Opinions on Port Orleans

[pinkerbell]

Can I have some opinions on Port Orleans Riverside versus French Quarter?

When I booked my hol with Virgin in August only Riverside was available, I quite fancied staying in French Quarter, based on recommendations, and so emailed Virgin requesting a room in French Quarter, to which I recieved notification that they would do everything they can to oblige. Now that I've done further research I prefer the look of Riverside!!:oops:

What do people think, should I wait and see where I get a room or should I pick one and stick to it??

[Lisa1976]

I can't comment on the French Quarter as I have never stayed there, but can definately recommend Riverside. We stayed there for our honeymoon in December 2004 and it was lovely. The river running through the middle is beautiful too and there are lots of walks you can do around the resort. We stayed in one of the manners (Magnolia I think) and that was great too, good views, nice clean comfortable rooms. Another thing we noticed as well although there were alot of children about we didn't have problems with noise or overcrowding. Definate thumbs up for POR :)

[Whitequeen]

Riverside is absolutely beautiful, but if you want more opinions do a search (underneath your name at the top of page) for Port Orleans Riverside or just POR and you'll find loads of info as we had this question not long ago. :thumbs:

[Keith]

Ive visited fq but not stayed, and have stayed at Riverside 3 or 4 times.....

They're both great, that's my starting point :)

FQ is small enough to feel very personal and romantic. You never feel like you're far from anywhere and it's got a more cozy feeling than riverside. However, the sit down restaurant is at Riverside, piano bob plays at riverside etc.

Riverside is beautiful too... the river running through it, wonderful to wake up to and walk along... but it's a large resort (as everyone correctly says). Now.... it's not that the size of the resort matters mostly. After all, you'll be close to one of the four bus stops anyway, but you may be a fair walk from the main building if you want to refill your mugs etc. Of course the upside is the boats start from riverside so they're not as packed straight off, the sit down restaurant is there, piano bob etc :)

Bottom line, both are great.... they do have a bit of a different feel but not so much that you'd hate one and love the other IMHO :)

I'd pick one and stick to it :)

[Mickeymac]

I loved POR. If you would like to look at pictures (only of the Mansion rooms; I did not go to the more rustic Alligator Bayou side) you can see some at: http://mickeymac.smugmug.com/gallery/425432

[Hoss74]

I'm staying at Port Orleans FQ in 3 weeks - I researched both resorts and preferred FQ because it's smaller and looked very cozy. The pool theme was another draw because of my 9 yr old. I can't wait to see it and I'll let you know when I return!:wiggle:

[BevW]

I have stayed at both and loved them both. The atmosphere, furnishings are different, but they're both such lovely places to stay! The only thing I prefer is the swimming pool with the sea serpent slide..but that's only because the DGD's loved the slide..I didn't go down the darn thing! :lol:

Both have access to the boat shuttles to DTD. POR has the Boatwrights restaurant that serves wonderful food.

Hope that helps!

[MystikPiglit]

( :wave: pinkerbell)


MM - great batch of photos. We are hoping to stay at POR next trip so was good to see room interiors.:thumbs:

[uscwest]

We have stayed at both and they both have their own ambience about them. At POR think Mansions, for the most part. At FQ think downtown New Orleans at Mardi Gras.

[Alannakait]

Yes, very nice photos MM. I can't wait to go.:wiggle:

[Mickeymac]

Thanks AK and Mistik - I appreciate it. I love going back through them and remembering the trip. We had a lot of fun.

[Scoootch]

I've stayed at both lots of times each;)

I've stayed at POR in every section accept for parterre place - they're all great:) I've stayed at POR as recently as 2 weeks ago too. FQ is just as wonderful -- best part about both is no matter which you end up at, since they are "sister resorts" you are allowed to use the pools and ammenities at both! I wouldn't worry, whichever you end up in you're sure to just love...plus there's always the oppurtunity to stay at the other on your next trip :) If you're one of those people who doesn't mind moving half way between a stay, you could always book the first half of the week at one and spend the 2nd half booked at the other. Just a thought....Disney makes it very easy to transfer your luggage for you and get all moved. But either one is wonderful so don't worry. Just enjoy!! :wave:

[tweenie123]

I've stayed at POR twice and love it. The setting is beautiful and the boat trip to Downtown Disney in the evening is a definite plus. We stayed in Aligator Bayou both times, same building, 34, as it's quiet but it's about ten minutes from the main building. The only downside to the resort is the restaurant. They only have one main facility which is totally inadequate for the number of guests that they are catering for. The queues at breakfast are horrendous! The staff are overworked and the usual Disney pleasantries are not in abundance! Apart from the restaurant, the rest of the resort is excellent.

[Molly18Molly]

Can I have some opinions on Port Orleans Riverside versus French Quarter?

