Port Orleans French Quarter is within the midst of its year-long room reimagining, and we had the possibility to remain in one among these redone rooms impressed by The Princess and the Frog throughout our Christmas journey to Walt Disney World. This resort evaluate shares a photograph & video tour of the brand new rooms, plus our ideas on the redesign and staying at POFQ.
Let’s begin with the timeline for the Port Orleans French Quarter room redo, which started final Might. Walt Disney World initially introduced it will finish earlier than the vacation season began, however as we famous within the 2025-2026 Walt Disney World Resort Development & Refurbishment Tracker, that was at all times an unrealistic timeline since it is a laborious items overhaul. Again when the mission was introduced, our guess was that it will pause for the height season after which resume this winter.
As a substitute, it received prolonged with an official finish date of Spring 2025. As we noticed firsthand, the mission didn’t pause for Christmas as is usually the case to have full room stock for the busiest months of the yr. It powered full steam forward, with two buildings closed and an energetic development web site on the far aspect of Port Orleans French Quarter, en path to Riverside.
For these with upcoming stays deliberate at Port Orleans French Quarter, the redone rooms are completed and opened in Buildings 1, 2, 3, and 4. After we have been there, development crews have been within the strategy of overhauling Buildings 6 and seven. Constructing 6 must be reopening any day now, and that’s assuming it isn’t already. When Constructing 6 or 7 reopen, anticipate Constructing 5 to shut to complete the mission.
The excellent news is that anybody with an upcoming keep has very excessive odds of receiving a reimagined room. As soon as Constructing 5 closes, it gained’t even be attainable to get one of many previous rooms. And as famous above, that must be taking place any day now. The marginally unhealthy information is that Constructing 5 is extra centralized with a location adjoining to the Doubloon Lagoon pool, which means the work can be extra disruptive to the ambiance there.
Regardless, we’d now anticipate the Port Orleans French Quarter room redo to wrap up proper across the begin of Spring Break 2025.
However wait, there’s extra. Walt Disney World has already introduced a partial slate of room reimaginings at Port Orleans Riverside starting in Spring 2025. As soon as Port Orleans French Quarter is completed with its refurbishment, the everyday method could be for these development crews to maneuver over to Riverside. That’s what occurred final time and the time earlier than that. (I’m unsure in regards to the time earlier than that–that’s again within the AOL dial-up days and web record-keeping isn’t the most effective.)
Walt Disney World has formally introduced that this Riverside redo will final till early 2026. Nonetheless, we likewise anticipate this to be prolonged since what’s been introduced to this point solely encompasses Magnolia Bend. By the point that’s executed, it’ll be time for Alligator Bayou to obtain its subsequent spherical of room redos. If the traditional mission cadence is adopted, all of those can be laborious items refurbishments and the entire timeline can be till late 2026 or early 2027.
In case you’re questioning what development appears to be like like in the course of the mission, listed here are some pictures from round Buildings 6 and seven:
As talked about above, this room redo at Port Orleans French Quarter is a tough items refurbishment. For these unfamiliar with this time period, a tough items refurbishment is a significant renovation of a resort room. It’s usually a gut-job throughout which the furnishings, flooring, fixtures, and different parts are changed. We refer to those as room reimaginings, as they often lead to materially-different rooms.
In between laborious items refurbishments, there are gentle items refurbishments to increase the lifetime of a selected room design, and to offer them a recent look that takes benefit of business developments and improvements in design. Gentle items refurbishments usually contain updating furnishings, together with however not restricted to wall coverings, flooring, linens, decor, and a few furnishings.
Walt Disney World has been using gentle items refurbishments fairly successfully within the final decade to introduce space-saving design options. Consequently, the road has been blurred between gentle and hards items refurbishments, to the purpose that we’ve seen huge adjustments throughout gentle items tasks (particularly on the DVC aspect) to put in new fold-down beds and make different main adjustments.
