The Wandering Disciple

Tucked beneath a canopy of moss-draped oaks at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, the Alligator Bayou section captures the quiet charm of rural Louisiana with winding pathways, rustic lodges, and lantern-lit bridges that feel worlds away from the theme park excitement. This peaceful corner of Walt Disney World Resort blends backcountry tranquility with the elegance of the resort’s grand mansions, offering guests a richly themed escape along the scenic Sassagoula River. Whether you’re strolling beneath the cypress trees or unwinding after a park day, Port Orleans Riverside delivers a uniquely immersive Southern retreat that balances relaxation with Disney magic.  You can see more photos from the resort here .

Grab a pole and toss in and a relaxing day of fishing at the fishing hole. One of the more unique activities at the Walt Disney World Resort, cane pole fishing is permitted here so bait your hook and try your best as catching a fish during your Disney vacation.  The Fishing Hole is located at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort. This sprawling resort brings the bayou and mighty Mississippi to life right in the middle of Walt Disney World. From the quaint cottages of Alligator Bayou to the luxurious plantations of Magnolia Bend, life along the river is represented at the resort.  Taken: January 4, 2018 at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside at Walt Disney World (Lake Buena Vista, FL)

It's not quite the mighty Mississippi River, but Disney's Sassagoula River serves the same purpose as it flows through the heart of Walt Disney World's NOLA.  Connecting Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, the Sassagoula River provides this Disney replica of New Orleans the waterfront feel much like the real New Orleans. A trip down the Sassagoula River begins along the quiet bayou before passing through the elegant antebellum plantation and then giving way to the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. (Photo: January 4, 2008)

The antebellum mansions of Louisiana have been transplanted to Central Florida at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. From the bayous to the plantations, all aspects of Louisiana living have been recreated at the resort. (Photo: January 4, 2008)

A Victorian mansion sits along the river bank at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. From the backwoods bayou to the antebellum mansion, Port Orleans brings the heart Louisiana to the Sunshine State. (Photo: January 4, 2008)

The Riverside Mills sits along the river at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort at Walt Disney World.  The mill is the center of the resort, housing dining and shopping in a building resembling a large mill.  (Photo: January 4, 2008)

The elegant walk-way leads the way to the Magnolia Terrace buildings at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Magnolia Terrace is one of several antebellum mansions that comprise the resort. Port Orleans Riverside mixes the wealth of the mansions with the rustic bayou cabins for a look that resembles the true Louisiana spirit. (Photo: January 4, 2008)

The sights of the Louisiana waterfront is recreated at the Port Orleans Riverside at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Pictured here is the Riverside Mill, the heart of the resort featuring dining and shopping. (Photo: January 4, 2008)

The Port Orleans Riverside Resort at Walt Disney World is a little bit of the Cajun backcountry of Louisiana dropped into the heart of Central Florida. Not a detail was spared to make the resort look and feel like Louisiana. From the rustic lodges of the swamps the Antebellum mansions along the river, it is all found here. The photo here is the Alligator Bayou Building at the resort. (Photo: January 4, 2008)

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: A mix of elegant mansions and rustic cabins dot the coastline of the Sassagoula River as it winds through the Port Orleans Riverside Resort at Walt Disney World. It is here where rural Louisiana is recreated for a unique Florida resort hotel. The resort opened in 1991 as the Dixie Landings Resort. In 2001, the hotel was renamed Port Orleans Riverside in conjunction with a merger with the neighboring Port Orleans Resort. The two hotels, Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter remain two separate facilities but join together to recreate the Old South from the French Quarter to the antebellum mansion and finally the rustic bayou cabins further up river. Port Orleans Riverside is two resorts rolled into one. The first section is the area closest to the city and thus the more elegant buildings. Magnolia Bend consists of four mansion with over 1,024 guest rooms. The buildings are built to resemble the rich southern plantations. Further up the Sassag...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: With just over a month left before out annual passes scheduled to expire, we decided to squeeze in one last trip to Walt Disney World. We booked a short stay at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort, a moderate hotel in which we had not stayed at yet. We arrived at WDW early in the morning dropped the dog off at the Fort Wilderness kennel and then headed to Port Orleans to check in. Then we boarded the bus and headed to Epcot. When we arrived at Epcot, we were given some bad news, our passes were blacked out until tomorrow. I misread the blackout dates on the back of the pass and the passes did not come out of winter break blackout until tomorrow. Not only did that put us behind schedule on our park plan, but try taking a 2 year old to the front gates of the park and then turn around and leave…what an awful feeling. But we went back to the hotel and made the most of a bad situation. Fortunately for us, our room was ready early. We moved our stuff into th...