The 100% Original POFQ FAQ

[TANYABETH]

Is there are pool bar and POFQ and if so is it only seasonal or opened all year long?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

PS -- I agree completely about Stitch and the wake-up calls! That is one character I have never warmed up to and it was almost torture for me to go on Stitch's Great Escape (my son loves that attraction!).

 

[Conway733]

Well, I did it. We had a ressie for November at POP and yesterday I called and upgraded to POFQ. I rationalized it this way...with the D Visa discount, I'm still saving money, even though I'm pay more than we had originally planned. This is our first trip to Disney so I hope I made the right choice!

 

[CleveRocks]

Is there are pool bar and POFQ and if so is it only seasonal or opened all year long?

Mardi Grogs, the outdoor bar at the fringe of the pool area, is open all year 'round. It closes at dusk, so it is open later in the summer than in the winter, etc.

 

[MicheinMA]

Just a note on Mardi Grogs, I stopped by there a couple of times during our April trip and every bartender I encountered was great, so were the drinks. One in particular made too much of some Cappucino alcohol drink that I ordered so she gave me an extra cup and the rest of it.

Have fun on your vacation!

 

[TANYABETH]

Thanks. We are heading down Nov 1st. We stayed there back in 2004, but I never saw the pool bar, but it was probably because the only time my husband and I used the pool was pretty late at night so it was probably closed.

 

[pumpkin5156]

Hey guys,

Few questions:

How much of a tip is custom to leave for Mousekeeping everyday?

If we arrive at MCO around 6 or 7pm, what time can we expect our bags through ME?

If I send water to the resort, where can I pick it up? At the front desk?

What the heck are beignets (sp??)???

Is the food court at dinner any good? We'll probably check in around 7 or 8pm, and will need a quick bite to eat.

More in my brain, but I'll hunt around for answers. Thanks!

 

[bubba73]

Let me see if I can answer any of your questions, pumpkin5156.
1) Tipping mousekeeping will be totally up to you. Some people believe that you can get a cleaner room and towel animals if you tip. Actually, if you want towel animals, you have to put in a request at the front desk.
2) Don't know as I drove in. I have never flown to WDW.
3) Not for sure about this one either. I brought it with me.
4) Beinets are a New Orleans style doughnut. It is a hollow piece of dough, cooked in grease and covered in powdered sugar. It is something everyone needs to try at least once, INMO.
5) The food court has several of the standard choices that you would find at all the others but I thought it was a little nicer that the one that we had at POP. My wife loved the Chicken Parmesian.

I thought POFQ was a great resort and I look forward to staying there again on a later visit. I am sure you will have a great time.

One quick clue. The hot tub is located halfway to the pool on the left. There is an opening in the shrubbery, near the alligator statues that are in the middle of the walkway, but if you are not paying attention, you can miss it.

Hope that helps some.

 

[CleveRocks]

If we arrive at MCO around 6 or 7pm, what time can we expect our bags through ME?

If I send water to the resort, where can I pick it up? At the front desk?

DIsney says to expect your DME luggage to arrive about 3 hours after you arrived at your resort. SO if you land at 6, you can reasonably expect to be at the resort by 7:15, so expect your bags by 10:15 or so. As always, pack a carry-on with your essentials in case there is any sort of delay (I do this anywhere I fly just in case the AIRLINE delays my bags).

If you ship a package to yourself, ask about it when you check in. You can then have Bell Services deliver it to your room. Be sure to tip for that service ... the tip is already included for your DME luggage, but not for any packages that you send to yourself.

 

[Smile4Me]

Hey guys,

Few questions:

How much of a tip is custom to leave for Mousekeeping everyday?


Is the food court at dinner any good? We'll probably check in around 7 or 8pm, and will need a quick bite to eat.

More in my brain, but I'll hunt around for answers. Thanks!

We decided what we were going to tip our mousekeeping in total for a week ($25), and then left $5 or so a day so it added up to that after our week was done.
I also really did like the food court, they were quick, had all the regular fare (chicken strips, salads, burgers), plus some variations that might take a little bit longer, but were worth it. (pizza, pasta)

hope this helps some. I love the French Quarter!

 

[ThinkTink75]

Thanks for everyone's help...

I know I seem like an early bird since I am planning a May trip but I want to be booked before my 180 day mark so I can plan our Wishes cruise and ADRs...

Anyways, I am leaning more towards FQ over Riverside but does anyone have firsthand experience at BOTH and tell me which they would chose and why?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Thanks for everyone's help...

I know I seem like an early bird since I am planning a May trip but I want to be booked before my 180 day mark so I can plan our Wishes cruise and ADRs...

Anyways, I am leaning more towards FQ over Riverside but does anyone have firsthand experience at BOTH and tell me which they would chose and why?

