Port Orleans News

[Update: Show has now concluded, so boat times are back to normal]

During the run of the "Disney Dreams That Soar" drone show over the lake at Disney Springs, the last Sassagoula Ferry boat from Port Orleans to Disney Springs will be at 7:30pm, with the final return trip from Disney Springs at 8pm. After then, it's road access only until the next morning. If you plan to use Disney transportation to get back to your hotel after 8pm, the resort bus stops are fairly centrally located within Disney Springs, just behind Coca Cola / Wolfgang Puck, adjacent to the Planet Hollywood globe.

If you want to see the drone display there are two shows every night, the first is at 9pm and then a second one at 10:45pm. The limited run of this show is from 24th May to 2nd September 2024, after which the Sassagoula Ferries should return to their normal evening operating schedules.

Note: When the drone show first started, the ferry service was not operating anyway due to low water levels. It resumed on 17 June 2024.

The Sassagoula River Ferry service ceased operations on April 28 due to exceptionally low water levels in the river/lake, caused by unusually low rainfall in the area. This situation will continue until there has been enough rain to raise the water levels back to operating minimums - at least another foot or more of water is needed. Unfortunately that will will require continuous and heavy rainfall for many days, which is not predicated any time soon by the weather forecasters - and could easily be mid-June or beyond.

This is not Disney's fault and the cast members cannot do anything about it, nor can they provide reliable re-opening dates. While it is obviously disappointing, it certainly does not need to spoil your vacation. Please use the provided free bus service from Port Orleans or Old Key West to Disney Springs in the meantime, or Uber/Minnie Vans/etc. Note: allow extra time in the evenings as the Disney Springs access roads are getting very busy with people coming to see the evening drone shows.

[Update] Services resumed on 17 June. Note: The service to Disney Springs currently closes at 7:30pm, with 8pm for the final return boat of the evening, due to the summertime drone shows over the lake at Disney Springs.

Room and Package rates for most of 2025 were released at 6am ET on 27 February 2024 via the Walt Disney World (USA) website and for telephone bookings via the Disney Reservations Center on 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639).

Guest room bookings and packages are now available for visit dates commencing up to the end of October 2025, with prices continuing into November to allow for length-of-stay.

The remaining dates for November/December 2025 were eventually released on 23 October 2024.

The popular Disney Dining Plan has finally returned (albeit in a slightly modified from) as from 9th January 2024. As before, a non-discounted room AND ticket package is required, and the same Plan must be booked for all guests staying in the room for the entire length of stay. The Quick Service plan costs $57.01 per adult per night, or $23.83 per child. The full plan costs $94.28 per adult per night, or $29.69 per child. There is still no indication of any free offer periods, but those may return in time.

Also as from 9th January 2024, advance daily park reservations will NOT be required for guests holding fixed-date tickets or multi-day passes with specific commencement dates. Reservations will still be required for non-dated tickets and for Annual Passholders (with the exception of specifically pre-announced "Good To Go" days). Park hopping will also be available all day long.

The USA ‘rack rates’ for Port Orleans Rooms and Packages in 2024 were released at 6am EDT on 31st May 2023. From that date it was possible to book rooms and packages with Walt Disney World online or via their USA telephone Reservations Center up to the end of 2024. The prices were on average about 3.5% higher than last year, which is actually a fairly modest increase given Disney's history of price rises.