POR, POFQ, or CBR

[mama_disney]

My family is planning a trip at the end of August (hopefully with free dining, but that's another thread ). Anyway, we currently have reservations at Pop, but are thinking about upgrading to a Mod (primarily looking at POR, POFQ and CBR). I'm looking for a fun place/pools and nice atmosphere for the kids. I also want ample dresser space for unpacking since we will be there 8 nights. Plus, I need convenient location (near busses, food court, etc). Any suggestions on which resort would be best? There will be 4 of us total: 2 adults and 2 kids (6 & 4).

Any input is GREATLY appreciated!

 

[StacyMarie]

We stayed at CBR in the pirate rooms last year and they were GREAT! My girls are 13 and 14 and they LOVED the rooms! I have pics of my girls "driving" the pirate beds, lol! We had a pool right next to our buidling along with a bus stop and laundry facilities. I think all the pirate rooms are in the same building, so they would all be by those amenities. Anyway, the main pool is really cool too with a pirtate ship and slide. There was TONS of storage. The dresser drawers were huge and there was a chest for clothes storage. Also, there is a fridge in the room so we were able to catch a cab to a nearby gas station and load up on snacks and drinks for the room! I would definitely stay there again!

 

[KatMark]

My family is planning a trip at the end of August (hopefully with free dining, but that's another thread ). Anyway, we currently have reservations at Pop, but are thinking about upgrading to a Mod (primarily looking at POR, POFQ and CBR). I'm looking for a fun place/pools and nice atmosphere for the kids. I also want ample dresser space for unpacking since we will be there 8 nights. Plus, I need convenient location (near busses, food court, etc). Any suggestions on which resort would be best? There will be 4 of us total: 2 adults and 2 kids (6 & 4).

Any input is GREATLY appreciated!

We've not stayed at any of them (we only stay at the CSR), but we have visited all of the moderates (well, not the Cabins). For what you are looking for, out of the three you've mentioned, POFQ would fit the bill the best as it is the smallest of the moderates and is very compact and everything is close together. Personally, if we couldn't get the CSR, we would pick the POR because we like the theme of the resort a little more and it has the best food court in our opinion. While the CBR would be the last resort we would stay at, it has a great pool for the little ones. But, unless you pay for a preferred room, you could get a room a distance from the pool/food, etc. (although we have never found walking around the resort for it to take more than seven or eight minutes from the furthest point).

I would suggest POFQ for your family.

 

[irishtigger]

I really didn't like CBR at all. It is the largest moderate on Disney property and unless you book a preferred room you will most likely be standing on your way to and from the parks. It takes forever to go every bus stop just to leave the resort. If I had to choose I would stay at Coronado Springs. It only has 4 bus stops and the food courts are great.

 

[r&kmommy]

We LOVED the pool at POFQ!! Can't comment on the busses, since we rent a car. Dressers seem to be the same at all moderates, from my experience. If you're looking to maximize clothing space, you may want to think about taking along one of those hang on the closet bar sweater organizers... you could be 1-2 kid outfits in each slot

(I know it's $16+ dollars, I just used this one as an example. BUT if you're really thinking you're going to be tight on space it might be worth the money anyway. )

http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6462-285-I-Hanging-Sweater-Organizer/dp/B001KMXHMU

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We have stayed at all of them. CBR is our favorite, followed closely by POR.

CBR has the most to offer our family with the largest rooms, Disney themed rooms, the most counter space in the bathroom area, a central location making for very short bus rides, great bus service, spacious beautiful grounds, a great food court with a simple set-up and lots of choices, hammocks & playgrounds on the white sand beaches, views of IllumiNations, a pirate cruise for the kids, and the best pools!! The main pool features zero entry, 2 slides - one open & shorter, the other longer & enclosed, and 2 hot tubs. The children's pool is pirate ship themed, has a tipping bucket, and 3 slides! Plus there is a quiet pool and a bus stop in each village, so you are always close to those things! We have stayed in a standard room location (meaning that we did not pay for preferred, which gets you closer to OPR) each time we have been there and have never had more than a 5 minute walk to anything.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[mama_disney]

Thanks for all the input... Another question to add to this one (which I hope continues to get responses)... standard vs. preferred rooms: is it worth the upgrade in price???

 

[summerlady]

Thanks for all the input... Another question to add to this one (which I hope continues to get responses)... standard vs. preferred rooms: is it worth the upgrade in price???

There are no preferred rooms at POFQ, the only upgrades available for a price are water view or king bed. We always stay there because there really are no bad rooms or bad buildings or bad views...everything is an easy walk to the bus, food court and pool/hot tub. I paid for a water view room in 2008, it was lovely, right on the river in building 6, but further from the amenities. So now I always ask for a room closer to the main building, either 3 or 4. Love love love POFQ.

 

[SuzieN]

I would also say that POFQ may be the best fit for you. It's a wonderful resort and small enough that no matter where you are you are close to everything. It also has the boat to DTD which is a fabulous perk!!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

We upgraded from Pop to POFQ mid-way through our December 2008 vacation (reason: a combination of room availability and desire to treat my wife for her birthday). Both resorts are fine in terms of convenient bus stops and food courts. Like all moderate resorts, POFQ includes a water slide, hot tub and fridge. The small difference in room sizes didn't impact us -- both rooms felt small when crammed with a crib and stroller.

