Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter?

[jenniferma]

Hi-- was wondering if anyone had any opinons on which of the Port Orleans resort they liked best? We have two kids-- ages 5 and 3 when we go next year. Which one do you prefer? thanks so much in advance!!!! jennifer

 

[indigoxtreme]

We just returned yesterday from this great resort. With the compact size of POFQ and the pool etc, I believe you will enjoy it with your little ones the most. Of course you are free to use the facilities at POR since they are sister resorts, including pool hopping. We had our DGD (4) with us and we just loved the size of this resort and everything about it. We rode the bus to POR to eat at Boatwright's one evening and rode the boart back, it was great.

 

[asaj]

We picked POR, mostly because of the theming. I didn't want to take the chance that my DD would be freaked out by the mardi gras jesters, dragons, etc at POFQ. Also, going with my parents, and they are more into the tom sawyer/gone with the wind type themes.

I have heard lots of good things about both though, and we are excited to see for ourselves.

Andy

 

[MissMichelle]

We aren't going until February but are staying @ POR with 3 kids 5,9,9. The kids LOVE the looks of the slides and pools @ POR...AT first I was skeptic since it looked too "40's Mississippi" and wasn't sure about the kids...But they are excited....We are doing the 1st night @ AKL to get them psyched for the rest.

 

[dadtoagirl]

Stayed at POR last Sept. and really liked the resort very much. Is pretty spread out but seemed to be very quiet. My then 18 mth old was just learning to swim and liked the quiet pools at POR vs the main pool. The food court was clean and the computers went down one day so they just comped us our entire meal.

We've on a quest to stay at all the resorts so we're arriving at POFQ on Sat. the 17th and really looking forward to it.

 

[Lesley]

We have been to both and both have their own charm. POR is amazing for just walking around taking in the sights...particularly Alligator Bayou. FQ is much more compact, which also has its advantages...and its a beautiful resort in a different way. I think Riverside has more resort activities....though you certainly can take part if you're staying at FQ that sort of cancels out the advantage of FQ being smaller since you'd be going all the way over to Riverside to rent a surrey bike or go cane pole fishing or whatever.

My 5yo says she prefers the FQ, yet I'm not entirely sure she remembers both resorts. She was 2yo when we stayed at Riverside. FQ is the closest thing you'll get to the New Orleans that was for quite a long time into the future...so there's a consideration too.

I don't really think you can go wrong with either one. Have fun!

 

[music54]

which is the 1 that gets picked up first by the bus
i think its pofq but cant remember

 

[lovethattink]

POR is our favorite! I like it there the best because there is so much to do. The fishing, the piano man, the larger selection of salads, are all at POR. There are 5 quiet pools and 1 theme pool at POR to only 1 pool at POFQ. We spent most of our time at the quiet pool.

 

[anut4disney]

We just got back from POR and really loved it. We took the twins (6) and they loved it. We were near the quiet pool and they would get in the pool at night (we sat on the side) when hardly anyone was there. The boat to DTD was really nice, we had the coolest captain. We also did the horse and carriage drive (goes riverside and french quarter) how relaxing it was and the driver was very entertaining.

It was a very nice, calming place and we would stay there again.

 

[indigoxtreme]

which is the 1 that gets picked up first by the bus
i think its pofq but cant remember

Yes it is POFQ. We always got a seat. It was nice. At MK after 3 the have returning buses one to POFQ and one to POR.

 

[Redbudlover]

You may ve already booked, but if not.... We have stayed at both and much preferred the POR for the beautiful landscaping, Boatwrights, recreational stuff. but liked POFQ better for the lobby and Mardi Gras theming - and especially for transportation to parks, since you are first on and first off. This trip we were considering POFQ because it has been newly refurbished and POR has not as yet - and supposedly is getting a little worn...

 

[juliette]

Hi guys
I have a trip planned for this upcoming Dec and yesterday my mother in law decided she really wants to go
So i was thinking of staying at POR never stayed there and I hear good things
but my main concern is if there is a chance of the kids going into the pool are they nice
Is there some where that i can see some pictures of the pool area
I checked dw website and nothing

help guys

 

[Disneytrip]

Go to www.allearsnet.com! Great site!

 

[Hopefully]

I loved POFQ. I had only stayed at Home Away from Home or Deluxe and I was worried about staying at a Mod. That said, I liked everything about it. We were in Building 5 and had a river view. We were close to the pool, the Food Court and the bus stop.
I have not stayed at POR, although one day we walked around there. To me, it seemed too big and although beautiful, more Motel-ish.
I am sure whichever you choose you will be happy.

 

[magicaldisney]

We have stayed at both. There are different reasons to like each of them. For your situation, I would consider this...

POR is much bigger than POFQ. Depending on what building you would be in, it can be quite a walk to get to the dining area, pool, boat and bus. There are 4 bus stops at POR, but you still could be quite a ways from the stop.

POFQ has a great pool for the younger aged kids.

With the age of your children, I think everyone would enjoy POFQ because of it's smaller size.

Please keep in mind, because it is a smaller resort, it does fill up faster.

 

[KayakDaddy]

We've stayed at both & we have similar situation as original poster. We have DS5 & DD1. Here are some positives for each as I see it.

Pros for POFQ:
Busing: 1st bus stop, so it should be empty when it gets there in the morning and you'll be the first one home at night. Also, you are closer to Downtown Disney on the boat ride (both ways of course).
Smaller: You will not get lost and even the worst self-parking is not that far away. Also, some are closer than others, but no rooms are that far from the pool.
Landscaping: just beautiful
Pool: Better for younger kids. Slide is less intimidating and the atmosphere is not as rowdy. Since it's a smaller resort, the pool is less crowded. My DD1.5 went down the serpent slide lots of times with me waiting at the bottom. I wouldn't have thought about trying that at POR.

Pros for POR:
Boatrights: Great sit down resturant. I know it got average reviews in the UG, but we had great experiences here. Our entire group collectively agrees that our breakfast at Boatrights was the best food of our most recent trip. And that was competing against some pretty high dollar places.
Playground: Playground is larger here and it is nice and shady. The kids will get dirty here though - very sandy.
The Mansions - this entire area is beautiful. I loved the architecture and attention to detail. AB suits some people, but is not my personal style.
Pool: Better for older kids. Slide is longer and more fun. May be intimidating for younger kids because you can't see the bottom from the top.

In summary:
I would say POFQ due to the kids ages. Both are great and I'm sure we'll hit them again (as soon as I've stayed everywhere else)!

 

[EthansMom]

I agree with KayakDaddy. Also, POFQ is so small that the furthest room is about a 5 minute walk away from the Lobby/Bus Stop. The short walk is a real plus when you're heading back to your room after a day at the parks with young children.

 

[eclectics]

I've only stayed at FQ but have walked through POR and it's very nice, but the bus thing is enough to turn me off. I just remember the POR people who were lucky if they got a seat after us FQ's filled up the bus and then having to wait on the way home while we got off first.

 

[Disneyfun2]

I stayed a few nights at the Port Orleans Riverside. I thought it was absolutely beautiful. The only thing I didn't like it was a long walk from the main bus stop. We are going to try the French Quarter for a few days next time.

 

[Leota]

I just got back from POFQ & as much as I loved the themeing at POR & thought the pool would be better for my DS (16), I was sure glad we stayed at FQ! POR is HUGE & I wouldn't have liked getting on the full bus & not having a seat. I wouldn't have liked the possibility of being so far away from the main building & we are perfectly mobile with no little legs that wear out easily anymore.

With the ages of your children, I would definately pick POFQ for the size, transportation & the Pool area really being greared towards the little guys.