Reviews of Port Orleans French Quarter (Moderate Resort)
Reviewed by bmdisney Review Date: 04/15/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My daughter and I recently stayed for 2 nights. We had a standard room with a view of the parking lot. Check-in was efficient. Our only negative experience came at the concierge desk. One of the clerks ignored me before another helped me with getting a ticket to the park.
With only 2 people in our party, the room had more than enough room. My daughter (8) loved the pool. We took the boat to Downtown Disney and then rode it back to Riverside before walking to French Quarter. On a nice April evening, this was a very pleasant trip.
Bus service was no problem. We waited 10 minutes for a MK bus. During our stay, FQ did not share bus service with Riverside.
We have stayed at a few of the All-Star hotels, Fort wilderness and Art of Animation in the past. French Quarter has a lot to offer. For one, it is a compact resort. It is small (but not too small). We stayed in Building 7, furthest from the lobby and pool and walking was no problem. This would be one resort where the refillable mug may be worth it based on the length of your stay as it is not a long walk to get something to drink.
If there is a negative, it is the limited on-site dining. The ordering area can be congested but with a smaller resort, you would expect less eating area so that is only a small complaint.
I did not know if my daughter would enjoy the resort's theme but she thought the room was beautiful and loved the theme throughout the resort. She loved the pool.
I would definitely return to this resort in the future.
Pros:
easy to walk around, great location, boat transportation to downtown disneyCons:
limited dining optionsReviewed by tomc128 Review Date: 04/14/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Family of 4 just returned. Excellent trip!! Staff was excellent. Resort was clean. Pool and slide were the perfect size for our 4 year old twins. People at pool were great. Participated in bonfire and movie-both were great. Food Court had decent options..again staff was great. All around good visit!!!
Pros:
Size of resort, staff, cleanlinessCons:
NoneReviewed by geneandcheryl Review Date: 04/10/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
LOVE LOVE LOVE this resort.Just returned from 2nd stay. We were met at the door and as we had done online check-in,a lovely girl by the name of Mariella retrieved our welcome packet and went thru everything with us. Great housekeeper by the name of Norma had our room very spiffy daily! We can't consider staying anywhere else!
Pros:
size,bus stopCons:
noneReviewed by hbk Review Date: 04/04/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
FQ is the best of the moderate resorts, and taking price, size, things to do, etc. into consideration, it may be the best value at Disney.
FQ is not very large (the smallest of the moderate resorts) which is advantageous. Besides some sections of building 1 or 7, you never really feel too far out. All buildings are easy access to food court, pool, bus stop and the boat to Market Place. The grounds are beautiful and the colors are festive.
The pool area is plenty big, with a great slide for the kids. The pool bar is there as well, with great selections.
The food court isn't huge, but still plenty of selection to give you a break from food in the park.
While at FQ, you have easy access to Riverside via the boat or a gorgeous walk along the Sassagoula River. If so inclined, you can mix things up and can eat at their food court (or Boatwrights - table service) or try their pool. The path along the river, thru FQ and Riverside is also great for a jog.
The boat to Marketplace is a tremendous perk. The boat ride is relaxing, scenic and so easy! Really makes it fun to go eat at Marketplace, shop or go for a nice margarita at their dockside bar.
One other note that may not be mentioned is FQ only has 1 bus stop. Which means you are not stopping at multiple stops at the same resort such as Caribbean or Riverside. Once you arrive at FQ, that's it, one stop and everyone gets off. Also, you don't have to wave at already full buses as they pass you up as you are the 3rd stop at the resort and not the first.
As noted, the value just can't be beat and the cost won't make your heart sink when pricing out the Polynesian for example (which is fabulous as well, but significantly more expensive than FQ...).
Pros:
value, size, proximity to Riverside and MarketplaceCons:
wish rooms were just a bit biggerReviewed by strawberry Review Date: 04/03/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We have been at all moderates. Last year we stayed at FQ and plan to stay here next year. Why? Mainly because the 11 and 14 year olds want to stay here again -which surprised me because I thought this was more an adult resort. We had even stayed at a Princess Room at POR a few days last time and the girls liked FQ more! There is one experience they insist on at the POR however, and that is going to the RiverRoost to see Bob again.
I believe that reservations for the FQ aren't always available now and when Disney Springs gets going, the boats from FQ and POR will become even more popular.
Pros:
size, decor, upkeepCons:
—Reviewed by shell65 Review Date: 04/01/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We went to Port Orleans from 3/22 to 3/28 and had a great time. The rooms are beautiful and very clean. The staff was so nice and friendly. The food court people were extremely nice and friendly especially Rod. My daughter needed medicine in the middle of the night and they opened the store for us and got the medicine. At first the desk said they could not help and transferred me to the night doctor. He said ask for the night manager and when I did things went smoothly! We had a lovely time and would stay there again.
