Let's Take a Riverboat to the Riverside

Close your eyes for a moment….picture landscaping perfection, gorgeous gardens, you can smell the warm south and hear banjos playing in the distance. Now open your eyes; you're in the middle of Port Orleans Riverside, my favorite of the moderate resorts, where you will more than get what you pay for. Prepare yourself for some exercise; the property is spread out, but the benefits to walking are truly abounding, as everywhere you turn it is sure beauty. Some Riverside Facts:
Rooms –
2048 Guest Rooms
Disabled accessible rooms available
All rooms non-smoking
Buildings offer elevators and stairs
Each room includes -
Alarm Clock
Ceiling Fan
Coffee Maker & Setup
Dial-Up Internet*
Hair Dryer
In-Room Wall Safe
Iron and Board
Mini-Refrigerator
Table & Chairs
Telephone*
Television - ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN & more
Vanity Area
Voice Mail

Dining –
Food Court
Riverside Mill Food Court – Excellent selection
1 Full Service Restaurant
Boatwright's Dining Hall – Has an excellent reputation – reservations are a must
Pool Bar
Lounge
In-Room Dining: 4pm to 11:30pm (limited menu)
Recreation -
6 Pools Feature Pool water slide
Child pool
Whirlpool spa
Children's playground
Arcade
Marina/boat rental
Family fishing hole
Jogging trail
Carriage rides
Bike rentals
Transportation -
Motorcoach transportation
Disney Theme Parks
Disney Water Parks
Downtown Disney®
Disney Resort Hotels**Requires one transfer at a Disney Theme Park
Water launch to:
Downtown Disney®
Port Orleans: French Quarter
Walking Distance to:
Port Orleans: French Quarter
Disney Resort Benefits
Merchandise location (gifts, sundries)
Self service laundry facilities
Valet laundry service

Whether or not you’re looking to stay in a Mansion or in the Rustic South, you will not go wrong in either. This resort offers the feeling of family togetherness; the pools are cozy, the carriage rides take you back to yester year, the fishing hole brings back memories of stories we have all heard passed on for years. This is the perfect resort for runners, with trails lining the property for early morning runs. You will forget you are on vacation at Walt Disney World when you step into the surroundings of Port Orleans Riverside…sit back, relax, and enjoy the old South!

Why You Should Choose Port Orleans French Quarter

Since 2000, I have had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World on several occasions. On all of those trips, I have stayed at an on-site resort and on all but one, my family has stayed at a moderate resort. As it turns out, we have stayed at all of the moderate resorts, so we have a good idea how each one stacks up.

Our Favorite? Port Orleans French Quarter.

Why? Size, Location, Transportation Options & Atmosphere!

Size
It is such a delight to stay at the French Quarter. It has approximately 1,000 rooms. I know that sounds like a lot, but is less than half the size of Disney’s other moderate resorts. The less congestion is a great thing when it comes to the bus stop and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory , the resort’s food court. The layout of French Quarter is also different from the other moderate resorts. While I have a fondness for all the moderate resorts, the ease of getting around French Quarter is such a joy. Even if you are staying at one of the farthest buildings away from the food court or bus stop, the walk is relatively easy.

Location & Transportation

If you love Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you will really enjoy the location of French Quarter. A ride to either park is relatively short and usually less than 15 minutes. Magic Kingdom is only slightly farther away, with Animal Kingdom the farthest.
Here is another great tidbit to remember. Port Orleans French Quarter has a sister resort next-door called Port Orleans Riverside. Riverside is a much larger resort and has several bus stops, while French Quarter only has one. The two resorts share busses, but usually not during peak hours like opening and closing. Why is that important? During mornings and evenings, a bus will often only go directly between French Quarter’s one bus stop and a Disney Park. That makes the trip a lot shorter since you do not have to stop at all the bus stops at Port Orleans Riverside. If you want to make a trip to Downtown Disney, you have two options with Disney Transportation. You can travel via bus or boat. While the boat ride may take a little longer on the Sassagoula River, it is a great way to sit back and relax.

Atmosphere
The size and atmosphere are truly unique. It offers a feel of Mardi Grad and New Orleans. It has larger than life carnival masks and trombone playing alligators…and the charm of the French Quarter.

Port Orleans French Quarter has a heated pool and poolside Jacuzzi for your enjoyment. When you walk down the miniature roads between buildings, it is like taking a step in the real French Quarter in New Orleans.
I truly believe you will enjoy your stay.
As they say in New Orleans, "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez" Let the Good Times Roll!

Disney's Port Orleans Resort

For my money, the best value in Disney is the Port Orleans resorts. This resort is actually two resorts in one, the Riverside and the French Quarter. While it is considered a moderate resort, Port Orleans has a charm that rivals Disney’s more expensive resorts.

My favorite is Port Orleans Riverside. This resort is designed with the old world charm of rural Louisiana in mind. In my opinion, this is the most romantic of the Disney resorts. The walkways along the river give the illusion of quiet and solitude, which is astounding among the hustle and bustle of Disney. Don’t get me wrong, this is a Disney resort and it is designed for families. There is a food court, the Riverside Mill, and a Cajun restaurant, Boatright’s Dining Hall. There is a cool swimming pool that never seems overcrowded. There are also all of the extras you have come to expect from Disney, like boat rentals, and there is even an ol’ fishin’ hole.

If you feel the need to visit the French Quarter, (“Beignets, anyone?”), then it is only a short walk along the riverside.
For those preferring to stay somewhere a little more upbeat, the French Quarter is for you. Inspired by the French Quarter in New Orleans, this resort is just fun. From the smooth jazz playing to the Mardi Gras inspired decorations, the French Quarter is everything you would expect from Disney.

The French Quarter has all of the amenities you would expect. The pool, Doubloon Lagoon, is particularly striking with a Sea Serpent slide. The Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory food court has many Cajun-inspired dishes, did I mention beignets (!), and some more traditional choices as well. For the adults, the Scat Cat’s club is a great place to listen to some jazz, have a drink, and relax.

Both of the Port Orleans resorts have access to the Disney Transportation system, of course. There is also a leisurely boat ride available that runs between the resorts, and on to Downtown Disney. This is my preferred method, as it is relaxing and does not take much longer. You never know what wildlife you might see!

So whether you are looking for the relaxed pace of Riverside, or the pageantry of the French Quarter, Port Orleans has a little something for everyone.