Walt Disney World has over 25 on-property hotels, and not all of them are created equal. Some, like the Polynesian or Contemporary, are iconic, while others, like the Value Tier resorts, with their gigantic icons, have come to symbolize the resort. However, others remain a bit more…under the radar.
Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside
Take the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. This hotel — which opened under the name Dixie Landings back in 1992 — is “hidden” with its sister resort, Port Orleans French Quarter, at the edge of the property near Disney Springs.
Between them, the two Port Orleans Resorts have over 3,000 rooms — the most on Disney property. In fact, Port Orleans Riverside has over 2,000 rooms, making it the second-largest Disney World hotel.
The room
Riverside’s rooms offer a bit of rustic charm with modern amenities. Take a look at this room in the hotel’s Alligator Bayou section.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside
In addition to two beds, the room also includes a table and chairs with a faux homemade look…
Table and Chairs
… and a Murphy Bed bench/bureau.
Bureau
Note some of the intricate decorative work present in the room.
The details
The rustic details extend to the furniture…
So pretty
… night table…
Table
… and even the air conditioning unit.
Stay warm or cool
Themed artwork is present on the walls…
Pretty art
… and even extends to the bathroom with a Princess and the Frog-inspired shower curtain.
Tub and toilet
Speaking of the bathroom, the room offers a faux wood-paneled shower…
Shower
… and washboard details, adding to the rustic feel.
Love the washboard detail
Modern amenities present in the room include a litany of outlets…
Outlets
…a coffee maker…
Coffee maker
… and even the “Hey Disney” voice assistant.
Hey Disney Alexa
However, that’s not all there is to the story! Right now, the Port Orleans Riverside Resort is in the midst of room refurbishment that will be completed in August 2027, and we got a sneak peek at one of the new rooms in the hotel’s Magnolia Bend area recently. During our short tour, we were shown a room decked out for Cool Kids Summer, including Toy Story toys…
Decked out for Cool Kids Summer
… and of course Bluey and Bingo!
The true stars of Cool Kids Summer
The room also featured several of the newer childcare options Disney offers on display, including a crib…
Crib
… Diaper Genie…
Diaper Genie
… and a bath seat!
Bath Seat
The new rooms retain decorative artwork…
Artwork
… and features in line with the hotel’s theme.
Notice the themed tilework elements.
No matter if you get a newly upgraded room or an older room, we have to say we adore staying here.
On top of the rooms, Port Orleans Riverside offers the typical perks of a Moderate Tier Walt Disney World hotel, plus access to the Sassagoula Boats. The boats, which generally operate from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, connect the Port Orleans Resorts to Disney Springs, as well as the Saratoga Springs and Old Key West resorts.
Sassagoula River Boat
Next time you’re considering which Disney World hotel to book, keep the sometimes unfairly overlooked Port Orleans Riverside in mind, as either the older or newer rooms offer a unique experience. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World hotel tips.
Why We’re Avoiding These 4 Disney World Hotels in January 2027
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Have you ever stayed at Riverside? Let us know in the comments below.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
TRENDING NOW
Walt Disney Studios is officially open in Hollywood Studios at Disney World!
Amazon is having a massive sale on Disney World essential items!
Changes are coming to the Carousel of Progress, and if that worries you, we might...
How did this week's big openings affect wait times?
This just in! A Virtual Queue will no longer be required at Bluey's Wild World...
Everything Animal Kingdom has going on in June!
Changes are coming to Disney's Art of Animation!
Another clue has dropped about Taylor Swift's potential involvement with 'Toy Story 5'...maybe.
You can now book this hotel as part of your Disney World vacation package.
We got some MAJOR updates on the Carousel of Progress changes.
Some Disney fans used to plan entire trips around the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival....
This sugar bomb brunch was unexpected!
Two new menu items just landed at Chicken Guy!
Let's take a look at the new rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort -- Riverside.
What does Jumping Junction look like at the new Bluey's Wild World experience in Disney's...
New 'Toy Story 5' shoes are set to hit Foot Locker soon!
New chips in Disney World!
Disney Springs just implemented a new parking rule that's going to affect EVERYONE'S vacations.
This room may seem out of the way, but that's part of the charm.
We have a guess at when fans can expect to see the NEW 'Star Wars:...