Resort Experts, which one..CSR or POFQ?

[elisaaldrete]

Hi I´m looking for some help. We are a family of 3, husband, me and a 2 year old. Currently we have reservations for our sept. trip on POFQ, from all the moderates I thought it would be the best one. But now I´m starting to have second thoughts. My brother tells me that the CSR is very nice, being from Mexico it really doesn´t appeal to me I rather try other themes, but he insist it is the best of the moderates. Since I married my husband always wanted to stay at the Dolphin he loves the beds, last year we tried SSR with my parents, very nice villas, and so he said maybe it would be nice to try different resorts.We wanted to take advantage of the DDP, and I want to try a moderate......but.....do I stay with the current POFQ reservation or do I change it and try the CSR.
Can you give me your opinions.

Thank you
Elisa

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is a large resort that does not share services with other resorts and offers some deluxe amenities because it is a convention resort.

CSR has a salon, spa, and a gym that other moderates do not offer. CSR has full menu room service and offers an internal shuttle system provided by golf carts to assist in getting to and from the main building to the villages.

It is also the only mod to offer suites.

CSR is situated around a 15 acre lake and CBR is situated around a 45 acre lake.

CSR has terrific transportation. It does not share with any other resort (like POR / POFQ) and it only has 4 bus stops within the resort (vs 7 at CBR). And since CSR is centrally located, you'll have a quick ride to all the parks.

And being a convention resort, the buses seem less crowded because guests are busy with their conventions.

CSR is the most central to the 3 parks you mentioned. See the map below.

Photo by Ducky4Disney

CSR has the best pool of the mods and probably the second best on WDW property.

Best mod pool. It offers a great slide (123 ft long), an arcade, a sand volleyball court, and a playground at the main pool area.

Review from mousesavers.com!!

Coronado Springs is my Best Value choice in the Moderate category. It has several advantages compared with the other Moderate resorts. It is newer, so there has been less wear-and-tear on everything. Also, Coronado Springs is a convention hotel, so it has a few extra amenities not offered at the other Moderates, including a salon, a health club and a more upscale food court.

The theming is radically different in the three areas of Coronado Springs. You can request a specific area when booking but there is no guarantee you'll get your request.

• The Spanish-style Casitas at Coronado Springs are very peaceful, with courtyards featuring tiled fountains. Casitas Buildings 1, 3 and 2 (in that order) are the closest to the restaurants and services. Casitas Building 4 contains the salon and health club, if those are important to you.
• The Cabanas at Coronado Springs have a beachy Caribbean feeling. Cabanas Building 8A is very close to the feature pool, which may be a blessing (convenience) or a curse (noise, light). Cabanas Building 9B is closest to the marina and relatively convenient to the restaurants and services.
• The Ranchos at Coronado Springs feel quiet and secluded -- some would say isolated -- and feature desert landscaping and pueblo-style architecture. They look closest to the main pool on a map, but in actuality they are separated from the rest of the property by a swamp, so it can be a fairly long walk from these buildings to the pool, and a very long walk to the restaurants.

 

[Badllamamama]

Another vote for CSR!!

 

[Lilolvr]

I had a bad experience with POFQ and the bus sharing. If you will be using a stroller, the buses at POFQ share with POR and they get crowded. Yes, they pick up first at POFQ which is fine but coming back to the resort, it is crazy. I had a difficult time with my kids and the stroller. Just a heads up. I would go with CSR in a heart beat.

 

[MagicMe]

A moderate is a nice resort. Personnally I love POR (DL forever) but I have never had experience with CSR so I can't tell you what that's like. POR is right next to POFQ and that looks really nice too. They both offer some nice peaceful areas and fun pools.

Although CSR is slightly different than the other MOD's in that I'm told it has other perks since it is the only MOD convention center, I would keep in mind that it is a convention resort.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

POFQ is my favorite Disney resort. You will love it!!

 

[Magic2000]

We've stayed at both, and really enjoyed both!!!

POFQ is really quaint and the grounds are very nicely decorated with a French Quarter theme (we're from the New Orleans area). The resort isn't too spread out, and the food court area is nice. They do share buses with POR, but POFQ is the first pick up and first drop off.

