POFQ vs. CSR

[disneysmiths]

We are planning a 9 night trip in May '06. We have narrowed our choices to POFQ and CSR. We are looking for advice. My wife and I have three children 9,7, and 3 and we're bringing along my folks who are in their late 60's if that has any impact on which is a better option.

 

[Mousemom]

We have never stayed at CSR but have stayed at POFQ several times. We love this resort. Your kids will love the pool and, I think, the food court is great. They have a variety of food items that everytone will enjoy. The size of the resort might be a good thing with small kids and your parents as well. We like the fact that we don't have to walk far to anything. We always request building #5 court yard side, because of its locations to the food court and pool. I also like to get a cup of coffee in the AM and sit on a bench in the court yard where it is quiet before starting our day. If you want to go to POR to eat at their restaurant it is a wonderful short walk down a pathway along the water. Their is a boat that takes you to DD and we always love this trip. The resorts location is nice too. It is pretty close to everything.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We haven't stayed a POFQ, but have stayed at CSR. From what I understand, POFQ is a little more condensed, but CSR was very nice. The walk was never that far to anything, in fact, the bus stop was very close. The main pool was also very close, and the restaurant/main area wasn't very far either. (Everything seemed considerabley closer than what we had at CBR) The wall was very pretty, and there are guys on golf carts that will offer you a ride, if you don't want to walk. They are fairly common, and I think if you call the front desk, they will come pick you up. We didn't feel the need to do that, as we enjoyed the walk. The only time we did use it was during check-in.
The food court is great, esp if you enjoy Mexican food. They have typical American food too, but also Mexican food. Personally, we prefer Mexican food over New Orleans stlye cuisine, so this was great for us. The pizza was really good there, better than what you can get most places elsewhere on property. The food court is sort of a food court, but offers some wait staff. they charge a 10% gratuity for bringing drinks, etc. but you order and pick up your own food. If you get your food to go, they don't charge the gratuity. The picnic tables outside by the water are a really nice place to eat your food. Also, if you want have a group and you want to save a few bucks, you could also eat outside and either bring your own drinks, or buy a bottle/carton of somethign to drink in the gift store (Like OJ. You could buy a whole carton for about the price of two cups in the restaurant.)

The rooms were nicely decorated. The pool is REALLY cool. I liked it better than many of the Deluxe pools I've seen! they have a really cute kiddie pool for the little ones. The hot tub is pretty big, but you might find convention people haging out there. Otherwise, we rarely saw convention people, except in the lobby, and in the bar area at certain times of day.

 

[MickeyMomma]

I've stayed at both and prefer PORFQ over CSR. To me, CSR is very spread out and we had to walk FOREVER to the food court and even further to the main pool. That isn't so bad for me, but my Mom was with us and she doesn't get around so well, especially after spending a day at the park. PORFQ has ONE bus stop, so you're always guaranteed a seat. I believe they share the bus with POR these days, but PORFQ is the first stop. PORFQ also has a boat that goes to Downtown Disney. We LOVE that, especially in the evenings. Riverside is just a nice pathwalk away, so if you want to enjoy some of their amenitites, it's a nice stroll along the river. When you're at PORFQ, you're among vacationers, not convention goers, and I think it's a more relaxed atmosphere.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is a great resort! Check out my CSR website below. Just remember that POFQ is a very small resort and CSR is much larger.

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

Bottom Photo by Ducky4Disney

 

[Badllamamama]

I agree with buzz, CSR is a great resort!! Buses seem less crowded, better pool and centrally located. Did you think about splitting your stay?

 

[karenmason]

I have stayed at both.
And much prefer POFQ.
Your elderly parents will also.
POFQ is my favorite moderate.
But.....
why not split your stay.
And enjoy both places.

 

[ktflisa]

DH and I have stayed at both. CSR in Oct 2003 and POFQ in Jan 2005.

I'll tell you the ONLY thing that sways me to POFQ, maybe that will help.... it is small. We stayed in Cabanas 8b,(at CSR) which while not the furthest from the food court etc, was pretty darn far on tired feet. Sometimes we got lucky and a CM driving a golf cart for conventioners would be kind enough to give us a lift. (Sometimes, NOT.) It was easily a 10 minute walk to the main building. Which may not seem like much to the uninitiated, but after 3 15 hour days at the parks and elsewhere, it'll get ya.

But, we loved the CSR for many reasons. We loved the food court, even though, as another poster said, some do, some don't. We thought it was great. Many varieties of food. To be honest, we don't pay a LOT of attention to prices when we are there, because we expect it to be expensive. (We are not made of money, by any means, but try to not worry about it when we are there... then worry after we get home and the mortgage is due ) Which is why I think some don't like the food court at CSR.... they either charge a fee for take out or something, can't remember the details...

Anyhoo, We also loved CSR for the beaches on the "lake" and the hammocks. We spent several evenings with an adult beverage laying in the hammock relaxing. It was nice. The grounds are beautiful.

We also loved POFQ because it was a 2 minute walk to anywhere. The bus stop, the food court, the pool, etc. Okay, maybe longer to the boat dock, but you get the idea. We stayed in Building 4. Although we thought the food court at CSR had better quality food.

We leave tomorrow for the World and are staying at POR.
I guess it just depends on your priorities. The buses at CSR were always prompt and uncrowded... can't really compare to POFQ since that was a January visit and NOTHING was crowded....

 

[Kitcat]

I just returned from CSR and I probably will not stay again. I had to call housekeeping 5 times!! My toilet was dirty on arrival. Also found cashews under my bed. I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for 1 week prior and I am willing to shell out the extra dollars to stay there. I really was disappointed with my stay after reading such wonderful stories of CSR.

 

[brando5111]

You have no choice. Stay at POFQ. Especially for your parents in their 60's. Everything is soooo much closer and you also have POR if you so decide. We we're so disappointed with our accommodations at CSR on our latest stay in February. There is sooo much more charm at both POFQ and POR, so PLEASE don't make the same mistake we did!!! Unless your husband is a huge workout enthusiast (as mine is), you will be much happier at POFQ or even better, POR!

Best of luck to you no matter what you decide, your at Disney after all!!!!!

Joyce

 

[DeeDeeDis]

My first stay at por is not until next Sat (10/22) so I can not comment on that resort yet- We did walk thru it in August - POFQ seemed very charming and both FQ & R seemed quite and restful.

We have stayed at CSR for three different short stays - for me it seemed crowded, busy, too many people for my liking - not very restful - It was clean & the theming is nice and the pool is pretty cool but I would not want to stay there for an extended period of time.

If you'd like to pm me after the 28th i'll let you know how PORS was

Check out this website www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_po.htm you can see pictures of not only POFQ and if you click on the links on the left side of the page you can call up pictures for PORS and CSR

 

[indigoxtreme]

POFQ is wonderful. We just returned from a trip the 1st week of sept with my DMIL (70) Dh (49) 2 DS's (20's) me and My DGD (4). We loved this place so nice and peaceful. Short walk to everything there. Boat ride to POR and DTD was wonderful. Stay here, we had two connecting rooms in building 3 and just love it. Check out the sticky thread at the resort area for POFQ and POR there are seperate threads. My DH and I will be returing in Feb to POFQ for our 30th anniversary. Cannot wait

 

[dolphin01]

We've stayed at both and it is definitely CSR for us. No shared transportation at POFQ, our bus stop at the parks was always crowded), great pool area and we love the Pepper Market. no question...

 

[Lilolvr]

Love the pics buzz! We would choose CSR for all the reasons listed above!