Walt Disney World offers over 30 resorts in its collection, which fall into four different categories – Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas. Guests can honor their budget by picking a Value Resort or splurge for the trip of a lifetime to stay at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort. But the middle category – the tried-and-true Moderate Resorts – is the happy place between the “just for sleeping” style of the Value Resorts, and the “am I underdressed?” elevated feeling of the Deluxe locations. This April, I stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort and I was blown away by the amenities and asthetic. Read on to discover the reasons why you should consider this Moderate Resort for your next stay in the magic.
Getting to Port Orleans Riverside
I almost always take Mears Connect from MCO to my Disney Resort. It’s cheap for one person, they handle your luggage, and it’s a safe, relaxing ride. On my visit, Port Orleans Riverside was the second stop after Port Orleans French Quarter, and it was a breeze getting there.
Southern Charm, Disney-Style
Port Orleans Riverside is themed to – you guessed it – the rivers and bayous of Louisiana. This charming resort has several bridges over rivers connecting the lobby area to the main pool at Ol Man Island, and then off to the other sections of the resort: Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. There are gorgeous magnolia trees lining the walkways and horse drawn carriages clomping by, adding to the Southern charm of this resort. Guests can also see the boats traveling to and from Disney Springs, which adds to the casual yet kinetic energy of this resort.
Checking in
Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resorts always have the option of checking in on their phone through the My Disney Experience App. I have done this many times in the past, and it’s a quick and easy way to check in if you truly do not care what area of the resort you wind up in. Online check in was developed during COVID so that guests didn’t have to interact with Cast Members, and it has remained in place for the convenience factor. (You can actually check in as soon as you’ve made your final payment for your visit!)
However, I do prefer to handle the check-in process in person these days for a few reasons:
1. It allows me to politely request a specific area, floor, or building of the resort. Cast Members cannot always accommodate requests, but it never hurts to ask nicely.
Real Life Example: I requested a refurbished room and luckily, my wish was granted! My king-size standard room placed me in the Magnolia Section of the resort, just a short walk off the bridge to Ol’ Man Island.
2. I like to get the lay of the land, especially if I am staying at a new-to-me resort. While I do like to wander and discover the location, sometimes you just need to know where the elevators are, where the quick service location is, and the easiest way to get to the bus stop. Note: Not every building at this resort has an elevator – if you need to use an elevator, you will need to let the Cast Member know at check in.
Real Life Example: When I chatted with the Cast Member checking me in, she let me know that there was an elevator in my building, but it was located in a different section of the building. I was given a map, and she drew the route for me to my elevator. Once I got to the Magnolia section, I realized that it was a little tricky to find, and I may have given up and hauled my 45lb suitcase up to the second floor, if not for this short interaction.
3. When you check in at the front desk, the Cast Member can check to make sure your Magic Band is linked properly to your room so that you don’t have any issues unlocking the door. (Sometimes the older bands don’t automatically link anymore sadly.) They can also give you a key card as an analog backup. Some of these resorts are pretty spaced out, and I know from experience that having to walk back to the front desk (with luggage) to pick up a physical key card is a bit of a pain after traveling all day!
Real Life Example: Guess what? When I checked in and had my band checked, it was not linked to my room! The helpful Cast Member linked my band and gave me a physical key card just in case, saving me another arrival day frustration.
Checking-in in person takes all of 10 or 15 minutes, and can save you a ton of unforeseen hassle. The Cast Members can offer directions around the resort, provide the schedules of activities, and pass along helpful tips for your stay with them.
Standard King Size Room
I paid a little extra per night to have a single king-size bed for this solo trip. This gave me more space, versus having a second unused queen bed. The room itself was gorgeous. The color scheme perfectly matched the Princess and the Frog accents, and the art on the walls and headboard added a relaxing touch to the space. As with all rooms, this standard king size room came with a coffee/Keurig set up, beverage cooler (not a mini fridge), small table and chairs, a safe, ironing board, hair dryer, and a step stool for kids.
One feature that I really loved having in this room that you won’t find at a Value Resort is a simple ceiling fan! It might not seem like much, but the ceiling fan elevates the look of the room, and having air moving in my space really felt nice. Moderate Resorts are like Value Resorts in that almost all of them are “motel-style” rooms with exterior doors, and no balcony. I found the walkway outside my room on the second floor to be a nice spot to step outside and drink my coffee.
