Disney Resort Profiles: Port Orleans Riverside Resort

 

There’s something for everyone at Port Orleans Riverside – a moderate Disney resort with elegant mansions and rustic retreats . This resort has a charming swimming pool with a slide as well as five quiet pools, quick-service, and sit down food options, and a stocked fishing hole, all set along the Sassagoula River. Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort is modeled after a Louisiana town along the Mississippi River, with plantation-style ‘mansions’ and bayou-themed guesthouses. Take a short walk along the Sassagoula River to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, known for Southern specialties like jambalaya, gumbo, and beignets. 

One of the drawbacks of the Moderate Resorts is the size. The sprawling resorts make trips to the food court to refill your mugs a bit of a trek, and the extra internal bus stops increase transport time. However, the theming is fun and there are great food court plus access to extra activities like fishing, bike rentals, carriage rides at Port Orleans Riverside.

Even if it is still a bit higher to stay onsite, the benefits can far outweigh the added cost. I have laid out those benefits for you to see how staying at a Disney resort is a good value for you in my blog “Benefits to Staying at a Disney Resort.”

PROS: CONS: Good For:

Rooms in Alligator Bayou have 5th Sleeper Option Honeymoons

Princess themed rooms Quick service location is terrible Families

Yeeha Bob! Adults looking to enjoy Disney Springs

Extra Activities Princesses

If you would like to book this resort, click here

Room Options:

• Standard View Rooms

• Water View Rooms

• Garden View Rooms

• Preferred Location Rooms – closer to resort main services

• King Bed Room

• Royal Guest Room – Standard View

• Royal Guest Room – Water View

• Royal Guest Room – Garden View

• Handicapped rooms Available

Dining

Boatwright’s (Table Service)
At Boatwright’s Dining Hall, enjoy American cuisine with flavors of the South in this shipbuilder’s paradise along the Sassagoula River. The unique shipbuilding tools, fireplaces, and frame of an authentic Louisiana Lugger are the backdrop to this casual family dining hall. This restaurant gets a bad rap, but I have always had great meals here – my favorites are the shrimp and grits and Mardi Gras bites. After your meal at Boatwright’s Dining Hall, stop by the River Roost Lounge next door for some lively entertainment by Yehaa Bob, beginning at 8:00 p.m. on select nights. 

Riverside Mill Food Court (Quick Service)
At the Riverside Mill Food Court, soak up the scenery and the Cajun spices as you dine near the 32-foot water wheel that operates a working cotton press. It is great for convenience but if you want a really great meal take the short walk over to Sassagoula Floatworks at French Quarter. 

River Roost Lounge 

Grab a quick snack and a drink while enjoying trivia night, or the musical stylings of Yehaa Bob. 

Muddy Rivers Pool Bar
Don’t miss a sippy—let the good times roll at this poolside bar at lushly wooded Ol’ Man Island. Party with frozen and rocks specialty drinks, draft beer, wine, superfruit sangria, and nonalcoholic beverages.

Pizza Delivery by Sassagoula Express Pizza Delivery
At Sassagula Express Pizza Delivery, enjoy our Oven-fresh Pizzas, Sides, Desserts, and Beverages nightly from 4-11:30 p.m.

Activities 

Ol’ Man Island is home to the feature pool with slide, Hot tub (spa) Wading pool, and a Playground. There are also 5 ‘quiet’ pools. Additional fun can be had at the Medicine Show Arcade, Family fishing hole, or on Carriage rides and Bike rentals. 

Port Orleans Riverside also hosts Movies Under the Stars.

Activities and programs are subject to change. Although the activities vary by day and by resort, here is an example of some of the trivia, arts and crafts, dance parties, games, and bingo you might find. 

Check your tv for the schedule during your stay. 

Services

Valet dry cleaning and laundry service is available for pickup from your room. Coin-operated self-service laundry facilities are located throughout Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort is also participating in a pilot program to allow dogs to stay with their families in select Disney World Resort Hotels.

Shopping

Fulton’s stocks Disney character apparel and souvenirs as well as Port Orleans logo merchandise. You can also find snack foods, beverages (including adult beverages), magazines and books, and other general sundries.

Transportation:

Disney’s bus service is available to and from this resort to theme parks, water parks, plus Disney Springs. There are four bus stops, located at the guest services building and around the resort perimeter. There is bus and boat transportation to Disney Springs. The boat launch is located at Dixie Levee marina.

These times are approximate, provided to give you an idea of average travel times. Please plan on up to a 20 minute wait for Disney transportation in addition to walking time to resort or theme park transportation stops.

Magic Kingdom – 14 minutes by bus, 29 minutes by car (with transfers)

Epcot – 18 minutes by bus, 20 by car

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 15 minutes by bus, 20 by car

Animal Kingdom – 20 minutes, 20 by car

Disney Springs – 18 minutes by bus, 20 minutes by boat, 12 by car

Blizzard Beach Water Park – 22 minutes by bus, 15 minutes by car

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – 18 minutes by bus, 14 minutes by car

Tips 

The quiet pools at Port Orleans Riverside are nice, especially when the main pool is crowded.

There are boats from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs. In addition to being a convenient form of transportation, it is a scenic boat ride especially in the evening.

YeHaa Bob Jackson at River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside is so much fun; the later show is a bit racier.

Cane pole fishing is available at Port Orleans Riverside.

There is a walkway between the two Port Orleans resorts (Riverside and French Quarter).

You can pool hop between the two resorts’ main pools.

Check the resort map. Your closest bus stop may be behind your outer building vs. walking to the main building.

While room requests are not guaranteed, ask for a corner room. The extra window brings in more sunlight and appears more spacious.

NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RESORT FOR YOU?

The right resort can upgrade your entire Disney vacation—but with more than 25 Disney resorts and hotels to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! I can help you so you can choose the perfect-fit resort for your family—based on your budget, travel style, and family’s interests. DOWNLOAD the Guide to Choosing the Right Resort to understand the differences in amenities, how to choose the resort with the right location and which resorts offer the activities you are looking for.

 

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