Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside are sister Moderate Resort lodges at Walt Disney World that we advocate to anybody who loves themed environments. So…which is the higher possibility to your WDW trip? This submit gives our head-to-head smackdown to see which reigns supreme. (Updated February 11, 2023.)
We gained’t bury the lede–they’re each nice lodges and there’s no one-size-fits all reply to the query of which Port Orleans Resort is finest. This will not be attempting to achieve a definitive conclusion (though we are going to) as a lot as weigh the professionals and cons of every Port Orleans Resort as a way to resolve for your self. Notwithstanding theme, we predict Riverside and French Quarter every have loads to supply.
This comparability addresses whether or not you must select Port Orleans French Quarter, or if Riverside is the higher alternative for your loved ones. With that in thoughts, we’ll examine theme, value, eating, swimming pools, and different facilities that will help you decide which is best for you.
Depending upon your perspective, one factor that may be a professional or con is that each Port Orleans Resorts are probably the most “thematically pure” Moderate Resorts. While Coronado Springs added the brand new Gran Destino Tower and Caribbean Beach had Disney’s Riviera Resort constructed on a portion of its (former) grounds, this has not occurred at Port Orleans.
The upside to that is that each Port Orleans Resorts retain their appeal and thematic integrity. The draw back is that Gran Destino and Riviera Resort introduced with them distinctive new eating and different facilities. Both Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs are actually arguably “Moderate+ Resorts” in some regards, and it feels considerably like time has handed by the Port Orleans Resorts because of this, not less than from a practical perspective. Nevertheless, we love each Port Orleans Resorts, and the ambiance is the massive cause why…
Theme: Port Orleans Riverside – Both of those resorts are the peak of romantic theming and Southern appeal at Walt Disney World. Due to the enlargement tasks on the different Moderates, these two resorts are actually the top of theme among the many Moderate Resorts.
This is particularly true at Riverside, which is split into Alligator Bayou (bayou) and Magnolia Bend (mansions), and gives a refined transition between the 2 and extra thematic selection. The backstory at Riverside is attention-grabbing, participating, and cleverly-executed all through the resort.
The quiet pathways that criss-cross Port Orleans Riverside make it an amazing place to take a romantic stroll late at evening, early within the morning, or (we guess?) beneath the excessive midday solar. These grounds are nothing in need of beautiful, with wealthy wilderness within the bayou and completely manicured gardens across the mansions. Despite being pretty unfold out, it presents as intimate and romantic, and we’ve lengthy advisable Riverside as the very best finances resort for an adults-only or honeymoon journey.
French Quarter is likewise charming thematically, and its idealized presentation of New Orleans is enjoyable. (It’s additionally a intelligent theme for masking the lodge buildings.) It additionally has loads going for it, and an amazing sense of romanticism, but it surely nonetheless falls in need of Riverside. The atmosphere is simply extra pleasurable and has a larger sense of depth at Riverside.
Transportation/Layout: Port Orleans French Quarter – Both resorts rely solely upon bus transportation to get to the Walt Disney World theme parks, with boat service out there at each to Disney Springs. Transportation is the place French Quarter shines. It’s the one Moderate Resort that has a single bus cease, which gives a big time-savings benefit once you’re attempting to get to or from the parks. That can imply a barely longer stroll to the bus cease, however that often will not be the case.
This is as a result of (and that is one other benefit), Port Orleans French Quarter has very compact structure. It is well walkable, and though visitor rooms are unfold amongst a number of buildings, French Quarter will not be a sprawling resort like the opposite Moderates. Unless you get caught in one of many farthest rooms from the foyer, every part at French Quarter is a couple of 5-minute stroll out of your room. That’s fairly vital when you’ve got young children, or simply don’t really feel like making a 15-minute trek to refill your mugs within the morning.
For many individuals we all know, that is French Quarter’s single-biggest promoting level. Sarah is a type of folks, whereas I’m loopy and truly benefit from the sprawling resort model of Riverside. (Fortunately, I can have the very best of each worlds by staying at French Quarter and wandering over to Riverside.)
Rooms: Push – Both have rooms that we’d name completely effective, they usually’ve benefited from practical enhancements because of the newest tender items refurbishment. Those room renovations additionally made them thematically much less attention-grabbing, however a bit brighter and lighter, which is good from a temper perspective.
Neither Riverside nor French Quarter has rooms which can be pretty much as good because the just lately redone rooms at Coronado Springs, that are the next caliber as a result of they cater to enterprise and conference vacationers. Conversely, each are actually arguably higher than the “Poly-lite” rooms at Caribbean Beach which can be beginning to present their age once more.
The upside at Port Orleans Riverside is that the rooms in Alligator Bayou can sleep 5 because of the pull-down Murphy mattress, so there’s that. On the flip aspect, we desire the aesthetic of the Magnolia Bend rooms. At each resorts, the rooms are well-appointed, and tasteful from a thematic perspective. We discover them completely snug, and have zero complaints…however we don’t take into account them stand-out Walt Disney World rooms, both.
