Resort advice - POFQ vs CBR

[saratriceratops]

Hello!

Just found out my hubby is taking me to WDW for my birthday in Sept! He was planning to surprise me but I'm glad he spilled because planning is almost as fun as going!!

Last visit, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside which I LOVED! I tried the fax request and it worked! We were magically upgraded to a Royal room! For our next visit, I want to try someplace new, what would you PRO's recommend?? (did I mention this is only my 2nd vist?? yes in my whole life!) I am thinking of either the French Quarter or Caribbean Beach. I would like someplace that is not totally overrun with kids. We also want to spend some time in the resort and at the pool.

Any advice would be much appriciated!

Thanks!

 

[HopperFan]

Both those resorts are very popular with families, and part is due to the pools. Both pools are geared for young families.

If that is the two you are focused on then I would pick the one with the theme that most appeals to you.

The main plus I see for CBR is the rooms were just rehabbed about a year ago. (Do NOT stay in Pirates section, not rehabbed, full beds).
The main plus I see for POFQ is the boat to Disney Springs which is awesome now and lots of places for you to eat with more value for your dollar.

 

[saratriceratops]

Both those resorts are very popular with families, and part is due to the pools. Both pools are geared for young families.

If that is the two you are focused on then I would pick the one with the theme that most appeals to you.

The main plus I see for CBR is the rooms were just rehabbed about a year ago. (Do NOT stay in Pirates section, not rehabbed, full beds).
The main plus I see for POFQ is the boat to Disney Springs which is awesome now and lots of places for you to eat with more value for your dollar.

Thanks so much! How about for convenience & ease of getting around? CBR appears to be closer but also much larger.... would it take a long time to get to the parks?

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks so much! How about for convenience & ease of getting around? CBR appears to be closer but also much larger.... would it take a long time to get to the parks?

CBR is a very large resort, the largest moderate by far and lots of bus stops.
POFQ has one bus stop and usually it's own bus.
From bus stop to parks, POFQ is by far going to be faster for you getting anywhere.

No where on property is horribly far although some are more central located like CSR is about center. The key is the logistics at the resorts for getting on bus.

 

[loves to dive]

If you want to go different, I'd go CBR since POFQ is in essence attached to POR. CBR is a beautiful resort, there are kids there and the main pool can be crowded but there are quiet pools at all the villages. We were there in March and I didn't find the bus system any better or worse than POR.

 

[beccasmom]

We've enjoyed POFQ a lot whenever we've stayed there, mostly due to its compact size, a nice change when traversing the parks all day. However, CBR would be a change theme-wise and is quite colorful. Both are nice resorts. CBR has multiple pool areas, unlike POFQ. CBR has a table-service restaurant and a food court, POFQ has just the food court (which is cute and offers yummy beignets!! ). But POFQ offers watercraft service to Disney Springs, which IMHO is a great asset. Enjoy.....and have a wonderful birthday!

 

[maxiesmom]

If ease of getting to the parks is a priority, then POFQ definitely. One bus stop instead of seven. A nice boat ride to Disney Springs.

 

[Babsy]

I would consider CSR. Both POFQ and CBR are very popular with young families. CSR is gorgeous, has more amenities than other mods, has a business class option (that we really enjoy!) and a fabulous pool. As a convention resort, it is a bit more 'adult' oriented. There is a fitness centre and a salon, for example, which we enjoy. The pool slide is good and the hot tub is large! It does have 4 bus stops, but that means that your room will be conveniently near a bus stop. The atmosphere is beautiful, and especially romantic at night. CSR and POR are our favourite moderates.

If the theme of CSR doesn't appeal to you, then I would choose CBR out of the two options that you suggested. It is different from POR whereas POFQ is right next to, and essentially the same as POR, just not as pretty and with fewer amenities (not even a table service restaurant). The pool at POFQ is better suited to small children, IMO. The large heads having over the food court are tacky. personally, I am not a huge fan of the theme. OTOH, CBR is themed as a relaxing tropical island resort, with colourful 'islands' each with their own quiet pool and cute seating areas. The food court and the TS restaurants are very nice here. Walking around the lake is also very nice at night. We usually request Jamaica, when staying standard, which is a short walk over a bridge to the main building and pool areas. We love CBR!

