49. Disney's Port Orleans Resort Deep Dive

[00:00:00] Coming up, we're digging deep. We've got another resort deep dive. We are hitting the moderate level of resorts and we are so excited to talk about not one but two resorts that are kind of sistered into one with Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter. We love so many things about these maybe underrated resorts and we can't wait to tell you exactly why. They are not only underrated but they are absolutely resorts that should be top of your list.

[00:00:27] Hey there everyone. Welcome in to another episode of the Moms Behind the Magic. I am your host Allie and I am here today one-on-one with Stacey for a full-length episode which can only mean one thing. We are diving deep. We are talking about another resort that you have to pick from in Disney's massively vast collection of resorts. We love doing this. We love digging in and I cannot wait to talk about Port Orleans. Such a popular place for so many amazing reasons.

[00:00:55] But before we dig into everything that our Moms want to know, what's up this morning? How you doing? Hey, hey. I'm doing pretty good. This is not one of our crazy early mornings. I wake up, have time to do all my morning things and then we meet together so it's good to go. Other than waking up to text about the episode that came out this morning and get folks fired up talking about that. But other than that, I was like I'm not going to engage in this talk today about our sleepy episode.

[00:01:24] Yeah. I was so excited for that specific episode to drop. If you haven't listened, you have to go back because it got a little heated. I was on the outs again. I feel like I'm always on the outs. I don't know. Which is fine. I own that position. I have no issue with it. I could not wait for the other hosts to hear it because I knew that Karla specifically would take my side and I wasn't going to stack the deck. I was just kind of waiting for her to hear it and come to that conclusion on her own, which she did.

[00:01:51] And then you being an hour behind us, you always wake up late and we've already had all of these bullying conversations. Yes. Yes. Prior. Yes. So I wake up to a text full of all of these things. I'm like, I don't have time for going back and making counterpoints to all of these things. Yeah. So, but listen, I would like to take a moment on the record to say, you know, at the beginning of our sleepy episode, I talked about how muddy it was and I didn't understand, you know, really what we're doing.

[00:02:19] And then of course we recorded it and then I was in the editing position and I absolutely understood more of the position right off the bat as an editor, you know, listening to it through. Right. So I, I, the picture was clearer completely. However, I still went through my entire cycle in my brain of what I argued for. I don't know if I should make a spoiler alert, but like there was a value resort that Becki and I were really clamoring for.

[00:02:47] And I still, even after coming in from a different angle, kind of understanding right from the start, I still was like, I want to make some of these arguments anyway. I really do. Y'all painted me as like this anti-value, not in the corner of the M and I'm like, Hey, I'm okay to be on my own island, but I'm not okay with that representation of why I'm on my island. And so we're talking moderate today and I am, I am very excited to talk about this resort. I know, I know. I really love this resort. Yeah.

[00:03:15] I, you know, I won't rehash all the things. Just go back and listen. Just everybody just go back and listen. But I just came around to, you know, really understanding more what's the most magical experience, you know, kind of just, I don't know why that didn't catch on quite as soon as it should have. Considering the name of our podcast and everything we talk about is magical. But I still come around to a first time experience and I just want to rehash. I just want to rehash. Can you see me? I'm like pulling in the reins, like not rehash this whole entire thing.

[00:03:45] This is why, this is why you being an hour behind and the two of us recording late is problematic for you. And then Becki always comes in and she's like, everybody has seen and heard. And I'm like, no, man, we gotta, we can be petty. Sometimes we can be petty. Yeah. I mean, and look, how much fun is it really if we're all just like, sure, I agree with you 100%. No counterpoint. No. That's boring. But your hair does look really pretty today. You know, I think too, you can tell what day of the week it is by my hair.

[00:04:13] I feel like that's a good indicator because the closer it is to Sunday, the more likely it is to still be down. And then, you know, cause it's Tuesday. So it looked better yesterday. If we recorded on Monday, it'd have looked even better. Tomorrow is going to look terrible. No, I love it. I think it looks great. Well, it just goes back up in the ponytail soon. You and my wife, she always just goes to the ponytail. When it's down, I'm always like, it looks so good. Just leave it alone. Yeah. It's heavy and hot, you know, so it gets in your way.

[00:04:40] It gets under my arm like this and then my head gets pulled. I know you have long hair and you do that. And if it gets stuck from behind, is that not an issue for you? Never. Never. Literally never happens. How does your hair never get, okay. Interesting. In the armpit. No, never. Literally never. I've never had that happen. But you, I don't know. Listen. This will all go at the end. I think this is good content. People are going to like to hear this. And I bet there's a lot of people that are saying my hair gets caught in my armpit as well. All right, listen. Here's what we're going to do though.

[00:05:08] We are working our way slowly through the library of Disney resorts. And we are diving into everything you need to know. Maybe this is where you stayed with your family and you're having a hard time letting go of those magical memories and you want to relive every second. Or maybe you're planning your first trip or your next trip and you're really struggling with where to stay. Or maybe you just want to hear everything there is to know about the resorts because let's face it, the Disney resorts are one of the coolest things about the Disney vacation. So we are going to really dive deep into every resort that Disney has to offer.

[00:05:38] We've done quite a few so far. Today, we are talking Port Orleans, both Riverside and French Quarter. We did our episode on the Yacht and Beach Club. And you and I, we kind of did it as one episode. You know, we looked at that property as one big resort, even though it is categorized as two. It is two separate resorts on one campus. This is similar, but also very different than that. Right? These really are two resorts.

[00:06:07] They are separate with fully separate amenities and fully separate offerings, but they are both under that Port Orleans umbrella. You know, it's almost like it's the big state of Louisiana and, you know, you're in different parts of it. So we are going to talk about everything that it is across both of them, keeping in mind that it is two resorts, but kind of talking about why it's also one resort. Yeah, exactly. Another muddy episode, right? No, maybe a little.

[00:06:37] No, this one's good. So we're going to deep dive into French Quarter and Port Orleans, talk about everything you need to know, all of the fun things, the history, rooms, dining, swimming, transportation, and more. And then, of course, trivia at the end. Of course, though, before we dig in, it's important to know that as soon as you know where you're staying, if you've got kiddos that are traveling with you, it's time to figure out how you are going to get your baby gear to your resort or your house or wherever it is you're calling home.

[00:07:07] And of course, that's where BabyQuip comes in, because if you have ever traveled with kids, you know that the hardest part is not always getting to your destination. It is not always the flight. BabyQuip, the number one gear rental service across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Every trip, I do tell myself, we can pack lighter. We don't need to bring everything. And then every single time, we end up with a mountain of stuff that we can't leave behind because it's going to make the trip harder.

[00:07:37] Between the crib and the strollers and the toys and all of the extra gear, I know that families with kiddos feel like you're packing up your entire house. And if you leave something behind, of course, that's the one thing that the kids suddenly can't live without. And then nobody sleeps. Everyone's off their routine. And what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation really just becomes more stressful. And that's why BabyQuip is such a game changer. Instead of hauling bulky baby gear through the airport, you can have everything waiting for you when you arrive at your resort.

