Port Orleans
Riverside Resort Review
Port Orleans Riverside offers a unique hotel experience, with lovely decor, magnificent fountains and beautiful landscaping along the Sassagoula River, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The Port Orleans Riverside, which harkens back to the Old South, combines luxury with affordability.
Rooms
Stay on Magnolia Bend, with the facades of stately, antebellum mansions, or perhaps, Alligator Bayou, with clusters of charmingly rustic, county-style lodges surrounded by landscaped gardens. You can almost smell the Magnolia in bloom as you walk to your room.
Design, decor and size are similar to each other, with the basic configuration of the room easily accommodating a family of four.
All of the spacious non-smoking rooms include ceiling fans, in-room wall safe, high-speed Internet access (additional fees apply), mini fridge and coffee maker. Baths are well appointed with double sinks, fluffy large towels, hairdryer, and bath amenities with Mickey's endorsement.
Eating Facilities
Enjoy a varied mix of eateries. The Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney's Port Orleans Resort offers cafeteria style dining. The assorted menu consists of hearty meals and healthy options too.
Consider this "fast food" but every dish is prepared with down home style quality. Portions are large and sharing a meal is not a problem within your party. For children, large meals are not necessary as the food court offers a special of the day for kids only.
Walk to the individual booths that are open from breakfast to late at night, where you can order chicken/ribs, salads, fresh pizza ordered to your preference, pasta choices, and hamburgers. Pancakes served at breakfast are shaped like Mickey Mouse and a favorite for children to start their day.
Sit down in Boatwright's Dining Hall for a more traditional dining experience. Boatwright's presents excellent service with staff delighted to accommodate any guest's needs. The dishes have a Southern slant with a couple of Cajun entrees thrown in. A children's menu is available for dinner and reservations are suggested.
Other Amenities
Wash your clothes in the laundromat available near the main swimming pool. Wander along the shaded paths to an old-time water hole pool, with a water slide. There are five other swimming pools scattered within Port Orleans Riverside Resort. For the little ones, a playground is on hand that allows them to burn off some energy.
Tackle the stocked fishing hole, where you can fish just like Huck Finn did in Mark Twain's imagination.
Rent a bicycle or boat. Seize the chance to ride along the paths and sidewalks of Riverside and the next door Port Orleans French Quarter. Sail slowly on the Sassagoula River and follow other routes along the river.
Transportation
Save money by staying at Port Orleans Riverside Resort, which doesn't require a rental car. The resort affords each guest, free, comfortable and efficient access to all Disney attractions.
Ride the Disney Transportation System with buses directly from the hotel. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Movie Studios, the Animal Kingdom, and other Disney favorites can be visited with ease. If you miss one bus, another will be on-hand one shortly.
Treat yourself to the special complimentary "Sassagoula Steamboat" boat ride to-and-from Downtown Disney's Marketplace. From the Marketplace, other buses can whisk you to any one of the other Disney Resorts for a meal, show or happening.
Additional Tips
Save on the cost of your room by traveling from September to mid-December and after Jan. 5 to before Spring Break. Big discounts apply during the month of August, if you do not mind the heat and humidity.
Sign up on Walt Disney World's Resort mailing list, to always be in the know of any special events and forthcoming sales at Port Orleans Riverside Resort.
Some Disney parks open an hour earlier for only on-property guests. Obtain the specific information in the lobby at guest services. Many shows and specialty attractions can be purchased in advance of your visit on the official Walt Disney World website.
Fly home with your luggage checked in advance within the lobby Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Check with guest services to obtain details and if the air carrier you are flying home on partakes in this program.
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