Opinions between CSR or POFQ?

[Lil Davy]

Last August I booked our next Disney Vacation in June at the Beach Club as we loved our stay there 2 years ago. Fast forward to present and we have sold our home and our building a new one so needless to say I want to cut back on some expenses. Given that the BC reservations are running me $6400, I'd like to scale back to a moderate. As mentioned, we have stayed at the BC 2 years ago, and Poly 3 years ago, so we do like the conveniences of the Deluxe resorts.

All that said, I've narrowed down our resorts to the Coronado and Port Orleans FQ. Queen beds are a must so that eliminates CBR. Pool is important since DD and DS were likely fish in a previous life and love the water. We will have the dining plan so transportation is important too.

Any opinions or advice to help me pull the trigger? TIA

 

[wdwjeffc37]

Coronado Springs has a much better pool than French Quarter IMO. The slide is better than all of the other Mods. POFQ is a smaller resort and has only one bus stop (unless they have to share with POR) which occasionally happens. CSR is a large resort but we like it. The rooms are nice and we always had excellent bus service. The only drawback to CSR is the Pepper Market. We don't like the way it operates. You can't really go wrong with either resort but my vote would be CSR. Have fun!!

 

[nkereina]

I say CSR. We have not stayed at POFQ but have visited it several times as we have stayed at POR twice. We just got back from a 10 day stay at CSR and like it better, however I would suggest booking a preferred room. Preferred rooms are closest to Bus Stop 2 in Casitas which are the first to be picked up and first to be dropped off. We were near Bus Stop 1 which was last to be picked up and last to be dropped off (except for DTD) and we found ourselves making the trek over to Bus Stop 2 to ensure we'd have a seat on the bus. We frequently got off at Bus Stop 2 just so we didn't have to ride all the way around.

The preferred rooms are near a beautiful quiet pool but are a longer walk to the main pool. We loved the CSR main pool and liked it much better than POFQ or POR.

Only thing we didn't care for is Pepper Market. We were on the dining plan and are big breakfast people and PM left a lot to be desired for us - long waits, inconvenient hours, mediocre food. If you plan to eat mostly off site, PM will suffice for those one or two quick meals but that's it. FWIW, the POFQ food court is smaller and more crowded so not much better there IMO.

 

[SGMCO]

We've stayed at both and preferred POFQ, the size is great. It has more of a Disney resort feel. If you do decide to stay here, get a room closer to POR because the Food court at POR is amazing. We walked over there several times to eat. I think the building closest to POR is Building 7, we stayed in Building 3 which is closer to DTD. We loved the boat ride to DTD, very nice. Busses were not a problem. POFQ has a hidden Hot Tub which in not right next to the Main Pool and so very few kids were in it, if any, while we stayed. What's great about staying at either PO Resorts is that you can swim at either Main pools, because they are sister resorts. We did get to spend a day at both main pools. I really enjoyed POR main pool but POFQ pool is very large.
CSR is a Convention Center resort and while we were there several conventions were going on, with business people dressed in suits and they lined the hallway to the Food Court on their breaks. You had to walk through the hall to get to the food court. I didn't care for that. The food court was not the best, you have to go and get your food, a server brings you drink and you have to pay a tip to them, which I didn't think they did much work to deserve a tip. At the PO resorts, you get your own food and refill your drinks yourself (as much as you want) no tip added.

 

[soccer mom]

We've stayed at both and preferred POFQ, the size is great. It has more of a Disney resort feel. If you do decide to stay here, get a room closer to POR because the Food court at POR is amazing. We walked over there several times to eat. I think the building closest to POR is Building 7, we stayed in Building 3 which is closer to DTD. We loved the boat ride to DTD, very nice. Busses were not a problem. POFQ has a hidden Hot Tub which in not right next to the Main Pool and so very few kids were in it, if any, while we stayed. What's great about staying at either PO Resorts is that you can swim at either Main pools, because they are sister resorts. We did get to spend a day at both main pools. I really enjoyed POR main pool but POFQ pool is very large.
CSR is a Convention Center resort and while we were there several conventions were going on, with business people dressed in suits and they lined the hallway to the Food Court on their breaks. You had to walk through the hall to get to the food court. I didn't care for that. The food court was not the best, you have to go and get your food, a server brings you drink and you have to pay a tip to them, which I didn't think they did much work to deserve a tip. At the PO resorts, you get your own food and refill your drinks yourself (as much as you want) no tip added.

 

[scanmom]

I have stayed at POFQ twice and CSR once. I liked them both, but CSR was more like a deluxe resort. The pool is great, and DH and I walked around the whole resort one evening on a pathway that circles it, and that was nice, but a little tiring! However, I was really excited about eating at Pepper Market after reading the menu and reviews online, and it was awful!! Confusing, crowded (at 9:30 pm), and the food wasn't anything to write home about, unless it was to complain! If I go back to CSR, I will skip PM.

 

[KimK2006]

POFQ is our favorite moderate. Love the size. No matter where your room is, you are close to the food court/main building. We stayed at CSR several years ago and did not like it. Our building was SO far away from the food court/main building, we had to drive to it. As a PP mentioned, we weren't fans of the Pepper Market either.

 

[maxiesmom]

If the pool is important that takes POFQ out of the running. They have only one pool and it has a very small slide. More suitable for very little children.

My family must be odd, because we really like the Pepper Market at CSR. Lots to choose from. Plus it is set up just like a food court, except you are seated and your drinks brought to your table for you. No having to try and juggle them yourself, along with your food.

 

[danceteachermom]

I have stayed at both...CSR is much nicer. The pool is great...better than many deluxe. The only thing I liked more at POFQ was the boat to DTD.

 

[HopperFan]

Given that you are coming from Deluxe I would say CSR.

(1) We refer to it as the "deluxe of moderates". It was the last one built so each time they improved the amenities.
(2) It is a convention hotel which is a plus for us because (1) everything is geared up because you want to appeal to business class guest (2) because the convention folks are usually working, the pools and buses are not crowded. We have rarely noticed the convention guests except for lunch in the Pepper Market (rare cause we are off doing stuff) and the Bar in the evenings.
(3) The pool area is great. Large pool, largest hot tub, close to longest pool slide, quick service food right there, lots of lounges tables and seating you don't have to worry about getting.
(4) Some of the best bus service.
(5) Dining Plan? Pepper Market has some of the best QSDP on all of the property. If on the Dining Plan it is a huge value! I will drive there to eat when on the DDP even if staying elsewhere. (Note the structure has changed this fall so most reviews about how it works are not relavent).
(6) It is a beautiful resort, stunning at night - you will have the deluxe feel.

POFQ has minimal amenities and a very childish pool area that my kids (when young) called it "babyish." I think it's a great resort for adults who want small and families with toddlers or younger.

 

[carly chloe]

We actually liked the pepper market. The food was great!!! We didn't care the food at POR- even the build your pasta was bland. Weare going to stay at CSR next time. And CSR is VERY clean.