Port Orleans...French Quarter or Riverside?

[shay425]

For those of you who have been to the Port Orleans Resort, which section is better? Riverside or the French Quarter?

 

[Dagny]

I am going to move this over to the Resorts board where our experts can provide you with their opinions

 

[tigger53]

riverside is our choice. the resort is laid out better and the landscaping is beautiful. i don't know why some think its too much walking. granted there can be a 5 - 10 min walk to the food court from some of the buildings but the walk is very senic with waterways, gardens, bunnies and birds. i find it very relaxing. also the food court is much bigger than at POFQ and i feel it has a better setting to it.

 

[dalt01]

riverside, on top of what was mentioned in the first reply they have a very good full service restaurant, french quarter has none at all, they have five or six small pools in addition to the main themed pool, the waterslide at the main pool while not as dramatic looking is longer and faster and the overall feel of the place is more "your somewhere else than in the regular world" like.

 

[canwegosoon]

POR for us too...we were in Building 16(rm 1648). It is not the closest (I think 2nd closest), but it is a short walk to the Main pool, restaurants, and Bus stop. I found the scenery really nice. My boys loved the "Huge Leaves"and the little lizards. The Mansions looked great too..would go again if we don't have any more DVC points . Had a great time there!!!

 

[Sandi]

I would say "it depends." We preferred POFQ when our DD was younger (3 through 7). The serpent slide at the pool and the mardi gras animals are visually appealing to younger kids. The resort and pool area are smaller and easier to get around. Also, the food court never felt mobbed which the POR food court really can get.

Now that DD is nearly 10, POR is our (her) favorite. The play area with the Tom Sawyer theming is terrific. The pool is bigger and the slide is a bit longer and has an extra curve compared to POFQ. There is the "fishing hole" which is kinda fun. Also, POR is where the whole PO resort gets the bike and watercraft rentals (which you don't really need with the smaller kids, but once their old enough to reach the bike pedals, the surrey bikes are a real hit).

The resorts have shared features -- like the pools and bike and watercraft rentals. I've found, however, that you usually stick to the resort where you have a room. If this is your first visit, go to both areas and get the feel. You really can't go wrong. They are both great. We were at POFQ in April and will be at POR in December.

 

[MiJo]

we would choose POFQ. We stayed in the Bayou section of POR back in '99 and really enjoyed it although our trip was interrupted slightly by Hurricane Floyd. Last year, we stayed in POFQ and really enjoyed that also. As a middle-aged couple traveling without kids, we prefer POFQ for a few reasons: it's small, the spa is secluded and the buses stop first at POFQ before going on to POR. The drawback is the lack of a full service restaurant but we enjoyed the 10 minute walk up to Boatwright's whenever we felt like eating there.
We are hoping to get back to WDW in February and are definitely considering PO for that trip. Now, should we stay at POR or POFQ? It is a dilemma! Have fun choosing!

 

[26555]

Originally posted by Sandi

The resorts have shared features -- like the pools and bike and watercraft rentals. I've found, however, that you usually stick to the resort where you have a room. If this is your first visit, go to both areas and get the feel. You really can't go wrong. They are both great. We were at POFQ in April and will be at POR in December.

Shared features including the pools? That would be nice but I'd need some confirmation before I'd try it ------ don't want to be accused of being a lowly pool hopper! Anyone else been told pool hopping among the PO hotels OK?

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

Definitely Riverside. The cafeteria is larger and I think it had more of a variety that the one at FQ. I just think Riverside seems larger and more spread out and so it feels less crowded and more relaxing to me. It's my favorite resort!

 

[Santa]

I like the buildings farthest from the food court area. There's less foot traffic the farther out & it's a short 5 minute walk to the main area.

 

[katypop]

26555-yes it is okay to use pools at either of the sections if you are staying at PO i was at POFQ in the spring and they let you know at check-in that you can share with POR. the boat that goes to DD also goes from POFQ to POR and back or you can walk or take the busses. the refillable mug is also the same at both. i asked about the mug and was told by all means to take it to either food court. no one will accuse you of being a "lowly pool hopper"
katypop

 

[ssatterly]

Riverside