The current focus for theme park fans this month is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which opens at Walt Disney World officially on June 28th. Beyond the ride itself, Disney has emphasized the music and culture of New Orleans along with the excitement for this Splash Mountain replacement. There’s another spot in Florida that evokes a similar feeling, and it’s been in place for more than 30 years. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter induces the relaxing vibe and spirit of New Orleans in a perfect setting for your next vacation.
My daughter (11) and I spent three nights at the French Quarter resort in March over her Spring Break. It was my first time staying at this moderate resort, and I did not expect such an awesome experience. My goal was to have a convenient spot that was easy to navigate and gave us a quiet break from the crowds. It surpassed my expectations on both fronts and provided more charm than larger moderate counterparts like the Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs resorts.
French Quarter is the smallest resort on Walt Disney World property, and it feels so different even than the nearby Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. Each of the seven three-story buildings is fairly close to both the bus station, food court, and pool area. You’re looking at a five-minute walk at most from any part of the resort to those key locations. The rooms have exterior doors, but that’s less of a concern because it’s a more serene place than your typical Disney resorts.
The Room
We stayed at Room 4110, a first-floor corner room in Building 4 right next to the main building. I used the Touring Plans Room Request Finder and focused on proximity to the bus stop and food court. My request did ask for a second-floor room, but the ground floor worked out fine. Despite the Spring Break time, I can’t imagine the occupancy was very high during our trip. Crowds at the parks were surprisingly thin, and that trend carried over to our resort. I suspect that even when most rooms are booked, French Quarter doesn’t feel busy with the smaller volume of rooms.
The discounted rate was $228 per night using a 30% Disney VISA discount from the $326 rack rate. I’m not sure it’s worth the full price, but I definitely see the value of the discounted rate given Disney’s typical prices. I chose a standard room that had a view of the parking lot, but it didn’t matter since we were only there at night. It also meant we had an easy walk to the car on days where we drove to the parks.
Rooms at French Quarter are about 314 square feet, and the size was large enough for the two of us. We had two queen beds and enough room to move around without feeling crowded. I’m not sure I’d stay here with all four of us unless it was a short trip. Even so, the room was clean and comfortable with plenty of outlets. I was glad that it hadn’t received Disney’s recent updates, which have made the value resorts seem cheaper and less attractive. The room worked perfectly for this trip, and I’d totally stay here again especially if traveling solo or just with one other family member.
Dining Options
French Quarter does not have a table-service restaurant, but you can take about a 10-minute walk to Riverside for Boatwright’s Dining Hall. Another transportation option is the Sassagoula River Cruise, which you can also use to visit more dining options at Disney Springs. We didn’t eat at Boatwrights but had dinner at the Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory on our arrival night. It’s basically a food court but felt less chaotic than what I’ve experienced at other resorts.
I chose the Honey Barbecued Pork Sandwich, served on a Toasted Brioche Bun with a Zesty Vegetable Slaw and French Fries. The $10.79 price felt reasonable by Disney standards, and it was a step above the typical counter-service fare. I’d have a hard time not ordering it again. My daughter had the Super Slice of Cheese Pizza with Potato Chips, and it was a ridiculously large slice. The price was $11.29, which seems high on the surface but matches the portion size. Even adding a fountain soda and small milk, the total felt okay at less than $30. We’re grading on a curve at Walt Disney World, but I didn’t mind the price because quality was high.
After dinner, we had to stop at the Scat Cat’s Club – Café and pick up beignets for dessert. We ordered a pack of three Mickey-shaped Beignets with a caramel dipping sauce and did wait about 20 minutes at 7:30 p.m. The comical amount of sugar on top was too much for my daughter, but I enjoyed the beignets. We did leave a good amount of the sugar at the bottom of the bag. I wouldn’t say the beignets are a must buy, but they’re still worth trying at least once.
Other Resort Amenities
The Doubloon Lagoon pool was closed for refurbishment in March, but we did walk to Riverside to swim on our first night. It’s an easy stroll of about 10-15 minutes to reach the Ol’ Man Island pool (pictured above), which looks more impressive than French Quarter’s. Themed to an abandoned sawmill, it includes a 95-foot waterslide and just has a fun atmosphere. I would have liked to remove the teens whipping a ball all over the pool, but we still had a great time.
Riverside also has four leisure pools spread across the larger resort, and those could work better if you’re looking for a quieter space. You could easily forget that you’re at Walt Disney World because this area is so peaceful. If you’re looking to grab a bite near the pool, both resorts have pool bars with basic menus and solid drink options.
You can also enjoy jazz music at night in the Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge starting around dinner time. That bar’s menu includes appetizers and a wide range of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It seems like a cool spot for adults, though we didn’t visit on our trip. There’s also the long-running Yehaa Bob Jackson at the River Roost Lounge at Riverside. I’ve never seen his music and comedy show, but I know he has a lot of fans.
A Classic Walt Disney World Vibe
Beyond the amenities, what makes French Quarter cool is how it avoids recent trends at Walt Disney World. They’ve mostly just let it be, and the experience probably doesn’t feel that different than it did in the 1990s. Disney is currently putting the rooms through a rehab, which I understand but don’t find exciting. Even so, I suspect the grounds will still evoke the serene atmosphere that I want in my Disney resorts.
My favorite resort is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I’d still place that above French Quarter. However, I’d list both as providing what I need on my Walt Disney World vacations. I’m now 48 and don’t need to be in the center of the action. Plus, it’s pretty easy to get to the parks from this resort, especially with EPCOT. You have the convenience of a quick bus or car ride to nearly anywhere, and you can avoid the chaos of Disney Springs’ parking.
French Quarter doesn’t get as much attention because it’s not on the Skyliner, and I considered that when booking. My parents recently made the opposite choice and picked Caribbean Beach because of the Skyliner. After talking about their experiences waiting in lines and not having bus access, I’m confident we made the right choice. I’d highly recommend you give French Quarter another look for your next Walt Disney World stay. It’s a gem with so much to offer for a pretty reasonable price. Give it a shot!
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