The resort layout really lends itself to a great guest experience. The parking lots are spread across the resort and offer a great way to unload luggage and transport it to the room without any unnecessary hassle. Upon entering the room, the decor was classy and upscale in a way that made it feel much more luxurious that what you would expect to find in the moderate tier. Every little element of the room debuted dark wood accents and it even featured a decent sized window looking out to the courtyard (or in our case a view of the pool area). We were located on the first floor, and were only a short minute or two walk from the excellent Floatworks dining location which recently made Our Top 5 Quick Service Dining Options at Walt Disney World! To be quite honest with you, after walking a majority of the resort grounds, there really are no “bad” room locations. Everything is very quaint and compact which makes the resort feel very comfortable.
Beyond the room and other typical accommodations, Port Orleans offers a fairly unique transportation option which transports guest via boat to Disney Springs. The journey from the resort dock takes around 20 minutes but is a great alternative to the typical bus rides that carry guests around property. Along the way, you get the opportunity to catch a brief view of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and may even catch a glimpse of boats making their way over to Old Key West. The journey transports guest along the Sassagoula River surrounded by large trees and picturesque views of the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and perhaps one of the most unique views of Disney Springs from water as you traverse your way to the docking location. The incredible view of the Boathouse, House of Blues, and other Disney Springs icons are truly impressive from this unique viewpoint.
Overall, this is one of the best moderate resorts for your money on Disney property. While the cost does tend to be a touch higher that Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs, the added transportation benefits of fewer bus stops, optional boat transportation, and a much more compact layout are often well worth the additional cost. The cost also tends to be a result of the fact that Port Orleans French Quarter is often excluded from many of Disney’s discounts. It may cost more, but it often also increases availability for last minute reservations.
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