Cannot decide for the life of me! Same price - $1600 for 4 night and 4 day base ticket for a solo trip last week in April. I'll have almost 5 full days (arrive MCO at 10:30am on Monday and leave Friday at 9pm). Both options offer preferred rooms (that's all that's left). I love pools and plan on spending several hours at one for at least 2 or 3 days of my trip, which makes me lean towards Coronado. But I love the size of POFQ. Any opinions?
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Debating POFQ vs. Coronado
- Thread starter Camille_James
- Start date
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
I personally love both Port Orleans resorts because they feel like classic Disney and I enjoy the live music at both.
The boat ride to and from Disney Springs is another added bonus that truly feels like an attraction to me.
Coronado is a lovely resort though and the pool areas are very nice so I can see how that could easily win out.
The boat ride to and from Disney Springs is another added bonus that truly feels like an attraction to me.
Coronado is a lovely resort though and the pool areas are very nice so I can see how that could easily win out.
93boomer
Premium Member
We’ve stayed at both. Coronado is very nice. The Gran Destino Tower is the only section we’ve stayed. The pools look amazing but never used them.
My fave though is POR or POFQ. They both are very relaxed to me. We just love the quiet atmosphere and boat ride to DS. We’ve stayed more here than any resort.
I would compare extras like busses, restaurants, closeness to other parks in your decision. It might help you choose.
Good luck on your decision. That’s a hard one.
My fave though is POR or POFQ. They both are very relaxed to me. We just love the quiet atmosphere and boat ride to DS. We’ve stayed more here than any resort.
I would compare extras like busses, restaurants, closeness to other parks in your decision. It might help you choose.
Good luck on your decision. That’s a hard one.
It's such a tough choice! I've only stayed 1 night at POFQ and never at Coronado, so both would be new experiences.
WorldExplorer
Well-Known Member
French Quarter is my favorite moderate specifically because of the size.
That said, since French Quarter only has the one pool that means you cannot escape the kiddie games they play at them. It's like an hour or two in the middle of the day of blasting ill fitting music and shouting into microphones to get kids to play games like "make the most noise to vote for your favorite character".
If that's something that sounds like it would bother you, Coronado is big enough to have quiet pools (or a quiet pool?) where they don't do that.
You could also consider walking to Port Orleans Riverside's quiet pool from French Quarter, though I'm not 100% sure if they technically allow that.
That said, since French Quarter only has the one pool that means you cannot escape the kiddie games they play at them. It's like an hour or two in the middle of the day of blasting ill fitting music and shouting into microphones to get kids to play games like "make the most noise to vote for your favorite character".
If that's something that sounds like it would bother you, Coronado is big enough to have quiet pools (or a quiet pool?) where they don't do that.
You could also consider walking to Port Orleans Riverside's quiet pool from French Quarter, though I'm not 100% sure if they technically allow that.
Thanks! Appreciate the feedback from someone who has been to both. I'm dying to try the Tower but that's way more $$ for these dates.
Thank you! I've done a bit of research and Riverside pools can be used by FQ guests. If I stay there I'll definitely walk over to Riverside. The FQ pool doesn't look that appealing in the photos I've seen. Is it nice?
WorldExplorer
Well-Known Member
I'm honestly not sure how to answer that; some of the statues around it are fun, it's easily accessible. Nothing super novel. Probably less shade than Riverside's main one.
PUSH
Well-Known Member
I have stayed at both resorts. POFQ for three nights, and Coronado multiple times, however in the Gran Destino Tower for all but one night. I should add that I stayed at POFQ prior to the room refurbishments a couple years ago.
The Tower at Coronado is amazing, and I would choose that hands down. However, since you're considering the preferred rooms, that makes it tougher. Here's how I'd rate different categories:
Rooms: POFQ over Coronado. They're newer, and I just like the theming better.
Size: POFQ over Coronado. It's much smaller.
Dining: Coronado over POFQ. Coronado has tons of good options for food. Three Bridges has great appetizers and drinks.
Pools: Coronado over POFQ. Even with using Riverside's pools, Coronado's main pool is beautiful and the best of the moderate resorts. I've never been to their quiet pools. However, Riverside's quiet pools are very nice, too.
Transportation: POFQ over Coronado. Coronado has many bus stops since it's a big resort. POFQ has one, but sometimes shares it with Riverside. POFQ also has a boat to Disney Springs, which is nice and relaxing.
