Port Orleans News

The April 2019 Recreation Activities and Movie Schedules for Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter are now available. See the main Recreation Activities Schedules page for full-size printable PDF versions.

The main feature swimming pool operating hours now and throughout the summer months are 9am—11pm, outside of which times the pools and hot tubs are gated and locked as there are no lifeguards on duty. The five Riverside leisure (quiet) pools are officially listed as 9am—10pm but they are not locked and are generally available at any time within reason.

Movies Under the Stars will be screened at 8:30pm four nights a week at Riverside (Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), and three nights at week at French Quarter (Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays). Since two weekdays are duplicated this month, there will be no movies at either resort on Thursdays or Saturdays.

Evening Campfire Activities will take place from 6:30pm-7:30pm every night at Riverside, and on the same nights as the movies at French Quarter (Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays). You can roast marshmallows for free, or you can optionally purchase full s’mores kits, all in the warm glow of a night-time campfire.

• 9am Candy Scramble (Located on the Courtyard of Oak Manor, building 90) — Come scoop up as many “Spoonfuls of Sugar” as you can in our Candy Scramble!
• 9:30am–11:30am Character Greeting (Located near the fountain on the Courtyard of Oak Manor, building 90)
• 9:30am-11:30am Cherry Tree Lane Games (Located at the Courtyards of Buildings 85 and 90) — Step in time to some fabulously magical adventures along the Cherry Tree Lane trail while winning some fantastic prizes!
• Possibly Impossible Poolside Activities (Located at Ol’ Man Island pool)
  11:30am–12:30pm Design Your Own Parasol ($)12:30pm–1:30pm Practically Perfect Pool Party
  1:30pm–2:30pm Supercali-Trivia
  2:30pm–3pm What’s In Your Carpet Bag?
  3pm–3:30pm Off to the Horse Races Relay
  3:30pm–4:30pm Mickey Tie-Dye ($)
• 6:30pm–7:30pm “Jolly Holiday” Campfire (Located at the Campfire Pit on Ol’ Man Island) — It’s always a “Jolly Holiday” at the Campfire on de’ Bayou! Enjoy a “Spoonful of Sugar” with a Bayou twist.

• 8am Beignet Dash Fun Run ($) — This Easter we’re celebrating all things “Up,” and Port Orleans must be explored! Get in on the Easter spirit by joining us for a quick run or walk around French Quarter and Riverside! Check in begins at 7:30am along the River walk between Building 5 and Doubloon Lagoon Pool. You and your entire family are sure to have an incredible time!
• Events between Buildings 5 & 6
  9am Candy Scramble
  9:30am Wilderness Lawn Games
  9:30am-11:30am Character Greeting
• 10:30am-11:30am Earn Your Badges Egg Scavenger Hunt — It’s your chance to become a Wilderness Explorer! Stop by the French Quarter green to pick up your Scavenger Hunt Guide. It will lead you on a journey around French Quarter to find 5 eggs each representing a badge you’ll be able to earn! Find all five eggs and claim your prize at Doubloon Lagoon Pool!
• Events at Doubloon Lagoon Pool
  11:30am Mickey Tie Dye($)
  12:30pm Mr. Fredrickson's Memory Test (Disney Trivia)
  1pm Adventure is Out There Pool Party
  2pm Make Your Own Badge ($)
  3pm Balloon Relays
  3:30pm Snipe Bingo
  8:30pm Bunny-Hop, Splash, and Glow Pool Party

