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Disney's Port Orleans Resort at Walt Disney World

simpleprocedures1 | Dec 20, 2010 |

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Disney's Port Orleans Resort, located in Orlando, Florida, is a 3,000 plus room moderate resort in Walt Disney World and is centrally located near Downtown Disney, Epcot theme park, Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park, Disney's Boardwalk, and beautifully situated along the Sassagoula River.

HOTEL and ROOMS

Disney's Port Orleans Resort is actually two resorts merged into one. The first is the Disney's Port Orleans-French Quarter, inspired by the look and feel of the historic French Quarter in New Orleans, featuring jazz music being played over delicately placed speakers throughout the resort, along with the architectural styling so famous of New Orleans, incorporated into the design of this section of the resort. The second is Disney's Port Orleans Resort-Riverside, inspired by the look and feel consistent of old Louisiana nestled along the Mississippi River, featuring magnolia tree lined walkways, as well as along the river, with southern antebellum type mansions (plantations) and cottages (lodges).

Riverside

The Port Orleans Resort consists of over 3,000 tastefully appointed rooms, where each room is incorporates a Southern Louisiana flair of simple and warm colors. All rooms are family friendly and feature 2 queen size beds with classy pedestal sinks, and more than enough room for 2 adults and 2 children to spread out in. Since the resort is split into two sections, one being the French Quarter, and the other being Riverside, both sections have their own check-in lobby's (French Quarter-The Mint, Riverside-Colonel's Cotton Mill), dining, shopping, parking, pools, and bus stops available to all guests. Riverside is split into two themed sections, with one being Magnolia Bend, themed after the large plantations of the south, and Alligator Bayou, themed after lodges sprawled along the famous Mississippi River. French Quarter is themed after the beauty, romance, and tranquillity of the famous French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana.

French Quarter

All rooms at the Port Orleans Resort (French Quarter and Riverside) have high speed internet access (for a fee), flat screen television with satellite t.v., in room safe, hairdryer, iron with ironing board, coffee maker, and more.

There are several amenities at the resort that include laundry facilities, a concierge desk (2 locations, the French Quarter and Riverside), babysitting services, self parking, and plenty of accommodations for individuals with disabilities, from handicap parking spaces to wheelchair accessible rooms and bathrooms.

AMENITIES

For guests looking to enjoy some recreational activities at the resort there are some great activities from which to choose from at either the French Quarter or Riverside, such as bike rentals, jogging trails, arcades, and playgrounds. There are plenty of watercraft rentals (available only at Riverside, and is a short walk along the Sassagoula River from the French Quarter), such as pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats, motor boats and more, that guests can enjoy on the Sassagoula River near the resort, and even head down the river to Downtown Disney, and other places, as well as specialty cruises that can be chartered for that special occassion.

Guests wanting to take a dip in the pool, there are 7 heated pools from which to choose from. The French Quarter has only 1 heated pool, but what a pool it is, and it is located in the center of the hotel property, and features the colorful, fascinating, and fun Mardi Gras inspired Doubloon Lagoon pool, with a nice size waterslide in the shape of a blue sea serpent that is ridden by King Neptune, and has an alligator band playing creole music as you enjoy basking in the sun, or playing in the pool. The Riverside boasts 6 heated pools, with 5 standard (leisure) pools being located in the Magnolia Bend (2 pools) and Alligator Bayou (3 pools) sections of the Riverside. The main pool of Riverside is centrally located at Ol' Man Island, between the Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou sections of the resort, and features a nice water slide, along with theming reminiscent of the old South prevalent throughout. There are also horse drawn carriage rides available that are located at Riverside section of the resort. For guests wanting to relax just a little more, there is fishing located at Ol' Man Island in the Riverside section of the resort as well, called the Ol' Fishin' Hole, where there is a catch and release policy enforced, but just another great way for guests to enjoy their vacation.

DINING

When you get hungry, the resort more than has you covered, with the French Quarter and Riverside sections each boasting their own full size food courts, with the French Quarter section called, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Food Court, set in a Mardi Gras type theme, and is located in the main lobby of the resort featuring American cuisine, such as breakfast items, pizza, burgers and fries, chicken, pasta, and New Orleans favorites, like gumbo, jumbalaya, and Muffaletta sanwiches, as well as drinks and desserts. The French Quarter also has a lounge, called Scat Cat's Club, and is for those wanting to grab an appetizer and an adult beverage while listening to creol and jazz music in a nice relaxing atmospehere. There is also a bar located at the pool as well, offering adult beverages, sodas, and light snacks. The Riverside section features the Riverside Mill Food Court, set in a old South style theme, with a water wheel powering an old cotton mill press, and offers American cuisine, such as breakfast items, burgers and fries, chicken, fish, pasta, drinks and desserts, and much, much more. Also at Riverside there is a lounge, called River Roost, and is perfect for guests looking to relax or unwind after a long day in the parks, as they offer adult beverages, appetizers and other light snacks.

If you would like a more casual setting when you dine, then head on over to Boatwright's Dining Hall, located in the Riverside section of the Port Orleans resort. They offer up American and Southern cuisine set in a Louisiana themed environment, amongst a restored boat workshop. They also offer a variety of desserts and drinks.

SHOPPING

If shopping is on your list of things to do while staying at the resort, then both sections of the Port Orleans resort have gift shops available. The French Quarter has Jackson Square Gifts and Desires, located in the main building, The Mint, offering Walt Disney World memorabilia, and other convenience items, such as snacks and drinks, as well as guests can purchase a refillable mug, to refill sodas (only to be used at the resort they are staying at), and much more. The Riverside has the Fulton General Store, located in the main building, the Colonel's Cotton Mill, offering Walt Disney World memorabilia, and other convenience items, such as snacks and drinks, as well as guests can purchase a refillable mug, to refill sodas (only to be used at the resort they are staying at), and much more. The refillable mugs purchased at either the French Quarter or Riverside section stores, can be used throughtout the Port Orleans resort. So if you are staying in the French Quarter section of Port Orleans, and you were going to eat, walk around, shop, or go to the pool in the Riverside section, you can use your mug there, and vice-versa.

PARKING

There is plenty of self parking for guests, and for guests with disabilities as well. If you plan on eating at the resort, or wanting to enjoy some of the recreational activities at the resort, then you can either walk to main buildings housing or take a short bus ride. Although all buidings are within a short walk to the dining and recreational activities at the resort, so there is no need to use your own vehicle to access anything at Walt Disney World, unless you plan on venturing outside of WDW.

TRANSPORTATION

The resort is located within a short bus ride to the Epcot theme park, Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park, and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. While it is a short bus ride from the resort to these locations, the buses make several stops throughout this large resort to drop off and pick up guests all day, so the bus service is rather quick. The buses are clearly marked with their respective destinations to all theme parks, Downtown Disney, Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, water parks, and Disney's Transportation and Ticket Center all make stops at the resort throughout the day. There is a water taxi to take guests to Downtown Disney that is located at the Riverside section and runs throughout the day as well.

Disney's moderate resorts offer guests wonderful accommodations, plenty of recreational activities, great pricing, great locations, along with an assortment of amenities that will satisfy any guest, and the best part is, it is all inside of Walt Disney World. If you have a large group or large family, and on a tight budget, then a Disney moderate resort is a great choice for those wanting the best that Disney has to offer, from service, price, and location.