Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Travel Guide

I recently stayed at Port Orleans- Riverside and loved it! This moderate resort is located at Walt Disney World. I love how it feels like you aren’t even in Florida when you stay at this resort. You’ll feel like you really have been transported to New Orleans with the overall feel of this resort. Port Orleans- Riverside is located right next to Port Orleans- French Quarter.

Port Orleans Riverside Resort is separated into two areas of the old south: Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou. Each area has its charms. You’ll find areas hidden in the bayou with walkways, greenery, and little gazebos and fountains that are fun to find.

Magnolia Bend

Magnolia Bend is themed in the style of the Old South. Part of the resort looks like it is a Plantation-style mansion. There are 4 buildings at Magnolia Bend: Acadian House, Parterre Place, Oak Manor, and Magnolia Terrace. Magnolia Terrace and Oak Manor are right across from the Sassasougla Steamboat Company. This is where you will find the main restaurants, gift shops, and lounge. Magnolia Bend has standard rooms, 5th sleeper rooms, and Royal Rooms in this area.

Alligator Bayou

Alligator Bayou is themed with Louisian-style lodges. These buildings are numbered and not named (like Magnolia Bend is). You’ll find walkways, small bridges, and streams throughout this section. Buildings 14, 15, 18, and 27 are the buildings closest to Sassagoula Steamboat Company and the South Bus Depot. These are considered preferred rooms with 5th sleeper rooms available as well.

Accommodations

This resort recently updated its rooms. You’ll find rooms that sleep up to 4 guests with some that will hold up to 5 making it a great resort for families.

Standard View: 2 Queen Beds with views of the parking area

Standard View 5th Sleeper: 2 Queen Beds AND 1 child-size pull-down bed with views of the parking area

Pool View: 2 Queen Beds with views of the courtyard pool

River View: 2 Queen Beds with views of the riverfront

Woods View: 2 Queen Beds with views of the landscaping, courtyard, or bayou

King Bed: 1 King Bed with views of the landscaping, courtyard, bayou, riverfront, or courtyard pool

Preferred Room: 2 Queen Beds and 1 child-size pull-down bed with views of the landscaping, courtyard, or bayou (Close to the main lobby, dining, and transportation areas)

Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside are the only princess-themed guest rooms at Walt Disney World, featuring Tiana’s friends from animated films such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Little Mermaid, and Snow White.

Royal Guest Room – Standard View: 2 Queen Beds with views of the parking area

Royal Guest Room – River View: 2 Queen Beds with views of the riverfront

Royal Guest Room – Woods View: 2 Queen Beds with views of the landscaping, courtyard, or bayou

Dining

Riverside Mill Food Court: You’ll find southern food like jambalaya and chili but also burgers and chicken. This location serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is a pretty standard food court location.

River Roost: River Roost serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a few appetizer options. This lounge is open 5 PM – 11 PM. There is a piano player Wednesday- Saturday evenings.

Muddy Rivers Pool Bar: You’ll find this bar on ‘Ol Man Island. This bar serves sandwiches, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. There is a covered seating area, connected to the main areas of the pool.

Boatwright’s Dining Hall: Boatwrights is the formal table service restaurant at Port Orlean’s Riverside resort. This restaurant is small and you’ll find southern-inspired food at this restaurant.

Recreation

Pools

‘Ol Man Island: This is the main pool for the resort. The pool’s theme is “abandoned sawmill” and features a 95-foot-long waterslide and daily activities and games at the pool. This is the biggest and busiest pool on property. This is where the poolside activities will take place and where you can find a bar with bar service.

Leisure Pools: Each building has its own pool. It’s very laid back and much more quiet compared to ‘Ol Man Island. There are 3 pools in Alligator Bayou and 2 pools in Magnolia Bend.

Movies Under the Stars

Disney hosts “Movie Under the Stars” and is located on Ol Man Island. This takes place each evening and features an evening campfire on select nights. (weather permitting)

Campfire on de’ Bayou

Enjoy a smores roast located on Ol’ Man Island by the playground from 6 PM to 7 PM. This event is every day of the week.

Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

See the entire resort is by horse and carriage. Rent a carriage for $55 for a 25-minute excursion along the Sassagoula River. The carriage seats 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 small children. You can make reservations on the same day that you want to ride.

Bike Rentals

Rent a bike and take a leisurely ride along the Resort’s scenic waterfront promenade. You can also rent a Surrey bike from Riverside Levee Marina. Ride in comfort and stability on a covered 2- or 4-person surrey bike.

Fishing

Experience bass fishing with a guided catch-and-release excursion from the Riverside Levee Marina. Old-fashioned cane pole fishing is also available at the Fishin’ Hole on Ol’ Man Island. Fishing at Walt Disney World Resort is catch and release only.

Jogging Trail

Run or walk along the lushly landscaped banks of the Sassagoula River on a paved, mile-long path.

Playground

Kids can climb, slide and play at this themed area near the main pool at 3.5-acre Ol’ Man Island.

Medicine Show Arcade

Show off your gaming skills at this video arcade located in the Colonel’s Cotton Mill building.

Amenities

Bus Transportation: Port Orleans Riverside has 4 Bus Stops. The buses will stop at each before heading to the parks which can take some time. It’s about a 10-15 minute bus ride to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is about 15-20 minutes to Magic Kingdom and about 20-25 minutes to Animal Kingdom.

Water Taxi: There is a water taxi that will take you to Disney Springs and Port Orleans French Quarter. The water taxi comes every 20 minutes and travels back and forth all day.

Parking: Overnight self-parking is complimentary to guests staying at Disney resort hotels.

While I love Port Orleans Riverside, I LOVE Port Orleans French Quarter. Why you ask? MICKEY BEIGNETS. If you stay at Port Orleans Riverside, it’s an easy walk or car ride over to French Quarter where you HAVE to order some Mickey beignets. They are worth the trip to his resort!