Port Orleans Resort

Imagine the charm and romance of New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, filtered through the magic of Disney. The resort is intimate, tranquil, and beautifully landscaped. With cobblestone streets, gas lamps, wrought-iron balconies, and magnolia trees, it feels like a peaceful escape. Jazz music floats through the air, completing the theme. It’s one of the smallest Disney resorts, which means it’s incredibly easy to navigate—a huge plus after a long park day.

Key Features & Amenities

• Category: Moderate Resort. This places it a step above the Value resorts in size, amenities, and comfort, but below the Deluxe resorts in terms of price and proximity to parks.

• Size & Layout: This is its biggest advantage. The resort is compact and walkable. Everything—the main building, bus stops, food court, and pool—is just a short stroll away. No long hikes through endless hotel blocks here!

• Rooms: The rooms have been recently refurbished. They are stylish and functional, typically featuring:

  • Two Queen Beds (one is a clever fold-down Murphy bed that turns into a table)

  • A mini-fridge and a coffee maker

  • A split bathroom layout for added privacy

  • Subtle, elegant Mardi Gras and musical theming

• Pool: The main pool, Doubloon Lagoon, is Mardi Gras-themed. It features a sea serpent slide, alligator trumpeters that spout water, and a King Neptune fountain. It’s fun but rarely as overwhelming as the pools at Value resorts.

• Recreation:

  • Water Taxi to Disney Springs: A massive perk! A scenic, relaxing boat ride down the Sassagoula River takes you directly to the shopping, dining, and entertainment hub of Disney Springs.

  • Walking Path to Riverside: A beautiful 1.7-mile path connects French Quarter to its sister resort, Port Orleans – Riverside. You can easily walk over to explore its restaurants and grounds.

  • Other Activities: Horse-drawn carriage rides, bike and surrey bike rentals, arcade, and fishing.

• Transportation: Standard Disney bus service is provided to all theme parks and water parks. As a smaller resort, buses can sometimes be shared with Riverside, especially during slower seasons.

Dining & Drinking

This is a highlight, especially for foodies.

• Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory: The resort’s quick-service food court. It’s top-tier, offering delicious New Orleans-inspired fare like gumbo, jambalaya, po’boy sandwiches, and of course…

• Scat Cat’s Club – Café: Home of the famous Mickey-shaped Beignets! These pillowy, powdered-sugar-dusted pastries are a must-eat. You can also get them with a side of chicory coffee for dipping. (There’s even a “spirited” version for adults available at the adjacent lounge!).

• Scat Cat’s Club: A stylish lounge offering cocktails, wine, and beer. It often features live music on weekends.

• Mardi Grogs: The poolside bar for refreshing frozen drinks and cocktails.

What Sets It Apart (The “French Quarter Advantage”)

• Scale: Its small size is its greatest luxury. The convenience of a 3-minute walk to anything cannot be overstated.

• Atmosphere: The theming is sophisticated and relaxing, making it a huge favorite among couples and adults without children, though families also love it.

• Access to Riverside: You get the best of both worlds: the quiet intimacy of French Quarter and the ability to walk over to Riverside for its additional table-service restaurant (Boatwright’s) and more extensive amenities.

• The Beignets: You simply can’t get these iconic treats anywhere else on Disney property.

Ideal For:

• Couples and Adults seeking a romantic, quieter Disney getaway.

• Families who value convenience and easy navigation over sprawling, over-the-top theming.

• First-Time Visitors who might be overwhelmed by the size of other resorts.

• Anyone who plans to visit Disney Springs frequently.

Potential Considerations:

• Dining: There is no table-service (sit-down) restaurant on-site. For that, you need to go to Riverside or another resort.

• Bus Service: While usually efficient, sharing buses with Riverside can occasionally mean a longer commute to the parks with multiple stops.

• Price: As a Moderate resort, it is more expensive than the Value resorts. You are paying for the upgraded amenities, theming, and smaller scale.

In summary: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is a fan-favorite for a reason. It offers a uniquely peaceful and charming experience with the immense practical benefit of being small and easy to navigate. Its excellent food, iconic beignets, and beautiful setting make it a perfect choice for those seeking a relaxing retreat with a touch of Disney magic and a whole lot of New Orleans charm.