Opinions on POFQ please

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'm still torturing myself over where to stay next. I thought I was settled on the YC. Then I thought 2 connecting rooms at a moderate would give us 4 beds, 2 bathrooms, extra space, etc. We've stayed at POR before (pre-kids) and I've always wanted to try POFQ. I have researched CBR & CSR as well - although they look nice I keep coming back to POFQ. Not getting connecting rooms would be a worry for me but theres no way around that unless we just go Deluxe (approx. the same price as 2 moderates but not as much room).

I have researched the cabins and the suites at ASMu and I like the looks of them but DH is not feeling it w/the cabins or any values. So I would be up for any opinions on POFQ or any moderate. CSR doesn't share their buses so thats another possiblity, I guess. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Oh - we're a family of 5 - probably should mention that. All kids over the age of 3 by the time we go.

 

[mandidel]

You sound just like me! I stewed over where to stay for months, and we just booked our June 2008 trip at the POFQ. Here is "specifically" why (albeit we were just choosing between the moderates):

1. The busses that service both PO resorts come to the POFQ first, and are often full by the time they reach POR.

2. Boat service to Downtown Disney (the kids will love this!)

3. We wanted a quiet place to stay after madness at the parks.

4. The rooms looked a little nicer than at the other two moderates.

5. Everything is more compact, the food court, shopping, and bus stops are all very close.

Hope this helps!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

You sound just like me! I stewed over where to stay for months, and we just booked our June 2008 trip at the POFQ. Here is "specifically" why (albeit we were just choosing between the moderates):

1. The busses that service both PO resorts come to the POFQ first, and are often full by the time they reach POR.

2. Boat service to Downtown Disney (the kids will love this!)

3. We wanted a quiet place to stay after madness at the parks.

4. The rooms looked a little nicer than at the other two moderates.

5. Everything is more compact, the food court, shopping, and bus stops are all very close.

Hope this helps!

It does help very much. I think the moderates would suit us just fine - we don't really use all the amenities that come w/the deluxe. I kind of feel like we have to go that route due to being a family of five. We did visit POFQ when DH and I stayed at POR (then Dixie Landings) when we were there in 1998. I wanted to stay there the next time we went. But 9 years and 3 kids later we decided on the Poly for the monorail access and we loved it. But - we really could stay at the moderates & be perfectly happy. I just wish they would guarantee connecting rooms - I would certainly pay the extra if Disney would add that category of room level. But thats another thread - lol.

 

[mandidel]

I think the nicest thing about the deluxe category is the transportation, but considering the price difference...we can handle a few buses. I have to get my family to become as big of disney nuts as I am before my husband will be willing to shell out the big bucks

When I was a CM I stayed at Carribean Beach for the 25th Anniversary press event, and I wasn't too impressed. I have never been to the PO resorts, but I feel great about my decision...I read hundreds of reviews on trip advisor and other travel sites.

 

[dixipixi]

On our last WDW trip, we chose 2 rooms at POFQ over 1 at a deluxe.

Our reasons:
1. Our 17 y/o was bringing a friend and I did not want to have to share a bathroom with 4 guys!!!
2. 4 beds. This way the boys each had their own bed and DH and I were together.
3. 2 fridges. With teen boys, this is important.
4. We did find the buses to be a bit of a problem. We never had any problems at the resort, but we often faced truly horrendous lines from the parks back to the resort. It seemed like the PO lines were always the longest. This was not a huge deal to us since our boys were all older teens and perfectly capable of standing on a bus, but it did seem to be a problem for families with young children...especially if they were lugging strollers around.

As for the connecting rooms...we were guaranteed connecting since none of the kids were over 18. Overall, I feel like the 2 rooms at POFQ was the best decision we made on that trip. We were all together when we wanted to be and had privacy when we needed it as well.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

On our last WDW trip, we chose 2 rooms at POFQ over 1 at a deluxe.

Our reasons:
1. Our 17 y/o was bringing a friend and I did not want to have to share a bathroom with 4 guys!!!
2. 4 beds. This way the boys each had their own bed and DH and I were together.
3. 2 fridges. With teen boys, this is important.
4. We did find the buses to be a bit of a problem. We never had any problems at the resort, but we often faced truly horrendous lines from the parks back to the resort. It seemed like the PO lines were always the longest. This was not a huge deal to us since our boys were all older teens and perfectly capable of standing on a bus, but it did seem to be a problem for families with young children...especially if they were lugging strollers around.

