TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

This is a beautiful resort.We enjoyed our stay at Port Orleans Riverside. We stayed in Alligator Bayou building 39 and found it to be well located for the pool, main buildings and north bus stop. Buses were great and very regular. We never waited more than 8 minutes for a bus. The room was good. We had a 5th sleeper which suited our son. It would be too small for anyone over 5ft though. We did however think that there was not enough storage space. Only 4 drawers, 2 small shelves and a hanging rack. It really needs another set of drawers. We ate in the Riverside Mill food court a few times. Breakfast was fine but lunch and dinner are like hospital/school canteen food. We were disappointed with this quality. The pool was very nice but although heated, was still cold in October. Drinks at the pool bar are very expensive. We always found vacant sun loungers although these were by the baby pool. We did visit French Quarter during our stay and the sun loungers there are padded and much nicer than at Riverside. The boat to Disney Springs was lovely too (albeit very noisy!).

We stayed at this resort in November 2024 and found the rooms to be clean and brightly decorated, good size with two double beds, tv, plenty of coffee for the coffee machine, bathrooms with separate wash hand basin area, the resort offers limited food options but if you are after a quick snack its fine, only 5 - 8 mins on the free buses to the parks and water taxi to Disney Springs takes 15 mins, we were made to feel very welcome like all the Disney Parks, no complaints.

This is a really big resort. The grounds are huge. Finding the room was easy enough. You never have to talk to anyone as you just check in and check out on your phone. The rooms are very clean and whole not huge they are nice. The best part is that grounds are beautiful and nice for walking around. Parking is free.

When we arrived we liked to communal areas but reception had no staff other than a couple of cast members who were busy. So all the reception desk have never been occupied each time we have looked there is only cast members milling with iPads. Shame with all the cut backs to Disney and how special it used to feel. That all seems long gone and the Magic has disappeared somewhat. Room we have is basic the cleanliness is ok but could be better dust around the headboard. Facilities need updating considering we paid lots of money to stay here for 3 weeks we feel it’s not worth it. The early park entry by 30 minutes they offer staying on site is t worth the extra cost to stay at Disney. They will chuck you out the park early some days for special ticketed events that other people have bought. All extra themed activities are so overpriced. It’s so corporate now and money grabbing it makes me feel sad and cheated.

Our recent two-night stay at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside was meant to be a restful start to our 16-day vacation. Unfortunately, the experience was marred by significant housekeeping and management issues that left us frustrated and disappointed. This, unfortunately, reflects a broader trend we’ve noticed at Disney resorts in recent months—declining cleanliness and maintenance standards. Check-In and Housekeeping Problems: Upon arrival, my brother was assigned a room around 11 AM after flying overnight to Orlando. However, the room was far from ready. It was dirty, with visible signs of neglect: High-touch areas had smudges, resembling orange residue, likely from the previous guest's dirty hands. The back of the bed was visibly dusty. Candy was found behind chairs and doors, suggesting a lack of thorough cleaning. The bathroom was not properly cleaned, and basic soap amenities were missing. Delayed Resolution: After discovering these issues, my brother contacted the front desk to report the problems and requested to speak with a manager. It took five hours and multiple follow-ups before a manager finally reached out to address the situation. By 7 PM, we were finally offered a clean room, and the manager arranged for our luggage to be moved. However, even this simple task was mishandled, with our luggage being sent to the wrong room, causing an additional 45-minute delay before we could finally settle in. After a long day of traveling, this was incredibly frustrating, especially when all we wanted was to relax and enjoy the resort. A Pattern of Decline: This isn't the first time we've encountered issues like this at a Disney resort. Over the past few months, we’ve noticed a growing trend of lackluster maintenance and cleanliness across various Disney properties. For a brand known for its attention to detail and magical experiences, this ongoing decline is disappointing and disheartening. Lack of Remediation: Despite the multiple issues and disruptions, no remediation or compensation was offered. We paid a premium for what was supposed to be a Disney-caliber experience but instead received the equivalent of an overpriced motel stay for the first day of our vacation. The lack of attention to basic housekeeping standards and the poor handling of the situation by management set a disappointing tone for the start of our trip. Final Thoughts: Disney's Port Orleans Riverside failed to meet the expectations of a Disney resort, where cleanliness, guest experience, and service should always come first. This ongoing trend of neglect across Disney properties reflects poorly on the brand. While mistakes can happen, the slow response time, mishandling of luggage, and lack of resolution left us feeling undervalued as guests. We expected much more, especially given Disney’s reputation and the premium prices they charge.