Port Orleans Riverside

Today's post is for a new client who can't decide among all the amazing resorts Disney has to offer. It's a common problem and until you've stayed at every resort, it might just be a problem you can't solve.  I think all the Disney resorts are great and you can't go wrong!!

So today let's talk a little about Port Orleans Riverside.  For more detailed info on the site, head to the Unofficial Guide to Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter. I also did a review of the resort last year that you can find here.



Disney's Port Orleans Riverside used to be known as Dixie Landings. It is the sister resort to Port Orleans French Quarter. Amenities at these resorts are shared (even at the Pool!). I'll be honest, my favorite moderate resort used to be Coronado Springs. I love the atmosphere and the cool modern decor of the rooms. There is just something about the Port Orleans resort that makes me feel at home and relaxed. The grounds are so peaceful and pretty. I also really like that both of these resorts are smaller and more intimate than Coronado Springs.  But today, we are going to focus on Port Orleans Riverside.

From the Walt Disney World website:

Discover a place where simple pleasures flourish and Southern hospitality abounds. From the stately white-column mansions of Magnolia Bend to the quaint backwoods cottages of Alligator Bayou, delight in this picturesque Resort hotel that evokes the romance and tranquility of the rural Louisiana Bayou.

Location
One of my favorite things about this resort is location!!  It's so centrally located that travel time is not a problem. You'll rely on bus transportation to all the parks BUT there is an awesome boat ride to Downtown Disney!! You are only a few minutes from EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Typhoon Lagoon and Downtown Disney.  Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom aren't that far either!

Amenities
The thing I like about Moderates and Deluxes is the onsite table service restaurant, especially if you are traveling with little ones. I know first hand how it is to have plans change at the last minute do to a cranky toddler or sick baby.  It's nice to have that option when you head back to your resort. You'll also have a great counter service location too!

Besides dining, Port Orleans Riverside has some fun amenities!

• Horse Drawn Carriage Ride
• Bike Rental
• Bayou Pirate Adventure (ages 4-12)
• Movies Under the Stars
• Cajun Campfire
• Playgrounds

And my favorite amenity...Yeeha Bob Jackson!!!   On select nights at the River Roost Lounge you can catch this awesome man and his hysterical FAMILY Friendly show!! Check out his video on YouTube!

Rooms
While the rooms at Port Orleans Riverside aren't as large as a Deluxe Resort, nor do they offer suites, there are a couple of unique features.  The first being rooms that accommodate families of FIVE! These are standard rooms with 2 Queen Beds and a small child bed (this used to be a trundle bed)

http://www.portorleans.org/gallery-guest-SurlyMermaid.php

I found it funny that Disney doesn't show these rooms on their site. You can tell from the picture above that they are a bit more rustic than the other rooms I'm going to show you. These are located in the Alligator Bayou Section.

The other fun feature is the Royal Guest Rooms. We stayed here last May and LOVED the room. They aren't over the top girly/princess but they are nicer than the standard rooms.

 Plus the Royal Rooms are located in close to the lobby and bus stop #1.

http://www.livingwiththemagic.com/2012/05/port-orleans-riverside-royal-guest.html

You can read my full report on these special rooms here.


For standard rooms (they will sleep 4) you have a variety of views including standard, garden, water and river views!

Themeing

I touched on it a bit above, but I really love the feel of this resort. It's calm, quiet and peaceful...which is exactly what I want when I return for a day of running around the parks. I love the pools and how green this resort is!

The lobby isn't as grandiose as the Deluxe resorts but it's fitting for the landscaping and feel of this resort.

Downfalls

I don't have many to list here!!  There are multiple bus stops so depending on which building you are in keep that in mind. There is also the potential that this resort shares a bus with Port Orleans French Quarter but it didn't happen often and the bus was usually empty.  If you don't wan to wait as long I would recommend a Royal Room or a Preferred room to be close to bus stop #1.   Overall I think this resort is a great value and offers enough of the amenities I love at a Deluxe resort without the price tag!