Earlier than we check out the newly-reimagined rooms, let’s first begin with a take a look at the earlier rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter (above) to offer you context.
These have been final redone as a part of a gentle items refurbishment in ~2018 that largely concerned changing the (very worn) carpet with new laborious flooring, bigger TVs, raised beds, elimination of the wallpaper border, repainting, illuminated self-importance mirror, addition of USB ports, and different minor particulars I’m most likely forgetting.
Listed below are the newly-reimagined rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter post-hard items refurbishment. These function a recent coat of cream paint that brightens the room–or makes it overly bland, boring, and beige–relying upon your perspective.
The flooring has modified as soon as once more. Beforehand, there was a straight association of lighter woods framed by a darkish sq.. It regarded good, however maybe barely dated. Now the ground is a herringbone sample, much like different new rooms at Walt Disney World.
In isolation, I don’t have a powerful opinion on this flooring change. As somebody who does a dozen-plus Walt Disney World resort stays per yr, I appreciated that the previous look was one thing totally different. That is fairly much like a number of different recently-redone rooms at Walt Disney World. And I’m guessing Riverside will find yourself wanting precisely the identical.
One other pretty main change is that the desk and chairs has been changed by a settee and barely bigger desk. The curtains have been additionally been changed with a detailed-but-muted sample that matches the couch. The AC enclosure has additionally been repainted to match the dresser.
We actually just like the couch, which may simply seat 3 adults or perhaps a household of 4. From a operate perspective, it’s an enchancment. Whereas not related to us, it will’ve been good if the desk have been a bit of bigger, as there’s not sufficient house for 3-4 individuals to make use of this on the identical time. There’s barely sufficient room for two.
The couch can be an improve when it comes to kind, because the colourful sample gives a pop of shade. This would possibly assist to offset these complaints of the room being too bland and beige.
There are two Mardi Gras prints above the couch in golden oval frames. The primary options Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen dancing on the street with a band performing within the foreground. The opposite has Louis the Alligator taking part in his trumpet with a band whereas partiers throw beads from the balcony above.
These are two of some Princess and the Frog work across the room. On the one hand, having this room redone to function that Disney animated movie was apparent. Even with out Disney saying as a lot, any fan might’ve guessed this was the route they’d go, particularly with Tiana’s Bayou Journey simply having opened. That movie is, no doubt, an awesome match for Port Orleans French Quarter. (Heck, I’m nonetheless disenchanted they didn’t repurpose Bonfamille’s Cafe into Tiana’s Palace Restaurant.)
With that mentioned, I do miss the basic Disney idea paintings–principally of New Orleans Sq. at Disneyland. That was subtle and grownup, a rarity for a Reasonable Resort that made the rooms really feel (not less than to me) extra upscale than they really have been. As somebody who prefers the parks to animation, I’ll at all times favor nods to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and so forth. in rooms over film and character tie-ins. To every their very own on that, although.
Subsequent to the couch is the dresser, with the tv mounted on the wall above that. The controversial Alexa ‘Hey Disney!’ system (that we’ve actually come to get pleasure from due to the Soundscapes) sits beneath the TV. These units are actually in all rooms at Walt Disney World.
The dresser is painted in blue with gold pulls, and a white marble floor. There are a number of USB-A and USB-C ports on the dresser, and so they really work (for now).
The beverage cooler is hidden behind the screened door within the dresser of the console. Notice that these are the norm in resort rooms at Walt Disney World. To the most effective of my data, correct mini-fridges are solely in DVC rooms or actually previous rooms. This isn’t the best picture of all that, so let’s take one other look…
Functionally, the largest change in regards to the dresser is that it’s longer and barely slimmer.
It doesn’t stick out so far as the previous dresser, and extends all the best way to the wall that abuts with the lavatory. I don’t actually have a powerful opinion on this modification. The brand new cabinets above the espresso maker add space for storing–and maybe extra importantly, pops of shade with their Mardi Gras designs.
