POR & POFQ review: 10/24 - 10/31

[MistyD]

We checked in at POR on Monday 10/24, right in the middle of hurricane Wilma. When we got to the resort the lobby was PACKED and we found out the parks were closed. They ended up opening MK and Epcot later in the day. There were characters in the lobby to play with the kiddos and it was a lively place!

We got a room in building 24, first floor on the corner and handicap accessable with a king bed. The room was a hike from the main building but the surroundings were very nice. Turned out the distance to the main building wouldn't really matter much as you will read!

We had a room only ressie our first night so the next day we had to check in again. DH went to take care of it and was gone forever. They were having computer issues and not only couldn't check us in but couldn't even give us our park tickets. We had to go to Guest Services at AK that day to even get in a park. When we got back to POR HOURS later the computers were still down. DH asked if another resort could issue our tickets and was told no even though they also told him that POR was the only resort offline.

We were on the Dining Plan and had ressies for O'Hana that night and tix for Cirque after. DH asked how we were supposed to handle the dining if we didn't have tix and was told that we would have to pay out of pocket for the meal and then bring them the receipt for credit to the plan. Considering that we had really budgeted for our spending money we didn't have the extra cash to pay for the meal. And besides, it was really irritating at this point that we still didn't have our park passes. DH asked if we could move to POFQ and we did.

I was soooo happy we moved! From the moment we drove up to it I loved it. FQ was much smaller and the grounds were beautiful. We got a room on the first floor of building 4 facing the inner courtyard, room #4028. This was also a handicap king room. We were 10 steps, at most, from the main building. It was great to get up in the morning to refill our mugs and just run right over there! Our building was also very close to the bus stop. I think building 4 must be a "preferred" building so we got lucky!

We used the boat transportation to DTD several times and loved it. We had a car so really didn't use the bus much but I did come back to the room for breaks every now and then. We never had to wait long for a bus and since FQ is the first pick-up the bus wasn't ever full.

We didn't venture to the pool because it was way too cold! I had to go to Wal-Mart one night to get a sweatshirt because it was so cold! The weather during the day was BEAUTIFUL but at night, a little chilly! DH did use the hot tub some and enjoyed it.

Mousekeeping was great, no complaints there. We had several towel animals left for us during our stay.

The foot court was good. We didn't eat there much because we were on the dining plan but did grab things there occasionally.

Overall I think POFQ was a better fit for us. We had a wonderful time there from start to finish and would stay there in a second!

Any questions feel free to ask!

 

[DW mouser]

Thanks for your report!! We're staying at POFQ March 18-25 and its our first time at a moderate. Usually do deluxe. I am really looking forward to another new resort!! I want to stay in all of them (fat chance)!!! I have heard that building 5 is the preferred building but that there's not really a bad building. I'm thinking about faxing closer to time for building 4 or 5!! I've never faxed a resort before so I don't know if it does any good.

 

[goofyfordisney]

Thanks for your review! My mom and I are going to be at POFQ 2/12-2/19--can't wait! This is my second visit to WDW, my mom's first. I have only stayed at deluxe resorts--I'm really looking forward to trying POFQ. Originally, we were going to POR and then changed to POFQ once we read so many great reviews.

I noticed that you've stayed at CBR and WL--how would you compare all of them?

I have a question about using your car at WDW...is it pretty easy to navigate from the resort to AK, MGM and Epcot? We probably will use the bus for our MK days. How long did it take you to get to the parks from POFQ?

Thanks again...glad you had a good time!

 

[MistyD]

Hi Goofyfordisney!

Yes, we stayed at CBR for our honeymoon 04/04 and at WL in 12/04. Both were wonderful but different. CBR was very spread out, I felt like we had a lot of privacy there. We had a waterview room right at the beach in Jamaica and it was really pretty. We also loved WL but for different reasons. It is so grand inside! The theming is great but our room was just so-so since we didn't upgrade to a better view. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at either one again!

I have a question about using your car at WDW...is it pretty easy to navigate from the resort to AK, MGM and Epcot? We probably will use the bus for our MK days. How long did it take you to get to the parks from POFQ?

Disney makes it very easy to drive yourself around. The signs are very clear about where you need to be. Yes, definately take the bus to MK. DH insisted that we drive there even after I told him I thought it would be a hassle. Well, it was! By the time you get parked, get the tram to TTC, get on the monorail or boat the bus would have already dropped us off. The first time we visited WDW we didn't have a car and had no trouble at all just using Disney transportation.

Hope you and your Mom have a great trip!

 

[tinkermell]

Thanks for your trip report. We will be going to POFQ this Dec. 19-25. This we be our first trip ever to WDW. So glad you liked the resort. We were clueless of where to start and our AAA travel agent suggested the FQ. Glad she did. We have requested buiding 4 or 5, so we'll see if we get our choice. We won't be renting a car, (there will be 10 of us). I hope the bus system works good! Thanks again and glad things worked out for the better for you.

 

[goofyfordisney]

How long did it take you to get to AK, MGM and Epcot using your car?

Thanks!

 

[MistyD]

It didn't take us more then 10-15 minutes max to get anywhere.