French Quarter or Riverside

[emcarle27]

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.

 

[Nabas]

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

We've stayed at POR and POFQ several times.

As you note, POFQ is smaller and quieter than most other Disney hotels. POFQ is by far the smallest Disney Moderate Resort, about half the size of the others.

POFQ's Mardi Gras theming is rather romantic, and we consider it a great place for a young couple to stay. POFQ's most significant downside is its pool, which is rather small. If the pool is very important to you, the one at POR is large and enticing.

Don't forget to pick up some beignets while you're at POFQ!

 

[Joe Brig]

The 2 Port Orleans resorts are basically one large resort. They share the same busses, boats, and you can walk to either resort and use the pools and food courts.

A pool view will guarantee a good location at FQ. At river view room will provide a good location at Riverside.

We just got back. The bus transportation was a negative. For some reason, they picked up at FQ, then the 4 stops at Riverside, then stopped again at FQ and finally left for the destination. Kids were yelling at the bus driver that he was going in circles. About 15 minutes just to loop through the resort. Disney has lots of room for improvement with their transportation system.

The boat ride from FQ to Disney Springs is nice though without any stops.

 

[martikus]

We like building 7 of FQ. That way easy walk to riverside. You are also first on bus if they share (when we’ve gone during busy time we’ve rarely shared). Our favorite resort by far if you can’t afford deluxe.

 

[tinabina919]

We are at FQ now and I love it here.
It’s small so everything is easy walking distance and the food court has some good stuff. Really love the theming here too, it’s so pretty.

We enjoyed our time at the pool yesterday, there is only one but there were plenty of open chairs.

Only took one bus to MK so far and it was super fast and easy with no Riverside sharing. We did take a Lyft back after eating at the Poly so I’m not sure if they share for the drop offs.

 

[igrsod]

Both are lovely moderate resorts. If you like small and quiet, I would do French Quarter.
Although, our family really prefers Riverside.
Yes internal buses can be a pain when you just want to get to the parks, but it's a small inconvenience for a nice vacation at Disney.

 

[Nagle]

For us, Riverside was the worst stay over the years we have been going to WDW. The bus transportation was awful from our location. It was quite a few years ago, so it may be better now. However, for me personally, unless it was free I would not stay there again.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

We stayed at riverside last time, but we paid for a more premium location room. If your problem with the Caribbean beach resort was that it was too large, if you are not willing to pay for a closer room, you will have the same problem with riverside. Don't get me wrong, riverside is absolutely gorgeous, but it can be pretty big too. Stay at French quarter, and walk over to riverside. Best of both worlds.

 

[jenna1212]

Both are lovely but FQ has a smaller more intimate feel. Asking for a corner room will get more light. The boat to Disney Springs is a big plus and great for dinner. They used to have horse drawn carriage rides as well.

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d always choose .French Quarter over Riverside due to the size.

 

[ppony]

Stayed at both. FQ many, many times. That tells you which we prefer. My 21 yo son says it’s still one of his favorites and we’ve stayed at nearly every WDW resort (just not values).

 

[Lilsia]

I just got back from Riverside last month and am staying at PQ next month. I had zero issues with the bus at Riverside. I actually felt pretty lucky because I seemed to always walk up right before the bus arrived at the parks. The app with the but wait times was hit or miss but mostly hit, so you can see when the next bus is. They are both nice resorts but I prefer FQ because it is smaller and it has just the one stop.

 

[MidnightMeeko]

Both are lovely. Both have the boat to Disney Springs. Riverside is bigger and has the option of booking a room with a 5th sleeper pull down bed. FQ has beignets, Riverside has Boatwright's. They're both good choices and really it boils down to personal preference.

Edit to add: I wasn't trying to copy the above posters who also said both were lovely. I think the word lovely just comes to mind when talking about the Port Orleans resorts.

 

[mkb3]

French Quarter is my pick. I think Riverside is beautiful, but just way too big. It's so nice to want to go to the lobby or pool and it be a 3 minute walk. I would pick FQ over most deluxes if I couldn't get a room close to the lobby.

 

[VicarJT]

For us, Riverside was the worst stay over the years we have been going to WDW. The bus transportation was awful from our location. It was quite a few years ago, so it may be better now. However, for me personally, unless it was free I would not stay there again.

Riverside is one of the few resorts where we will never stay again. POFQ, on the other hand, is one of our favorites.

 

[Bird003]

FQ IS AMAZING. So easy to get around

 

[Mrs.AMC]

FQ gets the win 10 times out of 10 for us. Riverside is nice but we love FQ way more. Smaller footprint is the #1, 2 and 3 reasons, LOL

 

[k5xs]

FQ without a doubt. The intimacy and quiet are huge pluses for us. The walk to the main building is SO much shorter. The lobby is so quiet, as is the retail shop.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

POFQ

 

[Mrs.AMC]

The only place FQ is lacking is sit down dining. It's never bothered us. We don't eat at the hotel much any way. It does have the bar with some food items. And of course their food court. Riverside is close enough to use Boatrights if you really wanted to sit.