Disney's Contemporary Resort vs Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Photo: Disney's Contemporary Resort
Deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Photo: Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Moderate Disney Springs Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Contemporary

Deluxe

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Moderate

Area

Contemporary

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Disney Springs Resort Area

Transportation

Contemporary

Monorail, Walk, Boat, Bus

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Contemporary

4 restaurants

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

1 restaurant

Quick-Service Dining

Contemporary

6 locations

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Contemporary

Pool, Quiet Pool

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Pool, Hot Tub, Quiet Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Contemporary

Yes

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

No

Top Highlight

Contemporary

Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Large, beautiful resort grounds with a bayou and river setting

Overview

Disney's Contemporary Resort

A flagship monorail resort next to Magic Kingdom, recognized for its A-frame tower and quick walk to the park gates.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

The larger Port Orleans property, themed to the antebellum South and riverfront mansions, with boat service to Disney Springs.

Amenities

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Playground
  • Quiet Pool
  • seven seas lagoon — enjoy fishing, boating and more
  • Marina
  • Children's water play area
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Tennis Courts
  • Volleyball

Wellness

  • Fitness Center

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service
  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Hot Tub
  • Campfire Program
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Jogging Trail
  • Quiet Pool
  • Fishing excursions
  • Bike/Surrey bike rentals

Wellness

  • Spa

Transportation

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • Monorail

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Walk

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Boat

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

  • Boat

    Disney Springs

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • Monorail runs directly through the hotel to Magic Kingdom
  • Walking distance to Magic Kingdom, closest hotel to the park
  • Top-tier dining including California Grill atop the resort
  • Iconic A-frame architecture and clean modern design
  • Bay Lake Tower offers direct walkway connection

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

  • Large, beautiful resort grounds with a bayou and river setting
  • Royal Guest rooms with princess theming are uniquely themed for the tier
  • Multiple pools including the Ol' Man Island pool complex
  • Sassagoula River boat service to Disney Springs
  • Quieter and more relaxed atmosphere than busier resorts

Cons

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • One of the most expensive resorts at Walt Disney World
  • Modern design lacks the immersive theming of other Deluxe resorts
  • Standard rooms can feel dated compared to newer renovations
  • Far from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, bus ride required
  • Monorail loop congestion can cause delays during peak times

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

  • Very large resort can mean long walks from room to main building
  • Bus-only transportation to theme parks; boat service only goes to Disney Springs
  • Limited dining, Boatwright's table service is the only full-service option
  • Alligator Bayou rooms are more rustic and less recently renovated
  • Can feel isolated due to the spread-out layout

On-Site Dining

Disney's Contemporary Resort

  • California Grill

    Table Service

    American, Seafood, Sushi

    dinner

    View menu

  • Chef Mickey's

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

  • Contempo Café

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Contemporary Grounds

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    dinner

    View menu

  • Cove Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Outer Rim

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71 Lounge

    Quick Service

    Steakhouse, American

    snack

    View menu

  • Steakhouse 71 To Go

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • The Sand Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

  • Boatwright's Dining Hall

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Muddy Rivers

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • River Roost

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Riverside Mill Food Court

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

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