Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Review
Is Port Orleans Riverside the right resort for your Disney World Vacation? In this post, I will share our experience and opinions of Port Orleans Riverside Resort so you can decide if this resort is right for you.
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Port Orleans Riverside immerses guests in the feels of the South. Port Orleans From the cajun-inspired cottages to grande white mansions in the Magnolia Bend area, you’ll enjoy the southern charm. Riverside is a very large resort, depending on your location you may have a longer walk to your room.
We found this resort to be quite different from Port Orleans French Quarter. Read my resort overview below and then head over to my detailed review post and find out why we didn’t feel the magic at Port Orleans Riverside.
About our recent stay at Port Orleans Riverside
We visited the Port Orleans Riverside Resort at Disney World in mid-January 2024. The weather was cooler and the parks were not too busy. We stayed at Riverside for one night at the end of our week.
We were assigned a room in the Alligator Bayou area on the second floor. This area of the resort was quite a distance away from the main building. The walk to the busses was not ideal either. In the future I would request a different room to try to avoid being in this area, it just wasn’t for me. You can read more about my experience and honest thoughts here.*****
Read more about room types below to choose the right room and location for your trip.
Overview of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Port Orleans Riverside is categorized as a moderate resort. The pricing is a bit higher than Value resorts and you’ll find extra amenities and nicer quality features.
Theme & Atmosphere:
The resort is right along the Sassagoula River which adds to the southern feel.
I would consider this resort to have a very laid-back feel. It is also a very large resort, not as small as its sister resort, Port Orleans French Quarter.
The resort is split into two distinct sections, Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend (often called the mansions).
You can Bring your Dog When you stay at Port Orleans Riverside
If you’re wondering, “Can I bring my dog to a Disney World Resort.” The answer is YES! Several resorts are pet (dog) friendly. There is a charge of $50-$75/night and specific rules for having your pet at a Disney World Resort. Be sure to check on the Disney Site for more details.
Location of Port Orleans Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort has a very convenient location for many of the parks. It is located right behind EPCOT so you’ll find transportation to be fairly reasonable for the parks.
Port Orleans Riverside map
Click the Port Orleans Riverside Map below to enlarge:
Transportation at Port Orleans Riverside
Hopping from Port Orleans Riverside to the parks is a breeze! Disney buses are always available to take you right to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. The bus stop is right outside the lobby, and buses generally roll in every 15-20 minutes. Our walk to the busses was only 3-4 minutes, there are plenty of paths you can use to get to the busses quickly.
How long does it take to get to each park from Port Orleans Riverside?
- EPCOT is only a mile away and the bus takes about 9 minutes.
- Magic Kingdom is around 3.4 miles away, about a 10-minute bus ride.
- Hollywood Studios is 3.9 miles away and the bus takes just around 20 minutes.
- Animal Kingdom is a bit further away about 7.5 miles. This bus ride is about 20-25 minutes.
Transportation Options Disney Springs
If you would like to head to Disney Springs or visit the neighboring Port Orleans French Quarter Resort you can enjoy a scenic ferry ride instead. The Ferry boat comes by every 10-15 minutes and will bring you to either location. Or you can just enjoy the boat ride and take a round-trip back to your resort.
Take a walk to Port Orleans French Quarter for a Beignet
Port Orleans French Quarter is only a 15-minute walk from the French Quarter. You can enjoy a peaceful walk along the Sassagoula River path. It’s a really beautiful walk. French Quarter has many activities and dining options that you can enjoy during your stay. Don’t forget to stop and get your Mickey Beignets at the Scat Cat Cafe.
Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside
There are many room options available at Port Orleans Riverside. That is because this resort offers two special rooms that most other resorts do not offer. The Royal Guest Rooms are beautifully themed and Riverside also offers a 5th Sleeper in some rooms which is perfect if you are traveling with 5 people.
Room options available at Port Orleans Riverside
- Standard Room: 2 queen beds.
- Woods View Room: 2 queen beds with views of Landscaping, the courtyard, or the Bayou.
- Standard View: 5th Sleeper: 2 Queen beds plus 1 pull-down child-sized bed. With views of the parking areas.
- Woods View: 5th Sleeper: 2 Queen beds plus 1 pull-down child-sized bed. With views of the landscaping, the courtyard, or the Bayou.
- Pool View Room: 2 Queen beds with views of the courtyard pool.
- River View Rooms: 2 Queen beds with views of the Riverfront
- Preferred Room: 2 Queen beds and 1 child-sized pull-down bed. The location is near the Sassagoula Steamboat Company, dining, shopping, and transportation.
- King Bed Room: 1 King Bed with views Views of the Garden, Bayou, Courtyard, or Riverfront.
Royal Guestrooms at Port Orleans Riverside
The Royal Guest Rooms at Riverside are located in the Oak Manor and Parterre Place buildings (buildings 90 & 95) in the Magnolia Bend area (the large mansions).
