Just a reminder to bookmark PortOrleans.org if you’re interested in more information on Riverside or French Quarter. It has the answer to just about any question imaginable.
For a much prettier look at the French Quarter, including pictures of the refurbished rooms, check out Craig’s Walt Disney World In Focus – Port Orleans French Quarter Resort.
We’ll continue over to the Port Orleans French Quarter section after taking an extensive look at the Riverside here and here. French Quarter is my favorite of the Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts, though I’m not taking into consideration the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, which are considerably more expensive. My favorite thing about French Quarter is probably the one that’s mentioned most often. It’s forgivingly small. No matter where you’re located at the resort, you’re within five minutes of the main building, quick service, pool, bus stop, boat dock, bar, and whatever else. That’s in stark contrast to the Caribbean Beach Resort or Coronado Springs Resort, where you can be looking at a 15 minute walk from your room to the main building, each way. Port Orleans Riverside is often a little better, but walks from the Alligator Bayou and Parterre Place can still be longer than most of us would like after a long day at the theme parks. Second, buses pick up and drop off French Quarter guests first on all routes other than Downtown Disney. That virtually guarantees French Quarter guests will have a seat going to the theme parks because they’ll be able to take the seats vacated by disembarking Riverside guests before the Riverside set heading to the Parks is able to board. There’s also just one bus stop at the front of the resort. You’ve also got the enjoyable boat transportation to Downtown Disney, a perfectly decent lounge area in Scat Cat’s, and an okay pool.
That being said, French Quarter does have a few considerable detractions. It doesn’t have a table service restaurant. That isn’t such a big deal considering you can easily transfer to Riverside by hopping on most any bus, taking the boat, or walking, but it adds some time (about ten minutes each way) and hassle to what should be an easy meal. The quick service doesn’t have a ton of options. The pool isn’t much to write home about and there aren’t any quiet pools to get away from the music and activities aimed at kids. There’s just the one little hot tub. I don’t care much for the theming either, overall.
For me, the convenience factor is the most important. I like the size of the resort. I can grab cocoa or a soft drink (in my refillable mug from 2002) whenever the mood strikes with minimal hassle. I’m only a few minutes away from the bus stop or boat dock. I like being picked up and dropped off on the bus first. I like being able to sit on the way to the theme parks, or at the very least, get credit for standing so a little old lady or child can sit. I like taking the boat to Downtown Disney. I like jazz music and Abita Amber beer.
You may have different priorities, especially if you’re driving to the Parks or willing to pay a little extra for the preferred locations. Some people don’t spend any time at the resort quick service/restaurant and the only time they find themselves in the main building is to check in/out. For these people, the size of the resort is less of a problem. The pool may be more important to you. You may be planning to eat several meals back at the resort.
For me, French Quarter is my first choice. Second place is closer between Coronado Springs and Riverside, though I give the edge to Coronado because it has even more amenities and I like the room setup more. Can’t beat the wood doors separating the sleeping area from the bathroom/sink area, the health club, and the pool. But there’s really no such thing as a “one size fits all” when it comes to picking your resort, which is why you see the endless Resort vs. Resort vs. Resort threads on the various forums. And when you get past these nuances, your overall experience is going to be similar at all four Moderates. They’re all run by Disney using the same standards of service. With that, let’s take a look around the French Quarter:
So here we are at the Riverside boat dock. It’s about five minutes to French Quarter, if that.
The boats are fairly comfortable. The bus route to Downtown Disney in unpleasant most of the time with stops at Marketplace and Pleasure Island on top of Typhoon Lagoon when it’s operating. It took me about 75 minutes to get from Downtown Disney to the Riverside on the bus originally. And that was in the middle of the day.
The wind through our collective hair. Riverside guests seem to get the priority on the boats to Downtown Disney. Does anyone know if they only load so many Riverside guests so that there’s room for French Quarter guests too? When we head to Downtown Disney from French Quarter, we’re going to have to wait for two boats to arrive even though there are only about 15 people in line.
Heading out.
Passing Riverside and Parterre Place to the left.
With French Quarter appearing on our right.
Sprawling a few feet.
One of the reasons I don’t care much for the French Quarter’s theming is that the railing makes it look like there are bars on the windows.
There’s only going to be room for 15 to 20 people on most boats to Downtown Disney after first picking up guests from the Riverside, so you’re looking at a considerable wait if there’s a large group in front of you.
We’ve got one boat headed in each direction – one to Downtown Disney and the other to Riverside. Every boat headed to Downtown Disney from Riverside will stop at French Quarter.
