If you’re planning a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, one of the first decisions you’ll have is whether to book a standard room or pay a little more for a preferred location. On paper, the difference seems simple. Preferred rooms are closer to the main building, which houses dining, transportation, and other amenities.
But there’s a catch. Port Orleans French Quarter is a fairly compact resort, so a preferred location might not be worth the extra cost. So we recently stayed in a preferred room to answer the question: Does paying extra for a convenient room location make a noticeable difference here?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what a preferred room at Port Orleans French Quarter really offers, how much of a location advantage it provides, and which guests are most likely to benefit. That way, you can decide if it’s a worthwhile upgrade or a pass when making your decision.
Inside a Preferred Room at Port Orleans French Quarter
Despite the upgraded location, it’s important to note that a preferred room at Port Orleans French Quarter is identical to a standard room in terms of size, layout, and overall design. There is no added square footage, extra sleeping spaces, or upgraded furnishings tied to this category. No matter what room you get, they will all look the same. Of course some nuances might be a room that had a tub with a shower or a room with a king-size bed.
That said, all guest rooms at French Quarter were refreshed within the last year. So regardless of which category you book, you can expect updated finishes, a clean look, and the same thoughtful design details throughout. So the only value in the upgrade is the room’s location.
Here are a few photos of our room’s layout. We were in room 3208, which stands for building three, second floor, room number 08. Our room was within a few feet of the elevator. We were less than a minute walk from the resort’s main lobby, where. you’ll find dining, shopping, and transportation, among other things. It was truly convenient.
As a moderate resort, Port Orleans French Quarter offers a few practical upgrades in the room design that many guests appreciate. The vanity area features two sinks, which can make getting ready a bit more efficient, especially in the mornings. A sliding door separates the vanity from the sleeping area, creating a useful partition, while the water closet has its own door for additional privacy.
Most rooms are equipped with a walk-in shower, though a limited number of rooms with a tub and shower combination are available upon request. In-room amenities include an iron and ironing board, in-room safe, hair dryer, extra pillows and blankets, a beverage cooler, and a coffee maker. Disney has transitioned to wall-mounted soap in the bath areas in recent years. Our room also had a soap and lotion dispenser, which is a newer (and very popular) in-room amenity. Here are a few more photos.
How the Location Matters
The main advantage of booking a preferred room at Port Orleans French Quarter comes down to convenience. These rooms are located closer to the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, the bus stop, and the main pool area, which can make commutes around the resort simple.
For example, it was a quick and easy walk to pick up mobile orders or stop by to refill our resort mugs. It was one of those things that you didn’t have to think: do I feel like walking to the lobby? It was such a short distance that decisions were no-brainers.
This added convenience can be especially helpful for families with small children, multi-generational travel groups, or anyone who prefers to stay close to the resort’s primary amenities. That said, French Quarter is a relatively compact resort compared to others in the moderate category, and many guests find it manageable regardless of where their room is located. Because of that, the value of a preferred room often comes down to how much you prioritize those shorter, more convenient walks during your stay.
What Would You Choose?
Ultimately, whether a preferred room at Port Orleans French Quarter is worth it comes down to how close you want to be to everything. Think of preferred as “really close” and a standard room as only a little further!
If you still can’t decide, we’re happy to discuss your options and possibly others you’re considering. Feel free to reach out to discuss your travel plans, and we can walk through the details together to find the best fit for your trip.