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Port Orleans

RIVERSIDE & FRENCH QUARTER

Port Orleans is actually two resorts in one: French Quarter and Riverside. Both resorts sit on the Sassagoula River and reflect different Louisiana theming. They are in the Disney Springs resort area and feature boat service to and from Disney Springs. When staying at either, you can use either amenities, so I will discuss them together here. But know, for booking purposes, you must select which resort you would prefer.

 

So which one to choose?

 

FRENCH QUARTER

French Quarter is much smaller than Riverside. The theming is that of colorful New Orleans with lively jazz features and antebellum architecture. The pool area has a fun dragon slide and features an amazing splash playground for kids. Being smaller, there are fewer dining options and amenities, but Riverside is just a short walk, bus, or boat ride away. French Quarter also serves up beignets everyday at Scat Cat’s Lounge. The biggest plus, especially if you are spending a lot of time in the parks, is that French Quarter only has one bus stop and does not share buses.

 

RIVERSIDE

Riverside is not as vibrant as French Quarter and has two unique sections: Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. They both highlight different features of rural Louisiana and come together around the main pool on Ol’ Man Island. Riverside has four bus stops making the trips to the parks longer than at French Quarter, but Riverside has so many perks, it’s hard to count this against it. From the royal rooms, to the fifth sleeper option, to the five leisure pools, this laid out, laid back resort is perfection, especially if you plan to spend a day or two not visiting the parks. 

 

Port Orleans is a great option year round and does not really do anything special for the holidays. Although, if you want to go to Disney Springs for the Christmas tree trail or to see Santa, the boat will drop you off where the trail is making it a really easy trip, even with small children. If you are not a fan of walking around in Florida’s weather, know that the buildings are spread out and you must go outside to get to them. However, there is a fair amount of shade at Riverside and French Quarter is pretty compact. At Riverside, there are multiple leisure pools, and getting to the main pool is pretty easy from any section. Port Orleans is definitely one of my favorite moderates, though there really isn’t a bad option in the moderate range.

RESORT LAYOUT

Both Riverside and French Quarter sit along the Sassagoula River. Riverside is at the very end of the river. You enter through Sassagoula Steamboat Co. where the front desk and most of the dining options are located. When you exit into the resort area, go left towards the cotton gin and you'll enter the preferred section and Alligator bayou. Follow the path around and you'll transition to the standard Alligator Bayou section and into the standard Magnolia Bend Section. In the river, within this loop is the recreation hub for Riverside, Ol' Man Island. There are three bridges that grant you access to the Island making it a quick walk regardless of which section you book. If you continue to walk the path, you'll make your way to the preferred section of Magnolia Bend, where the royal rooms are located and can loop back to Sassagoula Steamboat Co. There are four bus stops in Riverside and they are located on the outer edges of the resort and at the main building. 

 

French Quarter is much more compact. There are only seven buildings that have guest rooms in them with building seven being the furthest from the front desk and pool area. You enter the resort through French Quarter Square. The front desk, food options, and gift shop are here. If you walk straight through and keep walking straight, you'll find yourself at Doubloon Lagoon, the main pool. Keep walking and you'll get to the boat dock to either Riverside or Disney Springs. The buildings all span out from this main walkway. 

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At French Quarter, the main room selection to make is what view you would like. With the exception of the king room option, which sleeps two adults and gives no choice on view, all rooms are four sleepers and have two queen beds. The options for views are standard, garden, river, or pool. There are only seven buildings at French Quarter and none are terribly far from the main building, Port Orleans Square. If you want to ensure you are close to Port Orleans Square, I recommend booking a pool view. If you book a garden or standard view, request buildings three or four to be right next to Port Orleans Square. River views, while beautiful, will probably take you the furthest from the main building, but will be close to the boat to Disney Springs.

ROOM CATEGORIES

At Riverside, you have several more options, most notably, the royal rooms. These are preferred rooms that are elegantly decorated in deep royals and gold and adorned with portraits of Disney princesses. They are in Magnolia Bend and feature not only cute theming, but are actually in a preferred location, unlike the pirate rooms at Caribbean Beach. If you would like to have the shortest walk to the main building, Sassagoula Steamboat Co., select a river view. Your other options are standard, garden, or pool.

Other room options include: preferred, king, fifth sleeper, or two queens. For the king, just like at French Quarter, it is a two person room with no option to select the view. The fifth sleeper is a great option for larger families and you can select between garden or standard views. The fifth sleeping option is a single murphy bed, like at Caribbean Beach. All fifth sleeper options are found in Alligator Bayou. The preferred option is also only in Alligator Bayou. Unlike the royal rooms, there is no option to select a view with the preferred option. If you select a traditional room, you will have the option to select standard, garden, river, or pool view. Once again, for the shortest walk, select river view when possible. 

TRANSPORTATION

Port Orleans only has one main option for transportation and that is the bus. You have to use buses to take you everywhere except, Disney Springs. For Disney Springs, you can take a bus or the boat. French Quarter and Riverside do not share buses, but they do share an internal bus route. If you do not want to make multiple stops inside your resort, pick French Quarter. If that does not bother you, look at the amenities and theming of each to decide. Riverside does have four bus stops. 