[00:08:04] They rent cribs, strollers, car seats, toys, beach gear, even pet gear if you are traveling with a furry family member, which, spoiler alert, you can do at one of these resorts we're talking about today. Everything is delivered to your hotel, Airbnb, or vacation rental. One of my favorite things about BabyQuip is that when you rent from them, you are actually renting from a local quality provider. Often this is moms, dads, and grandparents who truly understand what traveling families really need.

[00:08:30] Every item follows strict cleanliness and safety standards and is insured so you can spend less time worrying about forgotten gear and more time making memories. They are available in more than 2,000 cities. So whether you're heading to Disney, the beach, or visiting family, visit BabyQuip.com and use code MAGIC for a nice discount on all of your family needs. That's BabyQuip.com, code MAGIC. Pack light, travel happy. Now we're going to dig in here.

[00:08:57] We're going to talk about Port Orleans, both Riverside and French Quarter. Now, I have said a lot, many times I've mentioned on the show, this is where my family fell in love with Disney. We stayed at what was Dixie Landings and was later changed to Port Orleans, Riverside. That is where we had our room. Our family room was in the Alligator Bayou section. We requested the same room every single time we stayed.

[00:09:24] The room that we stayed in is still there with the same number that it was. It was 1412, so if you ever get that room, it's a good location. And I have a lot of fond memories about being on this property. It is a moderate level resort, and it was originally envisioned as like a New Orleans themed resort that was an extension of the New Orleans Square concept from Disneyland back in the 1980s.

[00:09:52] And eventually it became the sister resorts of Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside. French Quarter opened in May of 1991. Did you know it was that old? Here we are with that. What does time mean to you? I was like, really? That seems so new to me. Oh, new? You think 91 is new? Not really. But it is soon. I don't know. I assumed it was in the 80s. I did like assumed it had been built in the 80s. So 90s is newer to me than I'd realized. So yeah. Interesting.

[00:10:22] So Riverside, which was Dixie Landings upon opening, that was in February of 92. So right after, like less than a year after French Quarter. Did you know that French Quarter was older than Riverside? No, I did not know that. I didn't either. No, I would have definitely just assumed all of it together. And here's where I guess I'm going to, for all of our resort discussions where Becky is going to ask us years and all these kinds of things. You know, I graduated high school in 1992.

[00:10:52] So I wasn't an adult. And you know, we didn't have the internet to like learn all the resorts of, you know, like we just didn't have, we didn't know what we didn't know and had to go look it up in an encyclopedia. You know, like it wasn't just easy information to have all the time. You like saw the names of the bus stop. Yes. I mean, I just, I didn't know. I wasn't making Disney reservations myself. I didn't know any of this really, you know? So by the time I was an adult making my own reservations and taking children, all of these

[00:11:22] things were established and I could just assume how long it had been there. Right. So, and I don't feel like even commercials, like didn't talk so much about resorts specifically, at least not in my memory. I don't have that. Like everything was always theme park, theme park and the rides. There were those VHS tapes that you could order. I, we had all of those and I was, I was, I was a Disney. nerd back then. And, you know, my dad would call and make our reservations.

[00:11:48] I want to say I was pretty aware that there were lots of resorts and when new resorts would pop up, we would always like when Coronado the first year it was ever a resort, we stayed there. You know, when Boardwalk, I don't know that it was the first year Boardwalk was around, but we, when it was coming up as this new up and coming prime, like we did it. So we were definitely aware that there were lots of resorts and definitely aware of what we wanted to try. But having stayed at Dixie Landings at the time, now Port Orleans Riverside, I never

[00:12:17] was aware of French Quarter. It was not until later when I was an adult and Port Orleans Riverside was what the resort was that I realized French Quarter was a thing. And I honestly thought it was built way later. I did not know that it was older and I did not know that it was there when I was staying on this property in the 90s. Very interesting. Yeah, that's just our perception back in the day is just so, I don't know if I even had those VHS, like what you're talking about. I don't think I even had that.

[00:12:42] You know, a lot of my Disney knowledge was either firsthand experience of just coming to the parks or what was on the ABC special, you know, video or, you know, Full House goes to Disney or something, you know, like that's really all we knew. Iconic. I do remember. Women's World in Full House. Very, yeah, well, I actually do remember my favorite version of the Mickey Mouse Club went to Disney World. There is an episode, it's actually still on Disney Plus and boy, is it questionable in

[00:13:11] some places. Oh, I bet. Do you remember Mickey on the, on Spaceship Earth, like waving? Yes. That was. Yes. Somehow that was definitely, yes, that was a crazy ad. Yeah, all of that is just, and it's such a blur to try to pull out of this old brain of mine. It's such a blur. But if we're really talking old Disney VHS, Barbie, Barbie goes to Epcot, Barbie's World, that, I ran that. Was that a cartoon?

[00:13:40] I mean, what do you, I don't, what was that video? You've talked about it a lot. No. Oh no. So it was live action. It was a live action Barbie. Okay. You're not understanding. I don't understand. I know she was on the stage at American Familiar because you've talked about that. So, this is so off topic and I'm going to take a minute to explain it because I know that there are M&Ms out there that are like, I know exactly what you're talking about. Barbie had a birthday. She was turning 50 or something. I need to envision this though. Is she a live action Barbie?

[00:14:10] I'm going to tell you. Okay, I'm sorry. I got you. I got you. So these two girls. You haven't told me yet though. There are these two girls. They were like my age and probably a little older than me, dressed real cute 90s and they have cell phones and they have a stretch limo, a pink glittery stretch limo. And I used to think that a cell phone was cellador. And this is what my family would say all the time because they would say, do you have your cellular phone?

[00:14:37] Like they said that to each other because they were going to be splitting up. And so I would always act like I was these girls and I would say, do you have your cellador phone? And so they go to Epcot. It's a big ad for Barbie and her show and Epcot. They go to Epcot separately through World Showcase, these two young girls, and they're all getting ready for Barbie's birthday. So then they separate and they go. The whole thing is an ad for both Epcot and Barbie's birthday.

[00:15:05] They go through World Showcase and they experience each of the pavilions getting ready for Barbie's birthday. So every pavilion is getting ready for Barbie and her birthday. So they make birthday cards in one of the pavilions and they make origami for Barbie in one of the pavilions and they maybe cook for Barbie. I don't know. They make a frog that can jump. I remember that. At the end of their tour, they are so excited to go sit down and they see Barbie in her show

[00:15:33] and you get to watch one of the routines. And then the show was actually happening at Epcot probably for like a year. And it was Barbie and all of her Barbie friends and amazing. That's so amazing. This is, this is sounds like a fever dream. Like this is crazy stuff. And what ad placement? Like that is some serious ad placement. My goodness. So, so Barbie, you're still not saying. So like it was a live action person as Barbie. Full grown.

[00:16:03] No, it was Barbie. Probably five foot tall Barbie doll on the stage. She dressed like in her little aerobics gear, her little blue. What is she wearing? Pink. She was in so many scenes. She was Malibu Barbie. She was ball gown Barbie. She was sleepover. I mean, she was every Barbie and she, they rode the Barbie Jeep on the stage. This was like amazing. I was like the best part of my childhood. Is this available on YouTube? Can we see this? We gotta look it up. Yes.

