POR - Tips and Opinions?

[ShookieJones]

Hey Guys -

We usually stay at French Quarter, this coming May we're going to try
Riverside.

I'd like to get some of your tips and or opinions to make the most out of the resort and our stay there.

Which area do you prefer - AB or the Mansions?
Where to eat on site\ and specialties like the beignets at POFQ?
Any neat things to see on the grounds, etc.?

FYI - We're renting a car so walking to bus stops etc. isn't a real issue.

Anything else you can add would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[BRER DAD]

I love the AB section!! Make sure you go see Bob play the piano, its a great time for the entire family!! Have a great vacation.

 

[kangaand2roos]

I've stayed at both the FQ and POR and loved both. We stayed at POR last year and I thought it was beautiful. We stayed in the mansions, Magnolia Bend to be specific, it was a perfect distance from the main building, food court, bus stop as well as the pool. We also had the smaller pool right close by.
I felt the food court was better than FQ, mainly b/c they had such a variety of choices. One night we had dinner at the food court and got their turkey dinner with fixings and it was only 8 or 9 bucks. It was alot of food and it was pretty good too
Boatwright's has delicious sweet potato cakes for breakfast that I think migt be unique to POR.
You can rent bikes or paddleboats there as well. We indulged in the horse and carriage ride and even got to see some fireworks when we were crossing the bridge,the one closer to the FQ, we saw them other nights too. I'm not sure where they were coming from but they were nice to see. Enjoy yur trip, I think POR is the nicest of the moderates!

 

[EmOhYouEssE]

One night we had dinner at the food court and got their turkey dinner with fixings and it was only 8 or 9 bucks. It was alot of food and it was pretty good too

My husband and I strolled from POFQ down to POR resort and tried this dinner one night from the food court. I second the fact that two people can easily split this meal and it's tasty!!! The only thing I didn't like about it was the large pieces of corn in the corn bread (i'm a texture gal), but my husband had no issues on finishing my half of the piece of cornbread.

I think the OP will have a great time at POR. From what I have read, many people like AB due to its location to everything, but the mansions are beautiful. I don't think you can really go wrong either way.

Hope you have a great trip!

Em

 

[KHockett]

We love POR. Like you we had been POFQ people and had to switch one time - now that is our favorite! We love it. I would recommend Partierre Place (sp) - it is close to the main areas. The pools are great - quiet are nice for a change of pace - sometimes it is hard to get chairs by the main pool that are in the sun (may not be an issue for you). We love the convenience and the whole atmosphere. Having a car is great - it is suprisingly close to MK - there is a back road - the boat to DTD is great -and I would second the food court praises!
Have a great time.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

POR is my fave resort!! And I loved AB section. The resort is a whole lot bigger than FQ, and we actually chose to stay at FQ this year, for its size! I really like the rustic, woodsy feel to Alligator Bayou, and the grounds are just so peaceful and gorgeous. You might have a bit of a walk to the main building or bus stops, depending on where they place you. There are a quite a few quiet pools, and one main pool (Ol' Mans Island), which is very nice. The boat to DTD is my favorite thing about Port Orleans. The rooms in AB section are very cozy, and comfortable. You will def like this resort.

 

[disney dreaming]

We love AB.......but you gotta, gotta, gotta go see bob play the piano in the bar. Its a great time!!

 

[Summerland24]

You can't go wrong with Riverside. It is one of our favorite places.
We especially like how quiet it is, after a day at the parks, its so nice to go for a lazy walk, or run and just list to the river and the crickets.

As for food, you can't skip the Philly Cheese steak sandwich, i think i have close to one a day while we are there.
Nothing but praise from us :sohappy:

 

[VickiMints]

My family typically stays at POR now for our trips (Mom and I will be there again this December!), and I'm going to be odd and say that I prefer the mansions... maybe that's because I got lost trying to find my room in AB one night when I had a stomach bug, and I'm still suffering the psychological damage. :lol: AB is quieter than the mansions thanks to the woodsy buffers all over everywhere, but the resort as a whole is quite peaceful. We've always gotten rooms within easy walking distance of the main building and at least one pool. When we've had a car, it's never been a hassle trying to find a space close to our room either.

I think the food court is better than the one at FQ, but that doesn't stop me from missing beignets! I'm a fan of the build your own pasta dish counter since I special order everything...

I hope you have a great time!

 

[ShookieJones]

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for all your insight and opinions.
If you have anything else keep it coming!!

Planning and gathering info from all my WDW friends helps the 238 days go by a lot quicker:animwink:

 

[RiversideBunny]

We much prefer the mansions area, Magnolia Bend, to Alligator Bayou.
The four mansion buildings are well landscaped and elegant. We have stayed at all four.
It's fun to walk over the bridges over the river early in the morning or at night when going to the food court and gift shop. Very scenic.

POR has one of the best food courts on property.
It has a bakery section also.
:king::king:

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I second that Riverside has a great cafeteria. My wife got penne with pesto and shrip and it may not look that big but it IS! I got the roast beef and blu cheese sandwich which was awesome...they use real blu cheese crumbles.

As for rooms, we stayed in th AB section, we were pretty far away from the main buildings, but didn't mind.

And Ol' Man Island is a blast as is taking the boat to Downtown Disney.

 

[H20Babie]

Love POR, home away from home. If we could have, we would have stayed there again this year (no availability by the time we booked). As for which section, I personally prefer AB. Others in my family prefer the mansions in MB. It's all about personal taste, IMO.

Some things you don't want to miss:

Cane pole fishing at Ol' Man Island
Butterfly garden behind Acadia House
Evening carriage rides
Piano Man Bob at the River Roost (family friendly)
Try a Gator Tail
Dessert - Bananas Foster

You'll love POR!

 

[PKliveonStage]

I'm going to jump in and say the myself and my family all adore POR!

We've stayed in AB everytime we've been there (Building 17) and love just walking around the grounds!

Oh yes...and make sure you have breakfast at Boatwrights! The stuffed french toast in the best meal I had that entire week!

 

[dinandmick]

I'm doing the opposite of what you are. I've stayed at POR twice, so we've decided to stay at POFQ.

I stayed in the Magnolia Bend section each time and it was great. The Alligator Bayou section looks more rustic. The one thing I don't like is that POFQ does not have quiet pools. Since we will be going in December, this wasn't much of a factor, but being that you are going in May you'll be able to enjoy your sections quiet pool or the main pool if you desire.

Have a great time!!!

 

[minniemouseuk]

We're staying at POR for the very first time in December 2009, and I must say that I'm very pleased about the very favourable comments I've read.

You've made my day

 

[figmentmom]

POR is our favorite resort! Another here vote for the Mansions - they're gorgeous, and the view of the Sassagoula River is beautiful, especially in the early morning. Make sure you take the time to really enjoy the resort - don't just hustle off to the parks every day! We find it very peaceful and relaxing, and beautifully themed.