• “Beignet Dash” Fun Run ($) (French Quarter, 8am Sundays) — Craving beignets? Join us on Sunday Runday for a quick 1½ mile dash around the Resort. Complete your race with a tasty beignet! Check-in begins at 7:30am on the Riverwalk between Building 5 and Doubloon Lagoon Pool and the run begins at 8am. Be sure to share your photos with the hashtag #FQBeignetDash. Cost is $15+tax, including three beignets and a souvenir “medal”. To reserve your spot, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge Desk.
• Disney Trivia Night (Riverside, Tuesdays 8:30pm-10pm) — Looking to show off your Disney Trivia skills? Join us on Tuesday nights at the River Roost Lounge from 8:30pm to 10:00pm for some fun and exciting competition!
• Painting on de’ Bayou ($) (French Quarter, 6pm—8pm Wednesdays) — Learn to paint at at Port Orleans French Quarter! Join us in Scat Cat’s Club on Wednesdays for an instructor-led painting class to design your own take-home masterpiece. Our instructor will help you walk away with a painting you’re proud of, whether you’re a beginner, an expert or somewhere in-between! The class is for guests aged 12 and up, and costs $35 per person, plus tax. Registration is limited to 16 guests per evening, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge desk for additional information or to reserve a spot in the class. Share your masterpiece with the hashtag #PaintingOnDeBayou.
• Painting by the Lagoon ($) (French Quarter, 9am—11am Saturdays) — Get the whole gang together for a family-friendly painting class! Join us in the seating area of Mardi Grogs Pool Bar for an instructor-led paint class where you and your family can create your own Disney-themed works of art! For ages 6 and up (under 12s will require an adult to be present for the duration of the class). This will feature art that is specifically designed for guests of all ages to enjoy and costs $30 per person, plus tax. Registration is limited to 16 guests, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge desk for additional information or to reserve a spot in the class. Share your masterpiece with the hashtag #PaintingByTheLagoon.
• Supercali-Fridays (Fridays at both resorts, 8:30pm) — In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You’ll find the fun at our Movie Under the Stars on Friday nights, with some added “spoonfuls of sugar” to celebrate a practically perfect evening!
• Dockside Drawing (Riverside, 3pm—4pm Mondays & Thursdays) — Have you ever wanted to learn to draw like a Disney Animator? Join us on the Back Porch of the Riverside Lobby to learn how to draw Disney classic animated characters.
• Poolside Yoga (Riverside, 8:15am—8:45am Mondays & Fridays) — Join us for a complimentary 30-minute yoga session on the Muddy Rivers Deck at Ol’ Man Island. Sessions are available on a first come, first served basis.
• Glow with the Flow Pool Party (Sundays, Wednesdays & Saturdays at French Quarter; Thursdays & Saturdays at Riverside. 8:30pm-9:30pm) — Dance on down to the pool for an exciting evening of party games and dancing that will light up the night!
• Arts & Crafts ($) or Mickey Tie-Dye T-shirt decoration ($) — Explore your creative side with themed poolside arts & crafts / Create your own Mickey Tie-Dye shirt to commemorate your Walt Disney World Resort vacation (cost is $18+tax, including the T-shirt).
• SassagoulaSelfie Scavenger Hunt (Riverside, 9am—5pm daily) — Grab a map and join in on an exciting selfie scavenger hunt around Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. To get started, visit the Riverside Levee from 9am—5pm. Be sure to share your selfies with the hashtags #SassagoulaSelfie and #PortOrleans.
• Shower of Flowers Scavenger Hunt (French Quarter, daily) — Spring is in full bloom at Port Orleans French Quarter! We have hidden flowers celebrating some of our favorite Disney characters around the Resort, and we need your help to find them all. To join in on the fun, visit the Front Desk to pick up your clue guide. Return your completed clue guide to the Front Desk to collect a springtime surprise!

For the past few years, guests wishing to travel to Walt Disney World's two water parks - Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon - had to first take a bus to Disney Springs and then change to a different service for their chosen water park. However beginning on Sunday 17th March 2019, the Disney resort hotels will once again start offering their own direct bus routes for each water park.

Some resort hotels will provide a combined bus service - for example all three All Star resorts will share buses - but the wording on Disney's release seems a little unclear when it comes to the Port Orleans Resorts. Riverside and French Quarter are not listed within the shared services list, but Port Orleans is mentioned in the section covering larger resorts which will only offer one pickup point. Only the South Depot is mentioned in that list though, which makes sense for the Riverside portion of the service, but it won't be appreciated by French Quarter guests. This situation will presumably be clarified soon, but my best guess would be that there will be shared services calling at the Port Orleans Riverside South Depot and also at the single Port Orleans French Quarter stop, but not at the other three 'outer circle' stops at Riverside. I'll provide further information once anything is confirmed.

[Update: it has been confirmed that water park buses call at French Quarter first, then Riverside South, before heading to the water park]

Guests wishing to travel from a theme park to a water park will still need to change though, by first boarding a bus to the most convenient resort and then changing to a direct water park service from there.

