UPDATED June 28, 2026
Sweet Magnolia! Let the Louisiana-inspired hospitality of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside completely charm you throughout your Disney World vacation!
NEWS: Check out the new perks for guests at Port Orleans Resort – Riverside during Cool Kids’ Summer 2026
Walt Disney World offers three Resort hotel levels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is a Moderate Resort.
Let’s EXPLORE Port Orleans Resort – Riverside!
As Disney shares, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside “evokes the romance of rural Louisiana.” Guests can enjoy a stroll along the Sassagoula River to Riverside’s sister Resort, Port Orleans – French Quarter, or enjoy a relaxing boat ride to Disney Springs.
If you’d like to jump to a specific topic, simply click on any of the links below:
- Port Orleans – Riverside Atmosphere
- Port Orleans – Riverside Dining
- Port Orleans – Riverside Shopping
- Port Orleans – Riverside Guest Rooms
- Port Orleans – Riverside Amenities and Activities
- Disney World Resort Hotel Guest Benefits
- Port Orleans – Riverside Transportation
Here we go!
Atmosphere
While the overall feel of Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is relaxing and charmingly rustic, the airy lobby is nothing less than gorgeous and elegant.
Where Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is a vibrant celebration of the New Orleans jazz scene, Riverside presents a more peaceful and calming atmosphere.
But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t boast more than its fair share of FUN!
It’s all nestled along the charming and picturesque Sassagoula River.
From here, guests have easy access to Port Orleans – French Quarter as well as boat transportation to Disney Springs.
When I Was at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort This Weekend, I Got Lost 7 Times
Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Dining
Southern specialties and classic American eats are the focus of the cuisine at Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, presented at Table Service and Quick Service dining options, as well as some fun bars and lounges.
Table Service Dining
Boatwright’s Dining Hall is Riverside’s hidden gem of a Table Service restaurant. The Southern and Cajun-inspired menu is perfectly themed to its setting, and the Jambalaya is a hit!
Boatwright’s is open every evening for dinner.
Quick Service Dining
Riverside Mill Food Court features Counter Service classics like burgers, pizza, and pasta alongside a few Southern-inspired dishes, all with a view of a 32-foot water wheel through the window.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Riverside Mill Food Court accommodates 450 guests in a beautifully rustic environment. Grab-and-go items are also available, along with a pretty terrific dessert bar.
Bars and Lounges
River Roost Lounge is an inviting spot packed with charm… along with Louisiana-inspired cocktails, a full bar, and an appetizer menu offering some surprisingly substantial bites.
The main draw to the River Roost Lounge is the famous boogie woogie sing-along piano player, Yehaa Bob Jackson. Typically, Yehaa Bob performs on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. River Roost can get quite crowded during the nights he’s playing, but it’s definitely worth a trip!
Muddy Rivers Pool Bar can be found by Ol’ Man Island swimming pool, and serves up cool and refreshing cocktails and mocktails.
Though hours may vary, Muddy Rivers Pool Bar is typically open at 11AM and through the evenings.
Additional Options
Additionally, boat transportation along the Sassagoula River gives Port Orleans guests easy access to ALL of the dining options in Disney Springs!
REVIEW: I Left the Parks for This Disney World MODERATE Hotel Restaurant – and I’d Do It Again
Shopping
Of course, you’ll want to grab a souvenir (or ten 😉 ) to remember your Walt Disney World trip, so stop by Fulton’s General Store.
You’ll find popular items from around Disney World that you can easily pick up at the start or end of your stay.
You may even find some Resort-specific pieces to remember your stay at Port Orleans!
These 5 Disney World Hotels Are Suddenly a Much Better Deal
Guest Rooms
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside offers a whopping 2,048 guest rooms. Guest rooms are located in either Magnolia Bend or Alligator Bayou.
Standard Location (in Magnolia Bend) and Preferred Location Rooms (in either Magnolia Bend or Alligator Bayou) with 2 Queen Beds accommodate up to four adult guests. Guests may also opt for a room with 1 King Bed for two adult guests.
Views for all room types include Landscaping, Courtyard, Garden, Bayou, Riverfront, Courtyard Pool, or Parking Area.
A Standard Room in Magnolia Bend at Port Orleans – Riverside with 2 Queen-Size beds.
Tour a Magnolia Bend Standard Room here.
Port Orleans also features unique Royal Guest Rooms!
Here, you’re a guest of Tiana and Naveen, staying in her “guest room.”
These are all located in Magnolia Bend.
ROOM TOUR: Come See The NEW Royal Rooms At Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Select rooms – categorized as 5th Sleeper Rooms – can sleep up to five guests, thanks to the addition of 1 Child-sized pull-down bed.
These rooms are located in the Alligator Bayou section of the Resort.
Nobody Warned Us How Much We’d Love Staying in this Disney World Hotel Room
Amenities and Activities
Pools
Get ready to make a SPLASH at Ol’ Man Island!
