Carriage Rides

[SpaceMountain77]

Hi everyone,

This year, instead of the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, we are considering the possibility of having dinner at Trail's End and taking an evening carriage ride. We thoroughly enjoyed our horseback riding experience in 2012 and think this might be another memorable family experience. Would someone please comment on your experience? Also, is the Port Orleans carriage ride comparable or better than the offering at Fort Wilderness?

Thanks for your help!

Jim 8O

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When are you going? We have done the "sleigh" aka carriage ride during the Christmas season at FW and really enjoyed it. They take you around some of the camping loops. Being horse lovers we'd enjoy doing it again. I haven't done the one at POR so I'm afraid I can't compare. The hay ride looks like it would be another fun option at FW.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

When are you going?

We will be going this August and are planning to visit Fort Wilderness on our first night, Friday, August 15th. However, I do wonder if the ride along the Sassagoula River is more enjoyable during the summer.

 

[DVC Sue]

That sounds so wonderful!! I've never done this but hope to one day.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We will be going this August and are planning to visit Fort Wilderness on our first night, Friday, August 15th. However, I do wonder if the ride along the Sassagoula River is more enjoyable during the summer.

I could see it being quite nice at Port Orleans at that time. FW is especially nice when there's a holiday that the campers are all decorated for but August won't have that benefit. But a nice thing about FW is having the stables everything else to see at the Settlement. Tough choice and probably good with either but I might lean towards trying Port Orleans at that time.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I just called Disney Recreation to make a reservation, as we are now 180 days out, and availability is already limited. It seems that we need to make a decision very soon! Time to reconfigure our dining plans.

 

[nabi]

Did they quote you a price?

 

[seethelight]

Po carriage ride is $45

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Did they quote you a price?

Yes, the cost is $45 for a 25-minute carriage ride. The carriage can accommodate up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children. Based on my booking experience, it seems to be a popular recreation activity as availability was somewhat limited 170-180 days out. On a Tuesday night, in the middle of August, only two times were available for Port Orleans - Riverside.

Unfortunately, I still have not been able to talk to a cast member who is fully aware of the Port Orleans carriage ride route. While I suspect a summer sunset carriage ride would be more enjoyable along the Sassagoula, I would like to know if the ride passes through the gardens and around the bayou and manors.

On a somewhat unrelated note, do you think a 5:00pm dinner reservation at Cape May Cafe and 8:00pm carriage ride at Port Orleans - Riverside is possible?

 

[Firepath]

When I stayed at French Quarter a few years ago, I heard the carriage pass by my room each evening. My room was very near the lobby across from the pool. I'm not sure, but I seem to recall that the carriage makes a loop between Riverside and French Quarter.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

When I stayed at French Quarter a few years ago, I heard the carriage pass by my room each evening. My room was very near the lobby across from the pool. I'm not sure, but I seem to recall that the carriage makes a loop between Riverside and French Quarter.

Thank you for sharing this experience. Your experience captures the pictures I have come across through Google Images. There are several photos that show the carriage traveling down the streets of the French Quarter, past the residential buildings and gardens of the Quarter.

It is my hope that this is the experience as I believe it will be the perfect way to spend a summer evening at WDW.

Thanks,
Jim 8O

 

[akl2004]

We did the POR carriage ride on Halloween nite last year. It was awesome. The route followed the river from Riverside to the French Quarter, then did turn into the resort and followed the main street all the way through. At the end of the street, we turned back down to the river and followed it back up to Riverside. The driver was an older lady who was so nice, she totally added that extra Disney something to the experience. I would definitely recommend this, with the lit buildings of Riverside giving an old southern plantation feel and the lit streets of French Quarter a separate feel, and the route along the river yet another. Hope this helps.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

We did the POR carriage ride on Halloween nite last year. It was awesome. The route followed the river from Riverside to the French Quarter, then did turn into the resort and followed the main street all the way through. At the end of the street, we turned back down to the river and followed it back up to Riverside. The driver was an older lady who was so nice, she totally added that extra Disney something to the experience. I would definitely recommend this, with the lit buildings of Riverside giving an old southern plantation feel and the lit streets of French Quarter a separate feel, and the route along the river yet another. Hope this helps.

Thanks, akl2004! This is great news. I am thrilled to hear that the Port Orleans carriage ride passes through the lit streets of the French Quarter!

Prior to booking our ride, I went online to check the projected time of sunset for our preferred day. Sunset is at 8:01pm, so I booked an 8:00pm ride. I truly believe that an evening carriage ride along the river and through the streets of the French Quarter will be a magical experience for my family.

Now, if only I can convince them to switch our dining reservation from Cape May Cafe to Boatwright's.