Port Orleans Debate War

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

We are looking at Port Orleans Resort....
But to French Quarter or Riverside thats the question.
Each have there pro's and con's. We love the beauty of French Quarter, but heard that Riverside was bigger. Love that both have the boat to Downtown Disney. Never done that before.
Whats your choice........The debate rages on.......

We are going to Port Orleans on our first Disney holiday next month We found it easy to decide which moderate resort we liked best but soooo difficult to chose between Riverside and FQ. In the end we chose.......POFQ!!!!!!!!!!

We liked the look of both resorts equally but in the end we chose FQ because the thought of having all the main amenities close by won the decision for us. I didn't fancy a long walk to refill the mugs mainly!!

However, when we have a few leisurely hours to spend there we plan to treat it as one big resort, and are looking forward to strolling through the grounds to Riverside and checking out their bar and marina.

I'm sure they're both equally wonderful whatever you choose.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I prefer POFQ. The place is easy to navigate. It's small, but lovely. You're first one on and off the bus. Beignet is not available at POR which I love to eat in the morning or anytime of the day. More shallow ends at POFQ pool. I can't swim so I had to be more observant. I just prefer the Mardi Gras theme. I love the quaint streets and the street signs. This is the closest to New Orleans as I'm gonna get.

 

[magicbob]

Mansion section of POR is my choice. Have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and was not that impressed with POFQ. I like the long trail (great for a morning run) and lush greenery of POR as well as the river running through the middle (very relaxing atmosphere and nice view from the room) and the exterior theming of the mansions as well as the interior decoration... very classy.

 

[calablovedisney]

We choose POR every time, but in all fairness we have not stayed at POFQ. However, we do visit and have used the pool there. My kids prefer the pool at POR and the options of quiet pools are nice. We tend to use them at night. We actually prefer the larger layout. The walks along the paths are really nice. We have stayed in both AB side and Mansions and I prefer the mansions. Also agree with what some others said about the food court. It is pretty big with some good options at POR. You can always walk over for beignets if you want!

I should also mention that we rent a car while there so we do not worry too much about bus stops and there are some mornings we drive over to the main building for breakfast and head straight out to the parks from there so we don't spend too much time walking back and forth before heading out. Either way you won't be sorry.

 

[fairytalelover]

We've stayed at POR twice and loved it but this time we are staying at POFQ are are super excited to try it out. It looks awesome!

 

[GWS]

I have stayed at POR 2 times with my DW and we love the property. Last time we went to WDW we stayed at ASM because we though our DS would like it and it was not bad but nothing like POR.

This trip we want to try something different but are drawn to PO so we are going to POFQ. This way we will get the best of both worlds…trying something new (FQ) and still being at PO.

 

[maxiesmom]

I love them both! For me the deciding factor is how much we will use the pool. The pool at POFQ is best suited for toddlers, any older children will get bored with it very quickly. Plus if I want to be able to swim in a more peaceful environment, POR has many quiet pools. POFQ has none.

They are both beautiful resorts. You really can't make a bad choice between the 2.

 

[mavlax20]

My gf and I are staying at POR on our first visit together (my first in over 10 years) and I'm looking forward to it. As much as she may not be a fan of it, I am looking forward to the running trail also, something to wake up early to do (sometimes it sucks being a morning person).

One thing is for sure, I can't wait to go!!!

 

[robinb]

I prefer POFQ over POR. I like the New Orleans theme better and I prefer the smaller resort. Plus the bus picks up and drops off first at POFQ.

 

[danceintherain]

IMO, we prefer POR. We like that POR is larger because we go during a slow time of year and the resort feels nearly empty. POFQ feels crowded to us all the time since it's so small. We also found the food court at POFQ to be very small (had to eat in the lounge) with a lot less offerings. We also enjoy the quiet pools at POR, and POFQ have none. If you're concerned about being placed in a remote building at POR, you could always book preferred.