[00:16:33] I've watched it. Crazy. Oh my gosh. I, I got that video. I got that VHS with my grandpa for a penny when he took me school shopping. And I think I got my book bag. I think it was like a Pocahontas Jean book bag at Toys R Us or something. And the VHS came with the book bag for a penny. And that was it. That is wild stuff. I'm so glad we just went down that. I'm so glad we went down that rabbit hole. It was such a highlight of my whole childhood. So I ran that out. You've talked about it before.

[00:17:03] I'm glad you told me a little more because I just kind of always like nod and okay. Yeah. It was a show, but the video was the girls preparing and all of Epcot was up in arms decorating and celebrating. Are they like carrying around their little Barbies with them? Like do they take Barbie or is it literally just them? No, I think there are Barbie dolls in the countries dressed in like clothes for the country. I feel like I kind of remember that maybe. Where did the Barbie and Disney disconnect happen? I feel like that happened.

[00:17:32] And she's not such a thing anymore. Well, she is because she's in, she cries. Yes, she is. No, totally. There's definitely some rights. But I mean, she's, yeah. I mean, she would be, it feels like a smart move. They could really do more of this. But yeah. If they bring Barbie back. She got to have her next birthday. Bring her back. Yeah. Okay. Anyway, longest tangent, but so worth it. I'm so glad we took the time to talk about that. It made me happen to be thinking about that all day. I'm going to be singing the song Barbie's World.

[00:18:02] But back to Port Orleans, which if you are planning a stay, this is such a great resort to consider. When I'm working as a travel agent, I have so many families that choose to stay at Port Orleans. Number one, it is laid back. The theming here is Louisiana charm split into two very distinct experiences. So you have the French Quarter, which is like wrought iron Mardi Gras romance of New Orleans. It's vibrant. It's colorful. It's beads and masks and really just so fun.

[00:18:30] And then you have the Riverside side of things, which is a more laid back days of the South. My you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And so it's I you know, one of the reasons I will often hype Port Orleans, especially Riverside up is because of the laid back nature.

[00:18:54] After the overstimulation of Disney World, Riverside really takes you to a peaceful, serene. It does. Environment. And I that's like the number one reason I pitch it. And then French Quarter, I pitch because the price is right. But it also brings that like pack of fun. And it's a really small property in comparison to other moderates. So there's really, really great reasons to stay at either of these resorts. Which one do you like more?

[00:19:25] Oh, well, I mean, kind of for what you just said, I will stay at Riverside more likely than French Quarter. But, hey, let's you know, the kids want to get out some energy. Let's go over to the French Quarter and play on their little playgrounds, get some beignets, you know, watch for the carriages to come out. Like it's got the livelihood there. So I actually even when I'm staying at the Riverside, I still go over to French Quarter when we're wanting the activity and the liveliness.

[00:19:52] But then when it's time for chilling out for the end of the day, like sunset time, beautiful, you know, it's great to be at Riverside. So I love them both. They're great. They're really great options that we did. I'm so glad this is overdue. This is. I agree. Needs to be talked about. You know, and we're going to talk about transportation. And I think that's the thing it has going for it the least. But if you can get past that, and like I said, we will get there. If you can get past that, this has everything else going for it.

[00:20:19] But the layout, Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter is sort of the Port Orleans Square main building. And then Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside has the Sasagula. Is that how you say that? It's funny you say that. You ask because as a kid growing up, I thought it was Sas-a-gula. Sas-ca-gula. But seeing the spelling, I don't think, I don't really know. Sasagula Steamboat main building. And then the Alligator Bayou, which is where I stayed always. And then Magnolia Bend.

[00:20:48] And they're both connected to each other and Disney Springs via the Sassagula River. And you can take a boat. So you can take a boat between these properties or you can choose to walk. And then you can also take the boat to Disney Springs, which we will talk about a little bit more when we get to transportation. So the layouts are, Riverside is much, much larger with different sort of categorized areas. And then French Quarter is much smaller and more quaint.

[00:21:15] And I think Riverside, too, has very curvy paths and lanes. I actually get lost a little more and turned around over there because it's all the trees. And like you don't see landmarks as well. I mean, it's just, yeah, you just read the signs 100%. And it's very curvy sidewalks, whereas French Quarter is very square. Very like city blocks, really easy to see where you are and very easy. So like, I actually like that a lot. But yeah, it's going to be fun to talk about.

[00:21:45] Yeah. Okay. Becky has given us seven fun facts about the lobbies at these resorts. Are you ready to hear them? Okay. Oh, yeah. Take notes. Take notes, quiz show. You might need these later. French Quarter's main building, Port Orleans Square, is compact and ornate. Dripping with wrought iron, gas lamp styling, and Mardi Gras color. Sassagoula Steamboat Company, Lean's Rustic and Grand, styled like a riverboat mill, operation on the bayou. So... This is actually mill.

[00:22:14] Yeah, this is mill. If Becky was on here, this is actually a mill. It's got the big rolling wheel. We have missed out on Becky B. It's her prime. Yes. I know. This is Becky's episode and she has missed out. Yes. Oh. Um, okay. Number three. Beignets are a signature treat at Scat Cat's Club Cafe right inside French Quarter's lobby. That is like why you stay at French Quarter. So good. Number four.

[00:22:41] The partially built sailboat inside Boatwright's Dining Hall at Riverside is an authentic reproduction of a flat-bottom New Orleans lugger that sailed the Mississippi in the 1820s. That's interesting. I've eaten there and not realized it was a... How did I miss that there was actually a boat in there? I've definitely eaten at the mill. I don't think I've been to Boatwrights. Yeah, it's very good. Is it? Interesting. Yeah, I like it. I liked it a lot. All right. I can't wait to ask you what you had. Number five.

[00:23:10] Riverside's Magnolia Bend section is themed like Grand Mansions while Alligator Bayou is themed like Rustic Bayou Lodges. And that does have like such the Louisiana juxtaposition going on right there in the one property so you can get so many different vibes going on at these two resorts. And it's cool that there are so many aesthetics that you can really pick from and lean into. Like I said many times already, but it just makes me happy to talk about because so much of my Disney love is rooted in nostalgia.

[00:23:39] I just I'm so partial to the Alligator Bayou section. I loved it growing up and it is just so serene. But of the three like that we're talking about, the French Quarter, the Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou, it's definitely the least themed, you know? Yeah. And it just kind of goes to show you that so much of what we love about Disney doesn't have to necessarily be rooted in the grandeur of what it is. It can be rooted in the memories that we make there with our people. A hundred percent.

[00:24:05] Number six, Hidden Mickeys and New Orleans Princess and the Frog nods are tucked throughout both lobbies. Of course, this princess and this film get all of the nods. And did you see that the NFL Disney crossover? Did you see all those shirts? Yeah, I did. Yeah, we already talked about them because I wore mine on an episode. But Tiana and Ray and all they got the Saints, the New Orleans Saints got Tiana. Of course. Yes, of course. Yeah, that's awesome. The Alligator is, is that Ray? That's Louie.

