How To Spend The Perfect Evening at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside

Located at the end of the Sassagoula River, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is a truly charming Resort.

Inspired by New Orleans, Louisiana, this Disney Resort has a laid-back feel. Riverside pays homage to the rural areas of Nola, with buildings inspired by quaint cottages, and white-column stately mansions.

A little further up the Sassagoula River, Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, as the name suggests, acknowledges New Orlean’s historic French Quarter. Think cobbled streets and wrought-iron balconies, lit by gas lamps and surrounded by colorful blossoms. Get ready to celebrate Mardi Gras all year round at Port Orleans French Quarter! This is also where you will find the popular quick-service restaurant, Sassagoula Floatworks.

Here at Disney Tips, Port Orleans Riverside has become a real favorite hotel of the Walt Disney World to visit. Think of it as a Moderate Resort that has similar features to the Deluxe Resorts in Lake Buena Vista. 

Additionally, the Port Orleans Resort is located in a perfect spot. Classed as a Disney Springs Area Resort, it is also only a short distance away from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the only Disney Park that is located a little further away.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is split into 4 sections:

Riverside Levee Marina, where you will find the Lobby, restaurants inside of Riverside Mill, gift shop, and arcade. The boat landing is also located here, where Guests board the boats to Disney Springs, previously known as Downtown Disney.

Ol’ Man Island, featuring the pool, fishing hole, campfire, playground, and pool bar.

Alligator Bayou, with Guest rooms themed as quaint cottages, surrounded by picturesque greenery.

Magnolia Bend, where Royal Guest Rooms are set in stately mansions.

If you haven’t yet taken a visit to Port Orleans Riverside, then let us inspire you to spend an evening there. It’s the perfect way to take a break from the theme parks whilst visiting Walt Disney World Resort, without missing out on the Disney experience.

Here are our favorite activities to enjoy at the Resort that you don’t want to miss out on!

Horse-Carriage Ride

Port Orleans Riverside offers the perfect location to enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride with a river view. You’ll ride along charming pathways, taking in the views of the leafy Alligator Bayou, the grand buildings of Magnolia Bend, and the peaceful Sassagoula River.

Carriages leave from Riverside Levee Marina and can seat 4 adults, or 2 adults and 3 small children. Each ride costs $55, and to avoid disappointment, we recommend booking ahead.

Grab a Front Porch Freeze

Served up at Muddy Rivers Pool Bar, the Front Porch Freeze is a drink for the adults in your party. Bayou Silver Rum, pineapple, and orange juices are blended with mango puree to make this smooth, frozen drink. At $19.00, it is served in a souvenir glass, displaying the Port Orleans Resort logo, which is yours to keep. It makes for the perfect glass to sip from at home when you’re missing the magic of Disney!

Campfire on de’ Bayou

Join Cast Members and fellow Guests to toast your own marshmallows around the crackling fire. Marshmallows and sticks are complimentary, but bring your own Graham crackers and chocolate to make the perfect s’mores.

You’ll need to head to the campfire around sunset to enjoy this fun activity. The campfire is located just behind the pool, and next to the playground on Ol’ Man Island. Check by the Resort lobby for campfire times, if you arrive earlier in the day.

Dine at Riverside Mill Food Court

If you’ve filled up on s’mores before dinner, then the Riverside Mill Food Court is a great place to visit. This restaurant offers a great selection for the whole family to enjoy.

Expect Louisiana-style cuisine, such as Jambalaya and Chili served up in a Bread Boule. If you’re in the mood for pizza, order a Large Pizza for the whole family to share. It’ll be served up in the famous Disney pizza boxes!

Boatwright’s Dining Hall

If you’re looking for something a little more formal for dinner, then stop by Boatwright’s Dining Hall. You’ll get the feeling you’re sitting right in the middle of a shipbuilding yard, surrounded by tools, and with a huge hull of a fishing boat hanging overhead. This is a full-service restaurant, serving up Louisiana-inspired cuisine. Don’t miss the Mississippi Mud Creme Brûlée for dessert – this is perfect for chocolate lovers!

Enjoy a Piano Show with Yeeha Bob Jackson

Every night, Wednesdays through Saturdays beginning at 8:30 p.m., Yeeha Bob Jackson is the star of Riverside. You won’t want to miss his show! Each night, Bob takes to the stage in the cozy River Roost and treats Guests to a musical and comedy show. Prepare to laugh at kid-friendly jokes, and boogie, clap along and sing to favorite Disney songs and storybook classics. Yeeha Bob Jackson really is a local legend, in Lake Buena Vista!

We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime begins to grab a seat. There is a full bar service available at River Roost, so take a look at the menu and order something to sip on during the show. If you’re partial to Disney cocktails such as the Pina CoLava or Magical Star, then this is the perfect spot for you.

Feeling a little peckish as the night goes on? There’s no need to go hungry! River Roost serves a selection of appetizers through to 10 p.m. – we recommend sampling the Loaded Potato Puffs!

Take part in Disney Trivia Night

If you’re spending a Tuesday night at Port Orleans Riverside, it’s worth checking by the River Roost to see if trivia night is taking place. Beginning at 8:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night, this quiz is open for all ages to enjoy. Hosted by a Recreation Cast Member, the trivia is split into 3 rounds of 15 questions.

The best part – the quiz changes each week, so it’s a new experience no matter how many times you take part. Within each round, there are 3 sections of 5 questions. Some rounds really do test your Disney knowledge, past and present, whilst others will test how well you know nursery rhymes or other general knowledge topics. If multi-choice questions are your specialty, look out for them too – be careful though; they can be tricky!

Now, they say that it isn’t all about the winning but the taking part that counts, right? Well, that’s certainly true for the River Roost Trivia! All groups that participate in the trivia are entered into a draw for the chance to win something on offer at Port Orleans Resort.

This could be anything from a credit for the arcade to free fishing for the family, and even a Surrey Bike ride. We were lucky enough to win this when we took part! Look out for bonus questions too that are asked throughout the trivia – you can win prizes for these as well!

An activity that was offered pre-March 2020, this was a popular night with both die-hard Disney fans and also Walt Disney World newbies! As such, seats were taken very quickly. We’re hoping that if it hasn’t yet made a return to River Roost, it will do soon!

Spend as little or as long as you like at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. If you’re anything like us here at Disney Tips, you won’t be disappointed!

In fact, we think you’ll be sad to leave and planning on a return visit pretty soon after! This could even make for the perfect Disney Resort hotel to stay in on your next Disney vacation.