There’s a lot to love about Port Orleans, but there’s also a lot that might make you think twice.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (French Quarter and Riverside) has the charm, the ambiance, and those beignets people won’t stop talking about — but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. In fact, there are some pretty frustrating downsides to staying here, especially if you’ve done your research and are expecting it to be a low-key, convenient, best-of-both-worlds resort. Today, we’re breaking down the real issues with Port Orleans so you can decide if it’s worth your time, money, and sanity.
Here are some of the biggest problems you might run into if you’re staying at Port Orleans.
Transportation is…not great.
You will mostly be relying on buses here, which can sometimes fill up quickly or be pretty slow. You may have longer wait times than expected, which can cause you to be late for a Lightning Lane or dining reservation. Also, at Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, there’s an internal bus loop because the resort is so large. That means you could have to wait through multiple stops when you’re coming and going.
You could also hop on the Sassagoula River Cruise, which is boat transportation for these resorts that takes you to Disney Springs (you can also transfer at that spot and then ride to Saratoga Springs or Old Key West Resort). However, the boat is a bit on the slow side, and it’s also weather-dependent. If storms roll through, the boats are shut down, and you’ll be back to the bus.
What to do instead: If fast and flexible transportation is a priority while staying on a tighter budget, check out Pop Century or Caribbean Beach. Both have access to the Disney Skyliner, which connects you to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios quickly, with no traffic.
Learn More About Disney World Transportation Here!
It feels FAR from the parks.
Port Orleans is closer to the Disney Springs area, which means the closest park by road is EPCOT. It can feel like a particularly long trek to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom, especially if there’s traffic on the way.
Add in the morning rush to those longer bus rides, and it may feel like it’s taking forever to get to the parks. That can be stressful if you’re eager to rope drop, get to a dining reservation, or scan in for a Lightning Lane.
What to do instead: If proximity is your main concern, you can’t beat the Crescent Lake resorts like Beach Club, Yacht Club, and BoardWalk Inn. You can walk to EPCOT and even Hollywood Studios, or hop on a boat if your feet need a break. For Magic Kingdom access, stay at one of the Monorail resorts. Keep in mind that those resorts are significantly pricier, so to get the best proximity, you’ve got to pay.
Learn More About the EPCOT Resort Area Here!
Theming is kind of a mismatch.
This one’s subtle but can still be frustrating. Port Orleans is split into two sections — Riverside and French Quarter, which were originally two totally separate resorts. That means the theming doesn’t totally flow, and the layouts can be a bit confusing to navigate. Riverside is large and spread out, while the French Quarter is smaller and easier to walk, but switching between the two feels like you’re hopping resorts…and technically, you are.
Also, depending on where your room is located (especially in Riverside), you might be a pretty long walk from food, the bus stop, or the main pool. We’ve also known people to stay at Riverside, not knowing that the famous Mickey beignets are located at French Quarter. It could be quite a long walk to get to those sweet treats!
What to do instead: If cohesive theming and an easy layout matter to you, consider staying at Art of Animation. The theming there is bold, immersive, and kid-friendly, plus the layout is simple to understand. If you want something more upscale, Animal Kingdom Lodge offers stunning theming and savanna views all in one consistent vibe.
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Dining isn’t for everyone.
We’re going to be honest — we like the food at Port Orleans. The gumbo is solid, the beignets are iconic, and Scat Cat’s Lounge has some of the better resort nightlife you’ll find outside the Deluxe tier. That said, if you’re traveling with picky eaters or just want traditional theme park fare (burgers, fries, chicken tenders, pizza—you know, the staples), you might be disappointed.
The food here largely focuses on Southern comfort meals, with a bit of Louisiana inspiration. Boatwright’s Dining Hall often has some delicious eats, but they might be too heavy for some palates. The food courts are fine, but they’re not exactly the pinnacle of dining. It really all comes down to your personal tastes — do you like Southern food, Cajun-inspired eats, and things that are deep-fried? (Personally, I’m a big fan!)
What to do instead: If you’ve got a group with simpler tastes or just want that classic Disney dining experience, try Pop Century or Art of Animation. Their food courts are larger, have more options, and lean more toward the traditional park food experience—plus, they’re often open later. However, if you have a group that loves delicious food, just not this type of food, try Coronado Springs Resort. It has Spanish and Latin American inspiration with some truly stellar restaurants and lounges.
See Our Review of Boatwright’s Dining Hall Here!
The Hotel Rooms Can Sometimes Be Disappointing
Some of the rooms at these resorts are a bit outdated, and that can be a source of complaints for folks. The good news is that Riverside is undergoing a refurbishment into 2027, but if you’re staying there in the coming months, you may not be guaranteed a refreshed room.
Also, the Royal Guest Rooms at Riverside were recently refurbished, and some long-time fans of the hotel haven’t been impressed with the new look. Basically, it comes down to your personal preferences for decor.
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However, there are also plenty of reasons why you might want to stay at Port Orleans, either Riverside or French Quarter. The Louisiana-inspired theming of these hotels is very unique and well-done. The atmosphere of the resorts in general is laid-back, calm, and perfect for vacationing.
