For our next magical trip, we’ve chosen to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort! We loved staying on property at Coronado Springs last year, so there was no doubt we’d do it again. But this time is a big deal: our youngest is now over two, so we need a room that can officially sleep all five of us. After a ton of research, we’re ready to share exactly why we chose Port Orleans Riverside and why we are so excited to experience it.
Why We Chose Port Orleans: Our Family’s Perfect Match
The Theme & Vibe: A Taste of the Bayou
Honestly, the theme was the biggest influence on our decision. Our options for a family of five were limited, but what attracted us to Port Orleans above all was the resort’s laid-back vibe and stunning bayou theming. The winding paths alongside the water and the southern architecture create a relaxing atmosphere. As sad as it sounds, we’re just excited to walk around the resort and take it all in.
- The main pool looks like so much fun, and the kids are already going to love the water slide.
- What makes Port Orleans unique is its proximity to Port Orleans French Quarter. We’re excited for the easy walk from our resort to get our hands on some of their famous beignets!
The Rooms & Amenities: Comfort for a Family of Five
Our family needs a room that can comfortably sleep five, and Port Orleans Riverside fits the bill. We’re also excited about the unique amenities here that the value resorts don’t have.
- Themed Rooms: The room theming looks fun and a little more Disney-fied than what we experienced at Coronado Springs. Our boys loved Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, so they’ll be excited when we pull down the fifth sleeper bed to reveal the artwork of the alligator, Louis.
- Room Layout & Space: We’re expecting the layout to be similar to other Moderate resorts we’ve seen, with plenty of space for us all. We’re especially looking forward to the convenience of having enough plug sockets to charge all our phones, battery packs, and portable fans!
- Unique Transportation: We’re thrilled about the boat transportation from the resort to Disney Springs, which is not available at other Moderate resorts. The horse and carriage ride around the resort is another unique activity that we feel will create a lasting family memory.
The Smart Budget: Finding the Magic with the Disney Dining Plan
We were initially on a tight budget for this trip since we weren’t planning on returning so soon after our 2024 trip. We had initially booked a room at Pop Century, but a recent offer changed everything.
- The Game-Changer: When Disney released its 2026 dining plan offers, we saw that upgrading to a Moderate resort meant each of us qualified for the quick-service dining plan. This was a game-changer! We were able to use some of our food budget to upgrade to a better resort.
We think it’s helpful to highlight the differences between Value and Moderate resorts so you can see our rationale.
- Bus Stops: All Moderate resorts have multiple bus stops, which generally means less walking and waiting time for buses.
- Dining Options: Moderate resorts have a minimum of one table-service restaurant, giving you more options than just chicken tenders.
- Theming & Amenities: Moderate resorts generally offer more intricate theming and more amenities at the main pool, such as slides and hot tubs.
- Room Size: Moderate rooms are typically a little larger than Value ones, which is particularly useful for a large family.
How We Planned It: Our Family’s Itinerary
We believe in being open and transparent with how we plan our trips. For this upcoming vacation, we are working with Ocean Florida as our travel agent. The approximate value for our family of five is £8500 for a 10-day vacation in February 2026, including Disney World tickets, the quick-service dining plan, and flights. We did lot’s of research and found this to be a good deal, I would love to hear how others do it and see if there is even better options in the future.
Here is our most up to date itinerary for our next trip. Please comment on what you would do differently or make any recommendations that will improve our experience
Port Orleans DisneyWorld Itinerary
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