 

[saratriceratops]

I would consider CSR. Both POFQ and CBR are very popular with young families. CSR is gorgeous, has more amenities than other mods, has a business class option (that we really enjoy!) and a fabulous pool. As a convention resort, it is a bit more 'adult' oriented. There is a fitness centre and a salon, for example, which we enjoy. The pool slide is good and the hot tub is large! It does have 4 bus stops, but that means that your room will be conveniently near a bus stop. The atmosphere is beautiful, and especially romantic at night. CSR and POR are our favourite moderates.

If the theme of CSR doesn't appeal to you, then I would choose CBR out of the two options that you suggested. It is different from POR whereas POFQ is right next to, and essentially the same as POR, just not as pretty and with fewer amenities (not even a table service restaurant). The pool at POFQ is better suited to small children, IMO. The large heads having over the food court are tacky. personally, I am not a huge fan of the theme. OTOH, CBR is themed as a relaxing tropical island resort, with colourful 'islands' each with their own quiet pool and cute seating areas. The food court and the TS restaurants are very nice here. Walking around the lake is also very nice at night. We usually request Jamaica, when staying standard, which is a short walk over a bridge to the main building and pool areas. We love CBR!

Wow thank you so much! This is so helpful! I did look at CSR, but it looks like there are some conventions going on during our visit and I thought that may take away from the vacation vibes... what do you think? Did that occur when you stayed there? Also, how is it for getting around? @HopperFan mentioned it is more centrally located, does that make for faster travel time to the parks?

Thank you!

 

[Shellyb84]

If you want a resort that is not overrun with kids, I would choose CSR. It's a lovely resort and very relaxing. We found the crowds there not nearly as bad as CBR. It was so crowded everywhere, the pool, the food court, even the walkways. We didn't like CBR at all, really. I've never stayed at POFQ, but I would choose it over CBR if I wanted a mod and couldn't stay at CSR.

We just returned yesterday from a quick trip to CSR. There were a good bit of people there for conventions, but it didn't take away from the vacation vibe at all. I just always thought, better them than me! The bus service was great and travel time to the parks was not bad at all. We were in Casitas 3 which was a good location.

 

[HopperFan]

Wow thank you so much! This is so helpful! I did look at CSR, but it looks like there are some conventions going on during our visit and I thought that may take away from the vacation vibes... what do you think? Did that occur when you stayed there? Also, how is it for getting around? @HopperFan mentioned it is more centrally located, does that make for faster travel time to the parks?

Thank you!

CSR is our favorite resort and as you can see we have stayed many times. Not once were we bothered by convention and the plus is they are working keeping pool/bus more open for vacation guests. The resort has three themes but we love Ranchos because it's so different, there seems to be less convention (they seem to like Casitas since close) and its right at the main pool. The walk to the hub is maybe 5-6 minutes depending on our stops to watch the wildlife or look at the flowers.

One trip we saw tractors on the grassy area by the convention area, and one trip we ate lunch at Pepper Market (not usually since we are at parks or pool) and saw some in business casual come in to eat. That is all. Having a convention means they upped the amenities. The bus service is excellent and literally around the corner from AK, across the highway from Epcot and DHS (can see their fireworks) and right at the exit ramp to highway to MK.

 

[saratriceratops]

CSR is our favorite resort and as you can see we have stayed many times. Not once were we bothered by convention and the plus is they are working keeping pool/bus more open for vacation guests. The resort has three themes but we love Ranchos because it's so different, there seems to be less convention (they seem to like Casitas since close) and its right at the main pool. The walk to the hub is maybe 5-6 minutes depending on our stops to watch the wildlife or look at the flowers.

One trip we saw tractors on the grassy area by the convention area, and one trip we ate lunch at Pepper Market (not usually since we are at parks or pool) and saw some in business casual come in to eat. That is all. Having a convention means they upped the amenities. The bus service is excellent and literally around the corner from AK, across the highway from Epcot and DHS (can see their fireworks) and right at the exit ramp to highway to MK.

