Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory
— it’s a long name for dining spot, and kind of a tongue twister — but it has some unique menu items and is definitely worth a visit if you’re a beignet fan!
Or a New Orleans fan.
Or a Mardi Gras fan.
Or just like big, giant parade float heads hanging from ceilings.
Not sure what I’m talking about? Let’s take a look inside… .
Atmosphere
Sassagoula is, of course, the river running through the resorts around Downtown Disney, including the sister Port Orleans resorts — Riverside, and French Quarter. Upon arrival at the Port Orleans French Quarter resort, a welcoming indoor courtyard complete with an ornate fountain creates a relaxing atmosphere.
If you’re hungry, you’ll find Floatworks — named as such because it’s themed after a warehouse storing Mardi Gras parade props — opposite the Registration area. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are offered throughout the day.
Entrance to Float Works
Look closely and you’ll see some hidden dining references in the Sassagoula sign. Utensils, seafood, lemon, asparagus… what else?
Look for hidden food references
A display reminds guests of their dining choices while visiting the Port Orleans resorts.
Dining Choices at the Port Orleans Resorts
Here’s your first glimpse of the “floatworks.” Crazy, eh?
It’s Mardi Gras time!
While the weird parade props have always disturbed me, some guests enjoy the whimsical decor. I understand the theme but find the decor outdated. (I’d love to see a refresh here). Of course, you’ll find whimsy around the resort — from Scales (the serpent pool slide) to jazzy tunes, the vibe is casual and relaxing. Just as it should be on vacation!
I spy a yellow piece of candy!
Entertain the kids with a game of “I Spy” while dining!
A great snack option is ice cream!
I do like the dining room’s dark wooden tables and mismatched chairs; it just feels cozy. Brick accents and lantern lighting adds to the quaint ambiance. In fact, the whole resort is a mixture of playfulness and charm.
Mardi Gras props in dining room
Most importantly, the dining area and serving stations are kept very tidy. (During our stay, we did not find this to be the case over at the Riverside Mill.)
Artwork reflects the Cajun and Creole flavors on the menu such as the Gumbo and Jambalaya dishes served later in the day.
Louisiana is known for spicy Cajun and Creole dishes
Take your breakfast to the adjacent Scat Cat’s Club for a quieter meal.
Additional seating at Scat Cat’s
Inside the club, your morning meal can be savored with a dose of cartoons!
Cartoons
Eats
Guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use their quick service credits to redeem meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Use your Disney Dining Plan credits
Snack options are also available!
Got a Rapid Fill mug? Head to the beverage island for hot and cold drinks!
Hot and cold beverages
At the Rapid Fill station, fill up on water, Sprite Zero, Barq’s Root Beer, Fanta Orange, Coca-Cola Zero, Minute Maid Light Pomegranate Lemonade, Coca-Cola Cherry, Sprite, Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, Hi-C Fruit Punch, Diet Coke, and Coca-Cola.
Cold beverages at the Rapid Fill station
Breakfast
Breakfast here at Sassagoula often includes their “you-can-only-get-’em-here” made-to-order beignets. Many Disney guests visit this spot solely for these doughy treats.
Port Orleans French Quarter Beignets
But we’d had beignets the previous day, so my husband opted for the Bounty Breakfast Platter served with scrambled eggs, a Mickey waffle, bacon, sausage, and a biscuit. For a quick service meal, he deemed all of the elements to be worthy of a thumbs up.
A bountiful start to the day
I love breakfast foods. My choice here was easy though, as I always enjoy the cheese omelet and breakfast potatoes served at many of the Disney value and moderate resorts.
Seasoned breakfast potatoes
Here, the fluffy texture of the omelet and the smooth, melted cheese were done just right.
Fluffy cheese omelet
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
On a separate visit, I just had to snack on an ice cream sandwich. With your choice of homemade cookies and ice cream, these dessert sandwiches are over the top! I went with the old-fashioned chocolate chip cookie and vanilla ice cream combo. Yum!
Chocolate Chip cookies with vanilla ice cream
I like my cookie with less crunch, and a chewier cookie would have made this combination perfect.
Ice cream nestled between two homemade cookies
Overall
Overall, I really enjoyed being able to take our breakfast to Scat Cat’s. It made for a much quieter start to the day.
While some of the food items here can be found elsewhere in Walt Disney World, guests with more adventurous palates will appreciate the themed food options including Po’ Boys, Jambalaya, and Gumbo.
What do you think about the decor at Sassagoula? Any recommendations beyond the must-have beignets? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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I so miss Bonfamiles , I loved that place.
