port orleans riverside or french quarter?

[KTwiegs]

I am trying to plan my mother in law and father in law's 3 days trip down.
They will coming for part of our trip.
We are staying at ASMU. (this doesn't really matter but we definitely will not be staying at the same resort)

They are totally willing and interested in beach club but we thought maybe one of the port orleans would be nice too to save a few $$.

They plan to do 2 days in the park and 1 day relaxing at their resort.

I know little about the port orleans resorts. any help would be great! thank you!

 

[buzznina]

Everything you need to know can be found at portorleans.org, this is a very informative site on both resorts. POFQ is the smallest WDW resort so any room is pretty close to everything. It also only has 1 bus stop and will ocassionally share with POR, but POFQ will always be the 1st to be picked up and dropped off. POR is a much bigger resort and has 4 bus stops, some rooms are about a 10 minute walk to the FC area. So if they have any issues of walking then I would suggest if staying there to reserve a preferred room, this will be close to FC, pool and bus stop. I would look at photos of all the resorts you are interested in and see what theme they would like. I also agree with saving some $$$

 

[Babsy]

POFQ:

Small moderate resort, so everything is nearby
only one bus stop
rooms are small but comfortable
boat ride to DS is very nice
beignets made fresh to order at the food court
Many people love this resort
quaint new orleans theme
food court is the only dining option

POR

larger resort, so can be a distance to further rooms for walking
multiple bus stops
nice themed pool
other 'quiet' pools around the resort
table service restaurant as well as food court for dining
boat ride to DS
three different themed areas: Alligator bayou, Mansions and Royal Rooms
some rooms in AB sleep 5
small but comfortable rooms
Yee Haa Bob entertainment on select nights (A blast!)
carriage rides
fishing
surrey bike rentals
beautifully landscaped grounds for walking around (romantic)

You can use the amenities of both (including pools) regardless of which of these two resort that you choose to stay in. It is a lovely stroll along the river between them (about 10 minutes?).

Both resorts are very nice. we personally prefer POR, but lots of other folks prefer the small size of POFQ.

FWIW: Neither PO resort is a deluxe property like the BC. The rooms are larger and nicer (IMO) at the BC along with interior hallways and have balconies (although some are standing room only). Also, we like the Epcot resort area, Stormalong Bay pool and the boat ride to Epcot and DHS. The BC and Epcot area is a really nice place to relax for a day.
Unless saving the money is an issue, we prefer the BC to the PO resorts.

Enjoy!

 

[FelisLachesis]

They're both nice, but it comes down to what you want more.

French Quarter is very small. That means everything is very close, but some people feel everything is on top of each other. The theming is more of Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street. It almost never qualifies for free dining. There's no restaurant, but it has one of the best food courts for a moderate. The beignets are really good!

Riverside, by comparison, is one of the biggest moderates on property, and like @Babsy said, it's almost like three different moderates all in one. The theming resembles the plantations outside of New Orleans, with the simple houses like in The Alligator Bayou, and the mansions overlooking them. Some people like the variety, others feel it's too disjointed. Some like how spread out it is, but it can give a feel of isolation. It does have a table service restaurant, Boatwrights, which is New Orleans themed. Some like the uniqueness, others don't like the blend of spices used.

Regardless, guests at both resorts can use the theme pools at both resorts, so go to both for variety, if you have time.

The stroll between the two resorts by the Sassagoula River is one of the best landscaped areas in all of Disney. Not just Disney World, but all of Disney. It's so good, you can lose yourself in the moment, and forget where you are.

 

[Disneylover99]

Id choose POFQ over POR for it's small size.
But if they are paying and are interested in the BC, that's what I'd book for them.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

POR is our favorite moderate for all the above reasons We really have enjoyed BC as well - I do feel BC is a lot busier than POR and if they aren't big pool folks, may enjoy the calmer atmosphere of POR. If they love activity, BC and the Boardwalk area would be good -- calm and relaxed then POR!
Another issue is if they are okay to ride the buses to the parks...if mobility is an issue, BC wins on accessibility to Epcot and HS.

 

[AllieBoo]

I would go with POFQ, it's our favorite mod. If they are fine with spending extra $, I highly recommend Yacht Club. It's a very quiet resort and they could walk to Epcot and DHS. It also has a great pool, and it's nice having the Boardwalk area right there which gives you more dining options.

 

[Darklord77]

If I was going to stay at a moderate resort it would be FQ. Stayed there in 2010 and I could not have asked for a better experience. The walk from the farthest building to the bus stop takes 5 minutes and there is only 1 bus stop. I liked that it was a smaller resort and everything was easy to get to and find. It's also an easy walk over to POR.

 

[beccasmom]

We enjoyed POFQ because it's really themed nicely and compact, so easy to reach everything (may be a factor for some seniors). There used to be a nice restaurant there, but it closed some years back. POR is lovely too, but quite large with meandering pathways that make it easy for some to lose their bearings (there is plenty of signage though). There is both a food court and sit-down restaurant there.

