Jambalaya | the disney food blog

Review: Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory at Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter

It’s not every day that I am surprised by a Quick Service meal at Walt Disney World.

Learn About:Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

But Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter has done just that!

French Quarter is the sister Resort to Port Orleans, Riverside, and while both are located along the picturesque Sassagoula River and share boats that carry guests to and from Disney Springs, the Resorts’ personalities are markedly different.

Riverside has a down-home, relaxed, on-the-bayou feel, with the Riverside Mill Food Court capturing the industrial spirit of New Orleans. The French Quarter, on the other hand, features the ornate wrought iron and colorful architecture of the French Quarter in New Orleans, while dancing jesters and musical alligators dotting the landscape provide more than a hint of whimsy.

The French Quarter’s primary dining option — alongside Scat Cat’s Club, where you can often catch live tunes along with your drink, and Mardi Grogs, the pool bar — is Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. This quick service food court used to wow (and kinda creep out) guests with its massive Mardi Gras float decor suspended from the ceiling. It was colorful and busy with something new to discover on every visit.

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

A 2016 renovation gave Sassagoula Floatworks a total overhaul, so let’s check out what the space looks like now once again before we grab a bite to eat.

Atmosphere

The colorful, oversized Mardi Gras props that used to hang from the ceiling from wall to wall still take some part in the Floatworks decor, only on a much more subdued level. Last year’s renovation delivered a more simplified and industrial design to the food court. Guests were torn about the change, with some lamenting the loss of such over-the-top theming, while others appreciated the streamlined and less markedly terrifying look. Either way, there is still color in concentrated amounts, and Mardi Gras details remain present (if much less conspicuous). [Read more…]

Review: The NEW Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory at Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter

By AJ and the DFB Team 24 Comments

Are you ready to Let the Good Times Roll? Then join us at the newly reopened Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory!

Learn About:Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

Disney World Restaurants

This Counter Service option for Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter closed down for a refurbishment in July. Though not much was known regarding plans for the space, it was assumed — given the four-month closure — that some major changes could be in store. So we were excited to check things out when it opened again to guests on Saturday morning.

Excited… and very curious. After all, Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is known for having one of the most interesting atmospheres of all the Disney Resort food courts. As the name implies, it was themed as a warehouse storing larger-than-life parade props for Mardi Gras, fitting in well at the Resort that pays homage to New Orleans. (If you’d like a little refresher, you can take a tour of what the space looked like here.)

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Sign

Louisiana cuisine also influenced the menu with unique choices like a selection of Po’ Boys and Gumbo among more standard Counter Service offerings. And no visit to Sassagoula is ever complete without those famous Beignets! (Spoiler Alert: they’re still here! 🙂 ) [Read more…]

Best Kept Disney Dining Secrets: Saving Money in Disney World

By AJ 14 Comments

We are back with some of our very best kept Disney Dining Secrets. And we want to share them with you!

Planning where you’ll be spending your food budget in Disney World is a BIG deal. There are so many choices to make! Maybe you’re worried about getting the advance dining reservations you’d like the most. And what about your favorite brands and foods? Will they have them?

These are all great questions, and we address them all in our DFB Guide to WDW Dining e-Book! But today, we’re exploring one of the biggest concerns: Is it possible to save a buck or two when you’re at Disney?

Secrets to Saving Money in Disney World

Today, we’ll share some of our favorite ways to save money during your visit to Walt Disney World. And if you like what you see here, be sure to check out even more secrets in the brand new DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2016 Edition, where we gather over 530 pages of tips, recommendations, and secrets to make your Disney trip the best ever!

Here we go!

Ditch Unwanted Sides

I love this tip, and it can save you some serious cash (and calories!). You may think the price printed on the menu board or in the menu is non-negotiable. But we’ve got a secret to share!

Did you know that you can often forego unwanted sides? For instance, say you order a sandwich that comes with fries, but you don’t really want them. Ask if you can order your sandwich as an entree only and save!

Cheeseburger at Backlot Express!

And if you’re a light eater, or someone who doesn’t really care about (or literally can’t EAT) that side of salad/chips/fries/coleslaw/pasta salad, then you’ll never miss it.

[Read more…]

Top Meals Under $20 in Disneyland

By AJ 8 Comments

We can all use a few tips when it comes to planning vacations at Disney. And of course, we think the food is just about the most important part of the trip!

Budgeting for all of the special meals that you’d like to enjoy is a big concern. And it may seem impossible to cut corners and save a little here and there while still enjoying yourself. But with a little creative planning, you can find some wonderful meals at some of the coolest places, all for less than you might think.

Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle

Previously, we shared our Top Picks at Walt Disney World for Meals Under $20. Today, we’re back to celebrate some fantastic meals that you can enjoy at Disneyland for around $20 or less. This is by no means exhaustive — there are lots more where these came from. But for now, come with us and check out some of the great options we have to share! [Read more…]

Review: Lunch at Disneyland’s French Market

By AJ 5 Comments

We’re back at Disneyland visiting yet another Counter Service gem, the French Market!

French Market Sign

I say “yet another” because Disneyland truly has some standout offerings when it comes to Counter Service. Therefore, narrowing down your options can be a difficult process. Today we’re exploring the reasons why the French Market is definitely worth more than a quick glance…

[Read more…]

Top Meals Under $20 in Walt Disney World

By AJ 10 Comments

We can all use tips on how to save a little money now and then. And that’s never more true than when you’re planning a Disney vacation!

It may seem like the impossible task: finding a bargain in Walt Disney World. And that’s seems especially true when it comes to food.

But believe it or not, there are some truly fantastic meals at Disney Restaurants for less than $20 dollars! And I’m not just talking counter service.

Let’s take a look at some of my favorite meals that you can still score at Walt Disney World for under $20. I think you’ll be surprised at all of the cool places you can eat without bleeding your wallet dry!

Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe

Ah, Tonga Toast. If you haven’t had it, you really need to get it on your list.

To enjoy this one, book your breakfast advance dining reservation for Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Tonga Toast

Thick-cut Sourdough Bread is stuffed with ripe bananas before it’s deep fried and rolled in Cinnamon Sugar. Served with a side of Strawberry Coulis for dipping/pouring, it’s the perfect, decadent start to your Disney Day. And since it’s incredibly hefty, it will keep you going for hours. [Read more…]

Review: Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans Riverside

By AJ 30 Comments

Learn About:Boatwright’s Dining Hall

Disney World Restaurants

Um. Boatwright’s is awesome.

During a recent trip, we were SO glad finally to have a chance to dine at this seems-like-it’s-been-there-forever-but-we’ve-never-eaten-there restaurant at Port Orleans Resort, Riverside, in Walt Disney World. The warm, relaxed feel of the space, coupled with some menu items I definitely wanted to try, made this a spot that we couldn’t wait any longer to check out.