A Photo Walk Around Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter

When I began our updates of the Port Orleans Resorts earlier last month, I intended to continue with the French Quarter after Riverside. However, it was recently announced that the rooms at French Quarter were undergoing a refurbishment. So I decided we would settle with a few updates for now and we’ll return later for a fresh look at the resort’s new rooms and a review.

Anyway, I ended up at the French Quarter on a gorgeous afternoon. It was getting close to sunset, and it felt like the right time to take a photo tour of the resort. I spent a couple of hours photographing things, and they were just gorgeous. If you’ve been to Port Orleans French Quarter before, you likely already know that. I hope you’ll enjoy these photos. As usual, with my editing skills, the sky didn’t turn out great. But I like these photos, and that is rare for me to say even though I took them (especially since I took them).

If you haven’t been to Port Orleans French Quarter, I hope this photo report will sway you to visit. You can go for an afternoon with a side of beignets from Scat Cat’s Cafe, or you might want to spend your entire vacation there. It is an alluring resort with a Victorian charm reminiscent of the Historic Garden District in New Orleans.

Port Orlean French Quarter scenic photo with buildings and landscaping

For this visit, I parked at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and took a bus to Port Orleans French Quarter. My main intention for visiting was to take a few updated photos of items in the gift shop and check the status of the Doubloon Lagoon Pool’s lengthy refurbishment. It was so pretty when I arrived that I knew it would be the perfect time to do a photo report.

These are the kinds of things I enjoy doing. I might work all day and then visit a resort for a couple of hours in the evening. I am the kind of gal who will spend hours at the resort and then walk in a theme park at the end of the night to ride Slinky Dog Dash when the line is shorter. It is one of the perks of being able to visit often. I rarely have much of an agenda other than to provide helpful and hopefully somewhat entertaining information.

start of our walk at the entrance coming from the bus stop

So enough about me. Let’s head toward the lobby. One of the advantages of staying at the French Quarter is its size. The resort only has one bus stop, and you can get to it fairly quickly from most of the buildings. You won’t have any major long walks. It’s all short, pleasant strolls around here.

the Port Cochere entrance of Port Orleans French Quarter

The lobby’s design is a metal frame structure with walls of windows on each side.

the glass framework and windows of the lobby of Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter

The front of the resort has a pretty facade with a little extra decorative details. It would have been nice if they had incorporated balconies into the resort’s rooms. I know that’s not a “moderate” amenity, but I think most will agree that this kind of resort warrants balconies.

the buildings at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter's front entrance

The glass doors were swung open as I approached.

the glass door entrance to the lobby with the doors swung open

How about a little Port Orleans Resort doormat appreciation?

a door mat that says Disney's Port Orleans Resort

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the sunshine was at the perfect angle to create this pleasant ambiance. The trickle of the fountain only adds to it.

the lobby with the sun creating a beautiful effect as it shines through the glass

a side view of the lobby at Port Orleans French Quarter with a fountain in the center

jesters and medallions at Port Orleans French Quarter

See what I mean?

a stunning view of the brick paver lobby with glass walls and sunlight

Each corner of the lobby has an archway with decorative ironwork that doubles as a sign to the entrance of that area. The one in the photo below leads to the gift shop and arcade.

a sign that directs guests to the gift shop and arcade off the lobby of Port Orleans French Quarter

A small sitting area with royal purples and greens is inside the registration area.

a small royal purple sitting area off the lobby

We’ll have a photo report of Jackson Square Gifts and Desires coming out next.

the entrance to Jackson Square and Gifts at Port Orleans French Quarter

Outside, I noticed a fun-themed sign indicating the location of the South Quarter Games Arcade.

the sign for the outdoor entrance to the arcade at Port Orleans French Quarter

a sign that says "Arcade, Arcade South Quarter Games"

First, we’ll stay to the right of the resort. This is where you’ll find buildings one, two, and three. Buildings four, five, six, and seven are opposite. The resort’s lobby, playground, pool, and laundry area are in the center. The Sassagoula River Cruise is at the opposite end of the courtyard from the lobby, directly behind the pool. All of these things I’ve mentioned are less than a five-minute walk from each other.

the edge of building two as seen from the lobby

Disney’s French Quarter reflects an eclectic mix of architecture, including Greek Revival, Italianate, French Colonial (Creole Style), and other styles.

a pretty pink building with bright sun shining on it

The wrought iron work around the resort is a sight to behold. If you take the time to notice, the patterns are constantly changing, and the staircases are not only a means of access but a work of art. (Each building has elevators in the center, so you don’t have to worry about taking the stairs.)

the decorative curved staircases and railings at Port Orleans French Quarter

Here is the walkway that runs horizontally through the center of the resort behind the lobby.

