Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Photo: Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Moderate Disney Springs Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Moderate

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Disney Springs Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Boat, Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

1 restaurant

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

3 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Pool, Hot Tub, Quiet Pool

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

No

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Large, beautiful resort grounds with a bayou and river setting

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

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.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

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

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

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

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, 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

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

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

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

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

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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