Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Review- Our Stay as a Family of 5

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort has been one of the resorts I have always wanted to stay at. With the New Orleans vibe and dining options I knew we would love it. My only concern was how to comfortably fit the five of us in the room but we ended up having a great stay. Today I am sharing my Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside review and our experience staying as a family of five.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort has two distinct areas: Riverside and French Quarter. I will compare them more later in this post but the most important difference is Riverside has rooms with a 5th sleeper and French Quarter does not.

If you are a family of more than four you will need to book connecting rooms for your stay at Port Orleans French Quarter. We are a family of 5 and have stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort 5th sleeper rooms. I was looking forward to trying out a stay at Port Orleans- Riverside and seeing if it is a good fit for larger families.

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Disney Port Orleans Riverside Review- Our Stay

I was so excited to stay at Port Orleans- Riverside. Everything I had seen online made it look like a gorgeous Disney resort and having a 5th sleeper meant our family could fit in the room without booking two rooms.

For this trip to Disney we planned a 1 night at Disney itinerary. We arrived early and headed to breakfast at the resort. Our room was ready so we stopped there to regroup and change to go to Blizzard Beach for the afternoon. Disney World often includes a water park ticket free to on-site guests for their check-in day.

I love the ambiance of the resort from the minute we stepped in the lobby. It has a New Orleans bayou vibe along the river. The resort is rather large and there are signs along the walking paths to guide guests to their building.

The sunset at night over the resort was incredible. It was a beautiful moment during our stay at Port Orleans. In the morning we walked the pathways to get coffee at Port Orleans-French Quarter. It was great that we could take advantage of what both resorts have to offer during our short stay.

Port Orleans Riverside Room

The rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside are standard and themed to a relax Louisianna vibe with hints of The Princess and the Frog in the decor. There are 2 queen beds, a bathroom with vanity and closet area, and a 5th sleeper.

There is also a beverage cooler, coffee maker, iron and board, hair dryer, and in room safe. There is a small table and chairs as well.

The 5th sleeper is a small pull down twin bed. It is best for kids under ten which leads to why I don’t love this resort for longer stays for my family. We love visiting Disney with teens, but a bed this size doesn’t fit anyone in the family anymore. We prefer booking All-Star Sports with connecting rooms for longer trips.

On this trip I slept on the pull-down bed. I am 5ft 4in and it was comfortable enough for me. Anyone taller would not fit without their feet hanging over the edge. For our 1-night trip this was fine but for longer trips our family would need more space.

Cost of Staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort nightly rates are around $300.00 a night. This rate fluctuates often depending on the timing of your visit. Around the Christmas holiday rates were in the $400.00/night range. Usually Disney has special offers where you can find deals. Always compare Disney’s Special offers to find the best one for you.

Port Orleans Riverside Restaurants

Port Orleans Riverside has two main places to dine and two bar/lounge areas. Our first meal was at Riverside Mill Food Court for breakfast and lunch. This is the quick service spot where guests can get early morning and late night meals.

We also purchased the refillable mugs that can be used for 14 days from activation. (We were doing a split stay during this trip and also used the mugs during our stay at Pop Century.) These can be used for coffee, tea, and unlimited soda.

For dinner we had reservations at the on-site table service restaurant Boatwright’s Dining Hall. They offer Southern Louisiana inspired dishes. I ordered the Taste of the Bayou Platter. It is all you can eat and it includes chicken, ribs, beef brisket, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and seasonal vegetable. It was so much food and everything was delicious.

Port Orleans Riverside Pool

There are 6 pools at Port Orleans across the resort. The main pool is Ol’ Man Island pool and features a water slide, whirlpool, and kiddie pool. There are also five leisure pools, 3 in Alligator Bayou and 2 in Magnolia Bend, that have a more relaxed atmosphere.

Port Orleans Riverside Amenities & Perks

Every Disney Resort offers daily activities and added magical extras to their on-site guests. At Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside guests can do as little or as many of the activities they would like.

• Early Entry to the 4 theme parks.
• Guests can purchase Lightning Lane reservations 7 days from check-in.
• Complimentary transportation to/from the Disney Parks and Disney Springs.
• Parking is free for guests staying at the resort.
• 24 hour self serve laundry
• Daily Pool Side Activities
• Campfire on the Bayou
• Movies Under the Stars
• Horse Drawn Excursion
• Bike & Surrey Bike Rentals
• Fishing
• Jogging Trail
• Playground
• Arcade

Disney offers complimentary transportation to Port Orleans resort guests. Bus transportation will take guests to all four theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Water Taxi will take guests to Disney Springs.

Port Orleans Riverside vs French Quarter

At Port Orleans guests can stay at Port Orleans-Riverside and Port Orleans- French Quarter. Riverside is themed to rural Louisiana bayous and French Quarter is themed to New Orleans French Quarter. The resorts have walking paths connecting them and guests can move freely throughout.

Port Orleans Riverside guests and Port Orleans French Quarter guests are welcome to pool hop between the two resorts. This is great for families that need the 5th sleeper option but want to use the pool at French Quarter.

Port Orleans-French Quarter does not have rooms with a 5th sleeper.

Port Orleans Riverside Review- Recap

I would choose to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans- Riverside again if there wasn’t five of us. The resort is beautiful, I loved walking around and taking it all in. It really feels like you are transported away from the theme parks.

Unfortunately, the cost of booking two rooms would put us at Deluxe Resort nightly rates and it is not worth it to spend that much when we could stay at a value resort for half the cost. If I was a family of 4 or less I would definetly plan a stay at Port Orleans. Both Riverside and French Quarter offer a wonderful Disney resort experience at a moderate price.

Still looking for the perfect Disney Resort for your family? Check out my top picks -> Best Disney Resorts for Families of 5 or More

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