If you’ve spent any time looking at Moderate resorts for your next trip, you’ve hit the wall. It’s the wall of two resorts that are technically one, but also totally different. Disney World Port Orleans is a weirdly perfect case of Disney identity crisis. On one hand, you have the manicured, stately lawns of Riverside, and on the other, the neon-drenched, cobblestone sass of French Quarter. People argue about these two resorts with the kind of passion usually reserved for whether pineapple belongs on pizza.
Most people just pick one based on the pool. That's a mistake.
Riverside is massive. I mean, actually huge. It sprawls across the Sassagoula River with 2,048 rooms spread out across two distinct "neighborhoods"—Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. If you end up in a deep Bayou room, you’re basically in another zip code from the lobby. Meanwhile, French Quarter is the tiny, charming sibling with only 1,008 rooms. It’s the only resort at Disney World that feels small enough to navigate without a GPS and a gallon of water.
The Riverside vs. French Quarter Identity Crisis
Let’s be real for a second. Disney World Port Orleans Riverside is for the explorers and the people who don't mind a 10-minute walk to get a coffee. It’s divided into two vibes. Magnolia Bend looks like the opening of The Princess and the Frog, all white columns and grand staircases. Then there’s Alligator Bayou, which feels like you’re staying in a (very clean) swamp shack. It’s rustic. It’s woody. It has pull-down Murphy beds that feature artwork of Louis the alligator.
French Quarter doesn't do "rustic." It does Mardi Gras. You get wrought-iron balconies, gas lamps, and those iconic purple and gold accents. It’s cozy. Because it’s smaller, there’s only one bus stop. At Riverside, there are four. If you’re the last stop at Riverside on a Magic Kingdom morning, good luck getting a seat. Or getting on the bus at all.
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Why the Food Situation is Polarizing
You can't talk about French Quarter without talking about the beignets. They are the Scat Cat’s Club specialty. They are fried dough covered in enough powdered sugar to choke a horse, and they are glorious. You can get them Mickey-shaped. You can get them boozy. You can get them with dipping sauces. It’s the primary reason people trek over from other resorts.
Riverside has Boatwright’s Dining Hall. It’s the only Table Service restaurant between the two resorts. The food is heavy. Think jambalaya, blackened catfish, and prime rib. It’s good, but it’s not "destination dining" for most folks. Honestly, the Riverside Mill Food Court is more impressive visually with its massive working water wheel, but the menu is your standard Disney fare—burgers, pizza, and the occasional carving station.
If you’re staying at French Quarter, you have to walk or take the boat to Riverside if you want a sit-down meal. It's about a 15-minute stroll along the river. It’s a nice walk. Peaceful. Unless it’s July. Then it’s a walk through the surface of the sun.
The Secret Weapon: Yehaa Bob Jackson
If you haven't seen Yehaa Bob at the River Roost Lounge in Riverside, have you even been to Disney World Port Orleans? This man is a Disney legend. He’s been playing boogie-woogie piano there since 1997. He bangs on the keys, he sings, he makes the whole room do "the wave." It’s high-energy, chaotic, and completely free (minus the cost of your Hurricane or Abita beer).
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He usually performs Wednesday through Saturday nights. The lounge gets packed. Like, standing-room-only packed. If you want a table, you show up early. It’s one of those rare "Old Disney" experiences that hasn't been corporate-sanitized into oblivion. It feels authentic.
Pool Hopping and River Life
Here is a pro tip that many first-timers miss: You can use the pools at both resorts. They are "sister" resorts. Doubloon Lagoon at French Quarter has the giant sea serpent slide (Scales). It’s very "Disney." Ol’ Man Island at Riverside is a 3.5-acre pool complex designed to look like an old abandoned saw mill. It’s got a more naturalistic feel, with wooden bridges and a slightly more "wild" slide.
The river is the lifeblood here. The Sassagoula River Cruise is a slow-moving water taxi that takes you to Disney Springs. It’s a 20-minute ride. It is significantly better than taking the bus. You see the Treehouses at Saratoga Springs, you see the golfers at Lake Buena Vista, and you feel a breeze. In the Florida humidity, that breeze is worth its weight in gold.
The Room Situation: Royal Guest Rooms
Are the Royal Guest Rooms at Riverside worth the extra $50 to $80 a night? Maybe. If you have a kid (or a grown adult) who is obsessed with Tiana, then yes. These rooms are located in the Oak Manor and Parterre Place buildings of Magnolia Bend.
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They are heavily themed. The faucets are shaped like Genie’s lamp. There’s a picture of the Sultan’s palace on the wall. The headboards have fiber-optic fireworks that light up with the flip of a switch. It’s a "Storybook" stay. But keep in mind, these rooms are only at Riverside. French Quarter doesn't have a "specialty" room type other than the standard Garden or River views.
Logistics and the "Moderate" Trap
Disney World Port Orleans sits in the Moderate category. This means you get a slide at the pool and a sit-down restaurant, but you don't get the interior hallways of a Deluxe resort. Your door opens to the outside. In the summer, this means your AC is fighting the humidity every time you walk out.
Transportation is strictly bus or boat. No Monorail. No Skyliner. This is the biggest drawback for some. If the Skyliner is a dealbreaker for you, you’ll head to Caribbean Beach or Riviera instead. But Port Orleans has a loyalty base that those resorts can’t touch. Why? Because it feels secluded. It doesn't feel like you’re sitting in the middle of a theme park hub.
Making the Decision
If you want quiet, romantic, and a lot of walking, go Riverside. Choose a room in Magnolia Bend if you want to feel like a plantation owner in a 19th-century novel. Choose Alligator Bayou if you want to feel like you’re hiding out in the woods.
If you want short walks, easy bus access, and a consistent theme that isn't too spread out, go French Quarter. It’s better for families with small kids who can’t handle a 15-minute trek to the food court at 7:00 AM.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
- Check the Yehaa Bob Schedule: Before you book, check his official site or the Disney app. Missing him because you booked a Sunday-Tuesday stay is a legitimate tragedy.
- Request Your Building Early: Use the My Disney Experience app to request a room. At Riverside, ask for Building 14, 15, or 18 in Alligator Bayou if you want to be close to the food. At French Quarter, Building 5 is the sweet spot near the pool and the lobby.
- The Boat to Disney Springs: Do not wait until 7:00 PM to take the boat. The line will be massive. Go at 4:00 PM for a late lunch or early dinner to avoid the "Disney Springs Rush."
- Beignet Timing: The Scat Cat’s Club - Café starts serving beignets early. Grab them as your breakfast one morning and sit by the river. It beats a soggy breakfast burrito any day.
- Walking Path: Even if you stay at one, visit the other. The path connecting them is one of the most peaceful walks on Disney property. It’s roughly 0.7 miles between the two main lobby buildings.
The reality is that Disney World Port Orleans remains the gold standard for Moderates because it has a soul. It isn't just a hotel; it’s a vibe that works regardless of whether you’re there for the beignets or the banjo music. Just remember to bring your walking shoes if you pick Riverside. You’re going to need them.