The Two Tales of Scales at Port Orleans

The streets that radiate from the courtyard area are designed in a similar arrangement to historic Jackson Square located in the actual French Quarter of New Orleans.

The architecture showcases balconies, wrought-iron railings, cobblestone streets, and courtyards reminiscent of New Orleans in the 19th century.  The lush landscaping consisting of pear trees, oaks, crepe, myrtles and magnolias reinforce this theme.

The jester figure located near Doubloon Lagoon pool is closely based on the figure found next to the Canal Street / Algiers Ferry terminal in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras legends, Blaine Kern Artists Inc., collected and created special prop items such as the jesters. Some of the Mardi Gras decorations were purchased directly from warehouses in New Orleans.

When guests checked in to the Port Orleans Resort during the first few years of operation, they received a copy of the “Sassagoula Sentinel,” a faux newspaper that included guest information including where the ice machines were located, whether a guest would be charged for making a collect call, when the boat would leave for the Village Marketplace, restaurant information, and other similar helpful directions.

This wonderful eight-page tabloid format (11-by-17) newspaper was also filled with historical news stories that recounted the fictional backstory of the resort. The story was a mixture of authentic history mixed with fanciful but logical additions from Walt Disney Imagineering.

According to the Imagineering backstory in the newspaper:

“Elizabeth Cuenta D’Arnet, was the founder of the Sassagoula Sentinel. Known to locals as Ruby Rivers, D’Arnet was firmly established as “The Poet Of The Delta,” for her popular verses that highlighted the virtues of living in the Sassagoula delta. The Sassagoula Sentinel was an instant success when the first edition hit the streets in 1835. Using her knowledge of the people and their customs, D’Arnet produced a daily that highlighted the cultural, financial and culinary news of the bustling little city. But more than anything else, the Sassagoula Sentinel linked the people of Port Orleans together.”

In the “Sassagoula Times” there was also a tale of Scales, the sea serpent at Port Orleans.

Ever since I was a kid, I have had a great affection for Disney sea serpents. The comedic one that appeared at the very end of the original Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park never failed to make me smile, especially the explanation that it was probably just a hallucination from being submerged too long.

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