POR vs POFQ??

[marielynn724]

I know this topic must have been beaten to death on the boards here already, but which would you pick between Riverside and French Quarter? I'm thinking of a fall trip for DH & I and I'd like to stay at one of the 2 Port Orleans resorts because they are more quiet/romantic than the other moderates. I've been to POR years ago, but DH hasn't been to either. The "royal rooms" don't make a difference to us - we'd be in a standard room either way.

 

[TandLMommy28]

I've stayed at both and I honestly can't choose. The buses are better at POFQ but POR has a better food court and more activities so to me, it's even. I love them both.

 

[FiggieFan]

I've stayed at both and I honestly can't choose. The buses are better at POFQ but POR has a better food court and more activities so to me, it's even. I love them both.

I agree. We have been staying at POFQ but if we use the food courts for lunch or dinner, we always walk to POR - we only use POFQ for breakfast. There seem to be more and better options at POR - like the pasta and they have some great sandwiches like the roast beef with blue cheese. They sometimes share buses, but we have rarely experienced that - maybe it depends on the time of day. On our last trip which was 9 days in the parks, we shared buses with POR twice - once going to MK and once returning from EPCOT.
The boats going to Downtown can be full when they hit POFQ which happened to us a few times on our last trip, if that is important to you. POR is the first boat stop so we had to wait for less crowded boats to come.
Besides that, I think it just depends on what theme you prefer. POFQ is smaller but POR seems to offer a bit more and has a few more pools, carriage rides, different themed areas, etc.

 

[wiigirl]

I've stayed at both and I honestly can't choose. The buses are better at POFQ but POR has a better food court and more activities so to me, it's even. I love them both.

I agree...but if I HAD to choose, I would go with POFQ by a small margin.

 

[alc571]

I would choose POR. Especially if you're thinking of a romantic trip. There are a few pretty secluded AB buildings that would be lovely. It's such a beautiful resort, and I like the bigness of it. To me POFQ feels cramped, older and dirtier (not that it is, it just feels that way to me). We enjoy the walk there for a visit, but we much prefer POR.

 

[MiramarQE]

We've done both several times - ditto on the food court comments - POR is FAR better.

We walk enough in the parks - so being too far from the main building to us is a big problem. The "preferred rooms" are in Alligator Bayou - There's a quiet pool in there (something else we appreciate), and it's a short walk to the South (first) bus stop.

Our first choice would be a preferred room in POR - then POFQ, then POR

 

[dminnie]

POR would be my choice.

Main pool is better at POR and they have a few quiet pools. FQ doesn't have quiet pools.

Food is better at food court at POR.

If you want a TS meal, FQ doesn't have one(only counter service). If you want the carraige ride, it starts/ends in POR. I think they also have fishing at POR. Basically, POR has more amentities than FQ. FQ's main appeal would be if you want a more compact resort (but then you have to walk to POR for some of the amenities).

We like the grounds better at POR(even if it's a bit more walking). FQ is smaller, but it seems like the buildings are closer together...more of a "city" feel to it. The way POR is layed out, it didn't seem like anything was really THAT far away to us. We had a standard room and requested the mansion section. It was just a short walk across the bridge to the pool and food court.

Discounts: if there are discounts, POR will have a bigger one. FQ tends to be excluded from discounts or only at maybe 5% while other mods have 20 -25% off.

 

[married2mm]

We've stayed at both,loved por but truly adored pofq.
Time passed by far too quickly,and I want to be back there,now!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

POFQ....without a doubt... We spend enough time and energy walking the parks... Sure don't need to do that at my resort.....

 

[calngavinsmom]

POR would be my choice.

Main pool is better at POR and they have a few quiet pools. FQ doesn't have quiet pools.

Food is better at food court at POR.

If you want a TS meal, FQ doesn't have one(only counter service). If you want the carraige ride, it starts/ends in POR. I think they also have fishing at POR. Basically, POR has more amentities than FQ. FQ's main appeal would be if you want a more compact resort (but then you have to walk to POR for some of the amenities).

We like the grounds better at POR(even if it's a bit more walking). FQ is smaller, but it seems like the buildings are closer together...more of a "city" feel to it. The way POR is layed out, it didn't seem like anything was really THAT far away to us. We had a standard room and requested the mansion section. It was just a short walk across the bridge to the pool and food court.

