Reasons why you should stay at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort

By Jenna Caron

Revel in the romance and pageantry of New Orleans’s historic French Quarter at this Moderate Resort hotel. Discover cobblestone streets, gas lamps, wrought-iron balconies and fragrant magnolia blossoms, along with colorful Mardi Gras characters and the sounds of jazz. 

When deciding which moderate resort to stay at for your next Walt Disney World vacation, Port Orleans French Quarter is certainly at the top of my list. When compared to other moderate resorts (Port Orleans Riverside, Caribbean Beach, and Coronado) it's the smallest and most compact resort. Being able to walk from one side of the resort to the other in 5-10 minutes is so convenient! This means that no matter what room category you're in, you won't be far from amenities.

Immersive New Orleans theming leaves you feeling like you're really down in French Quarter! I know, because I've been to New Orleans and it has a charm that is difficult to replicate. New Orleans Square at the Disneyland park is one of the most uniquely themed lands in a theme park. This resort has many similarities to that land - which we don't have in Walt Disney World!

Port Orleans offers quiet, peace and serenity - which I think is a positive, however this does mean that there are fewer amenities (no character dining, flagship restaurant and fewer transportation options). The transport to and from all of the theme parks is via bus (but the resort is small and there is only 1 stop which saves you a ton of time). You can, however, take a relaxing Sassagoula river boat ride to and from Disney Springs!

The pool has a 51 foot waterslide. All moderate and deluxe resorts will have a waterslide, value resorts do not. This is a big perk for your kids, and the larger than life music playing alligators will be sure to immerse you and your family into the New Orleans experience!

Port Orleans French Quarter offers some very unique experiences - and some can ONLY be experienced at this resort! Horse drawn carriage rides add to the romantic charm of this resort - the only other resort offering this experience is Port Orleans Riverside (just a short walk down the river). Mickey shaped beignets can be found at Scat Cat's Club! They also offer allergy friendly beignets which are plant based and gluten friendly (my favorite!). These beignets are different than the ones they have been serving in the Magic Kingdom - we will see if they are the same or different once Tiana's Bayou Adventure officially opens in late June. You can also experience live music and entertainment at Scat Cat's Club on the weekends.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory offers some incredible quick service dining options. I personally feel like the options are superior when compared to the value resorts on property. While there is no flagship table service restaurant at French Quarter, there is one at Riverside (Boatwright's) which is a short walk away. I like that if you stay at either one of these resorts, you get the amenities of both because of their proximity to one another.

The rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter were refurbished in 2020. They changed out the carpets for hardwood materials, and also did a soft goods refurb. I love that the beds are raised so that you can fit your suitcase underneath to save space. I also like that there are USB charging ports in the dresser underneath the tv, since we all have lots to charge these days. The bathroom offers a split layout which helps with those busy mornings.

Overall, there is a lot to like about this resort - especially if you have sentimentality for New Orleans or prefer hotels with compact footprints. The latter is probably going to be a big deal for families, and is a huge selling point of Port Orleans French Quarter. Conversely, the biggest downside is likely going to be that there’s no novel transportation to the parks–it’s all buses (except the boat to Disney Springs).

Port Orleans French Quarter is my personal favorite moderate resort, certainly worth your consideration if you want a compact resort with a romantic theme for your Walt Disney World vacation.

Interested in booking your trip to the French Quarter?! Hit the button below for your FREE Walt Disney World vacation quote! I would be delighted to help you plan your next magical vacation!