POFQ of CSR????

[Buzzfan]

Help me out here...should we book at POFQ or CSR for our Dec. 4-10 trip??? We stayed at POFQ for our 1st disney trip last year and LOVED it (even though we were stuck in our room during the hurricane) but I don't know whether to book here again or try CSR. Which one would you choose and why???

 

[Cookie Princess]

I am currently trying to decide between POR (which we love) or CSR. What has me nervous about CSR is the food court and the size of the place. DS loves the look of that huge pool slide at CSR.

 

[Buzz2001]

POFQ is small and CSR is larger. 2 totally different themes. I prefer CSR over all the other mods.

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

 

[Buzz2001]

I am currently trying to decide between POR (which we love) or CSR. What has me nervous about CSR is the food court and the size of the place. DS loves the look of that huge pool slide at CSR.

The Pepper Market is not an ordinary food court.

The Pepper Market​

This is not your typical food court. Rather, there are several hot and cold food stations with individual chefs and servers. You can get breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert items at The Pepper Market. The following food stations can be found in The Pepper Market: Mexican Kitchen, Wok Kitchen, Soup, Salads, & Sandwiches, Grill Station, Pizza Kitchen, Pasta Kitchen, Children's Kitchen, Beverage Station, and Bakery Counter.

Upon entering the Pepper Market you will be given one meal card/receipt per person. You must keep these cards. DO NOT LOSE your meal card. Once your host seats you they will ask if you need anything to drink and tell you where the beverage station, etc..is. The Pepper Market hosts are NOT waiters. They are there to seat people and make sure their table has cutlery, napkins, etc... They will get drinks if you desire.

What makes this food court/restaurant different is that you go around to the various stations and select food as desired. Once you make a choice the chef at each counter will stamp your card and serve give you your chosen food. Many of the items at the stations are cooked to order. There is flexibility in combining items. This is a great place for someone who only wants a light meal and the rest of their family wants a heavy one. For example: you can grab a side of Spanish rice from the Mexican station and order a steak from the grill station. The combinations are nearly endless. I love the variety and being able to pick and choose at leisure. If I feel like I want another roll in the middle of my meal all I have to do is get up and head to the bakery station with my meal card.

The best thing is you do not pay until you see the cashier after your meal. While you have the card you can get up and retrieve food as often as you want without having to pay first. This is great since other food courts require you to carry money to each cashier every time you want something else. This is a wonderful option for someone that truly wants a casual meal. Alcohol is also available.

Once you have finished dining, collect your menu cards and take them to the cashier. The cashier calculates the total due. There is a ten percent gratuity automatically added to all orders. To me this is well worth the variety, service and flexible meal options. If you are only going in for take out the ten percent will be waived. Just tell the cashier you are only there for take out. Don't forget to tell the cooks you are there for take out so they package your food properly. You can then take the food back to your room or eat at one of the tables outdoors. In the Pepper Market you also receive real cutlery and cloth napkins (Paper ones are available as well) I found the food at the Pepper Market to be of higher quality than your average food court. Portions tend to be larger as well. If you only want to get your mugs refilled ask the host of a refillable mug pass and go to the beverage station. Upon exiting hand the cashier the pass on the way out.

Some people balk at paying a 10% gratuity. Personally the service and options are well worth a ten percent tip. I like that I can talk to the person preparing my food. If I don't want onions on my sandwich I can tell the cook directly instead of having to relay it through a cashier and then hope the chef got the message. No other Disney food court has as much variety. For someone like myself, who gets tired of typical burgers and sandwiches this food court was a blessing. I also found the portions to be larger than that of a typical Disney food court. This is also the only food court where one doesn't have to clean up after themselves. You simply leave your dishes and tray on your table when you exit and a clerk will clear the table. I found this restaurant to be one of the more relaxing ones at Disney. It was a nice change of pace from the endless lines at Theme Park restaurants

 

[Leota]

I love CSR. I picked POFQ for this trip just so I can add another WDW resort to my list of "Been Theres".

Don't be nervous of the Pepper Market tho. It is the best Food Court I have ever been to. We make special trips over there for lunch as my 16 yo son really loves it. As well as the PM being so nice, we loved the Dig Site & the Transportation.

I'm hoping I love POFQ as much as I loved CSR or I'll be really bummed that I tried it instead of a tried & true favorite. Much like your concerns about CSR, I suppose I guess we're both leaping into the unknown!

 

[Buzzfan]

Thanks Leota and Buzz2001, the food court sounds great. What is your favourite building to stay in? Do you prefer 1st floor or being up higher? I need to get this booked today.

 

[Buzz2001]

Thanks Leota and Buzz2001, the food court sounds great. What is your favourite building to stay in? Do you prefer 1st floor or being up higher? I need to get this booked today.

Depends what you are looking for, I just love to be there. It doesn't matter which floor but some guests prefer not to have other guest rooms on top of them.

Cabana 9b is close to bus stop 1 and the main building with a short walk to the Dig Site over the wooden bridge. Most preferred location.

Cabana 8a is close to the Dig Site and bus stop 4 with a short walk to the main building. Some rooms within steps of the Dig Site.

Cabana 8b and 9a are inbetween the 2 above. cabana 9a has a quiet pool. cabana 9a also has smoking optional rooms so make sure you are clear as to what you will accept.

Cabana rooms are mostly waterview rooms or non parking lot views.

Rancho 7b has a quiet pool, is close to the Dig Site and bus stop 4 with a bit longer walk to the main building. 7b is behind cabana 8a. rancho 6b is also fairly close to the main pool area.

Casita 4 is close to the gym, spa and has quiet pool. The casitas have great fountains and courtyards. casita 5 is close to the Dig Site with a good walk to the main building. The lower the casita number the closer towards the main building.

Casitas 1 and 3 are the closest to the convention center and one has a covered walkway leading right to it.

 

[WDWBetsy]

I'm hoping I love POFQ as much as I loved CSR or I'll be really bummed that I tried it instead of a tried & true favorite. Much like your concerns about CSR, I suppose I guess we're both leaping into the unknown!

I can't wait to see what you think about POFQ. Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[Leota]

We were on the second floor of Cabanas 8a, I beleive. I never remember room numbers & such. It was a perfect location, with everything convienent & a view of Lago Dorado every time we opened the door. The quiet pool & laundry were right there as well. I would have been happy anywhere in the resort tho. I think if I ever stay there again, I might request Casitas as I love the little fountains & courtyards & such. My brother was in Ranchos for his Honeymoon, which he said were perfect as they were a little quieter & more removed feeling.

Enjoy your trip to CSR!

Betsy I will do a report on my POFQ stay for sure. I'm really excited about it. DH & I honeymooned in NOLA.

 

[Buzz2001]

We were on the second floor of Cabanas 8a, I beleive. I never remember room numbers & such. It was a perfect location, with everything convienent & a view of Lago Dorado every time we opened the door. The quiet pool & laundry were right there as well. I would have been happy anywhere in the resort tho. I think if I ever stay there again, I might request Casitas as I love the little fountains & courtyards & such. My brother was in Ranchos for his Honeymoon, which he said were perfect as they were a little quieter & more removed feeling.

Enjoy your trip to CSR!

Betsy I will do a report on my POFQ stay for sure. I'm really excited about it. DH & I honeymooned in NOLA.

I have some of the views on my website. Pictures under cabana section. That is still my favorite building. We were steps from the main pool.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

CSR is our favorite!! Beautiful resort, great theme, best pool and bus system, and the food court is really good!!
Casitas is our favorite section!