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Did a one nite stay at Riverside with the family. Have stayed at all the other "moderate" resorts. I enjoyed this one te best. The boat launch to DD makes it worth it. Stayed at Aligator Bayou. Room was very nice. Not exceptional but very nice. Only complaint would of been the pillows. Bed was quite comfy. Food court at Riverside is closed. They are offering a preplated meal in addition to what is served at Boatwrights. I think the preplate is different every other nite. The nite I was there was pot roast and lasagna and another entree and 2 sides and cornbread. Quite frankly I didnt pay that close attention. Once I saw pot roast I lost interest. Not going on vacation for pot roast. Boatwrights did seem very crowded for dinner. We had breakfast there the next morning and it was quite good. The Sweet potato pancakes were tasty and different. Overall I'd do it again for the Florida residents rate. Like the other properties the walls are very thin. Hopefully you can get a "roomate" who is considerate. I dont think I'd like a room facing any of the walkways as it seems like the noise could get back to the room. Any questions let me know.

Did you like Riverside better than French Quarter? I stayed solo at Riverside (Magnolia Bend area) back in Dec 2004, and then stayed at FQ w/fiancee in Dec 2005... Definitely preferred French Quarter, and not just for the company ... i think it was the smaller size that really sold me, plus maybe the New Orleans vs. "old South" theming...

I liked Riverside better. FQ was too faux New Orleans for me. Maybe that's becuase when I stayed there I had recently returned from the real thing. Aligator Bayou was pleasant and rustic in its own way. Don't know about Magnolia Bend.

jd3921fl wrote:Maybe that's becuase when I stayed there I had recently returned from the real thing.

Ahh, good point. I've never actually been to Nawlins, so the "Disneyfied" version was quite cute and romantic to me

Don't get me wrong. I think they recreated it well enough, down to the narrow streets. It's just not the same though. I think it might be the same for someone from out west staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I just preferred the rustic motiff of Aligator Bayou. I might of felt as you did if I had been placed in Magnolia.

I really enjoyed staying at FQ. I felt is was quaint, less busy, it's nice to see hotels that aren't over 10 stories. We never had a problem getting on the busses, and sometimes when the bus was full it would skip Riverside.

Though, I haven't stayed at Riverside, so I can't say if I would like Riverside more or less.

I like Riverside better, not that FQ is bad, I just feel the theming is better in Riverside. I like the ole southern charm of the Bayou.

I was going to stay there for my March trip but rescheduled to Wilderness Lodge after I heard about the food court refurb.

Riverside is like our default resort.


Rich

I believe that French Quarter was refurbished a few years ok. I don't think you need to worry about this at all. I absolutely love the FQ, but have grown very fond of Riverside

Yes its just the Riverside that is being refurbished

Here are some pics

Port Orleans - the Riverside Mill food court refurb

Rich

Whew. I was wondering why I received a cheaper rate at riverside then at one of the value resorts. I booked for July though and it looks like the refurb will be done in mid April?

Being refurgished or not I dont think that would be cause for a cheaper rate. I have not known Disney to lower a room rate based on rennovation or refurb going on at the resort. Especailly for something as minor as a food court. I could be wrong. It's happened before

Yeah I doubt they are lowering the rate for that. I know when I checked for my March trip Riverside was the same price as other moderates.

Rich