Disney's Port Orleans Resort Carriage Path

Disney's Port Orleans Resort has two hotels, Riverside and French Quarter, with a lovely walking path between them. The walking path is called Port Orleans Carriage Path, and runs along the Sassagoula River. Although there are lots of lovely trees, they tend to be on one side of you so this walk is best done in winter (or early or late in the day) since there's not much shade. You can explore the two hotels as well, which are both moderately-priced resorts (so not as ritzy as some of the other resorts). They have Southern atmosphere that my husband enjoyed more than the sterile grand resorts. 

It's fun to take a free ferry ride to the Port Orleans resorts from Disney Springs. You can also take a bus from Disney Springs, or park at the hotels if you have a hotel or restaurant reservation.
The ferry is quite uncomfortable with its roaring, vibrating engine, but it's nice to see the amazing jungly Florida landscape as you navigate up the Sassagoula River. After about twenty minutes you reach the river dock at Port Orleans French Quarter. You can walk past their impressive sea serpent pool (peak in through the fence) and along their regal walkway to the main lobby. Tall palms and New Orleans architecture make it interesting. There are also alligator sculptures playing musical instruments. In the lobby, a man dressed in full New Orleans get-up greets guests. It's fun to see him. The lobby has ironwork details that are pretty. The piano bar, Scat Cat's Club, has a self-playing piano that is fun to watch. Unfortunately, as is so often the case at Disney, there are two different musics playing at the same time here, the piano plus the lobby music, ruining the atmosphere. There is a live Jazz quartet, Big Ezee Swag, and cocktails Friday to Sunday at 7:30pm at Scat Cat's Club, plus warm beignets (delicious) and coffee/tea during the day.
Buy a popsicle at the hotel gift shop and stroll along the riverfront promenade, called Port Orleans Carriage Path, north to Port Orleans Riverside- it's an eleven minute walk with lovely views across the water to the pretty Southern architecture of Port Orleans Riverside. You will soon reach the dock at Port Orleans Riverside, which looks like a bustling port along the Mississippi River, with a water wheel that powers a cotton press in the Riverside Mill food court. Stroll along, taking in the atmosphere, and then walk across the wooden trestle bridge to Ol' Man Island. The hotel pool is here, as well as plenty of shady winding walking trails. There are hammocks in the woods, and they are wonderful to lie on for a long long time while you look up at the trees! Blissfully, there is no piped-in music at the hammocks! In March, enjoy the white, purple, and pink azalea flowers everywhere. 
Return to the dock at either of the resorts to wait for the next ferry- they come all the time.
After your return ferry trip to Marketplace Dock, walk west on the bridge to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and enjoy their beautiful pathway along the lake. You can see great views across the water to Disney Springs. Check out the mickey ears made of flowers in the landscaping.

Directions

Park in the Lime Parking Garage at Disney Springs. The address is 1652 E Buena Vista Dr, Orlando, FL 32836. Then walk over to Disney's Wonderful World of Memories store. From there, turn the corner (past the splash pad), walk over a bridge, and you come to the ferry dock. To get google maps to navigate you over there by foot, ask for Marketplace Dock Disney Springs. It's a six minute walk from the parking. Parking is free, and very easy.
The ferry runs from 10:30am to 11:30pm. It is free!

Click on map for interactive view