFQ. I didn't even pay that much in March. Check the AAA rate, or if you're that high in price already spend the extra money and stay at AKL or WL. Although I never stayed there, we spent alot of time at both of them and they are incredible.