Experience the charm of the American South at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. This beautiful Moderate Resort stretches along the Sassagoula River and features peaceful waterways, lush landscaping and Southern-inspired architecture.
Guests can choose between the rustic atmosphere of Alligator Bayou and the stately mansions of Magnolia Bend. Add in boat transportation to Disney Springs, a feature pool with a waterslide and several dining options, and Riverside offers plenty to enjoy outside the theme parks.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside at a Glance
🏨 Resort Category: Moderate Resort
📍 Resort Area: Disney Springs Resort Area
👨👩👧👦 Sleeps: Up to 4 adults in current standard room categories
🛏️ Beds: 2 Queen Beds; some rooms have a child-size pull-down bed; King rooms available
⛴️ Transportation: Disney buses & boat transportation to Disney Springs
🏊 Pools: 1 feature pool + 5 leisure pools
🍴 Dining: Table service, quick service, lounge & pool bar
✨ Best For: Families, couples and guests who enjoy beautiful grounds, a relaxed atmosphere and easy access to Disney Springs
Why Stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside?
Riverside is a great choice for guests who want their resort to feel like a relaxing escape after a busy day in the theme parks.
The resort has two distinct areas. Magnolia Bend features stately Southern-style mansions surrounded by landscaped grounds. Alligator Bayou has a more rustic setting with cottage-style buildings tucked among the trees.
The Sassagoula River winds through the resort and adds to its peaceful atmosphere. You can also walk along the river to neighboring Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.
Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Riverside offers several room categories and locations.
Current room choices include:
- Standard Location rooms with 2 Queen Beds
- Standard Location – 5th Sleeper rooms with 2 Queen Beds + 1 child-size pull-down bed
- Preferred Location rooms with 2 Queen Beds
- King Bed rooms with 1 King Bed
- Royal Guest Rooms with 2 Queen Beds
- 3,055 total rooms
- Rooms are 315 square feet
Rooms with a Child-Size Pull-Down Bed
Some rooms in Alligator Bayou include two queen beds plus a child-size pull-down bed.
One thing I’d be careful about on your website: Disney currently describes these rooms as sleeping up to four adults, despite the additional child-size sleeping surface. I would therefore avoid simply advertising Riverside as “sleeps 5” without explaining the room configuration.
Preferred Rooms
Preferred rooms are located closer to Sassagoula Steamboat Company, dining, shopping and transportation.
Riverside is a large resort. Therefore, paying more for a convenient location may be worthwhile for families who want to reduce the amount of walking they do each day.
Royal Guest Rooms
The Royal Guest Rooms are one of Riverside’s most unique accommodation choices.
Located in Magnolia Bend, these rooms feature special touches inspired by Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. The recently remodeled rooms include decorative details such as transforming headboards, stained-glass artwork, gilded accents and a welcome from Tiana.
Royal Guest Rooms have 2 Queen Beds and sleep up to four adults.
These rooms can be especially fun for families who want a little extra Disney storytelling without the larger-than-life theming found at a Value Resort.
Pools at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Riverside has one feature pool plus five leisure pools.
Ol’ Man Island
The resort’s main pool area is located on Ol’ Man Island, a 3.5-acre recreation area inspired by an old-fashioned swimming hole and abandoned sawmill.
The pool features a 95-foot waterslide built into the millworks. You’ll also find a whirlpool, kiddie pool and Muddy Rivers pool bar nearby.
Five Leisure Pools
Prefer something quieter?
Riverside has five leisure pools spread throughout the resort. Three are located in Alligator Bayou and two are in Magnolia Bend.
This is a nice feature for families who want a quick swim without heading to the main pool.
Dining at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Riverside currently has four primary dining and lounge options.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall
Boatwright’s Dining Hall is Riverside’s table-service restaurant.
Its Southern-inspired setting and menu make it a convenient choice for a sit-down dinner without leaving the resort.
Riverside Mill Food Court
Riverside Mill Food Court is the resort’s primary quick-service location and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
River Roost
River Roost is Riverside’s lounge and a nice place to relax with a drink in the evening.
Muddy Rivers
Located near Ol’ Man Island, Muddy Rivers is the resort’s pool bar.
And remember, you can also walk over to Port Orleans – French Quarter when you want to try something different.
Transportation at Port Orleans – Riverside
Riverside offers two primary forms of complimentary Disney transportation.
Boat Transportation to Disney Springs
One of Riverside’s best transportation perks is the complimentary water taxi to Disney Springs.
Instead of getting on a bus, you can enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Sassagoula River.
Disney Bus Transportation
Complimentary buses provide transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks.
Unlike Caribbean Beach, Riverside does not have Disney Skyliner transportation.
Recreation at Port Orleans – Riverside
There’s quite a bit to do here beyond swimming.
Depending on the schedule during your stay, activities can include:
- Movies Under the Stars
- Campfire activities
- Pool activities
- Fishing
- Horse-drawn carriage rides along the Sassagoula River
The resort’s beautiful grounds also make simply walking along the river enjoyable.
Things to Consider Before Booking Port Orleans – Riverside
The biggest consideration is size.
Riverside is spread out, so your room location can make a noticeable difference in how much walking you do.
Transportation to the theme parks is also primarily by bus. If Skyliner access is a priority, Caribbean Beach may be a better Moderate Resort choice.
On the other hand, Riverside offers something Caribbean Beach doesn’t: boat transportation to Disney Springs.
