Between 1988 and 1992 alone, the Grand Floridian, Caribbean Beach, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin, Old Key West, Disney's Port Orleans and Disney's Dixie Landings Resort represented the continued success of Michael Eisner's new vision for Walt Disney World... and more to the point, a business model that understood hotel occupancy as a key performance indicator.

A height of the era, Port Orleans and Dixie Landings represented perhaps the perfect "bubble" within the property; an immersive, celebratory mini-campus of restaurants, pools, shops, and environments that – arguably – no other Moderate or Value hotel on property can match.

In April 2001 – in response to growing cultural re-examination of celebrations of the Antebellum South and the  negative connotations of the word "Dixie" – Dixie Landings got a name change. In a sweeping rebranding, both of Disney's neighboring "Deep South" resorts were joined under one brand. Disney's Port Orleans – French Quarter was joined by Disney's Port Orleans – Riverside. 

The rebranding made sense from several points of view, not the least of which being that the two properties can and do operate as one from a guest's point-of-view, with a leisurely walk or boat ride along the picturesque Sassagoula opening up a world of new restaurants and bars to explore. 

The combined Disney's Port Orleans Resort offers 3,056 rooms spread across the French Quarter, Alligator Bayou, and Magnolia Bend – the largest on property. (Riverside would come in at the second-largest resort on property all on its own.) Standing just between Disney's "Vacation Kingdom" era (when you could boat, swim, fish, hike, and eat without ever stepping into a theme park) and today's era of immersive environments, Port Orleans is a masterpiece of Disney hotels... And we've got some tips for how to enjoy it.

1. Choose your style

Geographically and narratively, French Quarter and Riverside make sense as one giant, sprawling, riverfront resort offering three distinct environments that recall romanticized, idealized versions of America's Bayou State. When "combined," they're a wonderful package. But they are distinct from one another... so choose wisely.

Port Orleans – French Quarter is small and compact (it's the smallest of any Moderate). It's clean and tidy, with cobblestone "rues" lit by streetlamps, with little, finely-manicured parks tucked between buildings. With its wrought iron, palm streets, and pastel colors, it's a joyful little dream of New Orleans.

From its Doubloon Lagoon pool (one of Disney World's best) to easy access to the lobby, restaurants, and its single bus stop, it's easy to see why French Quarter is a great first choice for families upgrading from a Value. French Quarter feels more "urban" with its wide roads, cross streets, street signs, and gardens.

Port Orleans – Riverside is much grander in its scale and scope, with a sprawling property where your room may be a half-mile walk from food. It's defined by winding paths through dense bayous. Rather than wrought iron and glass, it's defined by wood and brass. Likewise, its not filled with wide cross streets, but narrow paths. 

Even once you've settled on Riverside, you still have a few choices you can make (at least, try to make by room request). You haven't really stayed in Alligator Bayou until you've gotten lost there, with winding trails between tin-roofed lodges and bogs and trees. Rooms in the Alligator Bayou are romantic and remote; nighttime strolls there are practically a formative Disney World experience.

The mansions of Magnolia Bend are more regal than remote, with tall columns and stately gardens, each with their own pool. It's worth noting that despite their upper-crust appearance, these are still, fundamentally, motels with outdoor access. You can imagine why Riverside is a go-to for couples or adult groups, even if its size (and its four bus stops) can cause some frustrations that French Quarter's small size alleivates. In any case, if you stay at one, we highly recommend visiting the other!

Here's a tip: don't be afraid of a "split stay"! Though moving between hotels in the middle of a trip does mean re-packing and taking your luggage to Bell Services, it's as easy as returning to the other resort after a day in the parks, collecting your bags, and getting a whole new resort experience.

2. Savor the flavors

As you'd expect from a hotel themed to New Orleans, the eating's good at Port Orleans! Inside the Sassagoula Steamboat Company building is the dinner-only Boatwrights – themed to a boat-making factory-turned-dining-hall. Though the all-you-can-eat Chef's Platter of ribs, hot chicken, smoked sausage, beef brisket, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese is the headliner, Boatwright's also offers jambalaya, shrimp and grits, blackened salmon, and "Mississippi Mud Crème Brûlée" for dessert.

Both resorts also have quick service food courts – Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory and Riverside Mill Food Court – that offer signature southern twists, like chili and jambalaya, pot roast, barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, and pastries. Both resorts also offer bars that get lively at night (especially piano nights at Riverside's River Roost).

French Quarter is the only Moderate resort without a full-service restaurant, but it does have something noteworthy! The Scat Cat's Club is home to Mickey-shaped beignets – the steaming hot, light and fluffy, pull-apart, powdered-sugared New Orleans treat that's known to bring tears to the eyes of even the most hardened foodie. Beignets are famously served in Disneyland's New Orleans Square, but at Disney World, Port Orleans – French Quarter is the only place to find them. 

3. Enjoy the Port Orleans perks

We all know that aside from vague promises of "magic" or rapidly-deteriorating perks with actual, tangible value, one of the things that makes stayin on-property so unique is that way that Disney hotels are hotels-in-disguise.

If you squint, it's easy to imagine French Quarter and Riverside as parts of a theme park themselves; easy to pretend you've traveled back in time; easy to forget that you're staying on the same two queen-sized beds you'd find at Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs, just dressed differently.

Port Orleans has plenty of that "magic" to make you feel like it's more-than-a-hotel. For example, while Disney's choice of sprawling resorts made of lots of small buildings has largely fallen out of favor (with 'towers' as the new de facto hotel), miles of running and walking paths through the resort make it a beautiful, charming place to get your workout in.

That carriage path also has another use – actual carriages! You can pay for a 25-minute carriage ride along the water at Riverside, and it's a wonderful little "plus" that Disney doesn't need to offer, but actually does! 

The resorts also offer surrey bike rentals, playgrounds, fishing, "Campfire on de' Bayou" and "Cajun Campfire" events nightly, and Movies Under the Stars – each in the kind of "Vacation Kingdom" spirit that can make your hotel stay as memorable as your theme park visits if you choose to take advantage of them.

Connection is a very important part of Walt Disney World Resort, and basically any excuse to escape the frustrations of the Disney Transportation bus system is a good one. Though Monorails and Skyliners don't swing by Port Orleans, there is a fun transportation system worth trying:

The Sassagoula River Cruise transports guests downriver from Riverside to French Quarter, then on to Disney Springs. The 20-minute trip is a fun way to grab dinner or tour the area before a day at EPCOT. (Just remember: busses do not travel from Disney Springs to any theme park, probably just to keep people from parking at Disney Springs for free.) 

Dreams Do Come True

If you're staying on Disney World property today, it's probably not for the perks, because there aren't many left. Instead, it must be that you want that special "something" that Disney's best hotels offer – an immersive, idealized stay in another time and place as only Disney can do it!

We're here to tell you that dreams do come true in Port Orleans – the biggest, most delicious, and most romantic Moderate on Disney World property. Have you had the chance to stay here? Tell us about your experience at Port Orleans and how it compares to other Walt Disney World hotels.