Hello Jennifer! Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney!
You're planning to stay at one of my very favorite
Disney Resorts Collection hotels! When I was younger my family and I often switched between staying at
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter and
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. Both of these Resorts have gorgeous views of the Sassagoula River and now the sweet smell of blooming flowers instantly transports me back to walking the winding trails between the buildings to find a quiet pool to sunbathe!
Since you mention traveling with a party of five I'm betting you've reserved a "5th Sleeper" Guest room at Port Orleans - Riverside. Now that we have a fifth member of the family I LOVE having the choice to have everyone sleep comfortably in the same room! Even though our newest addition is still little one of my older children will love sleeping in the child-size pull-down bed!
Since all of the "5th Sleeper" Guest Rooms at Port Orleans - Riverside are located within the Alligator Bayou section of the Resort you know you'll be in that section and not in a mansion in Magnolia Bend. If you would like to do a quick internet search for a map of the Resort you'll be able to see the locations of these buildings which are numbered 14-39.
Unless you have booked a Preferred Room, which are located a very short distance from the Resort's lobby, dining, shopping, and bus stations, your "5th Sleeper" Guest room may be in any section of Alligator Bayou. However, even though the Resort is beautifully spread out I don't recall ever feeling like the walk was too much, even at the end of a long and magical day! The best part is that there are four bus stops located around the Resort, meaning you're able to hop on and off at whichever location is closest to your Guest room. All rooms in the Alligator Bayou section will be close to the main bus station (South Depot), West Depot or North Depot. From memory, I would say that a ten-minute walk would get you from the furthest Guest room to the
main locations for dining and shopping.
Enjoy every moment of your magical vacation!
Ashley M