Dining: Port Orleans Riverside – French Quarter has the least eating choices of any Moderate Resort, and is the one one and not using a desk service restaurant. Many folks take into account this to be a “big deal” when planning a primary go to, however we might warning you in opposition to giving an excessive amount of weight to this.
The principal cause is as a result of you possibly can stroll to Riverside to dine there; it’s like a 10-15 minute stroll. Second, though we predict Boatwright’s Dining Hall is underrated, you’ll most likely solely eat there as soon as–at most–throughout your keep. With each of those resorts providing boat transportation to Disney Springs–which gives a wealth of remarkable desk service choices–that is absolutely the route you must go when you’re doing dinner exterior the park.
Counter service is kind of a push. Both Port Orleans Resorts have giant, loud meals courts with objects of various levels of high quality. We’ve had dangerous and good meals at every, so we wouldn’t draw any conclusions from these, both.
With that stated, Port Orleans French Quarter does have freshly-made beignets…and beignet ice cream sundaes, that are a powerful promoting level. (We’re not kidding.)
Pools: Port Orleans French Quarter – On our record of the Top 10 Pools at Walt Disney World, Doubloon Lagoon at French Quarter ranked #8 and Ol’ Man Island Pool at Riverside is unranked. In actuality, the 2 swimming pools should not that far aside.
Where Doubloon Lagoon has a definite benefit, from our perspective, is by way of character. It options have a troupe of musically-inclined alligators, which collectively (roughly) kind the Bayou Gator Jamboree. It additionally has the 51-foot lengthy slide themed as a SerpentDragonSnake, a large half serpent, half dragon, and half snake creature identified to scour the depths of the waters, leaving nobody alive.
It’s all of those particulars at Doubloon Lagoon which have captivated my creativeness since I used to be a child, and have left an enduring impression. This all provides the pool a enjoyable vibe, whereas Ol’ Man Island Pool is form of uninteresting and forgettable from our perspective. If you strip away theme, these swimming pools could be fairly closely-matched (when you favor quiet, unthemed swimming pools, you’ll favor Riverside). Why you’d arbitrarily ‘strip away’ theme at a spot like Walt Disney World is past us.
Cost: Port Orleans Riverside – From the very best we are able to inform, room charges are an identical each price season of the 12 months for normal rooms at every of the Port Orleans Resorts. Prices are a bit much less constant/comparable when you get into the completely different view choices or the specialty rooms, however the level stands that rack charges are the identical.
So then, why does Riverside get the sting right here? Discounts. If you’re reserving a visit far prematurely (earlier than reductions have been launched), it’s essential to know that French Quarter usually receives inferior room-only reductions, and is blocked out from different reductions (akin to the favored Free Disney Dining Plan at Walt Disney World promo). The ‘discount differential’ can flip these neck and neck rack charges into an enormous chasm in favor of Riverside.
Verdict: Port Orleans Riverside – When we consider the very best Moderate Resort at Walt Disney World, it’s tough to look previous what Riverside gives by way of a resort expertise. The charming theming, the relaxed & romantic ambiance, the various facilities, and the great thing about its great grounds all are vital promoting factors.
Add to that the larger chance of discovering offers at Riverside, and we’re inclined to provide it a slight edge, total. Now, this isn’t to say that some events is not going to discover extra that appeals to them at French Quarter. For first-timers, Walt Disney World might be an amazing place, and French Quarter removes that from the lodge by providing a extra compact structure.
Port Orleans French Quarter additionally might be stated to arguably provide the very best of each worlds. Those in your social gathering who would favor a compact resort have that possibility by confining themselves to POFQ, whereas those that need the true resort vibe can simply stroll over to Riverside.
There’s little doubt reality to this (and I do it on each one in every of our stays at French Quarter), but it surely looks like a cop out. Following this logic, there’s no distinction amongst any of the resorts located round Crescent Lake, nor does something separate the monorail resorts. That’s simply us, although and your mileage might differ on the subject of a few of these classes, or how a lot weight you placed on numerous strengths and weaknesses of every resort. We’d love to listen to your ideas within the feedback.
Ultimately, each Port Orleans Resorts are great resorts that we extremely advocate. Although we gave the sting to Riverside right here, we repeatedly keep at every of them, with which we choose relying upon the character of our journey (and out there reductions!). Important facilities, recreation, and different variables would possibly going to matter otherwise to you.
Our purpose is for this submit to be useful in providing a head-to-head comparability of probably the most essential parts of every Walt Disney World resort expertise. With that stated, we recommend supplementing this with our full overview of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort and our Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Review.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about lodges on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every part you want to know!
Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with our verdict on this Port Orleans Riverside v. French Quarter head-to-head? What about our conclusions in every class? Is there one thing we missed or bought unsuitable? Share any questions, ideas, or further ideas you’ve within the feedback!