Thanks for the info - mind if I pinch that photo and use it on portorleans.org?
Now I've seen it finished, I'm not sure whether I like the new borders surrounding the trees... it kinda loses that original "city street sidewalk" theming of having those simple iron gratings directly around the trunks.
Andre
No problem! And I'll add a quick mini review:
This was our first stay at POFQ. As you can see from my signature, of the moderates, I've stayed at CSR many times and CBR once. We're a family of five and have been staying in deluxe resorts exclusively for the past eight years. But since our entire family wasn't along for this trip, we fit into a POFQ room and those peak season Easter rates led me to start exploring moderate options again. We switched to YC when the AP discount kicked in, but enjoyed our time at POFQ too! A few thoughts:
Rooms: The renovated rooms are quite nice. I wish they had the down comforters, like in the new CSR rooms, but everything else was great. I'll admit I really missed the interior corridors and the balcony that we enjoy when staying deluxe. But the rooms are very well done for a moderate!
Grounds: Wow - very nice! Excellent theming. Funny thing is that if you asked whether I prefer a beach theme (CBR) a southwest theme (CSR) or a New Orleans theme (POFQ), I'd rank the New Orleans theme last. I've always thought resort choice was about theme preference, but that was not the case here - while the New Orleans theme appeals least to me, I liked the grounds at POFQ the best of the moderates I've stayed in so far. I'm not sure how to explain it, but that was the result!
Size: You can't beat the small size of POFQ. Just can't. No other moderate offers that and it was wonderful. We were in a GV room in building 3 and loved that location. We were back in our room just moments after the bus dropped us off, and both Sassagoula Float Works and Jackson Square Gifts were so close and convenient. This was particularly important because I was traveling stroller-free with a 5-year-old who I often carried back to the room from the bus stop!
Pool: The slide was perfect for our 5-year-old and he really enjoyed it. The pool was very crowded when we were there, but that's to be expected during Spring Break!
Bus: I'll admit this was an adjustment for me. Taking the bus everywhere made it more difficult to take an afternoon break. In the morning, the bus was great - picked us up at POFQ and headed straight to the park. In the afternoon, after the break, we went through all four POR stops before heading to the park. That took a while. But bus transportation is bus transportation - it's no worse than other moderates and I think it's better than CBR.
So I think I'd rate POFQ as my favorite moderate. I had read some reviews suggesting POFQ is similar to a deluxe, but I felt like it fell securely into the moderate category. I say that only because I think realistic expectations are important before any resort stay. But for a moderate at moderate rates, POFQ was a great choice.
When you are getting ready to go back to the airport, you'll also be picking up the DME bus at the bell services area at both of those resorts. That's just where they stop.Is this the case?
