Hi Tina,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter holds special memories for us because my husband and I spent our honeymoon there many years ago!
In the past six months, I stayed at Disney's Art of Animation, Disney's Pop Century and Disney's All-Star Sports resorts. During my visits, we had direct bus transportation to the theme parks. Since we normally stay at deluxe resorts with access to the monorail, I did notice that the bus rides felt long. Since bus service can change, I always use the
My Disney Experience Mobile App to "Get Directions" between locations so that I can view the most up-to-date transit directions and estimated transit times. When I just checked transit from Disney's Art of Animation to Magic Kingdom, the estimated transit time was 48 minutes but it showed a direct route. When I checked transit from Disney's Pop Century to Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, estimated transit time was 38 minutes and it was a direct bus route.
Tina, I also suggest that you keep an eye out for
Special Offers. In the past, I have discovered some great deals on resort hotels I had not considered. At most resorts, the walk from the transportation drop-off to our room has been manageable. I did not consider the walk to my room at the value resorts any worse. Before we go, we always find resort maps online that have detailed layouts of buildings and room numbers and then we make a request to be close to the main building. I check-in online then, when we get the text message to say our room is ready, I make sure it is in the building we prefer. If not, I call the number in the text message and request again!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell