Southern hospitality at it’s BEST! Find out if this moderate resort might be right for your family, right here in Port Orleans Riverside: A Disney World Resort Review.

Port Orleans Riverside: A Disney World Resort Review

Everything moves at a slower pace and is more relaxed in the South; this resort is proof of that! This resort truly makes you feel as if you are on vacation. From relaxing walks to horse-drawn carriage rides to southern cuisine, Port Orleans Riverside will welcome you to sit a spell and relax!

Port Orleans Riverside is one of the largest resorts on Disney World property. Boasting large plantation style buildings in Magnolia Bend and tons of southern charm in Alligator Bayou, you will feel right at home! This resort is in the moderate category, meaning you will have queen size beds, a coffee maker and a few other amenities. All rooms will have queen size beds, unless a king is requested. The categories for most rooms are: standard, garden view, pool view, preferred room, river view and king. Accessible rooms are also available.

Accommodations

Alligator Bayou

This section houses all of the “preferred rooms” for Port Orleans Riverside.  Alligator Bayou buildings (the preferred locations) are located closest to the main building and the South Depot bus stop (buildings 14, 15, 18 and 27). Preferred simply means you are guaranteed a closer room to the main building and bus stop.

***Please note there are NO ELEVATORS in any of the preferred buildings, so if mobility is an issue, request a ground floor room. We paid extra for the preferred room and were very happy with it, but did NOT know there were no elevators. Lugging everything up and down a flight of stairs wasn’t fun.

Magnolia Bend

In the Magnolia Bend section, you will find large plantation style buildings with large columns and perfectly manicured lawns.

Magnolia Bend is where you will find the Royal Guest rooms. This is definitely where “royalty” needs to be! With rooms fit for princes or princesses, you will feel as if you are in a Disney movie!! These rooms boasts lots of “Disney movie” charm from greats such as “The Princess and the Frog“. There are four room categories in this section: standard view, river view, garden view and pool view.

Nice Surprises

One nice surprise is that most rooms will accommodate up to five people in one room, with a murphy style pull down bed! Please note that these are not available in the Royal Guest rooms. As you can see, we used ours for a luggage rack!

Sassagoula Steamboat Company (Main building)

Sassagoula Steamboat Company is where you will find everything you need while visiting Disney World. This is the main building of Port Orleans Riverside that houses the front desk (check-in), dining, shopping and tons of fun!

Supper

After spending a day in the parks, you will be ready to come “home” to Port Orleans Riverside and have some “supper”. You will find several tasty options available! Of course, Riverside Mill food court has your quick service dining options available with favorites such as a bakery, grilled items, pizza & pasta, specialties, salads and even a carving station! You will also find some tasty “cajun” dishes that can only be found here at Port Orleans Riverside! Grab a “Swamp Burger” or a “Shrimp Salad Po’ Boy”!

Maybe you want to slow things down even more. If that’s the case, then Boatwright’s Dining Hall is where you want to be. This sit down/table service restaurant has some great “fixin’s”. My personal favorite? Well, the Voodoo Chicken (Crispy-battered Chicken Breast and Fluffy Golden Waffles topped with Maple-Bacon Sauce), of course! How could you go wrong with that? Also available is the down home favorite of Shrimp N’ Grits. Reservations are available and are highly recommended, although we just walked right up and were seated.

Splashin’ Around

With six pools to splash around in, you will definitely stay cool! Come on down to the “swimmin’ hole” at Ol’ Man Island. This is where all of the action is! This is conveniently located in the middle of the resort, for all to enjoy. Also nearby is a whirlpool tub and Muddy Rivers pool bar, for even more relaxation and fun. One of the best things about this “swimmin’ hole” is the water slide!!

There are five more pools located around the resort. Three are in Alligator Bayou, while the other two are in Magnolia Bend. These are considered the “quiet pools“, so that means no jumping and no hollerin’, ya hear!

Laundry facilities are located at each of the “quiet pools” around the resort.  Find out more about laundry at Disney right here: LAUNDRY AT DISNEY.

Medicine Show Arcade

This super fun arcade area will keep your kiddos busy! With state of the art games, they will love spending some time (and your money) here!

Shopping

Fulton’s General Store has everything you need for your magical vacation! From souvenirs to snacks to things you forgot to bring!

Extra Fun

Port Orleans Riverside is one of the liveliest resorts around Disney World. If you are looking for some relaxing fun, you may want to check out the horse drawn carriage rides, rent a bicycle or just drift down to Disney Springs along the water. If you are needing more “adult” fun, then you won’t want to miss out on the happenings at the River Roost Lounge with “Yee-Ha” Bob!

Movies under the stars and a campfire is also available most evenings at Ol’ Man Island.

Transportation to Parks and Disney Springs

Since Port Orleans Riverside is such a large resort, there are several internal bus stops around the resort. These buses will take you to and from the parks. Also available is a great water taxi that will get you to and from Disney Springs with a scenic and relaxing view!

Did ‘ya Know?

Did you know that Port Orleans French Quarter is right next door. You are more than welcome to mosey over and hang out-Mardi Gras style! (No bead throwing required!).

Check out more fun at Port Orleans Riverside, right here: PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE RECREATION

Have you stayed at this resort before? Let us know what you thought about it!

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

photo credit: Express Monorail Water Wheel via photopin (license)

Ready to plan your magical vacation? Go HERE for a FREE quote!

• Post may contain affiliate links.

GetDeals, Tips, and Updates Delivered to Your Inbox!

SUBSCRIBE!

Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo, you're in! Check your inbox for a special message from us!