[00:24:34] Who's the alligator that plays the trumpet? Oh, oh, Alligator. His name? It's Ray or Louie. No, Ray is definitely the firefly. Okay, so it's Louie. Yeah, yeah. They got him. Yeah. Which is really cute. Okay. And then number seven, during Mardi Gras season, French Quarter hosts its own Pargo Parade where cast members decorate golf carts and guests vote on favorites. If visiting on Fat Tuesday, you might be able to catch this experience. If you are going to Disney around Mardi Gras, you gotta stay at French Quarter.

[00:25:03] This has to be the one. And you have to book it way in advance because this resort is actually very small. And I would venture to say that booking that week is very hard. We booked near Mardi Gras. We were not there over Mardi Gras, but we did. We were there sort of close. And I don't know. I don't want to go on the record for saying because I don't know if this was because of the time of year or if this is year round. But at the pool, this was not free. It cost a little bit. My kids got to decorate Mardi Gras masks.

[00:25:34] And it was so cute. It was so adorable. It was very inexpensive. Great little souvenir for them to then take home. So really fun, unique things able to be going on. And that golf cart parade sounds incredible. Yeah. Yeah. We were there, gosh, last year, I guess, right after the Mardi Gras parade. And I had seen videos and stuff. And I was just so bummed. We were so close. And yet we missed it. We were just a couple of days late. But very cool over there. Very cool.

[00:26:00] So is Disney missing an opportunity that at French Quarter, they don't sell King's cake all the time? Probably. Yeah. I wonder if there's something with the tradition that they just want to keep it special. You know, like just, you know, you don't keep a Christmas tree up all year round, which makes it. But if Disney had a, I mean, I guess this isn't a Mardi Gras resort. It's a French Quarter resort. I was going to say if they had a Christmas resort, they would. But, you know, I was just thinking hiding a baby in a beignet. Well, and a King cake is not a beignet.

[00:26:29] You know, it's a different. No, I know. It's like a donut. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's a different kind of cake. I'm just thinking if you're not going to sell King cake, could you hide a baby in a beignet? And then if somebody finds it, they get. Have it be a Mardi Gras beignet. Yeah. Yeah. And if somebody finds it, they get a special prize. Do you think, do you think Disney lawyers are kind of like, no, we're not doing that choking hazard? Yeah. A hundred percent. No. One hundred percent. That's the real reason. Yeah. We're saying I wonder why they don't, but we absolutely know why they don't. We know why. Yeah.

[00:26:59] Have you ever done a King cake? Yeah. Of course. You know, the South. Have you ever gotten, you know. Have you ever gotten a baby? I don't have a memory of having gotten a baby. So I don't, I guess not. I guess not. But you know, Mardi Gras started in Alabama. Did you know that? No. The first Mardi Gras celebrations were in Mobile, Alabama. Is this something that Alabama and New Orleans fight over? No, because I think it, I mean, it's just historically, this is where it started, but New Orleans took it up a notch big time. But yeah, the first, the first celebration. As they do with everything.

[00:27:28] That's right. That's right. I don't think there's any question over Mobile. I haven't started it. My friend from New Orleans is the most wild, fun, eccentric friend that I have. I believe it. And partially, I think it's him. And partially, I think it's New Orleans. Yes. Yes. It's a vibe. Yeah. And he exudes all of it. Okay. Let's talk transportation. I think this is one of the things that kind of holds this resort back a little for some. I already mentioned that it does have a boat.

[00:27:56] That boat services transportation back and forth between these resorts and also Disney Springs. I recently was talking to a family once to plan a trip to Disney. And they said, we don't know a lot, but we know we definitely want to stay at one of the Port Orleans resorts because we want the boat. You know, that's the thing that's the most important to us. We want the boat. And I let her talk for a while. And at the end, I said, I love it. That's so amazing. The boats are so fun. I just want to be sure though. Are you expecting that boat to take you to the parks? Her answer was yes. Number one.

[00:28:26] Number one. Thank God she had me. Number two, that boat does not go to the parks. And there are resorts that have boats to the parks. So you have to really understand your routes because just because there is a dock does not mean that that's where it's going. Right, right. I'm glad we're talking about this because that is so important. And I have talked to people that don't see those boats as a perk so much. And in the respect that they definitely, they do not take you to the parks.

[00:28:52] I, however, see those boats as a great perk because of things like it's always nice to go to Disney Springs on your check-in day or it's nice to go to Disney Springs on your off day. And it can be a little bit of a hassle to go otherwise at another resort. But this is where it's really nice. I love those boats. I don't know what it is about those boats. There's something with the beauty of the landscaping around that river is so gorgeous and so relaxing.

[00:29:22] So that is really one of my favorite things about staying there is on that check-in day. Even if your room's not ready, go out, get on the boat. Even if you're just taking it for a ride, it's an exciting way to kind of like, oh, we're on vacation. We're at a new place and so relaxing, so nice. And then it gets you to Disney Springs, which is a great, a great way to spend your time on an off day. The trip down Saskola River, you said relaxing. I will also add scenic. One of the most scenic. I think that's a good word.

[00:29:50] Maybe that's the magic word for the day is scenic because that is a great way to describe what's going on at Riverside, especially, you know, and I used aesthetic before, but just these resorts are so scenic and relaxing. And the boat, I will say, I agree with everything you did say, and those are all great points. If you are leaving Disney Springs, the line at the boat dock to get a boat to a Port Orleans resort, it can be very intimidating.

[00:30:19] That line can really back up. So pack your patience too. Nobody ever said that it's a fast way. It is nice and convenient though. It's convenient. I mean, I guess there are certain hours if you really just waited to the very last minute, you might, I don't know, there might be some times. I haven't ever had that where it scared me. You know, it's not been too bad. So I'm sure there's times. I'm sure there's times. It's going to be buses to all of the theme parks. So that is one thing you have to keep in mind. There is no Skyliner or Monorail access at all.

[00:30:49] It is buses to all of the main parks as well as Waterpark, which that's every, you know, every resort's a bus to that. So keep that in mind. And also Disney knows these are large properties. So there are multiple bus stops. That may be a good or bad thing. When you're looking at a resort with multiple bus stops, that means you could be the last bus stop. And if you're the last bus stop, you may be getting full buses every time the bus arrives. And that is the most frustrating thing I can think of. Yeah. It's the buses.

[00:31:17] People are like, oh, buses aren't that big a deal. Well, just riding on a bus is not that big a deal, but it's these types of things. It's either if you're at one of the first bus stops, you are getting on empty bus probably, right? Get to pick your spot. You have a place to sit, but you're going to stop multiple times and have more and more and more people getting on there. And you were like, we left our room 30 minutes ago and we're still pulling out of the parking lot. I mean, it just can be really a long or more. Yeah.

[00:31:47] And that can be extremely frustrating when you're trying to get to a breakfast reservation or just wanting to be early to the parks. So it can be very frustrating. Same thing at the end of the day, when you're ready to get off of that bus and get away from the people and get back to your room and your heavy sleeping baby in your arms that you're having to carry because your stroller is folded up on the bus, you know, and if you're the last bus stop for that, it can also be very frustrating. So here's the thing, the pro tip to look at.

