Complete Guide to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter (w/ review)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is a Moderate Resort located on Walt Disney World property. It also has 1 sister hotel located nearby: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.

Being a Moderate Resort, Port Orleans – French Quarter is not the cheapest option on property. However, the moderate price tag comes with upgraded amenities such as a pool with slide, a boat to Disney Springs, and fun recreational activities.

Here’s everything you need to know about Port Orleans – French Quarter.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Beautiful grounds, great theming, compact size, can take a boat to Disney Springs, only place on property you can get beignets, walking distance to Riverside where there are carriage rides available

Cons: No Table Service restaurant (can walk to Port Orleans Riverside or boat to Disney Springs to eat at a restaurant), buses are sometimes shared with Riverside which means they are more crowded and commutes can be long

Overview

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter is located on Walt Disney World property in the Disney Springs Resort Area. It’s a Moderate Resort and is the sister hotel to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, which is located within walking distance to French Quarter.

Found along the Sassagoula River, French Quarter embraces New Orleans’s historic French Quarter. There are cobblestone streets, gas lamps, beautiful gardens, and a Mardi Gras feel.

French Quarter is a small resort compared to many others on property, which makes it a favorite for many. It embodies much charm. Plus, there are two forms of transportation, including bus service and water transportation.

Better yet, the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Court is one of the better food courts with options like gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and other Creole cuisine. You can even get freshly made Mickey Beignets at the Scat Cat’s Club Café. 

This resort definitely has a lot to offer. Here’s what to expect when staying at French Quarter.

Guest Rooms And Bathrooms

There are several types of standard rooms to book at French Quarter. They also offer a variety of views, including of the parking lot, the gardens, or the river.

Depending on which room you reserve, you can sleep anywhere from 2 to 4 adults.

Standard amenities are featured in each room, including a hairdryer, TV, free WiFi, a coffee maker, telephone, in-room safe, and an iron and ironing board.

If you’re wondering about outlets and USB ports, there are both scattered about for whatever you may need to plug in or charge. Regarding storage, there is both closet, drawer, and counter space, including in the bathrooms and under the beds.

Speaking of the bathrooms, the vanity area is separate from the toilet and shower area. 

Standard, Garden, River, and Pool View Rooms

Here are the rooms available to book.

• Garden View: 2 Queen Beds; Views of Garden
• River View: 2 Queen Beds; Views of Riverfront
• Standard View: 2 Queen Beds; View of Parking Area
• Pool View: 2 Queen Beds; Views of Courtyard Pool
• King Bed: 1 King Bed; Views of Garden, Courtyard, Riverfront, or Parking Area

Note: There are also both wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available that include accessible bathrooms and visual alarms.

Some rooms are located on a corner and have an extra window so be sure to request a corner room if you want more light.

Unlike all of the other moderate resorts, there are no preferred rooms available here but with the pool being located near the main building, booking a pool view room would be similar.

You can checkout the room layouts below.

Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort Room Options

Room type(s)	Bed size	Max people per room	Floor plan
Garden View Views of Garden	2 Queen beds	4
River View Views of Riverfront	2 Queen beds	4
Standard View Views of Parking Area	2 Queen beds	4
Pool View Views of the Courtyard Pool	2 Queen beds	4
King Bed Views of Garden, Courtyard, Riverfront, or Parking Area	1 King Bed	2

VIDEO: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter tour (rooms, pools, dining)

Checking In And Out

When it comes to checking in and out, you have a few options: at the front desk, online through the official Walt Disney World website, or via the My Disney Experience app.

The front desk is located in the main lobby. Even though the front desk is there to assist guests, especially with checking in and checking out, all Disney World Resort guests are encouraged to check-in online or by using MDE.

• Checking-In: After you check-in online or using the app, you’ll receive a room-ready notification via next. You can then use your MagicBand or MDE’s digital key feature to unlock your room door.
• Checking-Out: Currently, guests will automatically be checked out of their rooms. You can also check out directly in the MDE app. But, if you have unresolved charges to your hotel folio, you’ll need to visit the front desk.

Note: Guests also have the option of to chat virtually with resort Cast Members via MDE for any assistance. 

The lobby is beautifully themed and feels like the French Quarter. There is plenty of space to sit down and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells. The gift shop and dining also connect to the lobby.

The pickup and dropoff location for Mears Connect (which is the replacement for Magical Express) is just outside the lobby. Luggage storage is right out front of the lobby for those who have checked out or are waiting to check in.

Note: Resort Airline Check-In and Magical Express are no longer available.

Package Delivery & Pick Up

You can have packages and groceries delivered to your Disney Resort hotel, along with shipping select items home.

Disney used to have a service where you were able to purchase items in the parks and then have them delivered to your resort’s gift shop. However, that service has been unavailable for several years now.

Parking

Although parking at Disney World resort hotels used to cost a nightly fee for resort guests, Disney has changed their policy so that parking is now free for all on-site resort guests. This change was implemented on January 10, 2023.

Complimentary standard self-parking is also available for non-resort guests exploring dining, shopping, entertainment, and other experiences during the day.

We have a complete Walt Disney World parking guide you can browse.

Resort Map

Port Orleans – French Quarter Buildings

South Quarter

Building: 1 (Standard View, Garden View, River View, and King room locations)
Location Tips: Building 1 is located furthest away from Port Orleans – Riverside out of every building at the resort and is the furthest from the main Port Orleans Square building in the South Quarter section. This area will be quieter, though.