As for the connecting rooms...we were guaranteed connecting since none of the kids were over 18. Overall, I feel like the 2 rooms at POFQ was the best decision we made on that trip. We were all together when we wanted to be and had privacy when we needed it as well.

Those are some great reasons to have 2 rooms. I like the idea of having more space then the deluxe as well. Did you request any particular building when you booked or was your only request connecting rooms? We would like to be close to the pool but I don't want to limit our chances of getting connecting rooms.

Thats the only drawback of the PO resorts that I've read is the buses. When we stayed years ago at Dixie Landings (POR now) we had no issues but I guess since now they've combined w/POFQ its made the bus service more complex.

 

[longneckthree]

We just got back from 8 nights at POFQ. Our first time at Disney. Everything was great. My 8 yo daughter even commented that she hoped they wouldn't turn off the invisibility machine until after we left (we hardly saw any people except at the food court). The rooms are very quiet. The boat ride is awesome. And being able to use everything at Riverside is neat.
We didn't find the buses a problem.
I would stay there again in a minute.
have fun whatever you decide.
Maggie

 

[Hootch]

at POFQ last summer and really enjoyed it. The resort is small so pretty much anything within the resort is a short walk. It's pretty quiet. The buses are crowded but have been everywhere we have stayed. In the summer after 3:00 PM the MK bus (and maybe the others) are split off from POR. As noted by others, the boat to DTD is significantly better transportation than you'll get anywhere else on property. I prefer it to driving because parking is a pain at DTD.

I can definitely see the benefit of a deluxe if you are focusing on one or two parks. For example we stayed at a monorail resort on our visit with a three year old, but we spent most of the time at MK with a visit to Epcot. I can see the value of YC or BC is you are focused on the food and wine festival. Other than that a moderate (and preferably POFQ) is fine with me.

 

[Disney Spaz]

Can I just say they do not guarentee connectiong rooms however they have always gotten them for us anyway. Please two extra beds and an extra bathroom may turn out to be ther greatest thing ever.

 

[brucec32]

I'm still torturing myself over where to stay next. I thought I was settled on the YC. Then I thought 2 connecting rooms at a moderate would give us 4 beds, 2 bathrooms, extra space, etc. We've stayed at POR before (pre-kids) and I've always wanted to try POFQ. I have researched CBR & CSR as well - although they look nice I keep coming back to POFQ. Not getting connecting rooms would be a worry for me but theres no way around that unless we just go Deluxe (approx. the same price as 2 moderates but not as much room).

I have researched the cabins and the suites at ASMu and I like the looks of them but DH is not feeling it w/the cabins or any values. So I would be up for any opinions on POFQ or any moderate. CSR doesn't share their buses so thats another possiblity, I guess. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Oh - we're a family of 5 - probably should mention that. All kids over the age of 3 by the time we go.

1. Relax, it's supposed to be a vacation. There is no wrong answer : )
2. POFQ was a little of a step down in several ways from POR which we stayed at twice before. I've read similar reports here. Do a search and see what folks say.
3. Food at CSR is better, though the way it's served is annoying to me, with the multiple stations, but the food courts are all that way I think. Can't they just take an order at one place and cook it up and walk it up to the right spot?
4. They will not guarantee connecting rooms. We asked for that this trip and got adjoining but not connecting rooms even though the resort was maybe half full. They seemed kind of bored when I asked about that but I didn't push the issue.
5. There is a higher chance of noise problems at the values. You may do ine or you may have a nightmare. There were people making some noise at PORFQ last weekend too, though. Not bad, though.
6. Except to the MK, I prefer to drive to the parks for speed and convenience when leaving. The downside is you need to really watch the signs as you leave, as few roads are well marked and they weave around and can be disorienting if you aren't used to them. parking is free for resort guests and you can shave some stressfull time spent on and cramming on buses off the day.

I've stayed at several deluxe and all the moderates. I prefer space and privacy, but we stayed this trip with a 3 y/o in the room on an air mattress with no problems. Just understand that expectations of staff at the Deluxe resorts are higher (in my opinion) so you may have fewer screwups there. On the other hand, without discounts most are in my opinion really overpriced.

