Port Orleans News

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.

[Discuss this item in our Forums...] 

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!

[Discuss this item in our Forums...] 

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!

[Discuss this item in our Forums...] 

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!

[Discuss this item in our Forums...] 

Free Disney Dining Plan Package Offer (5 July - 30 September 2019)



Get a FREE Disney Dining Plan when you book a package including a room (for a minimum of four nights) with theme park tickets (also a minimum of 4-day, Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus). Offer includes Riverside, but not French Quarter, and is valid for arrival dates from 5 July 2019 until 30 September 2019. You must make your booking by 10 February 2019, and expect demand to be high for a limited number of available rooms, so be flexible with your dates and room your category choices.

For the Moderate resorts the package included is the Quick Service Dining Plan but you can upgrade to the Standard Dining Plan for $22.99/night for adults / $4.20/night for kids, or to the Deluxe Dining Plan for $63.75/night for adults / $19.70/night for kids. The free dining plan is provided for all guests staying in the room up until the end of your stay (max 14 nights).

See https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/speci ... g-package/ for full details.


Sun and Fun Room Offer (28 April - 30 September 2019)



Get up to 25% off a room-only booking for most check-in dates from 28 April 2019 until 30 September 2019. You can also add tickets (at regular list price) to create a package booking. It is possible to stay beyond the end date but only the dates within the offer period will be discounted.

Valid for both Riverside and French Quarter, but expect availability to be limited so be flexible with your dates and room your category choices.

For Moderate resort rooms the discount varies between 10% and 25% based on your dates and chosen room type. The best deals are for arrivals after 28 May (which must be booked by 24 March), but there are smaller discounts available during the earlier part of the offer (book these up to 27 May).

See https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/speci ... -fun-room/ for full details


As always, I recommend keeping an eye on www.mousesavers.com for the latest offers and deals beyond those for the Port Orleans Resorts which we cover here.

[Discuss this item in our Forums...]