On the River to Port Orleans

Let's take a break from the parks and pay a visit to one of Disney's resorts, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter. Storytelling is alive and well in the Disney Resorts, but it's not necessarily the linear stories told in many theme park attractions. Instead, resort stories tend to be more about creating a setting, an immersive environment where Guests can feel at home even as they escape to another place and time.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort takes us to the shores of the Sassagoula River, a tributary of the mighty Mississippi. Here we travel from the bayous to plantation country to the Big Easy itself.

Our journey starts at Port Orleans Riverside, an old port town upstream where the fishing boats of the locals mix with the mighty steam ships that ply the river.

The check-in lobby at Riverside evokes a bygone era of grand riverboat travel. Huge paddle fans move the air from above, desk stations are made to look like ticket windows, and the walls are adorned with the names of exciting destinations: Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, French Quarter.

Awaiting our steamer, we may choose to pass the time (or even wet our whistle) at the River Roost. A clock and updated departure boards help make sure we don't loose track of things, be they passengers or freight.

Heading out away from the docks and the center of town, we might choose to explore more of Riverside. A northerly course takes us deep into the swamps of Alligator Bayou, where quaint cottages are nestled in the trees and wooden footbridges cross streams that branch off the main river.

Following a southern route, we discover the stately plantations of Magnolia Terrace.

Here, beautiful gardens, delicate gazebos and manicured lawns call up images of lovely Southern Belles and distinguished gentlemen.