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Location
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Downtown Disney Resort Area
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Category
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Moderate Resort
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Theme
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New Orleans’ classic French Quarter is recreated minus the odors. Three story buildings with their wrought iron railings line the quant streets. Squares and plazas are found along streets named Rue D’Baga and Beaux Regards Square.
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Central Building
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The French Quarter Square has Registration, shopping, dining.
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Resort Layout
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The rooms are located in seven buildings that are within nice walking distance of each other.
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Facts & History
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Opening Year
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1991 |
| History |
Walt Disney World's second Moderate resort, Port Orleans was designed to be the 'Big City' upriver from the backwoods shanties and grand mansions. The smallest of the Moderates (in fact, the smallest resort at Disney World), Port Orleans would suffer more than it's share of indignities over the years. First was the 'merger' with it's neighbor to the North, Dixie Landings, in 2001. The wonderful table service restaurant, Bon Famillies, was closed as well as the marina and rental facilities. Guests now have to go upriver to rent a bike or boat and be served their meals. With the merger came the confusing-to-this-day name change. Port Orleans was now Port Orleans: French Quarter. Dixie Landings became Port Orleans: Riverside. The most recent slight to this beautiful, tranquil resort came in November 2001 when, due to declining guest number, they closed the resort. Fortunately, Disney guests are resilient folks and they came back to the Vacation Kingdom in droves. In June 2002 the resort reopened. To their credit, they did refurbish the rooms while it was closed. |
| Originally called Port Orleans Resort until 2001 |
| Design |
The Orlando firm of Fugelberg Koch & Associates of San Diego was responsible for the design of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Dixie Landings Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Old Key West Resort. Each of these reflects distinct geographical styles of architecture taken from the old South and the islands of the Caribbean. |
| Christmastime |
The festive spirit of Matri Gras inspires the decor for the holidays. |
Types of rooms
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Standard
Garden
Parking Lot
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314 Sq ft. 2 queen beds, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, small bench & shelf with hooks.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Water
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314 Sq ft. 2 queen beds, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, small bench & shelf with hooks.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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King
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314 Sq ft. King bed, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, small bench & shelf with hooks.
Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Handicapped
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314 Sq ft. King bed, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, daybed. Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Additional fee for each person over 2 people per room. No charge for children under 17 staying with adults.
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All Disney resorts are smoke free. Smoking allowed in designated locations.
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Exterior hallways
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Room amenities
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Mini-refrigerator, hair dryer, coffee maker & free coffee packets, in-wall safe, iron & board, TV with limited cable, alarm clock-radio, phone with voicemail and ceiling fan. Toiletries: soap, face soap & shampoo.
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A curtain separates the bath area from the rest of the room – allowing for additional privacy.
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Crib and bed boards/rails available by request
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Complimentary WiFi
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Connecting rooms available. Put in your request when booking your room; they are not guaranteed.
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Registration
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Check in
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room guaranteed by 3:00pm
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Check out
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by 11:00am
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Late check out
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can be requested the night before check-out
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Early arrival
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Be sure to Check-in at the Registration desk upon arrival, the room may be ready early, or at the very least they'll give a phone number you can call from any house phone in WDW to get you're room number - therefore you don’t have to go back to the registration desk.
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Express Check out
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Upon arrival you can leave a credit card on your room account. It can then be used to make charges to your room during your stay. And then, the morning you leave, an itemized bill will be on your door handle. If there are any problems, then you can contact the Front Desk - otherwise you're all set and can leave without going back to Registration.
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Magical Express
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For those of you flying into Orlando Intl Airport, Disney is making it even easier to get to their World. You’re given special tags to put on your luggage. Then when you arrive in Orlando, just get on the Magical Express bus – they’ll take you to your resort to check in. You go off and have fun, and you’re bags show up in your room later that day. Before your departure, you'll get a letter saying when you should be at the lobby to check your bags and catch your bus to the airport.
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What you get at check in
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Resort Map: shows French Quarter and Riverside
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Resort ‘newsletter’, Sassagoula Times, includes dining, shopping, and recreation info for the resort. Also has other important resort information and phone numbers.
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"Your Guide to the Magic" with dining, shopping, recreation and WDW property map
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WDW Theme Park times Guide & Extra Magic Hours Guide
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Key to the World -- your room key not only opens your room, but is also your early entry ID, charge-to-room card, and perhaps your theme park ticket – Don’t Lose It
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If you drove, then you’ll get a parking pass – use it or your room key to park for free at the theme parks, and also to get through the security gate back at your resort.
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What to ask for
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Wild About Safety coloring book for kids (or big kids)
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Theme Park maps
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Any special activities at the resort, or kids activities
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Resort amenities
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Lobby Concierge
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your source for tickets, dining priority seating, dinner shows, recreation reservations, fishing or fireworks cruises, and other information
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Business Services
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fax and limited services available at front desk
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Bell Services
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Luggage services, taxi & limo.
