"Welcome to those of you joining me from Disney on Wheels and those of you who have just hopped aboard.  I am the final stop on our Magical Blogorail."

The resort that is home to us at A Glass Slipper Vacation is Port Orleans Riverside. We are big believers in staying on Disney property to maximize the magic of our vacation; and when choosing a resort, we usually pick Riverside due to price and comfort. Our family has been staying at this resort for years, even back when it was known as Dixie Landings; and it truly is our home at Walt Disney World.

Port Orleans Riverside is the sister resort and neighbor to Port Orleans French Quarter, a resort celebrating New Orleans. Meanwhile, Riverside celebrates the Lousiana bayou and old, Southern life on the banks of a river known as the Sassagoula.

The main part of this resort consists of a collection of several old fashioned style buildings that resemble the structures you would find in an old river town. They connect for guest convenience and house the lobby, Fulton's General Store, a lounge, a table service restaurant known as Boatwright's, and a large, fantastic food court, the Colonel's Cotton Mill.

The rest of the resort, consisting of the guest rooms, are separated into two sections: Magnolia Bend and the Alligator Bayou. Magnolia Bend features mansion style buildings with light wood tones, pedestal sinks, and comfortable elegance. The grounds here are trim and manicured with a beautiful view of the river and the resort. Meanwhile, Alligator Bayou features cottages with log furniture, quilt bedspreads, and a rustic style with thick foliage and small ponds.

The interior of Riverside's lobby is white and elegant, displaying names of other port cities along with huge, paddle fans hanging from the ceiling that create a cool breeze. This is also a prime spot to find Hidden Mickeys!

Riverside is home to us because it's perfect for families, a blend of Southern charm and comfort. It's a beautiful place, but yet welcoming and never staunch or cold. It's also very quiet and peaceful, and the nature that is a part of this resort is a welcome reprieve from the crowds. You will find all kinds of water fowl and rabbits here, as well as benches to sit, relax, and enjoy it all. Also, be sure to notice the old fashioned lamposts that illuminate the paths at night.

Another way to relax at Riverside is to take a water taxi from the resort to Downtown Disney. This leisurely ride gives you a glimpse of Port Orleans French Quarter and Saratoga Springs' Treehouse Villas, as well as a view from the water of Downtown Disney and the main part of Saratoga Springs.

There are plenty of other things to do at Port Orlean's Riverside, such as taking take advantage of the marina, going fishing, or renting a surrey bike as a family and touring the grounds. If you really want to see the sights in elegant, Southern style, take a ride in a horse drawn carriage!

You can also go for a swim, something we always do. Ol' Man Island is the biggest pool featuring a great water slide; but Riverside also offers several other pools too.

One of our favorite corners of Port Orleans Riverside is the Colonel's Cotton Mill, the food court. In our opinion, it's one of the best food courts on property with a variety of selections and good food. One of our favorite stations is the pasta station where you can choose your own ingredients.

The Colonel's Cotton Mill is also made to look as if you are truly eating inside of a mill with its high ceilings, wooden beams, and the large waterwheel right outside the windows in the Sassagoula River.

We enjoy just sitting in this large, but cozy, space to enjoy a good meal, conversation, and to plan our day at the parks.

Another one of our favorite corners is Riverside's table service restaurant, Boatwrights! This restaurant has a ship building theme with the skeleton of a boat hanging from the ceiling and an assortment of tools hanging on the walls.

The decor is masculine yet warm with its earthy tones and fireplaces. The food here is the real star, especially if you favor Southern cooking and a Cajun menu, such as fantastic French Onion Soup, Jambalaya, red beans and rice, and amazing Pecan Pie, Bread Pudding, and Banana Foster for dessert!

This place can get crowded at times; but it is usually easy to get into without an ADR. It's a great alternative if other restaurants at Disney World are full or if you just want to stay at  your resort for the evening. Also, all of the service we've had here has been some of the best we've ever had.

Riverside is our home because it's comfortable, charming, and fits our tastes. We've had a lot of great memories here over the years; and its fun to come back to someplace familiar when you are far from home. Our first trip here when it was Dixie Landings has had us sold on this location ever since.

On a more practical note, Riverside has the most atmosphere and personality than the other moderate resorts we have stayed at; and is the best moderate for the money. We always recommend it to prospective Disney guests, and plan to keep coming "home" for many years to come!

"Thank you for joining us this month.  We will be back June 21st  with an all new theme, though feel free to keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories.  If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can find all the blogorail members’ blogs and links to their previous loops at The Magical Blogorail."

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky

2nd Stop ~ Focused on the Magic

3rd Stop ~ Reviews and Reflections

4th Stop ~ Disney on Wheels

Final Stop ~ A Glass Slipper Vacation