Overview
The SMALLEST Walt Disney World resort, and that's its superpower. French Quarter is intimate, walkable, and dripping with New Orleans charm. Cobblestone walkways, wrought iron balconies, Mardi Gras colors, and the sounds of jazz everywhere. You can walk from any room to the pool, food court, and bus stop in under 5 minutes. The beignets from Scat Cat's Club are legendary. This is the resort for people who don't want to feel like they're in a mega-resort.
Adults, couples, people who value walkability and intimate scale, New Orleans fans
Intimate, jazzy, Mardi Gras festive, walkable, charming
Rooms
Four distinct room types, each offering unique views and amenities. Every room at this intimate resort is within walking distance of the main attractions.
Standard Room
The Classic French Quarter Experience
Our most popular room type offers authentic New Orleans charm at a great value. Perfect for families and groups. Cozy and efficiently designed with modern amenities.
Preferred Room
Prime Location Within the Resort
Strategically placed for convenient access to the Doubloon Lagoon pool, dining, and transportation. These rooms offer better sightlines and closer proximity to resort amenities while maintaining the charming French Quarter aesthetic.
Garden View Room
Nature Meets New Orleans
Wake up to lush, landscaped gardens outside your window. These rooms overlook the resort's beautiful courtyard gardens, offering a peaceful retreat from the busier areas while maintaining easy access to all amenities.
River View Room
The Premium Experience
The crown jewel of Port Orleans. These limited rooms overlook the picturesque Sassagoula River with enchanting views of the moonlit water, passing boats, and riverside landscaping. The most peaceful rooms at the resort.
Theming & Architecture
The entire resort is one cohesive New Orleans French Quarter theme — no separate "sections." Every building, pathway, and courtyard tells the story of this legendary American city.
Pale blues, pinks, yellows, and greens reflecting authentic French Quarter architecture. Every structure feels like it belongs in the historic New Orleans district.
Intricate iron railings adorn every building, with authentic patterns and details. The ornamental ironwork is a signature element of French Quarter design.
Charming walkways throughout the resort evoke the feeling of strolling through the actual French Quarter. Perfect for evening walks and exploration.
Masks, beads, and vibrant Mardi Gras colors woven throughout the landscape and architecture. Festive spirit without being overwhelming.
Vintage-style street lamps illuminate the pathways, creating an authentic 19th-century New Orleans ambiance, especially magical at night.
Live jazz performances and ambient New Orleans music enhance the immersive atmosphere. Listen for local musicians at Scat Cat's Club.
Dining
Authentic New Orleans cuisine meets Disney convenience. From legendary beignets to Creole favorites, the dining at Port Orleans captures the flavors of the Crescent City.
Sassagoula Floatworks
& Food Factory
The hub of Port Orleans dining. Offers excellent variety with something for everyone: Po'boy sandwiches, gumbo, pizzas, salads, and more. Fast service, great quality.
Specialty: Creole-inspired comfort food at moderate prices.
Scat Cat's Club
Intimate lounge with a full bar and light appetizers. The heart of Port Orleans' evening entertainment. Live jazz performances on select nights create an authentic New Orleans nightlife experience.
Must-Do: Evening visit with live music.
Mardi Grogs
Poolside refreshment spot with drinks and light snacks. Great for grabbing a quick bite without leaving the Doubloon Lagoon area.
Perfect For: Poolside lunches and tropical drinks.
Don't miss the freshly made beignets from Scat Cat's Club! These powdered-sugar-dusted fried pastries are considered by many to be the best beignets available at Walt Disney World — possibly better than many famous off-property New Orleans establishments. Get them in the morning while they're freshest, and be prepared for a delicious mess!
Dining Summary
Important Note: Port Orleans has NO table service dining on-site. However, you can easily walk to Riverside via the bridge and enjoy table service at Boatwright's Dining Hall. This riverside stroll is romantic and adds to the experience rather than detracting from it.
Pools & Recreation
Doubloon Lagoon
The Main Event: This themed pool is the only pool at Port Orleans, and it's more than enough. The Mardi Gras-themed lagoon features a sea serpent water slide, plenty of lounge chairs, and that enchanting New Orleans atmosphere.
Features: Sea serpent slide, shallow areas for kids, heated during cooler months, zero-entry design in certain areas.
Vibe: Festive but not overwhelming. The pool area captures the Mardi Gras spirit without being chaotic.