AMAZING! Thank you so much ok I am convinced

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have stayed at both and much prefer POFQ over CBR. CBR remains our least favorite resort.

 

[HopperFan]

AMAZING! Thank you so much ok I am convinced

Here are a few pictures of CSR, a beautifully imagineered resort particularly since it has some very different themes through out. It is stunning day or night!

 

[saratriceratops]

@HopperFan WOW!!! Beautiful, and great pix too! Thank you!!

 

[Babsy]

Wow thank you so much! This is so helpful! I did look at CSR, but it looks like there are some conventions going on during our visit and I thought that may take away from the vacation vibes... what do you think? Did that occur when you stayed there? Also, how is it for getting around? @HopperFan mentioned it is more centrally located, does that make for faster travel time to the parks?

Thank you!

Looks like Hopperfan beat me to answering you! LOL! Just to add my two cents, I have never been bothered by the conventions at CSR. Generally, it means that fewer people are using the buses/pools in the daytime. They can take over some areas on occasion, but that hasn't been often in our experience and has also happened just as frequently (for us) when staying at the GF, for example. I rarely see conference attendees and, like Hopperfan, just kinda feel sorry for anyone having to work while visiting WDW. I am trying to remember, but I believe that in 7 stays in CSR, usually 4-7 days each, I can only remember noticing conference people twice. Once they were having a gathering and another time I noticed a few having breakfast in the food court. Neither time was disruptive for us at all. It certainly wouldn't impact my desire to stay at CSR. (To be fair, however, some other people do apparently dislike seeing people around wearing suits and obviously going to work. I guess that it depends upon what will disrupt your version of a 'Disney bubble")

Again, as Hopperfan said, CSR is centrally located. Regarding transportation, we have always had great luck with the buses from CSR, but all I can tell you is our experience. I believe that transportation at WDW can be hit or miss from any resort and so you can have positive or negative experiences at any of them. That said, CSR has a reliably good reputation for its busing. The central location does seem to make travel times quick and easy from CSR.

If business class is in your budget, we LOVE staying here. You stay in Cabanas 9B (close to everything!), have a continental breakfast included, and also get some snacks/beverages included later in the day. It is a good deal, IMO.

Good luck choosing your moderate! The good news is that they are all really nice (even my least favourite, POFQ, is good) so you can't go wrong. It is really a matter of picking the one that appeals to you.

Enjoy!!

 

[saratriceratops]

Thank you @Babsy I can always use another two cents

 

[Lynzer4]

My personal opinion. I didn't like the feel of POFQ at all. I only stayed two nights during Rundisney princess run. I didn't enjoy the room at all or the feel. I thought the room was tiny and beds sucked.

My mom was on this trip with me and we stayed at PORQ then at POP then CSR (work convention). She made a comment when we arrived at Pop that she thought it was nicer then POFQ . Then We moved to CSR because I was also down for a convention. She walked in and was like... This one is way nicer. Bigger room and she liked that we had a bus stop right outside our door basically.

I might also suggest that you might look into seeing if you can rent DVC points and see if you can get a studio at AK or at a deluxe (SS or OKW). Might be th close to the same price.

 

[dansdad]

My personal opinion. I didn't like the feel of POFQ at all. I only stayed two nights during Rundisney princess run. I didn't enjoy the room at all or the feel. I thought the room was tiny and beds sucked.

My mom was on this trip with me and we stayed at PORQ then at POP then CSR (work convention). She made a comment when we arrived at Pop that she thought it was nicer then POFQ . Then We moved to CSR because I was also down for a convention. She walked in and was like... This one is way nicer. Bigger room and she liked that we had a bus stop right outside our door basically.

Just to be factual for anyone else reading this, the rooms at POFQ are the exact same size as the rooms at CSR. Unless, you happened to have a Junior Suite at CSR.

 

[Dizjunkieee]

I would echo the others thoughts on CSR. We LOVE it there! Everything was perfection! Gorgeous grounds, lovely rooms, great bus service, excellent and plentiful food options, & a much more adult feel. I don't think CSR will disappoint you.