Compare PO-French Quarter and PO-Riverside??

[cindyfan]

For those that have stayed both.... Can you give me the main differences? Is one preferred over the other?
We've stayed at PO-Riverside, but never FQ. Love Riverside, but concerned FQ is too much "Mardi Gras" atmosphere for our tastes?

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

What about the NO atmosphere do you not like?
FQ is classic garden district NO, not stinky, party Bourbon Street NO.
You've stayed at Riverside but never walked over there to check it out?
FQ is a more compact resort but other than size the two are not drastically different.

 

[maryj11]

I have stayed at POR but not POFQ. We are thinking of staying at POFQ. I did find this site http://www.portorleans.org/

 

[Ensusieasm]

For those that have stayed both.... Can you give me the main differences? Is one preferred over the other?
We've stayed at PO-Riverside, but never FQ. Love Riverside, but concerned FQ is too much "New Orleans" atmosphere for our tastes?

POFQ has too much Mardi Gras atmosphere in the food court, maybe after it reopens the tacky and creepy decor will be gone. I love Riverside. The big difference that most will notice is size. Riverside is much more spread out and can involve more walking depending where your room is.

 

[cindyfan]

What about the NO atmosphere do you not like?
FQ is classic garden district NO, not stinky, party Bourbon Street NO.
You've stayed at Riverside but never walked over there to check it out?
FQ is a more compact resort but other than size the two are not drastically different.

I don't intend to offend anyone.... but it's those creepy jesters! Just like the clown pool at BW! I guess I should have said it has too much "Mardi Gras" atmosphere.
And... no, have only stayed at Riverside twice (once when it was Dixie) and did not have the chance to venture over to FQ.
I am also curious about the buses. When I stayed at POR we did not share a bus with POFQ, maybe because it was spring break, do they at slower times?

 

[maryj11]

I have to agree about the creepy looking faces in the food court. That is one thing I dont like about POFQ

 

[ncc1701]

I don't intend to offend anyone.... but it's those creepy jesters! Just like the clown pool at BW! I guess I should have said it has too much "Mardi Gras" atmosphere.
And... no, have only stayed at Riverside twice (once when it was Dixie) and did not have the chance to venture over to FQ.
I am also curious about the buses. When I stayed at POR we did not share a bus with POFQ, maybe because it was spring break, do they at slower times?

On our last few trips we shared only on an early bus to MK (bus was before 7:00am the last 2 years), a couple of mid afternoon buses to Epcot and an overflow bus that was picking up extra people at POFQ & made one stop at POR before heading to the park. Even the boats to DS no longer share from 4:30 on.

 

[Hopefully]

POFQ is my favorite Moderate. If they share buses midday POFQ is first on first off.
If you don't like the Madrid Gras theme you maybe unhappy.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

What about the NO atmosphere do you not like?
FQ is classic garden district NO, not stinky, party Bourbon Street NO.

LOL too funny!
While I cannot vouch for it personally, I don't think there will be any drunks sleeping in the gutter or exotic dancers with questionable anatomy at POFQ. Of course I will be sure to report back after my trip if there are.

I did stay at PORS ages ago and while it's nice, I felt it was a little too big and spread out. I hate wasting valuable park time on transportation including walking. We stayed in the plantation style buildings and it was quite a walk to get to the buses and the restaurant.

 

[AuroraRose22]

I've never stayed at Riverside, but I love French Quarter. I agree the Mardi Gras theming in the food courts and even around the pool area can be a bit over the top, but the buildings themselves, the grounds, and the rooms are gorgeous, and much more subtle. I find it very peaceful, and I love how much smaller it is than Riverside. (And with the food court being remodeled, hopefully some of the 'creepier' decor may change?)

Having the one bus stop as opposed to the multiple stops at Riverside is a huge plus for me.

If you searched online for pictures of the rooms and the grounds, it might give you a better idea of if French Quarter would be a good fit for you.

 

[Boopuff]

Stayed at both and really enjoyed both! Choose what items are important (busses, size, etc..) I'm sure you won't be disappointed by either!

