Disney World Port Orleans French Quarter Review
Okay, I’ve got to tell you about our stay at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. You know how some resorts at Disney are huge—like, you need a map and possibly a scooter to get from your room to the lobby?
This isn’t that.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort is small, walkable, and honestly… kind of magical. It’s like someone bottled up the charm of New Orleans (minus the party chaos) and gave it a Disney twist—with jazz music, gas lamps, and the most peaceful riverside paths you could ask for.
Let’s walk through everything you might want to know if you’re thinking of staying here. Spoiler alert: it’s become one of my favorite Moderate resorts.
Related: Want to try out a fun deluxe resort with a great pool? Beach Club Resort is worth a look!
What’s the Vibe at Port Orleans French Quarter?
It feels like stepping into a little slice of the French Quarter, but the calm, early-morning version—not the beads-and-booze kind. You’ll see cobblestone streets, pastel buildings with wrought iron railings, and landscaping that makes you want to slow down and stroll.
There’s jazz playing softly in the background, and the whole place just feels relaxed. After a day in the parks, it was honestly a relief to come back to something quieter.
Bonus? The resort only has one bus stop. ONE. I cannot overstate how nice this is when your feet are aching and all you want is to get back to your room. Out of al the resort hotels I have stayed at, French Quarter is the best place to stay if you want great theming, but a low key vibe too.
Related: Another fun resort with a quiet vibe is the Wilderness Lodge Resort. Check out our review!
Rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter: What to Expect
What You Get
French Quarter rooms are a standard Moderate layout—about 314 square feet. You’ll find either two queen beds or one king bed. No Murphy beds or pull-outs here, which means this resort is best for parties of four or fewer.
We had a standard guest room with two queen beds and plenty of room to spread out.
There’s a little seating area, a dresser, mini-fridge, and a coffee maker (the standard Cuisinart one-cup-at-a-time machine Disney uses). The best part of this area though is the counter space.
The counter over the dresser is really long.. great for storing Minnie ears, sunscreen, magic bands, and anti-blister band-aids.
The bathroom area is split—sinks on one side and the toilet and shower behind a door. With the upgraded rooms, there is now a pocket door separating the entire bathroom area from the rest of the room.
The theming in the room is subtle. The refurbished rooms now have a Tiana, Princess and the Frog theme. The theming still doesn’t scream —scream “cartoon.” But it’s also a fun addition to the room theming. It felt more grown-up than, say, Art of Animation.
Room Views
You can book standard view, garden view, river view, or pool view. Personally, I’d skip the pool view. It gets noisy in the afternoons and evenings. I have stayed here with both a garden view and river view room and both felt private and peaceful—exactly what I wanted after fireworks crowds.
Standard view rooms face the parking lot, which isn’t a deal-breaker if you are just staying at French Quarter for a bed and and bathroom. But if you want some ambiance, I would ask for one of the water view rooms. The price difference is negligible.
Related: Want to splurge? Check out this review of the Grand Floridian to see if it’s worth it!
Food and Beignets—Yes, Beignets
So here’s the thing: there’s no table service dining options at Port Orleans French Quarter. That might be a deal-breaker for some, but honestly? It wasn’t a big issue for us.
Sassagoula Floatworks Food Factory
The quick-service food court is way better than you’d expect for a small resort. They have Southern-inspired dishes like shrimp and grits, gumbo, and jambalaya.
Of course, you can also get the usual Disney staples like burgers and chicken nuggets if someone in your group is more “picky eater” than “foodie.”
I had Citrus-Basil Salmon with rice and steamed green beans for dinner one night. The salmon was really so incredibly good. For $16.99 this meal was a great value.
And for breakfast one morning I opted for the Loaded Totcho Bowl. It was also really fantastic and a hearty option to start the day at $10.99. It is very similar to the same bowl you can get at Woody’s Lunch Box in Hollywood Studios.
Beignets at Scat Cat’s Club Cafe
Now for the real star: the Mickey-shaped beignets. Yes, the same pillowy, powdered-sugar-covered goodness you’d find in New Orleans. You can get them plain, Mickey-shaped, or filled (chocolate or raspberry), and you can even add boozy dipping sauces.
Scat Cat’s Club Café is where you’ll find them—and yes, we went back more than once. This might be the best snack among all the disney resorts. People visit French Quarter for the beignets all the time, particularly if there are special seasonal flavors.
There’s also a lounge (Scat Cat’s Club) with live music some nights and cocktails that don’t cost an arm and a leg. It has kind of a jazzy, date-night feel, which I loved.