Mansion section of POR is my choice. Have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and was not that impressed with POFQ. I like the long trail (great for a morning run) and lush greenery of POR as well as the river running through the middle (very relaxing atmosphere and nice view from the room) and the exterior theming of the mansions as well as the interior decoration... very classy.

We chose POFQ for our current stay, and I'm not impressed. I like it enough that I haven't requested a move, but it gives me a completely different feeling than our past Disney resort stays.
To me it feels cluttered...very city like...as opposed to the tranquil feeling I got from both AKL and CBR.
One thing that has really been bothering me is that there are Club Cars EVERYWHERE. You would think that since it's such a small resort, people would walk more, but apparently not.

The smallness definitely is nice - we're in Bldg 4, so about as convenient to everything as possible. It has made letting the two year old walk a little more pleasant. However, we walked through Riverside the other day, and the "tranquil" feeling hit me as soon as we stepped off the bus.

When I was planning my honeymoon, everyone told me that POFQ was the most "romantic" and I'm SOO glad I didn't take that advice. I think if I had stayed here first, it probably would have turned me off to staying on Disney property for the most part. It feels very much like a standard motel. Yes, it does have some of the nice Disney touches, but it's not my style.

Everyone was correct about the bus service here being better than elsewhere for the most part. The pool is fine. The boat to Downtown Disney is nice. I don't think we'll stay here again.

 

[nkereina]

We chose POFQ for our current stay, and I'm not impressed. I like it enough that I haven't requested a move, but it gives me a completely different feeling than our past Disney resort stays.
To me it feels cluttered...very city like...as opposed to the tranquil feeling I got from both AKL and CBR.
One thing that has really been bothering me is that there are Club Cars EVERYWHERE. You would think that since it's such a small resort, people would walk more, but apparently not.

The smallness definitely is nice - we're in Bldg 4, so about as convenient to everything as possible. It has made letting the two year old walk a little more pleasant. However, we walked through Riverside the other day, and the "tranquil" feeling hit me as soon as we stepped off the bus.

When I was planning my honeymoon, everyone told me that POFQ was the most "romantic" and I'm SOO glad I didn't take that advice. I think if I had stayed here first, it probably would have turned me off to staying on Disney property for the most part. It feels very much like a standard motel. Yes, it does have some of the nice Disney touches, but it's not my style.

Everyone was correct about the bus service here being better than elsewhere for the most part. The pool is fine. The boat to Downtown Disney is nice. I don't think we'll stay here again.

I couldn't agree more! The one good thing about POFQ is that it doesn't matter what building you are put in because everything is a 5 min walk. Another edge that POR has is that the boat to DTD gets POR first, POFQ second. So, unless they have a full boat at POR which I have yet to see, you won't have to wait for the next one at POR like people often do at POFQ

 

[bdink921]

We did not have much choice as the family we are traveling with is a party of 5 so we chose POR. I love the look of this resort, looks so beautiful and peaceful. I love the choice of the feature pool or going to the quiet pools. We requested to be near each other so hopefully that means we'll be at AB, love the decor of the rooms there. We can walk over to POFQ for beignets!! Best of both worlds!

 

[katrina1122]

POFQ!!! We love how small it is and there's only 1 bus stop. POR there's 4 stops, it seems like it takes forever to get in and out of there.

 

[SarahKate]

POR all the way for us. Yes it's much larger. But you can request a closer room. Even with the walk, it's a wonderful resort to enjoy and we have never minded the walking. One year we stayed in building 85 and it's a pretty short walk. This one just has a lot more to offer and it just feels like home to us. We have visited POFQ and just don't feel it's for us. It feels too small and quaint but I know some people love that about the resort. Even though POR is a large and busy resort, it's still quiet and peaceful. Except the food court in the morning. Lol.

There is truly no right or wrong answer to this and you have to decide what works for you and your family. Do you want to be where more of the "action" is and the bigger resort feel? Or do you want a place that's more quaint and intimate?