Don’t let the rustic appearance fool you… Though it’s themed as an abandoned sawmill, this 3.5-acre water area features a 95-foot waterslide, a whirlpool, and a kiddie pool!
Guests looking for a quieter respite can enjoy any of the five leisure pools (3 in Alligator Bayou and 2 in Magnolia Bend).
BONUS: Port Orleans is one of the few resorts where guests can visit pools at either Riverside or its sister Resort, French Quarter (where you’ll find Doubloon Lagoon), no matter which side of the resort you stay at.
Recreation
Additional recreation options include Bike and Surrey Bike rentals, fishing excursions, and a jogging trail that leads guests down the mile-long path that winds down the Sassagoula River.
Try bass fishing with a guided excursion from the Riverside Levee Marina, or opt for old-fashioned cane pole fishing at the Fishin’ Hole on Ol’ Man Island. Please note that fishing at Walt Disney World Resort is catch-and-release only.
Kiddos can enjoy the playground, while all ages can play in the Medicine Show Arcade.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides are a truly unique offering at Port Orleans Resort! Rides begin at the Riverside Levee Marina.
These 25-minute rides can accommodate up to 4 adults (or 2 adults and 3 small children). The price is $65.00, and guests can reserve the experience up to 60 days in advance through the Walt Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app.
Resort Activities
The Front Desk will provide you with information about current Resort Activities, which may include options like Movies Under the Stars, Evening Campfires, Pool Parties, and additional activities (some available for a nominal fee), such as Arts and Crafts that you can take home. You will also see signs alerting you to the day’s and week’s activities around the Resort, so you don’t miss any of the fun!
In fact, Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts have a very special activity that is ENTIRELY EXCLUSIVE to these sister Resorts: each year on Fat Tuesday for Mardi Gras, the Port Orleans Mardi Gras Pargo Parade is just one of many festive activities for the annual celebration!
Additional amenities for Resort guests also include complimentary Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, currency exchange, self-service laundry rooms, mail services, and online check-in.
The RARE Disney World Parade You Can Catch WITHOUT a Park Ticket
Additional Benefits
MORE Theme Park Hours
Guests staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort have access to ADDITIONAL hours in the Disney World theme parks! Early Theme Park Entry allows guests to enter any of the parks 30 minutes early to get a head start on their day.
This benefit is available for ANY theme park every day. Please note that guests need a valid theme park ticket for the park they’re planning to visit in order to gain early access.
Early Access to Lightning Lanes for Theme Park Attractions
Lightning Lane Multi Pass is an optional paid service available through the My Disney Experience app, which allows you to bypass standby lines and enter the Lightning Lane at select attractions in the parks by paying a base price for multiple attractions. When purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can make up to 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections in a park in advance of your visit.
Additionally, guests may opt to purchase Lightning Lane Single Passes via the My Disney Experience app. Lightning Lane Single Pass is essentially a pay-per-ride service. Guests pay a fee to utilize the Lightning Lane for an individual, in-demand attraction.
An additional Lightning Lane option called Lightning Lane Premier Pass is an inclusive option that grants one-time entry into EVERY Lightning Lane entry in a given park for one price, eliminating the need to monitor Lightning Lane availability and make new Lighting Lane reservations throughout the day, and granting the ability to simply show up at an attraction and enter the Lightning Lane (as opposed to booking a specific time).
DISNEY WORLD RESORT GUEST BENEFIT: Those staying at a Disney World Resort hotel (including Disney’s Port Orleans Resort) can purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass OR select their first 3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections and/or Lightning Lane Single Passes up to seven days in advance of their check-in day for their entire stay (up to 14 days), with all other guests being able to purchase and select their Lightning Lane options three days in advance.
Learn everything you need to know about Lightning Lanes in Disney World HERE!
“Hey, Disney!”
“Hey, Disney!” offers “custom voice assistance” to guests staying at Resort hotels in Walt Disney World!
This complimentary service, which works with Alexa on Amazon Echo devices, assists guests with room amenities, guest services, planning, and weather info… AND it brings along LOTS of extra Disney MAGIC to make all of these things a lot more FUN!
Click HERE to learn MUCH more about “Hey, Disney!”
Dog-Friendly Resort
And guess what? Fido can enjoy a stay at Port Orleans – Riverside, too! This hotel is one of Disney World’s Dog-Friendly Resorts (a limit of two dogs per room; restrictions and fees apply).
Pet owners interested in learning more may call (407) 939-5277.
Transportation
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort is a boat ride away from Disney Springs.
Guests also have complimentary access to Disney Bus Transportation to and from all four theme parks and Disney Springs.
During Cool KIDS’ SUMMER—May 26 to September 8, 2026—Guests staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter can enjoy more direct bus transportation to and from Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park. For Blizzard Beach, take the bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and then transfer onto the bus for the water park.
Find out more of our thoughts on Port Orleans Resort – Riverside by watching our DFB YouTube Video!
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