In 2005 we stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter, one of the four moderately priced Disney World resorts. It was good. The room lacked the couch that the Boardwalk Villa had, but it did have a fridge, and a nifty little dressing room that separated from the main room by a curtain. And I bought a small microwave on sale for $19 at Wal-Mart and we used it in the room. We had a water view room, which is nice because it’s quiet. However, it’s a long way from the water to the parking lot and bus stop. I’ve heard many travel professionals state that French Quarter is the best of the moderate resorts, and though it’s the only one I have visited, I believe it. The boat ride to Downtown Disney is fun, but I would not recommend it to people in wheelchairs, except for the most athletic. Watch the hours or you’ll miss the boat: when we were there, the boats stopped going to West Side early in the evening and only served the Marketplace after that. Which was odd because West Side has so much night life: restaurants and movies.

This resort has good news and bad news for people with disabilities. The rooms have outside entrances, so a first floor room is a snap to access. Although smaller than at the Deluxe Resorts (e.g., Boardwalk), they're big enough even for those in wheelchairs. If you get a room in a building near the lobby, your distances are short. The bad news is the minimal food service. The food court is small and closes early. The Port Orleans Riverside, adjacent, has a restaurant plus a food court, and identical rooms. Might be a better choice, if your room is near the lobby area. At both resorts, the bus stops have plenty of room to maneuver, both for you and the bus.

This was a beautiful resort. Disney is so good at making it seem as if you have actually stepped into another place. Here you really feel as if you are staying right on the old Mississippi river in a very Southern manor house. There is so much to do at this resort, you could spend a whole day playing!! But bring your walking shoes. The resort is huge. And to get to your room from the main building, you have to walk a half-mile, but it’s worth it.

When you first get there, you walk into the main building and feel as if you are checking in and buying a ferry ticket. It is beautiful. Next door is Boatwrights, a casual restaurant with normal American food. It is an old shipbuilder's building. Eat on the dock right at sunset for an extra treat. The sunsets are beautiful here. There is also Riverside Mill Food court, which is an eatery with plenty of decent, easy, and fast-food choices. The place is huge, with a giant water wheel in the middle that actually operates a working cotton press. The food is a little pricey for a cafeteria, but what food in Disney isn’t expensive. You can also order pizza late. One thing I would suggest is purchasing the large drink, which you can refill the entire time you are there for free. This costs $12. Outside the main building is the boat dock and Sassagoula river. Here you can rent paddleboats, speedboats, bicycles, etc., for hours of fun. Take the bridge across the river to Ol' Man Island, where there is a playground for little ones and a main themed pool. There is a water slide, fountains, and plenty of chairs to catch some sun. Across another bridge on the other side of the island, you reach the guest room buildings. The trails are lined with flowers, trees, gazebos, and plenty of Southern charm. The building we stayed in is much like the others with white pillars, winding staircases, and triangular roofs. The building looks like it was taken from a wealthy old Georgia neighborhood. The rooms are very nice, comfortable beds, and a cute themed bathroom. There are also five other heated pools located around the compound.

Other features include the Medicine Show Arcade, a scenic .7-mile jogging trail along the Sassagoula River, fishing for catch-and-release only, and horse-drawn excursions. The best part about this resort, like any on Disney property, is the free busses daily to all of the theme parks, water parks, and downtown Disney. You can hop on a ferry and head down the Sassagoula with a tour guide driver who points things out and explains along the way. You can get off the ferry at Port Orleans French Quarter, where you can eat or swim at their Mardi Gras-themed pool, and the ferry takes you all the way to downtown Disney. Leave plenty of time if you’re taking the free transportation.

Port Orleans is two hotels, the French Quarter and Riverside Resort, both with a Louisiana theme. Even though the two hotels may seem separate, they function as one. All guests of the resort can use both hotels' amenities and pools. We stayed at the French Quarter, which is perfectly themed as an early twentieth-century New Orleans. All of the rooms at the French Quarter (as well as Riverside) are the same except for the view. There are three different views: garden/parking lot, pool, and water. We had a water view room, and for $10-15 dollars more a night, it is worth it. However, if the view is not important, book a garden view room, but be sure to request a room over looking a garden; otherwise you may end up looking at a parking lot (but remember, Disney will not guarantee your request but will try its best to accommodate you). The rooms are average-sized (330-350 square feet) but are very well-decorated and make you feel right at home.

Most of the recreation is located at Riverside, but there is a wonderfully themed pool, complete with a waterslide, and guests of the French Quarter can use any of the recreation over at Riverside. Now, you may think it would be annoying, going back and forth between hotels, and it probably will be if you spend more than two days strictly at the hotel, but if you're planning on doing Disney most of the time and spending 1 or 2 days just at the hotel, then you may want to consider staying at the French Quarter. It is not a bad walk to Riverside, and it is interesting to experience a different hotel without having to pay extra. Naturally, because most of the recreation is over at Riverside, the French Quarter population thins out during the day, and the pool and the whirlpool is not as crowded. It is a good way to get away from the hustle and the bustle of Disney and Riverside.

After you're done with the resort's recreation, you'll want to eat. The French Quarter features Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, the hotel's food court (try the beignets), and at Riverside there is Boatright's Dining Hall a full-service restaurant. At the woodsy, very Southern-feeling Riverside there is a marina where you can rent canopy, water mouse, and pontoon boats. Also near the dock is a rare Disney activity: non-guided fishing. Most of the resorts only allow fishing on guided excursions that can cost over $200, but at Port Orleans they allow you to rent just the pole and fish over the side of the dock (but keep in mind its catch and release). Port Orleans Riverside was named Birnbaum's (the official guide to Disney) top moderate hotel for Disney. After our experience, we would definitely return to Port Orleans: French Quarter.

Port Orleans was a great place to stay. The setting was similar to old Louisiana, Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. We stayed for 5 days. The hotel has a shuttle that takes you direct to all the parks. We had two adjoining rooms with the door in between. There were little grottos and flower gardens along the walkways. The main cafeteria is located along the river next to an enormous makeshift water wheel. I would recommend this place to anyone.