However, this encloses what was beforehand the proper spot for an open suitcase on a stand. Six of 1, half-dozen of the opposite, I suppose.
The headboards above the beds substitute the previous wooden body, and prolong all the best way to the ceiling.
These are harking back to the headboards at different new rooms, with BoardWalk and Grand Floridian instantly coming to thoughts for me. There’s good depth and dimension to those, with a lightly-upholstered space proper above the pillows after which a mosaic sample above that, all framed by a blue-green shade much like that of the earlier paint on the wall itself.
There are additionally new lighting sconces above every mattress, in addition to fold-out studying lights flanking both sides of every headboard. For me, these are enhancements over what was there earlier than, giving extra persona and pops of shade to the rooms to counter the tasteless/boring/beige criticism, whereas additionally classing them up a bit.
If the sheets, mattresses or pillows are totally different, we couldn’t inform. We have been followers of the bedding right here earlier than, and that is still true. (It’s the identical in any respect Reasonable Resorts, to the most effective of our data.)
Longtime readers of the weblog know that I used to be a giant mattress runner proponent, lamenting their loss lengthy after it grew to become clear the business as a complete was transferring away from them. I don’t rant about that just about as a lot anymore, most likely as a result of even the circa-2018 POFQ rooms didn’t have mattress runners.
For me, the brand new pattern of throw pillows is an ample substitute for mattress runners, so I’m going to declare victory over bland bedding. This vibrant orange pillow with fleur-de-lis patterning provides a pop of shade to the in any other case sterile extra shade to the mattress. Between this and the headboards, the mattress appears to be like good. No complaints from me!
Functionally, there’s a small shelf affixed on the wall subsequent to the headboard closest to the lavatory that’s the suitable measurement for a cellphone. Within the heart bedside desk, there’s extra storage in addition to USB-A and USB-C charging ports. These additionally presently work, however the room continues to be model new–give it time.
Adjoining to that mattress, there’s a brand new barn door to the lavatory–there beforehand was no separate between the 2 rooms, so it is a good function. The colour scheme is similar because the headboards with gold steel particulars; the sample is totally different, and evokes Princess and the Frog.
There’s additionally Princess and the Frog paintings to the correct of the door. That is a lot smaller than the New Orleans Sq. artwork that it replaces, however that’s presumably necessitated by the sliding door. It’s a tradeoff, however we respect the addition of the door.
The toilet has been completely up to date, with a modernization per different resorts round Walt Disney World.
Right here you’ve gotten two sinks, illuminated toilet mirror, and make-up mirror. Lots of shelf house and storage has additionally been added. Personally, I’d be prepared to commerce these cabinets for extra counter house so it’s simpler for 2 individuals to prepare without delay.
Though my picture doesn’t seize it, the lavatory ground has been redone and now includes a mosaic sample within the shade scheme of the whole room, tying the entire redesign collectively. This appears to be like unbelievable, and once more helps the room counter the tasteless/boring/beige accusations.
The bathe has additionally been redone, similar to different Reasonable Resort bogs.
As you’ll be able to see, ours was a standard walk-in bathe. For individuals who need or want a tub, it’s our understanding that these are additionally nonetheless obtainable. If that’s essential to you, we’d suggest making a request throughout on-line check-in after which confirming with the entrance desk earlier than getting into the room.
We strongly choose the walk-in bathe, so we have been happy to see this modification.
As earlier than, the shampoo, conditioner, and cleaning soap are supplied through wall-mounted dispensers reasonably than the small particular person bottles. That is nothing new from the previous design, so might not warrant mentioning.
Nonetheless, what is new is that these are all-new dispensers. Walt Disney World had been overlaying up the H2O branding, following the top of that partnership. (As we beforehand reported, Walt Disney World’s tub model was ending.)
