Disney World® Reviews

Disney's Port Orleans Resort, Riverside

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These reviews are provided to help you plan your Walt Disney World® vacation. Please remember not everyone has the same likes and dislikes. Magical Mountain is not responsible for the opinions expressed in these reviews.

10/24/2008

Reviewer: Missi Baucom, Tullahoma, TN, USA
We chose Port Orleans Riverside during our stay over the holidays in December of 2007. It was absolutely beauitful. The decorations were so pretty, we would just walk around the resort looking at them. The resort grounds were so peaceful, really a haven. After long lines at the bustling parks, it was such a welcome relief to come back to the quiet lawns, splashing fountains and walks by the river. The whole family agrees its our favorite resort. Our whole experience there was just great, even the check-in process went witout a hitch and we got in quickly and hours ahead of the normal check-in time. Would highly recommend this resort!

12/13/2007

Reviewer: Tuning Family, Los Alamos, NM, USA
I cannot say enough good things about the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. It was magical from the moment we arrived. The young lady who checked us in drew mouse ears on our welcome packet and was very helpful with all of our questions even though we checked in after ten o' clock in the evening. Our room was spotless and housekeeping left mickey mouse animals made of towels, stickers, and pins in our room each day with an abundance of soaps, shampoo, and fresh towels. Everywhere we went people greeted us with a smile and a "hello little prince" to our 6 month old son. The meals in the food court were everything we expected from Disney. Our family enjoyed the Mickey Mouse waffles and the Pizza/Pasta bar. Transportation to the parks and Downtown Disney was timely and the buses were clean. We really enjoyed the boat ride to Downtown Disney in the evening. It was very romantic. The entire property was romantic for that matter. Lush landscaping, adorable gazebos, and eloquently appointed mansions decorated the resort. We stayed in the mansion section and found it more than comfortable. There is a lot of walking but we found it to be pleasant especially with the beautiful landscape. The pools were really great to relax in after a long day at the parks. The quiet pool by our hotel room was fantastic. We could see fireworks during the evening as we took a stroll by the river. I would advise anyone taking a vacation to Walt Disney World to stay at this property. We will definitely be staying there again.

3/8/2006

Reviewer: Kevin Church, New York, NY, USA
My family and I have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside for about 4 times now. We love it. The food court is great,the pool area was private, peaceful, and clean. We are planning to stay here again on our next disney trip.

10/8/2005

Reviewer: Deborah Clark, Farmingdale, NY, USA
We stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside in July 05, and we loved it. The grounds were beautiful, the service was wonderful and our family had a great time. We have stayed at other WDW resorts before but we think this resort is the perfect choice for us. It is much quieter and relaxing, even though it is a big resort. We had such a great time that we are returning at Thanksgiving, to enjoy the atmosphere of the holiday season. Can't wait to go back.

7/8/2005

Reviewer: Ricardo McCoy, Detroit, MI, USA
In July 2005, my family and I took our first visit to Disney World. We chose to stay in the Port Orleans Riverside Resort based on reviews that I read about via this website. Boy - did we make a great choice. This resort is absolutely beautiful. We stayed in the Magnolia section (hint: get a water view if possible)and loved it. My son loved to get up in the morning and being able to see the ferry boats sailing outside his window. The service was great. I was also impressed that everything we needed: parking, bus service, laundry facilities, etc., was within a reasonable walking distance. The landscaping is breath-talking and the pools were nice and clean. I would recommend this resort to anyone who is interested in getting the best value for their money.

6/13/2005

Reviewer: Tasha, Charleson, SC, USA
We stayed March 2005 and fell in love with this plcae, the landscaping and detail is beautiful! Food court was good although selection was as big as All Stars and the pools were great, kids LOVED old man island, and the huge arcade and gift shop. Biggest plus in my book was that the resort had several bus stops at the resort and was almost always one the first bus stops upon leaving the parks... Great after walking all day!

