When visiting Disney World if you are looking for a resort with beautiful surroundings, Southern charm and a relaxing atmosphere then Disney’s Port Orleans Resort hotels are for you! Many people want to know which one is better. Let’s take a look at Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter.
When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, choosing the perfect Disney resort hotel is one of the most exciting—and sometimes challenging—decisions! Among the fan-favorite resorts are Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, two gems that offer unique vibes, immersive themes, and plenty of magic.
Whether you’re dreaming of the charm and tranquility of Riverside’s sprawling landscapes or the vibrant, jazzy streets of the French Quarter, these two resorts are often at the top of many Disney-goers’ lists.
So, let’s dive into what makes each of these favorite resorts so special, and help you decide which one is the best fit for your next Disney adventure!
Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter
Both resorts sit next to each other so you can enjoy walking around the grounds, dining in the restaurants and taking part in the activities on offer at both. They are a short walk or boat ride to each other and since they are sister resorts you can use the amenities at both hotels.
Let’s look at each resort to see what sets them apart from each other and which one may be the best fit for you!
Where are the Port Orleans Resorts located?
Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter are moderate resorts on the banks of the Sassagoula River.
Port Orleans Riverside official address is: 1251 Riverside Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. The phone number is: (407) 934-6000.
Port Orleans French Quarter official address is: 2201 Orleans Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. The phone number is: (407) 934-5000.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
Port Orleans Riverside is the larger of the two resorts. There are two distinct areas, the rustic Alligator Bayou which has bayou cottages and Magnolia Bend which has grand Southern mansions.
Magnolia Bend is made up of 4 two and three-story stately white buildings and Alligator Bayou is made up of 16 two-story buildings.
Port Orleans Riverside has 2,048 rooms over 200 acres of land. Although set across a large area this resort still feels intimate and easy to get around, unlike some other moderate resorts which are very spread out and require a lot of walking, which is not ideal after a long day in the Disney Parks!
What is the theme of Port Orleans Riverside?
Port Orleans Riverside is a moderate resort that has the theming of the Louisiana Bayou. The buildings transport you straight to the heart of Louisiana and the grounds are beautiful and lush. There are lots of manicured gardens, oak and magnolia trees lining the sidewalks plus azalea, camellia and rose bushes decorating the grounds.
The pool is inspired by the story of Tom Sawyer, Ol’ Man Island with a bridge that goes to a hideaway with an old-fashioned swimmin’ hole and sawmill slide. The resort even features a catch-and-release fishing hole.
Riverside Guest Rooms
All rooms are 314 square feet and come with amenities such as a mini fridge, coffee maker and iron and ironing board. The rooms in the Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou section both have slightly different décor to incorporate the story of their setting.
Magnolia Bend
These rooms have beautiful, elegant décor, fitting with old Southern charm you would expect to see in a grandiose mansion. The rooms are tastefully decorated in muted greens and blues with dark wooden furniture that look like they are right out of a fine estate.
The Royal Rooms are also located in Magnolia Bend. More on those below!
Alligator Bayou
These rooms are more rustic and are made to look like the inside of a bayou lodge. Here you will find a similar color scheme as in the Magnolia Bend rooms. The wooden furniture is designed to look handcrafted and the murphy bed looks like a wooden crate.
You will also find nods to The Princess and the Frog in the rooms at this resort, such as in the shower curtain design. If you have a 5th sleeper room be sure to look out for Louie the alligator as his image is hidden behind the murphy bed!
Room Types
There are multiple room types at Port Orleans Riverside which gives you lots of variety.
Standard Rooms
Standard Rooms come with two queen beds and can be selected with a range of different views, such as a river view, woods view or a pool view. You are also able to select a preferred room, which is closest to the main lobby, restaurants and Disney transportation.
King Rooms
There are a select number of king rooms that come with one king sized bed, suitable for two adults.
5th Sleeper Rooms
This resort has 5th sleeper rooms that have a pull-down murphy bed, which is the perfect size for a child, making these rooms a great choice for families.
Royal Rooms
For a truly special experience you can choose to stay in one of the Royal Guest Rooms. These majestic rooms will make anyone feel like royalty!
The décor in the Royal Guest Rooms is very grand and would fit right in inside a castle. The color scheme is made up of regal reds, blues and gold. Ornate furniture and beautiful drapes really set the scene!
These rooms are themed around The Princess and the Frog and include a headboard that features artwork from the movie and that also glitter with fiber-optic lights!
You will also find artwork showcasing Disney Princesses and their Princes, as well as nods to other Disney films such as bathroom taps in the shape of the Genie’s lamp in Aladdin and the luggage bench shaped like Sultan, the dog from Beauty and the Beast!
If you are looking for a truly special, Disney-themed room then this is perfect for you!
Riverside Dining
Port Orleans Riverside has one table service restaurant, one quick-service restaurant and two bars. The cuisine you will find here is southern fare which is totally in keeping with the Port Orleans theme.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall
Boatwright’s Dining Hall is a table service location. At dinner time come here for Creole, Cajun and Southern foods such as fried green tomatoes, jambalaya, Nashville hot chicken, shrimp and grits and pecan pie. The décor is themed around boat building and there is even a half-built boat suspended in the air!
