POR/POFQ Which to choose??

[ufalum]

We are planning a trip for Feb and have not been to either of these resorts. For those who have been there - what are the pros/cons for each? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Melrosgirl]

I love the POFQ...smaller resort. First bus stop to be picked up ... first to be dropped off.

The pool is great, esp. if you have kids.

Every room is close to the bus stop, food court, etc.

HTH

 

[Soccer Princess]

Ditto to everything Melrosgirl said !! POFQ all the way!
We just got back and loved it!

 

[barbeml]

We stayed at Port Orleans three times before it was "merged" with Dixie Landings. We have walked to Dixie (now POR) for breakfast at Boatwrights. We LOVED POFQ for the atmosphere and smaller size. We were very disappointed when the restaurant, Bonfamilles, was closed. They had excellent french toast unlike any I've had since at WDW, great pecan pie, and wonderful servers. POFQ has 1 bus stop--former Dixie Landings must have had 4 or 5. Kids might find more to do at POR, but we have no little ones and would go back to POFQ--especially if they bring back a full-service restaurant.

I hope this helps a little.

 

[kdibattista]

FRENCH QUARTER all the way!!!!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Okay, everyone always says POFQ, but I am going to offer a different view...

Yes, POFQ is small. If proximity to everything is important, then, go for that.

However, I thought POR was not-too-pleasing on the eyes (I am trying not to say ugly ) I didn't like the way the buildings looked at all.

We stayed at POR and used to East bus stop (one of the back stops) and had NO problems. Everyone also reports that POFQ is "first on, first off" of the busses. When we were there, that was a little different.
1. POR and POFQ did not share busses in the mornings (at park opening) The POR bus picked up at the back stops first, then the main (south) depot, then headed off to the parks.
2. POR and POFQ did share busses in the afternoons and evenings. At those times, POFQ was the first on and off
3. At park closings, if the longs were long (like at the MK) POR and POFQ had seperate busses.

 

[dcedwards]

You didn't say the size of your party or ages as there are pros and cons for both resorts depending on those things. Here is my take after having stayed at both.

I will tell you up front that my preference is POFQ, though.

Pros of Riverside
1) Main pool is geared for older kids. Slide is faster and has more curves in it. There are several quiet pools if you do not like the main theme pool.
2) Kids can fish at Riverside.
3) There is a sit down restaurant there along with the food court.
4) The gift shop is bigger and carries a better variety of things.
5) There are two different themes so you can pick which you prefer...down south bayou or plantation style.
6) There is a nice playground for older kids with lots of stuff to do.
7) You can rent the bikes and boats right there at the resort.
8) The lounge entertainment is wonderful.

Cons of Riverside
1) It is a very large resort. Some of the walks to the food court and pools can be long.
2) More of the rooms actually face the parking lot, depending on your location. (This is opinion, remember, not fact.)
3) Sometimes busses may be crowded for back bus stops and you can get passed by if they are full making waits a little longer. (Not always but sometimes).
4) There are more people here so the resort may "feel" more crowded, at times.
5) For us, we didn't like the theme of either section ... it was nice but wasn't our cup of tea.

Pros of FQ
1) Smaller resort. Walk from anywhere is quick and not bad at all. Less of a feeling of being "crowded" since there are fewer people.
2) Newly remodeled food court.
3) For us, we like the New Orleans theme and the jazz music that plays all the time.
4) The pool is great for younger kids. The slide isn't as fast or curvy and little ones can go down it by themselves.
5) Great playground for younger kids.
6) We prefer the location and surroundings of the pool bar area as compared with Riverside (again preference).
7) We like the "compactness" of the resort in regards to the pool, hot tub, playground area, food court, main lobby and bus stop.
8) One bus stop. First on and first off.

Cons of FQ
1) No sit down restaurant.
2) Smaller gift shop with less variety
3) If you don't like the theme you won't like this resort.

The rooms at both resorts are the same size. The furnishings are the same except in regards to theme and interior decorations. You can look at pics on this site, I believe.

I think you will enjoy your stay wherever you stay. Both resorts are great and are on the river. Both have the boat to DTD. Both have good food courts. Both need some attention to the inside of the rooms. Both have great grounds.

Good luck.

 

[ufalum]

Thank you everyone for your advice! We will be traveling with 4 adults and 2 kids (ages 2 and 4) so the less walking the better for us. Also, the playground for smaller kids sounds better. As it will be Feb, we will probably not be swimming so not a concern. Thank you again - sounds like PO-FQ will be it!

 

[Bev J]

You will love POFQ, we have stayed at both and loved the smaller feel of FQ. You may be surprised that you will probably get some swimming in even in the cooler months. The pool is heated.
Make sure to go over to Riverside for the food court it is fantastic, so many choices. Have a great trip

 

[dcedwards]

Just to let you know, we always swim in December. Typically we are there for 10 days and there is almost always 3 or 4 days that are warm enough to swim...even now that we are from AZ and our blood has thinned.