Pool Area and Recreation: A Mardi Gras Twist
Doubloon Lagoon
Port Orleans French Quarter has just one main pool, but it’s a good one. Doubloon Lagoon has a fun serpent slide (his name is “Scales”) and a splash zone for the little ones.
This is such a fun pool with so many fun features for kids and adults.
The theming here is very over-the-top-Mardi-Gras—in a fun way. Think giant alligators playing instruments and lots of bright colors with King Neptune watching over everyone having a blast.
There’s also a hot tub tucked into the corner if you’re in need of a soak after park-hopping. Yeah, I lived in that hot tub at the end of pretty much every day.
Other Fun Stuff
The resort also has movies under the stars, bike rentals, a small playground, and a walking path along the Sassagoula River that connects to Port Orleans Riverside. If you’re looking for a low-key morning or a rest day, this place delivers.
You can also book horse-drawn carriage rides and take a romantic tour along the banks of the Sassagoula River.
Related: If animals are your thing, check out this review of Animal Kingdom Lodge!
A Bonus Nearby Experience: Yeeha Bob at Port Orleans Riverside
If you’re staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, you’ve got a bit of hidden Disney magic just a short walk (or boat ride) away—Yeeha Bob Jackson’s piano show over at Port Orleans Riverside.
I hadn’t planned on going at first, but we ended up taking the boat over one night out of curiosity, and I am so glad we did. Yeeha Bob plays in the River Roost Lounge, and let me tell you—this is not some sleepy piano bar situation. It’s a full-blown, foot-stomping, sing-along party, and it’s hilarious.
Bob is a longtime Disney entertainer (we’re talking decades), and he’s got this high-energy, family-friendly style that makes everyone in the room feel like they’re part of the show. He plays everything from Disney classics to silly songs to throwback rock tunes, and the crowd gets really into it.
Even if you’re not staying at Riverside, it’s worth the short stroll over just to check out a set. No reservation needed, no extra cost—it’s one of those delightful little Disney surprises you’ll talk about long after the trip.
Oh, and the food at the River Roost Lounge isn’t horrible either. We really enjoyed the charcuterie board. And there are some yummy alcoholic drinks. I ordered the watermelon lemonade and it was super refreshing!
Getting Around from Port Orleans French Quarter
Buses and Boats
The biggest perk? The boat to Disney Springs. Port Orleans French Quarter Resort and it’s sister resort, Port Orleans Riverside, are two of the only resorts in the Disney Springs Area. The boat service is scenic, peaceful, and it’s 100% more fun than waiting for a bus. We used it almost every night to grab dinner or walk around. Highly recommend it.
For the parks, it’s buses only. But since the resort is so small and only has one bus stop, the process is smooth. During busy times, they sometimes share buses with Riverside, but that didn’t happen to us during our stay.
Here’s about how long it took us to get to each park:
- Magic Kingdom: ~20 minutes
- EPCOT: ~15 minutes
- Hollywood Studios: ~20 minutes
- Animal Kingdom: ~25 minutes
- Disney Springs: ~10 minutes by boat
Is This Resort Good for Families?
Definitely, but it really shines for adults and couples.
There’s enough fun for kids (like the pool and playground), but there aren’t a lot of loud crowds or overstimulating theming like you’d find at Art of Animation or Pop Century. That can be a win if you have neurodiverse kids or just want a calmer home base.
If you’ve got more than four people in your group though, this resort might not work unless you book two rooms. No suites or extra bed options here.
What Does It Cost to Stay at Port Orleans French Quarter?
Prices range from about $260 to $360 per night, depending on when you go. We stayed in the spring and paid around $310/night for a garden view room.
Is that cheap? No. But for Disney, and especially for how beautiful and relaxing this resort is, I think it’s a solid value.
You’re getting a Moderate resort that feels almost Deluxe in atmosphere—but without the steep price tag. No long walks, no internal bus loops, and no massive crowds at the food court. That’s worth something.
Pros and Cons: The Quick Version
Pros:
- Super walkable and compact (no 15-minute hikes to the lobby)
- Gorgeous theming and landscaping
- Beignets on site!
- Boat to Disney Springs
- Peaceful, laid-back vibe—great for adults
Cons:
- No table-service dining on property
- No rooms for families of 5 or more
- No character dining or big “wow” amenities
- Not walkable to any of the parks
Final Thoughts: Should You Book It?
If you’re planning a romantic Disney trip, or even a short solo or girls’ getaway, Port Orleans French Quarter is a fantastic pick. It’s beautiful, mellow, and unique—just what you want after a long day in the parks.
Would I stay here again? 100%. I’m already eyeing it for our next adults-only trip.
It may not be the flashiest resort on property, but for comfort, calm, and charm—you’ll be hard-pressed to beat it.
