Port Orleans Riverside

[MDDisneyFans]

Hi everyone,
My wife and I are huge disney fans like most of you and we go try to go to Disney at least 3 times a year. This will be our first time ever getting to stay on Disney Property. The hotels at Hotel Plaza Blvd are as close as we've been before. We are only staying for one night and then hopefully we will be staying at a resort again in March for a few more days.

Anythings we should know? Any thoughts about this resort? Is this a good resort for our first time staying at a Disney resort or should we not get our hopes up?

Any info you guys can offer would be great! Thanks!

[HauntedGabe]

Welcome! Hope you enjoy your time with us.

I really enjoy POR, we've stayed at it for almost two decades now.
It was designed beautifully. POR is in the middle of room renovations right now. Can't really tell from the outside.

When you check in, inquire if one of the newly renovated rooms is available. Not only will the decor be fresh but the renovated rooms have received new and larger mattresses. If you are there on an evening where yeehaw Bob is in the Lounge, stop by for a while. Very funny.

[MissMEY]

I have reservations to stay there later in the year and all my research says is that it is a good value moderate hotel. So should be good :-)

[NC_WDW_Daddy]

Welcome, always heard good things about POR on WDW Today and in the Guide.

[disneyrunrchick]

We've stayed there twice and really like it. There are two separate areas, the mansions and the bayou, and we've stayed in both. The new rooms are in the bayou and many have a trundle bed.
My biggest tip would be to try and take the boat to French Quarters and eat at a beignet if you have time. They are yummy!
Also, if you're a pin trader, make sure to check out the book at the back of the gift shop.
Have a magical time!

[StewbotTalborg]

I've never stayed there, but it's high on my list of "must do's". Even higher than some of the Deluxe Resorts.

You should listen to episode #97 of the podcast. Lou does a really great DSI of the resort. It's what really peaked my interest in it.

[mickeytoo]

Even though we have not stayed there since '04 (and have not been able to, since, for financial reasons), we still consider it our "home" resort, even though we are not DVC members, either.
We stayed there on the first two trips we did with our kiddos in '01 and '04.
We loved it sooo much! Everything from the grounds, to the theming, to Ol' Man Island, to the food court and lobby and the BGM. The boat ride to DTD was always so much fun, too. Just so very many good memories and so much to love about this resort.
Unfortunately, we won't be staying there on our trip this summer, but have high hopes for the new Art of Animation Resort that we'll be stayin' at this time around. Hope to get back "home" ASAP.

[MDDisneyFans]

Well, we had our first stay on Disney property and we loved it! We wish we would known more about the resort before hand so that we could have scheduled a horse and carriage ride or some of the other neat things they have at the resort but it was great! Our anniversary is in June during the blackout time for our passes and we are honestly considering going up anyway (we're only a few hours away) and staying at a resort (perhaps this one again) and just enoying the resorts! It was that great!

[StitchGal23]

POR is really great. I've stayed there before, and they have a great design sense and awesome Quick Service!

[imagineer-to-be]

POR is great! I've stayed twice, once in Magnolia Bend (the big, plantation-style white buildings), and once in Alligator Bayou (more rustic rooms). My family preferred Magnolia, just because the building was a lot closer to the pool, food court, etc. Not to mention two family members got food poisoning the same trip we stayed in Alligator Bayou--my opinion there could definitely be biased. It's been 2 years since our last stay here, but I remember the pool being really fun and BIG, and the food court being nice too. You can easily get to Downtown Disney from here, and a walk over to Port Orleans French Quarter is well-rewarded with a beignet from the food court! I know at POFQ you can take a boat directly to Downtown Disney, and the same might be true from POR.
Have fun! It's a great place to stay!

[Campbell87]

For our first ever WDW vacation, we stayed at POR and loved every second of it. I'd happily go back and stay there again too. I think it's perfect for first timers, especially after a busy day in the parks, it is so tranquil and peaceful to wander around of an evening, with lots of little quiet pools in-between the buildings. You can't beat a ferry boat ride to and from DTD, cruising down the winding Sassagoula River.

The food court has one of the widest variety's of resort menus that I've ever come across too, with a phenomenal pizza window!

You'll have an amazing time! Just watch out for the Geckos!

[JohnO]

We stayed at POR for the first time in January 2012. I love this resort! I too would stay there again without hesitation. We stayed in the mansions section, Oak Manor. Such a beautiful resort, fantastic theming, awesome food court, and non stressful bus experiences.

[Donkey chips]

We stayed at POR and loved the resort, they really know home to make you feel at home there. We felt it was very quiet and nice decor. Good and consistent food, great ice cream sandwich cookie. You will not go wrong at the resort.
Good luck and have fun.

[missbounce]

Oh, we LOVED POR! It was such a beautiful resort and the landscaping is fab - I'm sure you will absolutely love it!