Which Port Orleans?

[Masonmj84]

I currently have CSR booked for Dec. 8-16 and am hoping for some free dining (rumor going around that something could be announced as early as next week).

In the event that CSR is unavailable for FD but the Port Orleans resorts are, which would you recommend?

(FWIW, we will be car-less, so bus service is a big factor. On the other hand, we will be mostly eating elsewhere on property, so in-resort food service is much less of a factor).

 

[dmband]

riverside for me
i just like everything about it better

 

[NML11383]

I've stayed at both, and I think I would recommend POR, though it's a tough decision!

I LOVED the POR food court (though as you said you aren't worried about eating at your resort, so this may not be an issue), and the pools at the POR are great as well. I found it nice to have some of the smaller pools spread out around the property, so if you wanted a quieter swim you could visit those instead of the main pool with the water slide. POFQ only has the one pool. though I believe you can wander over to POR to use their pools as well.

The biggest downside of POR is it's size- IT IS HUGE! POFQ is much more manageable and easier to get from your room to the main areas, no matter where they place you. While the scenery at POR is amazing, and they really do a great job of making it look more deluxe than its price, the downside to having the river travel through the whole resort is that you often have to walk around before you can find a bridge to get back to the main area. On the plus side, however, you may not need to walk to the main area all that often since there are bus stops around the outside of the complex. The downside of this is that buses can be very crowded and it takes a good 10-15 minutes sometimes to just get off property!

The boat to DTD is also lovely, and we found that it was better to catch it from POR, even though it is a slightly longer trip. Both times we took it the boat couldn't accommodate all of the people who wanted to get on at POFQ because it was too full from POR, so they had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one.

The landscaping at POR in my opinion is just heads and tails above POFQ. POFQ still retains the 'motel' look because you see all the buildings (though they are very well-decorated buildings and do really remind you of the french quarter!), but POR, especially the magnolia bend section, just looks like a sprawling park or plantation, with the beautiful 'mansions' surrounded by lots of trees and fountains. The buildings are much more spread out, so you really feel as though each 'mansion' is its own plantation and there's no one else around. Great for relaxing, not so great for walking

Neither POR or POFQ offer great options for getting to other resorts for meals, though they are pretty convenient to DTD (about 20-30 minutes by boat), and there are plenty of eating options there

Whichever you pick I hope you have a wonderful stay and really enjoy all the resort has to offer!

 

[elcapitanJack]

We just spent a week at POR. [April7-14] It's a great resort. Very well kept and the new refurbished rooms are beautiful.

 

[tinkerbella16]

They are both my favorite resorts.. I do give the edge to POFQ though for its small size.. I am staying there in September for my first solo trip and I think its perfect for me. When I booked my trip in March a little after FD was announced for Aug-Sept, both POFQ & POR were already booked up for it so I went ahead and booked POFQ anyway, paying for the DDP since I love the resort so much, I didn't want to stay at CBR or CSR where it was still available. But then last weekend, it had opened up again and I was able to finally get free dining for a River View room only though, not standard which is fine by me.. Normally a river view with dining plan package for 1 person is over $1700 and my price jumped down to $1426 so I was happy!

For families, I do think POR is the better choice.. they have a better pool and more pools, where as POFQ only has the one main pool, and all of the amenities are over at POR, which is a bit more convenient. But you really can't go wrong with either one.

 

[goofyintoronto]

im sorry but i didnt find POR to be as huge as some ppl made it out to be. Its not enormous and unmanageable. we stayed in the arcadian building and loved the location. beautiful refurbed rooms, short walk over the bridge to the main pool/building. I love the fact that there's a horse carriage ride, bike/surrey bike rentals, a great food court and a TS restaurant onsite. The grounds are gorgeous. so beautiful. I personally didnt like POFQ at all, not a big fan of its appearance. the fact that its a small resort does nothing for me either. I dont like the choices in their tiny cafe (except the beignets, yum!). just not a fan. I prefer POR.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I haven't stayed at a room in POR, but have used their pool and ate at food court. Between POR and POFQ, my preference is POFQ. The resort is more compact and easy to get around. I like for the simple fact that it is the first one on the bus and first one off.

Because they are sister resorts, I would look at it as if it's a one big resort. You have the AB, the Mansion, and the Big Easy. I think the theme is more so a personal preference. If you like the Southern Bayou, then POR is the choice. If you like more so the New Orleans-Big Easy-Mardi Gras, then POFQ is the choice. I personally like the New Orleans theme, so we stay at POFQ. But either way, I am sure you will have a wonderful time there!

 

[ramblingdog]

I currently have CSR booked for Dec. 8-16 and am hoping for some free dining (rumor going around that something could be announced as early as next week).

In the event that CSR is unavailable for FD but the Port Orleans resorts are, which would you recommend?

(FWIW, we will be car-less, so bus service is a big factor. On the other hand, we will be mostly eating elsewhere on property, so in-resort food service is much less of a factor).

Having stayed at both PO resorts, if you don`t mind lots of walking, Riverside is beautiful! It has multiple pools and bus stops. But, French Quarter is more intimate - very small, one bus stop and a themed pool that the kids love. We prefer FQ because it is so much smaller.

