Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside are sister Reasonable Resort accommodations at Walt Disney World that we suggest to anybody who loves themed environments. So…which is the higher choice in your WDW trip? This submit presents our head-to-head smackdown to see which reigns supreme. (Up to date December 28, 2024.)
We received’t bury the lede–they’re each nice accommodations and there’s no one-size-fits all reply to the query of which Port Orleans Resort is finest. This isn’t attempting to achieve a definitive conclusion (though we’ll) as a lot as weigh the professionals and cons of every Port Orleans Resort in an effort to resolve for your self. However theme, we expect Riverside and French Quarter every have rather a lot to supply.
This comparability addresses whether or not it’s best to e-book Port Orleans French Quarter (POFQ), or if Port Orleans Riverside (POR) is the higher alternative for your loved ones. With that in thoughts, we’ll evaluate theme, price, eating, swimming pools, and different facilities that can assist you decide which is best for you.
Earlier than we get going, it’s value noting that Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter shall be within the midst of room refurbishments till 2026. This mission is effectively underway at POFQ–we stayed in a brand new room a couple of weeks in the past and noticed lively development websites round a number of different buildings–and is anticipated to wrap up round Spring 2025.
As soon as work concludes at Port Orleans French Quarter, the identical development crew will transfer on to Port Orleans Riverside. At current, the work there’s scheduled to happen from Spring 2025 by means of early 2026 and happen on solely the Magnolia Bend rooms. Nevertheless, we all know from previous precedent and the cadence of room refurbishment cycles that Alligator Bayou nearly definitely will get refurbished as soon as that’s finished–and that might take the mission into late 2026 or early 2027.
This development is why each Port Orleans Resorts made our lists of the Worst Lodges at Walt Disney World in 2025. This isn’t to say it’s best to keep away from both. Building had zero impression on our keep at POFQ, and it’ll be even simpler to keep away from at Riverside because of the unfold out nature of the resort. That listing (and this introduction) is extra like a ‘heads up’ for individuals who are delicate to blight and noise. You could need to keep elsewhere, however normally, a room request will suffice!
Talking of which, let’s shortly focus on the 2 different choices within the Reasonable Resort tier…
Relying upon your perspective, one factor that may be a professional or con is that each Port Orleans Resorts are probably the most “thematically pure” Reasonable Resorts. Whereas Coronado Springs added the brand new Gran Destino Tower and Caribbean Seashore 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 allure and thematic integrity. The draw back is that Gran Destino and Riviera Resort introduced with them distinctive new eating and different facilities. Each Caribbean Seashore and Coronado Springs are actually arguably “Reasonable+ Resorts” in some regards, and it feels considerably like time has handed by the Port Orleans Resorts in consequence, not less than from a useful perspective.
Nonetheless, we love each Port Orleans Resorts, and the environment is the massive purpose why…
Theme: Port Orleans Riverside – Each of those resorts are the peak of romantic theming and Southern allure at Walt Disney World. Because of the growth tasks on the different Moderates, these two resorts are actually the top of theme among the many Reasonable Resorts.
That is very true at Riverside, which is split into Alligator Bayou (bayou) and Magnolia Bend (mansions), and presents a refined transition between the 2 and extra thematic selection. The backstory at Riverside is fascinating, participating, and cleverly-executed all through the resort.
The quiet pathways that criss-cross Port Orleans Riverside make it an excellent place to take a romantic stroll late at night time, early within the morning, or (we guess?) underneath the excessive midday solar. These grounds are nothing wanting gorgeous, with wealthy wilderness within the bayou and completely manicured gardens across the mansions. Regardless of being pretty unfold out, it presents as intimate and romantic, and we’ve lengthy advisable Riverside as one of the best price range 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 rather a lot going for it, and an excellent sense of romanticism, but it surely nonetheless falls wanting Riverside. The surroundings is simply extra satisfying and has a higher sense of depth at Riverside.
