One of the best parts about staying at Disney Resorts near each other, is being able to have easy access to double the fun. More restaurants, more gift shops, more recreation, and more movie nights under the stars. We love staying at Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside. But they’re very different from one another in terms of theming and size. As a result, many people only ever stay at the one they like best. Luckily, there is a walking path between Port Orleans Riverside and the French Quarter Resort. Allowing you even more options, no matter where you stay! Read on to learn all about the walking path between Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts; French Quarter and Riverside.
Disney World has quite a few walking paths across the property, connecting resorts and even parks. So while the Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside Resorts are not physically connected, they are within just a 10-15 minute walk of each other. And depending on which building you’re staying in at either resort, that walk can be even shorter!
The walking path that goes between Port Orleans’ two resorts runs alongside the Sassagoula River, giving you great views of the resorts and the shared ferry that travels between Port Orleans and French Quarter. Because as two of the Disney Resorts with boat transportation, you can not only go between these resort, but also all the way to Disney Springs! As big fans of resort hopping at Walt Disney World we’re always looking for ways to experience as many resorts as possible, even if we’re just visiting, and not necessarily staying the night.
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Walking from Riverside to French Quarter
The Walking Path from Port Orleans French Quarter to Port Orleans Riverside is an easy one! Depending on your walking speed, you can easily make it from the back end of French Quarter to the food court area of Riverside in about 10-15 minutes. It’s about a half mile, so it just depends on your walking speed.
How Long does it take to Walk Between Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter?
Typically about 10-15 minutes. It depends on which building you’re staying in, at either resort. If you find yourself way down in Alligator Bayou at Port Orleans Riverside, then it’s a little farther to French Quarter. And the same goes for the South Quarter buildings at French Quarter. Check out the Map of the Port Orleans Resorts below for a visual.
Where is the Walking Path that connects Riverside and French Quarter?
The walking path that connects Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside Resorts is situated at the back of the property, near the river. If you’re arriving at the front of the resorts, you can simply walk through the lobby and all the way back to the riverfront. Here you will see a walking path that takes you to the other resort. To get to Port Orleans French Quarter to Riverside, just follow the main path that goes along the Sassagoula River.
You’ll go under a bridge, and when you come out on the other side of that bridge, you’ll see Riverside Resort! This resort looks like grand antebellum mansions along the water, so they’re hard to miss! Or if you’re coming from Riverside, then you’ll see French Quarter as soon as you clear the bridge.
They’re so close together and so easy to get to from each other. For each resort, just keep walking along that path and you’ll easily be able to find the food court. The French Quarter food court is a little more buried, but just make a right when you get to the Triton pool and it’ll take you right there.
- From French Quarter Resort: Walk through the lobby, and past the Triton Pool. Once here simply turn LEFT to and walk the path to Port Orleans Riverside
- From Riverside Resort: Walk through the lobby of Riverside and head towards the Surrey Bike Rental building. Once here you can turn RIGHT on the path to head to French Quarter Resort.
This Disney walking path from French Quarter to Riverside is accessible, in that it’s paved, easy to get to and easy to travel. There aren’t a ton of hills and there’s some shaded spots which is always a nice break from the Florida sun. It’s such an easy walk, and such a beautiful, lush path. We highly recommend it even just for an evening stroll!
Port Orleans French Quarter
Port Orleans French Quarter is a moderate resort at Walt Disney World. It tends to be one of the most popular moderate resorts due to its smaller size. The resort offers a boutique feel and is super easy to navigate. Making this resort perfect for families! Port Orleans French Quarter is also home to Disney’s famous beignets. And well worth the trip over to try them! Fresh, hot beignets are served daily from Scat Cat’s Club right next to the Sassagoula Floatworks factory in the main lobby. Port Orleans French Quarter also has great live jazz music on the weekends at Scat Cat’s Lounge. Perfect for a date night activity!
But sometimes maybe you just want a little more space. Or maybe you’d like to take a Surrey bike ride with the family. Head over to Riverside and you’ll be able to take advantage of all of that and more.
Port Orleans Riverside
Port Orleans Riverside is home to the Disney Royal Princess Rooms, which are perfect for any princess traveling to Walt Disney World. Riverside also has beautiful grounds representing the Bayou and Magnolia bend of rural Louisiana. Riverside is grand and spacious. And we love the laid-back feel here! Another huge perk of staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort was that the resort is very close to the parks. For instance, it only took about 15 minutes to get to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. And only took about 10 minutes to get to EPCOT from Port Orleans Resorts. As resorts that only offer Disney bus transportation to the parks, we were thrilled it was as centrally located to the parks as it was.
Food at Riverside is similar to the food at French Quarter, with the quick service restaurant; Riverside Mill and a lounge called the River Roost that offers live music in the evenings. Take a walk over between the two for the best of both worlds.
Can guests at Port Orleans Riverside use the French Quarter Pool?
Yes! This may be one of the reasons you might want to walk over to French Quarter from Riverside! Guests at either resort have access to the pools at both resorts. And unless you’re staying at the Yacht and Beach Club, Most resort guests don’t have the luxury of using another resort’s pool, so we think this a great perk. Almost like getting two resorts for one! If you love pool days at your resort, this gives you a great advantage, as you can enjoy more than one pool. We are big fans of French Quarter Pool and Splash pad area, so having another option as a Riverside guest is great. And vice versa!
Can guests at Port Orleans Riverside use French Quarter’s Food Court?
Yes! Anyone can use any of the food courts at any of the Disney Resorts. So if you’re staying at one resort or another, it’s really easy to go back and forth between food courts if one has more food that you enjoy than the other.
Is there a boat that takes you to Port Orleans French Quarter from Riverside?
Yes there is! But if I am being honest, I think walking might be a bit faster when you count in the time you have to wait, get boarded and get docked at the next resort. Of course, walking that distance isn’t always feasible for some people, and the boat is a great option. Or maybe you’re just really hot and tired from so much walking at Disney, and the boat is a great option then too. But if you’re just taking the boat because you think it’s faster, it might not be!
Is there a bus between Disney’s Riverside Resort and French Quarter?
The Port Orleans Resorts do not have a resort shuttle that goes between them. But you can take the boat back and forth to each resort as needed. For awareness, Riverside and French Quarter typically share a Disney Bus when you’re traveling to and from the parks.
What’s the Difference Between the Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter?
If you’re going back and forth between which Port Orleans Resort may be better, then take a look at the Differences between Riverside and French Quarter. While it really all comes down to the look and feel, there are some things that may sway you. For instance, we like the food at French Quarter better, but the atmosphere at Riverside is luxuriously calm, which we always need on a busy trip to Disney.
Port Orleans Resorts Map
You can see on this Disney Resort Map to both Port Orleans Resorts that the dotted line shows the walking path alongside the river. That is how you can get to and from each resort easily.
Walking Path Between Port Orleans Resorts
The walking path at Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside is a great way to get to either resort. It’s quick and it’s beautiful, and it’s a nice perk to have when visiting either resort! Check out even more Disney Walking Paths across the resorts and parks to stroll.
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .
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