Layout: Port Orleans Resort area is located near Downtown Disney and has two separate resorts.  The larger of these two is the Louisiana Bayou themed Port Orleans Riverside which has buildings situated along the Sassagoula River.  Riverside is divided into 2 distinctly themed parishes: Magnolia Bend’s mansions and the  cottages of Alligator Bayou.   Check out the map: here

Rooms: All rooms have entrance from the outside and thanks to the layout none are too far from the main building or pools.  Rooms have internet access (for a fee), cable or satellite TV, refrigerators, in room safe, crib,ironing board, and hair dryers.  Most rooms have 2 full size beds but some offer 1 king.  There are newly renovated Royal Guest Rooms which offer regal touches to the already fancy guest rooms.

Shopping: Fulton’s General Store offers all shopping needs at your resort and you can visit the shop at French Quarter with a short walk.

Recreation: Jogging path, Arcade, Playground area, Horse drawn carriage (with a reservation and fee), Fishing, Biking, and Marina rentals

Pools: The main pool here is really a complex at Ol’ Man Island, but there are also heated quiet pools throughout the resort and guests of Riverside are allowed to visit the pool at French Quarter!

Tips:  While both sections of this resort are distinct and fit better for different people, remember you can’t book specifically for Alligator Bayou or Magnolia Bend so be prepared to stay at either even with a room request! Also be sure to take advantage of the adjacent resort!

Dining Options:

Find a complete overview of dining at Port Orleans here

Sit down restaurants: Boatright’s Dining Hall

Quick service restaurants: Riverside Mill Food Court offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options

Bars & Quick Stops: River Roost Lounge/ Muddy River’s Pool Bar

Signature/Dinner Shows: None

Transportation:

To Magic Kingdom:  Bus

To Epcot:  Bus

To Animal Kingdom:  Bus

To Hollywood Studios:  Bus

To Downtown Disney:  Water Taxi/ Bus

To Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon:  Bus

Melissa has created Chip & Company’s ‘Guide to Walt Disney World: Restaurant & Snack Options’ posts as well as chronicling her Disney baking (and cooking) exploits In the Kitchen. She also writes original articles about her experiences visiting Walt Disney World and finding Disney magic in her home state of New York. Melissa is a World History teacher and you can find her on tumblr. Oh & you should probably know she believes in fairytales.