Which is better: Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter?

They may share a name, but these two hotels are quite different! So, which one is the better Port Orleans: Riverside or French Quarter?

Port Orleans

The concept of Port Orleans originally began in the early 1980’s as both a hotel and shopping complex. Originally intended to evoke the same feeling as New Orlean’s Square at Disneyland, shops and restaurants would be on the ground floor with reasonably priced rooms on the second floor. Unfortunately, this dream died off for a few years. Later in the decade, Disney resurrected the idea, and Port Orleans opened in 1991.

The hotel did not have the marketplace like originally planned but became a resort with its own theming and stand-alone hotel. Just one year later, a second resort, Dixie Landings, opened just a little way down the Sassagoula River. The two hotels remained separate until 2001 when Disney combined the two and renamed them Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside.

French Quarter is the original Port Orleans hotel, and Dixie Landings became Riverside. Together, they form the largest resort on Disney World property.

You can read about both resorts more in depth in this guide. For the purposes of this article, I will take into account a few considerations: rooms, resort size, theming, and recreation and entertainment.

Room Accommodations

The winner of the room category goes to Riverside, hands down. This is for a few reasons. First, Riverside has one of the best themed rooms in all of Disney: the royal rooms! These rooms are gorgeous and are perfect for every princess lover. You can see all the photos and read about this room in my post HERE.

Second, some rooms at Riverside have a 5th sleeper. This is huge for families of 5 or groups that want to be able to spread out a little more. You will find two queen beds and a little pull down bed that comes out of the wall underneath the television. Be sure to book this specific room type!

Over at French Quarter, all rooms only sleep 4 and there are no princess rooms. In fact, I would argue that the rooms at French Quarter are the most disappointing feature of the hotel! They feel very plain and sterile. Kids (and let’s face it: adults, too!) will love the princess rooms at Riverside.

Size of the Resort

I will give the medal in this category to French Quarter. It is very small and quaint and feels very homey. There are only a handful of buildings at the resort, and they are all just 5 minutes or less to the main area of the hotel. Speaking of which, the hotel’s shopping, dining, and recreation are all centrally located! It is a very convenient hotel to be able to eat, swim, and shop without walking far.

Conversely, Riverside is very spread out. In fact, it is so spread out there are internal buses that run throughout the resort. There are four bus stops, and you will want to make note of which bus you are getting on when you are heading to the parks. You will also want to note which bus stop is closest to your room so you get off at the right place.

Depending on where your room is at, it can take several minutes to walk to the main pool, arcade, and food at Riverside. You may want to pay for a preferred room.

Theming

I really prefer the theming of French Quarter. I think it is more quaint with the charming colors of the buildings and cobblestone walkways. Kids will likely resonate a bit more with it and will especially enjoy the serpent water slide.

The theming of Riverside is a little too niche for me. Rural Louisiana in the late 1800’s is just not as relatable as the fun Mardi Gras/jazz influence over at French Quarter.

The two resorts have vastly different theming when you consider they are themed after one state during one general time period. French Quarter is more lively while Riverside evokes a laid back feel. Your preference will greatly impact which resort you choose to stay at.

Recreational Activities and Entertainment

This category is a little more tough compared to the last three. Each resort has their own recreational activities that make them both special. Horse drawn excursions loop around the resorts using the pathways that line the banks of the Sassagoula River. These are located at Riverside, but because there is a walkway between the resorts it’s still accessible from French Quarter.

You can also participate in bike rentals, movies on the lawn, campfires, and Surrey bike rentals (Surrey rentals are also at Riverside). Fishing, jogging trails, arcades, and playgrounds are located at each resort and provide some great fun during a rest day or afternoon break from the parks.

There is one pool in each resort that fit with the theming of the hotels. The Doubloon Lagoon at French Quarter has a blue sea serpent water slide and alligator jazzy touches. Riverside’s pool is called Ol’ Man Island and is more like a swimming hole with wooden bridges and a rustic waterslide.

As far as entertainment, French Quarter and Riverside also have some great evening performers! At French Quarter, you can listen to live jazz music on select nights at Scat Cat’s Lounge. Yeeha Bob performs at River Roost. I (Monica) have seen both entertainment options, and I prefer Yeeha Bob. His set is lively and fun! Plus, it is more family-friendly and there is more seating.

Therefore, I have to declare Riverside the winner of this category.

The Winner

If you have been keeping track, Riverside and French Quarter are tied! I really cannot make up my mind which resort I prefer. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Riverside has the better room set up and recreation/entertainment, and French Quarter has better theming and easier access to everything the hotel has to offer.

The resort I choose really depends on my specific travel needs. Am I staying with my children who would prefer princess rooms? Will we be spending a lot of time at the pool? Do I plan to participate in a lot of the activities? Do I really want to deal with internal buses (the answer is always no).

Because both resorts are moderate resorts, pricing will not vary too much. French Quarter is usually cheaper, especially if you are comparing those standard rooms to the princess rooms at Riverside.

Which Port Orleans Resort do you like better? Let us know in the comments below. Do you know someone who needs help choosing between the two? Be sure to pass this article along!