Quiet Pools
The Reality: This resort is so small and walkable that a separate quiet pool isn't necessary. If you want tranquility, walk to a secluded courtyard, visit the riverside promenade, or take an evening stroll through the cobblestone paths. The intimate scale of the resort means you can always find a peaceful spot.
Transportation & Access
Port Orleans offers convenient access to all Disney parks and Disney Springs, with a unique combination of bus and boat transportation.
Direct buses to all four Disney parks. Efficient, reliable, and included with your resort stay. No Skyliner access at this location.
Evening boats depart to Disney Springs waterfront. Beautiful and romantic way to spend an evening. The boat ride itself is part of the magic.
Convenient water access to the adjacent Riverside resort. Walk over the bridge to explore Riverside's unique areas and dining options.
The entire resort is compact and walkable. You can reach the bus stop, pools, and dining from any room in 5 minutes or less. Perfect for exploring.
Key Transportation Notes
- Park Access: Bus-only to theme parks. No Skyliner, no monorail proximity.
- Disney Springs: Boat provides a scenic evening option instead of just buses.
- Riverside: Walk across the scenic bridge or take a short boat ride to the sister resort.
- Walkability: The resort's small size is its greatest transportation advantage. Everything is close.
Pros & Cons
✓ PROS
- Smallest resort = most walkable resort
- Incredible, cohesive New Orleans theming
- Legendary beignets from Scat Cat's
- Intimate, charming atmosphere
- Boat access to Disney Springs
- Live jazz at Scat Cat's on select nights
- No need to stress about room location
- Great value for Moderate resort
– CONS
- Bus-only transportation to theme parks
- No table service dining on-site
- Smaller pool than some resorts
- Limited quick-service options
- Books up very fast due to small size
- No Skyliner access
- Only one theme (not for everyone)
- Popular = higher occupancy rates
Pricing Guide
Port Orleans offers excellent value as a Moderate resort. Prices vary by season and room type. All rates shown are per night and reflect typical rack rates.
| Room Type | Standard Season | Peak Season | Premium/Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Room | $250–$320 | $320–$420 | $380–$530 |
| Preferred Room | $280–$370 | $350–$450 | $410–$560 |
| Garden View | $300–$390 | $370–$480 | $430–$580 |
| River View | $330–$420 | $400–$520 | $460–$610 |
Tips for Better Pricing
- Book 60+ days in advance for best rates
- Visit during value season (September, early December, early January)
- Consider standard rooms — the resort is small, location matters less
- Disney Vacation Club members get discounted rates
- Annual Passholders may have special offers
- Moderate resorts offer better value than Deluxe properties
Guest Satisfaction Ratings
Overall guest satisfaction for Port Orleans French Quarter based on typical Disney resort evaluation criteria:
Ratings reflect the unique strengths and tradeoffs of this distinctive resort. Port Orleans excels in theming and walkability while offering limited dining and transportation diversity compared to larger resorts.
🎭 Insider Tips & Tricks
- Book Early: This resort books up fast due to its limited room inventory. Reserve 60+ days in advance for availability.
- Beignet Strategy: Get freshly made beignets from Scat Cat's Club right when it opens. They're legendary — better than many off-property options. Don't skip this.
- Room Location: Don't stress about room requests. Every room is close to everything. The resort's small size means you're never far from amenities or the bus stop.
- Evening Boat Ride: Take the boat to Disney Springs in the evening. The Sassagoula River is beautiful at night, and the journey is part of the magic.
- Live Jazz: Check the entertainment schedule for live jazz at Scat Cat's Club. Schedule your evening to catch a performance.
- Riverside Bridge Walk: Stroll across the scenic bridge to the sister Riverside resort. It's a lovely evening walk and opens up table-service dining at Boatwright's.
- Walkable Exploration: The entire resort is walkable in 30 minutes or less. Explore every courtyard, pathway, and nook. You'll discover charming details everywhere.
- Value Positioning: Frame this resort as an intimate, walkable alternative rather than "small." Guests who appreciate the scale love it; others prefer larger properties.
- Photography Gold: The wrought iron balconies, gas lamps, and Mardi Gras details create stunning photo opportunities, especially at golden hour and evening.
- Pre-Arrival Dining: Make dining reservations at Boatwright's (Riverside) in advance. Table-service spots are hard to get during peak season.