Hi Magen,
Welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad you stopped by with your question, and I'm thrilled to hear about your upcoming stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. You'll love being part of the
Disney Resorts Collection, where the perks are plentiful, from
complimentary transportation and
Early Theme Park Entry to being surrounded by the immersive storytelling and atmosphere only Disney can provide.
Port Orleans – Riverside holds a special place in my heart. When I was growing up, it was known as Dixie Landings, and it quickly became our family’s home base for every trip. To this day, I can still picture those peaceful early mornings walking along the Sassagoula River to grab Mickey waffles from the food court. That simple joy is a core memory I’ll always carry with me.
Speaking of those perks, let’s talk about getting to the parks early.
Disney bus service from resort hotels to the theme parks typically begins 45 minutes before park opening and continues until about an hour after the parks close. If you're aiming to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry, which starts 30 minutes before the scheduled opening time, I recommend arriving at your closest bus stop at least one hour before the park opens. Sometimes the buses begin running a little ahead of schedule, and being there early can give you a jumpstart on your day.
At Port Orleans – Riverside, the bus loop runs clockwise. It starts at the South Depot, located at the resort’s main building (also referred to as the River Delta or Blue Bayou platforms), followed by stops at the West Depot, North Depot, and East Depot. If you're staying near the main building, you’ll be one of the first to board, great for getting a seat on those early buses.
Now, if you're focused on being one of the first Guests to rope drop Magic Kingdom (or Disney’s Animal Kingdom), you might want to consider the
Minnie Van Service through the Lyft app. This is a fantastic option for convenience and efficiency. Minnie Vans drop you off at the same location as the Disney buses, just steps away from the Magic Kingdom entrance. In contrast, standard rideshare services will drop you at the Transportation and Ticket Center, which then requires a monorail or ferry ride to reach the park entrance.
While you're enjoying the charm of Riverside, don’t miss out on a few fun extras. You can take a leisurely walk over to Port Orleans – French Quarter for fresh beignets, or hop on a river cruise to
Disney Springs, where you can indulge in a cookie (or two!) from
Summer House on the Lake’s Cookie Bar or the famously decadent treats from
Gideon’s Bakehouse.
Thanks again for swinging by planDisney, Magen. I hope your stay is full of great memories, peaceful moments by the water, and lots of Mickey waffles. If any more questions come up as you plan, feel free to come back and
ask me directly. I’d be happy to help!
See you real soon!
Brent