Guide to New Orleans Square at Disneyland

in Disneyland Resort

new orleans square disneyland

You can take a virtual tour around Disneyland, but for a deeper look into the parks history, we’ve created a guide to one of the most iconic and historic locations in all of Disneyland Resort. New Orleans Square is a highly unique and special location at the Happiest Place on Earth. It is home to some of the oldest attractions in the theme park (and since Disneyland is the first Disney Park, that means New Orleans Square is where you’ll find some of the oldest Disney Parks attractions in the world) and some of the best food in all of Disneyland Resort.

If you want to book a trip to Disneyland Resort, click here to reach out to the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at Academy Travel. 

What is New Orleans Square?

New Orleans Square
Credit: Disney

New Orleans Square is an area unique to Disneyland. Located in Disneyland park just past Adventureland, this themed land is home to several of Disneyland’s Guest-favorite attractions and dining locations. The area is themed after New Orleans and provides Guests with an immersive experience as they meander Royal Street and embrace scents of beignets and gumbo.

New Orleans Square was added to Disneyland park in 1966. It became the first new land to be added to the Happiest Place on Earth since the park opened in 1955, so the reveal of New Orleans Square was a momentous occasion.

Related: Walk in Walt’s Shoes: How to Experience Disneyland Just as Walt Disney Would

Though the area has changed here and there, it largely remains the same as it did when it first opened in Disneyland over 50 years ago. It is still one of the most immersive lands in the Disney Parks due to the attention to detail and authenticity that Walt Disney Imagineering maintained from the beginning.

Below, an excerpt from Disneyland: Memories of a Lifetime provides some insight into the atmosphere of the land:

“Here is the Paris of the American frontier: the Crescent City of New Orleans as it was 150 years ago. Within its sheltered courtyards and winding streets, elegance and charm mingle comfortably with the irreverent sounds of Dixieland jazz. In this romantic yet adventurous setting guests are immersed in the sights and sounds of New Orleans of the late 1850s. The aromas of chicory and freshly baked fritters fill the air while the Louisiana state flag flies proudly overhead and hte billowing white sails of a mighty galleon can be seen in the distance beyond the city.” 

Where to Find New Orleans Square in Disneyland

disneyland map

If you enter Disneyland park and walk down Main Street, U.S.A. to the Hub, veer left to walk through Adventureland. Meander through Adventureland past the Tropical Hideaway, Jungle Cruise, and Tarzan’s Treehouse. There, you will find Pirates of the Caribbean and the rest of New Orleans Square.

If you are walking through Frontierland, walk toward the Rivers of America. From there, you should see landmarks like Pirates of the Caribbean and Cafe Orleans, both located in New Orleans Square.

If you are coming from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or Critter Country, turn right to walk toward Haunted Mansion. Once you see the Rivers of American on your left and Haunted Mansion on your right, you have made it to New Orleans Square.

Rides in New Orleans Square at Disneyland

There are three rides located in New Orleans Square at Disneyland: Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and the Disneyland Railroad. We have included the official descriptions of each ride, as well as where you can find them on the Disneyland park map.

new orleans square map
Credit: Disneyland/Google

If you take a look at the map above, you will see the Haunted Mansion on the left, the Disneyland Railroad station in the middle, and Pirates of the Caribbean on the right. Note that this is a bird’s eye view, so when you are walking on the path along the Rivers of America or meandering Royal Street in New Orleans Square, your perspective will be different.

Pirates of the Caribbean

pirates disneyland
Credit: Disney

Strike yer colors! Your adventure begins in a shadowy bayou, where you’ll board a weathered barge. Plunge down a waterfall in the dark and float through the spectral world of Pirates Grotto. Dead men tell no tales—but they guard their treasure for all eternity.

Navigate cannon fire between a fort and a 12-gun galleon. Glide into port and behold brazen buccaneers drunk on pillaged plunder. Skulk past the well-armed lass who commands a colorful auction of villagers’ goods.

Sing along as sea roving scalawags serenade you with their classic shanty, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).” Witness flames engulf the town and pass prisoners trapped in their jail cell, doggedly trying to escape.

Keep a spry eye out for sly Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, as he schemes to get his hands on the spoils.

If ye be seekin’ adventure, ay—you’ve come to the proper place!

Haunted Mansion 

Haunted Mansion urban legend
Credit: Disney

Dearly depart into a foreboding estate, drag your body to the dead center of the Portrait Chamber and watch as the walls begin to stretch before your eyes. Climb into your waiting Doom Buggy and embark on a shivering journey into an unearthly realm.

The disembodied voice of the Ghost Host is your private guide through the cadaverous dwelling—home to grinning ghosts and other spectral surprises.

Glide past a rattling casket in the conservatory. Head off to Madame Leota’s spooky séance room. Float by the Grand Ballroom and its waltzing apparitions. Take a spin through a cemetery where the spirited residents regale you with song.

Beware of lurking hitchhikers—these phantom pranksters may try to follow you home!

