Riverside or French Quarter

[MinnesotaHoneymooner]

Which is better - Riverside or French Quarter? Why? We are honeymooning in WDW Nov 3-10. Thanks!

 

[minnie1928]

I've only ever been to FQ, so this is a one sided recommendation. I loved it! The small size, the music, the atmosphere, the boat to Marketplace. It's feel is very laid back and relaxing.

Congratulations!

PS- Welcome to the DIS, the greatest people are here!!!

 

[kbkids]

Another vote for POFQ - and again - it's one-sided, as I've only stayed there and not at Riverside. BUT, I have walked over to Riverside, which does indeed have beautiful grounds. I still would prefer POFQ because of the small size of the resort - even in the farthest building, you're not far from anything. For the bus, it's shared with Riverside, but POFQ is the first to be picked up and the first to be let off - that's definitely a good thing on crowded buses. The food court is really pretty good, and I definitely love the atmosphere. The rooms and the grounds are beautiful.

Congratulations!!

 

[Nolcrest]

First of all welcome.

This is a tough call. I've been to both and like them both for different reasons. Overall I enjoyed Riverside more - but I happen to like the laid back feeling of it. I liked all the wood and the wooden bridges at Riverside. But I must say that French Quarter is very charming too. The nice thing about the FQ is they have one bus stop and I believe they are picked up and dropped off before Riverside.

Riverside also has quiet pools to choose from.

FQ does not have a sit down restaurant, though they do have a food court. We did prefer the food court at Riverside. It is very easy to walk between the 2 resorts.

Gee - I'm really no help to you. I guess you should take a look at all the pictures of the 2 resorts and decide which theme appeals to you more.

Good luck deciding and planning and congratulations.

 

[tigger53]

we always stay at riverside and deceided to go over to the french quarter on this past visit to check it out and i must say i very much like being at the riverside more. the food court at the FQ was very small and not to many palces to sit down. riverside has a charm about it and a great view of the water as you eat. the landscaping is beautiful and refreshing. you can also take the boat to DTD from there. i have never found the buses to be a problem and i was just there during the crowded 4th of july. a lot of people have commented that the riverside is too big and a lot of walking is needed to get to things but i find the walking to be enjoyable as you take in the beauty of the resort and quite honestly i felt i did more walking at the poly to get to things then i did at the riverside. the mansions are stately and the bayou has a rustic feel about them, we like either but mostly prefer the mansion section. hope this helps.

 

[TLinden16]

I'd vote for the POFQ. I think the atmosphere is more adult and quaint than the Riverside. It's very romantic--great paths to walk around. It doesn't feel as busy as Riverside. All of the rooms are recently renovated. At Riverside, they have not completed renovations yet.

Riverside is a great resort as well. I really think you'll be happy at either of them. I just prefer the theming and size of the French Quarter.

Karen

 

[zalansky]

I agree with all of the previous posts...I think it will depend on what theming you might prefer...and a smaller or larger resort.
I agree with Karen's comments the most. I was just telling someone today I thought POFQ was romantic. We loved the theming there and the fact that renovations were just done is a big selling point (see recent bed report ) I like the pool at Riverside more though...
We enjoy both resorts - so its a tough choice. You'll have fun regardless which you choose!

 

[JLDSMD]

I've been to both and we are going to the FQ this October.

We were at the FQ 11 years ago on our honeymoon and to Riverside last year (because FQ was closed). FQ is very quaint. When we were there 11 years ago, they had a sit down restuarant, but from what I've read, it is no longer there. If we were to do sit down, it would be in DT Disney or in EPCOT, so we wouldn't need sit down at the hotel. The size of FQ is very easy to get around and it also has a boat launch to DT Disney.

The Riverside is very nice as well. We stayed in the mansion rooms, right next to one of the quiet pools. It was the closest building to the bayou (not sure of the name) so it was easy access to the main building. It does have 4 bus stops, but we always went to the main one, so getting on wasn't an issue. I do know that when we were at FQ the bus would stop by us first and then go to Riverside. Many times, the Riverside guests had to stand or weren't even let on at all. This may have changed in the last 11 years. You could always walk to the FQ. It is a pretty walk along the river.

As for which one to stay at: DW likes FQ for it's landscaping, pool, one bus stop and overall feel. I would lean towards Riverside for the pool for our son. Rooms are equal, but more spread out. Draw back of Riverside - twice as many rooms = twice as many people. If it's your honeymoon, you may want to go to the smaller hotel. You won't go wrong with either resort.

Have fun and congrats.

 

[sue1013]

Both resorts are very nice. For an adults only trip I would definately choose Riverside. FQ only has one pool Riverside has many quiet pools that are usually not crowded at all. I've been there the 1st week of November the main pool packed and loud. Quiet pools were pretty much empty and really quiet! For a honeymoon you may appreciate the quiet pools. Also I prefer the option of a sit down restaurant which FQ no longer has. Those food courts are packed in the morning.

 

[JungleJim]

We just made reservations at the POFQ after reading many reviews. My main reason is that it is freshly renovated (just re-opened in February). I had read mixed reviews about the rooms at the POR. (Some stating the room was in desperate need of revovations; some people had to even switch rooms....)

I did read a post yesterday stating that they have begun renovations at POR one building at a time. If you could get in one of the buildings that has been updated it would probably be very nice.

From my understanding, they completely shut down POFQ during the revovations (smaller resort.)

I am not a big-crowd person, so I wanted a smaller resort to come back to at the end of the day with our little guy.

 

[jaguar9748]

I guess I got to this thread too late. I would pick Riverside over French Quarter. Riverside has the food court and the main restaurant. It has bar entertainment and a bigger store. The main building is more bustling and there's just more to do. I like getting to choose the bayou vs. the mansion section. The 6 pools make the pools generally uncrowded. Overall, Riverside just has more to do, better CM's, better food and better amenities. Riverside is our overall favorite and we're planning to stay there for Christmas. Have fun at POFQ!

 

[picantel]

We stayed at POR last november and in 2 months we are trying POFQ. POR was nice but I hated the walk to the food court to refill drink mugs. Everything is very spread out and I prefer small resort settings. We shall see.

P.S. WL is still the best out there.

 

[zalansky]

Originally posted by picantel
P.S. WL is still the best out there.

AMEN TO THAT!!!

 

[HillPete]

We stayed at Riverside in Jan. and loved it. We are thinking of trying FQ next year just for fun. I think you'll love it no matter which you choose. It is Disney, after all!

If you end up at Riverside and aren't able to get into the coveted buildings 14, 15 or 18, try 27. It was only about a 2 minute walk to everything and has no bad views (parking lots) because it's on the inside of the loop.

Have fun
--H

 

[LoveThoseLabbies]

No contest, the POFQ unless you like walking. Everthing, the pool, the food court, the parking lot, and most importantly the bus stop is close at POFQ. Rooms are the same size (small). When buses were shared, they always stopped at POFQ before POR.

Would never go to POR or CBR again.

 

[dizcrazy]

I've stayed at both and My vote also goes to PO FQ!


We stayed at PO R in May and the walk to our room was TOO LOOOONNGGGG and also, the bus stopped at FQ first.

 

[SamanthaL]

Yup.. Stayed at both and the FQ is for us! Very romantic ( without the kids of course)! The one bus stop is great, the food court is very nice, and you can take the boat from the FQ to DTD. We just sat on a bench one night and listened to the jazz music play and watched people come and go. Very quaint and peaceful and very much like a small town in New Orleans. The flowers are beautiful too.
Have fun with your decision!