5/12/2005

Reviewer: Nancy, Daytona Beach, FL, USA
We just returned from a fabulous time at Port Orleans Riverside - Alligator Bayou. If we could rate this moderate priced resort at Disney World higher, we would! It was a perfect time away from home!!!! No problems and no complaints! We have stayed at Disney numerous times, to include Old Key West (our #2 favorite place to stay at Mouse World), Lake Buena Vista Palace (now under a new name but I hope the smell of mold and mildew has been removed and the dampness is gone. It isn't fun getting into semi-wet sheets at night. Our last stay there was exactly that, our last!), Port Orleans - Magnolia, the Contemporary, and others. If you can get one, a corner room at Alligator Bayou is by far the best! Even better would be a first floor, corner room on the water or by a pool. We have had a corner room twice, and totally enjoyed the view from the two huge windows. The corner rooms seem to be a bit larger. This stay, we viewed the small pool at Alligator Bayou. We walked right our our door and the pool was a few feet away. Fabulous! The room itself was clean, clean, clean! The decor; rustic with a cabin feel. King size bed, table and two chairs, fridge, fairly good sized TV. The atmosphere in the room made you feel like you were living in a low country home on the Mississipi River. The bathroom area had a unique characteristic of a privacy curtain. It also had two sinks, a large area for hanging your clothes, iron, ironing board, hair dryer, and other ammenities. You then had a sep. area for the shower and toilet. The landscaping at Alligator Bayou makes for a peaceful and serene stay. It was very, very, quiet. Walking over to Boatwrights to catch the boat to Downtown Disney we fed the baby ducks, and watched a mother rabbit and her baby. The magnolias were in full bloom, and smelled wonderful! We did notice a bit of wind damage to some of the trees at Riverside and French Quarter due to the four hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004. But, for all the damaging winds, we were surprised at how well everything looked! If you get the chance, and love Po' Boy Sandwiches, I highly recommend "The House Of Blues" at Downtown Disney!! This was by far the best meal for the money. Ask for Stephanie, as she was an excellent server and made our visit a blast! The Rainforest at Downtown Disney has pretty good food, but is always too crowded. Boatwrights at Port Orleans Riverside has a great Eggs Bendedict for breakfast! Try the Bloody Mary, too! We rented a two seater boat late one afternoon for $35. It allowed us an hour to cruise along the river and travel to Downtown Disney. We totally enjoyed this treat, and highly recommend it! For the money, Port Orleans Riverside - Alligator Bayou is by far, THE BEST place to stay at Disney World. We are already planning our next visit! After numerous stays at other properties at Disney, we will only stay here in the future! Enjoy!

1/17/2005

Reviewer: Jan Geisler, PA, USA
My family and O have been staying at the Port Orleans Riverside Resot since it first opened and was known as Dixie Landings. We love it and cannot say enought for the resort. We always stay in the Alligator Bayou Section. The grounds, walkways and rooms we feel are the best. You don't ever feel as though you are in a resort with a thousand or more people. It is very peaceful and serene. There is a themed pool, or you can choose the closeness and less crowded quiet pool. There are walking paths, biking paths, a boat to Downtown Disney. Mornings are spectacular. The morning walk from your room to the cafeteria, or sit down restaraunt, is always filled with anticipation. Even the coffee is great! Any problems we encountered were addressed immediately. One year we called to voice a complaint because we waited almost one hour for the bus to one of the parks. They provided all of us with a private limo to the park or Disney Resort area of our choice. When we told them that there were 11 in our party and we all did not want to go to the same place, they provided a limo for each party. It was unbelieveable! Thank you, Port orleans Riverside, for adding to the magic of all of our many trips to WDW! Next trip... March 2005. See you there!

1/8/2005

Reviewer: Mercy Kennedy, Sparks, NV, USA
My husband and I just returned from a trip with our 3 year old son this last January. I chose the Port Orleans Resort after reading up on all of the rave reviews. We had a marvelous stay there! My husband really loved it. The grounds are simply gorgeous and peaceful, even in January! My son just loved the pool at Ol' Man Island, and the food court was great. The staff were very helpful and friendly. I highly recommend staying there for anyone thinking about it. Now, if I can only talk my husband into trying another resort for comparison next time!

11/9/2004

Reviewer: Kasey, Forks, WA, USA
My husband and I stayed at Port Orleans this Sept. We had split our stay up, and had stayed the 3 previous nights at Coronado Springs. We were so thrilled to be staying at Orleans after our time at Coronado, but that's another story. I have nothing but good things to say about Port Orleans. From the moment we arrived, everying was great. The style of the buildings we stayed in were so pretty and colorful. The grounds are wonderful,(it's located on a waterway, and has lots of fountains and courtyards). The pool is really nice too. Definately make a stop in the food court in the A.M. for beignets(not sure how to spell that one, but they're yummy!) We talked to a bartender at Skat Cat's Lounge named Debbie, who was a very nice lady. If you need some info on parks, resorts, etc., or just to sit down and chat, go talk to her. She is really helpful. The rooms are very cute, and I loved the beds. Port Orleans is pretty small compared to the others, but that's what makes it so charming. I love this place, and honestly, I cried when I was leaving. I made my husband swear that we would come back next year.

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