If you have young kids then the MK is a likely destination for more than one day. If you have it, I would spring for a monorail resort, as the bus rides can sap some of the fun out of it. Long waits, rude riders, or just having to ride for 30 min over several stops with someone's crotch in your face are often not a problem but then often are.

I've found that with little kids it's harder to enjoy the scenery of a resort, so convenience, bed quality, size, and privacy matter more than theming. Going as a couple the asthetics matter more. Just my opinion.

btw, unlike some I am not a Disneyphile but am more rational about it vs other vacation choices. Others may have a more disney-centric view of where to stay.

Our best stays have been at POR (twice, because of scenery, landscaping, and value) and the Swan.(for value, comfort, and convenience to epcot and the studios) Contemporary is great if you go to MK and is an easy walk back to the room if monorail is crowded.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for all the replies. We have stayed at the Poly and loved it so perhaps we'll just stay there as we know what we're getting. Although I love the pics I see of the YC so another option there. If we do go for the 2 rooms at a moderate it'll probably be POFQ or POR. We still have a ways to go and by the looks of things today it maybe even longer. Thanks again for all the replies.

 

[Buzz2001]

4. We did find the buses to be a bit of a problem. We never had any problems at the resort, but we often faced truly horrendous lines from the parks back to the resort. It seemed like the PO lines were always the longest. This was not a huge deal to us since our boys were all older teens and perfectly capable of standing on a bus, but it did seem to be a problem for families with young children...especially if they were lugging strollers around.

That's seems to be the issue with the PO resorts.

 

[kaysmommie]

We are also big fans of Polynesian. But when we drove around Disney and saw CSR my DS thought it was the Poly . DD knew better but I guess the grounds look nice and tropical like Poly to DS. I thought it looked gorgeous and the idea of no bus sharing appeals to me. Also the pool looks great. I do like the looks of POFQ too but I prefer tropical theme's the most. You have some time still to decide. But IMO I would go with Yacht club or Poly unless you don't mind the buses.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We are also big fans of Polynesian. But when we drove around Disney and saw CSR my DS thought it was the Poly . DD knew better but I guess the grounds look nice and tropical like Poly to DS. I thought it looked gorgeous and the idea of no bus sharing appeals to me. Also the pool looks great. I do like the looks of POFQ too but I prefer tropical theme's the most. You have some time still to decide. But IMO I would go with Yacht club or Poly unless you don't mind the buses.

Hi kaysmommie,
I'm flip flopping. I keep telling myself its a ways away and just read all the trip reports that people post and then make my selection when the time comes. I envy those that can make a decision on a resort & stick w/it. Thanks for the info on CSR - I do like a tropical feel as well. I'll keep CSR as a possiblitiy - they do have Jr. suites & I wouldn't have to worry about not getting connecting rooms. We actually had this booked before I switched to the Poly for our October trip. The thing that got me was the Poly was only $5-$10 more per night then the jr suite so of course I had to go w/the Poly.

Happy Holidays!

 

[digskat]

loved POFQ.

Food court doesn't seem as busy as others
Loved the theming/decorations
Very quiet, serene resort
Boat to DTD was great, neat to see the stilt houses by the river
layout is spectacular, never far from anything
roomy at pool

only downfall was the buses, but we take our own vehicle, and only bused 2x

 

[skipperkim]

I've stayed at POFQ twice and love it. The hot tub is secluded and the beignets are great. The boat ride to DTD is another plus as is having its own bus stop at MK in the evening. I don't miss the TS at the resort, I already have too many great places to eat at I don't need anymore. Scat Cats is great fun too. I promise you'll love POFQ.

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed there a couple times and liked it. I always rent a car so the busses were not an issue. Depending on when you go, rental cars are cheap in FL. I got a car Dec 1 to 7 for $99 incl taxes (National Emerald Aisle), definitely worth it.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for the replies. POFQ sounds like a great place to stay. We have stayed at POR (prekids) and really liked the boat ride to DTD. We did that a couple of times actually. I don't think we'd be disappointed w/whichever we choose because we'd be at disney. Thanks again.

 

[Hootch]

We stayed for six nights this summer and had one problem with buses. It was an afternoon return to the resort from MK on a day that MK had morning EMH. Getting to MK was always easy but crowded. At night we would linger a little after Wishes before leaving. That seemed to work because we only waited for the bus to arrive.