What would you do?

[Deanie1]

We currently have a trip booked, but are seriously considering switching times and resorts. What would you do?

- POFQ - Jan 20 to Feb 1. I have never stayed there but it looks great for two older women. I worry about this time frame that there will be a lot of refurbs going on with attractions. Somehow, our dates are excluded from any discounts although I don’t know why. It soesn’t seem to be as busy a time as other times of the year. I like the fact that the rooms will be newly redone.

- POR - Feb 24 - Mar 8. Woods view in AB. I have stayed here before and I love it. But I have always had preferred location or Magnolia building. We do qualify for a discount and would save about $650 but I may get dinged changing flights. Still waiting to hear. I am thinking there might be more entertainment in the parks at this time? Plus we may be able to use the pool. I think the food court may offer more variety.

I am torn. I have only been to WDW at Spring Break with our kids and in a Oct or Nov. Please help!

TIA

 

[erionm]

Jan 20 is a US holiday which may be why no discount is available for that check in date.

 

[Dug720]

I think the food court may offer more variety.

Food court offerings look virtually identical. There are maybe 2 items on POR that aren't on POFQ and maybe 2 on POFQ that aren't on POR.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'd take the second option hoping Flower and Garden would be running at Epcot

 

[Mle8308]

POFQ is much smaller and easier to get around, you wouldn't need a preferred room location at FQ. Only one bus stop, too. I definitely prefer it to POR and with the new rooms, it's not even a question for me. And, there are no elevators in AB, if that is a factor. I don't think there will be much difference in what attractions are closed for refurbishments between the two time frames. And all pools are heated, so that would not play into my decision. The end of February might be some school breaks in the northeast, so possibly more crowded. But the January date is the long weekend, so... The only thing that would be a deciding factor, in my opinion, is the cost. Is the savings worth it to you? Both resorts are beautiful, so you really can't make a wrong decision.

 

[sponica]

February 24- March 8 will get you some northern winter break crowds, but also more importantly Mardi Gras 2025 is on March 4.

I would stick with the POFQ dates with a check in on Jan 20. It's the last day of the 3 day weekend, any weekend travelers will be heading on out and that range of dates is before the spring break crowds start to kick in.

 

[Mle8308]

February 24- March 8 will get you some northern winter break crowds, but also more importantly Mardi Gras 2025 is on March 4.

I would stick with the POFQ dates with a check in on Jan 20. It's the last day of the 3 day weekend, any weekend travelers will be heading on out and that range of dates is before the spring break crowds start to kick in.

Forgot about Mardi Gras! Good point, that usually brings the crowds.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I definitely would stick with POFQ. Smaller resort with newly refurbished rooms. That's also the FotArts at Epcot which is fantastic.

We will be at POFQ Jan 15-20 then switching over to YC Jan 20-25. I was able to get a discount on both resorts so keep checking to see if the discount becomes available at POFQ.

 

[jennab]

I’ve heard that FQ won’t be done with their renovations by the end of the year, so they could still be going on when you are right. Right now they are working on buildings 3 and 4 and the new rooms that have opened are in buildings 1 and 2.

 

[bdrex28]

Touringplans (not 100% accurate but good to compare) Has your crowd levels as followed:

Jan 20- Feb 1

Mostly 5s and some 4s with 6s on the 20th, 25th, 27th, 31st and 1st.

Feb 24 - Mar 8

6s and 7s from the 1st through the 7th


Weather will also be cooler in January.

Me, I'd go January.

 

[raddisneyfan]

I like POFQ better and have stayed many times. I've stayed in AB at POR a few times and have been fine there. For some reason, i do like the Food Court better at POR...maybe its the setting or I just enjoy the morning walk there when staying at POFQ, but then I do always request rooms in Building 7 at POFQ to minimize that walk. I also like only one bus stop at POFQ.

 

[Best Aunt]

OP, you have stayed at POR before. What about the person with whom you are traveling? Has she stayed there before? Will you always be together, or will there be times that she is alone?

I stayed solo in one of the POR mansions. I requested the building closest to the main building. I felt very uncomfortable walking back to my room in the dark by myself. I'm sure there are tons of people who would tell you that they were just fine doing that; I'm just giving you my experience. If the two of you will always be together, then you won't have that issue. But if there will be time that you split up, and the other person is by herself, would she be comfortable walking back to the room alone from the bus stop? If no, then you might want to go with POFQ.

 

[focusondisney]

Somehow, our dates are excluded from any discounts although I don’t know why.

There is a public discount up to 25% off for those dates but it is only offered Sunday to Thursday. Weekends are busy with the marathon, MLK holiday, pro bowl, group competitions & then Presidents’ Day so are excluded. From the website

Valid Travel Dates

• Most nights from February 23 to April 30, 2025
• Other savings available for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights from January 1 to February 20, 2025

Also, your resort is not excluded, there’s just no availability at that resort with the promotion. These are the only excluded resorts.

• Offer excludes the following room types: 3-Bedroom Villas; Deluxe Suites; Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; Tower Studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort; and Bungalows and Island Tower 2-Bedroom Penthouses at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

As someone else mentioned, POFQ has been having room renovations. They may have rooms blocked off in case that runs long, so not as many rooms available. If you’re interested in breaking up your stay, POR is available with the discount for some of the nights. You could play around on the website & see if it works for you.

 

[Babsy]

We currently have a trip booked, but are seriously considering switching times and resorts. What would you do?

- POFQ - Jan 20 to Feb 1. I have never stayed there but it looks great for two older women. I worry about this time frame that there will be a lot of refurbs going on with attractions. Somehow, our dates are excluded from any discounts although I don’t know why. It soesn’t seem to be as busy a time as other times of the year. I like the fact that the rooms will be newly redone.

- POR - Feb 24 - Mar 8. Woods view in AB. I have stayed here before and I love it. But I have always had preferred location or Magnolia building. We do qualify for a discount and would save about $650 but I may get dinged changing flights. Still waiting to hear. I am thinking there might be more entertainment in the parks at this time? Plus we may be able to use the pool. I think the food court may offer more variety.

I am torn. I have only been to WDW at Spring Break with our kids and in a Oct or Nov. Please help!

TIA

I would do the Jan 20 trip at POFQ. I like the small POFQ footprint and prefer the end of Jan to the end of Feb/ first week of March

 

[justme0729]

End of Feb/ early March will probably be a little bit warmer than January. January tends to have random cold days and Feb starts more consistent warmer weather I feel. We live an hour from Disney