Pros:
small resort, lovely clean rooms, staffCons:
busses a little slow from resortsReviewed by mscaseyray Review Date: 03/30/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
My husband and I stayed at POFQ in Dec 2011 after staying at the much larger POR previously. We were pleasantly surprised and I think we'd be more inclined to stay at French Quarter again. The resort is definitely small, but small can be wonderful when you spend most of your day walking around the parks. We stayed in the next to last building there and it took no time to get to the front desk and food court. It's brightly themed and it was beautiful at Christmastime. There is no table service restaurant on site but the food court is very good and we didn't feel we were missing anything by not having a TS restaurant. I highly recommend this moderate resort and highly recommend moderates in general--you get a little bit of both worlds for a great price.
Pros:
Quiet, Small, Beautifully themedCons:
NoneReviewed by Ilita Review Date: 03/18/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I´ve been in value resorts five times since 2008 (ASMovies and Pop), this time we decided to go moderate, and smaller.
I loved the peace of this resort, the surroundings and the places to walk. Our room was in the building four, very close to everything.
The beds are larger than the ones in the value and the room was also better to fit four.
My husband and kids (15 and 12) missed the icons and the disney atmosphere of the Pop.
The food court is small, we went in January, so it was ok, I don´t know if the size is large enough for peek times (such we are from Argentina we always go in January, our summer vacation)
If I have the chance I would return to this hotel, the cast members were always helpful and kind, and everything in the hotel was relaxing and friendly. I also loved the night shows at the bar.
Pros:
lanscape, beds, poolCons:
noneReviewed by mouserdh1984 Review Date: 02/28/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
Our stay was 2-16thru 2-23 our second visit, have stayed at POR 2 tmes also. We love the size of this resort. Only 2 times did our bus share with Riverside. We never waited more than 15 min for buses. Room was great love the update and the queen beds. We were in Building 4 close to the bus stop, only noise we has was the trucks bringing supplies early in the morn, you could hear the back up beeps.It was DDD 14 birthday while we were there night before her big day when we returned to the room there was a Birthday card from Mickey for her and on the big day returning there was a phone message from Mickey wishing her a Happy Birthday. We did walk over to Riverside on morning and one evening for meals just to get something differnt. Freindly staff no complaints from us. We would for sure stay here again.
Pros:
Size, Closeness to parksCons:
Limited foodReviewed by sgefowler Review Date: 02/18/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We have stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter 4 times. Although we have stayed at other Disney resorts (value and moderate) we keep coming back to the POFQ. The theming of the resort is Mardi Gras inspired and I love it. The grounds are beautifully maintained and it really evokes the feeling of New Orleans. With each visit we notice something new. First timers will chuckle when you read the street signs. This resort is accessible to Downtown Disney via a river boat service that provides a leisurely ride to Downtown DIsney. Great for a cool breeze on those hot Florida days. The boats run regularly and we have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a boat. Believe it or not, the boat is one of the reason we choose the POFQ.
With regards to rooms, they are slightly more upscale than the value resorts and are very well appointed. As with everything DIsney, cleanliness is paramount. We have never had any issue with mousekeeping and the kids love the towel animals. We did find on one visit that we had to encourage mousekeeping with little "gifts" however, I don't feel this is the norm. The kids love to come back to the room and see their stuffed toys placed throughout the room.
Since the POFQ is the smallest of the Disney resorts, there is never a long walk to either the bus, lobby, dining or pool. There is limited dining with a cafeteria style only. No sit down formal restaurant but the sister resort PO Riverside has one just a stones throw away. A must have is the beignets. You can always tell who has had them by the powered sugar on their faces or clothes. You simply must try the beignets when staying at the POFQ.
The swimming pool is great for kids of all ages with a sea serpent water slide that is not too big and even smaller kids can enjoy. There is a splash pool for the very small and a hot tub which I always find is crowded. There is a nice pool bar but as with all things DIsney, the drinks are expensive. However, based on the small size of the resort, its only a short walk back to the room if you bring your own beverages or use one of the grocer services. Movies are played on the lawns most nights and is great for the kids to get out and meet some other kids. There is also a small play area for kids with a sort of artificial turf ground that cushions falls for the little ones.
With regards to bus service, I have heard many negative things about it mostly due to the fact that it also shares bus service with Riverside. Buses also stop at 4 stops at Riverside so it will slow down travel times to and from the park. But not by very long. Wait times are low and in 4 visits, I have always had a seat on the bus. Overall, I am happy with the bus service.
On our last visit to the POFQ, our youngest son (18 months) got pink eye and the cast members were beyond helpful. They connected us with a pharmacy and arranged for the prescription to be delivered to the resort while we could go and enjoy our day at the parks. Delivery fee was nominal and well worth the service that we received.
Overall, my opinion is that you won't be disappointed in the French Quarter. Staying onsite can be more expensive than offsite but so many extras are included, in my opinion, they almost even out. The extra magic hours, magic express, Disney transportation, option to have purchases shipped to the resort, boat to Downtown Disney, games arcade tokens, etc etc etc make it all worth while! Enjoy your stay! 🙂