Dining Delights
There are many options at Port Orleans Riverside, with something for everyone. The Riverside Mill has all of the basic options like burgers, chicken tenders, pizza, and pasta, but the real gems are the unique offerings that fit the theme of Port Orleans – particularly the gumbo and jambalaya! YUM. These dishes were so good, and they have a real kick to them, unlike a lot of “spicy” food at Walt Disney World.
I also really appreciated the coffee counter at Riverside Mill where you can get a cold brew with sweet cream. I feel like Disney has upped their cold brew game at the Florida parks, with more cold/iced options available at more locations than in the past.
The sit-down dining location here is Boatwrights, and it was fantastic. After a long day at Universal Islands of Adventure, I was very thankful to have a solid dinner option at my resort. I ordered the Spiced Smoked Gouda Potatoes as well as the Panko Crusted Chicken, served with seasonal farro rice (risotto style) and greens. This was delightful – cozy comfort food with a light touch. I wrapped things up with the Peanut Butter Pie for dessert, which was honestly one of the best sweet treats I’ve had at Disney.
Port Orleans Riverside also has nighttime entertainment at the River Roost Lounge. Yehaa Bob on the piano is a fun time for all – kids included – and it gets really lively. If you are looking for a more adult-centered nighttime option, head down to French Quarter to enjoy jazz at the Scat Cat Lounge. There is a walking path that brings you to the sister resort in about 10-15 minutes – which is great for walking off the beignets you’ll enjoy as well!
Fulton’s General Store
As with all resorts, Port Orleans Riverside has a small market in the lobby, called Fulton’s General Store. This shop has a great selection of merchandise, mugs, snacks, beverages, and necessities. (For the first time in my 25+ trips to Disney World, I forgot my sunscreen! They had me covered at Fulton’s.) And as a fun added tid-bit, this store has statues of Mickey’s nephews Morty Mouse and Field Mouse, who are not represented anywhere else on Walt Disney World property!
Recreation
Port Orleans Riverside has some of the best recreation for guests at an of the Disney World Resorts. In addition to the fun themed pool on Ol’ Man Island, and hammocks scattered around the property, you can also cast a line at the Fishing Hole, experience a luxurious horse-drawn carriage ride, play games at Medicine Show Arcade, catch a nighttime movie on the lawn, or roast marshmallows around a campfire.
I also really liked that there are many quiet pools scattered around the resort. Ol’ Man Island can get a little busy during peak times, with a fun slide and Muddy Rivers pool bar located there, and having a pool close to my room for a quick dip was really convenient.
Transportation
Guests at Port Orleans Riverside will use Disney Bus Transportation to travel to the theme parks. This is a big resort, so there is also an internal bus loop around the resort, offering stops within Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. When you check in, the Cast Member helping you can show you on the map where your bus stop will be. If you are headed to Rope Drop early in the morning, plan accordingly for a few extra minutes looping the resort, depending on where your stop is.
One elevated feature of this resort is the Boat Transportation to Disney Springs and Port Orleans French Quarter. This runs every 15-20 minutes starting at 10am, with the last boat leaving Disney Springs at 11:30pm. (Always check signs when you are there for any changes to the boat schedule due to weather or other factors.) The voyage to Disney Springs is about 20 minutes and it’s a unique way to get across Disney property. There is a bus to Disney Springs as well if you don’t want to travel by boat, or if the weather prevents them from running (which is rare but can happen).
Overall Thoughts
The way I evaluate how much I am enjoying a particular resort is the feeling I get when I start to think about wrapping up my park day or taking a midday break. Am I excited to go back to my resort and hit the pool? Can I get a delicious dinner there if I am too tired to head back out? Is my room cozy enough to just chill out there for an hour before I make my next move? Is there any entertainment going on “at home” after the parks close?
Staying at Port Orleans Riverside, I found myself quite content to go back to my resort and take a break. My room was extremely comfortable and with multiple quiet pools around, it was very easy to take a dip without feeling crowded. I planned to eat two dinners at Riverside and I am so glad I did not miss out on Boatwrights or that delicious Gumbo – it really was the best food court meal I have had at Disney World.
With the right balance of theming, delicious dining, cozy vibes, and an additional transportation option, Port Orleans Riverside has jostled itself into the position of #1 Moderate Resort in my books. Ready to plan a trip to Walt Disney World, but unsure which resort is right for you? Let me be your guide! Contact me today to plan your next Magical Quest!
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