[00:32:17] Look at your map. Again, we always say get that app, open it up, look at your map and look to see if there is a shortcut from your room to a bus stop that's not going through the lobby. Just know that is not always, very rarely is just going back to the lobby, your main fastest way to your bus. And particularly at Riverside, Port Orleans, Riverside, I've noticed it the most is, and it's part of those curvy roads. You don't even know where the bus stops are.

[00:32:44] You can't see them and you've got to watch the signs, but look at the map and just see, oh my goodness. I actually, if we just went out of our room and turned the opposite direction, it was right there. I'm speaking from experience at that particular resort. It was like, oh man, we've been going down this path and we really should have gone down here. Look how close it is. Another pro tip, you can get off at a different bus stop than maybe you got on in the morning and walk. You know, like if you just want to get off at that first one, save yourself that hassle

[00:33:12] of staying on the bus longer or walk a little farther to a different bus stop so you have less people. It sounds overwhelming, but you can learn this in a day. Once you're at your resort, you can get really in tune with what's going on at your resort, the layouts, the best practices, and it doesn't take a lot of time. So even though that sounds overwhelming, this is the downside of a large resort with multiple bus stops and a bus only resort at that. It is absolutely something you can strategize against. It is awareness that is key.

[00:33:40] And as long as you are aware, you can make this fine. Absolutely. I, you know, I think it's fine. We, we did exactly what you just said when we stayed at Old Key West. Our, we were one of the first stops on and then is kind of like a while. Yeah. Yeah. We were the, no wait, I don't know. Actually, no. We were the last stop to be dropped off though. And we were at the front of the resort, which was really annoying. So we just would get off at the first stop and walk because it was another 10 minutes. I swear. Yes. So just learning that.

[00:34:10] Just learn that. Absolutely. You know? And then of course there's free parking and in the common spaces between the resorts and if you're a resort guest. So keep that in mind as well. Okay. The rooms. How can you stay at these resorts? At French Quarter, it's pretty simple. Compact resort. It's the smallest of all of the moderate tier resorts. It is compact. It is colorful, New Orleans style. And the room categories are standard location, preferred location, and king bed.

[00:34:37] You can only stay in the king bed if you are two adults or two people, two travelers. The standard and the preferred locations are only for four people max. You cannot sleep five. And you can either be close to main amenities or far from main amenities. And it doesn't make as big of a difference as it does on some of the other properties to be preferred versus standard. It doesn't matter as much. So then we have Riverside. And that is where you're going to have the couple of different areas. You have Alligator Bayou, which is the rustic bayou rooms, the low rise buildings that

[00:35:07] you're used to at some of the other moderate and value resorts closer to Old Man Island, which is where the pool bar and restaurant are, and of course the main pool, which we will talk about and I love, by the way. Riverside also has Magnolia Bend. That is the grander mansion style buildings. Very, very regal. And those are where the royal guest rooms that are themed to Princess and the Frog are located. And the categories at Riverside in general are going to be your standard, which is going

[00:35:36] to be the farther from the main amenities room, standard location. Standard fifth sleeper. So standard location, but you get a fifth sleeper pull down for a guest that is age 18 or under. Under 18. 18 or under. Oh yeah. Sorry. 17 or under. Yeah. Yeah. 17 or under. The preferred location, which is going to get you close to those main amenities. And I believe that there are some fifth sleepers in the preferred location. And then the royal guest rooms, which we just mentioned.

[00:36:01] So a lot of different room types, only like three at French Quarter, but a lot more to choose from at Riverside. And if you are a family of five, you can get access to that fifth sleeper, which is a smaller bed, a little smaller than a twin. But honestly, like a smaller, a shorter adult, a teenager could fit on it. You know, I sleep on those when we travel together. But if you are five adults, Disney's computer system where you're putting in your reservations, it will not let you have a fifth in this resort.

[00:36:31] So just know that one of your guests has to be under 18 if you're going to get a fifth sleeper. Yeah. So a lot of different room types to pick from. Not really about theming. Really, the balance here that you want to figure out is how many people are in my party? Do I care about convenience? And which of these buildings do I want to be at? Do I want to be Riverside or French Quarter? And then that's how you narrow it down. Prioritize. The only exception, of course, being the royal guest room, which if you listened to our

[00:36:58] sleepiest episode, we are high on that. And I think it's one of those must-do Disney experiences. So nice. Let's talk about dining. A lot to choose from at these resorts. Do you want to list them? You want me to list them? Oh, sure. We can. I mean, I'm going to probably throw in a couple of comments, but go ahead with your list. Okay. I'll list and you comment. How about that? Okay. Sounds good. Boatwright's Dining Hall. That's table service at Riverside. And it is like Southern American comfort food.

[00:37:27] So this is the one you like that I have not had. Yes. Yes. And that's why. I mean, hearing you describe it, I'm like, duh, of course I'm going to love it. I mean, like that is Southern food is my jam. So it's very good. I tried. You asked me what I ate and I was looking to see, to remind myself what I had. Probably. Probably. It was probably this shrimp Papperdale roasted garlic Chardonnay cream sauce, sun dried tomatoes and spinach. That's probably what I had. I think that's what I've had.

[00:37:56] It was very good. And I'm thinking though, I think it's not on here. And I requested, asked if they had grits and I think they brought me grits too with my shrimp. So that sounds, that sounds familiar. I think that's what I did. So it's not on the menu. They have like a sausage. Jambalaya. Yeah. Yeah. See, that's, let me see if that's on here. That's going to be your Boatwrights Jambalaya, Louisiana dinnertime favorite, slow cooked,

[00:38:22] spicy rice and shrimp, and dule sausage and chicken. That sounds delicious too. That's, I love, love. But you know, like there's a thing called, I think it's called like swamp stew. And it's, it's just a real shrimpy black bean. I mean, sorry, black eyed peas, spinach or collard greens all together. Like I love all of that. That's, and so they've got little, none of that exactly. Like I would get that at a diner on the side of the road kind of a thing.

[00:38:52] These are fancier versions of all of these things. Well, you're making me want to try it. Yeah. Cause I, I want to try the Jambalaya. Yeah. It's great. It is really good. And that shrimp was great. Yeah. They also have the Riverside Mill Food Court, which is the quick service at Riverside. And that mill has been the restaurant there since it was Alligator Bayou, since it was Dixie Landings. That is where I remember eating with my family growing up.

[00:39:18] And it's so funny because my dad was such a foodie when we would travel and he loves good food and he'd be very, very critical of. And I remember him loving the spaghetti from this. Oh, really? There's just, there is no way that was good. Like it just, there's no way that was good. That's very funny. And I remember him liking it and always commenting how good it was. And I'm like looking back thinking, did he just not actually have the good taste that he thought he did?

[00:39:46] Or was he just Disney happy? What was, there's no way it was good. But that, that's where we ate all the time. And it is, you know, that big blue mill place. It's good. That's funny. Well, I'm looking at it now and I'm sure obviously it has changed since your dad was eating there. But even at the quick service, you know, this is, it's going to look like a lot of the other quick services kind of have a cafeteria looking style where you walk into your different areas and they still have really nice things. Citrus, basil, salmon, gouda mushroom burger.

