POFQ Questions...

[Mom2Rae]

I'm stuck between booking POFQ or CSR.

CSR appeals to me because of the pool/play area for my 6 year old dd and her friend...but, I dislike the size of the resort and the distance of the resort in proximity to every park except for AK.

Now, I've always wanted to stay at POFQ. Did POR in '02 and disliked it. Again...very large in size and the rooms in Alligator Bayou had seen their better days. Although, the Mansions look nice.

So...If I request a Waterview at FQ will I increase my chances of being rather close the the restaurants or is the resort so small that bldg. location doesn't really matter? Bldg. 7 looks kinda out there compaired to bldg. 5 for example. I wouldn't mind a standard room if it overlooked the courtyards. I just don't want a parking lot view!

I'm usually a Delux snob but I really want to try the mod's again...the double beds will be hard to live with (we have a king at home) but I think I can cope!!

Thank you for your help!

 

[Pooh67_68]

POFQ resort is small, building number really doesn't matter.

I know you said that POR was too large, but did want to let you know that the rooms have been renovated.

 

[momof2inPA]

OP- You sound just like me. I stayed in AB at POR a few years ago and despised it, so I was reluctant to try POFQ, but CSR was booked last month for AP rates, so I decided to try POFQ. It has a very nice atmosphere, and is not at all the same as AB (yuk!). The rooms are cuter, the bus service is better, and the lobby area and staff were nicer. I was looking at what rooms to book if I decided to go back, and I think I would ask for "river" view in building 5, an end room with two windows. The third or fourth floor would be best. I think you would like it. Building five is pretty close to the lobby/restaurant area. So, waterview would give you about a 2 building walk. It's not that far. Building 5, poolview would be a bit closer, but less scenic, IMO.

As for CSR, it is also a very nice resort, especially if you request lake view. The food is better at CSR, much better, so if you are on the dining plan, you might want to take that into consideration. Even though you think the location of CSR to other parks might be a problem, the bus service at CSR is so much better, that if you are using the busses, that shouldn't be a consideration. CSR is a very large, spread-out resort, though, and their internal shuttle that runs around the resort is supposed to operate constantly, but it really doesn't. I found that you could call for it if you wanted a ride from the pool to the main building or go to the valet desk and request a ride from the main building, but the CM's didn't really like it when we did this (for some reason).

As for waterview, I would be very specific about what you want, so you don't get fountain view or pool view instead of lake or riverview.

 

[fitzperry]

Even though you think the location of CSR to other parks might be a problem, the bus service at CSR is so much better, that if you are using the busses, that shouldn't be a consideration.

Can you explain what is better about the bus service at CSR? We stayed at POFQ last fall and didn't have any major complaints about the bus service. We did have to wait quite awhile for a bus back to the resort in the evenings, but I would imagine that's the case with any of the resorts. What's different about CSR and POFQ? TIA.

 

[Buzz2001]

You've choosen between 2 resorts that are totally opposite. POFQ is a small resort with shared services; restaurants, buses. CSR is a large resort that does not share services with other resorts and even offers some deluxe amenities because it is a convention resort.

CSR offers a salon, a spa, a gym that even other moderates do not offer. CSR offers an internal shuttle system provided by golf carts to assist in getting to and from the main building to the villages. Again, it is not a perfect system but it is something not offered at other resorts.

CSR has terrific transportation. It is not share with any other resort (like POR / POFQ) and it only has 4 bus stops within the resort (vs 8 at CBR).

And being a convention resort, the buses seem less crowded because guests are busy with their conventions.

CSR has the best pool of the mods and probably the second best on WDW property. Best mod pool. It offers a great slide (123 ft long), an arcade, a sand volleyball court, a playground and kiddie pool at the main pool area.

Photo by Ducky4Disney

It will come down to your tastes. Good luck deciding!

 

[Buzz2001]

More CSR pics

 

[momof2inPA]

Can you explain what is better about the bus service at CSR? We stayed at POFQ last fall and didn't have any major complaints about the bus service. We did have to wait quite awhile for a bus back to the resort in the evenings, but I would imagine that's the case with any of the resorts. What's different about CSR and POFQ? TIA.

The CSR busses are just empty. I don't know why-- if the convention people don't take the bus, if the busses don't get full because they only go to CSR, if they have more busses in the system. CSR is actually in a central location to all the parks except MK, so maybe that makes for a quick turn around. At night, there is not a wait for the CSR bus. I've always noticed this on my trips, but especially enjoyed it on the trip when we stayed at CSR. It's common knowledge on these boards that the CSR busses are empty, but I'm not sure exactly why that is.

 

[Buzz2001]

Can you explain what is better about the bus service at CSR? We stayed at POFQ last fall and didn't have any major complaints about the bus service. We did have to wait quite awhile for a bus back to the resort in the evenings, but I would imagine that's the case with any of the resorts. What's different about CSR and POFQ? TIA.

CSR buses only make 4 intenal stops and they are out the exit quickly. And since CSR is centrally located to all the parks, it is a short ride to MGM, EPCOT and AK as well as Blizzard Beach. MK is just a bit further as is DtD. There is just no comparison.

 

[dolphin01]

Can you explain what is better about the bus service at CSR? We stayed at POFQ last fall and didn't have any major complaints about the bus service. We did have to wait quite awhile for a bus back to the resort in the evenings, but I would imagine that's the case with any of the resorts. What's different about CSR and POFQ? TIA.

