Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Review
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is a Moderate Resort at Walt Disney World. This hotel review covers the pros & cons of Riverside, with photos of its rooms, common areas, amenities, grounds, and more. We will also cover basics about Port Orleans Riverside, including our take on it, and who might enjoy it best. (Last updated May 2, 2019.)
In our Moderate Resort Comparison, we ranked it pretty highly, calling it on par thematically with some Deluxes, so you might already know that we think a lot of people might enjoy it. As mentioned there, the theming really shines at Riverside, which draws is themed to a rural Louisiana port city that is along the Sassagoula River.
Riverside is divided into Alligator Bayou (bayou) and Magnolia Bend (mansions), which assists it in offering more thematic variety. In addition to these two different styles, each building within the sections uses different materials based upon its location on the river. The backstory is interesting and engaging (and is executed cleverly throughout the resort), and the quiet pathways that litter Riverside make it a great place to take a romantic stroll. The grounds are absolutely stunning, with rich wilderness in the bayou and perfectly manicured gardens around the mansions.
This variety of theming is really quite impressive and is pulled off remarkably well. The mansions of Magnolia Bend are surrounded by large, perfectly manicured lawns and beautiful gardens, which provide a stark contrast to the untamed wilderness and seemingly uncontrolled growth in Alligator bayou. In Alligator Bayou you feel you’d be at home floating down the river in a rickety boat hunting for crawdads. In Magnolia Bend, you might be better suited donning your dress seersucker, putting on a bow-tie, and drinking some mint juleps.
Now let’s take a detailed look at why we enjoy Port Orleans Riverside so much…
As you can see, the above style is quite a bit different than the below style.
Variety is the spice of life, right?
Due to Riverside’s sprawling layout, these differing styles don’t visually clash with one another. However, this layout may be perceived as a negative by some guests who aren’t fans of walking or internal transportation.
We don’t mind either, and found the transportation to be more than adequate. We found that the larger layout gave us more to explore and a larger area to wander for romantic nighttime strolls (or carriage or bike rides if that’s your thing).
The area around the Main Lobby ties all of this theming together perfectly with its steamship theming, providing an excellent transition between the bayou and the mansions. In addition to the variety of boat and bike rentals available outside, inside there are a number of dining and shopping options.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall is the table service restaurant at Riverside, and it is themed as a Southern, shipyard warehouse, complete with tools lining the walls and a large wooden hull of a fishing boat suspended from the ceiling. We have a full Boatwright’s Dining Hall Review from one of our more recent stays at Riverside. Additional. A lot of the restaurant’s story is told by the tools and artifacts hung from the walls.
Riverside Mill Food Court (read our review of the food court) and River Roost Lounge are the other two dining options at Port Orleans Riverside. The food court is themed as a riverside mill…I’ll bet you would have never guessed that based on its name!
The theme here is carried out excellently–it probably has the coolest theming of any food court at Walt Disney World. The menu is also fairly diverse at Riverside Mill, with plenty of options for guests.
Riverside has several pools, with the main pool being located on ‘Ol Man Island in the middle of the resort, where the playground is also located. I wouldn’t necessarily call the pool disappointing, but it’s probably our least favorite pool at any Moderate Resort. The complex is nice and large, and the pool is nice, but the theming leaves something to be desired.
It’s difficult to say what could have been done better with the theming, but I far prefer the approach taken by Port Orleans French Quarter, which combines uses fun gators and a serpentine to overcome what otherwise might be “bland” Louisiana theming for its pool. This is a relatively minor complaint at what is otherwise the best-themed Moderate Resort at Walt Disney World. Guests at Port Orleans Riverside receive MagicBands and can make FastPass+ reservations (read our Guide to FastPass+ at Walt Disney World for more tips and info on that).
As far as rooms go, Port Orleans again shines. Above is what the regular guest rooms in Magnolia Bend (the “mansions”) currently look like.
In addition to these standard rooms, the Royal Rooms are also located in Magnolia Bend.