The March 2019 Recreation Activities and Movie Schedules for Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter are now available. See the main Recreation Activities Schedules page for full-size printable PDF versions.

The main feature swimming pool operating hours are currently 10am—8pm, outside of which the pools and hot tubs are gated and locked as there are no lifeguards on duty. This will be changing to 9am—11pm from 10 March 2019. The five Riverside leisure (quiet) pools are officially listed as 9am—10pm but they are not locked and are generally available at any time within reason.

Movies Under the Stars will be screened at 8:30pm six nights a week at Riverside (except Tuesdays), and on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at French Quarter. Note: the Riverside movie screenings are now shown on the pool deck area near to building 95 (between Parterre Place and Oak Manor).

Evening Campfire Activities will take place from 6:30pm-7:30pm on the same nights as the movies at French Quarter, and every night at Riverside. You can roast marshmallows for free, or you can optionally purchase full s’mores kits, all in the warm glow of a night-time campfire.

Mardi Gras is on Tuesday 5th of March this year and the theme for the annual cast member Pargo Parade will be “Magical Lands of Disney”. The parade begins at 10am near to Riverside building 80 (Acadian House) and will finish at around 11am at the French Quarter Lobby Courtyard near building 6.

• “Beignet Dash” Fun Run ($) (French Quarter, 8am Sundays) — Craving beignets? Join us on Sunday Runday for a quick 1½ mile dash around the Resort. Complete your race with a tasty beignet! Check-in begins at 7:30am on the Riverwalk between Building 5 and Doubloon Lagoon Pool and the run begins at 8am. Be sure to share your photos with the hashtag #FQBeignetDash. Cost is $15+tax, including three beignets and a souvenir “medal”. To reserve your spot, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge Desk.
• Disney Trivia Night (Riverside, Tuesdays 8:30pm-10pm) — Looking to show off your Disney Trivia skills? Join us on Tuesday nights at the River Roost Lounge from 8:30pm to 10:00pm for some fun and exciting competition!
• Painting on de’ Bayou ($) (French Quarter, 6pm—8pm Wednesdays) — Learn to paint at at Port Orleans French Quarter! Join us in Scat Cat’s Club on Wednesdays for an instructor-led painting class to design your own take-home masterpiece. Our instructor will help you walk away with a painting you’re proud of, whether you’re a beginner, an expert or somewhere in-between! The class is for guests aged 12 and up, and costs $35 per person, plus tax. Registration is limited to 16 guests per evening, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge desk for additional information or to reserve a spot in the class. Share your masterpiece with the hashtag #PaintingOnDeBayou.
• Painting by the Lagoon ($) (French Quarter, 9am—11am Saturdays) — Get the whole gang together for a family-friendly painting class! Join us in the seating area of Mardi Grogs Pool Bar for an instructor-led paint class where you and your family can create your own Disney-themed works of art! For ages 6 and up (under 12s will require an adult to be present for the duration of the class). This will feature art that is specifically designed for guests of all ages to enjoy. Registration is limited to 16 guests, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge desk for additional information or to reserve a spot in the class. Share your masterpiece with the hashtag #PaintingByTheLagoon.
• Dockside Drawing (Riverside, 3pm—4pm Mondays & Thursdays) — Have you ever wanted to learn to draw like a Disney Animator? Join us on the Back Porch of the Riverside Lobby to learn how to draw Disney classic animated characters.
• Back Porch Games (Riverside, 1pm Sundays & Fridays ; the 12pm time on the schedules is a misprint) — Bring the family down to the Back Porch of the Riverside Lobby for some fun in the sun. These giant games will be a blast for everyone!
• Arts & Crafts ($) or Mickey Tie-Dye T-shirt decoration ($) — Explore your creative side with themed poolside arts & crafts / Create your own Mickey Tie-Dye shirt to commemorate your Walt Disney World Resort vacation (cost is $18+tax, including the T-shirt).
• SassagoulaSelfie Scavenger Hunt (Riverside, 9am—5pm daily) — Grab a map and join in on an exciting selfie scavenger hunt around Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. To get started, visit the Riverside Levee from 9am—5pm. Be sure to share your selfies with the hashtags #SassagoulaSelfie and #PortOrleans.
• Mardi Gras Movie “Mask”-erade Scavenger Hunt (French Quarter, daily) — All throughout the Resort you’ll find masks themed to your favorite Disney movies, and we need your help to find them all! To join in on the fun, visit the Front Desk to pick up your clue guide. Return your completed clue guide to the Front Desk to collect a Mardi Gras surprise!