As others have mentioned, the other moderate resorts are much bigger than POFQ and can be a long walk from the food court. As well, CSR, CBR, and POR each have multiple bus stops. In February 2008, we stayed at CSR and were frustrated when buses arriving at the resort's main bus stop were already 75% full. Our party of 5, including a toddler and two prego's had to split up to find seats or ride standing.

Another major annoyance at CSR was that the food court was not completely self-serve. We were obliged to pay the automatic 18% gratuity on all our food court meals -- the only service we got was drinks.

 

[KatMark]

We upgraded from Pop to POFQ mid-way through our December 2008 vacation (reason: a combination of room availability and desire to treat my wife for her birthday). Both resorts are fine in terms of convenient bus stops and food courts. Like all moderate resorts, POFQ includes a water slide, hot tub and fridge. The small difference in room sizes didn't impact us -- both rooms felt small when crammed with a crib and stroller.

As others have mentioned, the other moderate resorts are much bigger than POFQ and can be a long walk from the food court. As well, CSR, CBR, and POR each have multiple bus stops. In February 2008, we stayed at CSR and were frustrated when buses arriving at the resort's main bus stop were already 75% full. Our party of 5, including a toddler and two prego's had to split up to find seats or ride standing.

Another major annoyance at CSR was that the food court was not completely self-serve. We were obliged to pay the automatic 18% gratuity on all our food court meals -- the only service we got was drinks.

Just to correct a few minor points, I am guessing at the CSR you got on the bus stop at the main building. This is NOT the main bus stop as there isn't really a main bus stop. There are four bus stops at the CSR and the first picked up is the Casitas and the last stop is the main building. And the gratuity at the Pepper Market has never been 18%, it is 10%. While we love everything about the CSR, we believe the OP would be best suited at the POFQ for the small size of the resort.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Thanks for all the input... Another question to add to this one (which I hope continues to get responses)... standard vs. preferred rooms: is it worth the upgrade in price???

CBR is the only moderate that offers preferred rooms. It gets you a room right on either side of Old Port Royale -- which is where the restaurant, food court, gift shops, concierge desk, marina, main pool, and children's pool are. Some people love it and say that it is worth it. I probably wouldn't pay the extra. To me a 5-8 minute walk isn't a big deal. But to those who may have health issues, or very small children it might be worth it!

 

[mama_disney]

Are POR and POFQ two completely seperate/different resorts, or is ir like staying in the "Aruba" section of Caribbean vs. "Barbados" section? So, if we stay at one, are we allowed access to all the anemites of the other or not?

 

[KatMark]

Are POR and POFQ two completely seperate/different resorts, or is ir like staying in the "Aruba" section of Caribbean vs. "Barbados" section? So, if we stay at one, are we allowed access to all the anemites of the other or not?

Two separate resorts.

 

[summerlady]

Are POR and POFQ two completely seperate/different resorts, or is ir like staying in the "Aruba" section of Caribbean vs. "Barbados" section? So, if we stay at one, are we allowed access to all the anemites of the other or not?

They're two separate resorts but also "sister" resorts, so yes, you can use the amenities of both. You're permitted to use the pools, food courts, hot tubs, of both resorts. About a 10 minute or so walk between the two resorts, very scenic along the river.

 

[mama_disney]

Are there any issues with getting on the bus at POFQ, since there is only one? Is there often a line and a wait, or is it not so bad since it's a small resort?

 

[summerlady]

Are there any issues with getting on the bus at POFQ, since there is only one? Is there often a line and a wait, or is it not so bad since it's a small resort?

Nope, not bad at all. POFQ and POR sometimes share buses but POFQ is always picked up first.

 

[coneygoil]

Hands down, POR is the best! I've practically grew up there since it was the only resort my family would stay at for a long time. The rooms are really nice, lots of space. The main pool is awesome! I've never been bored with it. The playground is a lot of fun too. I'm 28 and I still enjoy the playground The food court has some yummy food, plus the atmosphere is pleasant. There are bus stops for every area, but if you eat breakfast at the food court, you can catch the bus right there at the main building. I love just walking around POR. It's one of the prettiest resorts.

 

[SurfinTX]

...and don't forget the boat ride to Downtown Disney for both POR and POFQ.

We stayed at POR and have to say that the pool is very nice. Surrounded by bushes and trees it feels like you are "down south".

I visited POFQ and the overall landscaping is nicer I really didn't like the main building area. The decorations just was a bit too gaudy. For people who have been to the actual FQ in New Orleans its just really not that great.

I have heard great things about CSR but that wasn't one of your choices.

My opinion:

1. POR - Best overall amenities. Quiet. Good buffet. Really feels like your near Memphis ar Vicksburg.
2. CSR - Best pool. Decent food.
3. CBR - Spread out, long walks. Didn't like pool area. Hit or miss dining. Pirate rooms best of the mods for kids.
4. POFQ - Nice buildings. Great landscaping along river. Quiet. Haven't tried food options.

Sharing amenities at PO as well as the transportation to Downtown Disney really sets these mods apart from the rest.

 

[leo711]

Recommend POFQ highly. Rooms are nice, the resort is smaller easy to navigate, pool is great, you can use POR amenities as they are sister resorts. POFQ busses go to POFQ before POR. Boats to DTD are nice. We have stayed at CBR had a terrible experience ( would never stay there again I would rather stay at POP) and it is huge.