Other Recreation

Bayou Pirate Adventure

Young adventurers, resplendent with pirate bandanas on their heads, will board a “pirate” vessel at Port Orleans Riverside. Onboard they will learn about Captain John Lafitte, the greatest pirate to ever sail the waters of New Orleans - legend has it that his boat was sunk on a reef off the coast of Key West. During their adventure they will find a treasure map left behind by the infamous Captain Lafitte. Once they set sail, the young adventurers will use the map and find clues to help them track down the hidden treasure, some of which will be theirs to keep.

• The two-hour Bayou Pirate Adventure starts at 9:30am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
• The price is $30 for children aged 4-10, with a 10% discount for DVC members.
• Reservations are recommended on 1-407-WDW-PLAY (1-407-939-7529). A credit card is required to confirm but this will only be charged for no-shows or cancellations at less than 24-hours notice.
• Check in at the Port Orleans Riverside Fishin’ Hole on Ol’ Man Island. Please arrive 15-30 minutes early.
• A safety waiver form must be signed by a parent or guardian, and the same person signing the child in must sign them out again at the end of the excursion.
• Lunch is provided during the excursion - peanut butter & jelly snack (“Uncrustables”), rice crispy treat and a juice box.
• Life vests are supplied and are required when aboard the boat.
• Two cast members accompany the group.

Horse-drawn Carriage Rides

Take a relaxing, old-fashioned horse & carriage ride through the beautiful and serene woodlands and pathways of the Port Orleans resorts. Your private ride commences at the Port Orleans Riverside marina dockside (just behind the lobby building) and takes you on a slow and romantic journey along the banks of the Sassagoula River to Port Orleans French Quarter, where you will turn around in its quaint New Orleans-style streets for your return journey back to Riverside.

The cost is $35 including tax for the 25-minute set route and the carriage can hold up to four adults, or three adults and two small children (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). You should arrive at the marina no later than 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time and wait for the carriage to collect you. The service may be cancelled in cases of inclement weather.

• Departures are every 30 minutes during scheduled operating hours, which are normally 5:30pm - 9:30pm. There is usually a short rest break at 7:30pm so that time slot may not be available.
• Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 90 days in advance on 1-407-WDW-PLAY (1-407-939-7529). A credit card is required to confirm but this will only be charged for no-shows or cancellations at less than 24-hours notice.
• Guests wishing to check on same-day availability may call 1-407-824-2832, and walk-up guests will be accepted at the departure location if there is no pre-booked reservation for that time slot.
• Final payment should be made directly to the carriage driver in cash. Credit Cards are not accepted, but you may charge the ride directly to your room by using your Key to the World key card.
• Due to the nature of the carriages they are not wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to exit from wheelchairs and step up into the carriage.

Swimming Pools

There are seven swimming pools located at the Port Orleans resorts: one large feature pool at French Quarter called “Doubloon Lagoon”, one large feature pool on Ol’ Man Island, and five smaller “quiet pools” dotted around Riverside. All of these pools are available for use by guests staying at either of the two hotels as this is one of the few locations within Walt Disney World where pool-hopping is permitted.

More detailed information on all the pools can be found in the separate Doubloon Lagoon and Ol’ Man Island pages.

Cane Pole Fishing

Port Orleans Riverside features an old-fashioned Fishin’ Hole that’s fun for the whole family, located on Ol’ Man Island just behind the Muddy Waters pool bar. The fishing hole is open from 7:00am until 3:00pm and is stocked with catfish, blue gill and bass. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All fishing at Walt Disney World Resort property is “catch and release” only, but you’re welcome to take pictures to prevent those “big fish that got away” stories later.

Guided Bass Fishing Excursion

You can also book a private two-hour Guided Bass Fishing Excursion along the Sassagoula River for up to five people on a 21ft Sun Tracker pontoon boat. These are normally run from the Cap’n Jack Marina at Downtown Disney. Please arrive at the marina approximately 15 minutes prior to departure time, and remember that fishing excursions are weather-dependent.