Building: 2 (Garden View, River View, Pool View, and King room locations)
Location Tips: Building 2 is centrally located and is nearest to the Disney Springs boat launch. Also is close to all other amenities at the resort, including the pool and main building.

Building: 3 (Standard View, Garden View, and King room locations)
Location Tips: Building 3 is located close to the main Port Orleans Square building but is far away from the walking trail to Port Orleans – Riverside. If you plan to walk to that resort, recommend staying in the North Quarter.

North Quarter

Building: 4 (Standard View, Garden View, and King room locations)
Location Tips: Building 4 is located close to the main Port Orleans Square building and the bus stop. This building is a great Standard View option that allows you to be close to the main building and bus transportation while still being near the walking trail to Port Orleans – Riverside.

Building: 5 (Garden View, River View, Pool View, and King room locations)
Location Tips: Building 5 is centrally located and is nearest to the pool. It is also close to all other amenities at the resort, including the Disney Springs boat launch, main building, and walking trail to Port Orleans – Riverside.

Building: 6 (Garden View, River View, and King room locations)
Location Tips: Building 6 is located close to the Sassagoula River and the walking trail to Port Orleans – Riverside. This building is relatively close to all amenities while being far enough away to be a quieter location.

Building: 7 (Standard View, Garden View, River View, and King room locations)
Location Tips: Building 7 is not centrally located within the resort but is the closest building to the walking trail to Port Orleans – Riverside and has plenty of parking nearby. Recommend this building if you are driving or plan to spend a decent amount of time at the Riverside resort.

Amenities And Shops

From gift shops to on-site laundry services, there are several amenities offered to guests at French Quarter.

Important note: Some of the following amenities might not be available at all times.

• Jackson Square Gifts & Desires: Find apparel, accessories, snacks, and other Disney-related items.
• Laundry Services: A 24-hour self-service laundry room is near the Doubloon Lagoon pool, behind Mardi Grogs. Machines accept credit and debit cards only.

• Dry Cleaning Services: Dry cleaning and valet laundry services are also an option.
• Movies Under the Stars: Watch complimentary Disney movies between buildings 5 & 6 on the French Quarter green.
• Childcare Services: In-room babysitting for children 6 months to 12 years old.

Pools And Recreation

French Quarter has one feature pool. If you need a non-park day, we recommended spending the day at your hotel and enjoying a Disney Resort pool.

Important note: Some of the pools and recreation options might not be available at all times.

One Main Pool

• Doubloon Lagoon: The Mardi Gras-inspired pool has a 51-foot-long blue serpent waterslide, a water play area, a whirlpool spa, and the Mardi Grogs pool bar.

Some other recreational options include:

• Horse-drawn carriage rides

• Campfire to roast marshmallows
• Bike rentals
• Surrey bike rentals (at Riverside)
• Fishing

• Jogging trail
• Playground near Doubloon Lagoon for kids

• South Quarter Games

• Beignet Fun Run: Most Sunday run, guests can run around French Quarter for 1.5 miles and receive a finisher’s medallion, along with a beignet. The race typically begins early each morning around 7:30 a.m. and costs $15 per person, plus tax.
• Painting on de’ Bayou: Paint a Disney-inspired picture in an instructor-led paint class at Sassagoula Floatworks. Held every Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. and costs $35 per person (12 and older), plus tax.

Restaurant & Dining Options

You can find only Quick Service options at French Quarter.

There are two bars, a café, and one food court, with the latter being the main food service area.

The Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory features a variety of choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food court also has Mobile Order.

You can read more about the dining options below.

Quick Service

You don’t need reservations to dine at Port Orleans French Quarter’s Quick Service location, but Mobile Order is handy and we recommend using it, especially during peak dining times.

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food

This is a food court-style restaurant with several stations that serve burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, salads, and more.

Location type: Food Court
Type of food: American
Meals served: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner

• On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
• Pros: Convenient and usually has a variety of different foods that should appeal to most guests, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
• Cons: Small food court (and the only dining option at this resort)

Everything Else

Looking to grab a cocktail or some Mickey beignets? Here’s where you can do that:

Mardi Grogs

Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: A pool bar that serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• On the Disney Dining Plan? No
• Pros: Great place to get a drink or snack while spending time by the pool
• Cons: Disney Dining Plan is not accepted

Scat Cat’s Club – Café

Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: A café serving coffee drinks and the popular Mickey beignets

• On the Disney Dining Plan? No
• Pros:  Quieter seating than Sassagoula Floatworks, offers Mickey Beignets
• Cons: Limited options and not much seating

Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge

Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: A lounge serving appetizers, mocktails, cocktails and with live jazz music (as scheduled)

• On the Disney Dining Plan? No
• Pros: Relaxed vibe, live entertainment, can get Mickey beignets here
• Cons: Only open in the evening

How to get from Port Orleans French Quarter to anywhere at Disney World

There are two forms of transportation available, including buses and water transportation. You can take a bus to all of the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, and Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. The bus stop is located in front of the main lobby. You can also hop on a complimentary water taxi to Disney Springs. All of the different ways to get from French Quarter to anywhere in Disney World is detailed below.

Scheduled Refurbishments

None scheduled right now.

Other Info

• Port Orleans French Quarter Resort Maps
• Pros and Cons of on-site Walt Disney World Resort hotels

Port Orleans French Quarter Trip Reports