Coronado Springs vs. Port Orleans French Quarter

[BrerVeritas]

Having only enough money to go to a moderate resort, and having stayed at POR and Carribean Beach twice each, I feel the need to change to a new resort. I have heard many conflicting things about CS and POFQ. What does everyone think of them? Which one is better for atmosphere and transportaion? What's the deal with the weird food court at CS? Any info will be helpful.

 

[bears163]

if you can wait for another 5 weeks i can tell you about cs. we are staying sept 10-17. if look at pictures of cs it is very romantic at night. here is a site i found http://www.wdwmemories.com/csr/

 

[mickeyslh]

I would highly stay at the POFQ. We just got back and had a great time. Not overly busy/crowded, all the things are close together, and POFQ gets picked up / dropped off first, ahead of POR.

 

[BrerVeritas]

Wow, that's a great site...so many photos. I'm not going till next summer so there is plenty of time for consideration and reviews.

 

[lukacseven]

I've stayed at both...In my opinion, both are great resorts, each with their own upsides and downsides. To answer your questions, let me first say that when I last stayed at POFQ, it was separate from what was then Dixie Landings, so I don't know how transportation was affected by that change. Bus service at CSR was similar to CBR and the resort itself is similar in layout. Personally, I liked the theming better at CSR and found the atmosphere a little more festive and less formal compared to POFQ. I don't recall anything weird about the food court - anything specific you heard about it? What conflicting things have you haerd?

 

[bhg469]

the food court is set up a little differently than the other resorts plus if you eat there they chage you for a tip even thought you can fill your own drinks. But overall i loved it at CS i have been there 4 times so far, i didnt stay at pofq but i did stay at riverside and thought it was just alright, room was alittle dirty but the ice cream sandwhiches ate fq weer awesome

 

[kellydisney]

We're staying at CS (leaving tomorrow!!!) so I'll give you a detailed opinion when we get back next week! One thing to note, there is no sit down full service restaurant at POFQ. However, the one at CS is $$. The food court at CS adds 10% gratuity to your bill b/c the waitstaff will refill your drinks and clean up after you. It's a little more expensive than most food courts but you have a wide variety of options. It's a la carte then you pay for what you choose. It has stations like mexican, pasta, kids stuff, etc. Hope this helps! I also love the look of the pool! I'll give you details when we return!

 

[bhg469]

We're staying at CS (leaving tomorrow!!!) so I'll give you a detailed opinion when we get back next week! One thing to note, there is no sit down full service restaurant at POFQ. However, the one at CS is $$. The food court at CS adds 10% gratuity to your bill b/c the waitstaff will refill your drinks and clean up after you. It's a little more expensive than most food courts but you have a wide variety of options. It's a la carte then you pay for what you choose. It has stations like mexican, pasta, kids stuff, etc. Hope this helps! I also love the look of the pool! I'll give you details when we return!

you'll love the pool. i would definitely go back if i didnt buy a new car. i kind of which i bought somethign a little cheaper so i could go on another trip. but you will enjoy the resort

 

[kellydisney]

Thanks! And next time around, I'm buying used! I know how it feels to have just bought a new car. Such an annoying payment!

 

[bhg469]

Thanks! And next time around, I'm buying used! I know how it feels to have just bought a new car. Such an annoying payment!

tell me about it, i wish my car was available used i would have bought it but unfortunately subaru only released the WRX STI here in 2004 and i could only find a 2005 in the color i wanted. it was a little expensive but so fast and pretty

 

[jcarriv]

We stayed at CS and it was beautiful. The walk from the Rancheros to the front can be a bit long but the buses pick you up and drop you off a number of different locations around the resort. I have not been to POFQ but I definitely recommend CS.

 

[BrerVeritas]

Thanks for all of the great responses. One more question. I am very fond of the shade and seclusion of POR Bayou area, is POFQ or Coronado Springs closer to that kind of feel? I am looking for the more relaxing atmosphere of the two.

