Hi Elizabeth!
Welcome BACK to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! It's wonderful to have you asking another great Walt Disney World Resort vacation planning question to us hEAR, and I'd love to help you plan your Best! Vacation! Ever!
I absolutely love
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. There's just something so serene about the Sassagoula River. Not only when using it as transportation, but my favorite is watching the daylight dance on the water while crossing the footbridges between the hotel room buildings and the main area of the resort where you'll find everything from dining to the big swimming pool. While the
complimentary boat transportation from this resort hotel to
Disney Springs does pass by a section of rooms at Disney's Old Key West Resort, these two resorts are actually serviced by two different boat "lines" as their respective docks are located on different forks of the river that both meet up at Disney Springs. To get to
Olivia's from Riverside, you could either boat to Disney Springs and then boat to Old Key West. (Which, if you do this, you can choose to exit at either the West Side or Marketplace
docks at Disney Springs and will then catch your second boat to Old Key West from The Landing section dock; and Pro Tip, definitely build in at least 90 minutes of travel time for this plan). Or, you could hire a car service, like a
Minnie Van, taxi or app-based ride hailing service, for a much shorter less than 10-minute drive.
Bonus Tip: Did you know that guests of Riverside are welcome to use the
pool and recreation amenities at the sister Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter? Your
MagicBands will welcome you right in! You're welcome to take the boat between the two resorts, but they're also connected by a beautiful 15-minute walking path. Even if you don't plan to take a dip, you'll definitely want to visit French Quarter for their Mickey-shaped beignets. And don't forget your Resort Refill Mugs from your
Disney Dining Plan as they are valid at all of
Disney's Resort Hotels!
I hope this helped to clEAR things up a bit, Elizabeth, and if you have any more Walt Disney World Resort vacation planning questions, We're All Ears!
~Kristen