The view of the back side of the main building from the walkway to the pool. The guest rooms are down to the left and right. Looking ahead, that’s the Sassagoula Floatworks quick service on the right and the general store on the left. The lobby is straight ahead.
The resort’s quick service, the Sassagoula Floatworks. Remember that we’re continuing on the Sassagoula Steamboat Company theme.
Jackson Square general store.
It won’t happen again.
An explanation of your dining and entertainment options here and at Riverside.
The shop and arcade over here.
Registration and Concierge are considerably smaller than any of the other resorts since they serve “just” 1,008 rooms. That’s over 1,000 fewer than Riverisde. The Concierge desks are around a couple of those pillars on the right.
Said Concierge, for your ticket, recreation, and dining needs.
Behind the desk.
Heading into Jackson Square, which has considerably less merchandise than Fulton’s over at Riverside. DON’T WORRY THOUGH! THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF MERCHANDISE FOR YOU TO BUY.
Inside:
Nothing you won’t find elsewhere. There’s no resort specific merchandise here outside of a pin.
Not a whole lot of theming. Certainly no Mickey nephews or crazy Donald like we saw at Riverside.
Snack sizing and prices.
The $42 case of 24 Heinekens or $15/6-packs of Miller Lite, Coors Light, Bud Light, and Budweiser. They also sell 24 packs of Dasani Water for $16.
Bigger: http://www.easywdw.com/reports3/pofqstuff.jpg.
More stuff.
Art:
Trivia:
Really, you’re going to go Ernest Hemingway on us?
Out to the lobby that connects this side of the lobby with the quick service and lounge.
Totally natural. Nothing fishy.
Caricatures available here too.
Somebody must get them.
One last “natural” look at the lobby before proceeding.
Scat Cat’s Lounge.
If Sassagoula Floatworks is busy in the morning for breakfast, you can usually head out here and find a table with fewer people around.
Around Scat Cats, with a heavy emphasis on jazz:
Featuring underrated live jazz music Wednesday – Saturday from 8:30pm – 12am and a few televisions for popular sporting events.
We’ll take a look at Sassagoula Floatworks, the Resort’s quick service:
Some of the props are supposedly from one Mardi Gras or another. The faces/heads just remind me a Burger King commercial.
No tricks.
Ice cream.
It’s much smaller than Riverside or any of the other quick services. It’s usually adequate outside of peak breakfast time where it can get congested. I don’t think there’s anything here worth coming back to the resort specifically to try other than potentially the beignets. It’s perfectly adequate in a pinch though.
Choices:
Bakery:
Note the beignets (order six).
The usual refrigerated items.
Sandwiches and salads, some with Cajun flair:
The Chicken Quesadilla is a large, filling portion.
Hot entrees, particularly good on the Dining Plan:
Burgers, Nuggets, and More Sandwiches:
Pizza and “Italian:”
Cereal and Snacks:
More tables and decorations:
Toasters and such:
For some reason, four teas in one pot amazed me.
Heading back to the pool complex.
A small playground for kids with energy off to the right.
And a bar to the left for adults with the right kind of energy.
The menu should look familiar:
Mardi Grogs.
Stools at the bar or plenty of tables nearby.
Like Riverside and other resorts, French Quarter offers pool activities, movies, and a campfire.
About as close as we can get to the hot tub. It’s small, but more secluded than Riverside’s.
To the pool:
It’s generally adequate, though the slide isn’t particularly exciting and it’s on the small side. I don’t think most people would stay at French Quarter specifically for the pool, especially with no quiet pools around the resort.
Walking around the resort.
I feel like it has much more of a “motel vibe” than the other Moderates. The landscaping also seems cheap and uninspired.
The courtyard areas are prettier.
Especially if you tell your brain to turn up the colors and turn down reality.
Reality.
Not reality.
Walking down the Rue D’Baga.
Finding ourselves at one of the fountain hangouts around the resort.
In the back of the resort, you can walk the ten or so minutes to the Riverside or take the boat to the Riverside or Downtown Disney.
One last look at the architecture of the resort. The placement of the doorways feels a little value-y/motel-y.
One last look before hopping on the boat to Downtown Disney.
Waiting at the dock, each boat to Downtown Disney from Riverside could only hold about 15 people. So I had to wait about ten minutes for a second boat because there were exactly 15 people ahead of me.
You’ll want to budget about 20 minutes of waiting time yourself.
