Disney’s Port Orleans: Bayou Beauty and French Quarter Festivities 🐊🎭

Angie Franklin
Aug 28
4 min read

Tucked along the scenic Sassagoula River, Port Orleans Resort is actually two sister resorts: Riverside and French Quarter. Both deliver Disney magic with their own unique flavor — Riverside offers Southern charm and sprawling gardens, while French Quarter is compact, colorful, and brimming with Mardi Gras fun. And don't forget the beignets!!

Whether you want a peaceful boat ride, a plate of beignets, or a dip in a Doubloon-themed pool, Port Orleans is one of Disney’s most beloved moderate resorts. Let’s explore everything it has to offer!

Quick Links

Lobbies ✨

Riverside Lobby: Grand Southern charm with brick, columns, and garden-inspired touches.
French Quarter Lobby: Compact, lively, and filled with Mardi Gras flair in its design and colors.

Rooms 🛏️

Riverside:
- Royal Guest Rooms: Princess-themed rooms with fiber-optic headboards, rich fabrics, and Disney “royal” details.
- Standard Rooms: Either Magnolia Bend (manor-style) or Alligator Bayou (rustic, cozy).
French Quarter:
- Compact layout means every room is close to the lobby and pool. Mardi Gras details make them festive yet comfortable.

Dining 🍽️

Table Service

Boatwright’s Dining Hall (Riverside): A Southern-inspired sit-down spot serving jambalaya, prime rib, pecan pie, and more.

Lounges & Bars

River Roost Lounge (Riverside): Nightly entertainment with the legendary Yehaa Bob plus specialty cocktails.

Scat Cat’s Club Lounge (French Quarter): Jazz vibes, small plates, and live music on select nights.

Quick Service & Snacks

Riverside Mill Food Court (Riverside): A food-court style stop with pizza, pastas, burgers, and homestyle meals.

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory (French Quarter): Creole flavors like jambalaya, gumbo, po’ boys, and more.

Scat Cat’s Café (French Quarter): Home of the iconic Mickey-shaped beignets (a must-try!).

Muddy Rivers Pool Bar (Riverside): Drinks and light poolside bites.
Pizza Delivery: Late-night in-room pizza from Disney Resorts Pizza Delivery.

Snack Highlights 🍦

Mickey-shaped beignets at Scat Cat’s Café (French Quarter).
Fireside S'mores (Riverside - nightly from 6pm to 7pm weather permitting).

Shopping 🛍️

Fulton’s General Store (Riverside): Merchandise, Disney souvenirs, snacks, and essentials.

Jackson Square Gifts & Desires (French Quarter): A colorful shop for resort merch, Mardi Gras-themed souvenirs, and sundries.

Pools & Recreation 🏊‍♀️

Feature Pools

Ol’ Man Island (Riverside): A 3.5-acre pool complex with waterfalls, a 95-foot waterslide built into a mill, hot tubs, and a kiddie pool.

Doubloon Lagoon (French Quarter): A fun Mardi Gras–themed pool with King Neptune, sea serpent slide, and playful fountains.

Quiet Pools

Riverside has 5 leisure pools scattered across the Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou sections, perfect for a quieter swim.

Fitness & Wellness 💪

Unlike deluxe resorts, Port Orleans does not have a full fitness center — but the walking paths along the Sassagoula River are beautiful and popular for jogging.

Extras

Arcades: Medicine Show Arcade (Riverside) & South Quarter Games (French Quarter).

Bike Rentals: Ride through the resort on your own Surrey bike. One of the best ways to see the resort!

Carriage Rides: Horse-drawn carriage rides along the river in the evenings.

Fishing: Try cane pole catch-and-release fishing at Ol’ Man Island’s Fishin’ Hole, or book a guided bass fishing excursion from the Riverside marina.

Nightly Campfire Fun: Each evening, Riverside hosts a fireside marshmallow roast.
River Cruise to Disney Springs: The Sassagoula River ferry runs regularly and is a highlight of the resort
Riverside Playground: The playground at Riverside is tucked right near Ol’ Man Island and gives kids a place to climb, slide, and run.

The Good ❤️

Location 🚤

Riverboat and Carriage Charm! Riding the Sassagoula River to Disney Springs or enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride at twilight is a relaxing, story-telling moment you don’t get everywhere.
Peaceful Layout at Riverside. Riverside’s expansive but serene design (with Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend sections) gives the feel of space and calm, great for guests who want a bit of room to breath.
More budget-friendly than deluxe resorts, yet still rich in theming and ambiance—especially compared to cookie-cutter value resorts.
Delicious and unique dining brings rustic, Southern fare with hearty flavor & don't forget the beignets at Scat Cat Cafe in the French Quarter.

The Not-so-Good 🚫

Riverside’s size is peaceful—but that means longer walks to the food courts, pools, or bus stops if you're staying in the Alligator Bayou section.
No Direct Disney Transportation to Parks (Except Bus): There is no Skyliner or monorail here. Getting to the parks means bus rides, which can get crowded or slow during peak periods. Only Disney Springs has boat access.
No fitness center on property and there is a daily charge to use the other Disney resort's fitness facilities.

Is It Worth It? ✅

Yes — Port Orleans is an absolutely lovely moderate-value resort. You get beautiful theming, unique food, and the added romance of the Sassagoula River. Riverside offers more space and variety, while French Quarter is small, charming, and easy to navigate. Together, they deliver deluxe atmosphere at moderate pricing. While they don't have an on-site fitness facility, they do have plenty of trails, pools, and bikes to enjoy.