Help Me Pick A Resort

[WDWNY]

I would love some help picking my resort!

Going in January and running the 5k with my aunt (our first rundisney!). She's been there once and we stayed at Pop that trip. She doesn't care where we stay but would like to stay at a moderate but would also be willing to stay at Art of Animation in the little mermaid rooms. We're going to be at the parks most of the day and aren't really pool people. (No kids on this trip)

I've stayed at Caribbean and Coronado so naturally I want to stay at Port Orleans even though it doesn't appeal to me as much. I wouldn't even know which one to pick, French Quarter or River Side. I would love to stay in the Little Mermaid rooms but they look like a far walk from transportation/ to the food court.

What would you recommend?

 

[Disneylover99]

POFQ
You'll be doing enough running. Choose a small resort.

 

[revdon64]

French Quarter. Great place!

 

[Betty_Baylor99]

I'd recommend the POFQ as well if you're looking for a mod. I agree with the previous poster- with all the running you'll be doing, you'll want to pick a smaller, compact resort. There's nothing wrong with a larger, sprawling resort that has more amenities but based on what you posted about being at the parks for the majority of the time, and not partaking in the resort amenities like the pool, POFQ would be a good fit if you can overlook that their dining options are limited (only has a food court vs. POR which has a dedicated restaurant). You can do a search on the forums about AoA and the discussion that Little Mermaid rooms are the farthest/longest walk from the food courts and buses- if you're physically active and fit, the length of the walk may not seem like a big deal (I personally wouldn't opt for a Little Mermaid room if I was traveling with smaller children or someone with mobility issues just because that walk at night after a full park day is sort of brutal).

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with POFQ. Little Mermaid rooms are small and far from the main area. Give yourself a break and go for the small mod!

 

[WDWNY]

We don't mind walking since we're from NYC and walk everywhere. We only eat breakfast at the resort anyway so it doesn't bother us that there isn't a restaurant. For dinner we eat at the parks or at the monorail resorts/ epcot area. I'll go ahead and book POFQ and won't change it (unless for some reason one of the other moderates ends up being drastically cheaper with any specials) Thanks a lot!

 

[Babsy]

I would pick POR RR pool view (request near the bridge).

Lovely resort, convenient location, great theming in the rooms, table service restaurant at the resort, Yee Haw Bob entertainment, Horse and carriage rides, surrey bike rentals, great themed pool and really nice quiet pool area and walking distance to POFQ if you want to check it out.

With no kids, I especially like the pools and atmosphere at POR over the pool at POFQ. Also, the food court is larger and better, IMO than the one at POFQ. You will have to go to POFQ to get the beignets, though, if you like the sugary fried dough.

Either resort is nice, I just thin hat you get a LOT more at POR for the $$$ spent. the only advantage that you have at POFQ, IMO, is the small size and single bus stop.

 

[BabiesDaddy]

I prefer Riverside. I'm not much for the french quarter theme, but you can use the amenities for both resorts.

This website was huge on information when i stayed in 2013.
http://www.portorleans.org/

 

[kollerbear]

We don't mind walking since we're from NYC and walk everywhere. We only eat breakfast at the resort anyway so it doesn't bother us that there isn't a restaurant. For dinner we eat at the parks or at the monorail resorts/ epcot area. I'll go ahead and book POFQ and won't change it (unless for some reason one of the other moderates ends up being drastically cheaper with any specials) Thanks a lot!

If you're from NYC, I'd definitely pick POR!! My DH and I lived in NYC when we stayed at POR and couldn't understand what the fuss was about, we walked much further to get to the subway or grocery store several times a day than we did to get to the dining hall!! I know it's very different with kids, but as two able bodied adults we loved the short (to us) walk. Meanwhile, the landscaping is gorgeous and the grounds are just beautiful. It's so relaxing. We stopped by POFQ and it felt much more artificial and plasticky (to us, obviously to each their own, others might find the theming really really fun! It might be that Mardi Gras... well, isn't really a family affair per se, so it felt weird to see a New Orleans environment portrayed in such a sanitized way.) We loved the more immersive, expansive, and subtle theme at POR. If it weren't for the resort proximity to the parks being better at deluxes, POR would probably be my favorite resort! Amazing food court and beautiful landscaping.