Port Orleans - Riverside or French Qtr

[jmdisney]

I can't decide which one... We have 2 kids. Which is better?

 

[poohfriend]

I personally prefer the french quarter. But each has its advantages.

French Quarter Advantages:

Slightly smaller
The resort is like a pristine New Orleans French Quarter (very pretty)
Buildings are closer together making the resort more compact
There is fast food court available
Great Pool with a fantastic slide -- go down the dragon's tounge into the water.
One bus stop -- first stop when the bus goes to both POFQ and POR
Playgournd and Pool are centrally located
10 minute boat ride to DTD
I thought the rooms were *slightly* nicer decorated compared to POR

FQ DIsadvantages:
About a 15 minute (maybe 10) walk to the POR Boatwright's Restaurant
(About a 5 mintue boat) -- Times also true for the other activities


POR Advantages:
Closer to the restaurant
Food Court also available
Nicely themed pool looks like a pool you'd find on a hike. Nice slide
lots of extra activities close (fishing, bike riding, paddleboats)
A family of 5 can get a trundle bed
15 minute boat ride to DTD

POR Disadvantages:
Even though our building was "close in" location in Alligator Bayou I thought we had to walk forever to the food court
Bus Stops are spread out around the sprawling resort . It also seemed like a long walk to the bus!

This is an awesome resort for the price. You'll enjoy either side.

 

[magicaldisney]

We have stayed at both. What are the ages of your children? That would make a difference.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Just returned from a week at POFQ. Here's my take on the situation:

If you have a DDE card, it's good at the POFQ food court. We found the food (especially the strawberry pancakes, beignets, and muffalettas) to be outstanding. Also, during even the busiest times, we could always find a table. While it's not good at the POR food court, it is good at Boatwright's (which, of course, is only a short walk or boat ride from PORFQ).

The boat ride from POFQ to DTD is 5 minutes shorter. However, the boats were often full by the time they reached POFQ from POR. One night, we waited 4 boats before there was room for us. The line at POFQ's boat dock had grown quite lengthy during our wait. (As I'll mention in a moment, this is a common theme at POFQ.)

The bus ride from POR to any of the parks is shorter. It repeatedly took us 45 minutes to travel from POFQ to MGM!! However, the bus stops at POFQ first (going each way!). Thus, the seats on the buses were always full before reaching the first POR bus stop.

Bus transportation was the only thing I really disliked about these 2 resorts. Returning from the parks, there always was a long, long line -- far, far longer than for any other WDW resort.

Pools at both resorts are fun for kids. Because there is only one at POFQ, chairs fill quickly. POR has 1 theme pool and 5 quiet pools.

 

[budbeerlady]

We loved POFQ with DD (5). It was compact, so little walking to the food court, bus or pool. And she loved the shallow kids pool. And POFQ is first on the bus then off to POR. So she would sit on my lap and we knew we had a seat for her.

 

[kizmac]

I can't decide which one... We have 2 kids. Which is better?

Never stayed at FQ but POR we loved! I have 6 kids and they all loved POR and the log beds in AB section. The pool slide is a little better than the one at FQ....you can use the pools at both resorts which is a bonus if you have time. Boatwright's is excellent! The foodcourt was good too. It can get crowded if you don't go early but the food was good. You can rent the mouseboats and surrey bikes and there are carriage rides, and fishing at the fishing hole.

It is bigger than POFQ so if size of a resort is an issue for you then go with FQ but POR is really a great resort for kids. IMO

 

[Madi100]

My kids didn't like POR. They did like FQ, though. We got off the bus there one day and ate lunch. I think if we ever chose to stay moderate again, we'd definitely go to FQ, not POR. POR is a lot of walking, which is the last thing you want to do at the end of the day.

 

[jenr812]

We stayed at POR last July and LOOOOVED everything about it. The pools were fabulous. We stayed in Bldg 38 which is further from the food court but we didn't feel it was that far to walk even with a 2 yo (at the time).

 

[jmdisney]

We have stayed at both. What are the ages of your children? That would make a difference.

My kids are 8 & 10