Port Orleans Riverside received a ‘soft goods’ update to these rooms recently that refreshed some of the furnishings and revised the style (removing the comforters, among other things).
There were complaints prior to the refurbishment that the rooms felt dated. That is not the case anymore, but the style is definitely old-fashioned–from an intentional thematic perspective.
The other section of Port Orleans Riverside is Alligator Bayou. Those rooms feel slightly more rustic, but their biggest upside is that they have removed the dresser and replaced it with a fold-down Murphy bed that enables the Alligator Bayou rooms to sleep 5 adults.
Note that the Alligator Bayou rooms are currently being refurbished, with the project likely to last until Fall 2019. We recently stayed in a renovated room and shared the experience in our New Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside post, so check that out for a photo and video tour.
For the most part, the bathrooms are similar to how they looked prior to the refurbishment. I believe the mirrors and maybe the light fixtures were swapped out.
These rooms are the same style (albeit with thematic differences) as those covered in our updated Caribbean Beach Resort Review. We personally prefer the rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort, but the theme and overall atmosphere, we think, is better at Port Orleans.
Like all Moderate Resorts at Walt Disney World, pretty basic…
Above is a look at the ADA bathroom; this isn’t really representative of the resort as a whole.
In terms of amenities, Port Orleans Riverside’s rooms feel modern and clean, with a sufficient number of details and subtle charm to make them distinctly “Disney.” These details are more on the subtle side, rather than overt imagery of Mickey and various other characters.
With that said, if you are traveling with small children, this might not be for you. We view Port Orleans as a more romantic option; this is not to say it isn’t for kids (I loved our stays here as a kid), but it’s not our top pick if you’re primarily interested in kid appeal. You might want to instead consider a different resort or one of the above-mention Royal Guest Rooms for that.
Although the Port Orleans Riverside Royal Guest Rooms are beyond the scope of this review (again, read our separate Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside Review for more on them), above is a peak at the inside of them. They are great rooms for families with kids and would make a great compromise for families looking for an incredibly well-themed Moderate Resort that also has a liberal helping of classic Disney theming.
The Royal Guest Rooms are brought to life by Disney Characters, and special “royal” touches like custom drapes and linens and ornately decorated beds. The headboards on these beds glitter with fiber optic “fireworks” lights. There is a nightly upcharge for these rooms, but the theming likely appeals more to kids than most Deluxes, and the rooms are cheaper, too!
Riverside is also conveniently located just a 10 minute walk from Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter (we also have a separate Port Orleans French Quarter Review where you can see its rooms and hear our thoughts on that hotel’s amenities, etc.), where guests can find a cooler pool and food court. French Quarter doesn’t have its own table service restaurant, but it’s still worth a visit to the (smaller and more centralized) grounds to see the New Orleans theming.
There are also boat rides available from both resorts to Disney Springs, and bus transportation to the parks. The boat ride on the Sassagoula is nice and relaxing, and having dinner at Disney Springs is a great way to conclude a day outside of the parks (or your arrival night).
Overall, Port Orleans Riverside is the perfect resort for guests looking for exquisite theming without breaking the bank. The theming is definitely Deluxe quality in many regards, although I wouldn’t put it above any Deluxe Resort in terms of overall quality. Families looking for distinctly Disney (character) theming may not find quite so much to love in Riverside unless they stay in the Royal Guest Rooms, but couples looking for a romantic resort-hotel should definitely give Riverside a look. I could definitely see saving a little bit by staying at Riverside over a Deluxe Resort and reallocating that money on dining or other experiences.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? If you’re interested in learning more about hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts…
Do you agree with us that Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside is the best of the Moderate Resorts? Do you dislike Riverside?! Any other opinions or questions about staying at Port Orleans Riverside? We love hearing from readers, so please share your thoughts in the comments!