The February 2019 Recreation Activities and Movie Schedules for Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter are now available. See the main Recreation Activities Schedules page for full-size printable PDF versions.

The main feature swimming pool operating hours are currently 10am—8pm, outside of which the pools and hot tubs are gated and locked as there are no lifeguards on duty. The five Riverside leisure (quiet) pools are officially listed as 9am—10pm but they are not locked and are generally available at any time within reason.

Movies Under the Stars will be screened at 7:30pm on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Riverside, or Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at French Quarter. Note: the Riverside movie screenings are now shown on the pool deck area near to building 95 (between Parterre Place and Oak Manor).

Evening Campfire Activities will take place from 5:30pm-6:30pm on the same nights as the movies at French Quarter, and Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Riverside. You can roast marshmallows for free, or you can optionally purchase full s’mores kits, all in the warm glow of a night-time campfire.

Some other specific activities to watch out for (on select days, see schedules for details):

• “Beignet Dash” Fun Run ($) (French Quarter, 8am Sundays) — Craving beignets? Join us on Sunday Runday for a quick 1½ mile dash around the Resort. Complete your race with a tasty beignet! Check-in begins at 7:30am on the Riverwalk between Building 5 and Doubloon Lagoon Pool and the run begins at 8am. Be sure to share your photos with the hashtag #FQBeignetDash. Cost is $15+tax, including three beignets and a souvenir “medal”. To reserve your spot, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge Desk. Note: There will be no Beignet Dash on Sunday 24 February due to runDisney’s Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. We wish our runners the best of luck and look forward to celebrating with you!
• Disney Trivia Night (Riverside, Tuesdays 8:30pm-10pm) — Looking to show off your Disney Trivia skills? Join us on Tuesday nights at the River Roost Lounge from 8:30pm to 10:00pm for some fun and exciting competition!
• Painting on de’ Bayou ($) (French Quarter, 6pm—8pm Wednesdays) — Learn to paint at at Port Orleans French Quarter! Join us in Scat Cat’s Club on Wednesdays for an instructor-led painting class to design your own take-home masterpiece. Our instructor will help you walk away with a painting you’re proud of, whether you’re a beginner, an expert or somewhere in-between! The class is for guests aged 12 and up, and costs $35 per person, plus tax. Registration is limited to 16 guests per evening, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge desk for additional information or to reserve a spot in the class. Share your masterpiece with the hashtag #PaintingOnDeBayou.
• Dockside Drawing (Riverside, 3pm—4pm Mondays & Thursdays) — Have you ever wanted to learn to draw like a Disney Animator? Join us on the Back Porch of the Riverside Lobby to learn how to draw Disney classic animated characters. Note: This replaces the Wine Glass Painting and Painting at the Roost activities which have been offered over the last couple of months.
• Back Porch Games (Riverside, 12pm—1pm Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays) — Bring the family down to the Back Porch of the Riverside Lobby for some fun in the sun. These giant games will be a blast for everyone!
• Arts & Crafts ($) or Mickey Tie-Dye T-shirt decoration ($) — Explore your creative side with themed poolside arts & crafts / Create your own Mickey Tie-Dye shirt to commemorate your Walt Disney World Resort vacation (cost is $18+tax, including the T-shirt).
• SassagoulaSelfie Scavenger Hunt (Riverside, 9am—5pm daily) — Grab a map and join in on an exciting selfie scavenger hunt around Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. To get started, visit the Riverside Levee from 9am—5pm. Be sure to share your selfies with the hashtags #SassagoulaSelfie and #PortOrleans.
• Mardi Gras Movie “Mask”-erade Scavenger Hunt (French Quarter, daily) — All throughout the Resort you’ll find masks themed to your favorite Disney movies, and we need your help to find them all! To join in on the fun, visit the Front Desk to pick up your clue guide. Return your completed clue guide to the Front Desk to collect a Mardi Gras surprise!

The January 2019 Recreation Activities and Movie Schedules for Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter are now available. See the main Recreation Activities Schedules page for full-size printable PDF versions.

