POFQ or POR???

[jend]

HI all. I've gotten some excellent feedback from you and see that many of you really like PO for a moderate resort (we have 2 kids - 3 and 5). But now the question - which one FQ or Riverside??? Does anyone have any good pictures of the Riverside pool?? I can't find any. Also, how good of a chance of getting a trundle bed (if we're only a party of 4) at Riverside?
Thanks.

 

[jenrose66]

I would recommend staying at the French Quarter. I love it there, it's small and the bus service is good. I'm not the biggest fan of crowds...I know you can't avoid them at Disney but it's nice to go back to the hotel and not have a huge influx of people all over.

As far as the pools go, the one at FQ is pretty nice. Me and dh took a walk over to a riverside pool on our last trip and it wasn't very special.

 

[dreamalittledream]

We were at FQ in Feb and I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the resort and how nice it was. (mind you we had been at Poly the year before) It was great for our quick 4 day trip. The bus service was very efficient, I was a little leary having ridden and missed the slow busses at Poly.
Our room was beautiful and the food court selections were better than Capt'n Cooks.
the Resort itself was beautiful and theming is perfect. I would stay there again.
with the little ones, the small size will make getting around easier for you. Also a first floor room is nice with a stroller if you are using one.

 

[MsWitty1]

I took my nephew and we stayed at the POR. The pool is shared between the two and the restaurant is in the middle. I liked the big mansions in POR, but from what I have read the POFQ is smaller and may be easier to get around in.

We had a great time and our best day was spent at the resort. We rented bikes, went on the boat to DTD. We spent time at the pool and then watched a movie that night.

 

[Sandi]

I found POFQ to be better for us when our DD was younger. We stayed there when she was 3 through 6; then we switched to POR at age 7. I love the compactness of POFQ, but DD (now 10) likes the pool, playground, marina, and bike rental available at POR. The pool and playground at POFQ are better for little kids than for bigger kids. But, as others noted, you can use everything at either resort since they are sister resorts.

 

[*Fantasia*]

We stayed at POFQ and we loved it! I am so glad we chose this resort. This resort is small, so it's not spread out. We loved the Doubloon Lagoon. The deco at the food court is very festive, colorful and fun to look at.

We walked to POR (about 10-15 walk) and though the place is nice, I liked the themeing at FQ better.

 

[Cara]

I chose POFQ for our October trip. I figure we will be walking enough at the parks! I wanted to RELAX at the resort, and POFQ seemed to fit the bill for that.

 

[HopperFan]

http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/photodxpool2.html and
http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/photodxpool.html are photos of the Riverside pool.

 

[Lizzybee]

My kids (and I) love POR and as far as the pools go, you can use both or either when you stay at either resort. POR has a sit down restaurant POFQ doesn't, then again it's a 10 minute walk or boat ride over from POFQ to POR. I guess I'd say do you like Mardi Gras or laid bath Southern Charm best?

 

[BetsyS]

We just returned yesterday after 11 nights at the FQ. We stayed in a courtyard view room and everything was very close. DD 2 loved the pool area! FABULOUS RESORT

 

[Feralpeg]

I loved the size of POFQ. It is so easy to get around. The pool is themed very nice. The food court doesn't have as many options as POR.

 

[BelleChick]

I love POR!!! It is my favorite moderate resort! The theme of the resort is wonderful and the landscape is beautiful. They have a wonderful food court and a great water slide. I have also stayed at PRFQ....My family and I stayed there when I was a kid for my first disney trip....so it is special to me too. I loved the pool there as well. Really, my advice would be to look at pictures of them with your family and make the decision as a group.

Here are some picture links:
POR
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_dxl.htm

POFQ
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_po.htm

 

[tink2]

We've stayed at both, and while both are great, POFQ is our favorite. We like the smallness of the resort- no long walks to the bus stop, food court, etc. from any room- that works great for us b/c our children are small- 5 and 3. The resort itself is very pretty. We've never used the pool- we go in Nov. and Dec.- but the kids think it is very cool looking. Both are great resorts- POR is just more spread out than POFQ. Oh, and the resorts share buses- with POFQ being picked up first in the morning (you always have a seat) and dropped off first at night. That is a big plus also. POFQ is our first choice of resorts, with POR coming in second. If you choose POR, look at the resort map from the dis and request a good location- close to the food court and bus stops. Good luck!!!

 

[becka]

We really loved POFQ but we stayed there before kids so I don't know how much kids would like it. The resort is beautiful and the theming is very well done. We loved the boat to DTD and the beignets in the food court. The bus service is good and is shared with POR. You can use the pools/playgrounds at either resort. Basically since they are sister resorts I would say go with whatever theme you like best.

 

[princess-rn]

We've only stayed at POFQ. We were determined to try someplace new this year..but chose not to. POFQ is small..the pool is great...the pool bar is wonderful...the whole feel of the place is perfect with or without kids. (Here's another hint I got from someone here....POFQ is the FIRST bus stop going to the parks..and the FIRST to be dropped off after a long day at the parks. That alone is a good reason to stay) THe only thing they are missing now is a full service resturant. We did take a stroll over to POR (we were looking for a b'day card for MIL...FQ gift shop told us to try riverside). It was nice..but very very big. I can't imagine staying that far away from everything. It's beauiful there though.
Good luck choosing!!
Have a great trip!!

 

[MiJo]

POFQ slide and part of the pool:

POR Pool and Kiddie Pool:

My DW and I enjoy both of these resorts. POFQ is smaller but does not have a full service restaurant. POR has "quiet pools" in addition to the main pool.
Try not to miss Bob "The Piano Man" Jackson perform in the River Roost Lounge at POR. I believe he is there Wed-Sun evenings from 8:30 'til Midnight. He is terrific family entertainment!