I stayed at FQ last year twice. The first time was a short trip to try it out with 2 friends. We really enjoyed it. The next time was a weeklong family trip-me, DH, 3 kids and 2 adult friends in 2 rooms. We really enjoyed it. This year it was just my family of 5 so we went with POR so we could all stay in 1 room. The resorts and parks were much busier this year but I honestly did not enjoy POR. The resort is just way too big. Last summer at FQ we were in building #7 which is just about as far as you can get and it was probably 1/2 the distance that we were this year and we were not the most remote room at POR.

I liked the smaller food court at FQ-the foodcourt at POR was a zoo but again it was busier this year.

I also liked that the bus picks up and drops off first at FQ.

 

[jamstew]

Let me see if I can answer any of your questions, pumpkin5156.
1) Tipping mousekeeping will be totally up to you. Some people believe that you can get a cleaner room and towel animals if you tip. Actually, if you want towel animals, you have to put in a request at the front desk.

I didn't request a towel animal, but I got one my second day

 

[jamstew]

Hey guys,

Few questions:

How much of a tip is custom to leave for Mousekeeping everyday?

If we arrive at MCO around 6 or 7pm, what time can we expect our bags through ME?

If I send water to the resort, where can I pick it up? At the front desk?

What the heck are beignets (sp??)???

Is the food court at dinner any good? We'll probably check in around 7 or 8pm, and will need a quick bite to eat.

More in my brain, but I'll hunt around for answers. Thanks!

I tip Mousekeeping $2 a day for just me. I think the rule of thumb is $1 per person per day. I did get a towel animal

My flight arrived last Wednesday at 5PM, and I got my luggage at 10PM. They say from 3-5 hours, and since it's supposed to be a slower season I was really expecting 3.

The only thing I had at the food court was a turkey & brie sandwich, which was really good!

 

[jess20k]

Thanks for everyone's help...

I know I seem like an early bird since I am planning a May trip but I want to be booked before my 180 day mark so I can plan our Wishes cruise and ADRs...

Anyways, I am leaning more towards FQ over Riverside but does anyone have firsthand experience at BOTH and tell me which they would chose and why?

We liked POFQ much better than POR. I thought the rooms at POR were very nice, but I liked the ones at FQ better. The property itself is much smaller at FQ and less walking to the bus stop, food court, and lobby. The bus service at FQ is much much much better than at POR!!!! The bus stops at FQ first and it made a huge difference for us! We did not have good bus service at POR. But, we were fine at FQ.

Overall we just like FQ better, I would stay there again in a heartbeat!

 

[DreamBeliever]

I leave for POFQ on October 3 ... let's see ... that's 16 Days! This trip will include; MNSSHP, Race for the Taste and the Food and Wine Festival. Over the weekend, I purchased halloween decorations for the room. I'm getting a little excited!

 

[laura001]

We will be at POFQ from the 3rd to the 9th also! Can't wait for MNSSHP!

 

[DreaGirl]

I leave for POFQ on October 3 ... let's see ... that's 16 Days! This trip will include; MNSSHP, Race for the Taste and the Food and Wine Festival. Over the weekend, I purchased halloween decorations for the room. I'm getting a little excited!

We will be at POFQ from the 3rd to the 9th also! Can't wait for MNSSHP!

We will too!! How exciting! We aren't going to MNSSHP though. Maybe we'll run into each other. Our pics are posted on my trip report.

 

[moparop]

I just made reservations yesterday to stay at POFQ Jan. 23-29th! We are so excited! We've been to Disney lots of times, but this is our first time on-site. I've read a lot about requesting specific buildings there. Is it worth calling CRO to ask for this to be added to my reservation or should I just ask at check-in?

 

[Chrissie-riel]

I just made reservations yesterday to stay at POFQ Jan. 23-29th! We are so excited! We've been to Disney lots of times, but this is our first time on-site. I've read a lot about requesting specific buildings there. Is it worth calling CRO to ask for this to be added to my reservation or should I just ask at check-in?

You need to put it on your reservation. Many people will also send it down by fax around 5 days prior to arrival. It seems that Disney slots/puzzles people into their rooms 24-48 hours prior to arrival, so you will probably not get any of your requests if you wait until check-in.

Keep in mind that even if you make all these requests, nothing is guaranteed. I just got back on Tuesday from POFQ. There were lots of requests that I wanted to make; however, most important to me was that our room connected to the IL's room and we were arriving one day apart from each other. Thankfully, they were able to accomodate that request. We also ended up with bldg 2, third floor with a view of the fountain and subsequently a nice view of the Illuminations fireworks!

My sister on the other hand just returned from the Y&B Club late last night. She made three requests - some of which were noted as "health-related" because she is 7 months pregnant - and none of her requests were granted. It was the first time that she had ever bucked up for a deluxe and she has vowed it will be her last. So you never know with those requests.

Good luck!