[00:40:16] And then they have jambalaya here. So it's still your local type favorites of the area. I mean, you know, in the theming, their Bayou hot dog is an andouli sausage with peppers, onions. Oh, that sounds good too. Getting close to lunch here. It sounds so good. All of that just sounds great, you know? And I love all the quick service restaurants are always so similar, you know? And when you have one that leans into a theme, I'm there.

[00:40:45] And that, yeah, that all sounds very good. I don't think they still have spaghetti on the menu, but I'm telling you what. Well, and this is us talking Riverside, but if we switch over to French Quarter, it's the same there. They also still have some very themed things there. What's the name of that one? That's... Well, they have Sasagula Floatworks, some food factory. That's their quick service. And you know, while I'm looking at this, pull up that menu. And I'm going to talk really fast about Scat Cats Club has, that's the cafe that has the beignets. And everybody has to have the beignets.

[00:41:15] If you're staying at either Port Orleans, you have to go get the Mickey beignets. You do. They are literally so dang good. You can get different sauces. They will theme them differently, different times of the year, have special flavors. They are so dang good. You have to have them. And I am not a sweets person. Like, it is not a big deal for me to have to have, you know, beignets. And yet you do it because, you know, I did it and do it because you quote unquote have to. And yet it is delicious.

[00:41:44] Even for, I'm not really into sweets. Oh my goodness. It is so good. This over Dole Whip. This over Dole Whip Float. This over Mickey Bar. This over, like, give me anything. And it's this. Yeah. And the most recent one I had was like, it had ice cream. I mean, it was like a beignet bowl with ice cream. And it was just decadent. Oh my goodness. It was amazing. I need to find pictures for that. That's worth sharing. All right. Back to Sasagula. What did we say it's called?

[00:42:13] Floatworks and Food Factory. Floatworks. Floatworks. Yes. They also have, it was the shrimp po' boy that they have fish and chips. So yeah, this is, you know, going also in theme. So really good stuff. They also have jambalaya and gumbo. So. I don't know the difference, but I know I like them most. I know I like them both. Yes. Okay. Gumbo is going to be more of your stew. I love it. Swam stew. Yummy. That cat's club also has the lounge. So there's the cafe. It's just beignets.

[00:42:42] And then there's also the lounge. And that has live jazz with cocktails. A lighter menu, which does still include beignets. And that is at the French Quarter right there by Sasagula. It's all right there. Yeah. Yeah. Right there. So the live music, the live jazz and the drinks, give me it all day. Give me a beignet, a cocktail and jazz music while my kids are swimming. Yeah. Or right outside there is the, you know, a lot of the resorts will have like your oversized chess sets and checkers and all that kind of things.

[00:43:10] But also their playground is really nice right there. And it's very central. It's very easy to get those foods and those treats and go out to this area and just enjoy the sunset of the day. Oh, it's a very nice little spot. It is so vibey over there. It's really a wonderful place. I hope we are selling the crap out of this resort because, and I don't mean selling like, I just mean, I hope we are really. Just you need to know. Yes. That's what I'm saying. I hope you are clicking into place, clicking into place.

[00:43:40] We, this is where we should stay here. And you're going to find deals here all the time. All the time. All the time. Yeah. French Quarter sells out a lot. Riverside typically always has availability. It's true. Okay. River Roost Lounge, the home of the Yeehaw Bob's Sing Along Piano Show. That's at Riverside. The Muddy Rivers Pool Bar. That is where my family had our infamous story I've told many times when my mom and my brother and I sat, it was raining and my dad was all upset.

[00:44:07] And then the Mardi Gras Pool Bar, which is at the French Quarter. So, so many awesome lounges, quick service spots, bars, table service, iconic snacks. I mean, in terms of being a foodie and wanting good food, you're pretty covered here. Do you know what I forgot to mention? Was it the Sasagula Fireworks Quick Service that has been recently announced? Float Works. Float Works. Well, okay. I'm staying on brand, not knowing what I'm talking about.

[00:44:35] Anyway, do you know what SNAP? I did not remember to mention on time. They have announced, have not even been there since they've announced this. Do you know what I'm leading up to here? Bull peanuts. They got some bull peanuts at Sasagula now. The bull nuts. I would love for our M&M's to weigh in. Okay. It's the battle of the local food between Stacey and I.

[00:45:02] And we brought on a trip, I brought Skyline and she brought bull nuts. And there is nothing I can imagine worse than bull nuts. They, it just sounds bad. It looks bad. Like it just looks soggy. We have never called bull peanuts, bull nuts. That is the wrong way. That is the wrong way. They're bull peanuts. But you tried Skyline, like legit here. I know. And you didn't hate it. When I tried legit, yes. Which I need you to try legit bull peanuts.

[00:45:31] Because we both had inferior versions of our foods in that resort. I brought a can of peanuts, just a small, like a vegetable can. That's what turns me off too, because you were eating them from the can. I just found the whole situation. I still like them. But I do acknowledge those are the most inferior way of having them. But, you know, that's when you want them, you want them. And that's what I got. That's what travels well. But, and you, your Skyline came out of a can. It was not good. It was not good. You would put a spoon. But then when I had it legit.

[00:46:01] Yeah. I would see the same thing. You would do it out of a can. I, bleh. So, but when I was in your home, I did try the legit. What was it? I had it on potato, I think. I really don't remember. It was, it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. And I said, I think I said, it tastes like Christmas. And it's still just like, and I don't mean like, I don't mean like a Christmas morning. Like that makes me happy. I mean, like the spices in there were. You're eating like the fragrance of Christmas. Yeah.

[00:46:30] And it was June. And it just didn't really, I don't know. It was really still odd. It was still odd, but it was not as bad as I expected it to be. So I would like for you to give a fair try to boil peanuts out of something hot boiling water. And oh my goodness. I think it's just something that way about the way you're saying bold. I just, it just turns me off. Which is if you ask a dictionary, how many syllables is in the word B-O-I-L-E-D? It's one. Bold. Okay.

[00:47:00] Okay. Um, I am excited for you that this resort is going to have that on the menu for you. I can't wait. I hope Cincinnati gets a resort and we get a skyline. Okay. Let's talk about the pools because this is a reason to stay for a lot of people when they are picking the resort. It has a lot to do with the pool. Florida heat is a lot. It's a lot year round. Most of the couple months where it's less brutal. We've been when it was snowing. So, but most of the time the pool is really, really going to matter.

[00:47:29] So at Riverside, they have Old Man Island, which is the feature pool. And they also have smaller pools around the property, but this is the main pool with the slide there is awesome. You know, I'm all about a slide. There's like a little waterfall. I have so many great memories. It's the same exact pool I swam in growing up. It is really, really fun. It has a 3.5 acre recreational area with the rustic sawmill themed slide, which is the one I was just mentioning. Very fun. You kind of go up through the trees.