Transportation/Format: Port Orleans French Quarter – Each resorts rely solely upon bus transportation to get to the Walt Disney World theme parks, with boat service accessible at each to Disney Springs. Transportation is the place French Quarter shines. It’s the one Reasonable Resort that has a single bus cease, which presents a big time-savings benefit if you’re attempting to get to or from the parks. That can imply a barely longer stroll to the bus cease, however that often is just not the case.
It’s because (and that is one other benefit), Port Orleans French Quarter has very compact structure. It’s simply walkable, and though visitor rooms are unfold amongst a number of buildings, French Quarter is just not a sprawling resort like the opposite Moderates. Except you get caught in one of many farthest rooms from the foyer, all the things at French Quarter is a few 5-minute stroll out of your room. That’s fairly important if in case you have babies, 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 kind of folks, whereas I’m loopy and really benefit from the sprawling resort model of Riverside. (Thankfully, I can have one of the best of each worlds by staying at French Quarter and wandering over to Riverside.)
Rooms: Push – Each have rooms that we’d name completely high quality, they usually’ve benefited from useful enhancements due to the most recent gentle items refurbishment. These room renovations additionally made them thematically much less fascinating, however a bit brighter and lighter, which is good from a temper perspective.
The subsequent spherical of room updates are already displaying to be an identical story. We stayed in a lately redone room at Port Orleans French Quarter in December 2024, and our opinion on it is kind of the identical as earlier than. It’s completely high quality, feels contemporary, and has some cute particulars–however isn’t one of many prime tier rooms at Walt Disney World.
The upside at Port Orleans Riverside is that the rooms in Alligator Bayou can sleep 5 due to the pull-down Murphy mattress, so there’s that. On the flip aspect, we favor 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 comfy, and have zero complaints…however we don’t think about them stand-out Walt Disney World rooms, both.
Eating: Port Orleans Riverside – French Quarter has the fewest eating choices of any Reasonable Resort, and is the one one and not using a full-scale desk service restaurant. Many individuals think about this to be a “huge deal” when planning a primary go to, however we might warning you in opposition to giving an excessive amount of weight to this.
The primary purpose is as a result of we’ve discovered Scat Cat’s Membership Lounge to be greater than passable. It is a comparatively new venue that took over the outdated Bonfamille’s Cafe area (a desk service restaurant that closed within the early 2000s), and serves a combination of drinks and small plates together with stay jazz music. We benefit from the setting, environment, leisure, and delicacies right here. To make sure, it’s not a fully-fledged desk service restaurant, but it surely’s improbable and enjoyable.
In the event you do want a desk service restaurant, you’ll be able to stroll to Riverside to dine there–it’s about 10 minutes away and the trail is gorgeous. Though we expect Boatwright’s Eating Corridor is underrated, you’ll in all probability solely eat there as soon as–at most–throughout your keep. With each of those resorts providing boat transportation to Disney Springs–which presents a wealth of outstanding desk service choices–that is de facto the route it’s best to go for those who’re doing dinner outdoors the park.
Counter service is kind of a push. Each Port Orleans Resorts have giant meals courts with gadgets of various levels of high quality. We’ve had unhealthy and good meals at every, so we wouldn’t draw any conclusions from these, both. It actually depends upon what you’re order.
What we like about each of those meals courts is the range. There’s really one thing for everybody, from choosy eaters to extra adventurous ones. And we’ve discovered the featured entrees which can be distinctive to every resort to usually being fairly tasty–and supply good worth for cash.
With that stated, Port Orleans French Quarter does have freshly-made beignets, that are a robust promoting level. We’re not kidding. We hear about these beignets from followers of POFQ greater than absolutely anything else on the resort. They’re so fashionable that Scat Cat’s Membership Cafe is now beignet central, and the resort even sells a line of “Beign-yays” merchandise.
Swimming pools: Port Orleans French Quarter – On our listing of the High 10 Swimming 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 are usually not that far aside.
The place Doubloon Lagoon has a definite benefit, from our perspective, is when it comes to character. It options have a troupe of musically-inclined alligators, which collectively (kind of) type the Bayou Gator Jamboree. It additionally has the 51-foot lengthy slide themed as a SerpentDragonSnake, an enormous half serpent, half dragon, and half snake creature recognized 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 a long-lasting impression. This all provides the pool a enjoyable vibe, whereas Ol’ Man Island Pool is sort of uninteresting and forgettable from our perspective. In the event you strip away theme, these swimming pools can be fairly closely-matched (for those who 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.
