If you are interested in switching to FQ just call the CRO and ask if it will be open for you during the dates of your stay. I've read that some people aren't able to switch the "discounts" they had at Riverside over to FQ. While others have been able to do that. If at first you don't succeed then try, try again. One person said that on the third call they were able to switch with a discounted rate. The other thing to do is simply call and see what the best rate you can get for your dates. Don't give them your name, just tell them you are checking rates.
We prefer the FQ over Riverside for the following reasons:
1) It is smaller - only 1008 rooms vs. over 2000
2) It is the first bus stop to get on the bus and the first bus stop to get off the bus on the way home.
3) All rooms are centrally located. Nothing is more than a 5-6 minute walk away. At Riverside there are some bldgs. that are quite a distance from the food court, bus stop, pool, etc.
4) My 4 year old loves the "theme" at the FQ. Very festive with alligators, clams cascading water and a smaller slide that he can go down himself without getting turned around because he weighs so little.
5) The playground at FQ is more suitable to my younger child. The one at Riverside would be better for kids 5 and older, probably.
The rooms at both are identical. They just have a different decor inside of them. We prefer the food court at Riverside but they say they have rennovated the one at FQ so I'm not sure if that will be case this year when we return.
Both, when running, have the boats that stop at the dock and go to DTD. However, you can only rent bikes and boats from the docks at Riverside. Everything to do with that stuff is no longer operating at FQ. The gift shop at Riverside is also larger and has a better variety. That being said we always found everything we needed at the one at FQ. Riverside has a spot where kids can fish, you pay for it of course, but even if you are at FQ you can walk down and fish, too. And, finally, the FQ does not have a sit down restaurant. You have to go down to Riverside to go to Boatwrights. We never used it so it didn't matter to us.
I think it depends on the theme you like and the ages of people in your party. Some people love Riverside while others love FQ. We like both but prefer FQ.
