French Quarter or Riverside??? About This Page:

[Beth L.]

Which would you choose? If there one you prefer over the other, why?

I'll be staying with my sister in North Palm & visiting my daughter who lives in West Palm Oct. 18 - 25th. My sister & I are taking a road trip to Mount Dora to do some antiqueing, (which gee... just happens to be only a 25 minute ride from Orlando) [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] and since my sister is the one who started my Disney addiction, I thought it would only be appropriate that we just stop in and say "Hi" to Mickey for a couple of days. [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

So, I need your advice. What are your favorite things at these resorts? Are there elevators at either of the resorts? My sister has 20 years on me so I want to be gentle on her old bones. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] Also, is there any particular building you prefer?
One more thing, is it okay to use my CBR mug from June at either one of these resorts?

Well, that should do it for now until I think of some more questions. Thanks for your help, any suggestions would be much appriciated!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 08-25-2002, 02:44 PM: Message edited by: Beth L. ]

[Suzy Q'Disney]

We stayed in Riverside two years ago this Dec. There were stairs. The resort is alot of two story bulidings around the central buliding. We were right next to the central buliding and the walk was easy. Nice hot tub and food court. I liked it very much. We chose Riverside because I thought I would like the theaming better than FQ.

Have fun.

Susan

[LynneM]

I stayed in French Quarter last fall, and really enjoyed it. It's a nice, quiet little resort, beautifully landscaped, very relaxing. The food court was great (don't miss the beignets!). I was in building 1, which is the farthest one from the main building, but the walk wasn't bad at all. And yes, there were elevators, at least in my building.

Whether you choose French Quarter or Riverside, you can use the facilities of both resorts, so you'll have two theme pools, two food courts and a sit-down restaurant nearby. There's a boat that runs between the two resorts, and I don't think it's too far a walk.

Enjoy your trip!
Lynne

[whoSEZ]

I've stayed at both, and I much prefer the French Quarter. It's a smaller resort, so you have a better chance of being closer to the pool, the bus stop, the front desk, and the food court. I personally prefer FQ's decor -- the rooms are beautiful and the gardens are stellar. Also, FQ and Riverside share a bus, and FQ is first on the loop, so you're more likely to get a seat on your way to the parks -- and you're the first to get off the bus after a long day at the parks.

We stayed in building 7 at FQ and, though it's the farthest from the main building there, felt it was a short walk. At Riverside, we stayed in one of the mansions, had a quick walk over the bridge to the main building, and felt like it was a longer trek. Not sure which was actually longer -- but the walk at FQ definitely felt shorter. Oh, and if you stay at FQ, be sure to check out the names of the "streets" -- very cute.

There are elevators near the center of the buildings (I think maybe in the Alligator Bayou part of Riverside, the 2-story buildings have only stairways -- not sure about that).

You can't really go wrong at either one -- they're both lovely. The only thing you might be disappointed about is that the Port Orleans bus stop is the farthest from the gate at all four parks, unless that's changed since last year. It's quite a hike, especially at AK and Epcot.

Forgot to add this: No, I don't think you can use your CBR mugs at PO. You can buy a new mug at either FQ or Riverside and use it at both, though. CBR mugs are only supposed to be used at CBR.

Enjoy! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 08-25-2002, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: whoSEZ ]

[Sea Witch]

I enjoyed the FQ. The resort has an intimate feel and nothing seemed very far away. Landscaping was beautiful but we did not care for the food court or the bus service. If you have a car, I would suggest using it. The bus service at PO was the worst I've had anywhere.

[jengen]

We are going to Disney for the first time, and have decided on FQ because it is the smallest of all the moderates, therefore less walking.

I am also looking forward to the gardens & cute street look.

I had never heard that Port Orleans was the furthest bus stop at AK & Epcot. If that's the case, that's a bummer.

[joyjoy]

We stayed at PO-Riverside in 2000 (Alligator Bayou) and loved it more than life itself. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but we did love it. [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] I can't even describe how beautiful it was in the morning, walking along the trails beneath the pine trees, seeing a little rabbit hop across the path.... sigh.. We went in late October so it was cool and misty in the morning, then sunny and bright all the rest of the day. I visited PO-FQ and it looked nice, but my heart belongs to PO-R. Oh, plus the bar by the pool has a special drink called "Miss Melon-ny" and when I told the bartender my name was Melanie (it really is) he gave me one for free! Gotta love that southern hospitality. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[gumby74]

You guys have me so excited!!! We're staying at PO-R in early December... Last year we stayed at Coronado, which was beautiful, but we wanted a new experience this time. Looks like we made a decent choice. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[DisneyDreaming]

Melanie glad to see your post. afer reading I was wondering if we should have chosen FQ till I saw your report.
Our favorite is CBR but of course it is closed [img]graemlins/pout.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] We were so dissappointed.

