Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort Review
Is Port Orleans French Quarter the right resort for your Disney World Vacation? In this post, I will share our experience and opinions of Port Orleans French Quarter so you can decide if this resort is right for you.
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Port Orleans French Quarter immerses guests in the feels and sounds of New Orleans. Cobblestone pathways are lined with beautiful gas lamps that give the feel of the historic French Quarter. You’ll find greenery hanging from wrought-iron balconies, and enjoy the sounds of jazz music in the air. The gorgeous magnolia trees truly give you the feel of walking down a street in the French Quarter.
We found this resort to be overflowing with charm and the perfect escape from the busy parks, without losing that Disney Magic.
About our recent stay at Port Orleans French Quarter
We visited the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort at Disney World in late September 2023. We requested a corner room, which placed us on the ground level across from the pool in building 5. We loved our room location! Being on the ground floor across from the pool and laundry building was perfect. It took me just 2 minutes to walk over to the main building but it was still super peaceful and quiet.
Overview of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
Port Orleans French Quarter is categorized as a moderate resort. The pricing is a bit higher than Value resorts and you’ll find extra amenities and nicer quality features.
Theme & Atmosphere:
This resort is meticulously themed after New Orleans. As always, the Imagineers at Disney World created a beautiful resort with all the feels and sounds of New Orleans. The resort is right along the Sassagoula River which adds to the authenticity.
I would consider this resort to have a very laid-back feel. It is also a smaller resort, not as sprawling as its sister resort, Port Orleans Riverside which is a very large spread-out resort.
We enjoyed the smaller size of the resort and theming at Port Orleans French Quarter. The size meant we could easily explore the whole resort without adding thousands of steps to our day. This was especially nice after a long day of walking at the parks. Getting around was fairly easy and it is a beautiful resort.
Location of Port Orleans French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort has a very convenient location for many of the parks. It is located right behind EPCOT so you’ll find transportation to be fairly reasonable for the parks.
Port Orleans French Quarter map
Click the Port Orleans French Quarter Map below to enlarge:
Transportation at Port Orleans French Quarter
Hopping from Port Orleans French Quarter to the parks is a breeze! Disney buses are always available to take you right to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. The bus stop is right outside the lobby, and buses generally roll in every 15-20 minutes. Our walk to the busses was only 3-4 minutes, there are plenty of paths you can use to get to the busses quickly.
How long does it take to get to each park from Port Orleans French Quarter?
- EPCOT is only a mile away and the bus takes about 9 minutes.
- Magic Kingdom is around 3.4 miles away, about a 10-minute bus ride.
- Hollywood Studios is 3.9 miles away and the bus takes just around 20 minutes.
- Animal Kingdom is a bit further away about 7.5 miles. This bus ride is about 20-25 minutes.
Transportation Options Disney Springs
If you would like to head to Disney Springs or visit the neighboring Port Orleans Riverside Resort you can enjoy a scenic ferry ride instead. The Ferry boat comes by every 10-15 minutes and will bring you to either location. Or you can just enjoy the boat ride and take a round-trip back to your resort.
Can you walk between Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter?
Port Orleans Riverside is only a 15-minute walk from the French Quarter. You can enjoy a peaceful walk along the Sassagoula River path. It’s a really beautiful walk. Riverside has many activities and dining options that you can enjoy during your stay.
Rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter
The rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter are intended to fit up to four people with most rooms having two queen beds. you will not find a pull-down fifth bed at Port Orleans French Quarter however you will find those at Port Orleans Riverside. Click here to read my review and find out more.
Room options available at Port Orleans French quarter
- Standard Room: 2 queens with views of the garden areas.
- River View Room: 2 queens with views of the riverfront.
- Pool View Room: 2 queens with views of the courtyard pool.
- King Bed Room: 1 King Bed with views Views of Garden, Courtyard, Riverfront or Parking Area
Room Features and Decor
Each room is furnished well with a small table with 2 chairs. The beds are very comfortable! The headboards are lovely and there’s plenty of space under the beds for your luggage, which is a huge space saver and something I think is important if you’re traveling with lots of luggage.
The rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter have lots of helpful items that you’ll probably need during your stay.
You will find plenty of plugs and USB outlets throughout the rooms. There are 2 USB and 2 standard plugs between the beds at the nightstand. You will also find 4 more USB and 4 more plugs at the dresser. This is so helpful if you’re charging phones, MagicBands, rechargeable power banks, fans, or other electronics.