Each Royal Guest Room is themed beautifully. The wood flooring looks like a ballroom and the bedding, furniture, and other details are beautiful! The headboard features a light-up firework display and beautiful artwork. You’ll find prints of the princesses on the walls, and elegant patterned curtains. Be sure to take a very close look throughout the room to find all of the special touches. (light switches, faucets, and more!)
- Royal Guest Room – Standard View: 2 Queen beds. With views of the parking areas.
- Royal Guest Room – Woods View: 2 Queen beds. With views of the landscaping, the courtyard, or the Bayou.
- Royal Guest Room – River View: 2 Queen beds with views of the Riverfront
Room Features and Decor
Each room is furnished with a small table with 2 chairs. The beds are very comfortable! There’s plenty of space under the beds for your luggage, which is a huge space saver and something I think is important if you’re traveling with lots of luggage.
The rooms at Port Orleans Riverside have lots of helpful items that you’ll probably need during your stay.
You will find plenty of plugs and USB outlets throughout the rooms. There are 2 USB and 2 standard plugs between the beds at the nightstand. You will also find 4 more USB and 4 more plugs at the dresser. This is so helpful if you’re charging phones, MagicBands, rechargeable power banks, fans, or other electronics.
Rooms are equipped with the new Hey Disney Alexa gadget. That you might find helpful. You can also play a few games on Hey Disney!
The Princess and the Frog Theming in the Rooms
When you stay at any of the Walt Disney World Resorts you will notice Disney theming throughout the rooms. Some resorts have more obvious Disney Character theming but Port Orleans Riverside standard rooms have more subtle Disney details.
The rooms and resort grounds are themed after The Princess and the Frog movie. You’ll notice small touches of Tiana and the Prince frog throughout the rooms at Riverside.
Our room had a very rustic feel. The lamps were themed after lanterns from the South, there was punched tin over the refrigerator cabinet, and a washboard in the bathroom area. The Princess and the Frog theming is primarily in the privacy curtain and shower curtain. The beds have a small crown detail on the headboard.
In the bathroom, the shower curtain has a very cute Princess and the Frog theme.
Have fun looking around the room and throughout the park for little hidden details. You may find a few hidden Mickeys along the way too!
Storage in the Port Orleans Riverside standard room
Storage for clothing at Port Orleans Riverside
Our room had a 5th Sleeper which meant we did not have a large dresser in the room however, the sleeper had 3 huge drawers that you can use for clothing, so I feel like the storage space was pretty comparable.
In the bathroom area by the sinks, there is a long curtain rod with about 10 to 15 hangers you can use to hang clothes.
Travel Tip: When we travel with our kids, we always bring a super convenient foldable closet organizer and a shoe organizer. This gives us extra storage for their clothes or shoes when there aren’t enough drawers for everyone.
You will also have storage in the single nightstand between the beds.
There were some hooks above the coffee area which would be handy for backpacks and purses. Ours could not be used for longer items because of the coffee area below.
Storage for Food at Port Orleans Riverside
Our room included a mini fridge which I prefer for the colder temperatures, some rooms may have a beverage cooler instead which does not go colder than 41 degrees, which is not cool enough for many food/dairy items.
You can store your other groceries on the table or on top of the fridge cabinet beside the coffee maker.
Other in-room amenities
Each room also comes with a Cuisinart coffee maker that will make a single cup of coffee using Joffrey’s Coffee pods that are provided. You’ll also receive Twinnings tea bags and a few coffee creamers and sugars.
Don’t hesitate to request a refill or extra coffees, teas, sugars, crears, cups, etc. Housekeeping is happy to refill your items during your stay. There’s also an ice bucket you can use and fill at the ice machines throughout the resort.
On the wall you’ll have a large television, giving you access to your favorite channels and Disney movies to unwind after a day exploring the parks.
The Bathroom layout at Port Orleans Riverside:
In the bathroom area, you will have a door to divide the toilet and tub/shower from the sink and counter area. You’ll also find a privacy curtain that can be pulled closed to divide the room from the closet and sink.
We found this very helpful in the mornings. It allowed us to get ready without disturbing the sleeping teenagers in the room. It also gave us an extra private area to get dressed.
The door to the toilet and shower was also nice. This way someone can be using the toilet or taking a shower while others are getting ready at the sinks.
You’ll always find Disney bath products (formerly H2O products) in the shower, including body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. You will also receive a bar of soap and a shower cap. These are usually placed beside the sink area.
Storage in the bathroom area included an extra shelf at the vanity in front of the mirror where we like to keep our toothbrushes, haircare, and makeup products. There is also a shelf below the sink. We used folding bins to corral our bathroom items. There is also a makeup mirror on the wall that lights up.
Besides the closet rod and hangers you will also have a long shelf in the bathroom area. This is where the extra blankets and pillow, the locking safe, iron and the ironing board are stored but the shelf gives some extra storage.
This is where we set the folding laundry baskets that we bring on every trip.
