Disney World’s Port Orleans French Quarter, A Great Way to Jazz up Your Stay!

The theming here suggests that it is Mardi-Gras every day, but what actually makes Disney World’s Port Orleans French Quarter my favorite moderate resort is its low key, relaxing atmosphere. Unwind after spending a day in the parks. Take a walk through manicured gardens by the Sassagoula river, rent a surrey bike to explore the grounds, lounge by the pool, or enjoy a calming soak in the hot tub.  

Mardi Gras jester at Port Orleans Frech Quarter

French Quarter is a very quiet resort compared to our stays at the other resorts on Disney property, which places this resort higher up on my list. There is also some excitement to be had, however, for those looking for some classic, New Orleans style entertainment. You can catch some jazzy tunes at Scat Cat’s Club, and the nightlife at Disney Springs is just a boat ride away.

**This resort is not yet on Disney’s list of resorts currently accepting reservations for the phased reopening. We are hopeful, however, that as one of our favorites, Port Orleans French Quarter will be welcoming guests back soon.

Room

Port Orleans French Quarter Standard Room

The rooms at Port Orleans are super cute. The standard rooms are around 314 square feet each, which makes them just slightly larger than those value resort rooms. You’ll find two queen beds, a separate changing area with double sinks (a huge plus for our group), and a bathroom.  There is a small table with two chairs and a mini-fridge, but you won’t find a microwave in the room.   Sassagoula Floatworks, the quick service food court, does have microwaves available for use if you need one, and there’s loads of seating in there as well. 

Activities

Instrument playing gators at entrance to the pool

The pool at the French Quarter has a super cute theme. You’ll be greeted along the path to the pool by music playing gators, and when you arrive, you’ll be able to slide down the 51-foot sea serpent slide. The pool is located fairly central to the surrounding resort buildings, behind the main lobby, near the Sassagoula river. There is also a hot-tub located just outside of the gates of the pool within its own small gated area. In the afternoons and evenings, you can often find games taking place in the pool area. Try your hand at Bingo, Disney trivia, Beach ball blast and other scheduled activities poolside.

Serpant pool at Port Orleans French Quarter

For an entry fee of $15.00, on most Sunday mornings, you can take part in the Beignet Fun Run. Complete this fun 1.5 mile course and receive a medallion and a beignet. Great way to start your day!

For $35.00 plus tax, you can participate in the Painting on de’ Bayou, an instructor led painting class.

Gator statue at Port Orleans French Quarter Pool

There’s air hockey, pinball, and other various arcade games available at South Quarter Games.

On select evenings, you can join in on some Cajun Campfire Activities, including marshmallow roasting, and catch a classic Disney movie under the stars.

Another relaxing activity available is the Horse-drawn carriage ride. Take a scenic 25-minute tour along the Sassagoula river from within an adorable horse-drawn carriage. You can board a carriage at the neighboring resort: Port Orleans Riverside. The carriage fits up to 4 adults, and each ride costs $55.00. These should be scheduled in advance by making an Enchanting Extras reservation up to 60 days in advance of your stay.

Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

Transportation

Bus transportation to the theme parks and to Disney Springs is offered, and there is boat transportation offered to Disney Springs as well. There is a single bus stop just outside of the lobby/check in area. Depending upon the building that you are assigned to, it could take you several minutes to walk back and forth between the bus stop and your room. The buses run on a posted schedule, and on occasion, have stopped at Port Orleans Riverside along the way. They seem to run more frequently during the busier times in the morning than in the afternoon. There has been one occasion when the bus stop was so crowded that everyone could not fit on a single bus, but there was another bus right on its heels to transport those who were remaining.

Boat dock at Port Orleans French Quarter

The boat to Disney Springs also runs on a posted schedule, picking up and dropping off from a dock just behind the swimming pool.

Sassagoula Floatworks at Port Orleans French Quarter

Dining

There are two lounges and a quick service restaurant at the French Quarter, and since Port Orleans Riverside is within walking distance, you can easily take advantage of the additional two lounges, quick service, and table service venues available there as well.

Inside entrance to Sassagoula Floatworks

Sassagoula Floatworks at the French Quarter has some of the best quick service options on property, in my opinion. This is a cafeteria style quick service location that offers Cajun, Creole, and American cuisine. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here, mobile ordering is available, and you can fill those resort mugs with your beverage of choice here as well. If you like Jambalaya, this is the spot! If nothing else, you have got to try those Mickey beignets.

Mickey beignets from Port Orleans French Quarter

Scat Cat’s club is a lounge offering lively jazz and some great New Orleans style eats. Try Crawfish Etouffee, Mardi Gras Mac and Cheese, and of course those Baton Rouge Beignets. Melt in your mouth beignets with your choice of Baileys, Kahlua, or RumChata. A grown up dessert, for sure!

Just outside the lounge, you’ll find the Scat Cat’s Club-Cafe where you can grab your specialty coffee, and those famous beignets with or without the booze.

Mardi Grogs, is Port Orleans French Quarter’s poolside lounge, which does close for inclement weather. Standard American pool bar snacks are served here with a selection of wine, and beer, as well as a selection of specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available.

Lobby of Port Orleans French Quarter resort

The best in its class!

Disney World’s Port Orleans French Quarter resort definitely gets our vote for best in its class! Out of all the Moderate level resorts on Disney Property, this one outranks the others in my opinion. There is just one bus stop at Port Orleans, and when compared to stopping for several both going and coming from the parks, which happens at other moderate resorts, this is a great time saver. The food offered at the quick service dining here is, in my opinion, much better than the offerings at the other moderate resorts. Then with it’s sister resort being in such close proximity, its like you double your dining options and add a table service option at Boatwright’s Dining Hall. Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside are the only moderate level resorts currently offering Boat transportation, and that’s a nice perk to have as an option to get to Disney Springs.

Entrance sign to French Quarter

With so many great activities available right at the resort, you can easily lengthen your vacation stay and spend a couple of recharge days relaxing at the resort in between the days at the parks. If you’ve never done this, give it a try! A couple of extra recharge days can make Disney a whole different experience!


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