Port Orleans French Quarter is within the midst of its year-long room reimagining, and we had the prospect to remain in one in every of these redone rooms impressed by The Princess and the Frog throughout our Christmas journey to Walt Disney World. This resort evaluation 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 Lodge Building & Refurbishment Tracker, that was all the time an unrealistic timeline since this can be a onerous items overhaul. Again when the challenge was introduced, our guess was that it will pause for the height season after which resume this winter.
As an alternative, it acquired prolonged with an official finish date of Spring 2025. As we noticed firsthand, the challenge didn’t pause for Christmas as is commonly 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 lively development web site on the far facet 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, count on Constructing 5 to shut to complete the challenge.
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 received’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 might be extra disruptive to the ambiance there.
Regardless, we’d now count on 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 standard method can 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 perfect.)
Walt Disney World has formally introduced that this Riverside redo will final till early 2026. Nonetheless, we likewise count on this to be prolonged since what’s been introduced to this point solely encompasses Magnolia Bend. By the point that’s accomplished, it’ll be time for Alligator Bayou to obtain its subsequent spherical of room redos. If the traditional challenge cadence is adopted, all of those might be onerous items refurbishments and the whole timeline might be till late 2026 or early 2027.
In case you’re questioning what development appears like through the challenge, 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 lodge room. It’s usually a gut-job throughout which the furnishings, flooring, fixtures, and different components are changed. We refer to those as room reimaginings, as they normally lead to materially-different rooms.
In between onerous items refurbishments, there are smooth items refurbishments to increase the lifetime of a specific room design, and to offer them a contemporary look that takes benefit of trade developments and improvements in design. Delicate 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 smooth items refurbishments fairly successfully within the final decade to introduce space-saving design options. Consequently, the road has been blurred between smooth and hards items refurbishments, to the purpose that we’ve seen large modifications throughout smooth items tasks (particularly on the DVC facet) to put in new fold-down beds and make different main modifications.
Earlier than we check out the newly-reimagined rooms, let’s first begin with a have 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 smooth items refurbishment in ~2018 that largely concerned changing the (very worn) carpet with new onerous flooring, bigger TVs, raised beds, removing of the wallpaper border, repainting, illuminated self-importance mirror, addition of USB ports, and different minor particulars I’m in all probability forgetting.
Listed here are the newly-reimagined rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter post-hard items refurbishment. These function a contemporary 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 seemed 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 lodge 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 trying 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 perform perspective, it’s an enchancment. Whereas not related to us, it will’ve been good if the desk have been a little bit bigger, as there’s not sufficient house for 3-4 folks to make use of this on the similar time. There’s barely sufficient room for two.
The couch can be an improve by way of type, 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 enjoying 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 asserting as a lot, any fan may’ve guessed this was the route they’d go, particularly with Tiana’s Bayou Journey simply having opened. That movie is, certainly, an amazing match for Port Orleans French Quarter. (Heck, I’m nonetheless dissatisfied 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 refined and grownup, a rarity for a Average Resort that made the rooms really feel (a minimum of to me) extra upscale than they really have been. As somebody who prefers the parks to animation, I’ll all the time favor nods to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and so on. 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!’ gadget (that we’ve actually come to take pleasure in due to the Soundscapes) sits under 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. Be aware that these are the norm in lodge rooms at Walt Disney World. To the perfect of my data, correct mini-fridges are solely in DVC rooms or actually previous rooms. This isn’t the best photograph of all that, so let’s take one other look…
Functionally, the most important 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 way in which to the wall that abuts with the toilet. I don’t actually have a powerful opinion on this variation. The brand new cabinets above the espresso maker add cupboard space–and maybe extra importantly, pops of shade with their Mardi Gras designs.
Then again, this encloses what was beforehand the right spot for an open suitcase on a stand. Six of 1, half-dozen of the opposite, I suppose.
The headboards above the beds change the previous wooden body, and prolong all the way in which to the ceiling.