Hi Tom, you mention the updates in the Bayou will more than likely continue into the Fall 2019. I was under the impression the updates were all done in the Bayou section already? If not completely done, can you tell me which buildings are done. We are visiting Aug. 19-28th and having a refurbished room is top of our request, however, I have specific building request also so want to ensure that building number will be refurbished on time. Thanks, Tom
We just got home from our 8 night stay at Port Orleans – Riverside. It was our 3rd and probably our last. The previous 2 stays were great. This time…not so much. We paid for the preferred rooms and got building 18 which is a great location…trip started great. Unfortunately, we had mouskeeping only 3 times the entire stay. Twice they tired to come after 3:30 pm. No thanks…we are resting from our early starts in the park. We had to find towels ourselves, our coffee cups were never replaced. No wonder we had ants in the room. I was so disappointed. I called the front desk to ask why weren’t getting mousekeeping when they didn’t come on our first day and she gave us a $25 credit…but I didn’t want the credit as much as mousekeeping daily (we have 5 people in the room and need fresh towels and trash emptied). Maybe they will get their act together but overall I was disappointed in our stay there. We will try a new resort next trip.
We hated Riversixe3. We were all the way at the end. So much walking. Too woodsy for me. We were to have a cot for my grandson. It looked like a dog bed. We never saw a pool. We never stayed there again. We stayed at Pop Century several times. Much better. Not as much walking and felt like a Disney Hotel.
We spent the easter weekend at this hotel and it was the worst time of our lives,our room wasn’t cleaned for three days, we paid for the Deluxe garden view which cost us almost $400.00 per night , and when I looked out my window all I saw was pine trees and bushes,that’s not garden view, I see the same thing driving down the highways in florida,also when we checked out and we told the receptionist about our concerns, she told us that’s normal. NEVER WOULD ME AND MY FAMILY STAY THERE AGAIN, IT SUCKS !!!!
This resort is great, my favorite among moderates! The only complaint is the loud toilets. You can hear them flushing in the other rooms and this can be loud especially in the middle of the night. Other than that the cast members are great and we love Fulton’s General store. I think it’s better stocked and themed than some deluxe resort’s gift shops. The transportation to and from the parks seems on par with the other resorts. The food court has a good variety and it’s very clean considering the volume of guests that frequent it. For those that are looking at the themed rooms with the head boards. They are farthest away from the main building so it can be a walk especially for little one’s. No sure why Disney chose the farthest building for that upgrade group.
We just returned from Port Orleans Riverside and do not recommend staying there. We paid for housekeeping services and Only had our room cleaned once while we stayed there. We had to call every day to have our room cleaned and our wet towels removed. It was extremely frustrating. It was my 7 year old daughters first visit and it was disappointing to return to our room after a long day at the park to a dirty room. The housekeeping manager kept telling us that they would make sure our room
Was Cleaned the next day but it was never done. The staff at the dining ball provides incorrect information on the dining plan and we were charged for coffee in our souvenir mug that was supposed to be free. The dining hall also runs out
Of coffee by 7:15am. They also ran out of fruit punch and half and half at this time. If you do not go to the dining hall at 6am then you weren’t getting
Coffee. When we checked in our first day we arrived at our room to find a dirty fork, dirty sheets that someone else slept in and spit in our sink. The hotel allows people to leave dirty take out containers outside of their rooms for pick up. They do not get picked up all day which results in rotting
Food sitting out at night. We witnessed mice due to this. We were not impressed and will not be staying there ever again.
Do you mean you tipped mousekeeping? As a guest mousekeeping is offered to everyone unless you refused which was a promotion at the time you were there. Regardless, there wouldn’t have been a charge out of pocket for it. That your room wasn’t cleaned is unacceptable and after the second occurrence I would have escalated my complaint to the resort manager. You would have been given a gift card or something to compensate for your inconvenience. I did see food left outside of rooms and thought it was gross and a way to invite unwanted visitors. We have stayed here regularly for years and we never saw that behavior before. It was usually left out in the morning when we left for the parks but cleaned by the time we returned.
