The Honeymoon Question: POFQ or CSR?

[nspencer]

I am getting married to my wonderful fiancée in September and we will be heading down to Disney for our honeymoon. Overall this will be my 14th trip to WDW and her FIRST! So I want to show her a good time, but at the same time, I want to stay at a resort I've never stayed at before (Note all the repeats in my sig...). I think we've narrowed it down to 2 resorts: POFQ and CSR. (I've stayed at POR a few times, but never FQ). I'm hoping to get some input that might help us make a final decision. So if anyone would like to help by listing pros, cons, experiences, and anything else you can think of that might help us, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info. Live entertainment, a spa (couples massage), full menu room service and a fitness center. CSR is gorgeous at night, great for a romantic stroll around the lake and to sit on the white sand beach in the hammocks. It's like you took a trip to Mexico.

 

[skipperkim]

I'd have to vote for POFQ because its more romantic. The hot tub is secluded and there is a carriage ride at POR and the boat to DTD.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'd go for PORFQ also. I've stayed at Coronado and it really caters to the convention crowd, and a hotel full of conventioneers does not equal romance in my book! The hotel can have a very impersonal feel, which you also don't want. I agree that the carriage ride is very romantic and I love taking the boat to DTD. I also think the pool is very nice. You might also consider CBR, my husband and I stayed there for our honeymoon and really enjoyed it. I feel like CBR resort is a little more spread out and lends itself to a little more privacy, which is important on a honeymoon. I also loved the lush landscaping, and the overall laid back, caribbean feeling. Laying out in the hammocks looking over the water at night was also really nice. Where ever you choose you are bound to have a fabulous time! Congrats on your upcoming wedding.

 

[nspencer]

I love the input guys! Thanks! Still need more info so I can run it by the wife-to-be and see what she thinks.

 

[linda1118]

I'd have to vote for POFQ, also. Reasons: the carriage ride, the boat to DTD, the jazz entertainer at ScatCats, and the rooms are nicely decorated. It seems like a very intimate, romantic resort. Congratulations!

 

[KatMark]

I vote for CSR...because it is our favorite resort. We have never stayed at the POFQ (we have walked around it and it is quite lovely--like it better than the POR). However, I would not say it "caters" to convention people. There have been conventions while we were there, but with the exception of seeing them walk from their rooms to the convention center or sitting at the bar at the pool, you wouldn't know they were even there. We prefer the CSR because it is very peaceful. It is beautiful at night with all the lights on and my husband and I still enjoy taking late night walks hand-in-hand around the resort (after almost 25 years of marriage). For the reason another poster stated that it caters to the Convention crowd, I believe that is the reason that there are less little kids at the CSR. I am sure whatever you and your soon-to-be-bride pick you will be delighted with. Congratulations.

 

[Amyg]

We have only stayed at POFQ and really enjoyed it because it is smaller than the others and it is very serene.

Everyone is different, but I like small rather than huge when it comes to places to stay on vacation as long a there's places to go within a 15-20 minute ride. Because of it's smaller size it is quick to get from pretty much all the rooms to the main lobby/pool/etc. and the busses were pretty efficient during our 8 day stay in early July 2006.

We loved the 15 minute boat ride to DTD and the easy 10 minute stroll to POR if you want to do any water activities. The resort is done very well with it's New Orleans theme. The only potential "down-side" might be no table service on property but we always ate at the parks or other resorts for their signature meals.

If you think you and your bride-to-be prefer large scale resorts with tons of things going on then CRS might be a better fit, otherwise POFQ is lovely and has a very intimate Honeymoon feel IMO.

 

[stellablue]

These might help you:

POFQ:
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_po.htm
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/port.htm
http://www.mouseplanet.com/sue_holland/sh040528.htm

CS:
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_cs.htm
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/csprings.htm
http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/4_Accommodations/CSR_photo_tour.htm

Both are great choices and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time whichever you choose

 

[nspencer]

You guys have been a great help! Thanks!

 

[Buzz2001]

Coronado Springs is Mousesavers Best Value choice in the Moderate category.

http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwresortfacts.html#moderate

 

[Mickey23]

Definitely CSR! My DW and I think it is the most romantic resort. It like two vacations in one. You fell like you're in Cancun, while still being at WDW. We love the walks along the path near the bridge and over to the hammocks on the beach. The resort is so peaceful and quiet. I can't wait to try the new lounge.

 

[Lilolvr]

CSR!! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info. Live entertainment, a spa (couples massage), full menu room service and a fitness center. CSR is gorgeous at night, great for a romantic stroll around the lake and to sit on the white sand beach in the hammocks. It's like you took a trip to Mexico.

CSR gets my vote! DH and I love it! YOu can take advantage of the amenities buzz mentions and at night it is simply beautiful!

