Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
The "Secret" to the Best Disney World Vacation Package: The French Quarter Strategy
Whether you’re a Disney veteran or a first-timer who just realized Orlando in July is basically the surface of the sun, you need to pay attention right now. Most people think a "vacation package" is just a room and a ticket thrown together with a rubber band, but at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, the package is your secret weapon to a stress-free trip.
The big problem with most Disney World resorts is that they are massive. I'm talking "require-a-sherpa-to-find-the-lobby" massive. But French Quarter is different. It’s the smallest resort on property, and that small footprint is exactly why it’s the smartest play in the Disney playbook.
However, Disney just made a major update. They’ve completely changed how they categorize rooms here, and if you book your package without knowing the new "Location Tax" rules, you’re essentially playing Russian Roulette with your feet. Here is the brutally honest, first-person breakdown of how to master the French Quarter vacation package.
The Vibe: Why "Small" is the Ultimate Luxury
Now, I don’t do "sprawl." I don't want to take a bus just to get from my room to the lobby. I don't want to walk fifteen minutes in 90% humidity just to get a refill on my morning coffee. That’s why French Quarter is my favorite Moderate resort. It is the smallest of the Disney Moderate resorts, clocking in at around 1,000 rooms. To put that in perspective, Caribbean Beach has over 1,500 and Coronado Springs is pushing 2,000.
The theme is "Sanitized New Orleans." You’ve got the wrought-iron balconies, the cobblestone streets, and the gas lamps, but without the chaotic energy and the "I-don't-want-to-know-what-that-smell-is" vibe of the real Bourbon Street. It’s charming, it’s quiet, and it feels like a genuine escape. When you book a vacation package here, you aren't just buying a place to sleep; you’re buying the ability to actually relax between park visits.
The Great Room Category Shake-Up: Decoding the "Location Tax"
For years, those of us "in the know" used to book a "Standard View" room and end up right next to the lobby. It was the ultimate hack. But the Mouse finally caught on. Disney has officially simplified—and by simplified, I mean monetized—the room categories. They’ve ditched the old labels like "Garden View" or "Pool View" and replaced them with a system based purely on how much you’re willing to pay to avoid walking.
1. Preferred Location: The "Power Play"
Preferred Location rooms are located in Buildings 2, 3, 4, and 5. These are the crown jewels of the resort. If you book this category in your vacation package, you are mere steps from the Sassagoula Floatworks food court, the pool, and the only bus stop at the resort.
If you have small kids in strollers, or if you’re the type of person who hits 25,000 steps in the parks and physically cannot walk another inch at the end of the day, the Preferred Location is worth every penny of that "convenience tax." My Top Pick: Request Building 4. It sits right in the heart of the resort. You’re balanced perfectly between the food, the bus, and the boat dock. Watch my video on how to make a great room request at Port Orleans French Quarter.
2. Standard Location: The Budget-Friendly Challenge
Standard Location rooms are generally found in Buildings 1, 6, and 7. In French Quarter terms, "Standard" used to mean a parking lot view. Now, it means you’re on the outer edges of the resort. But here’s the "Park Warrior" reality: "far away" at French Quarter is still a shorter walk than "Preferred" at almost any other resort.
If you want to save your cash for an extra round of light sabers or a fancy dinner at the California Grill, book a Standard room. The Secret Hack: Request Building 6. It’s technically a Standard Location, but it sits right on the edge of the Preferred buildings. You’re getting a much better location than someone in Building 7, but you’re paying the base price.
Inside the Room: Boutique Style Without the Carpet
Let’s talk about the rooms themselves, because if you haven't been here in a while, things have changed. Disney finally killed off the old, questionable carpets in favor of sleek, hard-surface flooring. This is a massive win for both aesthetics and hygiene.
The rooms are about 314 square feet, which is plenty for a family of four. You’ve got two queen beds with crisp, white linens and a split-bath setup that is a total lifesaver. Having the double vanity separate from the shower area means one person can be getting ready while another is in the shower. It’s the only way to hit a 7:00 AM rope drop without a full-scale family mutiny.
Pro Tip on Views: Disney no longer lets you pay for a "River View." It’s now luck of the draw. However, since French Quarter has exterior corridors, your "view" is mostly seen through one large window. My advice? Don't pay for a view. You’re going to keep your curtains closed anyway unless you want everyone walking to the ice machine to see you in your pajamas.
Dining: Beignets as a Lifestyle Choice
When you book a Disney vacation package, you’ll likely be tempted to add the Disney Dining Plan. At French Quarter, your dining experience revolves around one thing: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory.
This is a quick-service food court, but it’s one of the best on property. They serve up genuine Southern comfort food—jambalaya, gumbo, and po' boys that actually taste like someone in the kitchen cares. But the real star of the show is Scat Cat’s Club – Café.
