Why does guidebook give POFQ only 1 star?

[Audrey9505]

I am trying to decide between Port Orleans French Quarter & Riverside for our upcoming October trip. I am leaning towards POFQ because of the newly refurbed rooms with queen beds, plus the smaller size of the resort. The only thing that has me wondering is that "The Complete Walt Disney World 2011" only gives POFQ 1 star (PORS has 3 stars). It is the lowest of all the hotels, they even give the All Stars 2 stars. Is there something to be worried about at POFQ??? Thanks!

 

[ThanksForNoticingMe]

Honestly, i think it hard to make some people happy. Often times no matter how great a vacation is people find something to complain about. None of the Disney Resorts get stellar reviews...but I have enjoyed every Disney Resort we have stayed at. I bet you will have a great time no matter where you stay...I think you should give the French Q. a try....the new picture look fabulous in my opinion anyways.

 

[jen42002]

The guidebook was probably published before the rehab at POFQ even started We really like POFQ, especially now that they have added queen beds!

 

[catne]

we loved POFQ before they refurbished...so I'm sure we'll love it even more in September with the new rooms!

Have no idea why a guidebook would give POFQ 1 Star...they must have very different criteria

We love the decor, the theming, the very small size of the resort--everything is close to everything there, and many of the amenities are so nice (Lounge with live music, boat to DTD, interesting food court.)

Guess the only thing we don't like is no table service restaurant there, but then we drive, so we always have a car there anyway.

 

[SaraJayne]

The resort is beautiful! And quiet! It's small, the new rooms are gorgeous and I never saw a grumpy CM the entire week we were there.

I have no idea why it would only get one star. It's my new favorite Disney resort.

 

[Sue M]

Have no idea. Even if it was rated before the room refirbisments, I wouldn't give it 1 star. Strange. We prefer POR, but it's a personal pref. I like having quiet pools.

 

[disneyba]

POFQ is definitely not a 1 star property, no way, no how.

I've stayed in everything from Motel 6 to the Royal Pacific, and I say the French Quarter is a solid 3 to 3.5 star. We were there in February, in a refurbed room.

Have also stayed at POR, and while one might prefer one to the other in terms of themeing, there is no real difference in overall the quality of the resorts.

I guess anyone can have a bad experience, even at a nice resort like POFQ, but one has to wonder what could have prompted such a low rating.

You can't go wrong with either resort, but I'm pretty sure you would like the French Quarter. It's a great place.

 

[JJsmama]

I have the same book and have also noticed/ wondered the same thing. If you will notice, on the page before that they give POR "3 stars plus a check mark." They rave about POR, but disrespect POFQ for no apparent reasons, aside from the smaller size. Since they are sister resorts and you can share facilities, I would ignore than one star...

 

[Tigger's ally]

Actually, we need more books to call it a 1 star. All the better for us that love to stay there in its peace and tranquility. I never want to check reservations and have it be "sorry this hotel does not have rooms available"!

 

[starrysky]

I would say its probably the fact that they only have one pool and there is only a food court.

We LOVED FQ and have stayed at POR as well. Would have said its no way a one star and would agree with the 3.5.

Its a lovely small quiet resort and the option of the boat to DTD and the ability to use the pools etc at riverside is great.

Plus being small nowhere is a walk from the bus stop.

 

[harpinjean]

DH and I love POFQ. I like the fact that it is smaller and easy to walk around. I agree with other posters that say it is a 3.5 star.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

POFQ is our home away from home . . .we LOVE it there even before the refurb! It is small, quaint and romantic . . .if you look at my past trips, most of them were spent at POFQ. It is NOT a 1 star resort . . .