The BC/YC are also super choices with larger rooms and many more choices for nearby eateries (including BW). The location is terrific, close to unbeatable IMHO. If money were not a major concern, I'd opt for the BC/YC, especially if they plan a day or so of downtime. There are more opportunities for leisure pursuits, shopping, etc.

 

[FlyingBelle]

Stayed at Riverside a couple of times, a few years ago - it was our favorite at the time, and we never wandered over to FQ. This past March we stayed at FQ for the first time and LOVED it! In fact, that's the only place DH wants to stay now.

Our room was lovely, plenty of room (although we've stayed in All Stars the last couple of trips, so this was a nice step up!). We had a room on the courtyard, which was perfect. 30 seconds to walk to dining, 30 seconds to walk to the pool, 1 minute walk to the lobby/shop, maybe 2 minute walk to the bus stop. Maybe a 1-2 minute walk to the boat.

They showed a movie on the lawn right outside our room every other night, and had a campfire with free marshmallows a few nights. Kept my shades open so I could see the kids and let the them watch the movie while DH & I relaxes in A/C with an adult beverage They also gave the kids a free bag of smart pop popcorn while watching the movie - family sized bag!

We loved the boat ride to Disney Springs. We walked over to POR a few times, takes about 10-15 minutes to walk there along the river, or you could take the boat.

Food court was great. I got the kids meal every time - fried chicken and green beans were awesome.

I usually pick up breakfast in the am for the family and bring it back to the room - it was so great to have such a short walk - food was still hot!

The theming isn't over-the-top Disney, and my kids did comment on that - they felt like they were in "any ole hotel", but they LOVED the pool, so they were happy.

 

[Elizabeth Smith]

My DH and I chose FQ after much much much waffling between the two. Ultimately, we liked the look of the FQ rooms a little more and we heard that it's a little quieter, and more adult resort, and that's how we decided. The grounds of both look beautiful. I like the exterior of the buildings at POR a little more, personally. I think no matter what you choose between the two, it will be great. I have heard nothing but praise for both resorts.

 

[unrequited23]

It all depends on what your parents would enjoy. We just got back from POR and my parents were staying at POFQ at the same time, so we checked out the resort a lot. POR has multiple swimming pools and the 'quiet pools' don't get that crazy if your parents like swimming. POFQ food court used real plates and real silverware whereas, POR has paper plates and plastic silverware. The food options were a bit spicier at POFQ, but both had standard items too. To me, POFQ always seemed crowded. POR is more spread out so you see less people, especially in Alligator Bayou where there is so much vegetation. After being in the parks, I really enjoyed not feeling crowded.

 

[bnhonest]

If relaxing at the resort is what you have in mind, I think PORS is the way to go. As mentioned by PP, it's more spread out, so you really dont feel like there are more than maybe 100 people there. The "mansions" are pretty, the river has a tranquil quality to it, all the greenery provides plenty of shade to keep you out of the sun. Even the feature pool bar has the feel of sitting in a rocking chair on a front porch in the swamp.

We walked over to POFQ. The ground were nice, and the areas between the buildings seemed tranquil as well. But the feature pool is geared towards little kids. Like pre-school little. And there are no quiet pools at POFQ.

We were there last week and DW and I discussed maybe coming down to PORS and spend a few days just at the resort without even doing the parks.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

As others have said, I would pick FQ if either parent in-law has problems walking. This was our first experience with a WDW resort; we had our 7 year old son with us and as another poster has written the pool is geared more towards families with young ones. Our son is 24 now.
Wife and I prefer Riverside, the only resort we have stayed at more than once. First time was in the Mansion section and after taking a carriage ride through Alligator Bayou we wanted to give that section a try. We like the theme of the resort, sitting poolside with a drink on a nice day, exploring other parts of the resort, selection of surrey rides or horse drawn carriage ride (make reservations at GS desk).
And as other posters have written POFQ and POR are sister resorts, can come and go to either using each of their amenities. If they don't want to walk from one to the other they can take the boat to get to each one.

 

[Sue M]

Riverside is our fav. We always request a building in mansion section close to Old Man Island foot bridge. Central location close to everything. Love the theming of mansion section. Riverside has the added benefit of quiet pools, if you are having an adult trip and want to get away from the noise of afternoon pool party and crowds of main pool.
Better food court.
Fun evening entertainment
Quieter resort, buildings are (in mansion section) along the river, and more spread out, FQ is more compact, buildings closer together, and feels to me, more crowded, less relaxing. And unless you have a building on the river front, you never see the river at FQ. Unless you make a point of walking down.
Landscaping along the river paths is IMO prettier at Riverside.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Another vote for POFQ here! We instantly fell in love with the place...

 

[helenm29]

Oh certainly French quarter! so relaxing! you can still catch a bus or drive to lots of fun things..we never had trouble with taking the bus to anywhere we wanted to go. What ever you all chose, they will enjoy the stay!

 

[brocktoon11]

Another vote for French Quarter!