When I booked my hol with Virgin in August only Riverside was available, I quite fancied staying in French Quarter, based on recommendations, and so emailed Virgin requesting a room in French Quarter, to which I recieved notification that they would do everything they can to oblige. Now that I've done further research I prefer the look of Riverside!!:oops:

What do people think, should I wait and see where I get a room or should I pick one and stick to it??
The same thing happend when I booked with Virgin earlier in the year for our holiday next March. Virgin said only the Riverside was available. The strange thing is that if you do an accomodation search French Quarter never seems to be available? Virgin said they would try their best to get me FQ closer to my departure date, and that I could always request FQ on check-in, but as everyone knows the FQ and RS have totally sep check-ins???? Although I am happy with RS now and don't really mind if my booking changes, just thought I would let you know.:wiggle:

[MY KIDS MOM X3]

We stayed at FQ last summer and loved it. The little "streets" that run between the buildings were beautifully landscaped. I can almost smell the jasmine thinking about it. All the buildings had lovely wroght iron railings - dozens of different designs based on original designs from New Orleans. The pool is wonderful, espcially if you'll be traveling with children. Plus, since Riverside is only a short walk or boat ride away you can enjoy that too.

[wdwgrandma]

My two cents worth? I prefer Riverside to French Quarter. Why? I love the mansion buildings! They are so beautiful!

[Scoootch]

Virgin said they would try their best to get me FQ closer to my departure date, and that I could always request FQ on check-in, but as everyone knows the FQ and RS have totally sep check-ins???? Hmmm....okay, another 2 cents here....

Though POR and FQ ARE SISTER RESORTS, they are still 2 separate resorts and you are correct that because of this they both have separate check-ins. You could always call CRO direct and ask if FQ is available they do have an 800 # (1-800-828-0228). Maybe if so, you could let Virgin know this and see if they can finagle something?? Again though, both are beautiful and I highly doubt you'll be dissappointed with POR if you end up there. As for the comments on the resturaunt....Personnally, I love Boatwrights! It's a favorite of mine. However, if you're there at one of the busiest times of the year (which Aug. is pretty busy) I can see how CM's may not be at there best and wait times higher. FWIW, the food court at POR is one of the best IMO and alot of the offerings you can get at Boatwrights are available there only less $$. ;)

[Mickeymac]

All the buildings had lovely wroght iron railings - dozens of different designs based on original designs from New Orleans.

We were on the carriage ride and it was a tad bit foggy after a big rainstorm. We drove through FQ and all I could think of was that we were in the middle of an Anne Rice novel and Lestat was going to leap out at us any minute. Just then, the driver turned around and said "It feels like we are in the middle of one of those Anne Rice books..." :lol: (cue the Twilight Zone music)

[MystikPiglit]

We were on the carriage ride and it was a tad bit foggy after a big rainstorm. We drove through FQ and all I could think of was that we were in the middle of an Anne Rice novel and Lestat was going to leap out at us any minute. Just then, the driver turned around and said "It feels like we are in the middle of one of those Anne Rice books..." :lol: (cue the Twilight Zone music)

:lol: :lol:

Oh dear, now I'm going to spend the hol trying to book a carriage ride in the fog....:D

[Mickeymac]

:lol:

[Whitequeen]

Yes!!! A carriage with The Vampire, Lestat in it. Yes! Well worth going just for that. :D

[kirstnk]

Just a couple of questions on the rooms. I notice in Mickeymac photos there was a coffee maker and fridge. Did you request those or were they already in the room. I have read tons of reviews from this sight and other sights as well and alot have said there was no coffee makers, but some of these reviews were dated even back to the year 2000. So have they since then put in fridges, coffee, hairdryers?

My family and I will be there Nov 19 - Dec 4 and we are we will be staying the first 8 nights in the all star resorts, and the rest of our trip we will be staying over in the PO Riverside so im very excited, haven't decided what building the Mansion or Alligator Bayou they both look nice, and the grounds they just look beautiful.

[Bec]

Just returned from Riverside - It was fantastic - loved it. We stayed in Magnolia Bend, Parterre Place, very convenient. The resort is beautiful. Yes, there is fridge, hairdryer and coffee maker as standard.x

[pinkerbell]

Thanks for all your helpful replies, I get the impression that wherever we end up we will have a magical time. Also as it's only myself and my boyfriend going I don't have the extra worry of making sure the hotel is kid friendly, so the more romantic the better!:blush:
With all the planning I'm doing for everything else I think I might just go with the flow and see which one I end up in, it will be a nice surprise xx

[Scoootch]

So have they since then put in fridges, coffee, hairdryers?
They recently put refrigeraters, coffee makers and hairdryers in all the moderates :)

{Snip}....I think I might just go with the flow and see which one I end up in, it will be a nice surprise xx
That sounds like a great idea!! Have a wonderful trip!! :wave:

[BigThunder]

I have stayed at Riverside twice & really like it a lot. I think the grounds are beautiful, the pool is quite nice plus tons of quiet pools. Great food court & Boatwrights is a very good option for a nice sit down dinner. I prefer the mansions at PO-R but that's just my opinion. It's a lovely resort. I have visited & swam at PO-FQ twice & have eaten in the food court which is also wonderful. Great pool & great food. I don't think they have a nice restaurant anymore though, just the foodcourt if that matters. The pool is great w/a fun dragon slide. I personally like the looks of Riverside better w/the mansions than the more "hotel" look of French Quarter. But it is still very nice, very atmosperic at FQ. That is a hard choice.

[Scoootch]

I don't think they have a nice restaurant anymore though, just the foodcourt That is correct :( Bonfamilles was a nice resturant at FQ but they closed that and a few other good resturants all around the same time a few yrs back blaming it all on cut backs. Ariels at the BC was another one....I sure do miss having breakfast at the Garden Grill in Epcot too....now that things are picking back up I sure wish they'd bring some of these back again.