We had intended to go back to Orlando & Disney in 2020 but we all know what happend that year. Last time we were here was 2015 and with the announcment of Galaxy's Edge shortly after our return I said "It'll open in 2019, so we should go back in 2020". One Pandemic later and we were ready to return. We previously stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and loved it there but when it came to booking it wasn't availbale so we booked Riverside.

When we arrived we were greated by cast members at the front desk and checked in very quickly. We had a meal voucher to collect which took a short time to sort out but that was due to a miscommunication on my email address. Once sorted we were given a map and directed to our room. The room was a bit of a walk away mainly for my girlfriend and she had recenlty undergone surgery so was a bit of a struggle for her while I wrangled two large suitcases. Again, it wasn't an issue as it was only the once where we had to do that. I had organised an ECV which was at guest services so went and collected that. The cast member returned very quickly with the ECV

Our room was very nice, it was lovely and modern, had plenty space for just the two of us and just needed to move the table slightly to get the ECV in close enough to a plug/outlet to charge it. We were in Building 16 so had a smaller pool just outside our building which was very handy as it was never as busy as the main pool and we never expereinced anyone being overley loud while using it.

The food hall was nice, the food on offer was as I remembered. Simple and tasty. Can't really ask for much more. We mainly had breakfast there but we split a pizza one night and I think maybe twice we mobile ordered food and I took it back to our room when we were too tired to go out to Disney Springs

The General Store was ideal when we realised that the plug to charge an English toothbrush does't work with an American plug so it was manual toothbrushes for two weeks! We bought some beverages and snacks there to take back to the room on a few occasions.

House keeping wasn't an issue for us as I've seen in other people's reveiws. I was aware there was more spaced out service but it didn't make a difference to our stay. The room was lovely and clean when we got there and when house keeping did attend to our room (I beleive evey other day), everything that needed changing or cleaned was taken care of. I always saw plenty of staff when we would leave on a morning or if we had a later start or even a resort day

The main pool on Ol' Man Island was great. Busy but not packed that you couldn't enjoy yourself. There was a thunder storm warning at one point which forced the pool to be closed but we went to Muddy Rivers Pool Bar for some drinks and a snack while we waited and it was really nice. We were going to go anyway but the storm warning had us go ealier than expected. The frozen JD & Coke was incredible.

We ate at Boatwrights but weren't blown away by it. I've not included that in this reveiw as I feel it's seperate enough to warrent it's own reveiw.

Overall, Port Orleans Resort - Riverside was great. I think we prefer the more quieter setting of French Quarter but this was a lovely hotel. I'd definitley consider returning in the future

Staying “on property” was worth it for the transportation to the park and other park perks. The room itself though, and the service at the hotel, was disappointing given the high cost. We were in an upgraded “princess” room. I think it was just decorated differently. The room was a little claustrophobic for 2 adults and 2 kids (and all of the gear for Disney). The biggest disappointment though was the housekeeping service. It only comes every other day. And when they do come, they only empty the garbage and replace towels. That’s it. No sheet changes, no other cleaning.

Overall, it was fine. I know there is a high Disney mark-up. But probably wouldn’t stay again.

When the initial reservation for two rooms in the Theme Rooms at Riverside were first made the process was a breeze. We arrived on Sunday later in the day and once checked in started the journey to our rooms. Difficult to actually find our room due to poor signage and poorly lite walkways. Rooms were probably as close to the main lobby as you could get. but still a 3 to 4 minute walk to the main building which included restaurant, food court, general store and guest services. We never ate at Boatwrights restaurant. We did use the food court for a couple breakfasts which were very good. Pancakes, waffles. omelets, good selection of beverages and coffee served hot. Clean and staff was very helpful.The General store was a gift shop as well as some food, beverages personnel hygiene products. So far all is well. But. there are issues. We selected room service ever other day. No one collected used towels for 4 days until I called guest services. Someone responded with clean towels but did not take used ones. Towels just collected under the sink. Trash collected in the two small waste containers until it overflowed. There were only 4 available outlets to charge phones and Magic Bands,and the coffee pot had to be carried to the bathroom sink to get plugged in for use. We also ran out of cofee pods after two days. None delivered for 4 days. No pens, note pads, or tv channel guide. Overall room was sized ok, but a tad small for storing luggage and not enough dresser drawer space. Getting to parks We mainly used the Disney Minnie Bus vehicles. All had room for all six of us and had a car seat for the 4 year old. Average cost, without tip, was $37. We did use the regular bus to one park and it was ok and about 100 yards from the front if the main building. On Saturday. the day before checkout, I stopped at the Bell Service to reserve a Luggage Vehicle to pick up our luggage at 7:30am for a 7:50 Mears bus pickup to the airport. At 7:10 I called Luggage to confirm the pickup time. I was told Bell Service never made the reservation. So I confirmed it with the actual luggage office. No one showed up by 7:35 so we lugged our luggage and all the gifts we purchased to the pick up location. As we walked past the luggage office I noticed 4 orv5 luggage vehicles parked and not in use. Of course, I commented to a luggage staff worker about my dissatisfaction but his response was a simple "sorry". I'll add a separate review for Mears Connection transportation Company at a later time.
Pete Burgert
Aurora Illinois
Visited November 6th to the 13th. 2022