Stayed at Riverside last October. I use a scooter and requested a garden view room. I was originally assigned to Alligator Bayou (J think Bldg 15). I am very familiar with scooters and was afraid I would “fall” into the garden in the center of the building trying to get my scooter into the room. Also while the gardens were lush at times I felt there wasn’t enough room to get through. I talked to one of the people in Mousekeeping and the only handicapped room in the area was just off the parking lot so I went back to Check-in and was now given a room in Bldg 85 on Magnolia Bend. It was wonderful. Plenty of room to maneuver my scooter and yet enough room that if I was just running in for something, I could leave it parked and people could still easily walk through. It was very relaxing and such a beautiful short trip back to the main building and close enough to the bus stop. Hoping to go back this November and planning on staying here again.
Amazing place to have relaxation and a bonding with family or someone. Thank you for sharing this wonderful thoughts of you.
We just returned from Port Orleans Riverside and loved it. I agree with everything in your review, and I appreciated all your input in making our decision on POR. We have 1 1/2-year-old daughter and we liked the ambiance of Riverside while having access to the pool and food court at French Quarter. The layout of Riverside was great for walks in the stroller and we encountered several other families taking advantage of the scenic walk between FQ and Riverside during naptime. The staff at both FQ and Riverside were awesome. We really felt we had a quiet oasis away from the Spring Break crowds at the parks. We had originally booked at Caribbean Beach, which we hope to try in the future, but thanks to your reviews citing the current construction at CBR, we switched to POR and were more than happy with our stay!
Riverside is one of the more quiet resorts. The ambiance encourages a more peaceful attitude. Even the buildings closer to the lobby and food court (in Alligator Bayou) have a wonderful buffering of foliage. There will always be the exception of an excited and enthusiastic guest, but on the whole noise is not a problem at Riverside.
Any Riverside veterans out there care to field a question? Due to some health concerns, we’re thinking about upgrading to a preferred room to be closer to transport, food, etc. Our concern is it might be loud with all the additional traffic. Is noise a concern? Is there a big enough difference in proximity that the extra money is even worth it? Please share your experiences if willing. Thank you!
The extra charge was totally worth it. My mom had a scooter and it was less than a 5 minute walk to the food court, lobby, and bus stop. We were in building 14, which I requested prior to arriving. We didn’t notice ANY noise or extra traffic at all, and we were here during spring break. If I come back, I’ll stay at Port Orleans Riverside and will upgrade to preferred. I was extremely pleased.
Thank you for the feedback, Lori! It’s such a large property, we were a bit concerned about getting around. Everything we’ve heard has been positive though. Thanks again!
100% agree. Riverside/Bayou (back in ‘99 when it was called Dixie Landings) was our first stay at an on-property resort, and it is still my fave. Theming is awesome as you describe, and I thought the room layout with the bathroom in the back of the room with 2 sinks was ideal for our family of 5. I also remember the waits for park buses more reasonable than other resorts. I missed what you thought might eclipse Riverside in Fall ‘18, refurbed Caribbean Beach?
The DISBoards have some HORRENDOUS reports on this resort & others with the way they’re implementing the new “security” policy. If they continue this way, we won’t be staying at any Disney resort. With this & the new dog policy (reports are that dogs are running off the leash, nipping at people, sitting at tables in food courts & not being confined to certain areas as at first promised), it really doesn’t sound like Disney cares about the customer.
The new dog policy and the promises that dogs will be confined to certain areas is not being enforced by Disney. I recently stayed at the Riverside resort, and was appalled at what I saw. For people with severe allergies to animals, having to deal with animals in the food courts and seeing animals in buildings where we are promised there are no animals allowed is not acceptable. I have ended up in the emergency room from being exposed to areas which were inhabited by animals. Disney is telling us that there are areas in the resort which are off limits to animals, and we (allergy sufferers) should be okay to stay at the resort. However, I am seeing enough issues with animals at the resort to make me leary of trusting what Disney is saying and promising.
Why in the world would someone with severe allergies to animal fur stay at a resort that allows dogs? That is absurd. I have non severe allergies and was just fine. We stayed a week before you and there was one animal being walked on a leash. Not a peep, shred of dog fur, or dogs in the main building. My suggestion would be to stay at another resort. I for one love dogs and don’t mind seeing them when they are well behaved.