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Category: Disney World

Port Orleans Riverside

3 Reasons to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort

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Walt Disney World offers some fantastic resort options for their guests, but one of my favorite resorts is Port Orleans Riverside. In fact, Riverside was the very first resort I stayed at on my first trip to Disney World back in the early 90’s, and back when it was called Dixie Landings. My family still loves to stay here and is our moderate resort of choice while visiting Walt Disney World. While I know it is a fantastic resort, I offer you three reasons why you should consider staying at Port Orleans Riverside on your next Disney vacation:

  • Royal Guest Rooms – If you have a princess or prince at home, and want to treat them to a special room while at Disney, consider a Royal Guest Room at Port Orleans Riverside. These rooms are over the top special, and feature ornately decorated beds that include a special fireworks display in the headboard, custom bed coverings and drapes to give the room that royal feel, unique art featuring Tiana and friends as well as other special touches including a flying carpet in each room! While there is a little extra cost for these rooms, they are totally worth it, and the only place like it on property.
  • Sassagoula River Cruise – Yes, Sassgoula is as much fun to say as it is to cruise. The Sassagoula River stretches from Port Orleans Riverside down to Port Orleans French Quarter and then onto Disney Springs. Board a boat for a leisurely 2 1/2 mile cruise, there isn’t anything quite like it at Disney. Take the boat one way or round trip, totally up to you, as there is also bus service between Disney Springs and Riverside.
  • Pool Hopping – My family loves to swim while on vacation, and we often return home from the parks for a few hours after lunch to relax and swim on a daily basis. If you are staying at Port Orleans Riverside, you have access to not only Ol’ Man Island at Riverside and the Swimmin’ Hole, but you also have access to Doubloon Lagoon at Port Orleans French Quarter as well, so your resort comes with two of the best pools on Disney property. Doubloon Lagoon is a short walk or boat ride down the river from Riverside. Nothing quite like giving the kids two great swimming options to choose from.

Of course, there are many more reasons to stay at Port Orleans Riverside. Why do you stay there?

magic kingdom flag retreat

Magic Kingdom Flag Retreat Ceremony

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Happy Memorial Day everyone! Since the opening day of the Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, Disney has held a flag retreat ceremony for the flag on Main Street every single day. While many people do not notice the flag pole at all, since they are in a hurry to get past the entrance and well into the park, there is a fairly large flag pole in Town Square, and the US flag is flying high before the park opens. Well, that flag has to come down each day, and Disney isn’t going to pass up a great opportunity, so they have a Flag Retreat Ceremony every single day.

The Flag Retreat Ceremony is just one of the reason that Disney is so wonderful. It is the small things that make the parks special. I would guess that most people visiting the parks are completely unaware of the daily ceremony, and that is just fine. But, during your next trip, take some time to be in Town Square at 5PM one day in the Magic Kingdom, and you will be pleasantly surprised, and may shed a tear or two (don’t say I didn’t warn you).

flag retreat ceremony

Plus, if you happen to be a veteran, you may be able to participate. In the past, you were able to head to City Hall first things and “volunteer”. A few years ago, they altered the process and now select someone from the Disney crowds that looks as though they are military. This usually happens early in the day, though no one knows for sure exactly how one is chosen. If you are interested in being part of the Flag Retreat, wear something that might indicate you are a veteran (or active duty), be at the park early, at the rope drop, and ask around, it never hurts to ask. From what I know, it seems as though Disney security typically is in charge of choosing a volunteer, so feel free to talk to as many as you can to see if you may be able to volunteer. If you are chosen, you will get to participate in the program, walk the flag down Main Street and even receive a certificate and pin. From everyone that I have talked to that has ever participated, they have to a man stated that it was the most special “thank you” they had ever received for serving in the military. Even if you aren’t chosen, make sure to be there.

The Flag Retreat Ceremony typically includes the Dapper Dans, the Main Street Philharmonic as well as Disney security personnel. Several songs will be played, everyone will get to say the Pledge of Allegiance, the flag is then lowered while the band plays the Star Spangled Banner and then while the flag is being folded, the Dapper Dans lead everyone in a verse of God Bless America. The band then plays a few military songs, followed by a procession down main street and the final ceremony thanking the daily volunteer and their family.

The entire ceremony is only about 15 minutes long, but well worth your time.

5 Disney Things

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – May 27, 2016

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Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week was a very, very slow Disney news week. Here are the super important Disney news items for this week:

Fall 2017 Disney Cruises Announced

2017 disney cruise

This week Disney Cruise Line announced their Fall 2017 schedule, including cruises from New York, Galveston and San Diego in addition to their Florida based cruises. These cruises are now available to book, and if you want to get the best deal possible on a Disney Cruise, book early.

For more information: Fall 2017 Disney Cruises Announced

Adventures by Disney Discount

adventures by disney

Announced this week was a brand new discount on Summer Adventures by Disney. Act soon, as dates are very limited. We rarely see discounts on Adventures by Disney, so if you are thinking about going on one, this would be a great time. Adventures by Disney is a world class tour service featuring tours all around the world. While no Disney characters will be joining your tour (unless you are on one of the adventures around the parks of course), you will be treated to first class hotels, guides and experiences.

For more information: Special Rates on Select 2016 Adventures by Disney

Frozen – Live at the Hyperion Now Open

frozen live

“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” officially opens today, bringing to the stage all the heart-warming emotion of Anna and Elsa’s story, along with show-stopping production numbers, elaborate costumes, special effects, surprising scenic transformations and a few unique theatrical twists. Of course, nothing beats the magic of experiencing live theater firsthand, so you will definitely want to catch a performance on your next visit. “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” is now playing daily in the beautiful Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park.

Animal Kingdom at Night Opens Today

jungle book

For the First time in Forever, wait, that is Frozen. OK, for basically the first time ever, the Animal Kingdom theme park will be open at night time starting today, May 27. In addition to special night time entertainment, the nightly show on the tree of life and Kilimanjaro Safaris all lit up, there will be a brand new night time show available in the Animal Kingdom for the first time. This Summer, we will be able to see The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, and eventually the permanent show, Rivers of Light, will open once it is finished. I have been in the Animal Kingdom at night a few times for private parties, and it is spectacular. I can’t wait to see what it is like with all the night time additions that have been made. Night time is the best time in any Disney theme park.

‘Inside Disney Parks’ Newscast #2

Welcome back “Inside Disney Parks” Newscast with a brand new episode, featuring a special look at what’s happening at Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort, Ample Hills Creamery at Disney’s Boardwalk, the reimagined Autopia at Disneyland Park and more! Check it out!

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?