Disney's Port Orleans - Full Resort Review

One-night staycation with pet Gracie the dog

Resort Overview

Category: Moderate (mid-tier pricing) Room rate: $270/night Pet friendly: Yes

Port Orleans is split into two distinct areas — Riverside and French Quarter — each functioning almost like a separate resort. This stay focused on Riverside, with a visit to French Quarter in the evening.

Riverside is further divided into two sections:

• Alligator Bayou — More rustic, bayou-style exterior aesthetic
• Magnolia Bend — Southern plantation charm; includes Oak Manor where this stay was located. Wedding ceremonies are held here.

Transportation & Getting Around

• Boat to Disney Springs — Departs from the Sassagoula River dock; approximately 10-minute ride with stops along the way. A standout amenity compared to bus-only resorts.
• French Quarter is about a 5-minute walk from the back of Riverside, or accessible by boat before it continues to Disney Springs.

The Room — Updated Tiana/Princess and the Frog Theme

The Magnolia Bend rooms have been recently renovated with a Princess and the Frog / Tiana theme. Note: Alligator Bayou rooms did not appear to have the same updates.

Room highlights:

• Spacious feel — compared favorably to the Grand Floridian aesthetic
• Jazz music playing from the TV on arrival
• Tiana's Place coffee corner (themed to Tiana's Bayou Adventure)
• Bayou-inspired headboard design
• Princess and the Frog artwork throughout
• Comfortable bed with themed décor pillows
• Bathroom: two sinks, ample storage, clean tile work — noticeably upgraded from previous visits

Welcome amenity received: White chocolate riverboat and bottled water

Pet amenity package included:

• Pluto-branded tote bag
• Feeding mat
• Poop bags
• Map of dog relief stations around the resort
• One water bowl

Resort Amenities & Activities

Pools:

• Main pool — Water slide, hot tub, shallow wading ledge. Adjacent to Muddy Rivers pool bar.
• Quiet pools — Located throughout each building section; no water slide

Activities available:

• Fishing Hole — $7/half hour per rod; catch and release; species include bluegill, largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish; bait provided (hot dogs and worms); last rod goes out at 1 PM — arrive early
• Horse-drawn carriage rides — Pre-book by phone; walk-ups possible but often sold out
• Campfire on the Bayou — Free marshmallows; s'mores kit available for purchase
• Movie under the stars
• Mosaic class
• Nighttime trivia
• Glow with the Flow (pool glow event)
• Mickey tie-dye
• Hammocks throughout the resort grounds

Lobby area:

• Large arcade with massage chairs
• Fulton's General Store gift shop — features Mickey Mouse animatronics
• Character meet-and-greet space
• Riverside Mill (quick service)
• Boatwright's Dining Hall (sit-down)
• River Roost Lounge (bar food + Yeehaw Bob live entertainment, select nights)

Tip: Check-in is listed as 3 PM on the website, but rooms are often available as early as 11 AM if ready — worth asking on arrival.

Dining

Riverside Mill — Quick Service

New Orleans-inspired menu — notably not the standard Disney burger/pizza/hot dog lineup.

Menu highlights: Po'boys, gumbo, jambalaya, and breakfast options including pancakes

Ordered:

• Jambalaya with cornbread (~$12–13) — A consistent favorite; generous portion, always recommended
• Lemon pepper parmesan chicken strips (new menu item) — Crispy, shockingly lemony, delicious on their own; comes with fries. Do not mix with jambalaya — tested and confirmed not a good combination.

Mobile ordering available and recommended.

Boatwright's Dining Hall — Sit-Down

Elegant interior with a full-size boat as the centerpiece; multiple dining rooms including one with a fireplace. Recently updated menu.

Format: Mix of à la carte entrees and the "Taste of the Bayou" skillet/family-style service

Taste of the Bayou — $38/person (all you care to enjoy):

• Ribs — fall-off-the-bone tender, highly recommended
• Brisket — loaded with barbecue sauce, standout dish
• Barbecue chicken
• Mac and cheese
• Corn succotash with bacon
• Bread
• Chimichurri shrimp — $10 enhancement, not included; six large shrimp, worth it

Dessert:

• Peanut butter pie — Described as the best peanut butter pie ever had. Not overly peanut buttery, perfect consistency, served with caramel, cookie crumbs, and garnishes. Highly recommended — don't skip it even if you plan on beignets afterward.

Server Rebecca and the full team received high praise.

French Quarter — Beignets & Jazz

A short walk or boat ride from Riverside. Notably busier than expected during Easter week/spring break — the beignet line stretched the full length of the building.

Beignets: Sold in sets of 3 or 6; Mickey-shaped; served hot with powdered sugar. Shake the bag for full coverage. Extra powdered sugar available on request.

Scat Cat's Club: Live jazz nightly. Can enjoy beignets inside while listening to the music. Lively atmosphere, worth a stop even just to hang out for a few songs.

Overall Impressions

A well-rounded moderate resort with more activities, dining variety, and ambiance than most in its category. The Tiana room renovation is a significant upgrade — immersive, warm, and detailed. The combination of fishing, horse-drawn carriages, live entertainment, boat transportation, and two distinct resort areas gives Port Orleans Riverside a strong value proposition at the moderate price point.

Best for: Couples, solo travelers, pet owners, anyone who wants a relaxed Disney resort experience without paying deluxe prices. The New Orleans theming is consistent and genuinely transportive throughout.

"If I'm staying at a New Orleans themed resort, I want to feel like I'm in New Orleans — and this delivers."