So what is in a Miss Melon-ny?

Also what is not to miss at Riverside?

We will be there in Nov.

marylee

[Grumpygal]

I've stayed at the Riverside: twice in the mansions and once in the bayou. This is my favorite of the moderate resorts. [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] One of the things I love doing there is (since I'm an early riser) taking a walk around the different paths early in the morning before most people are up. Its really quite pretty and quiet and gives me a little time to myself to soak it all up with no distractions.

When I was there in May I didn't notice any problems with the bus service. But I did notice that the stops do seem to be the last ones at the parks.

[reiner]

Hi there,
From what I have heard:
Riverside only has elevators in Mansion section, but POFQ has in all, as buildings are 3 stories...but please double check w/Disney just to be sure.
POFQ is more compact (less walking, everything within short distance from all buildings)and Riverside is more sprawling, but many people prefer it because of its "rural beauty". It's all a matter of taste, you will have fans for both sides.
POFQ has one theme pool and POR has one theme and sever "quiet" pools.
Mugs can only be used at the resort from which it was purchased (However, you can use a POR mug at POFQ - they are considered one resort)

[ 08-28-2002, 09:22 AM: Message edited by: reiner ]

[TiggerAlli]

We have stayed at both these resorts & prefer Riverside however they are both very nice.
We did not care for the pool at FQ because it is only around 3 feet deep & since we don't have children it got boring as adults to "squat" all the time! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
We have stayed in Alligator Bayou & the Mansions & we prefer the Mansions although most people seem to be AB fans here! We felt that they gave us more of a deluxe feel than AB did which is something we prefer.
As many have said the grounds at Riverside are beautiful & very lush, they invite you to wander about & relax. FQ had more of a city feel & while you could wander I never got that sense of wanderlust there!
You will enjoy this resort, it is beautiful & definitely gives you a sense of staying in a deluxe resort at a moderate price! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Have a great time!

[Beth L.]

Thanks everyone, but because of all your wonderful praise for both resorts, I'm even more undecided than I was before! [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] I hate that!

We'll be driving up in my sister's Miata but since I'm an early riser and she likes to sleep in, I'll probably be using the bus and meeting up with her whenever she drags her sorry little self out of bed. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] (How anyone can sleep late while at WDW is totally beyond me!) I've read over the past couple of years that the buses can take quite awhile to come around, does this still hold true? I don't mind walking but I have absolutely no patience and hate to wait for anything! Guess it may be time to learn a new virtue. (Not!)

If anyone else has anything to add I'd love to hear it! Maybe it will help me make up my mind because I'd sure hate to end up sleeping under all this beautiful landscaping you all are talking about! [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

[Diz]

Hey...palm trees, a warm breeze...under the trees wouldn't be that bad! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

You have a true Riverside fan here! I love Alligator Bayou...it is tops! We have never had a problem with noise. The palm trees...oh...there's just so many! The pools...oh...there's just so many! We have never had a crowded pool. The main pool bar is excellent...the shaded trees, the view of the lagoon...it's all just magical!

But if you can't decide and end up outside...Riverside would be the best place to set up your hammock [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] !

[joyjoy]

Marylee -
The Miss Melon-ny is a kind of melon flavored colada-type drink. Very fruity and tropical and yummy. It has Myers Rum in it, if I recall.
A fun thing we did was to rent one of those four-wheeled bicycle things (what are they called?) and cruise the whole resort, because it is quite large. So much fun! My daughter and I had some hilarious moments trying to turn it around and go the opposite direction - we found out later that you are only supposed to follow the paths around the resort in one direction - counter clockwise. If we hadn't rented one, I don't think we would have made it to the other side of the river to see the beautiful mansions. There is a gazebo there where lots of folks have wedding photos done, and there was a couple doing that when we whizzed by. Beautiful! Also, if you have time, just sit on the porch in the rocking chairs and people watch. Oh, and feed the ducks. Tell them I said hi. I love that resort. Have fun!!