They have some very fun pools at these hotels with unique water elements, and of course, we’re big fans of the Mickey beignets you can get at Scat Cat’s Club — Cafe. Both of the resort lounges have excellent entertainment in the evenings, and the Moderate Resort price point is in a sweet spot for a lot of folks.
Don’t write off these hotels entirely — they could be just right for you if none of the problems we mentioned are issues for your family!
If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you! They’ll keep an eye on all of the best deals so you don’t have to.
Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Walt Disney World.
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Will you be staying at Port Orleans in 2025? Let us know in the comments below.
Just back from a 12 day trip to PO French Quarter and it was wonderful, the rooms have beautifully upgraded, facilities are great, we used the pool which I recommend, the size of the resort is just right. You are not far from the parks (except DAK, but then who isn’t) we used the buses and the journeys were inside 15mins to MK, HS and Epcot. Yes there’s the boat to DS but you can get the bus which is quicker and no bugs. Food was good, staff amazing and theming on point without being childish. We stayed at Riverside 2 years ago and it was equally as good except for the size and multiple bus stops, but then look at Caribbean Beach……
Will we return, darn right we will.
I stayed at Riverside as a solo traveler a few years ago. Of the half-dozen or so at which I have stayed, it is still the resort that I enjoyed the most.
If I hadn’t been to WDW so many times, your article would put me off staying at PO, which is doing them a great disservice. POFQ is my favourite moderate resort. I love the fact that it is small so you can get to the pool or the restaurant quickly. Boat rides may be slow but they are relaxing and a treat. The bus is there if you want to be quicker. Food is great. The fact that it seems a long way from the hustle and the bustle of the parks is a big selling point not a disadvantage. It has a great vibe. You can walk between POR and POFQ or if you prefer, they have a shuttle between them. You can also pool hop.
I couldn’t disagree more! The resorts have wonderful theming, fun pools and great entertainment options, like fishing, surrey bikes & the great lounges. Being at Riverside feels like being home. Transportation is no worse here than any other resort. For the record Everytime I’ve stayed at a monorail resort I’ve missed LL times because they stopped running for an hour! I’ve stayed at the Princess rooms twice now and had easy walks to the lobby, main pool & bus stops. I always recommend these resorts when asked because I think they’re really amazing. Also beignets!!!
Most of your alternate suggestions involve upgrading to deluxe accommodations.
Also as far as transportation goes, the Skyliner is also weather dependent, which then turns into relying on busses once again.
I’ve found French Quarter to have better bus transportation and is not as spread out.
I just returned from a 7 night stay at French Quarter. It was my 34th stay there. I like the size and layout-no room is very far from the food court and gift shop. The cast members are very friendly and always helpful. The beignets are delicious. The bus service is good and it doesn’t take long to get to the parks or Springs because of its central location. And I like that it has one bus stop instead of four like Riverside. I believe it has half as many rooms as Riverside. It’s quiet and calm compared to other resorts (Pop is nice but can be loud and it’s very spread out). Food isn’t an issue for me as I enjoy dining in the parks,Springs and resorts but I do use the food court for milk, pastry and fresh fruit. Cat Scat’s is a fun place for a drink and an appetizer. Staying at Beach Club is the best location as I spend the most time at Epcot and it’s a special treat for me (3rd stay soon) because of the cost. French Quarter is my “old reliable” and it’s perfect for me. I’ve never understood why people are so in a hurry when they are supposed to be on vacation. Relax and have fun-you’re at Disney World!
I recently did a split stay between Yacht Club and Port Orleans French Quarter. I was so glad to leave YC and check in at FQ. It was nice to get a decent breakfast that wasn’t carb heavy (you have to admit that the breakfast options at YC are dismal). And there is a stool, so I can more easily get into the overly-high bed (I ended up sleeping on the daybed at YC!). At FQ, I had a shower stall (rather than having to carefully climb in and out of a tub without even the benefit of a grab bar at YC). Transportation at FQ was never an issue. I guess I’m just a moderate fan.
i’m going to semi disagree with some of the things said here. we’ve stayed at FQ a few times, & it’s a very good resort. the mardi gra theming is spot on. it’s very compact so you’re close to everything. lacks a sit down restaurant but the lounge & food court are pretty good. transportation to the parks wasn’t bad except for AK. that could take you 15-20 minutes. we’ve gotten to the other parks in 10 minutes or so. we’ve toured RS & it’s a beautiful resort, but too spread out for our taste. i’ll agree transportation is an issue there. just my opinion, but u can’t go wrong with FQ.
My son and I stayed at Port Orleans-French Quarter and loved it. Quiet, beautiful, and the food was awesome. I would rebook here in an instant had Disney not priced itself too high.
We’ve stayed at Riverside and French Quarter quite a few times, and although the comments are not inaccurate the benefits offered at both resorts far outweigh any real negatives.
I’m pretty sure they’re still two resorts, unless that’s changed since I priced them out two months ago. Riverside is spread out but I love French Quarter. The atmosphere is great, it’s half the size of other moderate resorts and has just one bus stop. If I can get a good price, French Quarter is my favorite resort.