Details of Disneyland:New Orleans Square Part 1

A completely unique area to Disneyland Anaheim, New Orleans Square is a recreation of New Orleans, Louisiana during the late 18th to early 19th centuries.  It's quaint streets and quiet patios also make it the perfect buffer between the stark contrast of Frontierland and Adventureland, and the lush greenery of Critter Country.  Famously, Disneyland’s New Orleans Square is home to the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and Haunted Mansion, two staples of the Disney attraction catalog.  Today we're going to look at some details of this charming area that make the experience complete.

First, I highly recommend taking a trip down the Rivers of America aboard the Mark Twain riverboat.  Seeing New Orleans Square from the decks of this steam ship gives you an extra level of realism.  From the river, the first thing you will notice is the architecture:  wrought iron, deep blues and greens, and uneven pavers all lend to the authenticity of the old New Orleans experience.  If you look at the roof line behind the first set of buildings, you will notice the mast of a ship, this was added a few years ago during a refurbishment, some say the ship is sinking, others say it's docked in port, but either way, it’s definitely a curious sight.  Traveling further up the river, if you're lucky, you may catch a note or two of live jazz music coming from the French Market Restaurant. Throughout the day, you can see several singers and musicians performing in the streets, markets, and courtyards of New Orleans Square.  Proceeding on, you’ll catch a glimpse of The Haunted Mansion. Finally, you'll reach Fowler’s Harbor, the launching point for the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island, which was named after Admiral Joe Fowler, the project manager who was instrumental in the building of Disneyland.

Should you walk through New Orleans Square, I recommend going through Adventureland, over the bridge, and turning left at Royal Street.  Here is you look over the building that houses the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. If you look carefully, you’ll notice the second story is decorated with the initials of both Roy and Walt Disney.  This is the "Disney Dream Suite" part of The Year of a Million Dreamspromotion of a few years ago.  Walking up Royal Street, you’ll start catching the smells of Cafe Orleans, one of the best table service restaurants in Disneyland. Known for its Pomme Frits, Monte Cristo Sandwiches, and Mint Juleps, it’s a must for someone looking for French-inspired Creole cuisine.  Also on Royal Street is the Blue Bayou, a themed table service restaurant located inside the attraction building of Pirates of the Caribbean. It offers a more up-scale and pricey alternative to Cafe Orleans or The French Market. Its clam to fame is a table front view right inside Pirates of the Caribbean. 

That's all for this time, next time we’ll explore the other side of New Orleans Square.  It’s shops, courtyards, and hidden little gems.

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