POR or POFQ - one more time!

[megustamex]

I know this question has been asked before, but I was wondering a few things in particular about each resort -

POR - Is the food court better because it's bigger? Does it have a better food selection than the POFQ? Is the landscaping/theming better than POFQ? Is there nighttime music/entertainment like at POFQ? Is it quieter because it's more spread out? How is the pool in comparison to POFQ? It looks like they both have water slides but I can't tell if there is anything else fun at the pool at POR.

POFQ - Is there anything more to the pool than the big water slide? I have a 3 year old that probably won't go down that slide. Are there any quiet pools there like at POR? Are the rooms set up around noisier areas since it is smaller? We didn't like how the value resorts had a lot of rooms around the noisy pool areas. How is the food court compared to the All-stars or pop? We were disappointed with the Pop food court as it didn't seem to be as spread out with seating or offer as many food options as the All-stars.

We will use our car and not the busses so this is not a deciding factor for us. Thanks, I know this is a lot of questions!

[Strmchsr]

The answer to your first paragraph is pretty much straight nos - the POR and POFQ food courts are pretty much the same except POR's is bigger. POFQ tends to be a little more compact (as you noted with POP vs. the All Stars), but everything else is pretty much the same, except the beignets at POFQ make it special. The landscaping, IMO, is better at POFQ, but I like the New Orleans French Quarter style. Because POR tends to attract families and POFQ is more of a "romantic" couples sort of place I've found it quieter than POR, but neither is noisy like the values. The water slide is pretty much it at both pools. POFQ does have one small "kiddie" pool next to the main pool, but it's extremely small. I'd say only 2-3 kids at a time in it.

Rooms are set up better at both places when compared to the values. Much less noise.

[brewcrew26]

I agree with Chris. There really isn't much difference between the two food courts. I enjoy the beignets from FQ (I think you can get them at POR now, too, but someone correct me if I'm wrong). The pizza delivery service we found to be nice.

I liked the theming at both a lot. POFQ is slightly quieter but I think that's a lot to do with size. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

[Briansmom]

Well, we just returned from our first stay ever at a moderate resort and while we stayed at POFQ we did rent a surrey and ride around POR. I will say, that we absolutely loved POFQ because it was so quiet (which we needed with our special needs DS9.) and it was smaller so it was very easy to get around quickly (which we also needed because of DS9 ) In riding around POR, it was beautiful just like everywhere else and the theming was great, but it just seemed too spread out for us. But there were more activities there than at POFQ.(shopping, table service restaurant, surrey rentals, carriage rides, sidewalk vendors).
As far as the slide at POFQ, our son, even tho he is nine, he is developmentally younger and has some motor issues as well, loved it! It doesnt have a steep descent at all and is very easy to manuever into. I was worried to begin with because the steps are not visible from the pool but the entrance to the steps is and I was afraid that DS9 would get 'hung up'. But my worries were unfounded because we could watch him go into the entrance and he went right up the steps and to the slide and down into our arms (this was after only about three times of us walking him out of the pool and up the steps.) I think your little one would be fine bacause there were others about the same age that handled it just fine as well.
So basically, it boils down to what is MOST important to you during your stay. I just know that when we go back, it will be POFQ for us!

[megustamex]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the feedback.

[eeyoremom]

We love both resorts and have a hard time choosing each trip. In our opinion the nitetime entertainment is better at POR. They have Piano Bob-he is absolutely great for families. He has a web site-look it up. You can always stay at one and do activities at either. We always spend some time at each, including swimming, entertainment, food court. Either resort is a great choice.

[#1donaldfan]

nothing much else to say other than POR AB you can get a room for 5 !!

....we absolutley love this place (POR AB)....it's so laid back, quiet, shaded.....even though there are many, many, many kids around, it's still remains to be a calming, relaxing place....

[sainter]

I agree that both resorts are great! But there are some differences. The OP asked, there are no small/quiet pools at FQ.There is also a child's pool next to the main poolat POR too.
There are also differences in the foodcourts, esp. since POR's food court rehab last year. For example,
POR now offers made to order pasta dishes, made to order salads, and MTO breakfasts cereals and yogurt parfaits.
FQ has some creole type dishes, quesadillas, hand dipped ice cream sandwiches that POR does not have.
The beauty of these resorts is that they are walking distance and you can have all of these!

[megustamex]

Wow, food options sound awesome. Sounds a lot better than the food courts at the value resorts. I still don't know which one to do, but they both sound good...

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

In the early 90's, POFQ was the very first Disney Hotel that my wife and I stayed at, and for that it has a special place for us. That said, we stayed in POR last December and really loved it. While there we strolled thur POFQ again and found that although we liked it, it didn't have the same luster we remembered.

POR is certainly larger and more spread out, but IMO that makes it better for taking walks as there are buildings on both sides of the river. POR has the diversity of the Mansions and AB, it has quiet pools in addition to the main pool, and the food court is much larger than POFQ.

I just found it more relaxing going to the food court, getting my refill and strolling around POR than I did at FQ, especially at night.

If you have to rely on buses, FQ probably has the edge, but for me the tranquility, theming and amenities, the edge goes to POR. Something a few years back I never thought I'd say.