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Valet Parking
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Not available at this resort
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Airline Check-in
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On the day of your flight you can print out your boarding passes for select airlines. Located inside Registration lobby.
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Laundry
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Located by Doubloon Lagoon pool. Dry cleaning available through housekeeping.
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Fitness Center
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Not available at this resort.
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Salon
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Not available at this resort.
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Child Care
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Not at this resort. Call "Kid's Night Out" 407-828-0920
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Misc Services
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ATM, Pre-paid phone cards, Stamps & postal box are located inside French Quarter Square.
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Wifi
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Complimentary.
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Ice & Vending Machines
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Located near the elevators in each building.
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Wheelchair rental
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As a guest of the resort, you can request a length-of-stay wheelchair rental. A refundable deposit is given at Lobby Concierge and you are given use of a push-style wheelchair for the length of your stay. Available on a first-come first-serve basis.
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Recreation
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Pools
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Doubloon Lagoon - King Triton rides his Sea Serpent Scales over and under the pool. Slide down Scales tongue into the pool. Marti Gras Gators are found parading around the pool playing instruments and squirting water. Kiddie pool & spa
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Towels available at pool
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| Life jackets available free of charge. Located at Doubloon Lagoon. |
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There is no swimming in Sassagoula River
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Arcade
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South Quarter Games located in French Quarter Square
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Rentals & Sports
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Not available at this resort – go to Riverside Levee.
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Playground
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Located by Doubloon Lagoon.
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Jogging trails
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.7 mile around Riverside; 1 mile to French Quarter and back.
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Children’s activities
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By Doubloon Lagoon Pool, inquire with pool staff. Coloring inside Registration Lobby.
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| Hair wraps |
Not available at this resort. Go to Sassagoula Steamboat Co. at Riverside. |
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Caricatures
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Located inside French Quarter Square. |
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Pressed penny machines
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Located inside French Quarter Square.
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Disney cartoons
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Playing in Lobby and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory.
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Other Entertainment
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Horse Drawn Carriage Rides: 30 minute ride trough property from 6pm to 9:30pm nightly (weather permitting). Seats up to 4 adults or 2 adults & 3 children. Reservations highly suggested. Advance Reservations: (407) WDW-PLAY; same day reservations: (407) 824-2832; walk-ups may be available.
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Campfire on de' Bayou, a special storytime and sing-along around a fire held seasonally behind Port Orleans Riverside's Ol' Man Island Fishin' Hole, runs approximately from the end of October through March. The program is only offered on Sunday and Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m., weather permitting. S'mores kits are sold for $7.00 (tax included). No reservations are necessary. |
Dining
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Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
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Counter service, Food Court style dining. Fresh Beignets from the bakery. Located in French Quarter Square.
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Breakfast 6:00am-11:00am
Lunch/Dinner 11:00am-12:00am
Limited menu after 10:00pm
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Scat Cats Lounge
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Full service bar, located in French Quarter Square.
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4:00pm-midnight
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Mardi Grogs Pool Bar
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Full service bar, located at Doubloon Lagoon |
| 11:30am-dusk |
| Sassagoula Pizza Express |
In Room delivery. Pizza, appetizers & drinks.
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4:00pm-midnight
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Refillable Mug
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Available for purchase and use at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory.
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Shopping
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Jackson Square
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Port Orleans and French Quarter logo items/clothes, standard WDW souvenirs, clothes for all ages, nick-nacks, housewares, etc. Food, drinks, and various sundries available. Located in French Quarter Square.
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Package Pick-up
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Packages sent to the resort from the Theme Parks can be picked up at the designated counter in Jackson Square.
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Transportation
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Monorail
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Not available at this resort
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Buses
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One bus stop located out front of French Quarter Square
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Bus Transportation to all Theme Parks, Water Parks and Downtown Disney
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Boat Service
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French Quarter Landing located beyond Doubloon Lagoon along river.
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Boat transportation to Riverside and Downtown Disney Marketplace
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Walkway
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Walkway between French Quarter and Riverside along Sassagoula River.
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Pros
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Always a quiet, relaxing atmosphere. The little streets and squares are very quant and fun.
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You can get Beignets!
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The resort is the smallest of the moderates, so the walks are never long
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Cons
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The boat to Downtown Disney is VERY popular - Plan plenty of travel time!
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In 2000, they closed the table service restaurant, Bon Familles – which is a real shame because it was very good. They also closed the marina and bike rentals. You have to go to Riverside for either. Now French Quarter isn’t much better than a value resort. Slightly bigger room, but that’s about it.
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Other info
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Address & phone
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2201 Orleans Dr.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Main: (407) 934-5000
Fax: (407) 934-5353
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