 

[LexiC123]

Here are some of the specifics from the 2011 edition of the book, their reasoning behind the one-star rating:

These two sister resorts are quite different. Corners are cut everywhere at POFQ, with few amenities and a sub-standard food court, but no restaurant. POR is a significant step up. This spacious Southern resort is dotted with magnolia and live oak trees. It's the only Disney Moderate Resort with rooms that sleep 5. Amenities include both a food court and a restaurant, a fun main pool and shady quiet pools set within the lodging areas, and a wealth of recreation options.​

Highs: POFQ - Rooms are close to fast-food dining and the limited recreation , hot fresh beignets. POR - Great pools, some rooms sleep 5, lovely grounds

Lows: POFQ - Uninspired rooms, sub-standard food court, no restaurant, grounds are a little shabby, superficial theming. POR - Rooms are in need of refurbishment, getting to your room can be quite a hike if you don't have a car.​

 

[SaraJayne]

Here are some of the specifics from the 2011 edition of the book, their reasoning behind the one-star rating:

These two sister resorts are quite different. Corners are cut everywhere at POFQ, with few amenities and a sub-standard food court, but no restaurant. POR is a significant step up. This spacious Southern resort is dotted with magnolia and live oak trees. It's the only Disney Moderate Resort with rooms that sleep 5. Amenities include both a food court and a restaurant, a fun main pool and shady quiet pools set within the lodging areas, and a wealth of recreation options.
​

Highs: POFQ - Rooms are close to fast-food dining and the limited recreation , hot fresh beignets. POR - Great pools, some rooms sleep 5, lovely grounds
​

Lows: POFQ - Uninspired rooms, sub-standard food court, no restaurant, grounds are a little shabby, superficial theming. POR - Rooms are in need of refurbishment, getting to your room can be quite a hike if you don't have a car.
​

I'm sorry. Have they ever even been to POFQ? I know they've never seen a refurbed room, or they wouldn't be calling them "uninspired".

POFQ has magnolia trees everywhere.

We thought the food court was great and typically ate two meals a day there...because there was so much variety! Anyone that's eaten at Boatwright's knows it's just a waste of space.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

Ouch! 1 star??! Really??? That's crazy! I have stayed at POFQ 3 times and loved every single moment there! I love the theming. It's so quiet and peaceful and perfect for a relaxing walk. I love the food court (beignets... yum!). I love how everything is so close, because after walking around the parks all day the last thing I want to do is walk a mile to my room. There is usually a doorman handing out beads and coins to folks as they arrive! The bar is great and so is the live entertainment.

Haven't stayed in the refurbished rooms yet, but we are looking forward to them in December.

Ok I will say it... I really don't like the alligator statues around the resort... they are really cartoony looking and kinda silly... but I can see how kids like them. Just my one tiny gripe about the resort. I love everything else about it!

 

[KELLY]

I'm a huge POFQ lover. But the last time we stayed there in 2009. I would have gave it 1 star also. Our room was just not attended to by mosekeeping that well. Our matress you would roll into the middle. We had mold in the bathroom that just needed a shower curtain change. Just small things but I guess if you are rating the room then that is diffrent all together.

We are staying at CBR this time but I'm truly thinking of swithcing today to POFQ. I love the theme and everything about it.

 

[rock_doctor]

Last time i stayed there it was considered a value resort...but back then it was deluxe or value with Caribbean Beach as the first value... It is likely a typo that was not fixed before printing.

 

[heartse]

We are booked to stay there in December... this will be my first time on property. But, hmm... perhaps they were being sneaky, and it's actually their favorite place, but didn't want EVERYONE to know.

 

[MrsDarling]

I'm so glad you asked this question, Audrey, because I also have the book and was wondering the same thing.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and different visitors might have different priorities, but I have to say that the one-star review of POFQ really made me question the validity of other ratings in the book. Few things in the book get the lowly one-star rating, so it really stands out. Given how many rave-review postings there are here on disboards for POFQ, it's hard for me to believe it can be reasonably rated as the "Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian" of Disney resorts.

 

[tinawv]

Last time i stayed there it was considered a value resort...but back then it was deluxe or value with Caribbean Beach as the first value... It is likely a typo that was not fixed before printing.

I don't think it ever was considred a value resort. We are staying there in September, and I am looking forward to the refurbished rooms and the smaller resort feel. It is also just a 10 minute walk to PO-Riverside if you want to experience some of their ambiance.