 

[Magical JenK]

First, congrats on your upcoming nupituals! How fun to honeymoon in WDW!! You'll have a great time regardless of where you stay!

Second, we've stayed at both POFQ & CSR. Both are equally beautiful resorts in my opinion. CSR is bigger, longer walks to lobby/CS/shop, multiple bus stops within the resort, does have a lot of conventioneers, but it has more ammenities (TS restaurant, work out room, spa, quiet pools). POFQ is small, has the carriage rides, boat to Downtown Disney, only one bus stop, however it does share w/POR which you already knew. However, POFQ does not have the TS restaurant, workout room, spa or quiet pools.

Having stayted at both before & enjoyed both of them, it's hard for me to decide which I liked better than the other because of certain reasons I liked each differently. They are both great resorts! Have fun w/your planning!

 

[nspencer]

Again, thanks to everyone for your congrats and all your information and thoughts. We are still torn... but I'm sure we'll have a good time no matter where we stay!

 

[jenrose66]

I went to POFQ on my honeymoon in 2004. I loved it. It was small and quiet (and we went in July!). I had no major complaints with the bus service, and the grounds were nice for quiet walks. I also like the decor in the rooms, very subdued. The food court is kind of small, but you can walk right over to Riverside so it's not a problem. Also, the lounge area was nice too. We had such a good time we went back for our one year anniversary too.

 

[ElizabethB]

CSR -- it is so beautiful and romantic at night. We love to walk around the lake in the evening, the pool and hot tub are great -- and it's a bit more adult-oriented, IMO. Although we stayed in the Casitas and loved it, we also thought the Ranchos looked great for a romantic getaway -- they are secluded and quiet. I would avoid the Cabanas where the families often stay.

 

[yecats]

Congrats! I think that you really need to figure out what you really want to enjoy on your honeymoon. Do you plan to stay in your room more often, do you want to be closer to certain parks, do you like swimming, do you like entertainment at your resort or are you more into dining?

I love both PO and CSR but CSR is my fave for the following reasons:
- best beds that I have slept in on disney property to date (just MO)
- best pool/hottub at the moderate level and includes great waterslide
- has near full menu for room service (for when you just want to stay in)
- has spa services (I've enjoyed a wonderful back massage), exercise facility and salon
- has 2 nice rest. (more food choices than other moderates) and bar area but there is not entertainment at the bar.
- the grounds are absolutely beautiful to walk around both during the day and at night.
- buses are only about 3 minutes (once it leaves it last stop at the resort)away from Epcot/MGM and 5 mins away from AK. MK is the furthest out around 10/15 mins.

If you are worried about a convention crowd call them to inquire if they have any conventions during your time and how large they are. There have been smaller convent. when I was there and basically I never really saw these people except hanging out in the bar or occasionally eating at one of the rest. and I have never felt out of place. Most of the days this place is pretty quiet as the conventioners are attending the meetings and the pools may be nearly empty until late afternoon.


Now as to POFQ:
-smallest mod on property so you will not have a long walk unless you walk over to RS for sitdown rest. or entertainment in bar.
-Quiet resort with beautiful grounds to stroll including the RS stroll as well.
-entertainment at both bars at both resorts, FQ & RS
- beautiful boat ride to DTD as well as entertainment/rest. there (please be aware that the boats will be closed if your at DTD late, then you'll have to take the bus back.
- bus picks up at FQ before RS so you'll always have a seat first. Ride to Epcot/MGM about 5 mins (once it leaves last stop at RS), 10 mins to AK and MK.

If you know that you want to spend more than a day or night enjoying the shopping/dining/nightclubs at DTD then FQ would probably be a better option for getting you there; however, whenever you leave there after 9/10pm you will still have to take a bus back to your resort which is what you would have to do if you were staying at CSR anyway. I must admit that I am not favorable of the one pool at FQ as it always seemed to have many families swimming in it when I wanted to swim. You do have the option of walking/busing over to the pools at RS if you wanted a larger pool or hot tub option (this is the one point for me for CSR as all the pools including quiet pools are wonderful). Lastly, the only other con for me is that the sitdown rest. is over at RS and the food court at FQ has your usual items (CSR has a ton of options at their food court).

Hope this helps some. God bless.

 

[skipperkim]

Just to add one of my favorite options about POFQ, it has its own bus stop at MK in the evening. Also, if the bus fills up at POFQ to go to the park it does not stop at POR.

 

[pickles]

I see you have stayed deluxe before. I would suggest Boardwalk with a boardwalk view. Its your honeymoon and would be worth it

If you can't budget that in then POFQ..I stayed POR and CSR....CSR is voted our worst..we hated the colors/theme and walks