[00:47:57] It feels like a little escape. I really like it. And then the Double Lagoon feature pool at French Quarter is, of course, Mardi Gras themed with the sea serpent slide. Very photogenic. Very photogenic. Very, very fun looking. That slide is not as fun as Riverside slide. You kind of go up and down. Just that's just kind of it. And it's sweet. It's fun. It may do. I don't think it does a loop. Does it do a loop? It's just literally up in the middle. I don't ride on these slides at the resort. Of course.

[00:48:27] It's really a different aesthetic of a slide because you kind of see it all right there. And it's visually really beautiful, but the slide at Riverside is better. Right. Right. Right. Okay. What I will say though, French Quarter has the best splash pad on property. It is. It's very fun. Multiple slides and water features and dump buckets and very, very cool. If you have little kids, I could see them being entertained in that gated area for quite a while.

[00:48:54] I think this whole little area is so nice for those young, your seven and below. I think that's just a really prime spot with between playground and pool. Lots of nice things for them to get out and play. And then spread out between both of these, they have some of the classic recreation and activities that every Disney resort offers, which would include movies under the stars, campfire activities, jogging and walking paths along the river. They do have an arcade, which is unique. Not every resort does have that.

[00:49:23] Some other very special, unique things that you can do at Port Orleans that you cannot experience everywhere. In addition to the arcade and a playground at Old Man Island, there are also fishing excursions from Old Man Island, boat and bike rentals along the Sassagula River at Riverside, carriage rides at Riverside, which is very, very special, especially around the holidays. It's very beautiful, decorated and Christmassy, old timey Christmassy.

[00:49:50] And of course, everyday pool games like you would find at every Disney resort. So, so much to do that you can get everywhere, but also so much you can do that you can get only here. You know, you can walk between the two resorts. We mentioned that earlier. It is a decent little walk, but it is beautiful. So if you are a walker, which I always say I'm not a runner, I'm a walker. That's my last name. And it's a very nice walk.

[00:50:17] It is a beautiful, as once again, we mentioned scenic route. It's a little long. I mean, like the first time we did it, I pulled up my map and like going, how much farther is this? Have we made a huge mistake? And it wasn't that far. It was okay. But like I said, because it's so scenic in the trees, you can't really see how far you have to go all the time. But it is, it's a really nice, if, if you like saying, oh, I just need to get out and move my legs kind of a thing. Been on the buses, been on the, you know, travel day. You want to get out and walk before you, because you've been cooped up in a car.

[00:50:46] If there's one thing your Disney vacation is missing, it's walking. You need more walking. You need more walking. I'm so guilty of like not wanting to walk too much, but there are just times, you know, there's just times where it's like, I just need to, I just want to walk. I just want to get away from the crowds. I want to have a little relaxing time. I think of this as a nice stroll. It's a stroll, which you don't always have when you're, you're walking at Disney is not always a stroll. Here it can be. Yeah.

[00:51:15] You can walk from French Quarter to Riverside to do some of those really cool day excursions or from Riverside to French Quarter to get a beignet. And you really, it's nice to kind of capitalize on the fun and vibrancy and relaxation and scenery that both of these resorts are offering. So you're getting kind of a double packed punch of everything you would want at Disney. Yeah. I don't know what else you could want. Hey, if you are planning a trip with a big family, maybe you've got a toddler who needs

[00:51:44] naps and a teenager who's chasing thrill rides, or maybe you're just tackling park solo with multiple kids. That's exactly how our friend Kayla, who hosts a Facebook group, Family Vacations with Kayla, Disney, Universal, Cruises, Hawaii, and more. Well, that's where she can help. She knows exactly what it takes to plan a trip just like one of those. And the first step just got easier for you. When you join her Facebook group, picking the right time to go will be a lot easier because

[00:52:12] just by joining, you can get access to her free guide on when the best times to visit Disney World truly are. So you can skip the biggest crowds, avoid common mistakes, and plan a trip that's actually enjoyable for everyone. When you join Kayla at Family Vacations with Kayla, Disney, Universal, Cruises, Hawaii, and more on Facebook. And we are talking about so many ways to level your Disney vacation up by staying at Port Orleans today. But if you want to talk about leveling up even more, let's take a minute to talk about Disney

[00:52:42] luxury. Have you ever wondered which Disney deluxe resort would be best for you? Or maybe even which dining experience is worth it to splurge on? Well, that's where our friend Maureen's Facebook community, Doing Disney Deluxe Style, comes in handy. On Facebook, Doing Disney Deluxe Style, when you join her community, you can get a free guide with recommendations of all of the best ways to luxuriate on your next magical vacation. Don't miss out.

[00:53:07] Join Doing Disney Deluxe Style on Facebook to join the community and get your free guide today. Check out the link in today's show notes for both of these awesome groups to level up your planning experience. And if you appreciate this episode and you want to support the pod, a great way to do that would be to leave us a five-star review. Share this episode with your friends or family, especially if they are trying to figure out where they want to stay on their next vacation. If you think they love Disney, they probably will love this content. So share it with them.

[00:53:37] Leave us a review and help us out because that's the best way to do it. Okay. Anything else you want to say about these two resorts before we dig into some trivia? Just go and enjoy it. It is going to be one of your most memorable experiences at Disney. I believe that from the bottom of my heart. Yeah. Really, really great stuff. Okay. Trivia time. You ready? Oh, goodness. I really should have prepped for this. Let me get some water. This is trivia based on today's discussion and some other fun trivia about Port Orleans Resorts. Okay.

[00:54:06] How many times is she going to ask us a question where the answer is a number? She loves to do that to us. I don't know, but I think I'm just kind of reading along and I think I do know the answer to some of these, but some of them know. Okay. This one's easy. And now we do need to tell our listeners, we cannot see the answers. She has them covered up and we have to, we'll reveal them. Okay. This one's easy. What was Port Orleans Riverside originally called before 2001? I do know that.

[00:54:36] It was Dixie Landings. That's right. Dixie Landings Resort. Yay. It's my childhood. I know one. Happy place. Yep. The city of New Orleans has an elevation of six feet below sea level. See, now immediately this feels like a math word problem. Already. Yeah. To 20 feet above sea level. What is the elevation of Port Orleans Resort at Walt Disney Island? Okay. Well. This is stupid.

[00:55:04] Well, I mean, this is important. We need to know. Okay. Hold on. I didn't say that it wasn't important. I am saying that I haven't done math word problems since I was 18 years old. Well, it's not really a word problem. The only question is, what is the elevation of Port Orleans? And she's giving us the comparison that New Orleans is from six feet below, which is crazy, honestly, to think about that is very low elevation. And then to only 20 feet above. And I live in an area here in Alabama.

[00:55:34] I live in a pretty flat area myself. And I think we just recently looked up what the elevation was and it was not very much. So I would bet Florida's probably not too different. I was going to say 15 feet above. I was, I think it's a little, okay. I'll go 30. I'm going to double yours. I'm going to say 30. Yeah. You're probably right. Florida is probably Louisiana. I'm not. Who knows? Louisiana. I don't know. 82. Wow. Wow. So embarrassed. But you know what?

