Insider Info | All About the Port Orleans Riverside Hotel Rooms
Are you planning a Disney vacation and wondering which hotel to choose? Let’s explore the Port Orleans Riverside hotel rooms and decide which room type might be best for you.
Pin for later.
Intro
Port Orleans Riverside is a beloved destination, especially among millennials who cherish childhood memories of staying here in the 90s. This hotel has a special place in the hearts of many Disney adults, evoking nostalgia and family memories. Although I didn’t stay at Port Orleans Riverside as a child, I know many who love it for this very reason! Since its opening, this resort has been impeccably themed, transporting you to a serene Southern escape right in the heart of Orlando, FL.
If you’re considering booking this hotel but want to do more research before taking the plunge, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll find an overview, detailed descriptions, and personal opinions on the Port Orleans Riverside hotel rooms.
Why Choose Port Orleans Riverside?
If I had to describe this resort in a few words, I would say it is comfortable, clean, entertaining, and relaxing. As a bit of a self-proclaimed hotel snob, I felt quite comfortable here and would gladly stay again. This hotel is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a Disney moderate resort. However, it’s important to consider a few factors that might influence your decision. For instance, I recommend having a car (your own or a rental) if you’re staying at Riverside. There are other Disney hotel options that are closer to the parks if you aren’t going to have your own vehicle. Or maybe you’d rather splurge on a deluxe resort within walking distance of Magic Kingdom. At the end of the day, the choice is yours!
Magnolia Bend headboard
Room Options
Port Orleans Riverside hotel rooms are located in two distinct sections of the resort: Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. While all rooms provide the same quality of bedding and amenities, they each offer unique themes to suit different tastes.
Alligator Bayou features rustic cabins inspired by the Louisiana South, giving a cozy, laid-back vibe. Magnolia Bend, on the other hand, is themed after the elegant mansions of the South, offering a more refined atmosphere.
Given the size of Port Orleans Riverside, you might find yourself doing a bit of walking or even driving around the resort. If proximity to the main amenities is a priority, consider booking a preferred room in the Alligator Bayou section. For those wanting a touch of royalty, the Royal Rooms located in the Magnolia Bend section are a perfect choice. Let’s dive deeper into what each section has to offer.
Alligator Bayou
Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend are the two main sections of Port Orleans Riverside. For a comprehensive look at the entire resort, check out my Port Orleans Riverside Tour.
Alligator Bayou exudes a rustic, cabin-like charm with its interior design. This section is less formal than Magnolia Bend and is surrounded by lush trees and vibrant flowers, creating a secluded and tranquil environment. The buildings in this area are two stories high and do not have elevators. Additionally, Alligator Bayou boasts three pools scattered throughout the area, providing plenty of opportunities for a refreshing dip in the pool.
5th Sleeper Rooms
One unique aspect of Alligator Bayou is that it’s the only section at the resort offering rooms that can accommodate up to five people. Rooms are available with two queen beds or one king bed, and they also include a kid’s pull-down cot. Alligator Bayou is a popular section of the resort, and many people come back to stay here for their vacation time and time again.
Preferred Buildings and Preferred Rooms
Port Orleans Riverside is a sprawling resort, so if proximity to the main amenities is a priority for you, consider booking a Preferred Room. These rooms are located in Buildings 14, 15, 18, and 27, which are the closest to the restaurants, resort shop, lobby, and the dock for the Sassagoula River Cruise. For more information about transportation options, check out my Port Orleans Riverside Transportation article.
Booking a Preferred Room can be especially beneficial if you don’t have a car during your trip. Being close to all the action means less walking and more convenience, particularly for families with young children or those looking to maximize their time at the resort. If you know you want to be near the main resort area, opting for a Preferred Room is definitely worth considering.
Magnolia Bend
Magnolia Bend is the mansion-inspired section of Port Orleans Riverside. This area features sprawling manicured lawns, beautiful fountains, gazebos, and winding pathways with picturesque river views. The four Magnolia Bend buildings are Parterre Place, Oak Manor, Magnolia Terrace, and Acadian House. Magnolia Bend offers rooms with one king bed or two queen beds. Unlike Alligator Bayou, there is no fifth sleeper option here. The rooms are classic, clean, comfortable, and lovely.
Royal Rooms
If someone in your family adores the classic Disney princesses, consider booking a Royal Room. These rooms are themed after Princess Tiana and her princess friends, featuring headboards with sparkling fiber optic fireworks, princess pictures on the walls, and a faucet styled like the Genie’s lamp from Aladdin.
The Royal Rooms are located in two of the four Magnolia Bend buildings: Parterre Place (Building 95) and Oak Manor (Building 90). These buildings are three stories tall and have elevators. Each Royal Room has two queen beds, accommodating up to four guests.
Are Royal Rooms worth it?
