Port Orleans

[LoriUK]

PLEASE could I ask some advice. My husband and I are coming to WDW for Christmas and New Year 2013 and have decided to stay at the Port Orleans Resort. We are abandonning our 5 kids and grandkids and have decided to spoil ourselves. This will be our 20th Disney Visit and this is a resort we have never visited before, however we keep getting conflicting opinions as to whether to stay at the Riverside or the French Quarter. We are not too old to enjoy ourselves but tend to get up early and get out to make the most of each day. We need to finalise our booking soon, but would welcome advice as to which of these wonderful places to stay. We have never had a bad vacation at any Disney resort having stayed at most of them from All Star to The Swan and Dolphin but as this is such a magical time of year we want to make the most of it. HELP! lol Many thanks in advance

 

[Sue M]

Our fav moderate has been POR in the mansion section. Beautiful resort, boat to DTD, horse & carriage rides, marina, evening family entertainment, good food court. We love the location of either Magnolia Terrace or Acadian House. We request to be close to Old Man Island Bridge. Very central location.
Check out the POR thread. Tons of info and resort pics.
We are trying out FQ for the first time in a couple of weeks.

 

[minnie mum]

We've stayed at both, enjoyed both and don't think you can go wrong with either one. Take a good look at the pictures and maps and see which appeals most to you. Do you love the old south ambiance and spaciousness of POR? Or do you need/want the compactness of the much smaller POFQ? For us, these are the major differences. We've picked POFQ for our next trip because of it's smallness.

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

We love POFQ, next time will be the third time. It's a small compact resort, it tends to be the first bus pick up and drop off when going to the parks. Food court is small but the food is tasty. the theming is great. We tend to stay here and walk to POR if we fancy a change. The walk by the river is very relaxing. The boat to DTD is an additional bonus. I find POR too big and it's food court too noisy but I know many people love it. POFQ is definitely our favourite, we've been told it compares to a deluxe ?? Never had the cash to test this though.

 

[The Marsons]

We always vacation at the mansion section in riverside. Nothin like a morning stroll round Riverside of a morning. We just love it there.

 

[Tricia's mom]

We do LOVE both these resorts. We have stayed at PORS more times. But I do prefer FQ better. It is smaller and quieter. I love the soft jazz music being played. It just has a quiet park like setting and close to the Bus stop no matter where you stay.

We stayed at RS once because we wanted to try it (alligator bayou) second time because of price ( alligator bayou) third time because we wanted to try one of the new Royal rooms ( magnolia bend). We did love RS. The ol man river pool tends to get very loud rowdy and packed during the afternoon and sometimes a bit of a walk to the pool. Its not a huge walk but when you just want to go in for a dip....I guess there is always the quiet pool near your room. I also liked to get a beverage fill with my mug in the am....@ PORS its a long walk to fill up the small mug @ FQ its very close.

With both units having fridges now... I guess thats not even an issue any longer.

 

[mad madam mim78]

You'll be happy with either choice. I'd say flip a coin!!

 

[ocean702]

I like the christmas decor better at POR than at POFQ. actually i think the decor at POR better in general.

you can't go wrong with either, but i really enjoyed the early morning stroll with our refillable mugs from the mansions to get coffee at POR food court, better than the quicker walk to the POFQ food court.

 

[tink2]

We have stayed at both and I agree- you can't go wrong with either! However, we love POFQ!!! A few reasons we like it better than POR:
1. it is smaller- much less walking to bus stop/food court, and quieter
2. buses- this could be important for you- esp during a busy time like Christmas- POFQ is usually (every time we've gone) picked up first and then POR is picked up. Also, on the way back to the resort from the parks- POFQ is dropped off first. This is a big plus.
3. We just like the 'charm' of POFQ- like a very clean New Orleans- very pretty, quiet, tranquil. May be better for you also since you don't have children traveling with you.
Again- both are beautiful and you can't go wrong with either.

 

[Luv2Diz]

As others have said, you can't go wrong with either. We love the POR mansions. The beautiful grounds and general atmosphere are so relaxing.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Both are quite lovely, either will be liked IMHO.
But there are major differences as well.
Do you like the opportunity to go to a quiet pool, in addition to a main pool, do you want a sit down restaurant on premise, More food options at POR, larger and not as intimate as POfq, ...they are linked by boat and you can also walk between (like 15 minutes on a lighted trail) so actually Id say visit both if you can.)
My sis stayed FQ for her honeymoon and loved it, has stayed POR at other times... We have also done both, but much prefer the POR for the "feel" of it...all the Xtras we feel area important for us. I am POR biased I suppose having stayed there a gazillion times (tho POLY club is not shabby either )
Seriously tho, you will have a wonderful time at either, so I say, take a peek at the individual pix to see what appeals more...and most important

CONGRATS and have a MAGICAL stay wherever you choose!