Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter?

[MonorailMan]

I'm looking over these two hotels, but have never been to either of them. Which of these two do you guys prefer, and why?

 

[Maukey]

With Kids - POFQ

Without Kids - POFQ

Why? Simply put.........

Smaller than POR, which means less walking, More Romantic, Better Themed (IMO), It shares busses with POR and is First ON First OFF, which is a big plus during busy seasons, slightly better ratings overall by most review sites..............What? You aren't reserving it yet?

 

[MonorailMan]

How about if I'm going alone?

 

[Maukey]

How about if I'm going alone?

Ha, didn't think of that. If you're theme parking, POFQ for the First On First Off of the busses. However, if you're just staying for another reason, and aren't gonna do much Park Hopping, then take your pick based on which theme you like the best. I will say POR seems more cozy.

Regardless of which you choose, make sure to take the boat ride to Downtown Disney

 

[boomhauer]

I'll be staying at Riverside for the first time in a couple of weeks. Haven't yet stayed at either, but went to visit them on my last trip. I hands down preferred Riverside. Pool area looked a lot better. I liked the exterior of FQ, but I think the food court is ugly. Reminded of a school cafeteria dressed up for Mardi Gras (which is basically the point.)

I can only go by pictures I've seen, but I think the rooms at FQ are kind of ugly.

 

[VacationKicks]

My family stayed at POFQ 8/06. We liked it and would stay again. We liked that is was smaller, fifo for busses and boats to Downtown Disney. Many times our bus was filled and headed to the parks past people waiting for busses at PORS. We did take the boat over to riverside and there is a bigger food court, but you can get there easily so no need to stay there.

The other plus to being smaller was that it didn't take long to get from anywhere on property to the pool, bus stop or food court. The same cannot be said for PORS. After a long day at the parks I don't want a long walk after getting off the bus!

 

[MS_mom_1965]

I am planning to book at the French Quarter, and was somewhat worried over having to go over to Riverside for the restaurants and different pools and such. I had read that the boats do back and forth to Downtown Disney, but wasn't aware that they also go to Riverside. Is that correct?

 

[VacationKicks]

I am planning to book at the French Quarter, and was somewhat worried over having to go over to Riverside for the restaurants and different pools and such. I had read that the boats do back and forth to Downtown Disney, but wasn't aware that they also go to Riverside. Is that correct?

Yes, the boats ( there were at least two in service at all times) goes from DDD to FQ to RS to FQ to DDD (a loop) etc... So they may not run until DDD opens I don't remember when they started but they did run until after DDD closed. The boats come by every 10-15 min.. It is a nice relaxing ride, not too long but not so short that I would rider it everytime I wanted to take a swim or eat.

 

[DavidHobart]

I am planning to book at the French Quarter, and was somewhat worried over having to go over to Riverside for the restaurants and different pools and such. I had read that the boats do back and forth to Downtown Disney, but wasn't aware that they also go to Riverside. Is that correct?

Yes the boats do go to Riverside.

I have stayed at both and slightly prefer POFQ for all the above reasons, plus this: it's easy to access the positives of POR (eg the restaurant and bar) by simply walking there.

One other point: the POR main pool, because of its layout, feels crowded for sunbathing, and is heavily shaded. The POFQ pool is more open to the sun and feels less crowded.

 

[MS_mom_1965]

Are there mini-fridges and coffee makers in the rooms at FQ?

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Are there mini-fridges and coffee makers in the rooms at FQ?

Yup.

 

[aprile]

How about if I'm going alone?

I went by myself in March and stayed at POFQ, it was nice that it's not a long walk from the buses to any of the rooms, especially since there's no one to help you carry stuff.

I really liked POFQ and would stay there again.

 

[Mousemom]

We have stayed at POFQ 3 times and will be staying again in September. We really like the size and what this moderate offers. The pool, food court, short walk to POR for restaurant and boats, size of resort. Our family loves POFQ.

 

[schwaa]

How about if I'm going alone?

I stayed at POR alone once. I love both resorts. POR more than POFQ. POR is more laid back. You seem more lost in the landscaping. It feels a little more removed from the "world" yet still in the middle. POFQ is great. It's small. Strolling around isn't as varied as it is at POR. POFQ is quaint and feels more like staying in a quiet city.

The thing I like the most about POR is this: There are three outlying bus stops beyong the main stop. I loved waiting at those bus stops (many times alone, usually with one family). The main bus stop is BUSY. There are people everywhere and they are run for the bus when it comes up. I always stood on the busy busses, so it didn't matter to me getting on last. (this is something you don't really think about but - for me at least - makes the resort seem that much quieter and peaceful).

 

[MonorailMan]

I know I'll definitely miss the deluxe resorts, but it's just not an option right now. Both of these resorts seem pretty fun. I don't mind walking, especially when there's a lot to look at. I've been to WDW several times, but to behonest, I've never taken their boats/ferries anywhere. Should be fun, especially since I'll more than likely be going to Epcot from the hotel. And the refrigerators here will make it sooooo much easier for me since I have to keep my bottles of insulin chilled. I get tired of filling an ice bucket up every few hours.

Thanks for all the input. Feel free to keep those opinions coming.

 

[Doc CW]

French Quarter b/c it is smaller so less people are there, you are 1st to be picked up and dropped off by the buses, the food is really good at the food court, the pool is cool, it is into the theme, and it has a really good overall atmosphere.

 

[KCmike]

Grounds are far more lush and has the "resort feel". Food court far superior. Has many more extras as well.

 

[MonorailMan]

Okay, here's another question for ya.....

POFQ......or Caribbean Beach Resort?

I've never been to either.

 

[VacationKicks]

Okay, here's another question for ya.....

POFQ......or Caribbean Beach Resort?

I've never been to either.

I've been to both and prefer POFQ, we had a preferred room at CB (not water view but close to main pool, food court). We had major bus problems at CB, the resort was so large and we were at one of the last stops, due to the preferred location, and many times the full buses left to the parks without us. So often we got to be experts at waiting 15 mins. then calling for a bus. Sometimes we waited over 30min..

The kids did like the main pool, but it was small compared to POFQ and the resort large. They did have quiet pools at CB, but once the kids saw the slide that's where they wanted to be. I did like the quiets pools and they were close, each "island" has their own.

 

[mickeymedic]

Here's another vote for POR! I love this resort for the following reasons:
1. Beautiful landscaping
2. quiet walks along the river
3. fantastic food court
4. Piano man Bob Jackson!!!!

BTW, I've never had a problem with the bus service at POR. The bus may stop at POFQ first, but the nice thing about getting picked up 2nd is a shorter ride to the parks.