Most rooms at POFQ will also have the new Hey Disney Alexa gadget. That you might find helpful. You can also play a few games on Hey Disney!
The Princess and the Frog Theming in the Rooms
When you stay at any of the Walt Disney World Resorts you will notice small Disney theming throughout the rooms. Some resorts have more obvious Disney Character theming like Art of Animation while others have more discrete Disney touches, like the Boardwalk Resort and Port Orleans French Quarter.
Disney World imagineers have done an excellent job at Port Orleans French Quarter of adding small subtle touches throughout the rooms. The rooms and resort grounds are themed after The Princess and the Frog. You’ll notice small touches of Tiana and the Prince frog throughout the rooms.
The first thing I noticed was the curtains at the window. They have a very subtle Mardi Gras bead detail in the pattern and a fleur-de-lis curtain rod. The chairs at the table also have a small Princess and the Frog detail. You will notice fleur-de-lis patterns in the lamps and lights throughout the room.
In the bathroom, the shower curtain has a very cute Princess and the Frog theme. Have fun looking around the room and throughout the park for little hidden details. You may find a few hidden Mickeys along the way too!
Storage in the Port Orleans French Quarter standard room
Our room had a beautiful wooden dresser with 3 large drawers. To the right, there is a mini fridge or beverage cooler in the dresser. You will also have storage in the single nightstand between the beds.
There was a nice shelf on the wall with 4 hooks which we used for our backpacks, purses, and sweatshirts.
Beside the sinks in the bathroom area, there is a long curtain rod with about 10 to 15 hangers you can use to hang clothes. When we travel with our kids, we always bring a super convenient foldable closet organizer and a shoe organizer. This gives us extra storage for their clothes or shoes when there aren’t enough drawers for everyone.
Other in-room amenities
Each room also comes with a Cuisinart coffee maker that will make a single cup of coffee using Joffrey’s Coffee pods that are provided. You’ll also receive Twinnings tea bags and a few coffee creamers and sugars.
Don’t hesitate to request a refill or extra coffees, teas, sugars, crears, cups, etc. Housekeeping is happy to refill your items during your stay. There’s also an ice bucket you can use and fill at the ice machines throughout the resort.
On the wall you’ll have a large television, giving you access to your favorite channels and Disney movies to unwind after a day exploring the parks.
The Bathroom layout at Port Orleans French Quarter:
In the bathroom area, you will have a door to divide the toilet and tub/shower from the sink and counter area. You’ll also find a curtain that can be pulled closed to divide the room from the closet and sink. We found this very helpful in the mornings. It allowed us to get ready without disturbing the sleeping teenagers in the room. It also gave us an extra private area to get dressed.
The door to the toilet and shower was also nice. This way someone can be using the toilet or taking a shower while others are getting ready at the sinks.
You’ll always find Disney bath products (formerly H2O products) in the shower, including Body Wash, shampoo, and Conditioner. You will also receive a bar of soap and shower cap. These are usually placed beside the sink area.
Storage in the bathroom area included an extra shelf at the vanity in front of the mirror where we like to keep our toothbrushes, haircare, and makeup products. There are also shelves below the sink. We used folding bins to corral our bathroom items. There is also a makeup mirror that lights up.
The closet area is beside the vanity. It is an open-concept closet with a long closet rod and about 10-15 hangers included. You can always request more hangers if you need them. The locking safe is in this area too as well as an iron and ironing board.
Food and drinks – Dining at French Quarter
What are the dining options at Port Orleans French Quarter?
- Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory – Quick Service – See the menu and our review here.
- Scat Cat Club Cafe – A must-do! You’ll want to get your Beignets here – See the menu and our review here.
- Scat Cat Club Lounge
- Mardi Grogs Pool Bar
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
The quick-service dining option at Port Orleans French Quarter is at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. It has that Mardi Gras vibe with fun decor. You’ll find classic food and snacks as well as Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes.
Breakfast features staples like Mickey-shaped waffles and scrambled eggs, while at lunch and dinner, you’ll find gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys. I was impressed by the serving size for the omelet and tater tots.
Try the Beignets at Scat Cat’s Club Cafe
Grab an iconic Mickey Mouse-shaped beignet, or better yet, try the Beignet sundae. You can also pick up a delicious coffee or espresso in the morning.
Read my review of the Scat Cat’s Club – Cafe and find out more about the popular Mickey Beignets at Disney World.
