POFQ - or - CBR

[jenanderson]

I have got to quit reading things on the boards! They have helped me so much but I am back to questioning my choice for our hotel. We started out at the AS Music and then changed to POFQ. I am now wondering if I should change to the CBR!

I will be traveling with DH, DD (6), and DS (2). We like the looks of the POFQ pool and how small the resort seems to be. It would be nice to be close to the themed pool. My DS will be taking naps and being close to the theme pool will keep DD entertained during this time. However, as we continue to research things, we have found things about CBR that we like as well. It seems that there rooms are a little bigger and we like the beach theme of the resort as a whole. I am concerned about the size of the resort and being close enough to the themed pool.

I would love to hear any opinions on the two resorts. If your suggestion is the CBR, what building would you recommend we request?

Thanks for the information. We leave in 3 weeks and I just want this to be a special trip. This will be our first time staying on grounds and we are all so excited!

 

[Selket]

We stayed at the POFQ when my son was 2.5 (my only stay so far on the WDW property) and we enjoyed it a great deal. The pool was a BIG hit even though he was afraid to get in the big pool where the slide is. He really liked watching kids go down the slide and the whole pool area is nicely themed. The resort is small so it is a very quick walk to the food court or gift shop or pool or laundry, etc. There is also a boat going to downtown disney which is a bonus. We found the bus service decent as well (except to Downtown Disney!). I've never stayed at CBR but I don't think I'd like how spread out it is. Someone commented in a travel book (I think) something to the effect that in the daytime it looked like retirement condos on S. Florida and it does! LOL! The rooms at POFQ are not huge by any means - I won't pretend they are. But they'r adequate.

Any good deals out for AKL when you're going to be there? We're going back later this year and that place looks great for kids - zero entry pool and all the animals (bigger beds and rooms too by a bit).

Enjoy!
Carol

 

[Terk-1]

I absolutely LOVE this resort and you will too!! The fact that it is smaller and less spread out than the other moderates is a big plus. The pool is big (with a waterslide) and there is also a kiddie pool next to it. I would recommend building #5 for its proximity to everything. It is next to the pool (but the other side faces the garden), main building, foodcourt and bus stop. I really think you'll be very happy staying there.

 

[welovedis]

I'm the opposite of Selket in that I have never stayed at POFQ but have stayed at CBR. We stayed there in Sept of 2000 for our first trip ever to WDW. We liked the resort and booked at the ASMo for our second trip in Sept of 2001. This May I'm surprising my DH with a quick weekend trip and we'll be staying at POFQ.

CBR was nice and the theming is very nice and relaxing. The beach area was nice but DS was not a bif fan of the beach back then ( he was 3 3/4 yo). The pool was fine, and the room was a decent size. We did go before the refurb so I am not sure what exactly has changed. The rooms are only 25 sq ft larger so picture a 5 X 5 foot area and that is the difference-not much IMO.

POFQ appealed to me because of the smaller size of the resort, the proximity to the transportation and the boat to DtD. I want to check out the resort to see how the pool looks in person before I book a trip with DS along. I think the pool would be a big factor and that your DD might like that one better than the one at CBR. The whole pool area and the slide look like a lot of fun. Plus, the pics I have seen of the pool area make it look alot larger than the CBR pool area (but again I could be wrong since the refurb took place). I don't remember there being alot of seating at tables/chairs there.

Don't get me wrong, I liked CBR and would stay there again if the price was right. If you haven't seen the pics on the WDWIG site, there are lots of both resorts:
http://www.wdwig.com/gallery.htm

Just scroll down and check out the photos from the left side menu.
HTH!

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at both and I prefer CBR over POFQ. I like the theme and colorful buildings and the openess of the lake. I don't mind a bit more of a walk. It has a more casual feeling too. The rooms are all just remodeled and appear to be nice. I like the food court better. Well I did. I haven't been to the new one.
The stay at POFQ was fine. I just don't care for the executiong of its theme and found it a bit bland. The pool area is very fun and upbeat and it was nice to be at the coffee station so quickly in the morning!
You really won't go wrong with either one and if the wlak to the main pool is a concern you might want to stay with POFQ. There is always the possibility that you arrive at CBR and it is busy and you are assigned a room a long way off.

 

[MKFan-PR]

I've been to both, and I like CBR better. HOWEVER, since you would like to be close to the pool, you'll be better at POFQ, since it's smaller and you'll be within walking distance to everything. Buildings 2 and 5 are the most centric and close to both the Pool and the Food Court.

In CBR, Martinique (non-smoking) and Trinidad North (smoking) are the closest buildings to the Food Court.

You'll have fun either way!

 

[jwwi]

I have stayed at POFQ once, CBR 3 times. My last visit to CBR 4/02 for 4 nights. I really liked the remodeled rooms and love the bright colors and theming of this resort. I don't know why but that extra space in the CBR seems to make a huge difference. Privacy curtain has also been added to CBR room, between beds and sink/bathroom area. This can be nice in the morning or evening when trying to get young children to sleep. There is more storage room at CBR also. I have stayed in Trinidad north once, it is nice to be close to the theme pool. But I love the Jamaica section, two trips to this area. I like the colors, and view of main area across lake. I think bldng 45 is close to bridge, and bus stop too. Only big plus to POFQ is boat to DD. You can always visit the resort to do this if you have a non park day.

 

[kdibattista]

Another vote for French Quarter -

We have stayed at both and we really did not care for CBR. It was just too big, the rooms were too "loud" and transportation was not the best. We found just the opposite at French Quarter... that's why it's our favorite moderate

 

[sherrycurl]

I agree with those who voted for POFQ. It is beautiful and quiet. It is compact not small. If you get one of the buildings on the edge of the resort you have a short walk to pool, or food court. There is only one bus stop, and it is the first to be picked up and dropped off. I loved the pool area. I went with a group ranging in ages from 5 to ... and all ages loved the pool. There is a hot tub nearby for those that like to relax. The rooms are decorated in good taste, neither loud or bland. They of average size and very comfortable. I would request a corner room if you like extra sunlight. These room feel larger due to the extra windows. Anyway, whickever you chose you will have a great room and pool. Have a great trip.


Sherry