Disneyland Railroad

new orleans square disneyland railroad
Credit: Disney

The New Orleans Square train station is the second stop on the Disneyland Railroad’s grand circle tour of Disneyland park. In honor of the 60th anniversary, a very special feature was installed here. Disney Parks Blog shared, “The second stop on the Disneyland Railroad is home to the telegraph cable office, where a paraphrased portion of Walt Disney’s opening-day speech from July 17, 1955, can be heard in Morse code.”

Read More: The History of the Disneyland Railroad

Dining in New Orleans Square at Disneyland

There are many dining options in New Orleans Square. Below is a list of all of the dining locations in this land to give you an idea of what you will find. Keep in mind that this is the only area of Disneyland Resort where you will find the famous Mickey-shaped beignets (available at both the Mint Julep Bar and Cafe Orleans).

Blue Bayou

blue bayou disneyland
Credit: Disney

Embark on a culinary adventure with Cajun and Creole cuisine as you watch Pirates of the Caribbean boats glide past.

Type of Restaurant: Table service, $$$ ($35 to $59.99 per adult)

Known for: Being the restaurant “inside” the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

View menu.

Cafe Orleans

Disneyland monte cristo
Credit: Disney

Savor casual fare with a French Quarter flair at this historic New Orleans Square eatery.

Type of Restaurant: Table service, $$ ($15 to $34.99 per adult)

Known for: Offering Cajun cuisine in a sit-down setting with views of the Rivers of America. Also, the Monte Cristo sandwich and Pommes Frites!

View menu.

walt disney cafe orleans
Credit: Disney

Walt Disney used to enjoy a cup of coffee at New Orleans Square now and again. The historic photo above shows Walt inside Cafe Orleans with some Cast Members at the time.

walt disney cafe orleans coffee
Credit: Disney

That coffee machine is still at Cafe Orleans today! Take a closer look the next time you eat at the restaurant.

French Market Restaurant

french market disneyland
Credit: Disney

Sup on time-honored southern specialties, soups, salads and sandwiches in a lush garden that looks out on New Orleans Square.

Type of Restaurant: Quick service, $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

Known for: Being a great place to pick up some seasonal goodies or delicious soup, salad, and sandwiches. Musicians also delight guests on the stage at this outdoor dining location from time to time.

View menu.

Mint Julep Bar

mickey beignets
Credit: Disney

While away a warm afternoon with a non-alcoholic mint julep in New Orleans Square. Fresh Mickey beignets and soft drinks are also served at this walk-up window within the garden patio of the French Market Restaurant.

Type of Restaurant: Quick service, $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

Known for: Mickey beignets and mint juleps, a favorite snack combination for Disneyland fans of all ages.

View menu. 

Related: Craving Mickey Beignets? This Disney Recipe is Perfect!

Royal Street Veranda

soup at royal street veranda
Credit: Disney

You’ve got it made in the shade with a scrumptious sourdough bowl of clam chowder, steak gumbo or vegetarian gumbo. Sit on the patio under a beautiful wrought-iron balcony and enjoy fritters and fountain beverages.

Type of Restaurant: Quick service, $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

Known for: Gumbo and fritters — pick some up after your mint julep!

View menu.

Shopping and Other Attractions in New Orleans Square at Disneyland

Shopping

Below is a list of the retail locations in New Orleans Square:

  • La Mascarade D’Orleans
  • Port Royal
  • Le Bat en Rouge
  • Mlle. Antoinette’s Parfumerie
  • Royal Street Sweets
  • Pieces of Eight
  • Cristal d’Orleans

Live Music

Several musicians perform in New Orleans Square. According to Disney Parks Blog, “Throughout the day in New Orleans Square, toe-tapping shows star the rowdy Bootstrappers, the lively Jambalaya Jazz Band and the mellow Royal Street Bachelors.”

Note that these musicians’ performances are not listed on the Disneyland Resort official website or in the Disneyland App, so we recommend asking a Cast Member nearby for information about when you can expect performances. The Bootstrappers are our favorite pirate band — they often perform on the weekdays!

Want to hear some atmospheric New Orleans Square music in the meantime, if you can’t make it to the parks anytime soon? Listen below!

Character Meet and Greets

You can often spot the following characters in New Orleans Square:

  • Princess Tiana and Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog
  • Redd the Pirate from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction
  • The Hitchhiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion attraction
  • Jack Skellington and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay

Related: Splash Mountain to Be Rethemed to ‘Princess and the Frog’!

Club 33

The famous Club 33 is also located in New Orleans Square. Club 33 is a highly exclusive and desired club within the Disney Company and fandom. To be able to be a Club 33 member or be a Guest of the historic Club 33 at Disneyland is a bucket list item for so many Disney fans. Click here to read more about Club 33. And if you don’t mind spoilers, watch the video below!

Academy Travel

If you want to visit the Happiest Place on Earth so you can meander through the historic New Orleans Square at Disneyland, click here to book a trip with the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at Academy Travel!

For more help with trip planning, check out our other Disneyland guides linked below:

in Disneyland Resort

View Comments (2)