These Mickey-shaped beignets are a cult classic. People literally travel from other resorts just to get them. If you’re an adult, ask for the "boozy beignets." They come with little pipettes of Kahlua or Rum Chata that you squeeze into the dough. It’s the kind of mid-day snack that makes you forget you just spent two hours waiting in line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
The "Two-Resort" Dining Hack: One of the best-kept secrets of the French Quarter package is that you have "sister resort" privileges at Port Orleans Riverside. Since French Quarter doesn't have a sit-down, table-service restaurant, you can hop on the boat or take a 10-minute stroll over to Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Riverside. The prime rib there is legitimately fantastic, and it’s a great way to use your Table Service credits if you’re on the Dining Plan.
Transportation: The "One Stop" Advantage
This is the hill I will die on: French Quarter has the best bus transportation of any Moderate resort. At sprawling resorts like Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs, the bus has to stop 4, 5, or even 7 times inside the resort before it ever hits the road for the parks.
At French Quarter, there is one bus stop. You get on, the doors close, and you are on your way to the Magic Kingdom.
Magic Kingdom: 8 minutes.
Hollywood Studios: 5 minutes.
Epcot: 8 minutes.
Animal Kingdom: 10 minutes.
And then there’s the Sassagoula River Cruise. This is the water taxi that takes you to Disney Springs. It’s a 15-minute scenic float down the river. It is arguably the most relaxing way to travel in all of Walt Disney World. It’s included in your package, and it’s a total game-changer for those nights when you want to head to the Springs for dinner but don't want to deal with a bus or the nightmare of a parking garage.
The "Survival Guide" to Room Requests
Even if you book a "Standard Location," you aren't stuck with whatever the Disney algorithm gives you. You have to be proactive.
1. The Elevator Myth: There are no elevators at this resort. If you have a stroller, a scooter, or you just plain hate stairs, your number one request must be "Ground Floor." 2. The Noise Factor: If you’re a light sleeper, avoid the Preferred rooms in Buildings 2 and 5 that face the pool. The pool DJ is loud, and the morning maintenance crews love their leaf blowers. Request a "Courtyard View" for a much quieter experience. 3. The Corner Room Hack: If you want more natural light, ask for a "corner room." They have an extra side window that makes the 314 square feet feel significantly larger.
How to Request: Don't just put it in the app. Call Disney directly about three days before your stay. Be polite, be specific, and prioritize your requests. Say: "Priority 1: Ground Floor. Priority 2: Building 4."
Recreation: Scales, Slides, and Scat Cat’s
The main pool, Doubloon Lagoon, features "Scales," a massive sea serpent slide that kids absolutely adore. It’s a great pool because it’s compact—you can actually sit in a lounge chair and see your kids without needing binoculars.
For the adults, Scat Cat’s Club is the place to be in the evening. They have live jazz several nights a week, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want after a loud day in the parks. It’s dark, it’s cool, and the cocktails are top-notch. If the kids are still zooming, take them to the campfire for marshmallows or the "Movies Under the Stars" on the French Quarter green.
Package Benefits: The Extras You Actually Use
When you book a full vacation package, you get a few perks that most people forget about:
Early Theme Park Entry: You get 30 minutes of head-start time at every park. Because French Quarter is so small and the bus is so fast, you can actually be at the front of the pack for "Rope Drop."
Water Park Benefit: For 2025 and 2026 arrivals, your check-in day includes free admission to a Disney Water Park. My advice? Head to Typhoon Lagoon the second you land, then check into your room once the afternoon heat hits.
Magical Extras: You’ll get a voucher for miniature golf. Don't toss it! Winter Summerland (next to Blizzard Beach) is a blast and a great way to kill an hour on a "rest day."
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Premium?
Look, French Quarter is rarely the cheapest Moderate resort. You will often find Port Orleans Riverside or Coronado Springs for $20-$30 less per night. So, is the vacation package here worth the extra cash?
Yes. You are paying for time. You are saving 30 minutes a day on bus loops. You are saving 10 minutes a day on walking to the lobby. You are gaining the peace and quiet of a resort that doesn't feel like a convention center. It’s for the traveler who wants the "Disney Magic" without the "Disney Chaos."
If you see a "Stay, Play, and Dine" offer or a seasonal room discount that includes French Quarter, book it immediately. It is the most consistent, high-quality experience in the Moderate category, and once you stay here, it is very hard to go back to the "megastructures."
Pricing Expectation: A standard 5-night vacation package for a family of four (including 4-day base tickets) typically starts around $3,800 - $4,200 depending on the season. If you see a package price for this resort under $3,500, you’ve found a "unicorn"—grab it before someone else does!
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort address:
2201 Orleans Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: 407-939-5277
Recent Updates
Stop paying for the "privilege" of skipping lines. Learn the ultimate strategy to conquer EPCOT's top attractions—including Guardians of the Galaxy and Frozen Ever After—without buying Lightning Lane.