Port Orleans French Quarter Resort Review

Port Orleans French Quarter is by far our favorite resort on property. It was not the first resort I ever stayed at but since staying here we have made every effort to stay again and again. From the pool to the transportation to the atmosphere, the resort has much to offer. The food and entertainment are also unique to the resort and part of the overall enjoyment. If we are unable to stay here we always make sure to stop by and enjoy what the resort has to offer.
Playground, Pool, and more……
Just beyond the lobby on your way to the pool sits a great playground for the little kids in your party. It is staged on a soft rubber base which limits the bumps and bruises most of our younger children encounter at your average playground. Another added value is that for the most of the day it sits in the shade. However, if the heat is getting to you, just beyond the playground is the POFQ pool. Here kids can enjoy an afternoon away from the parks but not away from the entertainment. The kids (and adults) can enjoy a ride down Scales’ tongue, the serpent slide. Also, from 1:30 to 6:00pm (weather permitting) cast members are poolside hosting a myriad of activities for the kids (and big kids like myself). Poolside activities include bingo, hula hoop contests, name that Disney tune, and trivia games. There are life guards on duty during pool hours and there are life jackets available free of charge for those that are interested. There is also a new splash pad where the kids can cool off without getting into water that might be over their head. Keep in mind that this is the only pool at this resort and it can get a little loud in the middle of the day. For a quieter pool environment I would recommend taking the .5 mile walk over to Port Orleans Riverside and enjoy the quiet pool at Magnolia Bend.
If your time at the resort is not limited to just the afternoon at the pool, I would recommend heading over to the courtyard (between buildings 5 and 6) for a campfire and s’mores. In the same courtyard just after sunset you can enjoy a movie. Bring a towel out or get one from the attendant and sit as a family and enjoy a movie under the stars (weather permitting). When you check-in the resort times guide will give you all the details for these activities.
Transportation
The transportation at a Moderate Resort like POFQ is different than that of a Deluxe or Value resort. At POFQ there is only one bus-stop for the entire resort. Remember, the resort is the smallest resort on property. The bus-stop is centrally located just outside of the lobby doors to the right. Buses start running at 7AM until about an hour and half after the parks close. Buses pick up every twenty minutes. The closest parks to POFQ are Epcot and Hollywood Studios which are about a ten minute ride each. The farthest resort is Animal Kingdom at approximately twenty minutes. POFQ and POR at times will share buses to the park but I haven only experienced this once in my many trips to the resort. Unique to the Port Orleans Resorts, is the ability to take a ferry boat to Disney Springs. This is a leisurely trip down the Sassagoula River passing along the way The Treehouse Villas, Saratoga Springs, and the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course before heading across Village Lake to the dock at Disney Springs. The boats start at 10 AM and run every twenty minutes until the last boat leaves Disney Springs at 11:30 PM. It’s about a fifteen minute trip each way. The boat will drop you off on the Marketplace side of Disney Springs however at that dock you can also get a ferry to the Landing and the Westside. It’s important to note that boat service is weather permitting. If there is a lightning storm in the area or high winds the boats will stop running. In this case you would head to the nearest bus-stop and catch the bus back to the resort.
Atmosphere
I don’t even know where to begin here. For starters, I think it is the most romantic resort on property. From the moment you step into the lobby (like other Disney resorts) you are immersed in the atmosphere. The greeter opens the door and says those magical words, “welcome home” sets the tone. Right through the door there is a large atrium with a fountain. To the right is the front desk, concierge, and tucked in the corner is the resort gift shop, Jackson Square. Jackson Square is a one stop shop for snacks, souvenirs, and miscellaneous items that you may have forgotten to pack. Or if you are a crazy sock person like myself, you will even find socks there. Hey, we do a lot of walking in those parks and I needed some comfy socks for my aching feet. Just beyond the fountain is the pathway out to the grounds and 7 guest room buildings.
Landscaped with magnolia trees and decorated with wrought iron subtleties, the resort brings the essence of a cleaned up version of New Orleans French Quarter. The guest rooms are on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd floors of the buildings facing the river, pool, garden or trees/parking lot (standard).

Food and Entertainment
To the left of the entrance is Scat Cat’s Club which has no permanent entertainment resident but has recently been frequented by 2 members of the former Canada Pavilion favorites, Off Kilter. Down the hall from Scat Cat’s is Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. FOOOODDD!!!! With some great options such as the Shrimp Po’ Boy, Pot Roast, and Jambalaya there is no a shortage of good food. My favorite, however, the beignets!!!! You can’t find them anywhere else on property and they are made fresh right in front of you. If you or anybody in your party are traveling with allergies, just call ahead and they can make allergy friendly beignets as well. My daughters have a dairy allergy and they were so excited to try our favorite dessert with us. Disney always finds a way to make a magical moment for our family.

Every trip, with or without the kids, the kids want to know if we are going to POFQ. The apples haven’t fallen far from the tree in this house. I took the time to ask each of them what they like the most about POFQ or their favorite memory. Here are their answers.
DS (age 17): It is small and easy to find your way to places
DD (age 11): The games at the pool
DS (age 9): Playing with his pirate swords with his brother in the courtyard
DD (age 7): Going down the serpent slide at the pool

Port Orleans French Quarter will always be our favorite place to stay on property and while we will venture out and try different resorts our heart will always be there.

Thank you for reading and have a magical day!!

Lisa

I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing, it was all started by a Mouse. – Walt Disney