DINING

As with the rest of the moderate resorts, Port Orleans has some great dining options from Mickey beignets at Scat Cat’s Lounge to enjoying live music at the River Roost. Both resorts have great options for food, but you’ll find the largest selection over at Riverside.

 

French Quarter only has quick service dining options. Their main option is Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. It’s open from six am to midnight and serves fun New Orleans style food, along with typical quick service fare. It’s found in the main building right next to Scat Cat’s Club.

 

One of the perks of French Quarter is the Mickey beignets. They are found at Scat Cat’s Club which is open daily from six am to midnight. During the day it is a cafe serving coffee and tasty treats, but at night it turns into a bar with live music, cocktails, and cajun appetizers.

 

The final dining option at French Quarter is Mardi Grogs, the pool bar. It’s open from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm and every day is Fat Tuesday! There are some fun speciality drinks that you won’t find anywhere else and light fare for food options.

 

Riverside has more options, including table service at Boatwrights Dining Hall. Open from five pm to nine pm, enjoy tastes of the bayou at this southern Louisiana inspired restaurant. Really want to dive into the experience? Grab the all-you-can-eat chef’s platter. It includes ribs, Nashville hot chicken, smoked sausage, barbecued beef brisket with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, street corn, and green beans.

 

The quick service option at Riverside is Riverside Mill Food Court. This option has six stations to choose from and features American fare inspired by flavors from the Bayou. There is something for everyone here including grab and go options and the ability to mobile order. It’s open from 6:30 am to 11 pm daily.

 

River Roost is a lounge that is open from five to midnight. It features a full bar, southern style cocktails, and food while the kitchen is open. Enjoy live entertainment from Yehaa Bob, who is a popular cabaret performer.

 

Finally, Riverside has a pool bar on Ol’ Man Island, Muddy Rivers. It’s open from 11am to 9pm and serves up a variety of frozen and on the rocks cocktails. No food service is available at the pool bar, but the other dining options are very close.

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Port Orleans has the same basic perks of all on site hotels: ability to select fastpasses 60 days out from check-in, to book dining 180 days out from check-in, transportation to and from Orlando International Airport, and free transportation around Walt Disney World Resort. Just like with the other resorts, there are many options for recreation at Port Orleans. Make sure to check the daily schedule at the front desk or by the main pools. 

 

There are two pools with water slides at the resorts and five quiet pools. The main pool at French Quarter is Doubloon Lagoon. This area features a fifty-one foot long sea-serpent water slide and a kids splash playground. With alligator’s playing jazz all around you, there is an upbeat Mardi gras vibe that makes this pool unique from it’s sister resort Riverside.

 

The other main pool is located on Ol’ Man Island at Riverside. This laid back recreation hub has so much to offer and a relaxing vibe will make you feel like you are spending the day on a relaxing riverbed in rural Louisiana. Here, at this rustic spot, there is a ninety-five foot water slide, waterfalls, a whirlpool spa, and a kiddie pool. On the island, you’ll also find a playground and a fishin’ hole. 

 

The other five leisure pools are spread out around Riverside. There are three in Alligator Bayou and two in Magnolia Bend. These, as with the main pools, are open to guests of either resort.  

 

French Quarter offers some unique experiences, including a painting class every Wednesday. The course is for all levels of painters and starts at 2 pm. The fee is $35 and reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) 939-7529. Artists twelve and up are welcome.

 

All Disney resorts have jogging trails, but French Quarter offers the beignet fun run most Sundays. Check-in starts at 7:30 on the riverwalk between building 5 and the Doubloon Lagoon pool. The run is 1.5 miles and is $15 to join. Registration can be made in advance by calling (407) 939-7529 or day of at check-in. Finishers receive a medal and beignets. 

 

Riverside also has a unique recreation experience, horse drawn carriages. The only other spot to enjoy this is at Fort Wilderness. Horses aren’t your thing? You can rent surrey bikes or boats at Riverside as well. 

 

Port Orleans also features playgrounds, arcades, nightly bonfires at Riverside and movies under the stars at French Quarter. There is no lack of amenities at these sister resorts and it is definitely the resort to choose if you want a moderate resort and plan on at least one, if not more, resort days.

AMENITIES & RECREATION

Port Orleans is my favorite option in the moderate range if I plan on doing two or more resort days. You’ll love all Ol’ Man Island has to offer. Want a more upbeat vibe for the day? Head to French Quarter and grab a spot by Doubloon Lagoon. Need some more food options? Grab the boat to Disney Springs. With so many unique experiences, it’ll be worth only having bus transportation to the parks. If you do not plan any resort days or only one resort day, I would pick Caribbean Beach for a moderate resort. 

 

Another reason to snag a room at Port Orleans, the Royal Rooms. These rooms are gorgeous, in a preferred location, and would be the extra I would splurge on for any princess obsessed traveler. 

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Some amenities may be reduced or unavailable during your 2020 and 2021 stay as a result of safety measures to stop the spread of COVID 19. Please always check Know Before You Go on the Walt Disney World website before traveling for the most up-to-date information. Currently, dining plans, fastpass+, and minnie van service are all suspended. 

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