POFQ or CSR after Thanksgiving?

[rrkman]

We are trying to decide between POFQ and CSR....but I have a few questions.

I've read that the bus transportation is much better at CSR - any comments. Are the buses sometimes full or is it easy to get on (at either place)? We stayed at POLY last year and we always had to wait for a bus and it usually showed up very full. Also, if you stay at POFQ, and you want to get back to the resort, is taking the bus to DTD and then the boat to POFQ an option? (this was one of the great things about POLY - if the bus stop to the resort was packed, we could always take the bus to TTC and just walk over to POLY - always nice to have options)

As far as Chistmas decorations, I've seen pictures of CSR and it looks nicely decorated....what about POFQ? One of the main reasons that we are going during this time is to see WDW decorated for Christmas so if the CSR is really that nice and POFQ is not really decorated at all, we would probably lean towards CSR.

Also, how bad is the walking at CSR? POFQ seems pretty small so walking shouldn't be too much of a problem...but, CSR is big. I read that there are shuttles around CSR....is this true and are they easy to find?


Thanks.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR has terrific transportation and it is not shared with other resorts. Since CSR is a convention resort, yes, it does help keep the buses less crowded. CSR does have an internal shuttle that is provided with golf carts but I wouldn't base your stay on that. The walking isn't as bad as some make it out to be. Check out this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1473303

Two entirely different resort in theme and size. CSR also has a fitness center, salon, spa and full menu room service, a great pool, awesome food choices, a sit down restaurant and 3 quiet pools.

 

[dman11]

We stayed at POFQ the week of Thanksgiving 05. We never had problems with the buses. The bus is shared with POR but FQ is picked up first so you ALWAYS get an empty bus in the morning. We never had to wait for more than 1 bus any night except Thanksgiving night at EPCOT at the very end of the night. But all resort lines were long at that time of the night even Deluxe resorts. We've stayed at CBR also and the buses at the end of the night were pretty much the same. Sometimes you'd be lucky to get a seat, sometimes you wouldn't. I actually found it quite interesting the number of people that would just sit in their seats while watching you hold a sleeping 2 year old while trying to stay upright while the bus was moving. But that's for another thread!

The xmas decorations at POFQ were not overdone but you definitely knew it was the holidays. We really enjoyed the resort and would go back there in a second but our littlest one counts now and we're over the room limit for POFQ. The guarantee of being first on the bus every morning is reason enough to pick POFQ. Add in the great food court, entertainment and grounds and there's no way you can go wrong with choosing POFQ.

I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you decide but my vote would be for POFQ.

 

[rrkman]

Thanks Buzz...I had already looked at your website, and between that and the info on here, I've seen and heard a lot of great things about CSR. I just can't seem to get much insider info on POFQ. If this contiues, we'll have to go with CSR by default.

Thanks again.

 

[rrkman]

Thanks for the POFQ info....sounds like it would also be an good choice.

We have also experienced the "I'm not giving up my seat to anyone, no matter what" people. When we went last May, DW was about half way through her pregnancy (so I could understand if someone didn't realize she was pregnant)...a few times we had to stand, her holding a 2 year old and me holding the bag and stroller. I certainly didn't expect someone to move for me but I just thought that it would have been nice for someone to let a woman holding a sleeping child sit down. Enough about that though, I don't want to turn this into a manners thread....because I cant do anything about that and I need to make a decision between POFQ and CSR.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We have stayed at POFQ many times and never had any kind of trouble with the buses. Yes you do share your bus with POR but POFQ is always the first pickup and first dropoff. Alot of times at night when the parks are letting out they have seperate buses for both resorts. We love the boats at POFQ that take you to Downtown Disney, it is a very relaxing boat ride. POFQ is also the smallest of the moderate resorts so it is really easy to get around. CSR is huge with many bus stops.

 

[Lilolvr]

I have stayed at both and would choose CSR in a heartbeat. CSR only has 4 stops but it does not share transportation with another resort. And as buzz mentioned, being a convention resort helps keep the resort buses less crowded. Even though POFQ is dropped off first, POFQ/POR has issues with huge crowds in queues waiting to return to the resort. Sometimes you have to wait 5 or 6 buses deep. POFQ is small but it doesn't have any amenities, or a sit down restaurant or anything extra other than being small.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1476438

 

[Carol D]

I just returned from my first stay at CSR last week and it was great!! The resort is so beautiful, it like being whisked away to some tropical location. We did have any issues with the transportation or size of the resort. I would highly recommend it.

