Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter review

Port Orleans French Quarter is one of the smallest resorts on Walt Disney World property and is classed as a Moderate resort. The theming is based on the romance and pageantry of New Orleans historic French Quarter with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, wrought-iron balconies and mardi-gras characters.

This resort is very relaxing and laid-back! Walking around the sounds of jazz music fills the air. It is located on the Sassagoula river and they provide complimentary friendship boats to Disney Springs which is a relaxing 20 minute boat ride away.

There is one large pool with a fun waterslide, plus a splash park for young children. Towels are provided and there are plenty of lifeguards on duty at all times. There is an entertainment team putting on fun and games throughout the day. There is also a large hot tub set back behind the pool bar which is usually relatively quiet and lovely to use in the evening.

There is a food court providing a multitude of options throughout the day from Mickey waffles at breakfast time, burgers, pizzas, salads, fruit, and various hot and cold options to choose from. You can get yoghurt and fruit pots, as well as Walt's famous chilli (served in a bread bowl!). There are also a few different drinks stations where you can get hot and cold drinks including Hot Chocolate! If you purchase a refillable mug you can access the soda machines, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, as many times as you like, and there is a mug wash area too.

The resort consists of 7 accommodation buildings with the furthest building being no more than a 5 minute walk from the lobby and food court. Each building is 3 floors with lift access to each floor. You can also access ice and a vending machine in each building. The hallways are external so your rooms don't technically have a balcony, but you do have a window out onto the pathway or hallway.

As well as the food court you have Mardi Grogs pool bar where you can purchase cocktails and other beverages. You also have Scat Cat’s Club which is a lounge bar where you can listen to live music, get a drink or a beignet – this is always top of my list when we stay here!

If you’re not off to one of the parks for the evening you can watch a movie under the stars, and toast s'mores around the camp fire.

In the large gift shop they have a great selection of merchandise, including plushies, luggage, homeware, pins, caps, clothing, along with various things that you may forgotten to bring, such as toothbrush, toothpaste or painkillers. There’s also a small area selling drinks, snacks, ice creams etc. There is even a small Pandora jewellery shop as well.

You can do laundry while you relax by the pool too – the laundry room is behind the pool bar at the side of the pool, and there are plenty of washing machines and dryers to use. They usually take around an hour each. The cost the last time we were there was about $3 per machine. You can also buy detergent which is around $2 if I remember correctly.

There is a large arcade games room with plenty of options for your children to waste your money and a good few hours!!

There is a bus stop outside of the main entrance to the hotel where you can catch a bus to all of the parks, Disney Springs and the water parks. These usually come every 20 minutes or so but there are live times on the screens at each bus stop.

The rooms are styled in that typical American way, with dark wood furniture. The beds are so comfortable and the rooms are air conditioned plus you also have a ceiling fan as well. You have a small fridge and a coffee machine with speciality coffees. You have an ironing board and hairdryer, and a safe large enough for an ipad or small laptop. The bath with overhead shower and toilet are in a separate room to the sink area, which can also be screened off with a privacy curtain. There are 2 sinks in the sink area and a large mirror on the wall. Toiletries include bar soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. These are no longer in mini sizes, they are attached to the wall and are refillable so no taking these home with you at the end of your stay! You have enough large and small towels for each person, and there is a hanging rail in the vanity area with plenty of hangers for your clothes. Underneath your TV is plenty of drawers for other bits and pieces and there is a bedside table with USB ports and telephone. There are various USB ports around the room as well as the usual 2-pin plug sockets. Rooms here sleep up to 4 people.

For a change you can walk along the river up to sister hotel, Port Orleans Riverside. This is a much bigger resort with many more buildings, but also more pools, more bus stops, a larger food court and also a table service restaurant as well. You can also take the boat here too. And if you want you can even rent a Surrey Bike and pedal around both resorts.

Overall this is a great moderate resort to stay at for your Disney World holiday and I would highly recommend it.