Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside vs Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Photo: Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Moderate Disney Springs Resort Area
Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Photo: Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Moderate

Wilderness Lodge

Deluxe

Area

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Disney Springs Resort Area

Wilderness Lodge

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Transportation

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Boat, Bus

Wilderness Lodge

Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

1 restaurant

Wilderness Lodge

3 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

3 locations

Wilderness Lodge

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Pool, Hot Tub, Quiet Pool

Wilderness Lodge

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

No

Wilderness Lodge

Yes

Top Highlight

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Large, beautiful resort grounds with a bayou and river setting

Wilderness Lodge

Stunning Pacific Northwest National Park Lodge-inspired theming

Overview

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.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

A deluxe lodge inspired by U.S. national park hotels, with boat service to Magic Kingdom and adjacent Disney Vacation Club inventory.

Amenities

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

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Boat Rental listed in Activities & Recreation

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Wilderness Lodge Mercantile shop
  • Boat dock on Bay Lake for ferry to Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness

Transportation

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

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • Boat

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Bus

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

Pros

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

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • Stunning Pacific Northwest National Park Lodge-inspired theming
  • Boat service to Magic Kingdom from the resort dock
  • Geyser Point Bar and Grill offers outdoor lakeside dining
  • Boulder Ridge Cove Pool with waterfalls and Pacific Northwest theming
  • Peaceful wooded setting away from resort bustle

Cons

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

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • No monorail access, requires boat or bus to reach Magic Kingdom
  • Far from EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
  • Standard rooms are on the smaller side for the Deluxe tier
  • Limited transportation options compared to monorail resorts
  • Some rooms lack balconies

On-Site Dining

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

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

  • Geyser Point Bar & Grill

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu
  • Geyser Point Bar & Grill To Go

    Quick Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu
  • Roaring Fork

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu
  • Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu
  • Territory Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu
  • Whispering Canyon Cafe

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

Community Discussions

Videos

Ready to plan your trip?

Start building your Disney World itinerary with our step-by-step planner. Choose dates, parks, and dining — all in one place.

Get Me Started