Food and drinks – Dining at Riverside
What are the dining options at Port Orleans Riverside?
- Riverside Mill Food Court – Quick Service
- River Roost Lounge
- Boatwrights Dining Hall – Table Service Dining
- Muddy Rivers Pool Bar
- Or take a walk (or boat) over to Scat Cat Club Cafe at Port Orleans Resort. Get your Beignets here – See the menu and our review here.
Riverside Mill Food Court
The quick-service dining option at Port Orleans Riverside is at Riverside Mill Food Court. You’ll find several different food service areas: pizza and pasta, a grill, a bakery, sandwiches and more!
Breakfast features staples like Mickey-shaped waffles, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, scrambled eggs, and more! For lunch and dinner, you can enjoy country-fried port steak, cheeseburgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and more!
River Roost Lounge
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy an evening drink or small snack; stop by the River Roost Lounge. It opens at 5 pm every day.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall
This table service restaurant has a casual feel and delicious food! They are open for dinner and offer some delicious Southern dishes. You can try Mardi Gras Pimiento Fritters to start then enjoy southern favorites like Crispy Cajun Chicken, Jambalaya, Prime Rib, Shrimp and Grits (delicious!), and more!
Muddy Rivers Pool Bar
You will find the Muddy Rivers Pool Bar by the main pool on Ol’ Man Island. This is a large poolside bar where you can get an adult beverage, non-alcoholic drinks, sandwiches, and snacks to enjoy while you relax by the pool.
The Pools at Port Orleans Riverside
The main pool at Port Orleans Riverside is on Ol’ Man Island. This is a 3.5-acre “island” connected to the resort by 3 bridges. You’ll find a huge 95-foot waterslide and a large swimming pool.
There is also a kiddie pool nearby for little ones.
Quiet Pools at Port Orleans Riverside
Enjoy the quiet leisure pools (pictured above) There are 5 on the property so you’re always close to a pool. These 5 pools are a much more quiet and relaxing pool if you’re looking for a break from the noise and crowds.
Hot Tub at Port Orleans Riverside
There is a whirlpool tub (hot tub) at Riverside on Ol’ Man’s Island.
Events at the pools
There are several fun family-friendly activities at the pool each day. Including a pool party, races, trivia, and more! Find times and details on signage by the pools.
Other Activities
Check the schedule at Port Orleans Riverside to see the days and times these activities are available.
Fishing Hole at Ol’ Man Island
Try your hand at fishing with an old-fashioned pole at the Fishin’ Hole right behind the pool bar. Fishing gear is available to rent.
evening campfires
You’ll find evening campfires over on Ol’ Mans Island beside the playground area. They usually start the fires at 5:30 pm each night.
The Playground at Port Orleans Riverside
The playground at Riverside is located on Ol’ Man Island.
Rent A bike or Surrey
You can rent a 2 or 4-person Surrey bike and go for a fun adventure with your family as you ride between the two resorts along the Sassagoula River. The cost is $9-$20+tax.
Campfire Activities:
Enjoy an evening campfire and roast a marshmallow under the twinkling stars. S’mores kits are available to purchase.
Horse-Drawn Carriages Rides
Take a romantic 25-minute carriage along the Sassagoula River. The cost is around $65 + Tax and can fit up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 small children.
Medicine Show Arcade
Visit the video game arcade right off the main lobby. There are plenty of games to keep you entertained (70+ games!)
Sassagoula River Cruise:
Take an enjoyable boat ride to Disney Springs, or Port Orleans French Quarter. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and keep an eye out for some local wildlife.
The Cost to Stay at Port Orleans Riverside Resort
The cost for rooms varies from around $323 up to over $400 (for non-discounted rooms). Royal Rooms start at $400 for non-discounted rooms.
The cost of a room at Port Orleans Riverside varies depending on the time of year, discounts available, or day of the week. There are many great promotions to watch for. From Free Dining offers to 35% off at times. Working with a travel agent is the best way to get the best deal (and travel agents cost you nothing!)
Is Port Orleans Riverside good for families?
I think Port Orleans Riverside is a great resort for families or couples who prefer a more peaceful resort to come home to after a busy day at the parks.
The pool at the resort is a highlight for most children. Kids of all ages love the 95-foot water slide too! There is also a nice hot tub for the adults to enjoy! The playground is also very nice. The resort offers plenty of fun activities for the kids too.
Bonus Tips for staying at French quarter Riverside:
Don’t forget to factor in the Early Theme Park Entry benefit available to resort guests. This allows you to enter the parks 30 minutes early on most days, giving you more time to ride the rides, eat the treats, and make lots of memories!
*Try to get to the bus stop an hour before the early park entry time to get to the park in time for “rope drop”.
Don’t forget to grab a resort pin or some beignet Minnie ears as a fun keepsake and souvenir from your stay at Port Orleans Riverside!
Have you stayed at Port Orleans Riverside? Share your experience in the comments below!
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