Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter

[Macagno]

My brother and his 3 children (ages 8,9 & 10)are planning a trip to Disney the end of Aug. Can anyone give me a feedback on either the Riverside or French quarter. I did some research and the French Quarter seems to have a great serpent water slide. However the Riverside has a restaurant. I don't believe that the French Quarter has a restaurant I think it is closed. Maybe I am incorrect.

This is the one time of year that he gets to spend with them so he is would like to make it as special as can be. Any feedback would be wonderful.

Thank you

 

[RachelTori]

I'm sure they'd love either! POFQ is small; POR is much more spread out, but for sheer beauty, you can't beat it! POR has the 2 sections - Mansions or Alligator Bayou so there are more options - AB also has "trundle beds" which might be nice for one of the children!

POFQ has the food court and it is very nice. POR has a food court and a restaurant. Each has the boat to DTD. Advantage POFQ has on the buses is that they're the 1st stop going to and 1st stop returning from.

I've stayed at both - my personal preference is POFQ, but if I had children along, I think I would opt for POR.

 

[Macagno]

hmmmm... I was thinking the French Quarter would be a good choice for him because of the water slide. It looked really fun... How far of a walk is it to the Riverside from the French Quarter? Is it walkable??

 

[JMD]

They are very similar, and I think you will be happy with either. Personally, I like POR, I just like the theming alot betther than POFQ.

 

[GoofyGirlnPrincessV]

We have stayed there twice so far and love it! The slide is great! There is a food court there and if you want you can walk over to the POR for the sit down restaurant. We did that a couple nights.

Good luck and which ever one you choose, I am sure you will have fun!!!

 

[Jaylie]

I just came back for Port Orleans French Quarter and loved it. The walk between the two resorts is very easy, about 20 minutes along the river; very clean, open and well lit (if you walked at night). I like POFQ better because it is smaller. The pool was great and the slide is a good size for kids (not too big). I agree with another poster who mentioned that the French Quarter bus picks up first and drops off first, so that was nice. There are four bus stops at POR and only the one at POFQ. Have a great time whichever one you choose!

 

[kmjmom]

We've stayed at both resorts and my 11 year old DD preferred the pool at the FQ. We also liked the smaller size of the food court. The resort was very convebient size wise also.

 

[disneyrunner]

Another vote for FQ. On our last trip we satyed at both due to dicount codes etc and we enjoyed the FQ more. The size of the resort just felt better. The walk between the resorts isn't that long and you can also use the pool and refillable mugs at the other resort when you there because they are considered the same resort. Our next trip we will be returning to the WL which is our favorite but FQ is a close second.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

We love POFQ!!! However, either of these resorts are great. The bonus of POR is that you can rent boats and surrey bikes, it has a restaurant, a fishing hole, and you can sleep 5 in the Bayou section. Benefits of POFQ are that it's small and not so spread out, my kids like the serpent slide better and the boat to DD heads out from here. Either way, you can't go wrong!!

 

[driver]

My recommendation would be Riverside. I just returned from a 3 day weekend yesterday. We actually stayed there specifically to use the hotel amenities - not to go to the theme parks. Our group had a 10 year old and an 11 year old.

Riverside also has a fun slide and the resort grounds have several other quiet pools located throughout the resort area - French Quarter does not. I also felt that the age group at French Quarter was considerably younger. In fact, the day we went to French Quarter to visit their pool it was closed down 45 minutes after we got there due to a baby going to the bathroom in the pool.

Riverside's main pool area has several shady areas too. There are also a lot of fun activities to do such as renting bicycles and surreys (for 2 people or 4 people), renting boats, fishing and an arcade.

We stay at Riverside everytime we head to Disney. It's our fave!

 

[freakylick]

Well you have got a lot of great responses here. I have never been to either, but will be staying at Riverside in Oct. Our decision came down to FQ and POR as well, so I do know a little about the differences. We won't have children, so our circumstances were different, but from what I have heard and read, here are some of the pro's of each for 1 adult w/3 kids:

POFQ
~Resort is smaller and easier to navigate
~Dragon slide (though POR has a slide too, just not as "cool" )
~First stop on the bus route (which is great b/c everyone should be able to get a seat on just about every bus..while we are at POR, we may actually walk to POFQ to catch the bus to MK..other parks, we are driving to)

POR
~Full service restaurant (don't know if that is important to them, but something to consider)
~Trundle Bed (not offered at POFQ, only in Riverside's Alligator Bayou section...with 3 kids, this can make a huge difference)
~Quiet Pools (if the main pool is crowded, there are always quiet pools close by...keep in mind that those staying at POFQ can use the POR quiet pools, but they have to trek over to use them)
~Fishing/Bike Rentals/Carriage ride are all at POR. POFQ can use them, but again, you have to trek over.

I don't know what is important to your brother and his kids, but these are some of the major differences between the two. The other obvious difference is the theme. Though both resorts seem to be absolutely gorgeous, my wife and I prefer the more rustic look of the Alligator Bayou section at POR. Good luck with the decision.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Riverside - for the quiet pools, laundry rooms, food court, and the landscaping of the AB area. If they request the AB without asking for a trundle, they can use it without the $15/night charge.

We walked over the FQ one year. My son was not at all impressed with the dragon slide. It looks better than it really is, and the pool was mobbed. When we stay at Riverside, if the main pool is packed, we swim at the quiet pool.

FQ also only has one bus stop. I haven't stayed there, so I'm not sure how long the walks can be. Riverside has 3 or 4 (we always have a car).

 

[ozzyla]

We just got back from POR on Sunday. We didn't eat much at the restaurant or food court, but enjoyed our stay at the hotel. If there is 5 in the party you have to go with POR, I don't believe the FQ offers the trundle bed.

There is also a slide at the POR pool, and 4 or more quiet pools throughout the area. All my kids enjoyed the slide even my 5 year old who was scared of most everything.

I would highly recommend requesting a room in Bldgs 14, 15, or 16. They were very close to the main bus stop, we only had to stand once on a bus and it was leaving magic kindgdom during extra magic evening hours.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I've stayed at PO Riverside about 6 times. French Quarter is too crazy/busy/colorful for me. Riverside is quiet and I stayed in Alligator Bayou section. Awesome! The view was nice, the trees, it's alot more nature-y I think in Riverside. Plus they have a huge food court!

 

[DisnyMama]

POR AB - It is so laid back and such a relaxing atmosphere. The food court is great and so is Boatwrights.

 

[Evad]

POR Get's our vote.
Ol Man's Island is great for the kids along with play area next to it