Fortunately, Disney acquired the rights to the method for the H2O tub merchandise and revealed it will proceed to supply them below their very own private-label Disney resorts model. Because of this, there have been stickers overlaying the previous branding and different makeshift dispensers at some resorts.
Right here’s a video tour of this newly-reimagined room at Port Orleans French Quarter:
As could be obvious from the forgoing, we usually just like the redone rooms. There are sufficient pops of shade and particulars that add texture, depth and dimension that these rooms work for us. If it weren’t for the fixed refrain of complaints about Walt Disney World rooms changing into bland, boring and beige, I by no means even would’ve considered that when staying right here–a lot much less proactively introduced it up on this evaluate.
From our perspective, these do sufficient to deal with these issues. To make certain, this is not going to fulfill each Walt Disney World diehard, particularly those that have been visiting for the reason that Nineties. However for us, this room finds the proper center floor between blandness and busy-ness. Possibly it might use a coat of coloured paint on one other wall or a bigger piece of artwork, however something past that and there would arguably be an excessive amount of occurring. It’s good to have a resort room that’s calming and relaxed, and never an assault on the senses.
My larger critique, if I’ve one, is that this room doesn’t go far sufficient with the redesign. As a giant fan of the redone rooms on the Worth Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts, I hoped for one thing alongside these traces.
Most not too long ago, the reimagined ‘Below the Sea’ Little Mermaid rooms at Caribbean Seaside Resort are unbelievable, and produce DVC-style lodging to the plenty. We love these rooms, and could be extra inclined to remain at Caribbean Seaside for them (plus the Skyliner and Sebastian’s Bistro).
That is extra iterative than any of these. That’ll be advantageous for a lot of–if not most–visitors, however we actually love the space-saving types provided by the fold-down beds. That’s a minor quibble or a matter of non-public desire, although.
In the end, there are pretty vital enhancements over the previous Port Orleans French Quarter rooms when graded objectively. These are actually the most effective customary Reasonable Rooms at Walt Disney World, with an awesome mixture of recent kind and performance.
They convey a number of the options and types from the redone rooms at BoardWalk and Grand Floridian, though clearly with out almost as a lot element. Anticipating a Reasonable Resort that prices lower than half the worth of these to supply comparable lodging is clearly anticipating an excessive amount of.
On the identical time, I’m happy that these Port Orleans French Quarter rooms prevented the pitfalls of the Incredibles rooms on the Up to date, for instance. These rooms are a cautionary story in pushing character integration too far, and so they look tacky consequently. This room is clearly Mardi Gras and Princess and the Frog-impressed, with out going overboard with it.
These Port Orleans French Quarter rooms thread the needle higher, highlighting Disney characters and themed design on the identical time. Though they aren’t the head of themed design at Walt Disney World, they’re fairly good for a Reasonable Resort. The overhaul could be iterative reasonably than modern, however generally there’s no must reinvent the wheel.
Actually, that line of pondering may very well be prolonged to Port Orleans French Quarter as a complete. This is without doubt one of the final remaining ‘old fashioned’ lodges at Walt Disney World with none novel transportation or flagship options that we’ve seen added elsewhere over the past decade. Regardless of that, French Quarter is unbelievable.
There’s loads to be mentioned for the one bus cease, the eating is best than some followers give it credit score for, and the pool is beautiful. Port Orleans French Quarter additionally brilliantly balances themed design with a compact format, and the romantic ambiance plus upgraded rooms make it really feel like a quasi-Deluxe Resort in some methods. It’s simple to see why POFQ has such a fan following.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Inns Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing it is advisable know!
Your Ideas
Do you agree or disagree with our tackle the reimagined rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter? Assume this redesign threads the needle on blandness vs. busy-ness? Want they’d’ve added fold-down beds, or do you like this method? Another adjustments you want or dislike about these rooms? Are you a fan of POFQ, or do you like the extra sprawling Moderates (or Values or Deluxes)? Any options of the redesign that you simply like or dislike? Are mattress runners a hill price dying on? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
