Six Reasons Why You’ll Love Port Orleans — Riverside

Once upon a time, Walt Disney World featured a single hotel based on the Old South and New Orleans.

Eventually, Disney split that property into two resorts, one of which I praise relentlessly.

I’m an unabashed evangelist for Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter.

So, I tend to overlook its larger sibling, but I intend to change that today.

Here are six reasons you’ll love Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside.

The Mansions

When Disney built the original version of this hotel, it had the Old South in mind.

I’m talking about the Restoration era of the 19^th century, although some documents suggest it’s even earlier.

The gist is that you’re traveling through time when you visit here, as is the tendency with Disney hotels.

At this one, you’ll quickly realize that you’re exploring the area of big Southern mansions.

Disney has styled the hotel buildings after southern plantations. Even the name indicates this.

Half of the resort slots into the category of Magnolia Bend housing, and they are three-story mansions.

Yes, more than 1,000 rooms at Riverside are nothing more than rooms in a connected mansion.

The visual takes a bit to get used to seeing, as you just walk up to the mansion as if you own it.

After a while, you’ll adapt to the unique setting, which is quite opulent for a Moderate Tier resort.

The Southern Alligator Bayou

Of course, you may prefer the slightly glamorous rooms at Alligator Bayou.

This section represents another part of the Old South, and it’s a bit more convenient.

In fact, Disney books a Room Type called Preferred. It’s for guests who want to be closer to the action.

All the rooms in the Preferred category reside at Alligator Bayou, which tells the story.

You should stay here when you want to be closer to the hotel lobby, restaurants, and main pool.

Of course, you won’t mind that a bit, as this side of the resort is gorgeous, too.

A river runs through the Riverside campus, which makes the Alligator Bayou theme feel authentic and real.

All the hotel buildings here feature a Deep South flair akin to what you’d find in Louisiana and Mississippi.

These rustic two-story buildings look vaguely like houses, which is by design.

One thing you should know about them is that Alligator Bayou’s buildings lack elevators.

Photo: Disney

So, those of you who don’t like stairs should request rooms on the first floor. It happens a lot.

Whatever you choose, all the rooms in this area will impress you with their rich details and impeccable Disney theming.

The Location

Everybody loves a good boat ride, and you can take one at Port Orleans – Riverside.

Due to the convenient location of this hotel, you can hop on a boat and head straight to Disney Springs.

Yes, this is one of a handful of Disney resorts hosting boat transportation to the entertainment complex.

So, you’ll enjoy ready access to your favorite restaurants, shops, and activities at Disney Springs.

That’s not all! This resort is also just 2.9 miles from EPCOT and 3.8 miles from Magic Kingdom.

The bus rides to these two theme parks usually take seven or eight minutes, according to Google.

Thus, when you stay at Port Orleans – Riverside, you’re choosing to be in the middle of the action.

You’re mere minutes away from three of the most popular destinations at the Disney World campus.

The Dining

Riverside Mill Food Court

A couple of restaurants at Riverside stand out for their cuisine, and you can understand why.

Riverside Mill Food Court, the Quick Service restaurant, functions as a hotel food court.

Source: PortOrleans.org

That’s a smart decision for a resort with more than 2,000 rooms, but the scale doesn’t explain the lines.

The food’s the reason why everyone lines up here. Customers want Gumbo and Jambalaya.

This is THE place to go for the best versions of both dishes at an affordable price.

Even after Disney’s October 2025 price increases, both dishes cost less than $12.50.

Both entrees are ridiculously cheap by Disney standards, and they’re decadent Cajun cuisine.

Of course, sometimes you’ll want something a bit fancier, and that’s where Boatwright Dining Hall comes into play.

This restaurant also serves coastal cuisine such as a delicious Seafood Boil.

You can buy Boatwright’s Jambalaya here, too, but I’d recommend something even better.

The Taste of the Bayou All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Platter provides you a bottomless plate full of meats and vegetables.

Both these restaurants are among the best-reviewed in the Moderate Tier. You’ll eat VERY well at Riverside.

The Royal Guest Room

Letter from Princess Tiana in the Royal Guest Rooms

What the world needs now more than ever is a Disney Princess vibe.

The Critical Role team knows this, which explains why their upcoming Amazon series, Mighty Nein, features four different Disney Princesses.

Tiana Picture in the Royal Guest Rooms

Okay, technically, the show has cast the voice actors famous for playing several Disney Princesses…but still.

Everyone loves them, and Riverside leans into this fact by adding the Royal Guest Room as a booking option.

Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside

You can stay in these rooms and admire Disney Princesses from every angle. Their pictures adorn the walls.

Disney has posted magic illustrations on the headboards, and even the lines seem fancier than usual.

So, you’ll feel like royalty AND be surrounded by royalty when you stay in this Room Type.

Yehaa’s Show

Finally, we have the reason why people have visited River Roost, a Riverside lounge, for many years.

“Yehaa” Bob Jackson performs shows here several times a week, and they always draw a crowd.

Jackson, a musician, sings and plays piano in between telling a few jokes and stories.

Jackson didn’t do his show during the early days of the pandemic, but he did livestream them.

Photo: Disney

I watched a couple, and the Disney energy was always off the charts.

When he finally returned to River Roost, the show sold out as fans passionately celebrated the big comeback.

Photo: Disney

Yehaa isn’t young, so you should enjoy this act while you can. Retirement probably isn’t too far away.

Riverside and Yehaa Bob are inextricably linked, and his show is not to be missed during a stay here.

Photo: MickeyBlog

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