Riverside Mill Food Court
This is the quick service location. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available here. Traditional American fare can be sound here with dishes such as pizza, pasta, burgers, hot meats, sandwiches and salads that have a Southern flair to them.
This restaurant is set up like a food court, with 5 stations serving different foods. Be sure to take a look at the working mill wheel outside!
River Roost Bar
This is a bar that serves cocktails and beers as well as appetizers such as bayou wings, andouille sausage-cheese dip and hummingbird cake. There is also entertainment on offer from the Disney legend Yehaa Bob. This is a great place to unwind and enjoy yourself in the evenings.
Muddy Rivers
This pool bar is found on Ol’ Man Island. Here you can cool down with a range of cocktails, including the famous Frose as well as beers, wines and sangria.
Riverside Activities and Resort Amenities
Port Orleans Riverside has 6 pools in total, as well as campfires, movies under the stars, carriage rides, bike rentals and more!
Pools
Ol’ Man Island is a 3-acre wooded area, lush with nature, that is inspired by Tom Sawyer. It is home to a lot of the activities on offer at this resort as well as the main pool. The pool is designed to feel like a swimming hole and has a 95-foot long sawmill slide.
There is also a kid’s pool nearby and there are activities that take place throughout the day in and around the pool. Be sure to check out the Old Man Island pool party which happens daily!
Muddy Rivers Pool Bar can be found here for some poolside beverages plus there is a hot tub for adults to enjoy.
There are 5 quiet leisure pools around the resort: three in Alligator Bayou and two in Magnolia Bend. These pools are perfect for swimming and lounging, rather than playing and splashing.
With a total of 6 pools there will always be somewhere to cool off and relax!
Resort Activities
- Campfire Activities – Make smores every night around the campfire on Ol’ Man Island by the playground 6pm-7pm nightly.
- Movies Under the Stars – On select nights, enjoy a Disney movie at the Magnolia South Pool deck.
- Carriage Rides – Take a horse drawn excursion around the beautiful grounds along the banks of the Sassagoula River. This is an extra cost.
- Rent Bikes – You can rent bikes and surrey bikes here. Surrey bikes are covered bikes that hold 2-4 people.
Transportation
Port Orleans Riverside has complimentary bus transportation to all the of the theme parks and Disney Springs.. There are 4 bus stops throughout the resort.
There is also a special boat that will take you on a relaxing river journey to Disney Springs. If you love the dining and shopping at Disney Springs this is a great addition. The boat can also take you next door the French Quarter.
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
Port Orleans French Quarter lets you step into the charm and excitement of the famous French Quarter in New Orleans. Walk along cobblestone streets decorated with gas lamps and marvel at the colorful buildings with the iconic wrought-iron balconies!
French Quarter is the smallest of the moderate resorts at Disney World. This is a big bonus as you can walk almost anywhere in this resort within five minutes!
What is the theme of Port Orleans French Quarter?
The theme of the resort, takes after its name. Port Orleans French Quarter is themed after the French Quarter in New Orleans. There are elements of Jazz, Mardi Gras, and Southern Charm throughout.
French Quarter Guest Rooms
Port Orleans French Quarter has 1008 rooms across 7 two-story buildings. The rooms at this resort are 314 square feet. All rooms come with a coffee maker, mini fridge, iron and ironing board.
The décor in the rooms is similar to Riverside. You will find beautiful muted colored walls and dark wood to be in keeping with the Southern feel alongside Mardi Gras green, purple and gold touches.
Room Types
Unlike Riverside, there are only a couple of room types that you can choose from. You can choose between a standard view, river view, garden view and pool view.
Standard Rooms
Standard rooms come with two queen beds and can sleep up to 4 adults.
King Rooms
There are a select amount of rooms with a king bed that can accommodate two adults.
French Quarter Dining
Port Orleans French Quarter is unique for a Disney World moderate resort as it is the only one that does not have a table service restaurant. Since the resort is so small, you can easily walk, or take the boat over to Riverside to eat at Boatwrights.
Sassagoula Floatworks
The sole restaurant at this resort is called Sassagoula Floatworks. This quick service location serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is known for being one of the best resort quick service restaurants at Disney World.
Come here for classic Cajun and Creole foods such as jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp and grits, po’ boy sandwiches, a beignet cheeseburger plus pizza, pasta and salads.
Dinner has all this and even more with dinner specialty dishes like barbecued ribs, fried chicken and blackened rib-eye steak.
Do not forget to get the mickey shaped beignets! They even make them gluten free, and many fans make a special trip over just for these beignets.
Scat Cat Club Bar
Port Orleans French Quarter also has a bar called Scat Cat Club. Come here for music and drinks and the New Orleans classic sweet treat beignets! You can also order appetizers such as crawfish etouffee, crab dip and chicken and waffles.
French Quarter Activities and Resort Amenities
French Quarter has only one main pool, but there are some amazing resort activities that you don’t want to miss!