 

[dman11]

I have stayed at both and would choose CSR in a heartbeat. CSR only has 4 stops but it does not share transportation with another resort. And as buzz mentioned, being a convention resort helps keep the resort buses less crowded. Even though POFQ is dropped off first, POFQ/POR has issues with huge crowds in queues waiting to return to the resort. Sometimes you have to wait 5 or 6 buses deep. POFQ is small but it doesn't have any amenities, or a sit down restaurant or anything extra other than being small.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1476438

While we were there Thanksgiving week and the following weekend which are some of the busiest days of he year. The only time we experienced anything close to this was at the end of the night in EPCOT and we only had to wait for the 3rd bus. However, the lines for every other resort were exactly the same. This is just outright bad information.

 

[rrkman]

So....here are the major pros/cons that I have found for each. Please let me know if there are others.

POFQ

Pros-

Small so less walking
Boat to DTD
usually first on/off for buses

Cons-
shares buses with POR
less eating options (no big deal because we usually plan ahead as to where we will be and make ADRs accordingly)

CSR

Pros-
convention resort so more amenities and eating options
buses can be less busy during conventions
better christmas decorations
more centrally located to get to parks
sounds like a better pool complex/options.

Cons-

Large...more walking
all the convetion folks in suits takes away the vacation feel for some

The major concerns that we have are about transportation and walking...so CSR is large but probably a little better busing....and POFQ is small with not so great busing and the boat to DTD. Sounds like a toss up to me.

 

[gk90]

Just wondering, can guests from other resorts go to POFQ or POR and take the boat to DTD?

 

[CTDis4]

So....here are the major pros/cons that I have found for each. Please let me know if there are others.

POFQ

Pros-

Small so less walking
Boat to DTD
usually first on/off for buses

Cons-
shares buses with POR
less eating options (no big deal because we usually plan ahead as to where we will be and make ADRs accordingly)

CSR

Pros-
convention resort so more amenities and eating options
buses can be less busy during conventions
better christmas decorations
more centrally located to get to parks
sounds like a better pool complex/options.

Cons-

Large...more walking
all the convetion folks in suits takes away the vacation feel for some

The major concerns that we have are about transportation and walking...so CSR is large but probably a little better busing....and POFQ is small with not so great busing and the boat to DTD. Sounds like a toss up to me.

I have stayed at both the CSR and POFQ. POFQ is very nice, but I am a huge fan of CSR. As far as CSR being large and there being a lot of walking....Walking around the resort grounds is one of my favorite things to do, but when I stayed there in October of 2006 a knee problem curtailed my ability to walk very much. I took full advantage of the inside resort shuttle carts. As far as convention people taking away the vacation feel...I have stayed at CSR 4 times. Each time there were conventions going on and I was never bothered or felt like I was on less of a vacation. CSR is one of the most relaxing resorts I'v stayed at. Where ever you stay have a great trip!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Yes gk90 anyone staying at a Disney resort can take the boats to DD. We really love to go to DD for dinner and shopping. The boat ride is a great way to get there. It takes about 15 min. to get there. There are also boats from the OKW resort that go to DD.

 

[deejohn]

We are staying at POFQ for this trip, but have stayed at CSR in the past. Going at Christmas time is an excellent idea, it has become our new "favorite time".

We have 4 kids so walking distance is a big issue as well as crowds. We liked CSR, but found it to be very very big. Walking to breakfast was a big chore. The bus service was very good and the pool was a huge hit with the kids.

If you are travelling with adults only, I would really recommend CSR. The Christmas decorations are very nice and the resort is quite. It is almost like a delux, but at mod prices.

I would not recommend it if you have a lot of small kids...too big, food court was confusing, theme is not really kids friendly (not a big appreciation for Southwest, but my wife and I liked it).

I'll let you know how POFQ is after Dec!!!

 

[rrkman]

We are staying at POFQ for this trip, but have stayed at CSR in the past. Going at Christmas time is an excellent idea, it has become our new "favorite time".

We have 4 kids so walking distance is a big issue as well as crowds. We liked CSR, but found it to be very very big. Walking to breakfast was a big chore. The bus service was very good and the pool was a huge hit with the kids.

