POFQ vs CSR Post-Reopening?

[fabfemmeboy]

Here's my dilemma:

We have planned a long, lazy trip spanning much of November so we can hit both sets of food festivals. We currently have bookings at both CSR and POFQ and are trying to decide which one to keep.

We went last December and stayed at CSR for the first time, and loved it except for the food, which was really lacking. The only option for us when we got back from the park was the grab-and-go at Rix Cafe, and...let's just say there are only so many nights in a row that adults can eat chicken strips and hotdogs. I know there's a little more available now, but the menu at El Mercado is still very scaled-back from what it was.

My concern is that both POs may have a small menu upon reopening, all grab-and-go, and we'll run into the same issue we had at CSR.

On the other hand, when we went last year we didn't have any bus issues at CSR but they were only using Casitas and the Tower. Being at Casitas, we were golden. Now that they're using all sections, I'm concerned about the bus situation as I use a wheelchair and therefore can't just hop on if the bus is already SRO by the time it gets to my stop. POFQ only has one stop, which is a big selling point for me. Plus the boats over to DS...but if and only if those are running, which no one seems to have confirmation of.

Ordinarily, I would wait to see what things look like as we get closer before choosing which reservation to cancel. However, POFQ reopens less than a month before our trip begins, so I would need to pay the rest of the reservation - wherever it may be - before people have started staying at POFQ again.

WWYD? Is the bus situation at CSR really that bad? Are they being great with room requests such that we can just be in Casitas again and not worry? Anyone know what PO menus might look like when they reopen? Is there more food at CSR than meets the eye at this point? Am I just overthinking everything?

 

[kylenne]

Having stayed at both resorts (albeit in the tower) I would pick CSR over POFQ any day and not think twice about it but I know that’s an unpopular opinion around here. Granted I stayed in the tower so it’s not a fair comparison but CSR is just a better resort to me by every metric unless you value the more compact size of POFQ. I had some of the best bus transportation on property at CSR. The problem is that “one” bus stop at POFQ doesn’t mean anything if they’re sharing with POR, which happened way too often for my taste to the point I gave up and took Lyfts. I found the buses far less annoying at CSR in general. I will say regardless of where you stay they are still using the charter buses so keep that in mind as a chair user. The DS boats are great when they’re running. When not, like weather, you’re hosed.

Food…again no comparison, multiple lounges and TS and late night eats are available unlike POFQ where you’re basically screwed by the time you get back from parks. Three Bridges is open until midnight and they do mobile to go orders, I got one on my arrival night over July 4th weekend after ran to Epcot for fireworks and it was excellent.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Food…again no comparison, multiple lounges and TS and late night eats are available unlike POFQ where you’re basically screwed by the time you get back from parks. Three Bridges is open until midnight and they do mobile to go orders, I got one on my arrival night over July 4th weekend after ran to Epcot for fireworks and it was excellent.

Unfortunately Three Bridges didn't have much we could eat (as we're both Kosher-adjacent and most of their things involved meat+cheese or pork or seafood), though we did grab a handful of appetizers once or twice. The issue at the moment is that most of the 'extra' places to eat at CSR haven't been open...or they are but without food, just booze which isn't what we need. But what you said makes sense. I think it's probable that POFQ won't have as many food options open either way.

 

[kylenne]

Unfortunately Three Bridges didn't have much we could eat (as we're both Kosher-adjacent and most of their things involved meat+cheese or pork or seafood), though we did grab a handful of appetizers once or twice. The issue at the moment is that most of the 'extra' places to eat at CSR haven't been open...or they are but without food, just booze which isn't what we need. But what you said makes sense. I think it's probable that POFQ won't have as many food options open either way.

Yeah CSR is gonna be rough if you’re remotely keeping Kosher…there are far more things open now than when you last went, though.

When I stayed at POFQ I was literally searching for stuff to eat when I got back, because I close down parks a lot. Even if you make it back before the food court closes, only 1 station is open past 10, with mediocre QS burgers. People always tout DS as a selling point which sounds great on paper but the practical reality of it is frankly the last thing I want to do after an exhausting night at parks is schlep to DS for food.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Yeah CSR is gonna be rough if you’re remotely keeping Kosher…there are far more things open now than when you last went, though.

When I stayed at POFQ I was literally searching for stuff to eat when I got back, because I close down parks a lot. Even if you make it back before the food court closes, only 1 station is open past 10, with mediocre QS burgers. People always tout DS as a selling point which sounds great on paper but the practical reality of it is frankly the last thing I want to do after an exhausting night at parks is schlep to DS for food.

Yeah, DS for food options would be great for non-park days, which we will have...but not at 10-something at night when we've had a full day at the parks!