The Mardi Gras inspired “Doubloon Lagoon” pool at Port Orleans French Quarter is a lively and fun swimming area with clam shell water jets and a fabulously themed slide in which you emerge from “Scales” the sea serpent’s mouth and slide down its pink tongue into the pool. Sitting atop Scales’ head is a colourful likeness of King Neptune and situated around the pool are comical Mardi Gras characters, many of which include water features and sprays.

On March 7th 2016, a brand new Aquatic Play Area was officially opened, which replaces the old children’s wading pool. The new area features plenty of whimsical – and suitably drenching – water play features, all with a unique New Orleans twist. The capacity is 20 persons, and the maximum height limit is 48 inches.

A short distance away from the main pool you’ll find a jacuzzi hot tub and a welcoming pool bar called Mardi Grogs for the adult aprés-swim time.

Poolside activities are organised daily, weather permitting. A full schedule is posted at the resort and a printed copy should be also provided in your welcome pack – or for this month’s details, please see the Recreation Activities Schedule page.

Note: Until mid June 2026, although the French Quarter and Riverside main pools were gated this was mainly to prevent kids running in unattended. There was no monitoring of guest residency status, and anyone could enter. Sadly, by all accounts, this had become fairly general knowledge (basically blame the internet bloggers and influencers) and non-residents were using the Sassagoula Ferry service from Disney Springs to access the hotel pool facilities. This was causing extra congestion at both the pools and on the boats, so Disney have decided to fully enforce the existing hotel-residents-only policy and check for Resort ID (Magic Band or Key to the World card) at the pools, just like they have done at a number of other hotels.

• Opening hours: 9am–11pm, reduced off-season (e.g. 10am–8pm during Jan/Feb), see Recreation Activities Schedule page for current hours.
  Note: The Feature Pool opening hours are now enforced, and the area is gated and locked at all other times.
• Maximum depth: 4 ft 9 inches (entry via a gently stepped 3 ft area, not zero-entry)
• Chair Lift available to provide access for guests with limited mobility
• Length of slide: 51 linear feet
• Water depth at base of slide: 3 ft 3 in
• Pool volume: 225,000 gallons
• Pool Area: 8,500 square feet
• Pool Temperature: 82 degrees (standard at all Walt Disney World Resorts)
• Main Pool Bathing Load: 243 persons
• Spa Pool Bathing Load: 9 persons

The new Aquatic Play Area at French Quarter

• Aquatic Play Area (children’s splash play activity zone, capacity 20 persons, maximum height 48 inches)
• No food or beverages in pool or on pool wet deck
• No glass within fenced pool area
• Shower before entering
• For health and safety reasons, diaper-age children must wear plastic pants or swim diapers
• Showers and changing facilities are available in the restroom area near the pool (lockers are no longer provided)
• Towel pickup is available at the poolside and there is also a towel drop location
• The pool is available for use by any guests staying at either Port Orleans Riverside or Port Orleans French Quarter for the entire duration of their stay (including their arrival and checkout days). Policy enforced by ID checks starting mid-June 2026.
• Safety devices permitted at Walt Disney World resort pools:
  • Walt Disney World approved flotation devices, which must be securely attached and supervising adults must remain within arms reach of the person using the device. Free life jackets for children are available poolside
  • Any US Coast Guard Type II or Type III personal flotation device
  • Arm Bands
  • Swim Rings (split rings and full rings)
  • Beach Balls
• Not permitted at Walt Disney World resort pools:
  • Hard Frisbees
  • Hard balls
  • Plastic Boats
  • Rafts

Jacuzzi Hot Tub

• Opening hours: officially as per main Feature Pool, but generally not enforced at French Quarter since the hot tub is separated from the main pool area.
• Maximum temperature: 104°F
• Maximum use: 15 minutes
• Bathing Load: 9 persons
• Chair Lift available to provide access for guests with limited mobility
• No food or beverages in pool or on pool wet deck
• No glass 50 feet from unfenced pools
• Shower before entering
• Children under 12 years of age must have adult supervision
• For health and safety reasons, diaper-age children must wear plastic pants or swim diapers

Mardi Grogs Pool Bar

The Mardi Grogs pool bar is open from 11:30am until 9:45pm and serves a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks in a festive Mardi Gras setting.

Other Facilities

Port Orleans French Quarter has one Laundry Room (the Laundry on the Levee) located near to the Mardi Grogs pool bar with guest-operated washing and drying facilities – your laundry can be taking care of itself while you take a refreshing dip in the pool or have a drink at the bar. There are currently 16 washers and 24 dryers available. Note: as from April 2013, the machines at French Quarter now ONLY accept credit/debit cards – you cannot use cash, nor can you pay using a Magic Band. The cost is $3.00 per washing load and another $3.00 for drying (prices last verified January 2016).

The new machines are now also internet connected. Yes, really! You can check on the current status of any of the washers and driers at Port Orleans via the website www.laundryview.com/disneyworld/ using either a computer or a mobile device, which allows you check for available machines and also to see when your own load has finished.