French Quarter vs Riverside?

[cslafferty]

We're planning a long weekend vacation Dec. 2-4. We want to stay at a moderate resort, and have stayed at and loved POR in 2004. But, I noticed on this site that POFQ got much higher ratings, so I was wondering what your thoughts are. Thanks!

 

[Zummi Gummi]

POFQ is smaller and quieter. POR is much livelier.

POFQ is the first pickup for the buses, but it means you'll have a much longer ride on the bus because it has to make all of the stops at POR.

I much prefer FQ, though my favorite mod is Coronado Springs.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Overall I prefer to stay at French Quarter. I like its small size and the fact that you are the first pickup/drop off on the bus. The nice part is that you can use the facilities at both resorts, so while you might be staying at one you can enjoy everything that they offer.

 

[Diane Hughess]

I love Riverside. I have this hangup about hating 'Victorian' things--I think it's b/c I managed Victoria's Secret in the days of the victorian theming. POFQ gives me bad 'Victorian' vibes. I love the Alligator Bayou with the trundle bed so we can stretch out a bit. I love how quiet it is. I always plan on taking the boat to DD, but never seems to do it! And I really love the shrimp and pasta at PORS Food Court! I guess you just like what you're used to.

 

[Master Yoda]

One more thing to add to Nick and Evans posts, POFQ has recently been refurbished and has switched to queen sized beds. This is a huge check in the plus column for POFQ. PORS is currently undergoing it switch over to queen size beds. POFQ also has beignets in the food court.:slurp:

 

[captainkidd]

Any idea when PORS conversion to queen beds will be completed?

 

[Master Yoda]

Any idea when PORS conversion to queen beds will be completed?

September 2012 is the expected finish date for the entire project. The first rooms should be coming on line in the next few weeks.

 

[ob1thx1138]

We stayed at POR last summer and loved it, but I have to admit that I was jealous of POFQ for their first on first off bus privileges and compact resort size.

However having said that I, we were very happy with POR and loved the theme and the wonderful surroundings that the resort offered. The landscaping is simple yet perfect. We stayed in the Alligator Bayou section and the landscaping there fits that theme to perfection. The Mansions and POFQ seemed a little too much like a hotel for us, just looking at the pictures on line.

 

[cynic710]

i stayed at riverside for my honeymoon. I found it to be much more quite than french quarter, and the ferry ride is great. its much more adult themed imho

 

[Pete C]

Like Master Yoda said, the more recent POFQ refurbishment to have queen beds as opposed to doubles is enough to sway my vote. However, I also prefer FQ's theme. Riverside is pretty, but I think FQ is just far more "Disney". It really paints a picture.

 

[lebeau]

We stayed at POR last summer and loved it, but I have to admit that I was jealous of POFQ for their first on first off bus privileges and compact resort size.

We had the exact same experience staying at POR. We walked over to POFQ and I wished I had booked there. The bus advantage was huge. And the beds at POR were too small with my bed-hogging kids. The queen beds would have been a HUGE improvement.

All other things being equal, I'd choose POFQ.

 

[lebeau]

One more thing to add to Nick and Evans posts, POFQ has recently been refurbished and has switched to queen sized beds. This is a huge check in the plus column for POFQ. PORS is currently undergoing it switch over to queen size beds. POFQ also has beignets in the food court.:slurp:

We didn't actually care for the beignets. They were not at all authentic. More like sopapillas than actual beignets. Also, they were heavy and greasy where beignets ought to be light an airy.

They were okay for what they were. The kids eventually finished them off when my wife and I could not. But they are pretty poor if you're going to grade them as beignets.

 

[diddy_mouse]

My husband and I stayed at POR for the first time last year, and we've booked again for this December.

We stayed at POFQ for our honeymoon in 2005 and loved it. We found it very quiet and romantic which was perfect given the trip we were taking. Another thing that's great about POFQ...beignets!

For me I'm right in the middle when it comes to both resorts. They are both low-key resorts with great atmospheres, nice and quiet, and a nice option to get to DTD instead of taking a bus. I can't wait to go back later this year!

 

[Master Yoda]

We didn't actually care for the beignets. They were not at all authentic. More like sopapillas than actual beignets. Also, they were heavy and greasy where beignets ought to be light an airy.

They were okay for what they were. The kids eventually finished them off when my wife and I could not. But they are pretty poor if you're going to grade them as beignets.

Every time I have gotten them they have been as light at air. I guess either I have been lucky, you have been unlucky or a combination of the 2.

 

[lebeau]

Every time I have gotten them they have been as light at air. I guess either I have been lucky, you have been unlucky or a combination of the 2.

That's good. That's how they are supposed to be. The time we had them, they were oily. Not a grease sponge, but heavier than they should have been. Also, they were hollow. Which is more like a sopapilla than a true beignet.

Most people love them, but I've seen a lot of posters whose opinions echoed my own. So either there is some variation in the product or people are reacting differently to the same thing.

My guess is if you haven't had authentic beignets, the ones at PO are going to seem like heaven. But if you have, you might be slightly disappointed with the lack of authenticty.

Either way, I'd recommend trying them out to anyone who's interested. They are tasty. And I like that they are resort-specific. The Mardi Gras decorations in the food court + the beignets really do make for a fun start to your day.

 

[Master Yoda]

That's good. That's how they are supposed to be. The time we had them, they were oily. Not a grease sponge, but heavier than they should have been. Also, they were hollow. Which is more like a sopapilla than a true beignet.

Most people love them, but I've seen a lot of posters whose opinions echoed my own. So either there is some variation in the product or people are reacting differently to the same thing.

My guess is if you haven't had authentic beignets, the ones at PO are going to seem like heaven. But if you have, you might be slightly disappointed with the lack of authenticty.

Either way, I'd recommend trying them out to anyone who's interested. They are tasty. And I like that they are resort-specific. The Mardi Gras decorations in the food court + the beignets really do make for a fun start to your day.

I have had them once a Cafe du Monde so I am assuming that I know what an authentic one is like.

 

[lebeau]

The Disney Food Blog did an articles on the beignets for anyone who's really, really interested. If you read the comments section, a reader does a good job of discussing the authenticity of what is offered at POFQ. Plus, the article has some really good pictures of the beignets being made.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2009/...ignets-at-port-orleans-resort-french-quarter/

 

[lebeau]

I have had them once a Cafe du Monde so I am assuming that I know what an authentic one is like.

Can't get more authentic than that.

And you would say the two products were comparable?

If so, I guess I would have to chalk it up to variation on the product. Because the ones I had were hollow like the ones picture in the Disney Food Blog article and not doughy like the ones at Cafe du Monde.

 

[Master Yoda]

Can't get more authentic than that.

And you would say the two products were comparable?

If so, I guess I would have to chalk it up to variation on the product. Because the ones I had were hollow like the ones picture in the Disney Food Blog article and not doughy like the ones at Cafe du Monde.

Well.... like most early morning activities in New Orleans my memories of it are a bit fuzzy (the result of having an expense account at Pat O'Briens the night before) but from what I remember, yes. I have had them at FQ like you described (hollow) but it is not the norm from my limited experience.

 

[lebeau]

Well.... like most early morning activities in New Orleans my memories of it are a bit fuzzy (the result of having an expense account at Pat O'Briens the night before) but from what I remember, yes. I have had them at FQ like you described (hollow) but it is not the norm from my limited experience.

Then I will have to give the ones at FQ another try. Of course, I would have done that anyway. Even though I was slightly disappointed with my 1 experience with them, I couldn't imagine staying at Port Orleans without making a trip over for an order of beignets.

My oldest daughter positively demolished them.