Port Orleans Resorts

With shady pathways, wooden bridges, and peaceful views along the Sassagoula River, Port Orleans Riverside feels like a retreat tucked away from the excitement of the parks. The rustic buildings of Alligator Bayou and the grand Southern-style architecture of Magnolia Bend give you two different settings to explore, with landscaped grounds that invite morning strolls and leisurely evenings.

There’s plenty here to make a resort day part of your vacation. Ol’ Man Island features a sawmill-themed swimming pool with a 95-foot waterslide, a children’s pool, a whirlpool spa, and the Muddy Rivers pool bar. Five additional leisure pools offer quieter places to cool off. For something a little different, try catch-and-release cane-pole fishing at the Fishin’ Hole, or book a horse-drawn carriage ride along the scenic riverbank. Fishing and carriage rides cost extra, but they offer memorable ways to spend time together beyond the rides and character experiences.

When you’re ready for dinner or shopping, the complimentary riverboat to Disney Springs turns getting there into part of the fun. Riverside would be my pick for families who want activities beyond the parks, couples looking for a peaceful setting, or anyone planning a longer Disney vacation with time to enjoy their resort. Picture a morning at the parks, an afternoon swim, and a relaxed evening along the river.

Colorful buildings, decorative iron balconies, fountains, and inviting courtyards give Port Orleans French Quarter the feel of a cozy New Orleans neighborhood. Its compact layout is a big part of its appeal: you can enjoy a resort with plenty of personality without the sprawling grounds of some larger Disney properties. Start your morning with coffee and Mickey-shaped beignets from Scat Cat’s Club – Café, then take a stroll beside the Sassagoula River before heading out for the day.

The centerpiece is Doubloon Lagoon, a playful Mardi Gras-inspired pool with musical alligator figures and a blue sea serpent waterslide. A separate water play area welcomes children 48 inches tall and under, while the whirlpool spa and Mardi Grogs pool bar offer ways for adults to unwind. The complimentary riverboat to Disney Springs makes an evening of dining and shopping feel like a little outing of its own, with a scenic cruise along the water.

Another lovely feature is the riverside walking path to neighboring Riverside. Stay at French Quarter and you can still head over to enjoy fishing at the Fishin’ Hole or a reserved horse-drawn carriage ride departing from Riverside, both available for an additional charge. French Quarter would be my pick for families who prefer shorter walks around their home resort, couples wanting a charming getaway, and solo travelers who love a manageable layout with easy opportunities to explore.