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Port Orleans is a Disney resort inspired by the city of New Orleans. Experience the old South and the magical Disney touch as you stay in this lovely resort! Here’s what you need to know about Port Orleans.
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Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside
The Port Orleans Resort is located in the Disney Springs area. It has two sections, the French Quarter and the Riverside. Both resorts feature New Orleans themed architecture. We had a weekend stay here and it was really nice walking around and seeing the gorgeous landscaping and charming buildings. These give this whole Disney resort a really relaxing vibe.
At French Quarter, you will notice colorful buildings with wrought-iron balconies and magnolia blossoms. You’ll also hear the sounds of jazz in the background. French Quarter is also home to barrels full of beignets. (More on this later!) Riverside meanwhile highlights two distinct sections, the Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou. Magnolia Bend is the part of the resort with stately white column mansions while Alligator Bayou features backwoods cottages.
There’s boat transportation between the two resorts so it’s easy to hop back and forth for a little bit of both worlds.
Guest Rooms
When looking for a place to stay in Port Orleans, guests have a few different options. The guest rooms are located in the three major sections of the resort – French Quarter and Riverside’s Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend.
Royal Guest Rooms. The Royal Guest Rooms offer a regal experience. Their Disney prince and princesses themed décor will make any young kid and kid at heart excited! They are within Magnolia bend where two mansion buildings are dedicated for this type of accommodation.
French Quarter Rooms. The French Quarter Rooms are divided into 5 categories, usually depending on the view of the room: the Standard Rooms, Garden View Rooms, Pool View Rooms, River View Rooms and King Bed Rooms. King Bed Rooms are all corner rooms and could have any of the previous view types.
Alligator Bayou Rooms. The Alligator Bayou Rooms at Riverside are a great option for guests who want to immerse themselves in the Louisiana bayou. These cozy rooms feature all the trappings of a rustic getaway like hand-painted headboards, wrought iron lamps and even a few gator themed touches.
See photos of the rooms and their rates here.
What to Do in Port Orleans
There are lots of fun family friendly activities in Port Orleans!
Scavenger Hunt. Go on a scavenger hunt and find clues to help you decode a special message for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and receive a prize. Just go to the front desk and ask for a scavenger hunt worksheet. You’ll have to run around the resort and find the location of the clues. Super fun!
Campfires. There are also campfires located both in Riverside and French Quarter. It’s a free activity held every night from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. You can roast marshmallows or make your own s’mores here so don’t forget to bring your packs! You can buy them in gift shops or the food court areas but it will cost more so I suggest bringing your own s’mores packs if you’re planning on doing this activity.
Horse-drawn Carriage Ride. One unique thing to do in Port Orleans Resort is to go on a horse-drawn carriage ride and roam the beautiful grounds. The carriage rides are from 5:30 to 9:30 in the evening weather permitting. Each carriage can fit up to four adults or two adults and three small children.
Other activities. You can also do arts and crafts, swimming, some poolside activities and on-site recreation like biking and fishing. Of course, available activities won’t be complete without movie nights. Disney movies are screened in the evenings near the Cajun Campfire.
Ask the front desk for a copy of all the fun things to do and check their scheduled times so you can plan ahead.
Where to Eat
Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory. Port Orleans French Quarter is actually the smallest of the four moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. With that, it features just one main dining area which is the Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory. The family friendly food court offers a variety of American and Creole dishes, all reasonably priced.
Scat Cat’s Lounge. Scat Cat’s Lounge in the lobby of Port Orleans French Quarter is the perfect place to sip a cocktail and relax after a long day at the parks. The lounge is named for Scat Cat, the trumpet-playing cat from Disney’s “The Aristocats”. Expect cool jazz music here. The menu features classic cocktails like the Sazerac as well as specialty cocktails inspired by New Orleans. Pair them with New Orleans inspired appetizers for a great winding down night.
Scat Cat’s Café. Right outside the lounge, you can find Scat Cat’s Café. This is where you’ll snag a delicious beignet. DO NOT MISS this sweet treat in Port Orleans! This is one of the iconic Disney snacks around and you can only find it in Port Orleans. Beignets are square shaped pieces of dough that are deep fried and generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. But in true Disney fashion, this comfort food is served Mickey shaped. The beignets are made fresh to order, they’re yummy, hot and fluffy. It will surely satisfy any sweet tooth! Scat Cat’s offers a wide range of specialty coffees to go with your beignets. The cafe also has a great selection of other breakfast items so you and your fam can start your day right.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall. If you’re up for cozy casual dining with a river view, head right over to Boatwright’s Dining Hall in Port Orleans Riverside. Overlooking the Sassagoula River, Boatwright’s Dining Hall gives off a cozy and welcoming atmosphere with its dark wood paneling and antique furnishings. Their menu features classic Southern dishes like shrimp and grits, jambalaya, and gumbo.
Riverside Mill Food Court. Take a break from all the Disney magic and refuel in this food court. Riverside Mill is Port Orleans Riverside’s own food court. It offers a variety of dining options for guests looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. The food court has five different stations with its own unique offerings: bakery, grill, pizza & pasta, specialties and sandwiches.
What’s Near Port Orleans Resort?
When you’re staying at Port Orleans Resort, you can easily access Disney Springs by boat or bus. The boats run regularly throughout the day and each trip takes roughly 20 minutes to Disney Springs.
You can take a complimentary bus shuttle to the area, but you wouldn’t want to miss the boat ride! The Sassagoula River Cruise is an attraction itself. It’s a free service that brings guests from both the Port Orleans resorts all the way down the river to Disney Springs. It’s definitely a relaxing and scenic trip that you and your family will love.
The boat can also make stops at Old Key West and Saratoga Springs DVC Resort so you can hop off and take the bus if you want to go to the theme parks.
Port Orleans is a place where you can truly relax and experience the best of the old South. We had a wonderful experience and would definitely recommend this resort to anyone looking for a little bit of history and a lot of charm. Be sure to check out Port Orleans on your next visit to Walt Disney World!
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