 

[wannabeBelle]

OK If you are looking for a shaded relaxing type of experience i would definitely recommend the POFQ over the CS. I love Coronado Springs but there isnt a lot of foliage around. It is meant to represent the Mexico/ Southwestern section of the United States which is traditionally very warm and not known for trees!!! It is a lovely resort, very large with an amazing main pool area. FQ Is the smallest of the Moderates so this can be a good thing, plus you have the right to use all the amenities of FQ and Riverside as they are sister resorts!!! I like both resorts but based on what you said my vote goes for the French Quarter!!! Belle

 

[mills]

I've stayed at both Port Orleans and the Coronado. My opinion is you can't beat the Coronado. Yes it's a convention hotel and yes it's huge, but I had no problem with the staff or the walk. The food court does charge a gratuaty(sp), but it had the best food of all the food courts i've been to(6) and the best food choice I've experienced yet at a resort(all value and Modrates). There is plenty of seclusion with the resort being so big, and it's the first resort I've stayed at that I got to relax in a hammock next to one of the lakes. And the views there can only be compared to the Boardwalk at night. I was there in June and the health-club was free to use to resort guests. The resort pool is also one of the top rated. But, the best thing is the buses. Out of all the resorts I've stayed in, this had by far the best bus system. Little waits and almost always the least crowdest buses. Do a little research and you'll find most of the downs don't compare to the up's.

 

[symbasys]

I too have stayed at both POFQ and CS. Both are very nice as mentioned. POFQ has boat service to Downtown Disney which is really nice if you plan to spend some time there. The bus system at CS is very good, and you can be at any of the parks in 15-20 minutes. The rooms are comparable at both resorts (in fact, they're nearly identical except for decor.) The neatest thing about CS I think is that the buildings have covered walkways to protect you from rain and sun. We stayed in Casitas 5 this past weekend and were able to walk from our room to the restaurant at El Centro and never got wet. Really nice during downpours or scorching mid-day sun. CS is beautiful, especially at night, and you can take a nice stroll around Lago Dorado or enjoy the main pool and jacuzzi at the Dig site. There are also a couple of quiet pools that are located near some of the buildings.

As far as dining, we prefer the Maya Grill to the Pepper Market food court. The food is better and only slightly more expensive when you figure in beverages and tips. They have a really good breakfast buffet for around $14/person including drinks. We also ate dinner there and I can recommend the filet mignon. Don't miss the bread and herbed olive oil they serve during dinner -- delicious!

You'll be pleased with either choice. Let us know how you make out!

 

[disneybuff100]

I love all disney resorts but, if you want the benefits of fast transportation, go with coronado springs. ok

 

[ciscobee]

CS is by far the prettiest resort of all and you cannot miss the gorgeous sunset over the lake. Stayed there for my honeymoon 6 years ago and have been back every year since. In fact, counting the days till October 13th when I get to go back. I would highly reccommend the Cabanas which are closer to the beach area and hammocks (very romantic). Pepper Market may be a bit more expensive than the other food courts but you also pay for the ambiance--there are less large familes with small children making it a great place for adult couples. The transportation was also great with I believe 8 bus stops in all so even if you are at the back of the resort there is no need to walk a mile to catch a ride. Check in and out also seems to be less crowded than any of the Value Resorts. Same with Guest Services.

 

[Ringo8n24]

I am going to be the bad guy here :fork: and say that I absolutely hated Coronado Springs. I hated the atmosphere, the rooms, the layout, etc. The cast members at the food court were rude and there was not a big selection of food items. I keep going back to my trusty old POR. I know there are lots of compliments to Coronado, but it just did not do anything for me. It was very business trip oriented, not family vacation, in my opinion.

 

[MaxPower]

I've stayed at both a couple of times and here are some other dimensions to think about:

Internet Access: If you're addicted to broadband and will go through withdrawl like a heroin addict if you don't have it, then CS is your only choice. Looked like they added the wiring to POFQ in the recent refurbishment, but when I plugged in my laptop, I got nothing. No telling when or if they'll add it.

Cell Phone Coverage: POFQ is the winner here. I had decent (for disney anyways) coverage with Sprint, ATT, and Nextel. CS is a cell phone wasteland, except for perhaps Verizon, which I've not tried there...yet.

The Getaway Factor: If you're going on vacation for the express reason of leaving the aformentioned technologies behind, then I'd have to go with POFQ. There'll always be a plasma display panel advertising meetings for a tech company you work with, or conventioners talking way too loudly about their latest database implementaion or whatever. In contrast, POFQ is much more serene and peaceful. The shade of the trees and the cooling breeze sweeping through the walkways has always been more refreshing to me. Don't get me wrong, I like CS a lot, but I've just never found it as relaxing.

 

[bhg469]

Cell Phone Coverage: POFQ is the winner here. I had decent (for disney anyways) coverage with Sprint, ATT, and Nextel. CS is a cell phone wasteland, except for perhaps Verizon, which I've not tried there...yet.
QUOTE]

to answer that verizon works pretty well and yes i have had alot of cell problems at CS but that was with sprint