 

[DisneyZB]

For those that have stayed both.... Can you give me the main differences? Is one preferred over the other?
We've stayed at PO-Riverside, but never FQ. Love Riverside, but concerned FQ is too much "Mardi Gras" atmosphere for our tastes?

Hello Cindy. We've stayed at both and for us PO French Quarter just edges out Riverside. French Quarters greatest benefit is that it is small. At the end of a long day it's nice to not have a long trek to your room. Also, we enjoyed it's theming and small gardens and cobbled walkways. Your walk to the room is short, but immersive. But that being said, we agree Riverside has lovelier grounds though the buildings themselves could be better themed. We also really enjoyed the quiet pools there, which are not offered at French Quarter. Food courts are about the same but Riverside does have Boatwrights which is a gem of a restaurant. That being said, Riverside is huge. Unless you get a preferred room you will be doing a lot of walking. Honestly, you really can't go wrong with either resort and other then the food court (which is being renovated) we never felt the Mardi Gras theme was overwhelming.

 

[alwaysdreamingofdis]

My family used to be die hard POFQ people. Couldn't imagine going to POR. Just looked so big!!! And it is..but because we do the fall free dining offer, FQ is never included. So we decided to try POR...so glad we did!!! I don't think we would choose FQ again over Riverside. For one thing, the FQ dragon slide is adorable...but quite small and geared more to younger kids. I do prefer the mansion in POR. There in only 5-7 min walk from any of the mansion rooms...some much closer.. and we loved the Royal Guest Rooms...They were our fav rooms on property so far.We loved the river and bridges and just the feel of the resort. The food court was also larger and did not seem as congested, even during the busy times. We love having the option of full service restaurant. We don't always eat there but love having that option. For example, 2 years ago, we had eaten at food court for lunch that day and came in for nap and swim. and was going out that night But it came a downpour!!! No way were we going out again..even to our ADR at Epcot But we didn't want food court again. we had been there for several days and wanted a sit down mean. We called Boatwrights.. They were full but fit us in anyway when we told them we were guest. Just walked a few min to the restaurant.. Food was so good.. I still remember the refillable baskets of hot cornbread and butter.. and steaks and even dessert were just as good. Yehaa Bob performs most nights in lounge area too and he is AMAZING!!!! My girls wanted to stay and watch his show every night!!! The only 2 things I like about FQ more were the buses do pick them up first, but sometimes buses are not shared between resorts, so that wasn't a dealbreaker for us Also, we loved the beignets at FQ food court and missed them at POR...but still to me, there is more to love at POR. THis year for our 25th Anniversary trip, my husband and I are doing Cornado, for something different.. Hope I'm not disappointed.. as I sure do Love POR. We have stayed at CBR, but didn't care for that at all. Hope you have a great vacation!!!

 

[cindyfan]

Thanks to all for responding....
Due to availability of discounts between FQ or POR, schedules and prices of flights... bla, bla..... Looks like I will end up with POFQ! CBR is also available, but just don't care for that either. Thanks again.

 

[mickeymom22]

I just had to chime in. We stayed at POFQ before our third child was three. We absolutely loved it! Then she turned three, and we reluctantly stayed at POR so all five of us could be in one room. It was nice, but it still wasn't POFQ! We always found ourselves sneaking back over to POFQ to soak up the atmosphere of that resort...we could just smell those beignets! Haha!

Then my oldest went to college and my youngest wanted to stay in one of the royal rooms. I was hesitant, but we booked a couple of nights there. Oh my goodness! Now I am torn between the two. Staying in the mansions was so nice and peaceful. We had a room on the first floor right by the quiet pool in Oak Manor. It really was perfect!

I think you will have a wonderful time at either one!

 

[Sunshine11]

POFQ is our absolute fav moderate. The smallness of the resort is much appreciated at the end of the long theme park day. Nothing is too far to walk to and the jazz music and cobblestone streets are so cute. You can always take a walk or boat over to Riverside to walk their grounds, eat that their food court, swim in their main pool, etc. We sometimes switch things up and go over to their food court and gift shop for variety. Enjoy.