• For reservations, call 1-407-WDW-BASS (1-407-939-2277). A credit card is required, and you will be charged for no-shows or cancellations at less than 24-hours notice.
• Fee includes the boat hire, your guide and rod/reel/tackle/bait/shiners/etc. You also get a souvenir photo and a one-year membership of B.A.S.S. (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society). There is no discount for bringing your own equipment.
• Soft drinks are included in the price, but you are not allowed to bring your own food or drinks.
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Campfire on de’ Bayou

Enjoy stories and sing-a-longs while making your own s’mores around the evening campfire (S’mores kits are available for purchase for $7). The campfire location is behind the Muddy Rivers pool bar on Ol’ Man Island, just next to the children’s playground.

This is a relatively new seasonal activity and in 2007/08 it took place from November to February on Sunday and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm until 8pm.

Jogging Trail

The winding pathways and riverbank trails around the Port Orleans resort provide excellent opportunities for jogging, especially early in the morning before the heat of the Florida sunshine sets in. There are two recommended routes, a one-mile trail along the banks of the Sassagoula River around the Riverside resort, and an extended 1.7 mile version which also incorporates French Quarter. For a detailed map of the trails, you can download the Jogging Trail Map (PDF format, 221Kb) or pick up a copy at Guest Services.

Live Entertainment

The lounge bars in both of the Port Orleans resorts feature free live entertainment on selected evenings - normally Wednesday through Saturday nights from 8:30pm until midnight. The shows are always lively and fun, and are well worth a visit for all the family - but please remember the local drinking age restrictions!

• Playing the River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside is the famed “Ye Haa” Bob Jackson. Bob performs a very popular piano sing-along comedy show with lots of audience participation - let him know if you’re on your honeymoon or request your wedding song! Bob has been performing at the River Roost Lounge since May 1997 and you can check out his website for more information at www.yehaabob.com.
   
  
• At Scat Cat’s Club at Port Orleans French Quarter you will be entertained by Elliot Dyson, awesome saxophonist, poignant and rocking vocalist, bluesy guitar player with some steel drums added to the mix. He too has a web site giving more information on his shows at www.elliotdyson.com.

Children’s Playgrounds

Both resorts feature children’s play areas - located near to the main swimming pools but far enough away to avoid younger children wandering off near the water. Benches are provided for adults to sit, and the climbing areas feature soft rubberised floors.

Regular Riverside/Dixie Landings visitors may lament the demise of the resort’s original themed playground area on Ol’ Man Island, which featured an extensive wooden fort-like structure with a sandy base, climbing areas and slides. It was replaced several years ago with the current generic tubular metal and plastic construction. Sadly, change doesn’t always mean progress.

Games Arcades

The Medicine Show Arcade at Port Orleans Riverside, located just off the main Lobby area beside the Concierge Services Desks, is one of the largest at WDW with a selection of 70+ video games and pinball machines to help you use up all those spare dollars. The games are generally of a child-friendly, non-violent nature.

Port Orleans French Quarter has a similar facility, called South Quarter Games, also located off their main Lobby area.

To use the games you need to purchase a “Play Card” from a kiosk in the arcade using cash, credit card or your Key to the World room key card. These cards are rechargeable and can also be used at any other Walt Disney World Resort arcades equipped with the cashless system.

Both Games Arcades are open from 7:00am until midnight.

Hair Wrap / Braiding

Hair braiding is available on the marina dockside at Port Orleans Riverside from 10:00am - 5:00pm, and seasonally at French Quarter (outside the Jackson Square gift shop) from 10:00am - 7:00pm. The cost is $2 per inch, with beads charged extra.

Caricature Connection (Portrait Artist)

An artist in the Lobby area of either resort will paint your caricature between 6:00pm and 11:00pm. Prices start at around $15 for an unframed picture, and you can choose from a variety of options from pencil sketches to full-colour portraits. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.caricatureconnection.com.

Pressed Pennies

Just about everywhere you go in Walt Disney World you will come across pressed penny machines, and Port Orleans is no exception. Children love to watch as their shiny bright one cent coins are crushed, elongated and embossed with fancy character designs. Meanwhile, adults are perhaps slightly less entranced as they watch 50 cents of less-than-shiny quarters getting swallowed up by the machines to pay for each pressed penny... each machine features three designs so the cost of a collection can quickly build up.

There are also machines that will press quarter coins, but these only offer one design each and they cost a full dollar to operate. Naturally, collector’s folders are available from the gift shops.