Difference between POR and POFQ?

[hopebarn2002]

Can someone please tell me the difference between POR and POFQ. I thought they were the same resort. Which one would be better for children? Which one would be nicer around Christmas?

Thanks Hope

 

[tinkerbelle2001]

Hello Hope! I hope I can help. The Port Orleans Riverside was originally the Dixie Landings resort. The Port Orleans French Quarter is the original Port Orleans resort. Riverside is larger and has more rooms to offer. On the flip side, the French Quarter is smaller and more quaint. Both sides are connected and can be accessed from one another. They are probably equally kid oriented. They both have great pools with slides and kiddie areas. The Riverside has a fishing area where you can rent poles and a shaded playground. It also has a paddle wheel and ducks you can feed from the dock. You can ride the river boats to Downtown Disney from either side. Both locations have bicycle and scurrey rental, as well as a video arcade. Each one has a sit down and fast service restaurants. For all purposes, they are equal in amenities. As far as Christmas, I have not had the luxury of staying at either one during the holidays. Before you make up your mind, you might want to make sure that they are both available during the winter. I believe that last winter the FQ was closed for a period of time. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Amy]

I've never been at Christmas, so I can't help you there.

Riverside is the old Dixie Landings, very spread out. It has 4 different bus stops; the bus stops at FQ first, then goes on to POR. We've never stayed at POR, but our first trip we rented bikes at FQ and rode around POR; it's beautiful, lots of gorgeous landscaping.

We've stayed at French Quarter twice and our boys loved it! We're hoping to visit again next summer and were hoping to add a few days at WL, but our ds's say no way! There's only one pool at FQ, and it has a real cool dragon slide. FQ is much smaller than Riverside so no matter what building you get it's never a long walk to get to the bus or food court. Our first trip, we were in building 7 which is the farthest from everything and it took at the most 5 minutes to walk to the bus, and that was walking slowly. FQ closed its sit-down restaurant a couple of years ago; I don't think it will re-open when the rest of FQ re-opens on May 31. The food court at FQ was pretty nice, nothing fancy, but the kids found stuff they liked. I understand the food court has been rehabbed during the shutdown. But since FQ and POR are sister resorts, you're free to use the pools, food court and sit-down restaurant at both resorts.

 

[eeyore0062]

OK, well 1st there is theming: PO-R is old south with antebellum mansions with French Provential furnishings, and bayou cottages with rustic furnishings, and landscaping that ranges from manicured gardens, to rustic woodsy areas. There is a main pool with the theme of Old Man Island, and 4 quiet pools located between the buildings. It is a larger resort, more spread out, with more rooms. Some of the bayou rooms can sleep 5, as they have a trundle bed. There is a large food court, a full service restaurant, a game room and the boat to take you to DTD docks here. There is also a piano bar in the main building. There are 3 bus stops around the perimeter of the resort, and one at the main building.

PO-FQ is themed on New Orleans, with bright colors, imaginitive sculptures, beautiful gardens and walkways. It has more of a city feel to it. It has one pool with a great slide that the kids love, as they get to slide down the tongue of a sea serpent. The food court here, isn't as big, and there is no full service restaurant. There is a nightclub called Scat Cats that specializes in Jazz. There is one centrally located bus stop, and there are only 1/2 as many rooms as at PO-R. The layout isn't as spread out, making any room convenient.

It really is a matter of personal taste!

 

[Ajax]

We enjoy POFQ for all the reasons stated above; size, accessibility, and the New Orleans ambiance. Plus, even the 'big' kids in our family love the pool!
I can't speak for POR, but we were at the FQ in '99 for Thanksgiving, and they had the Christmas decorations up. They were numerous and tastefully done.
The only downside is the loss of their full service restaurant, Bonfamilles. We really enjoyed eating breakfast there.

We’ll be staying there over New Years, and can’t wait!


Here's a link to some pictures of POFQ that include Christmas decorations.

http://wdwig.com/g_po.htme

 

[Eno]

I was at POR at New Years and they had a tree in the when we checked in in thelobby and decorations but other than for checking in I wasn't back there. I like POFQ better due to the smaller size, easy to walk everywhere.....etc.
I had fun going to other resorts to see their trees - Dolphin, Grand Floridian both had beautiful trees and decorations.

 

[cboudre1]

I think the FQ is great for a family with small children. The water slide is smaller and looks like a serpent. Also the entire resort is so much smaller than POR. We went there when my DS was 6 and he loved it. It was his first trip without a stroller and the smaller resort was perfect. You can also walk over to POR and use their pool, which we did once. We liked both hotels.

 

[Luvmic49]

We stayed at both resorts! I must say we prefer POFQ for all the reasons stated above. The buses go to POFQ first, so by the time they get to the 3rd. or 4th. stop at POR, there may be standing room only. They also stop at POFQ first coming back from the parks, when everyone is tired,( especially the little ones),being the first to disembark is also nice. We stayed at POR last Easter, the resort was nice, and very pretty, but a little too spread out for us.
Anyone know why the name was changed? It will always be Dixie Landings to us.
I'm sure you will be pleased with either. And remember, you can visit both resorts and try the different pools and food courts.
Have Fun!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

No real reason was given as to why the name was changed, other than the fact they were going to merge the 2 resorts and have them operated under the same management... I guess it was to cut back the confusion, and make it more unified.

I have my own speculations, considering this day and age of being PC and all, but yes I agree, it will ALWAYS be Dixie Landings to us, as well!

 

[TwinMom7]

It's totally a matter of your taste in theming. Do you want the busy, jazzy theme of the the New Orleans French Quarter - lots of purples and golds, jazz music being piped throughout, Mardi Gras theming...or do you want the laid back theme of the Mississippi bayou...southern mansions with beautifully manicured lawns, fountains and gazebos, rose bushes and magnolias, and the the backwoods feeling of the bayou surrounded by thick trees and small ponds, with rabbits, frogs and moss hanging from the trees?

We will be staying in the bayou for our 4th trip in August. We always walk along the river and visit Port Orleans, but as a family we prefer Dixie Landings. The food court at Port Orleans is much smaller and because there's only one pool, it seems very crowded. The quiet pools at Dixie Landings are never overly crowded. Our kids were 8 and 12 when we went and they preferred Dixie Landings - liked the pool area better, and the Medicine Show Arcade area.

If you'd like to take a "walking tour" of Dixie Landings, please visit my DIS website - click on the www link at the bottom of this post - and it will take you there.