Q: I'm going to Disney for my 21st birthday and I recently go a hotel upgrade from Disney to a moderate resort. I've never stayed in one and I want to chose the best one. What is your favorite?? The choices are Coronado Springs, Carribean Beach, Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside. Please please please include when you visited the hotel so I can make my decision wisely. Thank you!
A: Port Orleans Riverside in late Sept. & early Oct. 2007. We went during the free dining plan & had a wonderful time. Even thought there were a lot of people (it was also Epcots Food & Wine Festival)~ we never noticed a crowd. Some people may complain there is a long walk to get around, but I didn't think things were that far. Alligator Bayou is closer to lobby area. We stayed in Magnolia Bend & our room & quiet pool were perfect. There were blinds & room darkening drapes so you can sleep in. We never noticed outside noises or water flushing from other guests. There is a curtain that totally separated the sink/bathroom area from the room~ good for privacy. The room has a compact refrigerator that was perfect to keep water & snacks cold. There is also a small coffee pot~ easy to get day started with that. Don't pack a blow dryer or iron~its also in room as well as a safe. The CMs were so friendly & very helpful. We didn't ask for a water view ~ because sometimes the view is of a pool. Why pay more for a partial pool view~~ we got view of Sassagoula River & didn't pay more!! Another good feature of POR is there is boat transport to & from Downtown Disney. Don't miss this trip. We didn't eat at Boatwrights~ used our table service meals for in park or other resorts restaurants. We did eat at POR fast food dining area (sorry can't recall its name). The pasta is cooked to order with your choice of ingredients & sauce~ that is enough for 2 to share. I could go on & on about POR. We loved it. Our next trip is in November & we'll stay at Port Orleans French Quarter. It's smaller & has no table service restaurant~ I don't think we'll be disappointed with POFQ either. Oh, the WDW bus transport picks up at POFQ then goes to POR, drops off same way too. So bus can be crowded for those going to POR~~ it really wasn't bad. Longest time we waited was 10-15 minutes, usually was about 3-5 minutes.