One of our favorite things about staying at the Port Orleans Resorts is the Sassagoula Water Taxi from the Sassagoula Steamboat Company. These simple ferries motor up and down the Sassagoula River from the Port Orleans resorts (each one separately) then to Disney Springs and back again.

Before we go any further, I have to tell you that the river is called “SausageGouda” in our house and I’ve having a really hard time typing it correctly here.

After boarding the boat at POFQ, you make your way down the river towards Disney Springs — look, there’s our building! The furthest from anything and it still only takes 3 minutes to cross the resort. I *big puffy heart* French Quarter.

Port Orleans French Quarter at Disney World

Along the way you’re going to pass golf courses. A lot of greens. A lot and lot and lot of greens. If you’re traveling with an 8-year-old, she’ll be busy waving to golfers and since it’s Disney, a lot of them will wave back. This is not the case where we live in Myrtle Beach when we’re not hanging out with Mickey.

Mia on the Sassagoula River at French Quarter

One of my favorite places to pass is the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs. Since there’s no elevator and the living area’s on the second floor – and they’re meant for families up to 9 people – we’ll most likely never stay in one but MiaMouse pretends she’s Jane and The Chief Mouse is Tarzan and that’s their house. She gets that from me, the Anti-Camper.

Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs, Disney World

Speaking of Saratoga Springs, it’s such a MASSIVE resort that you’ll be passing it for a long, long time.

Saratoga Springs from the Sassagoula River

Once you reach Downtown Disney, the Port Orleans taxi drops you off at Marketplace which is home to Earl of Sandwich (best.counter-service.meal.EVER!), Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, World of Disney, Ghirardelli, and so on. If you want to go to West Side, you’ll want to hop another taxi to take you to Cirque du Soleil (currently dark while they prepare for a new Disney-themed show), House of Blues and that side of the world. Or you can visit The Landing Dock which is near The BOATHOUSE, Morimoto Asia, T-Rex, Chef Art Smith's Homecomin', and more food and shopping.

We’re always a little sad when we get back to the dock and it’s time to disembark but we know we’ll be back!