Overview
If you’re looking for a relaxing and charming stay during your visit to Walt Disney World, you might want to consider staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside. This Moderate resort is located in the Disney Springs area and offers a variety of amenities for guests to enjoy.
The theming of Port Orleans Resort — Riverside is inspired by the Old South. The resort is split into two sections: Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou. Magnolia Bend features grand, plantation-style mansions while Alligator Bayou has rustic, bayou-style architecture. The resort is situated on the banks of the Sassagoula River, which adds to the overall relaxing atmosphere.
Overall, Port Orleans Resort — Riverside is a great option for those looking for a laid-back and charming stay during their visit to Walt Disney World. With its relaxing atmosphere and variety of amenities, it’s a great choice for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Hotel Map
Thinking about requesting a specific section of the hotel when you check-in? Curious about how far you’ll have to walk to get to food? Forgot to pick up a map when you arrived? No worries! Here’s Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside map!
Room Types
When it comes to choosing a room at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, you have several options to choose from. Each room type offers a unique experience, and it’s important to choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.
Royal Guest Rooms — If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, then the Royal Guest Rooms are the perfect choice for you. These rooms are located in the Oak Manor and Parterre Place mansion buildings, and they are designed to make you feel like royalty.
The Royal Guest Rooms are themed after some of Disney’s most beloved princesses, and they feature ornate furnishings, custom linens, and regal touches throughout. You’ll also find hidden surprises throughout the room, such as fiber optic fireworks above the headboard and special artwork featuring your favorite Disney characters.
Standard Rooms — The Standard Rooms at Port Orleans Resort — Riverside are a great choice for those who are looking for a comfortable and affordable option. These rooms are located in several buildings throughout the resort, and they offer all the basic amenities that you need for a comfortable stay.
Standard Rooms come with two queen beds or one king bed, a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a flat-screen TV. You can also request a room with a view of the courtyard, pool, or river.
Preferred Rooms — If you want to be close to the action, then the Preferred Rooms are the way to go. These rooms are located in the Oak Manor and Parterre Place mansion buildings, as well as in the Alligator Bayou section of the resort.
Preferred Rooms offer all the amenities of the Standard Rooms, but they are located in buildings that are closer to the main lobby, dining locations, and transportation. This makes it easy to get around the resort and enjoy all the activities and amenities that it has to offer.
Where To Eat
Quick Service
Riverside Mill Food Court — The Riverside Mill Food Court is the resort’s primary quick service dining location. It’s usually open daily from 7AM until 11PM (though hours are subject to change) where they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food court features five different stations that offer a variety of options, including pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
Table Service
Boatwright’s Dining Hall — Boatwright’s Dining Hall is the resort’s table service restaurant. It’s a great place to enjoy a relaxing meal with family and friends. The menu features traditional Southern cuisine, including jambalaya, gumbo, and crawfish étouffée.
Lounges & Bars
River Roost — The River Roost is a cozy lounge located in the lobby of the Riverside building. It’s a great spot to grab a drink any evening and offers a menu of hearty eats as well. The menu includes appetizers such as wings and nachos, as well as sandwiches and salads.
Muddy Rivers Pool Bar — The Muddy Rivers Pool Bar can be found by Ol’ Man Island swimming pool, and serves up cool and refreshing cocktails and mocktails. It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a drink while soaking up the sun.
Things To Do
- Pools — The resort features a total of six pools, including the main pool, which is located near the center of the resort. The main pool is themed after an old-fashioned sawmill and features a waterslide, hot tub, and a children’s play area. Additionally, there are five quiet pools scattered throughout the resort, each with its own unique theming.
- Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides — For a romantic and unique experience, you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the resort. The carriage rides are available in the evenings and take you on a scenic tour of the resort’s grounds. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy the beauty of the resort.
- Fishing, Biking, and Jogging — If you’re looking for some outdoor activities, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside has plenty to offer. You can rent a bike and explore the resort’s 1.5-mile-long jogging trail, which winds along the Sassagoula River. You can also go fishing in the resort’s stocked fishing hole, which is located near the main pool. Fishing equipment is available for rent at the resort’s marina.
- Playgrounds and Arcades — For families with young children, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside has several playgrounds and arcades. The main playground is located near the main pool and features a variety of climbing structures and slides. The resort also has two arcades, one near the main pool and one in the resort’s lobby. The arcades feature a variety of video games and other arcade-style games, and are a great way to keep the kids entertained.
Shopping
Fulton’s General Store — Fulton’s General Store is located in the main building of the resort, near the lobby. Inside the store, you’ll find a wide selection of Disney merchandise, including clothing, accessories, and toys. You can also purchase snacks and drinks, as well as basic necessities like sunscreen and toiletries.
Transportation Options
- Disney Boat — Transportation to Disney Springs.
- Disney Bus — Transportation to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Water Parks. In the event that boats are not running, bus transportation will also be available to and from Disney Springs.
Disney Vacation Club
Disney Vacation Club is not available at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside. All guest rooms are standard.
Overnight Parking Fee
Overnight self-parking is free for guests staying at any Disney World Resort hotel.
Pros
- Beautiful Theming — One of the standout features of Port Orleans — Riverside is its theming. The resort is designed to look like a Louisiana bayou, with buildings that resemble plantation homes and a river that runs through the property. The landscaping is lush and green, with plenty of trees and flowers. If you’re looking for a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, this resort is a great choice.
- Boat Transportation — Another great feature of Port Orleans — Riverside is its boat transportation. You can take a water taxi to Disney Springs, which is a popular shopping and dining destination. The boat ride is a fun and scenic way to get around, and it’s a nice break from the crowds and noise of the theme parks.
- Resort Amenities — Port Orleans — Riverside has plenty of amenities to keep you entertained during your stay. There are multiple pools, including a waterslide and a hot tub. You can rent bikes and surrey bikes to explore the resort, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride. There are also plenty of dining options, from quick-service to table-service restaurants.
- Sister Resort — Port Orleans — Riverside is a sister resort to Port Orleans — French Quarter. This means that you can easily visit the other resort and take advantage of its amenities, like the beignets at the quick-service restaurant. It’s a nice way to add some variety to your trip and explore another part of the resort.
Cons
- Limited Dining Options — One of the downsides of staying at Port Orleans — Riverside is the limited dining options available on-site. While the resort does have a few restaurants, they can get crowded during peak times and the menu options may not be to everyone’s liking. If you’re looking for more dining options, you may need to venture off the resort to find what you’re looking for.
- Large Size — Port Orleans — Riverside is a large resort, which can be both a pro and a con, depending on your preferences. While the large size means that there are plenty of amenities and activities available, it also means that you may have to do a lot of walking to get to where you need to go. This can be especially challenging for those with mobility issues or young children.
- Standard Rooms Sleep 4 — Only standard rooms that sleep up to 4 are available at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside which may be an issue if you are traveling with a large family. 5th Sleeper rooms are available, though they may come at a higher price point.
See room rates and book your stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside here.