#1 Walt Disney World Resort for Families - Port Orleans Riverside
In my opinion, the best hotel for families on Walt Disney World property is Port Orleans Riverside (formerly called Dixie Landings). This hotel truly caters to families in the way Walt Disney originally intended. From the rooms to the restaurants and recreation, everything is made for families. Some highlights include:
Atmosphere
Port Orleans Riverside is designed to make guests feel like they’re in a beautiful Louisianna town right on the Mississippi River (called the Sassagoula River in Disney). Inspiration comes from the days and stories of Mark Twain and the fabulous decorations and lush landscaping truly bring the deep south ambiance to life.
Rooms
Guests can choose to stay in rooms in one of two sections of Port Orleans Riverside. First, they can choose to stay in Alligator Bayou which is designed to make guests feel like they just stepped into the Lousianna bayou. Second, Magnolia Bend depicts an old Georgian mansion setting. Rooms in both sections of Port Orleans Riverside are basically identical and can accommodate 2-4 people. Guests can choose two double beds with dual sinks and a separate toilet and shower/tub room or a king-sized bed with one sink and a separate toilet and shower/tub room. A table with two chairs and armoire with a television and drawers as well as a rod for hanging clothes are included in every room. Decorative touches include hickory wood bedframes and accessories and artwork reminiscent of the deep south. All rooms include a variety of amenities such as in-room safes, irons, ironing boards and coffee pots.
Price
Room rates at Port Orleans Riverside change throughout the year, but on the Walt Disney World website, the standard rate is quoted as $160/night for a room with a water view and $145 per night for a room with a standard view ($160 for a king-sized bed). Port Orleans Riverside is considered to be a Disney moderate resort meaning it’s comparable in price to hotels like the Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans French Quarter and Coronado Springs.
Dining
Boatwright’s Dining Hall is a mid-priced waiter service restaurant designed to feel like an old shipbuilder’s warehouse complete with an in-progress ship’s hull hanging from the ceiling and various shipbuilding tools hanging on the walls. The menu includes Southern and American dishes served for breakfast and dinner only.
Riverside Mill Food Court is one of my favorite restaurants for families with small children on Walt Disney World property. This is a counter-service restaurant serving a mixture of Southern and American foods in a wonderful atmosphere for kids. In the center of the dining area is a 32-foot, working water wheel! Windows surround the dining area and allow guests to enjoy the view of the river, boats, bikers and horse-drawn carriages. The Riverside Mill Food Court also provides pizza delivery during select hours to guest rooms at Port Orleans Riverside.
Pools
Ol’ Man Island is the feature pool at Port Orleans Riverside. It’s centrally located between the two sections of the resort. The setting at Ol’ Man Island is beautiful with trees and plants surrounding the pool and deck area, so guests feel like they’re in the middle of the Louisianna bayou. The pool includes a slide and waterfall, and a hot tub is available for parents to enjoy some much needed relaxation. Ol’ Man Island also has a snack bar that serves drinks and snacks with chairs and tables for guests using the pool or just passing by on their way to their room or the main hotel.
In addition to the feature pool at Ol’ Man Island, there are five smaller heated pools scattered throughout the two sections of Port Orleans Riverside, so guests never have to walk far to enjoy a quick swim!
Boat and Watercraft Rentals
Being located on the Sassagoula River is a great benefit for Port Orleans Riverside guests as it gives them the opportunity to spend some time on the water in a rented watercraft. Guests can rent kayaks, canopy boats, pontoon boats, or water sprites and ride them all the way to Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island and back again.
Fishing
Port Orleans Riverside is one of the few hotels on Walt Disney World property that provides some type of fishing activity. Guests can try their hands at fishing on the Sassagoula River near Ol’ Man Island. This is a great family activity to break up the day from visiting the parks.
Bike Rentals
A few hotels on Walt Disney World property provide bike rentals, and Port Orleans Riverside is one of them. Guests can rent bicycles or surrey bikes for multiple passengers and enjoy a .7 mile ride around the resort and along the Sassagoula River. Renting a surrey bike is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy together. Pedalling a surrey bike can be tiring and very hot, so make sure you plan your rental around the hottest part of the day and bring water.
Playground
Just behind Ol’ Man Island is a playground that small children will love. It includes wooden structures for climbing and a soft mulch surface for landing after jumps or falls.
Arcade
The Medicine Show Arcade is located in the main building of Port Orleans Riverside behind Guest Relations. It includes a variety of arcade games, pinball machines and air hockey tables to enjoy after a long day at the parks.
Horse-Drawn Carriages
Unique to Port Orleans Riverside are the horse-drawn carriage rides that guests can take along the Sassagoula River. The horses are beautiful and the carriages are comfortable. While horse-drawn carriage rides are more expensive than other family activities, they can create a great family memory.
