Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Carriage Rides (What to Expect and How to Book)

Did you know that you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the peaceful landscape between Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts? It’s one of the most peaceful and romantic ways to explore the lush pathways and scenic riverbank. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or only want to relax while taking a break from the parks, here’s everything you need to know about the Riverside carriage rides, from how to book to what to expect.

If you’ve ever visited Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside in the evening, you’ve likely seen a horse-drawn carriage carrying guests on a scenic tour of the resort. The horses and carriages arrive at approximately 5:00 p.m. each night to prepare for the scheduled rides. Below, we’ll preview a few photos of the horse and carriages and discuss how to book a ride for yourself.

Reservations open 60 days in advance, so you’ll want to book this experience as soon as it becomes available. They can take walk-ups, but unfortunately, availability is not guaranteed. As a frequent guest of the resort, I can assure you that multiple guests who’ve booked these experiences well in advance are waiting each evening.

Guests can typically book a 25-minute time slot between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The experience is bookable here on Disney World’s website or through the My Disney Experience app. If you open the app, select the search feature at the bottom of the screen, then type in horse, and the option will pop up. It’s called “Horse Drawn Excursion-Carriage Ride at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside.” You can then check availability for your desired dates. The app also recognizes any discounts that might apply. For instance, my app shows that I’m eligible for an annual passholder rate, which reduces the price by almost $10.00. (Note, we don’t list the exact prices because they do occasionally change. The link above will provide the current price.)

The carriage rides seat up to four adults or two adults with three small children and last approximately 25 minutes. They begin near the Sassagoula River Co. boat dock at Port Orleans Riverside, which is directly behind the resort’s lobby, near the water taxi boat dock. When it’s your turn, you’ll board the carriage, and the driver will take you on a scenic tour along the Sassagoula River toward Port Orleans French Quarter.

Once you arrive at Port Orleans French Quarter, you’ll continue through the resort’s beautiful grounds. You’ll take the cobblestone street directly through the center of the resort, past the lobby, and come out on the opposite end. From there, the driver turns back down the river pathway as you begin the return to Port Orleans Riverside.

It’s a beautiful ride and a unique way to see the Port Orleans Resorts. The horses that pull the carriages are Percherons, Belgians, and Clydesdales. Some of these kinds of horses also pull the Main Street Vehicles at Magic Kingdom.

If you’re planning on reserving a horse and carriage ride, you’ll want to be aware of the following details that Disney notes on their website:

• This experience may be cancelled due to inclement weather but will occur in rain and cold.
• Guests using a wheelchair must be able to step up into the carriage.
• Rides accommodate 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children only.
• There is a 1-day cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if a Guest cancels within one day or no-shows for the reservation.
• Please check in at the Riverside Levee Marina at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside 15 minutes prior to your reservation.
• Allow up to 1.5 hours to get to your destination when traveling within Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney

For more information about Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, you might enjoy the following:

• Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Photo Report
• Alligator Bayou vs. Magnolia Bend
• Refillable Mugs and Beverages Guide for Port Orleans Riverside
• Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Photo Report

We hope you found this information helpful for planning a carriage ride at Port Orleans Riverside. Horse and carriage rides are also available at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, but we favor the scenic landscape at the Port Orleans Resorts for this particular activity. For more on exploring the resorts, see our Disney World Resort Hopping Guide with Itineraries.

More Planning

Resorts Gal specializes in Disney World Resorts, Characters, and Dining. Explore our resources, including our Disney World Resorts Guide. It provides an overview of everything you need to know about the Disney Resort Hotels. For dining, our Disney World Dining Guide is an excellent place to start. Our Disney World Transportation Guide is a wonderful resource for planning your routes. It’s one of our most popular resources. If you plan to meet characters in the parks, we have an updated list of Disney World Characters. It includes every available character meet-and-greet in the parks and where to find rare characters throughout the year. Lastly, our Disney Parks Guide provides a complete overview of all four theme parks and water parks.