Disney’s Port Orleans is made up of Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter and has a combined room total of 3000. And we are spotlighting this pair of hotels that make up the largest resort on Disney property. Let’s take a deeper look at this massive moderate, Port Orleans. While they are two “separate” resorts, they are connected to each other through the Sassagoula river that runs through them both. They do have separate check in areas, bus stops, and themes, but are often considered one. You can even get to Disney Springs via the river, which is a great alternative mode of transportation.
History of the Resorts
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter originally opened on May 17, 1991 and was designed to look like the French Quarter in New Orleans. Originally named Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, it had 432 guest rooms and three guest buildings. Later, expanding to its current 1,008 rooms in seven three-story buildings.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside was designed to pay homage to the Antebellum south that flourished along the Mississippi River. This resort opened on February 2,1992 as Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort. The first section to open was Alligator Bayou, with Magnolia Bend section opening later. Both Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou has 1,024 guest rooms with a combined total of 20 buildings.
March 1st, 2001 signs began to change around the resorts, reflecting a change. Disney’s Dixie Landings and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort was going to become a “region” of a united Disney’s Port Orleans Resort. They officially become French Quarter and Riverside on April 1, 2001. In 2011,
Disney transformed about a quarter of the rooms in “Riverside” section into the Royal Guest Rooms. These charming rooms have lots of touches “left” by some of your favorite friends, including a note from Tiana herself.
Fun Things to Do
There are lots of things to do between the two resorts to keep you occupied on your off park days. Just wandering through the beautiful grounds is one, and completely relaxing and enjoyable. But if you want something a little more exciting, check out Ol’ Man Island. This 3.5 acre recreation area at Port Orleans houses the resort’s 158,000 gallon pool. The island also contains a children’s playground and a great little fishing’ hole. Where guests can fish with a real cane fishing pole and bait for a small fee.
French Quarter will help you spend the day cooling off in Doubloon Lagoon. This 225,000 gallon pool is surround by a hot tub and a children’t playground. Overseen by Neptune, there are water slides themed after his sea serpent, name Scales.
Port Orleans also has five “quiet” swimming pools, three located in Alligator Bayou and two in the Magnolia Bend section. Guests of either resort are allowed used to all the pools, since they are considered the same property.
If you are looking for something a little different, Riverside has marina. There you can rent bicycles or surrey bikes. You can even rent a horse drawn carriage to take a night time ride throughout the resort. A sweet, relaxing, and even romantic way to end the evening.
Places To Eat
There is a great food court at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside in Riverside Mill Food Court. This quick service location has a couple of different counters to help you with your order. It has the standard food court meals, along with a few designated to there. Like the Beignets. Not found at other resorts, these are just too good to pass up, and are a must have on every trip.
For a more “proper” meal, Boatwright’s Dining Hall is a casual table service restaurant. Open only during dinner, is specializes in southern dishes such as jambalaya and voodoo chicken. River Roost lounge, right outside Boatwright’s is home to the famous Yeeha Bob. He plays kid friendly songs, ditties and entertains almost every night (even he gets a few nights off). Ol’ Man Island has Muddy Rivers pool bar for the adults to have some refreshments while the kids are playing.