The main feature swimming pool operating hours are currently 10am—8pm. These hours are enforced and the feature pools are gated and locked when there are no lifeguards on duty, however the five Riverside leisure (quiet) pools are generally available at any time, within reason.

Movies Under the Stars will be screened at 7:30pm on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Riverside, or Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at French Quarter. Note: the Riverside movie screenings are now being shown on the pool deck area near to building 95 (between Parterre Place and Oak Manor).

Evening Campfire Activities will take place from 5:30pm-6:30pm on the same nights as the movies at French Quarter, and Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Riverside. You can roast marshmallows for free, or you can optionally purchase full s’mores kits, all in the warm glow of a night-time campfire.

Some other specific activities to watch out for (on select days, see schedules for details):

• “Beignet Dash” Fun Run ($) (French Quarter, 8am Sundays) — Craving beignets? Join us on Sunday Runday for a quick 1½ mile dash around the Resort. Complete your race with a tasty beignet! Check-in begins at 7:30am on the Riverwalk between Building 5 and Doubloon Lagoon Pool and the run begins at 8am. Be sure to share your photos with the hashtag #FQBeignetDash. Cost is $15+tax, including three beignets and a souvenir “medal”. To reserve your spot, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge Desk. Note: There will be no Beignet Dash on Sunday 4 November due to the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon being held on the same day.
• Disney Trivia Night (Riverside, Tuesdays 8:30pm-10pm) — Looking to show off your Disney Trivia skills? Join us on Tuesday nights at the River Roost Lounge from 8:30pm to 10:00pm for some fun and exciting competition!
• Wine Glass Painting ($) (French Quarter, 4pm—6pm Saturdays) — Join us in Scat Cat’s Club from 4pm to 6pm on Saturdays for an instructor-led wine glass painting experience! Throughout the class, you’ll have the opportunity to paint two Disney-themed wine glasses to take home! The class will also include a complimentary glass of wine for all Guests 21 and older, or a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage for Guests under 21 to enjoy. Please call 321-347-0750 to reserve your spot. Registration is limited to 16 Guests per week. For ages 12 and up. [Cost is $50, which includes two painted glasses and one drink]
• Painting on de’ Bayou ($) (French Quarter, 6pm—8pm Wednesdays) — Learn to paint at at Port Orleans French Quarter! Join us in Scat Cat’s Club on Wednesdays for an instructor-led painting class to design your own take-home masterpiece. Our instructor will help you walk away with a painting you’re proud of, whether you’re a beginner, an expert or somewhere in-between! The class is for guests aged 12 and up, and costs $35 per person, plus tax. Registration is limited to 16 guests per evening, please call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit the Concierge desk for additional information or to reserve a spot in the class. Share your masterpiece with the hashtag #PaintingOnDeBayou.
• Painting at the Roost ($) (Riverside, 5pm—7pm Mondays) — Drift on down to the River Roost Lounge for our instructor-led wood sign painting class. Relax while you paint your own piece of charming southern décor, accompanied by a beverage of your choice and light bites. Ages 12 and up. Space is limited. Stop by the Riverside Levee Marina or call 407-934-5405 to reserve a seat!
• Back Porch Games (Riverside, 12pm—1pm Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays) — Bring the family down to the Back Porch of the Riverside Lobby for some fun in the sun. These giant games will be a blast for everyone!
• Arts & Crafts ($) or Mickey Tie-Dye T-shirt decoration ($) — Explore your creative side with themed poolside arts & crafts / Create your own Mickey Tie-Dye shirt to commemorate your Walt Disney World Resort vacation (cost is $18+tax, including the T-shirt).
• SassagoulaSelfie Scavenger Hunt (Riverside, 9am—5pm daily) — Grab a map and join in on an exciting selfie scavenger hunt around Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. To get started, visit the Riverside Levee from 9am—5pm. Be sure to share your selfies with the hashtags #SassagoulaSelfie and #PortOrleans.
• French Quarter Winter Wonderland Snowflake Scavenger Hunt (French Quarter, daily) — Port Orleans French Quarter has been sprinkled with magical snowflakes, and we need your help to find them all! To join in on the flurry of fun, visit the Front Desk to pick up your clue guide. Find all of the sparkling snowflakes and turn in your completed clue guide to the Front Desk to collect a frosty surprise!