
Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
Best for families and Disney park-goers who want on-property Disney buses, a Mardi Gras–themed pool and Mickey-shaped beignets.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter is a family-friendly Disney Moderate hotel dressed like New Orleans and best for guests focused on quick access to Disney parks and themed, budget-friendlier rooms. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is a five-star luxury resort in the Grande Lakes complex aimed at travelers who want full-service spa, golf, and meeting/event facilities.
Updated

Best for families and Disney park-goers who want on-property Disney buses, a Mardi Gras–themed pool and Mickey-shaped beignets.

Best for travelers after five-star service, a full-service spa, golf, and large meeting or event facilities.
When Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter wins: choose Port Orleans French Quarter if you want a Disney Moderate price point, Disney bus service to the parks, close French Quarter theming, and the unique on-site beignets and a single, family-oriented pool with a waterslide.
When The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes wins: choose the Ritz-Carlton for five-star rooms and service, a full spa program, on-site golf and tennis, multiple dining outlets, and substantial meeting and event space.
Bottom line: pick Port Orleans French Quarter for an economical, themed Disney stay focused on parks and family activities; pick The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes if you want full-service luxury, wellness, and golf amenities away from the Disney-branded resort experience.
| Category | Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter | The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Casual, New Orleans–themed Moderate resort for families | Formal five-star resort focused on luxury, wellness and golf |
| Location (general) | Lake Buena Vista, on Walt Disney World property with Disney transport and a Sassagoula River boat to Disney Springs | Grande Lakes Orlando complex near the convention center, outlets and a Ritz-Carlton golf course |
| Size (guest rooms) | 1,008 rooms across seven 3-story buildings | 582 rooms |
| Who it's best for | Families and Disney park-focused travelers | Luxury seekers, business groups, spa and golf guests |
| Pools & water features | One themed pool (Doubloon Lagoon) with a 51‑foot waterslide, children’s play area and whirlpool spa | Outdoor pool plus a lazy river; pool cabanas available (surcharge) |
| Restaurants & bars | Four on-site quick-service and bar venues (mainly quick-service and pool bar); walk-up service, no signature table-service restaurant | Seven restaurants including signature venues (e.g., Knife & Spoon) and 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | No on-site full-service spa (guests use spa facilities at other Disney deluxe resorts) | Full spa with treatments and wellness classes |
| Meeting & events | Very limited meeting/event facilities; no dedicated large ballroom published | Extensive conference and event space (~47,000 sq ft) |
| Known for | Mickey-shaped beignets, Mardi Gras theming, complimentary Disney buses and Sassagoula boat to Disney Springs | Five-star service, golf club, spa and multiple upscale restaurants |
| Child-friendly features | Children's pool/play area, supervised childcare/activities (surcharge), arcade and nightly activities | Children's club (surcharge) and family-friendly amenities, but positioned as a luxury resort |
Port Orleans French Quarter sits inside the Walt Disney World resort area with direct Disney transport and a Sassagoula River boat to Disney Springs.
Choose this if you want to stay inside Walt Disney World with Disney-branded transfers and a themed lakeside setting.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is located in the Grande Lakes complex near the Orange County Convention Center and premium outlets.
Choose this if you want a luxury resort base close to convention and shopping districts, with golf and onsite resort grounds.
French Quarter has 1,008 themed rooms across seven three-story buildings, designed around the resort’s New Orleans theme.
If you want simple, themed rooms with Disney convenience and family occupancy, French Quarter fits the bill.
The Ritz-Carlton has 582 air-conditioned rooms with premium bedding and in-room minibars.
If you expect five-star room finishes and in-room amenities, the Ritz-Carlton delivers a full-service luxury experience.
Dining at Port Orleans French Quarter centers on quick-service and café options focused on Cajun/Creole and American fare.
Pick Port Orleans for casual, family-friendly meals, quick-service convenience, and the resort’s beignets.
The Ritz-Carlton provides multiple dining outlets (seven restaurants), including high-end and signature options.
Choose the Ritz-Carlton for a broader selection of table-service and signature restaurants, and formal dining options.
Doubloon Lagoon is the resort’s single themed pool and is the focal point for family water fun.
If your trip centers on young children and a theme-park-style pool, Port Orleans’ pool is tailored to families.
The Ritz-Carlton’s water options include an outdoor pool and a lazy river with cabana options.
Pick the Ritz-Carlton for a more extensive leisure complex including a lazy river and pay-for cabanas.
French Quarter offers family-oriented entertainment and limited nighttime dining and live music.
Go for family-friendly evening activities and casual lounge music rather than a formal spa/nightlife scene.
The Ritz-Carlton emphasizes spa, fitness and curated activities alongside polished evening dining.
If wellness programming, spa treatments and upscale evening dining matter, the Ritz-Carlton is the stronger choice.

Complimentary Disney buses and a Sassagoula River boat to Disney Springs make Port Orleans French Quarter the easier choice for park-focused stays.

The Ritz-Carlton offers a full-service spa, premium room finishes and five-star service.

Port Orleans French Quarter provides a Disney-themed setting, family-sized rooms and a single, kid-friendly pool at a Moderate price point.

The Ritz-Carlton has roughly 47,000 sq ft of conference and meeting space and on-site banquet facilities.
Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter is on Disney property with direct Disney buses to all parks; The Ritz-Carlton is offsite and requires driving or paid transfers.
No — Port Orleans French Quarter does not have a full-service on-site spa; Disney guests often use spa facilities at Disney deluxe resorts.
Yes — The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes lists a supervised children’s club (surcharge) and family-friendly amenities, but its positioning and pricing are luxury focused.
Yes — Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter is the Walt Disney World location known for Mickey-shaped beignets available at Scat Cat’s Club – Café.
Explore how Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·