French Quarter or Riverside

[a1tinkfans]

I didn't think I'd be back posting so soon as we just got back from a Disney trip in June 2021. But my husband brought up going for our 1 year wedding anniversary. We'd be going in September.

Our last trip we did a split stay Beach Club (for work conference) and then Caribbean Beach. Skyliner was the biggest draw of Caribbean Beach for us. The resort is massive, almost too massive so I'm not jumping to stay there again.

We've heard great things about Riverside but I've heard French Quarter is smaller, quieter so I'm leaning that way.

Price point is pretty similar for Riverside and FQ.

Ability to get busses to parks is making me a little nervous.

Would love to get some feedback on both.

french qtr sounds like a much better fit for u. One bus stop that runs efficiently. I actually love Riverside but Only stay there Preferred to get on the South Depot/main bus depot but even then…it’s simply Not enough buses imho.
when I feel the need for POR, we walk along the well lit Sassaghoula paved walkway straight there. I like that indoor bar better for a cocktail at night. It’s an easy safe 8-10 minute walk.
lovely boat to Disney springs is also a plus at Both resorts.
enjoy wherever u choose.

 

[CindysMice]

We love FQ. Like everyone said it’s so quiet and relaxing. But yea, the buses blow. We have made the decision that when we stay at FQ it just means we budget for early morning Ubers. For a 5 day trip it’s like an extra $50 on the whole trip. Worth it. Plus the Uber picks you up in the parking lots closest to your building so it’s really convenient.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

We stayed at French Quarter for our very belated honeymoon trip in 2018, it was nice and quiet. We loved how small and easy it was to get around and had no issues with waiting for buses. The boat to Disney Springs was nice, and honestly gives you a lot of options for restaurants but we also enjoyed the food options in the food court type area.

We went for a walk around Riverside and while it was beautiful, it was huge. We had originally been booked there but moved because they are one of the resorts that allow dogs, while I have and love dogs I didn’t want to end up with a barker next door

 

[Mrs.AMC]

We love FQ. Like everyone said it’s so quiet and relaxing. But yea, the buses blow. We have made the decision that when we stay at FQ it just means we budget for early morning Ubers. For a 5 day trip it’s like an extra $50 on the whole trip. Worth it. Plus the Uber picks you up in the parking lots closest to your building so it’s really convenient.

Do you mean POR? Cars can't pick you up at your building at FQ

 

[CindysMice]

Do you mean POR? Cars can't pick you up at your building at FQ

Nope but it was right before pre-Covid when we last stayed. Has it changed?

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Nope but it was right before pre-Covid when we last stayed. Has it changed?

No. FQ buildings have no roads to them. Never have. POR does. But not FQ

 

[CindysMice]

No. FQ buildings have no roads to them. Never have. POR does. But not FQ

We have stayed multiple times in building 1 and there is parking right there I see.

Edited as the maps didn’t load in your post for me for a long time.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

The point I was making is you can't drive around FQ, you can drive around POR. If you happen to stay in one of the buildings with a parking lot then yes, Uber can come get you there. At POR, they can get all the way around the resort. Granted, there are no bus problems at FQ either, with a single bus stop it runs smoothly and easy. Which is also why your comment was confusing and made me think of POR, where they do have multiple bus stops and more problems.

We have stayed multiple times in building 1 and there is parking right there I think. Here is map:
View attachment 639389

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

It sounds like FQ is the choice for you for this trip. We love them both and usually alternate stays. The pool is definitely better at POR, but you can use both pools and enjoy the amenities at both. It’s a really nice walk between the two resorts, so it’s easy to spend time at either. If you choose POR make sure to request the mansion section if you aren’t booking a preferred room. They will be more convenient than some of the further out Alligator Bayou buildings you could be assigned.

 

[crzy4dsny]

If you thought CB was too big don't stay at Riverside, it's bigger. You will enjoy FQ much more its one of my favorite resorts.

 

[kstruchen]

I didn't think I'd be back posting so soon as we just got back from a Disney trip in June 2021. But my husband brought up going for our 1 year wedding anniversary. We'd be going in September.

Our last trip we did a split stay Beach Club (for work conference) and then Caribbean Beach. Skyliner was the biggest draw of Caribbean Beach for us. The resort is massive, almost too massive so I'm not jumping to stay there again.

We've heard great things about Riverside but I've heard French Quarter is smaller, quieter so I'm leaning that way.

Price point is pretty similar for Riverside and FQ.

Ability to get busses to parks is making me a little nervous.

Would love to get some feedback on both.

We stayed at Caribbean Beach in 2015. Our last trip in 2019 we originally had POFQ booked but ended up switching to POR to save some $ with a room discount. I didn't care for Riverside and wouldn't stay there again. It was huge for one thing, and the food court area was always annoyingly crowded (compared to CB). I wish we had stuck with our FQ reservation. I would go back to CB, but not Riverside. My 2 cents.

 

[mld2177]

I've stayed at both, and I say FQ all the way. Like others have said, it is quaint and easy to navigate

 

[ftbaker1313]

another vote for FQ. We've stayed at both but have stayed more often at FQ.

 

[Lomac924]

I have stayed at both several times. I agree with the others- the convenience factor is huge at POFQ. However, I love the theming at Riverside more and I LOVE watched Yehaa Bob in the evening (but you could just walk over there from FQ).

I would probably vote FQ for you. Either way, it will be a great trip!

 

[dd316]

I've only ever stayed at POFQ (staying there again in a few weeks), but we've walked over to POR to check it out and definitely enjoy the atmosphere at POFQ better. Both are really nice and have about the same amenities, but POFQ feels cozier.

 

[romanr27]

Can anybody who has stayed there since they both re-opened comment on how the bus service is now? Prior to Covid I believe when service shared the order was POFQ -> West Depot -> North Depot -> East Depot -> South Depot. Is this still true? With the driver shortage do they share more often?

 

[Lilsia]

Can anybody who has stayed there since they both re-opened comment on how the bus service is now? Prior to Covid I believe when service shared the order was POFQ -> West Depot -> North Depot -> East Depot -> South Depot. Is this still true? With the driver shortage do they share more often?

As far as the bus schedules, nothing has changed. During busy times, POFQ has their own bus, during slower times of the day, they share. They always pick up at POFQ first and the bus route is always W-N-E-S except for Disney Springs busses, which go to POR first.

 

[Joe Brig]

Can anybody who has stayed there since they both re-opened comment on how the bus service is now? Prior to Covid I believe when service shared the order was POFQ -> West Depot -> North Depot -> East Depot -> South Depot. Is this still true? With the driver shortage do they share more often?

We stayed over Christmas week and the bus service was awful. Not only was it shared with Riverside, it sometimes stopped twice at FQ. So if you were unlucky to get on first, you then went to all 4 stops at Riverside, the back to FQ one more time before finally leaving.

We also had to wait over 45 min for a Hollywood bus, while waiting we saw 3 empty Animal Kingdom buses come and go. You would think Disney could use modern technology to improve the bus situation. Maybe someday.