Pools
Port Orleans French Quarter has one pool called Doubloon Lagoon. This Mardi Gras themed pool is playful and fun and is known for the 51-foot slide themed as a serpent-dragon-snake called Scales. Slide down his tongue before splashing into the pool! The pool area is also decorated with a troupe of jazz-loving alligators!
The theming of the pool is particularly great for children as it is very fun and colorful. There is also an aquatic play area for kids which has child slides, water cannons and fountains.
A range of poolside activities are on offer, which are perfect for a day spent at your resort.
There is a hot tub for adults to enjoy plus Mardi Grogs pool bar is nearby, where you can buy specialty cocktails as well as snacks like wraps, salads and pretzels.
Resort Activities
- Campfire Activities – Make smores every night around the campfire. Located at the courtyard between buildings 5 & 6 – 6pm-7pm nightly.
- Movies Under the Stars – On select nights, enjoy a Disney movie at the Oak Manor Lawn.
- Rent Bikes – You can rent bikes and surrey bikes here. Surrey bikes are covered bikes that hold 2-4 people.
- Scavenger Hunts – during the holidays there are fun themed scavenger hunts, and you can return your hunt for a collector pin.
Transportation
Since this resort is so small, there is only one bus station at the front of the resort. The bus will take you to any of the Disney Parks as well as Disney Springs.
There is also a boat that will take you to Disney Springs, and next door to Riverside.
Differences Between Riverside and French Quarter
With so much on offer at each of these resorts how do you decide which one to stay at? Here are the main difference between each of these resorts to help you choose.
- French Quarter is smaller in size, which makes it easier to walk around. This is particularly great for families with children as there is no long walk to your room at the end of the day. It is also a fun resort for children because of the brighter colors and the aquatic play area.
- Riverside is more sprawling but is really picturesque and has a laid back, romantic feel which is perfect for couples and adults.
- Riverside has the fantastic Royal Guest Rooms, which are a real treat to stay in for fans of Disney Princesses or if you are celebrating a special occasion.
- Riverside also has 5th sleepers bedrooms, which are ideal for families.
- French Quarter only has one type of room and can sleep a maximum of 4 people.
- Riverside has more restaurants to choose from. French Quarter only has one quick service restaurant.
- Riverside has four bus stops whereas French Quarter only has one. People find it easier to catch a bus to the Disney Parks at French Quarter because of this. If the bus at Riverside is full before reaching your stop they may not stop to collect you, which can lead to longer waiting times.
- Riverside has 6 pools to enjoy whereas French Quarter only has one.
- The French Quarter pool may be more fun for kids because of bright colors, jazz loving alligators and the serpent slide.
- Each resort has its own unique theming. Riverside is reminiscent of the relaxed atmosphere of Louisiana whereas French Quarter really transports you to the French Quarter of New Orleans.
- The quick service restaurant at French Quarter is known to be one of the best in the whole of Disney World. People love the menu filled with Cajun and Creole cuisine.
- Riverside has Ol’ Man Island which is 3 acres of fun and activities for you to enjoy.
- Port Orleans Riverside is a dog-friendly resort. You are able to bring along your canine companion, up to 2 dogs per room.
Similarities Between Riverside and French Quarter
Although both resorts have their own unique theming and charm there are also a lot of similarities between them.
- Room Sizes – The rooms are the same square footage at each resort. They also have the same facilities on offer in the rooms, such as a coffee maker and mini fridge.
- Free Transportation – They both have the same transportation. Enjoy the boat journey to Disney Springs and hop on a Disney Bus to the parks.
- Beautiful Grounds and Relaxing Atmosphere – They both have the same relaxing atmosphere across both resorts.
Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter have so much to offer and are a fantastic retreat to relax in after busy days in the Disney Parks!
Book Port Orleans Riverside for:
- A great resort for couples or adults
- A peaceful and quiet setting
- Beautiful buildings and grounds
- 6 pools
- Multiple room types
- Royal Guest Rooms
- Great resort for families because the rooms sleep 6.
Book Port Orleans French Quarter for:
- The smaller resort size making it easy to walk around
- A great resort for families
- Easier to get a bus to the Disney Parks
- Fun theming for kids
- Also great for couples, especially if you get a garden view, or a room by the water and a king size bed.
After exploring all the unique offerings of these two Disney resort hotels, it’s clear that both Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort have their own special charm.
If you’re looking for a cozy, laid-back vibe with the iconic Ol’ Man Island pool area and lush, serene surroundings, Riverside might just be calling your name. On the other hand, if you’re drawn to the lively, New Orleans-inspired atmosphere with the fun-filled Doubloon Lagoon pool and its Mardi Gras flair, the French Quarter could be your ideal home away from home.
Both resorts boast great dining options and unique experiences, ensuring your stay is as magical as can be. Ultimately, no matter which side of Port Orleans you choose, you’re in for a truly enchanting Disney vacation!
Have you ever stayed at Port Orleans? Which resort is your favorite?
Read Also: A Detailed Look at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
Read Also: Discover the Magic of Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
1 comment
Amy
French Quarter is beloved by the Disney lovers with mobility disabilities for its small footprint.