These are paying homage 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 character and pops of shade to the rooms to counter the tasteless/boring/beige grievance, 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 Average Resorts, to the perfect 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 turned clear the trade as a complete was shifting away from them. I don’t rant about that just about as a lot anymore, in all probability as a result of even the circa-2018 POFQ rooms didn’t have mattress runners.
For me, the brand new development of throw pillows is an sufficient alternative for mattress runners, so I’m going to declare victory over bland bedding. This vivid 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 good. No complaints from me!
Functionally, there’s a small shelf affixed on the wall subsequent to the headboard closest to the toilet that’s the suitable measurement for a telephone. Within the middle bedside desk, there’s extra storage in addition to USB-A and USB-C charging ports. These additionally at present work, however the room remains to be model new–give it time.
Adjoining to that mattress, there’s a brand new barn door to the toilet–there beforehand was no separate between the 2 rooms, so this can be a good function. The colour scheme is identical 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 precise 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 recognize 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 could have two sinks, illuminated toilet mirror, and make-up mirror. A whole lot of shelf house and storage has additionally been added. Personally, I’d be keen to commerce these cabinets for extra counter house so it’s simpler for 2 folks to prepare without delay.
Though my photograph doesn’t seize it, the toilet ground has been redone and now contains a mosaic sample within the shade scheme of the complete room, tying the entire redesign collectively. This appears incredible, and once more helps the room counter the tasteless/boring/beige accusations.
The bathe has additionally been redone, similar to different Average Resort loos.
As you’ll be able to see, ours was a conventional walk-in bathe. For many who need or want a bath, it’s our understanding that these are additionally nonetheless obtainable. If that’s necessary 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 favor the walk-in bathe, so we have been happy to see this variation.
As earlier than, the shampoo, conditioner, and cleaning soap are supplied by way of wall-mounted dispensers slightly 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 protecting up the H2O branding, following the tip of that partnership. (As we beforehand reported, Walt Disney World’s tub model was ending.)
Fortunately, Disney acquired the rights to the components for the H2O tub merchandise and revealed it will proceed to supply them underneath their very own private-label Disney resorts model. In consequence, there have been stickers protecting 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 typically 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 evaluation.
From our perspective, these do sufficient to handle these considerations. To make sure, this won’t fulfill each Walt Disney World diehard, particularly those that have been visiting for the reason that Nineties. However for us, this room finds the right center floor between blandness and busy-ness. Possibly it may 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 lodge room that’s calming and relaxed, and never an assault on the senses.
My greater 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 strains.
Most just lately, the reimagined ‘Beneath the Sea’ Little Mermaid rooms at Caribbean Seashore Resort are incredible, and convey DVC-style lodging to the plenty. We love these rooms, and can be extra inclined to remain at Caribbean Seashore 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–company, 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.
Finally, there are pretty important enhancements over the previous Port Orleans French Quarter rooms when graded objectively. These are actually the perfect commonplace Average Rooms at Walt Disney World, with an amazing mixture of contemporary type and performance.
They carry 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 Average Resort that prices lower than half the value of these to supply comparable lodging is clearly anticipating an excessive amount of.
On the similar time, I’m happy that these Port Orleans French Quarter rooms averted 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 in consequence. 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 similar time. Though they aren’t the head of themed design at Walt Disney World, they’re fairly good for a Average Resort. The overhaul could be iterative slightly than modern, however generally there’s no must reinvent the wheel.
Actually, that line of pondering could possibly be prolonged to Port Orleans French Quarter as a complete. This is likely one of the final remaining ‘old-fashioned’ accommodations at Walt Disney World with none novel transportation or flagship options that we’ve seen added elsewhere during the last decade. Regardless of that, French Quarter is incredible.
There’s quite a bit to be mentioned for the one bus cease, the eating is healthier than some followers give it credit score for, and the pool is gorgeous. 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 straightforward to see why POFQ has such a fan following.
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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 might’ve added fold-down beds, or do you like this method? Every other modifications 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 just like or dislike? Are mattress runners a hill price dying on? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