Ambiance: POFQ over Coronado. If we were talking the Tower, I'd have a different answer, but outside of that I prefer POFQ. However, this is personal preference. Coronado is also a beautiful resort and feels more "adult" than POFQ. There are sometimes conventions at Coronado, so it may feel more "business-like" with people dressed professionally or wearing lanyard with badges to the events. If that's not your cup of tea, just keep in mind that could potentially be going on.
In these circumstances, I'd choose POFQ. However, my main criteria is ambiance and rooms. The rest doesn't matter as much to be. If the other categories matter more, that may affect your decision. Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either. They're both great resorts, and I'd recommend both of them.
The Tower at Coronado is amazing, and I would choose that hands down. However, since you're considering the preferred rooms, that makes it tougher. Here's how I'd rate different categories:
Rooms: POFQ over Coronado. They're newer, and I just like the theming better.
Size: POFQ over Coronado. It's much smaller.
Dining: Coronado over POFQ. Coronado has tons of good options for food. Three Bridges has great appetizers and drinks.
Pools: Coronado over POFQ. Even with using Riverside's pools, Coronado's main pool is beautiful and the best of the moderate resorts. I've never been to their quiet pools. However, Riverside's quiet pools are very nice, too.
Transportation: POFQ over Coronado. Coronado has many bus stops since it's a big resort. POFQ has one, but sometimes shares it with Riverside. POFQ also has a boat to Disney Springs, which is nice and relaxing.
Ambiance: POFQ over Coronado. If we were talking the Tower, I'd have a different answer, but outside of that I prefer POFQ. However, this is personal preference. Coronado is also a beautiful resort and feels more "adult" than POFQ. There are sometimes conventions at Coronado, so it may feel more "business-like" with people dressed professionally or wearing lanyard with badges to the events. If that's not your cup of tea, just keep in mind that could potentially be going on.
In these circumstances, I'd choose POFQ. However, my main criteria is ambiance and rooms. The rest doesn't matter as much to be. If the other categories matter more, that may affect your decision. Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either. They're both great resorts, and I'd recommend both of them.
Thank you!!!! The pools and food are what's making me think Coronado.
Ayla
Well-Known Member
I've stayed at both (POFQ many times and Destino once) and my personal preference is POFQ. I much prefer the landscaping, ambiance, size and amenities of FQ.
Though as mentioned, since there is only one pool, it can be crowded with kids, depending on the time of year. But you can always take the boat to POR to use their pools or eat there.
Though as mentioned, since there is only one pool, it can be crowded with kids, depending on the time of year. But you can always take the boat to POR to use their pools or eat there.
Thank you!I've stayed at both (POFQ many times and Destino once) and my personal preference is POFQ. I much prefer the landscaping, ambiance, size and amenities of FQ.
Though as mentioned, since there is only one pool, it can be crowded with kids, depending on the time of year. But you can always take the boat to POR to use their pools or eat there.
Vegas Disney Fan
Well-Known Member
POFQ is our favorite resort on property (that we’ve stayed at anyway) but I think this is a very fair summary.
We love POFQ but you are correct that the lack of food, drink, and quiet pool options are downsides.
That said think we’d likely still choose POFQ, there’s just something about that river and the theme that we find so tranquil, we’ve stayed at nicer resorts (based on amenities, etc) but we seem to always find our way back to POFQ simply because we love the setting.
JIMINYCR
Well-Known Member
Ordinarily I would have said go with POFQ as it's our fav resort for many reasons but since you have stated that pools and food are your top priorities, I have to say Coronado. The restaurant and food choices are better and the pool will be more relaxing. If you had made other things that are exceptional at POFQ a priority it would have been different.
Minnesota disney fan
Well-Known Member
I've stayed at both resorts, although our stay at Coronado Springs was a long time ago. I remember just how big it was back then.
So, I will remark on our many stays at POR and POFQ. We love POR and only switched to POFQ because of my husband's problems with mobility. It's much smaller than POR and CS and was easier for him to navigate. We loved POFQ and spent many days there over the years. We like the smaller imprint, the cobbled streets that enables you to hear the clip=clop of the horses pulling the carriages. The fast food court is really good and was never over crowded. The whole area from the entry to the rooms was beautiful. You could walk to POR in about 6 minutes to check out their bigger store, and of course to use their many pools too. The boats to DS were wonderful and we used them many times. I can't find anything about POFQ that I didn't like. So you can see that I would recommend POFQ over CS anytime.