If you are travelling with adults only, I would really recommend CSR. The Christmas decorations are very nice and the resort is quite. It is almost like a delux, but at mod prices.

I would not recommend it if you have a lot of small kids...too big, food court was confusing, theme is not really kids friendly (not a big appreciation for Southwest, but my wife and I liked it).

I'll let you know how POFQ is after Dec!!!

That is kind of the problem that we have....we are going with my mother (65) as well as our kids (3 and 1). Strollers and carrying will take care of the kids but if my mother gets tired, we're out of luck. Plus, this trip is mostly a gift to her so we are trying to avoid any extra walking....there will be enough of that at the parks.

 

[angel66]

We just returned from POFQ a week ago, it was our first on-site stay, and we LOVED it!! I picked it based on things I read on the Disboards and the Unofficial Guide. I was worried about the busses but it was important for us that the resort be small. I loved the beautiful courtyards and the pool. We didn't check out the jazz musician but I've heard he is good. Oh, and it was great having the boat to DTD. We saw the treehouse villas that now house college workers - I think! It's a very relaxing and scenic ride. The food court is excellent, especially the French market beignets with the powdered sugar. The busses came frequently and sometimes we went to POR and sometimes we just went straight to the parks. Either way it didn't take long to get to the park. We stayed for Wishes one night and we had a bus for just POFQ. After Illuminations we had to wait for another bus, but 5 or 6 busses: NO WAY! I agree with dman11 that for someone to post informations like that is wrong. Even if it happened one time it's crazy to warn people that it is what you should expect. Posts like that had me afraid but I'm glad I didn't let it keep me from trying POFQ. We are going back in Dec. also and even though I would love to try out another resort I want to go back to FQ! Thanks to everyone who had positive things to say about this wonderful resort!

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Just got back from our first stay at POFQ May 29-June3. We LOVED it here! We have two children (DSalmost2 and DD5) and it was awesome to have a resort that was quick to get to the bus, the pool, the food, the arcade, and the boat. Loved the lush vegetation, friendly staff, clean rooms. We are thinking of taking our next trip in January and contemplated staying at Contemporary or Poly, but we liked POFQ so much we will stay there again.
Have fun wherever you choose!

 

[Steven41782]

Just back from our first stay at CSR (May 30 for 5 nights). I liked it okay, but my wife and I both decided we liked the French Quarters better. You will not be displeased with either. I think it's just a personal thing.

The only thing I really can complain about at CSR is the 10% service charge they add to your meal. I don't mind it when I'm being waited on, but even if you get ice cream or get a meal to go you are still charged the 10%. I thought that was a little silly.


~Steven

 

[KimK2006]

We just go back from CSR last week. It was a nice resort, but our whole family all agreed we liked POFQ much better. We didn't like that CSR is so spreadout. We were on the far side of the resort and had to drive to the food court. Not what I prefer to do on vacation. I agreed with an above poster that said men walking around in business suits took away from the vacation feeling. They did have an awesome pool & water slide. Our room was very new and nicely decorated. We still prefer the theming and size of POFQ better. You will have a good time, no matter which you pick!

 

[angel66]

I have stayed at both and would choose CSR in a heartbeat. CSR only has 4 stops but it does not share transportation with another resort. And as buzz mentioned, being a convention resort helps keep the resort buses less crowded. Even though POFQ is dropped off first, POFQ/POR has issues with huge crowds in queues waiting to return to the resort. Sometimes you have to wait 5 or 6 buses deep. POFQ is small but it doesn't have any amenities, or a sit down restaurant or anything extra other than being small.



I have to disagree with your review of POFQ. I have already commented on the bus issue, but to say that it doesn't have any amenities or extras other than being small is certainly not true! Being a sister resort with POR, it actually has twice the amenities. You get 2 themed pools, 2 hottubs, bike/surrey/boat rentals, carriage rides, the boat to DTD, and live entertainment at ScatCats and RiverRoost lounges. Boatwrights is a short walk away and has excellent food. The only amenities I can think of that it doesn't have is a salon and spa. We vacation every year at some very nice resorts and I have yet to get my hair done or work out while I'm there. I'm too busy to use up park time having my hair or nails done and I get my exercise walking miles in the parks!