The first five or so minutes aren’t particularly scenic.
But the river opens up to the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort.
Along with a golf course.
And Downtown Disney.
Unlike the Saratoga Springs Resort boats that dock to the left of Paradiso 37 on Pleasure Island, Port Orleans Resort boats dock at Captain Jack’s in the Marketplace.
That’s the French Quarter.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the courtyard and fountain aspects of FQ, and I even kind of like the design of the buildings IF they had balconies on the opposite sides of the doors (they don’t) – without the balconies, it’s definitely a bit motely feeling. The thing that keeps me away, though? those sculptures – both inside the Float Works and the jester guy near the pool. CREEPY.
Also, I forgot to mention this in one of the Riverside posts! but when I was at OKW and then Riverside shopping for a particular phone charm, I was told that Riverside has one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, shops in all the resorts. So if you are looking for a certain something and don’t want to hit up Emporium or Mouseworks and you’re already nearer to Riverside than to the major stores at DTD, there’s a better chance of finding it there than any other resort (unless it’s resort specific, natch).
Okay….what is that setting or whatever on your cameranthatbmakes a picture look soooo much better?!?! I would love to see the comparison next rime you go to MK of Cinderella Castle….I just love it!! While I agree that French Quarter is smaller and convenient for the reasons you listed….your review and pictures totally sold me against it….but I thank you foe the info! I just don’t like the atmosphere and lack of theming.
Great pics, even if you’re clearly not inspired by your subject! POFQ was Mr. Cupcake’s far and away favorite resort until we stayed at Beach Club last weekend and SAB stole his heart. But we do love POFQ. It’s not the most exciting, no, but the new rooms are lovely, the size is fantastic, parking right outside the room is convenient, the bus service is always excellent, and it’s always so quiet we feel like we’re the only guests there. I always get that ‘homey’ feeling at POFQ, second only to AKL. And that boat ride is the only thing that makes us excited about DTD, which I normally can’t stand!
I know a lot of people love the POFQ because of its size. But if you pay attention, do your homework and ask for a room in the right section, you can stay near the main buildings at all the other moderates easily. This resort is near the bottom of my list mainly for the creepy New Orleans theme – between those creepy alligators on the sidewalk and the creepy big heads in the food court, I tend to walk around shading my eyes to avoid the creepy!
I will be walking over to POFQ for the beignets. We live dangerously close to a beignet shop, so if they’re available on vacation, we’ll be getting them. Hopefully the Disney beignets will meet our needs adequately (although fried dough rolled in sugar doesn’t seem like it would be difficult to replicate)
The caricatures make great souvenirs. We have portraits of each of our children proudly displayed in ou home. Don’t limit yourself to the scenes in the sample book. The artist will gladly create a unique image just for you.
If yopt an, opt for a sitting at a hotel instead of at a park. It is much more relaxed, and the artists are happy to chat as they draw. On our last visit, we got a full on dissertation on Disney animation history while our daughter sat for her portrait.
POFQ is my favorite resort. It’s funny, I’ve never throught it was any more motel like than POR or CBR, the other moderates I’ve stayed at. My kids adore the fountains and the pale colors seem very relaxing. The small size is about more than being close to the food court, it’s just so nice to walk around the whole thing in just a minute or two. And when it doesn’t bus share (which it often doesn’t in my experience) well you can’t beat that with a stick.
But, haters gonna hate. More space for me at POFQ!
We booked French Quarter for our September vacation initially, but then switched over to Pop once a room became available for free dining, because we are poor. It certainly looks like a nice place and one day when we’re richer, we’ll stay there. Thanks for all the details in your walk abouts.
Joshua, I am committed to rocking the ‘back’ button instead of hitting that Mickey hand.
also PS, that Gold Peak tea sucks a$*, but it is in fact amazing that four different teas come from the same nozzle. American ingenuity!
So I guess the Ultimate in the Long Island Iced Tea means shorting you on one of the liquors that is supposed to be in there. There should be 5 liquors, the missing one being Tequila.
Thanks for the walkthrough. We’re checking in next Saturday, and it’ll be nice to know our way around before we get there.
I don’t mind the room exteriors looking a little ‘motelly’, the grounds are gorgeous (especially the abundance of trees along the paths). And I think I could overlook just about any shortcoming if it keeps me from having to drive or take a bus to DTD.
