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.

Look closely and you’ll see some hidden dining references in the Sassagoula sign. Utensils, seafood, lemon, asparagus… what else?

A display reminds guests of their dining choices while visiting the Port Orleans resorts.

Here’s your first glimpse of the “floatworks.” Crazy, eh?

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 I understand the theme but find the decor outdated.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!

Entertain the kids with a game of “I Spy” while dining!

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.

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.

Take your breakfast to the adjacent Scat Cat’s Club for a quieter meal.

Inside the club, your morning meal can be savored with a dose of cartoons!

Eats

Guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use their quick service credits to redeem meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Snack options are also available!

Got a Rapid Fill mug? Head to the beverage island for hot and cold drinks!

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.

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.

But we’d had beignets the previous day, so my husband opted for the Bounty Breakfast Platter served with [Read more…]