 

[shell8558]

Absolutely love riverside. Food court is great, pool is wonderful, grounds are beautiful, boat to dd was a great bonus! Horse and carriage rides were a nice touch also! I definately dont find it that big, especially after staying at CBR- now that place was too big.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Absolutely love riverside. Food court is great, pool is wonderful, grounds are beautiful, boat to dd was a great bonus! Horse and carriage rides were a nice touch also! I definately dont find it that big, especially after staying at CBR- now that place was too big.

I'm not sure if the OP has been to either PO. But just in case she doesn't know.. POR and POFQ BOTH HAVE the carriage rides and BOTH HAVE the ferry boat that cruise to Downtown. You can also use BOTH pools because they are sister resorts. THEY BOTH have beautiful grounds and BOTH have great food courts. And this is why I love Port Orleans!! So whichever one you choose, you can't go wrong.

 

[BackstoryWorthy]

Because they are sister resorts, I would look at it as if it's a one big resort. You have the AB, the Mansion, and the Big Easy. I think the theme is more so a personal preference. If you like the Southern Bayou, then POR is the choice. If you like more so the New Orleans-Big Easy-Mardi Gras, then POFQ is the choice. I personally like the New Orleans theme, so we stay at POFQ. But either way, I am sure you will have a wonderful time there!

This just about sums it up! We stayed at Riverside in 2010 in The Parterre antebellum building (not close to the lobby/but not "far" if you can handle a mild stroll) but it gave us great access for coffee and beignets at the POFQ food-court right down the "river" as well as to their pool with the smaller slide for the young kids in our extended party. We loved the POR experience - the suburb setting/theming (pre-refurb), the varied food-court (8 days, 4 day parkhoppers and on the dining plan so it came in handy), the entertainment (pianist!!!!) were all great - housekeeping was inconsistent but ok after being reminded that we needed shampoo & towels for 3!

Prior to our trip, I was worried that POR was a sprawling resort that would really challenge the smaller kids (we had 4 families including those with 2-5 year olds) but it was a great fit for our party. The quiet pool was less than a 2 minute walk and the "main" pool was a slow 8 minute walk. Your mileage may vary!

 

[nkereina]

We prefer POR. With it being so big, it seemed like the resort was empty. Always ample food court seating and loved the quiet pools which were never crowded. We did visit POFQ on our last trip and there was no place to sit in the food court and I didn't care for the main pool.

FWIW, the Parterre Place building at POR as PP mentioned is now all Royal Rooms. Same for Oak Manor. If you like either of those buildings due to their proximity to POFQ, you'd have to pay the upcharge and book a Royal Room.

 

[HappyGal]

Good question!

 

[aubriee]

We prefer the small size of POFQ.

One thing though is it seems like it's getting harder to get POFQ. When I was there last Nov/Dec I tried to get POFQ for a bounceback trip and even though the other three moderates were available, I could not get POFQ for my May dates, so had to go with CSR. I also could not get POFQ for the dates I wanted for my Sept trip using the bounceback deal, so had to move that trip back a couple of weeks in order to do so. The other three moderates were all available for both dates. I had planned to just switch the May trip to POFQ when the AP discounts came out, but even though I called the very morning they came out, POFQ was not available under that discount either. Also the last couple of times I've gotten a room discount at POFQ the percentage off has been just a tad less than the other moderates (usually the same as the values).

 

[Planogirl]

We stayed at POR a few times and we really like it best of the moderates. That is of those we've stayed at which is all but POFQ which we are trying this year. I've seen POFQ from the outside though and I think that it's pretty. I'm excited to check it out!

 

[aVASTGrl]

I prefer the theming of POFQ much better than POR...and I like being closer to the beignets in the morning LOL The pool at POR is nicer than POFQ though, but you can use both pools no matter which one you stay at. I guess it comes down to personal taste!

 

[Sue M]

I prefer the theming, and landscapping of Riverside more. Love the mansion section. I also like the option of having a quiet pool close by. Don't always feel like going to the main pool. We go in Jan, and most times have been able to swim mid afternoon when it's warmest. As long as there isn't a cold snap.
Winter weather can be unpredictable. Sometimes it goes to upper 70's.

 

[smidgy]

so funny.. everyone has dif. opinions.. and.. everyone's opinions change due to the season.

we just tried to book a bounce back at poFQ, in early dec. why? cause of the hot tub, which is set apart from the pool.
which in our opinon, is sadly lacking.. little baby slide, no quiet pool.. but, in early dec? great choice!!! not much pool time, hot tub time .. important.
por, hot tub RIGHT next to the main pool, (whole bunch of little kids splashing around in it)

well, it wasn't available, so we took POR, requested magnolia bend. but stil might rent points from frineds for boardwalk.. well see.

either way, you can still walk (or take the boat) to the other resort. and use all the facilities.
we thought FQ looked pretty quaint and festive in the christmas season. we think their pool leaves a LOT to be desired, so we thought early dec was a good time to choose this resort.

 

[bigdaddy511]

Riverside! Easier and quicker to get to the buses!

 

[Corrine 1973]

I have never been to River Sideso I can not compate them, but I did stay at POFQ in March and thought it was a very nice resort. I had a cornor room over looking a fountain which was very nice. I thought the theming was very nice and relaxing. Pluses- You can basically walk from one end of the resort to the other with in about 5 minutes. I never had to wait long for a bus to the parks and it was a very short walk from the bus stop to the room. Negatives- I didn't care for the food court, but I might have just had a bad experience.