[00:56:02] When you go to the beach, you don't just jump off a cliff at 82 feet. I know. God. God. I have no idea what I'm doing in life. Okay. Oh my goodness. That's really, that's funny. Yeah. What is the name of the recreational island at Riverside where the cane pole fishing hole and water slide are? Um, I mean it's, that's like Old Man River or Old Man something. Old Man Island. Is that Old Man Island? Old Man Island. And it's. Old Man Island. Yeah. Old Man Island. Yeah. There you go.

[00:56:31] What is the legendary piano entertainer that sings along shows at the River Ruses lounge? Is it Yeehaw or Reehaw? The man? His name is Yeehaw? That's not what I was thinking. What were you thinking? No. Um, I don't know that I could pull it out of my head, but I thought I would recognize it when I heard it, but that's not what I was going to say. So maybe I don't know. Yeehaw. Bob Jackson. There it is. Yeah. Okay. He is famous. I mean, I have. Becky says.

[00:56:59] I just, like, I do know that he is well known and he, you can hear him as your, if you're nearby and he's got the place hooting and hollering and having a good time. Becky says it's a blast. You should try to get here. Plan to spend about two hours. You need to get there early if you want a seat. And it's only available on Wednesday from Wednesday to Saturday. Okay. So. Okay. Yeehaw Bob Jackson for a nice old fun time. I really thought I would know his name, but dang it. I did not. How many rooms are there at the larger of these two resorts?

[00:57:29] How many rooms are there? This is going to be one I don't know. I would say anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000. Okay. Yeah. Somewhere in that range. Pick. You pick which way you think it's close. No. Oh my God. Hate these questions. I hate these questions too. It's an amount. I don't know. You could tell me. You could tell me there are 6,000 and I would believe you. Or you could tell me, Allie, what do you mean? That's insane. There's only 1,000 and I would believe you. I know. I'd be like, oh, okay. I just take it as whatever number somebody tells me, matter of fact. I don't. Me too.

[00:57:59] Because it doesn't matter to me. Like you tell me, now I do like hearing a good comparison. Like, you know, the Polynesian has this many compared to this and then I can kind of gauge. But otherwise, it's just a number. Yeah, but you could tell me the Polynesian has any number and I would believe you as well. So. Correct. I would say between 1,500 and 4,000. I'm going to let you put those numbers out there. Riverside has 2,048 rooms split between Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend compared to French Quarter at 1,000 rooms.

[00:58:28] Together, roughly 3,056 rooms. Making Port Orleans the largest resort at Walt Disney World. What? It has more than 3,000. I guess between the two. It always has availability. So this makes sense. It does. It does. That is interesting. Interesting. It's hard to fill 3,000 rooms, you know. That's a lot of. Wow. Wow. I did not know that. That's impressive. Hmm. Because it doesn't feel that big. I mean, it feels big. Don't get me wrong.

[00:58:55] But I would never have guessed that it had the most rooms. Interesting. What would you have guessed? I would have guessed Coronado. Yeah, that's big. Yeah, if I'd thought about it, that's probably where I'd have landed too. Mm-hmm. You could have convinced me of that. And it probably has half or something ridiculous because we don't know. No, we're insane. What is the name of the Sea Serpent Waterslide at Dublin Lagoon? And who rides the top of it? The Bloon Lagoon. The Bloon Lagoon. Well, it's not King Triton, even though Katie asked that one time.

[00:59:25] She's like, isn't that old man, merman or whatever, isn't it King Triton? It's like, no, it's not King Triton. I have no idea. This is Marty Grog and Eminem's right on top. I have no idea. Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I could come up with some sort of silly name, but it would not be based on anything factual. Okay, let's see. The slide is named Scales, and King Neptune sits at the top of its head. The Waterslide is a 51-foot slide.

[00:59:55] That feels big, but here I am with numbers again. I'm all, this is a small slide in comparison. And then it's like, oh, it's 51 feet. I'm like, is that small or big? You could tell me that's the smallest or the biggest slide. I'm like, I don't know. It sounds great. But King Neptune, of course. Gotta be. Okay. Which of these two resorts offers horse-drawn carriage rides for a fee? That, I do know, is Port Orleans Riverside. Rides are approximately 25 minutes. They depart from the Riverside Levee Marina at Port Orleans Riverside.

[01:00:24] The cost is per carriage and not per person. They hold up to four adults or two adults with three small kiddos. Rides will typically run in evening slots between 5.30 and 9.30, and it is recommended to pre-schedule. I had a family that really wanted to do this during the holidays, and it was very hard to secure a spot. So do not underestimate how popular this can be. Fun place. You can get so much great food, great balance, top-tier snacks, good pools, vibrancy, relaxation, and serenity.

[01:00:53] You get it all at Port Orleans. I'm glad we did this one. You were right. It's overdue. Now you have another amazing resort to consider as you are diving into planning. And don't forget that hosts on this show and all of the people that help us behind the scenes, we can all help you plan, and we'd love to talk about this resort and all of the resorts that Disney has to offer. That is going to do it for us on another episode of the Moms Behind the Magic podcast. Until next time, we are sending you tons of fun, love, and joy, and we'll see you real soon. That doesn't even sound right either.

[01:01:22] That's right. I know. With our podcast app being called Riverside, it just feels like I'm saying the wrong thing. Like I have pulled in the wrong name. Anyway, okay. Gas lamp styling and martial color. I want to hear you. Hey, time out. I want to react to what you're saying, and I actually do want to hear, and you froze up. And I was going to take notes, actually. Don't have a pen. No, don't take notes. That takes all our fun away. You're going to be like, oh, I made this down. Number one. Did you get all that? I did get all that. I think I did.

[01:01:52] Riverside's main building. I believe you. I believe you. I just can't respond. What did you, you were asking me something. I wasn't. I didn't ask. Okay. Perfect. Yeah. Then I'll just shake my head. Yeah. Comfort. Because sometimes when you, I'm not going to say any of that. Okay. Anything else you want to say about these? Hold on. Hold on. I have to just, my nose was dripping the whole time I was reading those ads. We did it. We did it. And I froze a lot less on this device, don't you think? It was less, for sure.

[01:02:20] So most of the time I could hear it. There was just only a couple of times where I didn't hear it at all, but not bad. Definitely the way to go. We're starting our painting and recarpeting and all that kind of stuff tomorrow. That's our last round of things to do before putting the house on the market. I mean, I know mine was three years ago, but it feels all very fresh. Yeah. It feels fresh when you talk about it. Yeah. So I'm sitting here going, I want to just get through as many podcasts as I can so that I can take some time.

[01:02:48] I'm glad you and I were able to do this one and so that we didn't lose ground with how far ahead we are. So yeah, I just need to try churning them out. All right. I'm just reading the podcast thread. They're both trending higher retention than the average episode. They're being well-received. Where is that? In the normal thread. I need that to be a lot more. Yeah. Carla says you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. You woke up on the same side as me. Carla said dramatic much and she said maybe a tidbit. It was good. All right. Time is it? Is it time for me to have lunch? I could have lunch. Hee hee.

[01:03:18] Hee hee. Okay. Don't put that in bloopers. I'll get people calling me. I know. I will not. I will not. Okay. I got to show you something. Hold on. I'm going to stop recording. Duh.