I remember a waitress named Pok that was a lot of fun. Talked to my son and his friend about the Beignets, and how you got as much luck as you got powdered sugar on your face. They were always the best, warm fresh and fluffy. Liked the strawberries and cream also. I really think they missed the mark taking that restaurant away, it was beautiful in there with all the brick and greenery, great food. Guess since they combined Port Orleans & Dixie Landings they felt they didn’t need 2 full service venues. But it is missed for sure. Would love to see that return.
I stayed at French Quarter during my first ever trip to the World… when I was three years old. Even though I’m not in my mid-twenties, and haven’t set foot on that resort since (I stay at different hotels every time), I still remember the floats (they disturbed me a bit, too!). But it is nice to see that there are some things that haven’t changed, and I would love to eat the beignets again!
I stayed at POFQ a cuople of weeks ago; it was my first time staying in the World since I was a kid. What a great resort. Floatworks was a good food court – I didn’t try the beignets b/c we have a great Creole place in my city that serves good ones, but now I kind of wish I had gotten them anyway. The gumbo was good here, although I’m not an aficionado of gumbo and don’t know if it tasted authentic or not. Wish I’d also gotten the po’ boy, but it was just too big to eat by myself. I liked the decor and thought it was kind of fun walking around looking at all the foawt props; didn’t creep me out at all.
Love PO French Quarter! It was the first Walt Disney World Resort that I stayed at way back in the early 90’s. I’ll never forget in 2001 when they closed it briefly due to low occupancy. 🙁 What’s really nice about the resort is it size….much smaller than the other moderate priced resorts with only the one bus stop in the front of the resort. I just returned from WDW and already missing my breakfast Bounty Platter so thanks for that picture and yes, I’m one of those people that stop there just for the beignets!!!
Joni – Bonfamiles was definitely a treasure!
Randi – Definitely make a stop back for the beignets. 😉
Kathie – It truly is a charming resort! Good to hear about the gumbo.
Diane – Totally agree!! 🙂
My family absolutely loves the POFQ. It’s by far our favorite moderate resort. We did a little “resort holiday decoration” tour on our off day last December and made a special stop here just for the beignets. Love those little suckers! Of course, having a daughter with a mega “costumed character” phobia, we ate them outside of the food court. Those giant heads are seriously freaky.
MeLissa – It’s a beautiful resort! I can’t wait to get more beignets in December. Yum. I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only person freaked out by those giant head props. Ha! 😉
DH and I honeymooned here is 2008. When we’ve been back we’ve stayed at other Disney resorts but I loved this one! With the exception of a snack when we arrived, I don’t think we ever ate inside. The other few times we ate here we always ate at the tables outside because they weather was so nice and the grounds of the resort are beautiful. Like everyone, we loved the beignets. We keep meaning to visit on other trips for a snack but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
I love this moderate resort but it seems there there wasn’t much for vegetarian dinners the last time we were there (maybe just pasta and cheese pizza). I’d like to see veggie burgers and/or omelets offered. But then again, maybe it’s changed in the last few years.
This is my favourite resort 🙂 lovely review.
Natalie, UK
So excited to be staying at this resort next month! It’s my first stay in a moderate, and my husband’s first trip to Disney. The size and atmosphere (outside of the food court- not too sold on the decor there) really appealed to us. The fact that I can get beignets for breakfast every morning isn’t hurting either. Can’t wait to try them!
Thank you so much for posting this! I remember visiting this resort in my childhood and absolutely loving the food court! (especially playing I Spy with my parents with the float props – so much fun! 🙂 I can’t wait to go back someday – I’m glad to hear that Sassagoula Floatworks is still doing well!
staying here in November. We’ve stayed here a few times and we love it. The resort isn’t too sprawling so there’s less walking to your room after a long day walking in the parks. The cafe always seems a little small though. Lots of powdered sugar everywhere too from the beignets. I love getting Mickey waffles every day while we’re there. I’ve never been to New Orleans but it really puts you in that mindset with the decorations.
I am staying at Riverside next month but will be making a trip over for the beignet
I stayed here during my grad trip from university as this hotel does not disappoint! Staff go above and beyond to make your trip extra special and though we never are supper at our resort breakfast was always giant and delicious and at lunch the shrimp po boy’s could not beat! I ate it many a times making a point to come back from the parks to eat it . Can’t wait until I go back ! It’s the best hidden gem of a resort around.
We’ll be staying here for the first time in May 2015. Really looking forward to trying the beignets! The resort itself looks beautiful too, and will be a nice opposite to the Caribbean Beach Resort that we stayed in this May.