Glad you aren't offended. I was there around 92', and not during Mardi Gras. We stayed with my wife's cousin who lives in Metairie. She has lived there since she graduated from Tulane back in 78' and loves the place. She's lived in the French Quarter also.
I loved the music, and I loved the food! The French Quarter is beautiful, River Walk, and the Garden District.
I was a police officer back then, and I remember telling my wife that I wished I had brought a gun. Sorry. The only other place I felt like that was in Nassau away from the tourist areas.
I'm sure a lot was out of towners like you say, but it was still a major distraction. As far as POFQ, I can see why you feel it's clownish, but I guess I feel like it gives you a representation of the real thing much like most of the other Disney attractions and resorts. The Polynesian isn't on a real island, it's on the outskirts of Orlando in the midst of former orange groves (or swamp). But you get my drift. I'd love to go back and sit outside of Cafe Du Monde, eating those awesome fattening Beignets and drinking that wikid strong coffee!