Transportation
Disney buses service Port Orleans Riverside to take guests to the various parks and attractions on Walt Disney World property. Additionally, a riverboat provides a great alternative to visit Port Orleans French Quarter, Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island via the Sassagoula River.
Other Amenities
Laundry facilities are available in several central locations throughout Port Orleans Riverside. Babysitting services are also available for a fee.
Port Orleans Riverside is my favorite family hotel in Walt Disney World because families can really feel comfortable while staying there. Unlike some other hotels that cater to conference attendees, Port Orleans Riverside is all about families and children. To me, that’s what Walt Disney World is supposed to be all about, and that’s what Walt wanted when he created Disneyland and Walt Disney World - a place where parents and children can go together. Guests can still get that family-friendly feeling at Port Orleans Riverside.
Tags: disney-family-hotel, disney-hotel, Disney-port-orleans, disney-riverside, disney-vacationRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Disney Lists & Rankings, Hotels & Lodging, Vacation Planning
8 opinions for #1 Walt Disney World Resort for Families - Port Orleans Riverside
debbie
Apr 14, 2007 at 1:44 pm
what would be your recommendation for a family of 6, possibly 7 if granny comes along? thanks
Four children, under age 4.
thanks!
Susan
Apr 14, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for visiting my blog. Are you looking for a hotel recommendation? I would highly recommend Port Orleans Riverside for a family with small children. You can get two rooms, and the price will still be reasonable. If cost is a concern, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at any of Disney’s Value Resorts (All Star Music, Sports or Movies or the Pop Century Resort).
Did that answer your question? Please post again if there is any other information you’re looking for!
Susan
bum
Jul 12, 2007 at 7:05 pm
hi i was wondering is there any thing you should bring along just incase and what hapens when there is a hurricane.
Susan
Jul 12, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I’ve been on a Disney vacation during a hurricane and there is the chance the parks will close if the weather gets severe. The hotels will still be open though offering their usual dining options and indoor activities like arcades. If you’re visiting during hurricane season and there is a chance you would cancel your trip if a hurricane hits, I’d recommend getting travel insurance. For a couple hundred dollars, you can get a refund on your trip. You can purchase that through a travel agent or via a number of websites. I had a friend who used to own a travel agency and she recommended that. I purchased insurance online for a trip my husband and I took to Hawaii a couple of years before our triplets were born.
In terms of what you should bring “just in case” I think it depends on the age of your children. Most essentials can be purchased in the gift and sundry shops at the hotels like Tylenol, Benadryl, baby food, diapers, sunscreen, toothpaste, etc. I would always pack a “rain gear” bag that you can carry with you to the parks, so if it starts raining, you’re still mobile. Just wear sandals, so it doesn’t matter if your feet get wet and bring good raincoats. Also, you can’t chew gum in Disney parks, so if you like to chew gum, be sure to pack some. Most importantly, you walk a lot during a Disney vacation, so pack comfortable shoes and extra shoes in case your primary pair gets too wet or gives you blisters.
If you’re wondering about any specific types of items that I didn’t mention above, just leave another comment.
Thank you for visiting!
Sue
Jul 24, 2007 at 10:39 am
hi,
Is it possible for 2 adults and 3 6yr olds to stay in the same room at Port Orleans Riverside?..Just trying to cut costs and be able to stay at a great resort.
Thanks….
PS Great site!!!!!
Susan
Jul 24, 2007 at 11:08 am
Many people will bring sleeping bags to fit more kids into one room. The only challenge would be if you’re buying a package for a certain number of guests. If a meal plan or tickets are included in your package, you’d have to work around that and purchase those separately for the kids who are not included in your package. You won’t regret staying at Riverside. It’s a great family hotel.
mark collins
Aug 15, 2007 at 10:09 am
Thanks for this. Having been to WDW POR before I agree 100% with your sentiments. I’m back there this year (In 5 days to be accurate - and I can’t wait).I wonder if there’s something you can help me with. I’m planning to take a de-stressing, romantic carriage ride (with my wife) on Monday (20 August) as a way of relaxing after our long flight. But I can’t find details of how to book (I’ve heard that this is recommended) prices and opening times. Where might I find details via the Internet?
Susan
Aug 17, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Hi Mark,
I don’t believe booking information is available online. You could call the hotel to get the details you need. Call 407-824-4321 and press zero for an operator than ask to be connected to the hotel (or ask for the direct number). One thing to keep in mind is the horse and carriage rides don’t run when it rains. This time of year, it rains almost every afternoon. If you want to book before your trip, make your reservation for early in the day. As an alternative, you may want to wait until you arrive and choose your day/time based on the weather.
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