When it comes to Disney World resorts, most fans have at least one they swear by.
Maybe it’s the theming, the transportation, or that one stay where everything just clicked. But every once in a while, we get a review that makes us stop and say, wait… really? That’s exactly what happened when one of our readers shared their thoughts on Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. This is a resort that usually gets a lot of love for its Southern charm, boat transportation, and laid-back vibes. But for this guest, it’s safe to say that it didn’t end up making their top 10 list of Disney World hotel stays.
Our reader AEUser-9b08ae rated Port Orleans Riverside Resort a 4 out of 10 stars and didn’t hold back when explaining why. They wrote,
“I have stayed here several times and have enjoyed it but it ultimately doesn’t compare to the other resorts. Every time, I get a room that has a perfume-y scent, almost as if it’s covering up a smoke odor— making it very hard to sleep. I believe they’re refurbishing the rooms which is well-needed because the rooms are outdated. You can’t go wrong with their solid food court with good options for all ages, though! Their gift shop is also huge and has so many things you can’t find at other shops. The main pool near the lobby has fun theming but we had to hunt down a seat and be mindful of how many chairs we were using. We didn’t get to really relax at the pool because of it. Otherwise if you’re just looking for a place to sleep and won’t be at the resort much, this is a solid affordable option! It’s my least favorite resort and I don’t think I’ll be staying there again though.”
Least favorite resort is a strong statement, especially for a resort so many guests return to again and again.
Looking at the pros they listed, it’s easy to see why Port Orleans Riverside still works for a lot of people. They highlighted that it offers a boat to Disney Springs, which is a big perk for dining and shopping days.
They also mentioned that bus transportation is mostly reliable, rooms tend to become ready relatively quickly, and the royal room theming is fun. On top of that, the food court and gift shop both got high praise, along with the fact that the resort has lots of pools and a large main pool.
But then we get to the cons, and this is where things start to tip. According to this reader, the resort involves a lot of walking. They specifically called out long walks to bus stops, pools, and the lobby. They also noted an odd smell in some rooms, which lines up with their earlier comment about the perfume like scent. Another big issue was that the Alligator Bayou buildings with fifth sleeper rooms do not have elevators, which can be a deal breaker for some families.
They also pointed out that Port Orleans Riverside is the furthest resort from Disney Springs on the boat route, the main pool has limited seating, and the in-room TVs are tiny. None of these things on their own might ruin a stay, but together they clearly added up for this guest.
At the end of the day, this review really highlights how much resort preferences can vary. For some people, Port Orleans Riverside is peaceful and charming. For others, the walking distances, room issues, and pool crowds can outweigh the benefits.
That’s why we always say it’s so important to think about how you actually vacation. If you spend most of your time in the parks and just need a place to sleep, this reader even admits it can be a solid, affordable option. But if resort time is a big part of your trip, the little things might matter a lot more.
Now hang tight with us as we share our two cents on Port Orleans Riverside. For us, it’s one of those Moderate resorts that always earns a spot near the top of our list. The resort feels calm, scenic, and thoughtfully themed, which makes it a great way to unwind after long park days.
Between the winding Sassagoula River, the lush landscaping, and the two distinct sections of Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou, it really feels like you’re stepping into a quiet corner of Louisiana instead of staying in the middle of Walt Disney World. It doesn’t overwhelm you with Disney theming, but the charm is still absolutely there, which makes it especially appealing if you want your hotel to feel immersive without feeling chaotic.
Riverside really shines when it comes to room variety and overall theming. The Royal Guest Rooms are a huge highlight and are some of the most Disney-forward rooms you can book outside of Art of Animation, especially with the princess details and those fireworks headboards that never fail to impress. The standard rooms still feel polished and comfortable, and they’ve got enough Disney touches to keep things fun without going over the top.
When you factor in the boat transportation to Disney Springs and French Quarter, plus all the recreation options around the resort, Riverside feels like a place where you’re encouraged to slow down and actually enjoy your resort time.
Riverside works best for guests who care more about atmosphere and downtime than speed and convenience, and if that sounds like you, it’s easy to see why this resort continues to be one of our favorites.
Port Orleans Riverside Resort (Moderate Resort)
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Have you stayed at Port Orleans Riverside Resort? Tell us all about it down in the comments!
My family of two teenaged daughters and I just stayed at Port Orleans last weekend. It was an unexpected trip, which we booked less than a week in advance (in early January 2026).
We did find the perfume scent overwhelming when we first arrived, but either got used to it or it wore off by the second day (we stayed 3 nights). We loved the boat to Disney Springs and took the bus home from DS one night. We requested early check-in and a room near the bus stop – and got both requests. I was shocked that they let us go to our room when we arrived at 11am! We never had time to go to the pool, only ate at the resort once for lunch the day we arrived…. so I can’t comment much on those things. The bus was great, though.
We really loved seeing the horse drawn carriage riding around the property and the mature trees. Our room was well organized, newly remodeled and very comfortable. I also loved how quiet it was at night – and their fantastic gift shop stayed open very late (maybe 11pm or 12am?) which saved us one night we returned from the park and somebody needed to grab something from the store.
I’ve stayed at Port Orleans several times, and even when I stay elsewhere I always visit the food court at Port Orleans at least once. Yes, some of the walks are long, which puts P.O. in good company with other resorts, but if you have a fear of long walks and standing around, then Disney in general might not be for you. The criticisms leveled in this article are all valid, but except for the “perfume” scent in the rooms (I don’t recall ever experiencing that), none are dealbreakers IMHO.
Yes we have stayed there a number of times and have not had any issues whatsoever. We have been to Florida DW enough to enjoy the experience of all the parks. You have to be flexible our family has enjoy a number of visits it’s all good. You should do research due to its vast amount of parks, restaurants, and vast areas to explore. I find fall a wonderful experience I do not like humidity but I have gotten used to it. To those who venture Walt Disney World please research it and enjoy.
I know it’s not a new review, but our family stayed here in 2018.
Everything was brilliant.
The only complaint, mostly from me, and I see it was mentioned here, is that after walking 12 000 steps in the parks, standing in many queues so that my feet felt like they were being attacked with a rusty chainsaw, the walk from the bus stop to the room felt like torture.
Definitely a me problem but it would put me off staying there again.