POFQ or POR

[buzz1fan]

I am thinking of changing to the POFQ or POR. I have read so many reviews that the rooms are out of date. I just want a clean room. Is it true the buses are quicker at POFQ that POR? Does anyone know how far to the MK is from there on a bus. We are staying at the AKL now, but this would be cheaper. Our reason on AKL was the zero entry pool.

 

[Crisgw]

We were staying at the WL but I switched to POFQ and saved over $1000 (more spending money!!). I asked some friends who had just been and they loved it.

 

[buzz1fan]

Why are you picking FQ over Riverside. I am not sure of the differences. I have only stayed at the POP.

 

[micandminforever]

FQ is smaller everything is just a short walk away. FQ has only one bus stop and the bus picks up their before going to Riverside, so it is easier to find a seat. Also returning to room the first drop off is at PQ so it is quicker getting back to the room.

POFQ does not have a Table Service restaurant it shares with the one located at Riverside. POFQ does have a great food court.

 

[mamazaz]

We're staying at POFQ in September. We've only stayed at OKW and Boardwalk in the past, so this will be new for us. I decided on POFQ because of the size of the resort. I don't like walking for over a mile or having to hop internal busses to get to the pool and store. The POFQ sounded perfect for us in that respect. I've heard mixed reviews on the rooms. The people who love the place - truly love it. The bad reviews were people who tried it once and just were overall not happy with anything. Most of the complaints I've read were saying the rooms looked like old motel rooms. I don't mind that as long as it's clean. I've heard bad reviews about OKW also, and we've never had the issues that were complained about. Maybe I'm just not that picky, but my dh is and he certainly would not have gone back to OKW if there were issues. So I think that everyone has different experiences everywhere. There are a TON of people who swear that the POLY is THE BEST place in all of WDW to stay. I've read reviews of people complaining that the hallways smell moldy and of mildew - the rooms are dark, etc... So I think to each his/her own and I'm sure there's been many people at EVERY resort that have had problems. How could they not with thousands of rooms and thousands of people - it's bound to happen. I'm not going to let dirt issues ruin our trip - I'll just get mousekeeping to fix it!!

 

[kimgof]

We are staying at POR. First off, we are 5 people, so you can only stay at POR with that many. We love it there anyway. It is a bit of a walk to the lobby but our room was right next to a bus stop so that was no big deal. You can request to be anywhere on the resort. The pool at POR is the best. The kids really loved it. There is also a boat that takes you to DTD , its kind of a fun way to go. Im sure no matter which one you pick you would love it. We just really enjoyed POR.

 

[maciemouse]

We just got back from POR. We had a great stay. Even though it was Spring break the resort looked great. It was very peaceful. We never had any problems in the food court. It was clean every time we ate. We stayed at POFQ last year during this time. I like POR better. That is just my opinion. I like the southern feel better than the New Orleans feel. I like the food court better too. I think the main area is alot more appealing with the mill and pool area than POFQ. Again just my opinion. We did have issues with an out dated room at POFQ. It was musky and needed a good cleaning. Even the bedspreads had holes. The food court was slow and a wreck at POFQ. Maybe it was an off week for them. We had a great room at AB in POR. Loved it!!! We would stay here again in a heart beat!!!

 

[timandlesley]

We stayed at POFQ for the first time last year (TR link in my signature w/ pics) after staying at POP and WL, we were SPOILED by WL and thought stepping down to a moderate would be disappointing. that being said we LOVED POFQ. I did a lot of research on the moderates when deciding. What clinched it for me was the size of POFQ, boat to DTD and the buses. With POFQ you are always first on and first off the buses. We would ALWAYS have a seat and then head to POR and watch them shuffle on and always stand and sometimes have to wait for another bus because ours was full, we always talked about how that must have stunk for the POR people. We LOVED the pool at POFQ. The theming was awesome, what a beautiful resort. The food in the food court was great. We loved our room and how close the resort was together, you didn't have to walk far from your room to get to the pool, boat dock, food court or bus stops. Hands down I think it's the best moderate on property.
Lesley

 

[SuzieN]

We've stayed at both and like them both but we LOVED POFQ! It is such a charming resort! We thought the rooms were very pretty - not at all like old motel rooms. We loved the smaller size - it was definitely nice after a long day walking around the parks to not have another long walk to get to our room!

