How to Book a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
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 $65.00 fee to $58.50.
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.
However, Disney notes a few important details on their website, which include:
Disney
- 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.
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
In the Comments
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. Have you ever taken a horse and carriage ride at Disney World? Let us know below in the comments.