Discounts: if there are discounts, POR will have a bigger one. FQ tends to be excluded from discounts or only at maybe 5% while other mods have 20 -25% off.

Yes to all of this! For a place to lay your head, POFQ is lovely, but If you want a resort that you are going to be spending time at and has lots to offer, POR for sure.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[rotlex]

Stayed at FQ a few weeks ago, and Riverside last year. For me, Riverside hands down. Better pool\slide, much better food court, and the room appealed to the whole family a bit more. The resort also felt more like a resort, where FQ gave us more of a generic hotel feel. The only plus for POFQ was the one bus stop.

Both are nice, but if we stay mod again, it will be either Riverside or CBR.

 

[Ravenne]

POFQ....without a doubt... We spend enough time and energy walking the parks... Sure dint need to do that at my resort.....

That's exactly the reason why we picked POFQ too. I do really like the decor and theme of POR much better, but I wanted a bit of a break from all the walking, especially since this will likely be our first trip to WDW with kids and no stroller. (They're just a tad too big for strollers, but not quite big enough to do all of the walking.) Although, I really do not like the POFQ food court. Frankly, the decor creeps me out. I don't much care to eat while a giant 30ft head is staring right at me.

How far is the walk from POFQ to POR? And are you allowed to use the POR pool if you're staying at POFQ?

 

[sweetnjmom]

I know this topic must have been beaten to death on the boards here already, but which would you pick between Riverside and French Quarter? I'm thinking of a fall trip for DH & I and I'd like to stay at one of the 2 Port Orleans resorts because they are more quiet/romantic than the other moderates. I've been to POR years ago, but DH hasn't been to either. The "royal rooms" don't make a difference to us - we'd be in a standard room either way.

I would choose French Quarter if just yourself and DH--especially if you are choosing a standard room. Many of the standard rooms at Riverside are the rustic Alligator Bayou rooms (that Disney doesn't show on their website) and not the romantic mansion rooms you see.

I think you'd be fine with the CS restaurant there for breakfasts--especially if you want beignets (even if not as good as Cafe Du Monde).

 

[Matt Mathers]

My first post.

I have to say I love POR for the landscaping - it looks amazing around the Bayou area. Loved the food court, and love Bob Jackson (plays piano in the bar if you've no clue what I'm talking about).

Course, you can walk between both resorts easily enough so it's sort of moot. But I'd pick POR.

 

[pepe of ohio]

That's exactly the reason why we picked POFQ too. I do really like the decor and theme of POR much better, but I wanted a bit of a break from all the walking, especially since this will likely be our first trip to WDW with kids and no stroller. (They're just a tad too big for strollers, but not quite big enough to do all of the walking.) Although, I really do not like the POFQ food court. Frankly, the decor creeps me out. I don't much care to eat while a giant 30ft head is staring right at me.

How far is the walk from POFQ to POR? And are you allowed to use the POR pool if you're staying at POFQ?

The walk from POFQ to Riverside at a strolling gait... about 10-15 minutes...and being sister resorts... Pool hopping is allowed...

We picnic lunch at POR... for a change of pace ..

 

[Kelmag]

I've been to both - and without a doubt, POR is my most favorite. The food court is the best.

 

[lovedonald]

I love POFQ. It is my absolute favorite resort. I love the fact that it is smaller. There is never a long walk to the main building and the grounds are just beautiful. I also like POR but definitely prefer French quarter.

That being said. Everyone is going to have their opinion. Both port orleans resorts are just amazing. It is truly one of the nicest places to stay in Disney.

 

[DanInMN]

Think of them as really one resort with 3 areas... Alligator Bayou, Mansions, and French Quarter. You can swim at any of the pools, eat at either food court, etc. They are right next to each other. Some rooms are really close to the others main building.

We have stayed at POFQ and POR-AB. In 2 weeks we will be at POR and hoping for Mansions, just because we have not stayed in them before.

 

[DanInMN]

oops, double post

 

[*Fantasia*]

I love POFQ! I love the New Orleans/Mardi Gras theme and all the reasons that others already mentioned.