FWIW, my comment about the motel look is because in general, “motel” type places in NE FL don’t have balconies. The rooms open directly onto the open-air hallway and back into each other, so there’s no place to put a private balcony or back window. All of Port Orleans has this vague feeling to me, but FQ moreso than Riverside because of the theming. It’s always weirded me out that I’m paying that much for a room but don’t have those little things… the AllStar resorts are the same way.
POFQ is definitely a great resort to start with. It was the first WDW resort we ever stayed at as a couple, and we had a room so close to everything it was nice to be the first ones up and at the bus stop. We always make a special trip there just for the beignets. Yum! If you don’t go at a busy time of year, the pool isn’t bad at all, and the hot tub in early May usually didn’t have many, if not any people at it. We timed our days so we were at the pool during slow times while families were in the parks, so if you want more quiet time, you can get it. Of course, the bathroom (tub and toliet) were the worst part, very tiny room, but otherwise the quick bus rides were the best.
Also, do you know when the resort mugs change? It looks like the same mug from last July, so I was curious as to when Disney changes them, is it annually?
I’m confussed, they offer a hurricane style glass but don’t list a hurricane on the drink menu?
Love the HDR by the way, I still have no earthly idea what HDR means or where I might find it on a camera but keep it comming. More HDR = MORE BETTER.
Love POFQ. I notice that the large planters outside of Sassagoula Floatworks aren’t there anymore
They used to have beautiful flowers in them that were changed out quite frequently depending on the season.
The beignets are what took us there on our last vacation. SO. WORTH. IT. They seemed pretty close to the ones I had in New Orleans. I bought six and took them back to our hotel.
Thanks for this update Josh – after seeing what you saw and remembering what we saw (not much), makes me think about staying here for our quick October weekend trip.
Disney Trivia “Which resort are you at?” Quick – call the grammar police…
We are in the minority that don’t care for POFQ. We don’t like how the rooms open to the outside, the walkways where people walk all day right past your window (hence you have to keep your drapes closed making it feel like a dungeon) and the weird curtains that divide the sink area from the rest of the room. We also didn’t like the teeny tiny safes (what can you put in there? Certainly not my purse which is what I want to put into a safe), and that there are few king bed rooms (at least there were few when we were there in 08 – maybe they have more now). And lastly, that ONE, teeny-tiny hot tub they have for 1000 room hotel!! Crazy. A million people all squished into a tiny hot tub every night. Hard to imagine they only thought to put in one hot tub for such a big property. We did enjoy the pools though. We thought they were very, very nice.
I never stayed at POFQ, but did take that little boat ride on a quick solo jaunt in January. It’s oh, so pleasant and a nice little perk that the hotel offers.
@Keri: You’re right; that court jester really is…ummm…something else.
“In my refillable mug from 2002″….love it. I got skewered on another website once, hmmmm…when I mentioned that last year during our 2nd visit we used our mugs from the 1st visit. But, but you’re stealing from Disney! Oh the horror….
During our stay last weekend at BC, we reused the mugs we got in January during our AKL stay. And we’ll use them again at our next two upcoming resort stays. We’ll probably keep on using them until the design changes. I REGRET NOTHING.
Add me to the list of people who don’t like the jester/Mardi Gras sculptures/masks/floating heads. I also don’t like the look of the guest room buildings–the Disney website makes them look absolutely charming, but in real life, they’re kind of cheap and gaudy. Although, part of my issue may stem from the fact that I absolutely LOVE the real French Quarter and I don’t think any Disney-fied version could compare.
French Quarter became my favorite resort last trip over GF, CS, and AKL that I’ve stayed at. Loved the smallness, minute or two to the pool, hot tub, boat, food court. The girls in my party (8 and almost 11) enjoyed the pool enough until we went to Riverside our last pool time. No comparison for them… they loved Riverside pool a lot more.
POFQ is my least fave of the mods. While yes, it is a shorter walk to some of the ‘main stuff’, I just don’t find anything exciting about the lobby or pool/grounds. On the other hand, you do have me more interested in staying at POR in the future. Of the mods, my fave is CSR. I love the pool/slide and the grounds. The rooms have a bit more deluxe feel. But, to each their own and variety is the spice of life. I do wonder if Disney will one day soon gut the POFQ pool and do something a bit more elaborate.
“It won’t happen again.”
Liar.
Okay, I’ll admit, “Not Reality” is much better than “Reality” in the one set of photos above.