The general consensus is that while Royal Rooms are nice, they are worth the extra cost only if you have a Disney princess enthusiast in your family. Many guests find that the novelty of the fireworks and princess pictures wears off after a while. Therefore, if you don’t have a princess-obsessed kid, you might want to save your money for other experiences during your trip.
Although Disney had plans to refurbish the royal rooms along with the rest of the Riverside rooms, these refurbishment plans for the royal rooms were canceled in 2020. As of summer 2024, Disney has not announced new plans for refurbishment, but I hope it will happen within the next few years. Royal Rooms are already popular, and a little update and refresh would likely increase their appeal. For more detailed information, check out www.portorleans.org, which includes dates and plans for past, present, and future refurbishments.
An Overview of a Traditional Magnolia Bend Hotel Room
The Port Orleans Riverside hotel rooms are about 314 square feet. They were renovated in 2019. I found our room was clean and comfortable. There is a bench, TV, coffee station, and ice bucket on the right side of the room.
On the left side of the room are two queen beds with a nightstand between them.
The picture on the wall is a steamboat-very on theme for this resort!
The nightstand houses a phone and a Hey Disney! device. Find more information about the Alexa-like Hey Disney! on Disney World’s website.
There are double sinks separate from the shower room, which helps everyone get ready faster in the morning.
The hotel rooms have a tub/shower combo with a flowery shower curtain.
There is also a privacy curtain to separate the sink area from the beds. This curtain helps provide another private space for someone to change and get ready in the morning. Both curtains have a hint of Princess Tiana theming.
The coffee and coffeemaker wasn’t anything special, but it’s there for a free cup of coffee in the morning if you’d like it!
The hotel room opens directly to the outside, not a hallway or hotel lobby.
Which Room Type I Recommend
For my family, I would personally book a standard room in Magnolia Bend. I enjoyed staying there and would happily do so again. Even with a “parking lot view,” the resort’s lush trees, vegetation, and sprawling lawn made it feel beautiful. Plus, having easy access to our car was a great perk. If you have a car for this vacation, being close to parking can be very convenient.
Which Upgraded Room Type I Recommend
Instead of paying for an upgraded royal room, I would choose a “preferred room” to guarantee proximity to the center of the resort. However, if I had a daughter who couldn’t wait to dress like a princess in the parks, I would definitely consider booking a Royal Room to make her day.
Room Rates
While room rates can vary, here’s a general price comparison for two adults and two children for a stay on Sunday, June 1, 2025, based on research from summer 2024. For the latest rates or to book, visit Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside booking page.
- Standard “Parking Lot” View is $301 before taxes
- Woods View (view of landscaping, courtyard, or Bayou) is $329 plus tax
- Standard View with 5th Sleeper (a pull down cot in Alligator Bayou) is $329 plus tax
- Woods View with 5th Sleeper (in Alligator Bayou) is $336 plus tax
- Pool View is $361 plus tax
- Preferred Room (close to Sassagoula Steamboat Company in the Alligator Bayou section) is $377 plus tax
- River View is $377 plus tax
- King Bed is $357 plus tax
- Royal Guest Room, Standard View is $393 plus tax
- Royal Guest Room, Woods View is $401 plus tax
- Royal Guest Room, River View is $406 plus tax
Room Size and Amenities
Our hotel room had excellent internet service. All rooms are equipped with a coffee maker, small fridge, phone, safe, iron and ironing board, and hairdryer. Additionally, all Disney hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. There is plenty of room for storage, with space to place suitcases under the bed and an area to hang clothing near the sink and “getting ready” area. The hotel room itself is about 315 square feet.
FAQ
Preferred Room
5th Sleeper Room
Royal Room
General FAQ
Final Thoughts
Port Orleans Riverside is a beloved and expansive moderate resort. It offers two distinct hotel room sections, each providing the same quality of rooms but with different theming. Alligator Bayou is located to the north and west of the resort’s center, while Magnolia Bend is situated to the east and south. Both sections are conveniently close to pools, laundry rooms, parking, and bus stops. For a tour of the major buildings, check out my Port Orleans Riverside Tour.
Rooms with a fifth sleeper are found in the Alligator Bayou section, which also houses the preferred rooms. These preferred rooms are guaranteed to be in one of the buildings closest to the restaurants, Ol’ Man Island, and Sassagoula Steamboat Company. The royal rooms, themed after Disney princesses, are located in Magnolia Bend. If you have a princess enthusiast in your family, they might love staying in a Royal Room.
You can’t go wrong with any of the room choices at Port Orleans Riverside! It’s a beautiful moderate resort that is clean, comfortable, and features classic Disney theming.
Share Your Experience!
Do you stay at this resort regularly? If you’ve stayed at Riverside before, would you recommend it to others? If you’re thinking of booking a room, which room type is right for you? Let me know in the comments below!
Pin for later.
