Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside

Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside was inspired by rural Louisiana and is nestled alongside the picturesque Sassagoula River. You'll feel welcomed back to a time and place where everything seems to move a little slower and simple pleasures flourish like magnolia blossoms in the springtime. Be surrounded by the tranquility of the Louisiana Bayou as you enjoy the hospitality of a picturesque waterfront Resort hotel that embodies the traditions born of steamboat travel, formal garden parties, and mint juleps on the front porch. Take a romantic carriage ride down a shady lane, dine on delicious Southern favorites or simply sit back and relax and let the cool waters of the Sassagoula River glide by.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside has a 3½ acre recreation area called Ol' Man Island featuring the resort's 158,000 gallon feature swimming pool with a large rustic saw-mill themed water slide and a hot tub. The island also contains a children's playground and the Fishin' Hole, where guests can rent cane fishing poles and bait for a small fee. There are also five smaller 'quiet' swimming pools at Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside, three located within the Alligator Bayou section and two in the Magnolia Bend area. Riverside also has a marina where guests can rent personal water craft, bicycles or surrey bikes. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available in the evening.

The Guest rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside are divided into 2 distinctly themed parishes: the stately white-columned Magnolia Bend "mansions" and the quaint backwoods "cottages" of Alligator Bayou.

The Colonel's Cotton Mill building houses the Resort's Main Lobby that resembles a steamship ticket station with soaring columns and high ceiling. Inside the Mill, you'll find a variety of establishments that offer shopping, dining and entertainment. Pick up necessities at Fulton's General Store, grab a quick bite to eat in the Riverside Mill food court, sit down for a meal of Cajun specialties at Boatright's Dining Hall, sip a cocktail at the River Roost lounge or play a few video games at the Medicine Show Arcade.

Recreation

• Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside features 6 heated pools located throughout the Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou parishes—including a sprawling pool complex on Ol' Man Island.
• Disney's Osprey Ridge Golf Course boasts dramatic fairways that run through forests of live oak, pine, palmetto, cypress and bay trees. It's located near Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
• Intimate horse-drawn carriage rides depart from Boatwrights Dining Hall for a 25-minute trip up and down the scenic Sassagoula River. Each carriage can hold either 4 adults—or 2 adults and 3 small children. The trip costs $45 USD per carriage.
• Visit Fulton's General Store inside the Colonel's Cotton Mill building to browse Disney merchandise and vacation necessities.
• Set sail for a private luxurious celebration or a romantic date night. Escape from the fast pace of your vacation with a Fireworks Cruise or Intimate Dining Cruise available at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels located near Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot.

Dining

• Boatwright's Dining Hall - Boatwright's Dining Hall is a Southern, shipyard-themed casual restaurant serving dinner at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. It's a shipbuilder's paradise parked alongside the Sassagoula River that winds through the resort. This restored boat-construction warehouse features the large wooden hull of a fishing boat suspended from the ceiling, from which dangle rustic, rope-strung lanterns. Fantastic shipbuilding tools and artifacts adorn the high walls, while shop rags are used as napkins and tool boxes contain salt shakers. Fireplaces keep the vibe and the interior quite cozy. This popular table-service restaurant features Southern-style cuisine as well as American dishes imbued with the South. Savory entrees such as jambalaya and blackened red snapper, and more traditional fare like prime rib, pasta with shrimp and filet mignon, grace dinner plates. Southern sides and pecan pie round out the dining experience.
• Riverside Mill Food Court - Soak up Cajun-style scenery: a 32-foot water wheel that powers a cotton press. Find family favorites like pizza, roast beef and fish.
• River Roost - Curl up in an overstuffed, fireside chair, belly up to the bar for beer and Southern-style specialty drinks and listen to live entertainment on select nights.

Touring Tips

• This waterfront hotel is near Epcot theme park, Downtown Disney Area and Disney's BoardWalk Area.
• If you feel like exploring a little bit, Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter is just a short walk down the pathway alongside the Sassagoula River. The scenic journey feels like you're leaving the rural countryside and arriving in the big city.
• Located in the center of Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, the 3.5-acre Ol' Man Island is encircled by a bend of the Sassagoula River. Tom Sawyer would love Ol' Man Island—it features an extensive pool complex, a wooded playground and an old-fashioned fishing hole with a catch-and-release policy.
• Located at the Main Lobby in Colonel's Cotton Mill building, the concierge can help you purchase Disney Theme Park and Disney Water Park tickets, make dining reservations and secure show seats.
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside offers several childcare services to keep your children having fun—even when you can't be there.
• Visit Fulton's General Store inside the Colonel's Cotton Mill building to browse Disney merchandise and vacation necessities.
• Pizza, sandwiches, salad, dessert and beverages are available in the evening for delivery right to your Disney's Port Orleans – Riverside Resort Guest room.
• Transportation to and from Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside is complimentary for Resort hotel Guests. While staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, there's no need to rent a car, or deal with the hassle of driving and parking. Save time and the hassle of driving and parking with complimentary transportation. Destinations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, including Disney Theme Parks and Disney Water Parks, are accessible by bus and boats.

History

Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside was designed to reflect antebellum south along the Mississippi River. The resort opened February 2, 1992 as Disney's Dixie Landings Resort, initially with rooms located in its Alligator Bayou section, and shortly afterward the remaining Magnolia Bend section was opened. Alligator Bayou consists of 1,024 guest rooms over 16 buildings styled as rustic, weathered lodges with 64 rooms per lodge. Magnolia Bend consists of 1,024 guest rooms over four buildings styled as southern plantation grand manor homes with 256 rooms per mansion.

Beginning March 1, 2001 road signage and other theming began to change reflecting the Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Dixie Landings Resort properties becoming "regions" of a united Disney's Port Orleans Resort. As of April 1, 2001, the regions became French Quarter and Riverside, respectively. Changes leading up to and after this period would include the French Quarter region losing Bonfamille's Cafe table-service restaurant, bike rentals, and boat rentals. French Quarter region guests would have to use the larger facilities in the Riverside region. Bonfamille's Cafe's is now only used occasionally as a meeting space for food and beverage management, and a training facility. Bonfamille's Cafe's kitchen is Disney World's test kitchen. Other theme changes took place such as Colonel's Cotton Mill food court becoming Riverside Mill.