the center street that runs through the center of Port Orleans French Quarter

These black iron horses are scattered throughout the resort.

a close up of a decorative black iron horse

Here are a few more photos of the area.

looking toward building one from building two

a French Quarter Resort building with cream paint and mustard yellow, red, and white doors

Horse and carriage rides are available each evening. They begin at Port Orleans Riverside and travel to the French Quarter before returning. I saw quite a few rides taking place this particular evening.

a cast member driving a carriage through the French Quarter with the horses blond mane braided

building three at Port Orleans French Quarter

French Quarter has several fountains scattered throughout its grounds. Most of them sit in private courtyards with benches surrounding them.

a fountain in the center of buildings one, two, and three

I had the idea to go up a floor and take a couple of photos.

a scenic photo of Port Orleans French Quarter in the late afternoon

The ironwork cast lovely shadows along the walkways of the upper-level floors.

an outdoor exterior hallway to rooms at the French Quarter

a pretty photo of a resort view from the second floor of building two at Port Orleans French Quarter

decorative iron railings between a brick facade on the second floor

an extra photos of a building from the second floor balcony

Sometimes, people ask about room views. This is a view from building two at Port Orleans French Quarter to the river. If you choose a water view, you will be close to the boat dock and the pool.

a view of the Sassagoula River from a building at Port Orleans French Quarter

Here is a view of the pool from around the corner on the same floor. If you look closely, you can see the river in the background on the right side of the photo.

a view of the Doubloon Lagoon swimming pool from building two at Port Orleans French Quarter

On our last visit, we were in building four, and I enjoyed the location because we could walk out the door and down the stairs and be at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory in less than three minutes. But I would like building two just as much. Its central location is directly between the lobby and the river cruise, with the pool in the middle. Here are a few more photos.

blue railings looking down to the courtyard

a view of the staircase at Port Orleans French Quarter

a tree with a pretty red plant growing around it's base and up it

an arch with brick and iron in front of a building with brick pavers leading up to it

a row of iron horses in front of building two at Port Orleans French Quarter

building two at Port Orleans French Quarter

a pink building with flowering bushes blooming pink

a light pole and pretty building at Port Orleans French Quarter

We’ll head back over to the other side of the resort for a few more photos.

a tiny sunshine casting light through the trees and creating a pretty shadow effect at Port Orleans French Quarter

a tree in front of a set of buildings with light blues and pinks

a front facing view of a building with coral paint and bright white, green, and red doors

a medium brown Percheron horse pulling a carriage through the French Quarter

a sidewalk through French Quarter Resort with the back of a white horse drawn carriage in the distance

building five at Port Orleans French Quarter with rounded staircases on the end of the building

a row of bright buildings with corals, greens, blues and reds

a black horse with a cast member carriage drive at Port Orleans French Quarter

a bright red door with pretty flowering white bushes

a sidewalk that's surrounded by green landscaping and trees

This frog fountain sits between buildings four and seven. I always like to stop and see it.

a long rectangular fountain with frogs at Port Orleans French Quarter

a fountain that has ceramic frogs spitting water

Below is the far end of building four at Port Orleans French Quarter.

a set of buildings with the sun casting rays on them late in the afternoon

a brick entrance with black iron to a section of the resort at French Quarter

a building at Port Orleans French Quarter with deep blue railings

a pretty view of the buildings at French Quarter with blues, pinks, and greens

Buildings one, two, five, six, and seven all have areas where the rooms face the Sassagoula River.

a shaded sidewalk between the Sassagoula River at Disney and the French Quarter Resort

a side view of a pink building with staircases

We’ll walk back to the lobby and stop to say hi to a few friendly alligators who comprise a jazz band. They are always fun to photograph.

an alligator playing the cymbals at Port Orleans French Quarter

a jazz playing alligator at Port Orleans French Quarter Disney World

famously friendly Port Orleans French Quarter alligators

No comment.

an alligator looking at what's above him

the lobby entrance with giant medallions at Port Orleans French Quarter

I hope you enjoyed our photo tour of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. It’s an incredible resort with fun theming and gorgeous grounds. Of course, if you made it this far, you probably don’t need me to tell you that. If you’re looking for a moderately priced resort that’s easy to navigate, this one might be worth your while. We have a good deal of coverage. All our articles are listed in The Resorts Gal Guide to Port Orleans French Quarter.

Here are a few other favorite photo walks

In the Comments

What do you think? Did you enjoy this photo tour of Port Orleans French Quarter? Have you ever visited? Do you have any questions or experiences you would like to share? If so, leave them below in the comments. We appreciate any feedback and always look forward to hearing from you!