First, CSR doesn't share and only has 4 internal stops compared with 8 at CBR. CSR only has 1921 rooms compared with 1000 at POFQ and 2048 at POR. That's a lot of rooms and guests sharing buses.

From allearsnet.com "Buses that service the French Quarter, also serve all 4 bus stops of the Riverside, which causes some crowding, and unpleasantness during the busy seasons. The boat also services both the French Quarter, and the Riverside, but not as many people use the boats. So if you are going to either Downtown Disney, or Pleasure Island and have some time on your hands, use the boat service.

 

[dawgfan]

I have never stayed at CSR but have been to POR and POFQ. I chose POFQ for my last stay due to the size of the resort and the pool as well as bus service. The bus service is fine even though POR and POFQ share the busses. This was never a problem. The boat ride to DTD is a great first night event. The rooms are nice. The buildings are close to the center of the resort no matter where you are. You would probably be more happy with a preferred room facing the pool if you are used to a deluxe and want truly close proximity to the main building. When I researched my choice, CSR seemed too big for my likes. The convention feel was mentioned as a detraction from the Disney ambiance. It was noted as the resort where you may likely hear "adult themed language at pool side". How true this is I cannot say. I made my choice based on a great deal of reading and I was not unhappy with POFQ. In fact we will return there for our next trip more than likely.

 

[fitzperry]

The CSR busses are just empty. I don't know why-- if the convention people don't take the bus, if the busses don't get full because they only go to CSR, if they have more busses in the system. CSR is actually in a central location to all the parks except MK, so maybe that makes for a quick turn around. At night, there is not a wait for the CSR bus. I've always noticed this on my trips, but especially enjoyed it on the trip when we stayed at CSR. It's common knowledge on these boards that the CSR busses are empty, but I'm not sure exactly why that is.

Would you still recommend CSR over POFQ to a family with small kids that spends the vast majority of its time in the MK?

 

[2tinkersmom]

I was trying to make the same decision between CSR and POFQ for our most recent trip two weeks ago. I had actually pretty much decided CSR but they were full already when we got to booking so POFQ was my second choice.

While I would definitely still like to try CSR we LOVED POFQ!!!!! We had a ground floor room in building 7 almost to the far end of the building too, but it was still so close to everything. My 7 year old hates walking most of the time but she didn't complain once. I mean we are talking maybe a two minute walk and you are at the pool and food court and bus stop. A river view in building 2 or 5 would definitely be the ideal spot but I'm not sure you can go wrong with any other location either.

Our room was so quiet and we had rooms occupied all around us. I think I heard a door close once the whole week! It is just a quiet place or it was during our stay. I have to say I thought the beds there were very comfortable too and I usually have trouble sleeping well in hotel beds. Our housekeeping was superb during our stay too. We had so many towel animals made and one day she arranged all my girls stuffed mickeys and minnies that we were collecting across the headboards of the beds - it was so cute.

The buses were never more than maybe a 5 minute wait to anywhere. We took the boat to Downtown several times and loved that, maybe a 10-15 minute ride but its so pretty. It was great to be at FQ because for some parks we then went on to Riverside to pick up at their four bus stops and the bus was sometimes standing room only by that point. We always had seats. I felt like we were pretty central to all the parks too, nothing felt like it was a long bus ride.

We liked the food court for our family. We have very picky eaters and it was nice to have all the options to choose from. We had breakfast there twice and dinner twice. We got several refillable mugs and had gotten our money's worth on those by the second day - and we don't even drink coffee!

The pool was very nice, though temps were cool while we were there so we only used it twice. We stayed at Yacht Club last year and while they loved the Stormalong Bay pool and slide, they thought this one was just as entertaining.

I guess all in all I'm saying I would highly recommend POFQ. We had a great stay and would go back again.

 

[momof2inPA]

Would you still recommend CSR over POFQ to a family with small kids that spends the vast majority of its time in the MK?

I think if the kids are very young, like 6 or younger, POFQ would be a better choice because it's smaller, and there's less walking-- unless you are on the dining plan. There are just so many more dining options at CSR than POFQ, and the dining area is much more pleasant. If you go to CSR with the little ones, make sure you take your own strollers, so when you need to get from one end of the resort to the other, they don't have to walk or wait for the shuttle every time. I think the pools and playground areas between the two resorts are comparable. Another detail, if you are going when it is very hot, POFQ has much more shade. There are truly positives to both resorts, and I enjoyed my stays at both with my boys, ages 5 and 8.

 

[momof2inPA]

I was trying to make the same decision between CSR and POFQ for our most recent trip two weeks ago. I had actually pretty much decided CSR but they were full already when we got to booking so POFQ was my second choice.

Were you there when we were there? We had our terrible towel hanging in the window.

 

[DisneyFan09]

I'm so glad I found this thread as I have been trying to decide between these two resorts. I never thought I liked the southwest theme but am pleasantly surprised after looking at Buzz's pictures. I also worry about the size of CSR but I'm counting on internal shuttles to help with that. I like the small size of POFQ but not so much the theme but thought like the idea that we could also hang out at POR and use the pool there if we wanted. We are planning a trip in late Sept./early October and my dd's will be 10 and 11 and love to swim. Do you think they would like CSR better than POFQ/POR?