REVIEW: One of Disney World’s Best Hotel Pool Bars Is Not Where You’d Think

There are so many spots to dine at when you’re at Disney World. Between four parks and Disney Springs, you already have tons of options. Throw the Disney resorts on top of that, and it’s almost impossible to decide!

Here at AllEars, we know all the ins and outs of Disney restaurants — including where you should eat, and what you should skip. We recently stopped by Muddy Rivers at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside and are bringing you along for our FULL review!

Background

Muddy Rivers is this poolside bar at a lushly wooded Ol’ Man Island. It’s a party with frozen and “on the rocks” specialty drinks, draft beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages.

Here’s what you need to know about dining at this restaurant.

Atmosphere

This place is your standard Disney pool bar. It’s a great spot for those who are hanging out at the resort’s main pool, and even guests who are just walking around the resort looking to grab a snack or a drink.

But enough about that, what are we eating?!

Food & Drinks

First, we grabbed the Hot Cajun Boiled Peanuts for $5.99.  When peanuts are boiled, they get soft, which does make getting the shells off a little tricky. But once you figure out how to kind of pinch the shell off, you have a soft, flavorful peanut to bite into. Somehow, boiling seems to give peanuts more flavor. If you love peanuts, you need to try them this way at least once.

Then, we grabbed the Roasted Turkey and Pimento Cheese Wrap for $11.99. This is delicious! It’s served cold, but it’s so fresh, which is always a bonus. The lettuce is crunchy and adds a nice texture to the soft turkey and pimento cheese. You also get a pretty loaded wrap with lots of turkey and pimento cheese. We didn’t get a lot of pimento flavor, though, but it doesn’t take away from what could make a perfect lunch.

To drink, we picked up the Bull Frog Brew for $6.29. This is made with Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, Green Apple, and Kiwi. This tasted like lemonade mixed with Powerade, and we found it very refreshing. We also think kids would love this, as well as adults who would like something non-alcoholic to drink by the pool. 

We also grabbed the classic Hurricane for $21.50. This is made with Bayou Silver Rum, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Orange, Pineapple, and Lime Juices with Grenadine and a float of Myers’s Original Dark Rum served in a Souvenir Hurricane Glass. It’s pretty heavy on the rum, so we recommend stirring it really well to blend the rest of the flavors in.

It’s refreshing, and it might be the perfect drink for chilling poolside. With all its ingredients, though, it didn’t have a lot of flavor, and it was more tangy than sweet.

Magic or Tragic?

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You’re enjoying a pool day. If you’re taking a day off to just spend some time by the pool at Ol’ Man Island, this is your go-to for drinks, but also for snacks and even a good lunch.
• You just need something close to maximize your pool time. If you’re lounging by the pool, you only need to take a few steps to grab some great Cajun-themed food and delicious drinks.
• You have zero plans. Find yourself at Disney World without any plans? Head on over to this laidback casual spot to enjoy a meal and drinks without needing reservations or making a Mobile Order ahead of time.

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• You need more food options. This is not a full-service restaurant, and the food menu is pretty small. If you’re looking for something beyond burgers, sandwiches, and chicken strips, you’ll need to visit another dining spot.
• It’s way too hot. It gets hot in Florida, and Muddy Rivers is located outside. So if you want to enjoy a meal out of the heat and in a nice air-conditioned space, you should just head over to Riverside Mill Food Court instead.
• You’re staying at another hotel. Although we enjoyed the food and drinks here, if you’re not staying at Port Orleans Resort, you won’t want to make a special trip to Muddy Rivers. After all, it really is just a pool bar.

Overall, if you’re staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, you’ll need to make a trip over to Muddy Rivers to enjoy some drinks and some tasty — and convenient. This is a solid option for a pool bar, and it especially comes in handy if you’re spending some time at ‘Ol Man Island.

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news and more!

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Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments.

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