Come Along With Us To Stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside!
Disney World offers a variety of hotels to choose from, with some that make you feel like you’re stepping into an animated movie and others that transport you to a completely different place and time. With so many to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one is best for you, but we’re here to help!
We’re staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside and want to take you along with us to show you everything this hotel has to offer. That way, you can decide if it’s the best place to stay for your next trip to Disney World! Let’s go.
Port Orleans Resort — Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside is a moderate resort located in the Disney Springs resort area, but it’s also pretty close to EPCOT. And, it’s right next to Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter (they share some amenities!).
Arriving at the Resort
It’s themed to look like a charming, rural Louisiana-style resort.
Let’s head inside!
You will walk into the lobby and see an open space inspired by some New Orleans design. Off of here is the check-in area, the arcade, the bar and lounge, and the store, as well as a hallway to more dining options.
Let’s look at the check-in area!
This is also where you’ll be given a map to the resort.
The lobby is a quaint area with some seating and the check-in desks.
If you look closely, you can see some hidden Mickeys in the arches above the columns.
It’s actually kind of regal!
Leaving the lobby, we can take a look around the store. The store here is Fulton’s General Store and has a bunch of different merchandise.
You will find Disney items…
…as well as items themed specifically to this resort.
Just look at this pretty Minnie ears!
They also carry items you might need during your stay like snacks and supplies.
They sometimes have Disney trivia in this store! We were lucky enough to stumble upon it, got some Disney questions about the theme parks right, and we won a button!
Moving back into the main entrance area, you can see the entrance down to the Medicine Show Arcade…
…and the hallway that leads to more food options! We’ll talk more about the food in a little bit.
In this lobby area, you can also sometimes find some pin boards near the Bell Services.
You can trade pins with the boards and add to your collection!
River Roost Lounge
Also connected to the main lobby area is the entrance to the bar and lounge at this hotel — River Roost Lounge.
It’s a full bar that also has some light snacks!
There is a bunch of seating in here.
Here is a look at part of the menu. You can see the full menu right here!
From Wednesdays through Saturdays, you can see Yehaa Bob Jackson perform here!
He’s playing his wacky piano and singing some fun songs from 8:30PM to 11:45PM.
It’s very entertaining, so you should stop by and check out the tunes if you can!
Exploring the Resort Grounds
The resort is set along the Sassagoula River, which runs through the resort.
The main dining hall, lobby, and shopping area are set on the dock, so you get some great views of the water!
It also makes you feel like you are wandering the walkways of a Louisiana port.
Port Orleans Riverside really makes you feel like you’re in the bayou, relaxing in nature.
Riverside Levee Marina
The marina are the resort, where the main buildings are located, is where you will find the water taxi!
You can take this water taxi to the nearby Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter and to Disney Springs.
The marina is also where you can be picked up for a guided fishing excursion if you book one.
And, it’s where you can rent normal bikes, as well as the Surrey Bikes, which are covered 2- or 4-person bikes you can take on an excursion.
Finally, the marina is home to the Horse Drawn Carriage Excursions!
If you book a carriage ride, you will get to enjoy the grounds while being pulled by these majestic horses.
Food Options
Most of the food spots are located in the main area of the resort — the buildings that sit on the marina. We already showed you River Roost Lounge, let’s take a look at what else is offered over here!
Riverside Mill Food Court
Riverside Mill Food Court is the main dining hall at Port Orleans Riverside. It’s a quick service location with American food inspired by Southern Louisiana style cooking.
There are grab and go options as well as five stations: bakery, grill, pizza & pasta, specialties, and sandwiches. You can see the full menu right here!
Here’s another look.
You can find a bunch of seating in here!
Let’s try some food that’s exclusive to this resort.
We got two of the create-your-own entree options!
With this, you select a protein and then two sides.
Here is a look at the options!
Let’s eat!
We got the smothered beef in gravy with a side of Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and cauliflower for $15.79. The beef was almost like a pot roast but with Louisiana spices so it had a bit of a kick!
It was delicious and well seasoned. The cauliflower is the seasonal vegetable right now and it was good, then the potatoes were amazing, especially with the gravy from the beef!
We also got the citrus-basil salmon with mashed potatoes and cauliflower for $17.99. This salmon was really good for a quick service spot!
It’s more like a basic baked salmon but it had a very strong citrus and basil flavor that we enjoyed.
We also got some Zapp’s Voodoo potato chips from New Orleans! They’re kettle chips with spices that almost taste like a BBQ chip but with more of a zing to it and some acidity from the vinegar. We thought they were delicious!
Boatwright’s Dining Hall
If you would like a table service food spot, you can check out Boatwright’s Dining Hall, which is connected to the main building as well!
