This Disney World hotel room will make your family feel like royalty
"Hello, princess!" It's a friendly greeting you often hear from Disney cast members and, despite my age and lack of royal family members, it really does make me feel a bit more regal. On a recent visit to Disney World, I decided it was time to take my rightful place on the throne by staying in a room fit for a princess such as myself at Disney's Port Orleans Resort — Riverside.
The overall design of the resort was inspired by the Louisiana Bayou, with a lobby themed to a steamship ticket station, a saw-mill-themed waterslide at the pool and a well-stocked fishing pond. Most guests stay in rooms that have a Southern feel and subtle nods to "The Princess and the Frog," which was set in New Orleans — but I am not most guests. Luckily, I found suitable accommodations in one of the resort's "Royal Guest Rooms."
If you, too, want the royal treatment on your next Disney World vacation, here's a look at what you can expect from the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort — Riverside.
The entrance is grand
The stately white-columned mansions that house the Royal Guest Rooms are situated on the banks of the Sassagoula River. To reach them, you must cross a bridge from the main section of the resort where the pool, dining and check-in areas are. Once you reach the other side, the walkway leads you to a series of buildings with well-manicured lawns, flowing fountains and grand staircases (elevators are also available).
My room was in the Parterre Place building, which had the added royal touch of banners bearing the names of Disney princesses on light poles throughout the courtyard.
Note that the buildings are quite far from the main area of the hotel. The luggage attendant did offer me a golf cart ride (alas, not a horse and carriage) to my room so that I wouldn't have to lug my suitcase all that way. I declined, but I appreciate that they offer that service.
Your favorite Disney stories are represented
As soon as I stepped into the room, I noticed decorative elements themed to Disney's princess films. Portraits of Ariel, Belle, Jasmine and their friends adorned the wall next to the bed, banners with silhouettes of their suitors hung in the entryway and Aladdin's magic carpet was woven into the carpet pattern.
At every turn, I noticed more details that played into the princess theme. The oak furniture was accented with gold filigree, the shower curtain was designed with gold starfish, sand dollars and "dinglehoppers" from "The Little Mermaid, and the sink faucet was shaped like the genie's golden lamp from "Aladdin."
All of the practical aspects of the room were the same as any standard room at a moderate Disney resort. The room had a minifridge, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, hair dryer and vanity area outside of the bathroom.
Tiana is the star of the show
While quite a few princesses are represented, Princess Tiana featured most prominently. There was a large, ornately-framed portrait of Tiana hanging above a red-and-gold upholstered bench and a letter from Tiana herself welcoming me to the room and inviting me to make myself at home and enjoy making magical memories during my stay.
The standout feature of these royal guest rooms is the beds. The headboards stretch all the way to the ceiling and are painted with a nighttime bayou scene in shades of deep blue and purple. When you press a small button on the side of the bed, the headboards magically come to life as fireworks burst into the sky above the swamp and fireflies light up the night. Let's just say, I pressed that button more times than you might think an adult would.
A few amenities are outdated
Most rooms at Port Orleans — Riverside had been renovated by the time the resort reopened after Disney World's temporary pandemic closure, but most of the Royal Guest Rooms were left untouched. For the most part, I considered this a good thing because I was impressed by the intricate theming, but it did mean that a few amenities were outdated.
There were no USB ports anywhere in the room and the television was smaller and older than I've seen in other hotel rooms at Disney World. Most now have newer remote controls with channel guides and other features, but this one forced you to scroll through every channel and didn't do much else.
The location is serene
While this was my first time in a royal guest room, it wasn't my first time at Disney's Port Orleans Resort. I've previously stayed at French Quarter, Riverside's sister property, and it quickly became one of my favorite Disney resorts.
I love the quiet, waterfront setting and the walking paths along which you can explore the resort. The area surrounding the resort is wooded and the architecture feels so authentically Louisiana (especially the New Orleans-themed rooms at Port Orleans — French Quarter). Thanks to its location along the Sassagoula River, I was also able to take a leisurely ferry ride from the hotel over to Disney Springs.
The price is relatively reasonable
When discussing prices at Disney World, everything is relative. I wouldn't necessarily call the Royal Guest Rooms a "budget-friendly option," but the price is only slightly more per night than a standard room at Port Orleans — Riverside. Using a sample date of Feb. 15, 2023, a standard river view room costs $364.00 per night plus tax. A Royal Guest Room with a river view is only $17 more, at $381 per night plus tax.
Bottom line
To some, the princess decor in Disney's Port Orleans Resort — Riverside Royal Guest Rooms may feel over the top, but if your family is princess-obsessed, the theming is spot on — and the price difference between a standard room and a room fit for royalty is minimal.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.