 

[Karmel96]

I have stayed at POR a few times. We always enjoy it and haven't had to make any complaints. We like the food court and the pool area, and it's always fun to bike around the complex.
As for the buses, the closest one for us was the first stop, outside the front entrance. There wasn't ANYONE on it from POFQ; in fact it was always empty, and except for once, it didn't make any other stops- we left straight for the parks (BTW, MK was about a 10 minute ride). Now, coming back TO the hotels the buses always stopped at POFQ first, then POR, but it wasn't a big deal.
Have a wonderful trip, no matter where you end up!

 

[relspeak]

I am amazed at the negative reports on POFQ. We have stayed there 5 times and POR 3 times. Never an outdated room. Always first classs cleanliness. We haved stayed at the Beach Club and had that outdated feeling, with it being somewhat musty, one of the three times there staying there. Had someone elses room service dishes left in the hall at Boardwalk for much too long a time, longer than 24 hours. Maybe we have just been extremely lucky at the French Quarter. Biggest complaint is that the hot tub is too busy with small children late at night. POFQ is our favorite.

 

[Crisgw]

I hope it's as wonderful as so many of you have said (POFQ)

 

[gr8tdame]

bump

 

[Laura's Dad]

We have stayed at both on several occasions. Since they redid the rooms with the yellow beadspreads and refrigerators, PO-FQ is our favorite. The theming and the pool, alnong with the compactness and the fact that the buses go to the FQ first always makes our decision easy.

 

[Crisgw]

Since they redid the rooms with the yellow beadspreads and refrigerators, PO-FQ is our favorite.

When did they redo the rooms?

 

[monica31671]

POFQ in January 2006
POR, Magnolia Bend in May 2007.

Both have nice, clean rooms and beautiful landscaping. I think the refurbishments were in 2004. I'd have to get a book to make sure.

POR is my favorite because of the pool and the foodcourt. There is more walking to the food court and pool area, but there are also quiet pools here.
Smaller children will like POFQ pool better and POFQ bus riders are first on and first off the bus.

You really can't go wrong with either.

 

[allicat1214]

I'm heading to POR in 10 days with a large group of students and parents with my DD13's middle school band for Magic Music Days. I don't know which section they're going to put us in. Which bus stop is best for getting to the parks quicker in the morning??? I know that POFQ is picked up and dropped off first. Should we just walk over there? We'll be there on a Sat & Sun.

Many thanks!

 

[monica31671]

I would not recommend walking to POFQ to catch a bus! In the mornings, more buses are on hand. Some go straight to POR for pick-up during rush times.
The only strategy I can suggest is catching the bus at the main stop near the food court. That won't get you to the parks quicker, but you'll have a better shot at getting a seat.
I wouldn't even do that if I had much of a walk. Even if you have to stand, it's not that bad of a ride. I'd rather stand for 10 minutes than walk 5 blocks to be able to sit for 10 minutes.

 

[cchevela1023]

My family (myself, wife, sons age 4 and 2) stayed at POFQ last September. We really enjoyed the resort. As other posters have said, the resort is small, the pool was great, and we really enjoyed our room. Ours was very clean, not at all like a motel room, and very pleasent. The room seemed updated to us. There were a couple of nicks and scratches, but considering how many people the hotels service, it was in really good shape. I would compare it too a SpringHill Suites or Residence Inn class of hotel (without the extra bedroom of course!). We thought the theming was very good. You could tell it was there, but it was toned down. It was also very quiet. We did not use bus transportation or the onsite dining, so I can't comment.

We are staying at POR this fall. We just like to try different resorts each time we go, and we enjoyed PO last year. So, we decided to try the "other side" this time. From what I've read, and pictures I've seen, POR seems to be another pleasant resort with really pretty theming. Although bigger, I'm expecting the atomsphere to be similar to POFQ.

In all, I think either way you go, you won't be dissapointed.

 

[skipperkim]

I'm a POFQ girl. I love how compact the resort is, the beignets in the food court, the boat ride to DTD, the secluded hot tub, Elliot Dyson at Scat Cats, and it has its own bus stop at MK in the evening. I don't miss the fact it doesn't have a TS. I have so many favorites now its hard to put them all in.