Price: Port Orleans Riverside – From one of the best we will inform, room charges are an identical each fee season of the yr for traditional rooms at every of the Port Orleans Resorts. Costs are a bit much less constant/comparable when you get into the totally 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? Reductions. In the event you’re reserving a visit far upfront (earlier than reductions have been launched), it’s vital to know that French Quarter typically receives inferior room-only reductions, and is blocked out from different reductions (resembling the favored Free Disney Eating Plan at Walt Disney World promo). The ‘low cost differential’ can flip these neck and neck rack charges into an enormous chasm in favor of Riverside.
Verdict: Port Orleans French Quarter – Beforehand, we gave the slight edge to Riverside. Right here’s what we stated earlier than:
After we consider one of the best Reasonable Resort at Walt Disney World, it’s troublesome to look previous what Riverside presents when it comes to a resort expertise. The charming theming, the relaxed & romantic ambiance, the numerous facilities, and the fantastic thing about its fantastic grounds all are important promoting factors. Add to that the higher probability of discovering offers at Riverside, and we’re inclined to offer it a slight edge, general.
Issues have modified within the final yr for us as we are actually mother and father to a toddler versus lively and energetic Childless Disney Millennials. With that, we now actually perceive and respect the compact structure of Port Orleans French Quarter.
In actuality, this isn’t nearly us–it’s about (lastly) listening to everybody else. One of many largest complaints about Riverside is its unfold out and sprawling nature, which is exactly what led to current tasks at Caribbean Seashore and Coronado Springs.
For first-timers, Walt Disney World might be an awesome place, and French Quarter removes that from the lodge by providing a extra compact structure. It’s the smallest and most walkable Reasonable Resort at Walt Disney World, and company regularly level to this as an enormous promoting level.
After dragging our ft for much too lengthy, we lastly see the enchantment on this. On the finish of a protracted night time, once I’m carrying a sleeping toddler, each step counts. Similar goes at the start of the day, for that matter, when she desires to stroll however can solely go so quick. These are our distinctive circumstances, to make sure, however a need to reduce steps earlier than even attending to the parks–or on the finish of the day–is hardly distinctive.
Port Orleans French Quarter might be stated to arguably supply one of the best of each worlds. These in your social gathering who would like a compact resort have that choice by confining themselves to POFQ, whereas those that need the true resort vibe can simply stroll over to Riverside.
It’s additionally honest to level out that POFQ has an extremely romantic environment in its personal proper, and is a beautiful recreation of New Orleans. It’s no thematic slouch, it’s simply not as expansive and doesn’t supply fairly as a lot selection in design or setting. French Quarter continues to be improbable–and a part of a bygone period of Walt Disney World design. Simply with out the interior bus stops that so many company hate!
If French Quarter’s extra compact structure isn’t sufficiently persuasive, the lately redone rooms, satisfying Scat Cat’s Membership Lounge, and fewer development within the subsequent 2 years are additionally vital. Even ignoring structure, I’m inclined to offer Port Orleans French Quarter the win from not less than 2025 by means of early 2027 in consequence. We’ll reevaluate (once more) after that!
In the end, each Port Orleans Resorts are fantastic resorts that we extremely suggest. Though we gave the sting to French Quarter right here, we recurrently keep at every of them, with which we decide relying upon the character of our journey (and accessible reductions!). Necessary facilities, recreation, and different variables may going to matter in another way to you.
Our purpose is for this submit to be useful in providing a head-to-head comparability of probably the most essential components of every Walt Disney World resort expertise. With that stated, we advise supplementing this with our full evaluation of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort and our Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Overview.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you want to know!
Your Ideas
Do you agree or disagree with our verdict on this Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter head-to-head? What about our conclusions in every class? Is there one thing we missed or acquired improper? Share any questions, ideas, or further ideas you will have within the feedback!
