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

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

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

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

At a Glance

Tier

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Moderate

Walt Disney World Swan

Deluxe

Area

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Disney Springs Resort Area

Walt Disney World Swan

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Boat, Bus

Walt Disney World Swan

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

1 restaurant

Walt Disney World Swan

5 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

3 locations

Walt Disney World Swan

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Pool, Hot Tub, Quiet Pool

Walt Disney World Swan

Pool, Water Slide

Extended Evening Hours

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

No

Walt Disney World Swan

Yes

Top Highlight

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Large, beautiful resort grounds with a bayou and river setting

Walt Disney World Swan

Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin

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 Swan

A Marriott-operated on-property resort between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, with walking and boat access to both parks.

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 Swan

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Water Slide
  • Volleyball
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 5-12 from 4PM to 11PM with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan watercraft rentals on the white sand beach; Boat Rental in Activities

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Other

  • Child Care
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin for Friendship launches
  • Disney Cabanas store at Swan; Resort Essentials boutique at Dolphin

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 Swan

  • 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 Swan

  • Same Crescent Lake location and EPCOT walking distance as the Dolphin
  • Marriott Bonvoy points eligible for stays and redemptions
  • Access to Dolphin's extensive dining and amenities via shared complex
  • Swan Reserve and Swan combined offer over 2,000 rooms in the complex
  • Competitively priced relative to Disney-owned Deluxe resorts nearby

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 Swan

  • No Disney on-site Early Entry or advance Lightning Lane booking
  • Resort fees and parking fees add significantly to the nightly rate
  • Shared amenities with Dolphin mean crowded pools during peak times
  • Design is less Disney-immersive than Disney-owned resorts
  • Limited transportation compared to monorail or Skyliner resorts

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 Swan

  • Chill

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Garden Grove

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

  • Il Mulino

    Table Service

    Italian

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Il Mulino Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Java

    Quick Service

    Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Kimonos

    Table Service

    Asian, Japanese, Sushi

    dinner · snack

    View menu

  • Kimonos Lounge

    Quick Service

    Asian, Japanese, Sushi

    snack

    View menu

  • Splash Pool Bar and Grill

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

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