Top on-site activities and nearby attractions at Port Orleans Riverside
Port Orleans Riverside offers on-site recreation such as six pools with the Ol' Man Island feature pool and waterslide, riverside walking/jogging trails, bike and carriage rentals, fishing, nightly poolside movies, and a mix of dining from quick-service to table-service. Complimentary Disney buses and a Sassagoula River water taxi to Disney Springs make nearby parks and attractions easy to reach.
In this guide
Pools and Ol' Man Island (feature pool)
The resort has six pools total: Ol' Man Island (the main feature pool) plus five quieter leisure pools spread through Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou. Ol' Man Island includes a sawmill theme, a 95-foot waterslide, a children’s play area, a waterfall and a whirlpool spa.
Quiet pools are intended for lower-noise use and may be unstaffed; official pool hours and lifeguard availability vary by pool and are subject to change according to Disney guidance.
- Ol' Man Island: 95-foot waterslide, kiddie play area, waterfall, whirlpool spa (photo 29).
- Five leisure/quiet pools across the property (no loud play encouraged).
- Pools are heated year-round; closures only for extreme cold or lightning (official pool hours vary).
| Pool type | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Feature pool | Ol' Man Island | Waterslide, kiddie area, whirlpool spa (lifeguard/hrs vary) |
| Quiet pools | Alligator Bayou & Magnolia Bend | Lower-noise pools; some have no lifeguard on duty |
| Sister-resort pool access | Port Orleans French Quarter (Doubloon Lagoon) | Guests of Riverside may also use that pool, and vice versa |
Dining, bars and evening entertainment
Dining options include a dinner-only table-service restaurant, an all-day quick-service food court, and two bars offering drinks and live entertainment. Riverside Mill Food Court runs breakfast through dinner and sits beside the resort’s large water wheel.
River Roost is a full-service lounge with southern cocktails and a cabaret-style performer on select nights; Muddy Rivers is the poolside bar on Ol' Man Island focused on beverages and frozen drinks.
- Boatwright's Dining Hall — dinner-only, Southern/Cajun/Creole (reservations recommended).
- Riverside Mill Food Court — quick-service breakfast, lunch, dinner (multiple food stations) (photo 81 not used).
- River Roost — evening lounge with live cabaret; Muddy Rivers — poolside bar on Ol' Man Island.
| Venue | When it serves | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Boatwright's Dining Hall | Dinner only | Table service, Southern/Cajun menu; reservations recommended |
| Riverside Mill Food Court | Breakfast–Dinner | Counter service across multiple stations; casual options and bakery |
On-site recreation and family activities
The resort organizes a range of family-friendly activities and on-site recreation that don’t require leaving property. Typical offerings include Movies Under the Stars most evenings (weather permitting), supervised childcare/activities for a surcharge, playgrounds and a children’s pool at Ol' Man Island.
Outdoor options include a stocked fishin' hole near Ol' Man Island, bicycle rentals, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a roughly 1-mile jogging trail along the Sassagoula River for walkers and runners.
- Movies Under the Stars — nightly at a poolside location on most evenings, weather permitting.
- Stocked Fishin' Hole — fishing near Ol' Man Island; fishing excursions may be offered.
- Bicycle rentals and horse-drawn carriage rides available on-site.
- Playground and children's pool at Ol' Man Island; supervised childcare/ babysitting available for a surcharge.
| Activity | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing | Fishin' Hole near Ol' Man Island | Stocked spot; excursions sometimes offered |
| Biking/Carriage rides | Resort grounds | Rentals and carriage rides on winding paths |
| Movies Under the Stars | Poolside | Free most evenings; weather permitting |
Rooms, family sleeping options and accessibility
Rooms sit in two distinct sections: rustic Alligator Bayou cottages and mansion-style Magnolia Bend. Magnolia Bend contains the princess-themed Royal Guest Rooms with illuminated headboards and princess imagery for families seeking that option.
Room types available include River view Room, Pool View Room, Standard View- 5th Sleeper Room, Royal Guest Room-Standard View, King Bed rooms, Preferred Room, Woods View Room and accessible Room options. Standard rooms typically sleep up to 4, select 5th Sleeper rooms sleep up to 5, and King Bed rooms accommodate 2.
- Room names to note: River view Room; Pool View Room; Standard View- 5th Sleeper Room; Woods View- 5th Sleeper Room; Royal Guest Room-Standard View; Royal Guest Room - Woods View; Royal Guest Room-River View; King Bed Room; Preferred Room; Standard View Room; Garden View Room; Woods View Room.
- Accessible rooms and pool lifts are available on request; elevators are in Magnolia Bend buildings.
- Complimentary Wi‑Fi is available in guest rooms and select public areas.
| Room feature | Typical occupancy | Example room names |
|---|---|---|
| Standard double-queen | Up to 4 guests | River view Room; Pool View Room; Standard View Room |
| 5th sleeper option | Up to 5 guests | Standard View- 5th Sleeper Room; Woods View- 5th Sleeper Room |
| Princess-themed | Family-focused | Royal Guest Room-Standard View; Royal Guest Room-River View |
Getting to theme parks, Disney Springs and nearby sights
Port Orleans Riverside offers complimentary Disney bus transportation to all four theme parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, and a complimentary Sassagoula River water taxi to Disney Springs. Buses depart from multiple internal depots depending on whether you’re in Alligator Bayou or Magnolia Bend.
Nearby points of interest listed by official and independent sources include Disney Springs (about 15 minutes by boat or bus), Epcot (roughly 20–25 minutes by bus), Magic Kingdom (roughly 20 minutes by bus), and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park (about a 5–10 minute drive). The resort is also the closest walkable resort to Port Orleans French Quarter (about a 10–15 minute walk).
- Complimentary Disney buses serve Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and both Disney water parks.
- Sassagoula River water taxi runs to Disney Springs (service is complimentary).
- Walking connection to Port Orleans French Quarter: about a 10–15 minute walk.
| Destination | Typical travel mode | Typical time (reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Disney Springs | Water taxi or bus | About 15 minutes by boat or bus |
| Epcot | Resort bus | Approximately 20–25 minutes by bus |
| Magic Kingdom | Resort bus | Approximately 20 minutes by bus |
Practical info: parking, pets, shopping and event space
Self-parking for registered overnight guests is complimentary. The resort has a gift shop (Fulton's General Store) near the main lobby for snacks, basic sundries and Disney merchandise.
Port Orleans Riverside is dog-friendly in designated buildings (building numbers are identified for the program) for up to two dogs with a nightly surcharge; service animals are welcome everywhere consistent with policy. Oak Manor Lawn is the resort’s outdoor waterfront wedding ceremony lawn; receptions must be held elsewhere and the wedding backup location is the Disney Wedding Pavilion.
- Complimentary self-parking for registered overnight guests (no mandatory resort fee).
- Dogs allowed only in designated pet-friendly buildings; nightly pet surcharge applies for up to two dogs.
- Fulton's General Store offers merchandise and essentials near the main lobby (photo 1 shows a bright lobby area).
| Facility | What to expect | |
|---|---|---|
| Parking | Complimentary for registered guests | No mandatory resort fee |
| Gift shop | Fulton's General Store | Merchandise and sundries near main lobby |
| Event lawn | Oak Manor Lawn | Waterfront outdoor wedding location; receptions held off-site |