It’s only open for dinner and it’s inside of a cavernous dining hall.
The dining hall features the skeletal hull of a lugger fishing boat suspended as its centerpiece.
Here, you can enjoy the flavors of Louisiana! We went for dinner one night and it started out with their classic cornbread.
This comes with every meal.
We also got the French Onion Soup Au Gratin! This is Gruyère cheese, onions, and a toasted crouton in a rich beef broth reminiscent to Pierre D’Orr’s home village for $10.
For entrees, we tried the Grilled Salmon, which is grilled salmon and shrimp with sherry cream sauce, mushrooms, thyme rice, and seasonal vegetables for $33. You can also get this blackened upon request.
We also tried the Roasted Prime Rib, which is slow-roasted prime rib topped with Cajun butter served with mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable for $39. You can also get this one blackened upon request.
Take a look at the full menu right here.
More Food Nearby
Remember, you’re very close to Port Orleans French Quarter as it’s right next door. You can walk over or take a water taxi to enjoy their food options!
During our stay, we went over to Scat Cat’s Club — Café, a quick service spot right outside of Scat Cat’s Club — Lounge, to grab some of the iconic beignets!
We got the limited-time Ghoulish Beignets, which are Mickey-shaped Beignets dusted with cookies and cream powdered sugar and a ghoulish marshmallow crème drizzle for $9.49.
They’re some of the best beignets we’ve had at Disney! They’re warm and fresh, and the cookies and cream powder goes perfectly with the marshmallow crème drizzle.
Ol’ Man Island
Ol’ Man Island is located just across the main bridge at the resort and it’s where you can enjoy a bunch of fun activities! It’s also where the main pool area is located.
This pool is designed to look like an abandoned sawmill…
…and also has a 95 foot-long waterslide!
You can find a whirlpool tub, a kiddie pool…
…and some hammocks!
Next to the pool is Muddy Rivers, which is the pool bar at this resort. They serve a variety of drinks and some snacks.
You can see the menu right here!
It’s a convenient spot to grab a cocktail to enjoy by the pool.
Ol’ Man Island isn’t just where you can go swimming, you can also go fishing at the Fishin’ Hole!
You can use the fishing poles here to cast off of the dock.
And, there is a playground for little ones to enjoy.
Here is another look! It’s set in a cozy wooded area.
There is also a beautiful live oak tree planted on the island that matches the one planted at the front of the resort. You can read all about it!
Finally, you can participate in some Campfire Activities on Ol’ Man Island!
This happens by the playground every night from 6PM to 7PM.
Here is another look!
Resort Buildings
The buildings with the rooms in them are spread out around the serene waters.
There are two designated areas with rooms — Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou.
Magnolia Bend is full of white-column mansions.
It’s also split up into four areas — Acadian House, Magnolia Terrace, Oak Manor, and Parterre Place.
This is where you can find the Royal Guest Rooms that are exclusive to this resort.
There are two leisure pools located in Magnolia Bend for you to enjoy.
These are much quieter than the main pool area.
The buildings in Alligator Bayou are styled to be more like quaint, backwoods cottages.
These are super cozy!
In Alligator Bayou, there are three leisure pools amongst the buildings.
These pools are where to go if you want to swim without a lot of people around.
Our Hotel Room
There are a variety of room options at Port Orleans Riverside! They sleep 2-5 people depending on the option you choose and come with a variety of views like standard, woods, pool, and river.
Preferred rooms will be closer to the main buildings of the resort.
The Royal Guest Rooms here are themed to The Princess and the Frog and are decked out for royalty. They sleep 4 people and also have a variety of view options.
We’re staying in a 5-bedroom room in Alligator Bayou. This room has an outdoor entrance.
The room comes with two queen beds and a pull-down twin under the TV.
Here’s another look.
Behind the pull down is a tribute to The Princess and the Frog!
The whole room actually has some nods to the movie, like the curtain to separate off the bathroom area.
There is also a table and chairs in here…
…and an area with a mini fridge and coffee station.
Here’s a look at the bathroom!
And, the shower and toilet area.
Overall, this is a spacious room with a cozy vibe to it.
More About Port Orleans — Riverside
Dog-Friendly Accommodations
Port Orleans Riverside actually allows you to bring your dog with you on your stay! There is a limit of 2 dogs per room and restrictions and fees apply.
You do have to let the resort know if you’re bringing dogs, so you should call (407) 939-5277 first. And, during your stay, Best Friends Pet Care can provide assistance with day care and other pet services!
For details, call (877) 4-WDW-PETS or (877) 493-9738, or visit bestfriendspetcare.com. You can also check out the official dog policy PDF right here.
Stay tuned for more Disney World news and updates!