Scat Cat Club Lounge
Another perk of staying at Port Orleans French Quarter is their weekend Jazz Club. Head to the Scat Cat Lounge starting at 7:30 pm, Friday through Sunday, and enjoy the live jazz along with delicious appetizers, a sweet Beignet, or a tasty cocktail.
Mardi Grogs Pool Bar
You will also find the Mardi Grogs Pool Bar where you can order sandwiches, snacks, and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy by the pool.
The Pools at Port Orleans French Quarter
Dive into the fun at the serpentine Doubloon Lagoon pool, complete with a waterslide. During the refurbishment of the pool at Port Orleans French Quarter (January-April 2024) you can walk over (or take the boat) to Port Orleans Riverside Resort and enjoy the quieter Ol’ Man Island pool.
Other Activities
Check the schedule at Port Orleans French Quarter to see the days and times these activities are available.
Scat Cat’s Club
Adults can catch a live jazz performance at the Scat Cat’s Lounge. Enjoy live Jazz while sipping on a nice beverage or trying a tasty cajun appetizer.
The Arcade
The South Quarter Games has over 70 fun arcade games to enjoy. You’ll find this arcade right off the lobby.
The Playground at Port Orleans French Quarter
The Playground at French Quarter is in the courtyard by the Dooblagoon pool.
Rent A bike or Surrey
You can rent a 2 or 4-person Surrey bike and go for a fun adventure with your family as you ride between the two resorts along the Sassagoula River.
Cajun Campfire Activities:
Enjoy an evening campfire and roast a marshmallow under the twinkling stars.
Horse Drawn Carriages at Port Orleans Riverside
Take a romantic clip-clop through the resort, feeling like you’ve stepped back in time.
Activities at French Quarter:
Get swept up in the infectious energy of street performers, live music, and festive décor during select times of the year.
Port Orleans French Quarter offers several activities. You can find updated information on the Recreation Calendar at the resort.
Movie Under the Stars.
These usually happen at 7:30pm nightly on the French Quarter green. You’ll find this area between buildings 5&6.
Mondays: Mardi Gras Madness –
Check recreation calendar for times
Enjoy a night of trivia and prizes for the whole family!
Wednesdays: Mosaics Class ($35+tax) –
Check the recreation calendar for times
The mosaics class is a great activity for children. It’s a popular one too! You can design your own mosaic creation. Seating is limited. Ages 12+ You may also get a special treat while doing this activity.
Wednesdays: Arcade Challenge –
Check the recreation calendar for times
You can compete with other guest (all skill levels!) at the South Quarter Games Arcade
Fridays: Backyard Bash –
Check the recreation calendar for times
Hop on over to the Building 6 Lawn for family-friendly games and fun under the stars.
Mardi Gras Parade and Party at Port Orleans French Quarter
If you happen to visit during Mardi Gras you can expect a super fun Mardi Gras party at Port Orleans French Quarter. There is usually a parade and other fun events. This celebration usually happens on Fat Tuesday (for one day only)
Sassagoula River Cruise:
Take a leisurely boat ride to Disney Springs, enjoying the scenery and the occasional gator sighting (don’t worry, they’re friendly!).
The Cost to Stay at Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
Rooms cost vary from around $250 up to over $400 (for prime dates)
The cost of a room at Port Orleans French Quarter varies depending on the time of year, discounts available, or day of the week.
We’ve seen the average non-discounted pricing starting at $301.50/night
During our stay in September 2023, we scored great prices! Our weekday pricing was just $216/night. (weekends were $245). This was during an Annual Passholder discount which is offered occasionally throughout the year.
** We’ve found the best pricing for Port Orleans French Quarter Resort is in January before President’s Day.
Is Port Orleans French Quarter good for families?
I think Port Orleans French Quarter is a great resort for families or couples who prefer a more peaceful resort to come home to after a busy day at the parks.
The pool at the resort is a highlight for most kids. The theming is super colorful and fun and kids of all ages love the 51-foot water slide too! There is also a nice hot tub for the adults to enjoy!
Bonus Tips for staying at French quarter resort:
Don’t forget to factor in the Early Theme Park Entry benefit available to resort guests. This allows you to enter the parks 30 minutes early on most days, giving you more time to ride the rides, eat the treats, and make lots of memories!
*Try to get to the bus stop an hour before the early park entry time to get to the park in time for “rope drop”.
Don’t forget to grab a resort pin or some beignet Minnie ears as a fun keepsake and souvenir from your stay at Port Orleans French Quarter!
Have you stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter? Share your experience in the comments below!
