Seems like NO ONE can agree on this Disney World hotel!
The Port Orleans Resort has one of the most interesting histories of any Walt Disney World hotel. The original version of the resort — made up solely of what’s today called the Port Orleans French Quarter — opened in 1991. The portion of the resort currently known as Port Orleans Riverside opened the following year as Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort. The two were combined under the Port Orleans banner in 2001.
Given that they opened as two different resorts, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the two sections of Port Orleans have wildly different reviews. When it comes to Port Orleans Riverside specifically, the reactions to the hotel seem to be distinctly SPLIT.
Our AllEars readers have provided over 200 reviews of Port Orleans Riverside. While the hotel does have an overall 8.9 rating, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
There are a litany of positive reviews, like this anonymous review from November of 2023, which reads “I stayed for the first time in mid-November. I usually stay at a deluxe property or Fort Wilderness. I absolutely loved this resort. I booked a preferred building and we were in building 14. It was close to everything and beautiful. The hotels were sold out for my three nights and it did not feel at all crowded there. I enjoyed it so much I rebooked on a bounce back offer. I can’t wait to go back.”
Reader QuincyIsMySpiritAnimal added their own positive review earlier that same year, saying, “Been here twice! It was a suggested resort by a cast member for my 1st visit to WDW with my bestie. I loved it so much I came back here with my husband a few years later. And have chosen this same spot for our future trip in September. It’s tranquil, beautiful and fairly quiet. Honestly it’s the best of both worlds if you’re trying not to break the bank yet feel like you’re splurging a bit for such a beautiful spot. The boat ride to Disney Springs was so relaxing. We loved it! For some only having bus transportation to the parks is a con however we never had any issues and enjoyed not having to worry about driving anywhere ourselves for over a week! BIG pro as far as we’re concerned. Love love love this resort!”
Despite these heavily positive reviews, there are also some equally passionate negative reviews. For example, one of our readers left an anonymous review that read, “Not a fan… it’s pretty and the pool is okay with a small slide but we stayed in the princess rooms, and they were small and very dark, like a dungeon, not a royal suite… it is very spread out and the food was not great. Plus we had a room that was close to the main lobby compared to other rooms and when we swam in the main pool and walked back to the room it was miserable especially with kids! We stayed there for one night and I was done! Never again! I was not the only one that thought when I was complaining a family behind me overheard me and agreed. This is a nightmare for people with children. we walked enough in the parks we don’t want to walk forever back to our room!”
Another anonymous review echoed these negative sentiments, with the reviewer writing in part, “The resort seems to have gone downhill in recent years. My biggest issue was the fact that there was no housekeeping other than fresh towels every other day. I can’t even say they emptied the trash. Of the three trash cans in the room, 1 was emptied. Every day I took out the trash and left it in the hall outside the door. I did the same with towels and bedding. It certainly felt like housework to me. The resort buildings and walkways showed wear that should be addressed. There was litter strewn about, as well as gum/food on the walkways. The food in the cafeteria is limited in choices and not of high quality. While some employees in the cafeteria we’re very pleasant, some were also quite gruff. Several times I said ‘good morning’ or ‘thank you’ and got no response. Although check in is at 3:00, one of our rooms was not ready until nearly 5:00. I won’t be staying here again. I’d rather pay a bit more for more food choices and housekeeping services daily.”
While these are just a small sampling of reviews, they accurately review the large division in opinion about the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Stay tunes to AllEars for further thoughts on what our readers think of Walt Disney World’s hotels.
You Can Get Married With a View of All Four Theme Parks at This Disney World Hotel
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Have you ever stayed at Port Orleans Riverside? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below.
My family has stayed there twice and absolutely loved it.
Stayed at the riverside twice pre covid always enjoyed it there been back on Disney property since it open
We’ve stayed at Riverside on many occasions, however, this year was our 1st time since COVID.
As always, we found the reception staff very helpful, nothing was too much trouble. The staff in the food court were a bit hit & miss but overall quite friendly. The only thing we found was that there was no variety in the food served. For guests staying a week or less, I’m sure they could find enough variety. However, for longer stays the choices were limited, & quite boring after time .
The accommodation we had this time was acceptable, for a moderate hotel. The maid service was a bit hit & miss, with the bins not being emptied the same days when they came to change the towels. There was dust on the floor, next to the bed, which hadn’t been removed until we pointed it out to housekeeping, some days after we checked in. The maids didn’t make the beds too good. They threw the top sheet over, without straightening the bottom one. So you had to sleep on the creases made the night before.
Overall, the convenience of where the hotel is situated, out weighs the odd hiccup in housekeeping. It won’t put us off visiting again!
Stayed at Riverside the last week in January with our family. We loved it. We were in one of the furthest buildings from the lobby, yet that wasn’t an issue. We loved the rooms, and the kids loved the pool. Would stay again
Wow I’m 63 and been to Disney dozens of times from the Grand opening in early 70s, to honeymoon in 80s, to family trips with the grandkids, none over 5. I shouldn’t be surprised by negative reviews, since I’ve seen these type people in almost every vacation I’ve ever been on. My eggs were too runny, DISASTER! I saw a bug in Florida, HEART ATTACK! My steak was too rare, AND MY WHOLE TRIP WAS RUINED! While I heartily agree that Disney deserves criticism for a host of penny pinching absurdities, and can certainly take guests for ATM’s, some of the comments are just too much. Didn’t want to walk with your kids? Do a teeny bit of research so you don’t have to. The Princess Rooms (our favorite and we’ve stayed everywhere) are too dark? Take off your sunglasses. They’re perfect, particularly if you have any little princesses, or have been married to one for 39 happy years. I’m all for Disney getting criticized justly for cheap cost cutting, but when we mix in the absurd whiner criticism, it just makes it easier for Disney to ignore ALL feedback. Get a grip.
My family has stayed at Riverside since it was Dixie Landing! It is our go to every year almost. We have stayed at The Yacht Club and Polonesian, but the other 30+ times we chose Riverside! The grounds are beautiful and we loved the Princess Room. We took our 6 year old granddaughter! While housekeeping is not as attentive as they used to be, they do an adequate job. I miss coming back to towel animals and one time Minnie and Mickey stuffed animals my kids bought watching tv with the remote in Mickey’s hand. We LOVE Riverside. Staying there again in September!