Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

1251 Riverside Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, Lake Buena Vista, United States

4-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.6 / 5

Overview

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside is a 4-star, Old South and New Orleans-themed resort set along the Sassagoula River in Lake Buena Vista, part of the Walt Disney World Resort complex. The sprawling property is designed to evoke Louisiana bayou country and antebellum mansions, giving it a picturesque, laid-back atmosphere popular with both couples and families. Its large footprint makes it feel spread out, and guests without a car may find getting around easier by resort transportation than on foot.

Rooms

Rooms are relaxed in style and come equipped with flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms include pull-down bunks for extra sleeping space or overlook the river, while a number of newly refurbished rooms feature Princess Tiana theming with headboards depicting fireworks displays. Guests traveling with young children should note the beds run high, and requesting bed guards is worth considering.

Dining

On-site dining includes Boatwrights, a sit-down restaurant serving Louisiana-inspired dishes, alongside a quick-service food court and two lounge/bars. The food court can get busy during peak meal times but is kept clean, and Boatwrights is noted for fresh, distinctive fare compared to typical theme-park dining.

Amenities & Recreation

The resort features a complex of six pools, including a main pool with a waterslide, waterfall, and pool bar that stays open late into the evening, plus three smaller standard pools scattered around the grounds. Recreational activities include fishing, nightly campfires, pirate-themed cruises, and carriage rides. Parking, along with resort and airport shuttle service, is provided free of charge.

Location

The resort sits roughly 3 miles from Epcot and about 20 miles from Orlando International Airport, with Disney Springs, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, and several other Disney landmarks within a few kilometers. A regular boat launch connects guests to Disney Springs, and buses run to all four theme parks, though many guests find a rental car convenient for quicker access.

Best for

This resort suits families and couples visiting Walt Disney World who want immersive theming, on-site recreation like the six-pool complex and pirate cruises, and proximity to Epcot, Disney Springs, and other parks. It's especially well suited to guests who value free parking and shuttle service over renting a car, though those without a vehicle should be prepared for the resort's large, spread-out layout.

Travel tips

Given the resort's size, consider using the boat to Disney Springs (which runs about every 15 minutes) or the free bus service to the parks rather than walking between areas. A rental car can cut theme park travel times to roughly 20 minutes, but isn't essential thanks to free resort and airport shuttles. Aim to use the main pool during its late operating hours (until 11pm) to avoid daytime food-court crowds at peak meal times.

What guests say

Guests consistently praise the friendly, helpful cast members, thorough housekeeping, and the overall atmosphere and theming of the resort, especially the pool area and lobby. Many highlight the picturesque New Orleans/bayou grounds as ideal for walking and photography, and note the spacious, clean, newly refurbished Princess Tiana rooms with notably low noise levels even during storms. The main pool and its late hours draw particular praise, alongside the resort's proximity to the parks and the boat connection to Disney Springs. A recurring criticism is that the resort's large size makes navigation difficult without a car, the food court gets overcrowded at peak times, and check-in staff service was occasionally singled out as a weaker point.

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