CSR is also a really nice hotel - and the grounds are so nice!! There's so much to see when you walk around! The main pool area is also really cool - even the quiet pools are nice! They do have a sit down restaurant, as well as a food court area. Not having to share buses with another hotel is nice, however, there are, if I remember correctly, four bus stops at the hotel - so depending on which area you are in, it may be a little crowded when you get on the bus, or you may have to make a few stops at the hotel before it gets to your area. (We were the first bus stop area.) The grounds are a little more spread out, so it maybe a little bit of a walk to the main building (food court/restaurant/gift shop).

We really enjoyed our stay at both of the hotels!! I think I prefer the POFQ a tad bit more because its smaller, and easier to get around when traveling with a small child.

Either way, you can't go wrong - both are really nice hotels!!!! Have a great trip!!!

 

[Nolcrest]

I would stay with the POFQ ressies. The resort is delightful and whimsical. It is very easy to navigate with a little one. The boat transportation to DTD is convenient.

I find POFQ to be just charming.

 

[HopperFan]

Hard to compare. I have a hard time even putting them both in the same category.

We have never stayed at POFQ because of the lack of amenities. It is a small intimate resort that many love but you have to leave and go to POR for your amenities.

CSR is an incredible resort with top notch amenities. We stayed there with a toddler and did just fine with the size. Everything about it was great. Buzz's website tells it all.

Just depends on what is important to you, and what you are willing to pay for it.

 

[dolphin01]

Another vote for CSR!! We too experienced issues with the shared busing, crowded buses and having a stroller.

 

[tampafan]

You will like either one. French Quarter is smaller and very easy to get around. It is also just a quick stroll to POR, where you can rent boats, etc. The boat trip to DTD is fun. The larger moderates offer more pool options. CSR has a nice sit down restaurant, the Maya Grill.

We have stayed at both resorts and love them both.

 

[boomhauer]

I just talked to my friend who got back yesterday. She stayed at POR. She's stayed at All Stars, Pop, WL and CSR before. She LOVED POR. Said she'll never stay anywhere else again.

 

[wercruzin]

Toss my two cents in for CSR.. I just liked it.. Easy in and Easy out!!

 

[donna93]

Im staying at the French Quarter in July! The resort itself is beautiful! My sister had just returned and said it was one of her favorite resorts in disney! I myself did plenty of research! CSR does look like a nice resort but i prefer a smaller more relaxed theme! The pool is huge with a big slide! The rooms are quiet and have nice beds! If you arent sure check out the reviews on both hotels at tripadvisor! I did this and found POFQ to have more better reviews! Hope this helps a bit!

 

[cobbler]

CSR was always my favorite, until I stayed at FQ.

FQ gave CSR a serious run for its money in my book. I like them both very well, but FQ edges out CSR by a hair. Small yes, but that is just me.

Either way you go both are fantastic resorts.

 

[roadtripgrrl]

We just got back from POFQ and we loved it. I've never stayed at CSR so can't give much comparison. I really liked how "small" the resort is; not a long walk to anything and the food court worked out just fine for us. We typically don't do sit down dinners though. Also liked the themeing and the rooms were very nice. Very little noise. We had no problems with the buses but we don't have kids so.......... I believe the Magic Kingdom had it's own separate bus for POFQ but I don't think the rest of the parks did. I've only stayed in deluxes previously and was hesitant about POFQ but I think, in the future, I would just as soon stay there as any of the deluxes.

 

[elisaaldrete]

Thank you for all your opinions, I´m really glad I post this because you have given me many useful information.
Roadtripgrrl that is one of the reasons I´m hesitant, because like you I have stayed at deluxe resorts and I don´t know if I´m going to enjoy a moderate as much. Although from the photos they seem very nice.

Thank you to everyone

 

[Buzz'sBetterHalf]

Another vote for CSR!!

 

[MICKEEP]

POFQ has great theming but CSR has better restaurants, and much, much better bus service. It is worth it for the bus service alone. If you do not like the southwest theming ask for a room in the Cabanas area which has more of a caribean theme, very nice and quiet area.