Port Orleans Riverside is a beautiful and peaceful resort option for your Walt Disney World vacation. With its southern charm and scenic views, you’ll feel transported back to Louisiana! I recently stayed here, so I hope you enjoy my resort review.
Port Orleans Riverside is a charming and picturesque resort in the Disney Springs area of the Walt Disney World Resort. As its name suggests, it is inspired by the Southern plantation-style mansions, the Louisiana Bayou, and the scenic Mississippi River. The resort offers a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere, with lush greenery, blooming flowers, and the meandering Sassagoula River.
Upon arrival, you enter the main building, known as the Sassagoula Steamboat Company building. Inside the great hall-themed building, you will find guest services, Fulton’s General Store, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, River Roost Lounge, and the Medicine Show Arcade. Connected to the main building is the Riverside Mill Food Court which features a working cotton press operated by a 35-ft water wheel.
Guest Rooms
The resort is made up of two sections – Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou. Magnolia Bend has four three-story buildings modeled after the old plantation-style mansions of the South, each holding 256 guest rooms. Two of the four buildings hold Standard rooms, while the other two have Royal Guest rooms. Alligator Bayou consists of sixteen smaller, rustic-style cottage buildings, each holding 64 guest rooms.
All rooms come furnished with two queen beds, with a limited number of rooms offering King beds, a nightstand, a small table with two chairs, a dresser, a full-length mirror, and a flat-panel TV. Alligator Bayou rooms also offer a Murphy-style pull-down bed and can accommodate up to five people. The bathrooms are fairly large with the bathtub and toilet separated from the double sink counter and large mirror above. There is also a wall safe and plenty of hanging space. Some of the rooms at this resort are also dog-friendly, for a fee, which makes it a great option for those who wish to bring their pets. The Royal guest rooms are Princess Tiana themed and feature more ornate furniture and artwork throughout, in addition to special headboards that create an optic light “fireworks” display.
Recreation
Behind the main building sits Ol’ Man Island. This is home to the main pool, which is modeled after a swimming hole and has a play area consisting of a wooden bridge and a water slide. In addition to organized poolside activities throughout the day, there is also a whirlpool, kiddie pool, small playground, and the Muddy Rivers Pool Bar. For those who wish to relax somewhere quieter, there are five additional leisure pools throughout the resort – two in Magnolia Bend, and three in Alligator Bayou.
The resort also offers a wide range of activities to keep guests entertained throughout their stay such as horsedrawn carriage rides, bike and surrey rentals, and even fishing.
Dining and Entertainment
Guests can also enjoy a delicious meal at the resort’s on-site restaurants. Riverside Mill Food Court looks like your typical mall food court with stations for pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and more. Here you can also find the refillable resort mugs which allow you unlimited refills at any Walt Disney World resort. Boatwright’s Dining Hall is a full-service restaurant that offers a variety of Southern-inspired dishes. River Roost Lounge comes alive in the evenings with nightly entertainment, specialty drinks, and a small selection of appetizers.
Transportation
Free Disney bus transportation is provided to all theme parks and each park has a dedicated bus. There are four bus stops around the resort, so you can find the one closest to you. If you want to visit Disney Springs, just hop on the water taxi for a relaxing ride down the Sassagoula River. You will pass the Port Orleans French Quarter resort along the way, which is only a short walk from Riverside if you are looking for more recreation and dining options.
Overall, Port Orleans Riverside Resort is an excellent choice for those who want to experience the charm and tranquility of the South while still enjoying all the excitement of Walt Disney World. With its beautiful scenery, comfortable accommodations, endless activities, and great price point, this resort is sure to provide a memorable and enjoyable vacation for guests of all ages.