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The Charm of Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter is a moderate-level Disney Resort that invites Guests to enjoy the charm and laid-back elegance of New Orleans. The Disney Resort is a favorite of many Guests thanks to its perfect combination of small size, charming architecture, environment, amenities, dining, and more. Let’s take a look into all that makes Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter such a wonderful place to stay at the Walt Disney World Resort.

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Upon arriving at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Guests can enter into the main lobby area and are typically greeted by a Cast Member in a bright purple Mardi Gas suit complete with matching hat and feathers. Once inside, Guests can enjoy a large glass atrium centered around a gently gurgling fountain filled with colorful coins. To the right-hand side are the check-in and concierge desks where Guests can talk with Cast Members at any point during their stay as well as bell services.

Port Orleans French Quarter
Credit: Disney

Located just next to the front desk is Jackson Square Gifts & Desires, the one gift shop located at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter that sells a unique variety of items for purchase. Guests can find everything from apparel, housewares, plush dolls, toys, pins, jewelry and more as well as snack items, magazines, cold beverages, alcohol, and the pickup counter for merchandise purchases sent back to the Disney Resort from elsewhere on property. Around the corner from Jackson Square Gifts & Desires is a restroom area, ATM, and South Quarter Games Arcade where Guests can find a variety of arcade games to enjoy.

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Across on the other side of the main lobby at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter are several dining and lounge options for Guests to enjoy. Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge is located towards the front of the main lobby building and is open nightly for Guests to relax at comfortable tables and lounge seating surrounding a central stage. A variety of acts can be enjoyed at Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge including jazz musicians and singers, and a full bar is available as well as appetizers such as Bayou Wings, Mardi Gras Fritters, Loaded Potato Puffs, and Boudin Balls.

Just next door is Scat Cat’s Club – Café where the famous Mickey Beignets can be found served up in a variety of ways. Scat Cat’s Club – Café features a walk-up ordering counter as well as several tables and seating areas and Guests can enjoy Mickey Beignets either coated with classic powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or seasonal offerings and special dipping sauces can also be enjoyed including a decadent caramel. The Baton Rouge Beignets are also a popular treat with Guests that can be found at both Scat Cat’s Club Lounge and Scat Cat Club’s Café and feature two classic beignets filled with Guests’ choice of Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, or RumChata.

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The final location found inside of the main lobby building at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is the quick-service Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this cheerful location is themed to feel like the setting where festive Mardi Gras floats are created with colorful light fixtures that are reminiscent of Mardi Gras beads, playing cards in the rafters featuring characters from Princess and the Frog, and an ordering area with several different stations to choose from.

The dining area itself at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is massive with plenty of space for Guests to spread out, and the menu features many items inspired by the flavors of New Orleans. Some options offered at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory include an Egg and Cheese Bagel Sandwich, Ham and Cheese Omelet, Mickey Waffles, Roasted Salmon Dinner, Pot Roast, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger, Pimento BLT, Pasta with Meatballs, and Garden Salad with Chilled Shrimp.

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After passing through the lobby at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Guests emerge in a beautiful outdoor courtyard that is lined with palm trees and beautiful landscaping that leads directly down to Doubloon Lagoon — the swimming pool area. As Guests get closer to the pool area, they pass by several statues of alligators dressed in dapper clothing, gleefully playing jazz instruments.

The festively themed pool area features whimsical details, including a massive sea serpent named Scales who is being ridden by Poseidon and has his tongue extended to be a fun water slide for Guests to zip down. Throughout Doubloon Lagoon are more of the alligator musicians, some of whom even have water features for Guests to be splashed by. A special area of Doubloon Lagoon is a splash and play zone for small children that features slides, climbing elements, and lots of opportunities to get wet that little ones will love.

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Just steps away from Doubloon Lagoon is Mardi Grogs, the pool bar for Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. The location features a decently sized open-air bar with stool seating, as well as several lounge chairs and tables spread around. The location is open each afternoon and evening and serves up a full bar as well as specialty cocktails including the Nola Cola, Front Porch Freeze, All That Jazz, and Gata-Melon Juice. Guests can also order pre-made sandwiches and salads, including a Chicken Salad Sandwich, Ham and Cheese Sub, and Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken. Guests who stop at Mardi Grogs also have the option to enjoy relaxing at tables with large umbrellas and chairs just inside the fencing for Doubloon Lagoon.

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Behind Doubloon Lagoon is the beautiful Sassagoula River where Guests can choose to enjoy the views or embark on a serene boat ride that brings them to Disney Springs. Throughout each day, small boats go up and down the Sassagoula River making stops at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, and Disney Springs, Guests who enjoy the ride can also pass the Treetop Villas and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort on the way. The boat ride is a great way to enjoy complimentary Disney transportation, with some great views along the way.

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The grounds of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter feature only seven buildings that are all nestled closely together, making it the smallest Disney Resort on property. Each building features bright colors with charming wrought-iron balconies and railings that add to the New Orleans theming. Surrounding the buildings are courtyards with fountains, beautiful landscaping, and plenty of quiet pathways where Guests can often wander and enjoy the beauty without any crowds.

Guests who are looking to enjoy a longer walk can even take the path along the Sassagoula River all the way down to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. The walkways also all feature street signs with names that pay homage to New Orleans with whimsical names such as Cake Walk and Rue D’Baga. Nighttime only brings more charm to the grounds of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter as wrought-iron street lamps come to life, casting a gentle glow to the gardens and buildings.

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The rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter feature several categories to choose from, including Pool Views which are located on the top floor of buildings overlooking Doubloon Lagoon as well as Standard View, Garden View, and River View. Each room features either a king bed or two queen beds complemented with wooden flooring, artwork depicting New Orleans, a table and seating area, a dresser with several drawers, mini-fridge, multiple USB charging ports, standard toilet and shower combination, and separate sink and mirror area to accommodate multiple Guests getting ready at the same time.

The rooms might not be the largest at the Walt Disney World Resort, but they are very functional in layout and charm that is brought to life through little details.

Credit: Disney

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is clearly a beautiful Disney Resort that features a charming theme that welcomes Guests to relax and enjoy their stay at Walt Disney World. The combination of amenities including Doubloon Lagoon, water transportation to and from Disney Springs, and Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory makes it even more amazing. Many consider Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter to be a hidden gem at the Walt Disney World Resort, and it is easy to see why!

Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane has been visiting Walt Disney World since she was a child and has developed a deep love and appreciation of the Disney Parks with a particular interest in the small details and history that can be found all around. Visiting every chance she gets, Caitlin loves to enjoy the ambiance of the Disney Parks and try something new every time. She can often be found eating and drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, riding the Haunted Mansion, sipping on a Lapu Lapu, pretending Illuminations: Reflections of Earth was still in existence, and enjoying… More »

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