I vote POFQ to be the first Disney resort that will be used as a post-apocalyptic horror movie location in 2075 when they close Disney World and move all the rides to that new location on Mars. Actually, it already reminds me of the HDR images of flood-ravaged and abandoned Six Flags New Orleans http://weburbanist.com/2010/03/17/uber-creepy-tour-abandoned-six-flags-new-orleans-69-pics/
I’m not saying it’s ugly, the public buildings and surrounding landscaping are beautiful, but to me it’s missing that Disney “plus” which seems to be more apparent at all the other resorts.
Gin, I’m with you. Maybe it’s my NOLA snobbery but I think Disney could have done better with this one. So many details are just “off.” But, the bar to the left and the playground to the right – genius.
I grew up in the Greater New Orleans area. Most homes around there have one or two of those black and white art pictures somewhere in the house. I think my mom has two.
Also, they could have done so much better with scat cats. It could’ve been Tippitina’s inspired! Instead it looks like a generic hotel bar.
Well i think after looking through these two reviews i am very very happy i chose riverside. i’m sure they are both nice but the theming here is just not for me. I prefer coronado the most but that wasn’t an option this time. Thanks Josh!
Oh and btw Josh….you would have been killed on the DIS for using your 2002 refillable mug!!
Great visual tour, and also happy we chose POR for Oct! Although my mouth is watering for this beignets! Are those available at all times of the day? Or just in the am?
Josh, if like Abita you might want to try thier Turbo Dog, its very good brown ale, i tried it the other night at a local New Orleans cafe and loved it. More info here : http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/abita-turbodog/9/
After reading the reviews, I’m glad we’re staying there again in January. Personally, love this resort. If more people hate it, less crowded for me. Win-win! The motel-y-ness is the same at all the mods, so that’s not an issue for me. I can’t afford the deluxes anyway. It’s quaint, quiet, and peaceful. And everything is within a stones throw.
Oh, and the beignets are served all day long.
“The landscaping also seems cheap and uninspired.” To each his own – as a trained botanist, I loved the landscaping at POFQ and thought the little areas between buildings were quite delightful. I am in agreement with Tanya – the more people that stay at other moderates, the more rooms available at POFQ for me – and more room in the hot tub. I do notice that Disney seems to be offering less discounted rooms at POFQ than POR so that has “forced” me to stay at POR the last couple of visits…
The decor does give me the jibblies a little but I will be making it over there on my tour the hotels day in January, if not for anything but the beignets.
The beignets are delicious. And you can order 3 of them as your dessert as part of a dining plan quick service meal. They will charge you for them when you pay for your meal, and then you can go back later with your receipt to have them freshly cooked.
POFQ is our favorite mod! Thanks for the review, even if I disagree with some of your opinions. My kids loved the pool when they were young and still love the resort as young adults. We’re staying at Wilderness Lodge next month but only because we couldn’t use our free dining pin at POFQ. Still having second thoughts about that :/
During our early April stay, I never saw lines like that for the boats to DTD. I hung out in the little area under sign near the boats, the sign that points to Riverside and the boats, for a good 20 min. In the late afternoon, it could be a good Scotch sipping location. Not in your top 10 but enjoyable to watch the boats come and go.
The shot you have of the Rue D’Baga was one of my favorite parts of the resort. Having that shaded area created a narrow feel to the “street.” It was so different from CS with the blaring sun on the walkways. The kids, not strong swimmers, loved the simple pool and the poolside activities. I loved everything being a hop, skip and a jump away.
Our room in Building 5 was right on the plaza where they hold the evening movies. We never heard anything from the movie.
The only disappointment was the beignets. DS was the only fan. They just weren’t all that for me and DD.
I’m totally digging that pretzel tattoo on the guy in front of you on the boat!
Also I cant tell if the top left caricature is OJ Simpson or Barack Obama. Can someone please help me out?
A tip to avoid waiting for on the boats to Downtown Disney. The boats returning from Downtown will stop POFQ sirst. When those people get off, get on and enjoy the ride to POR. When the boat turns around to return to Downtown, stay onboard and you will have a seat. Adds a few minutes but beats standing in line waiting for the next boat.
Oh my gosh! That place looks the same – right down to the Raisin Bran – as it did when I was a high school senior in 1993 and we took a senior class trip! I think I need to revisit!!!
During the Spring Break when things were rather busy, we ate at the Riverside Mill then go the boat to DTD. I notice they filled about half the boat and then set off even though there were more people waiting and I guess this is so that they can still take people on at POFQ. Indeed when they had reached the number they wanted they did ask those waiting in line if anyone was only going to POFQ and they let them on knowing they would make space when we got to POFQ