Episode 20: Taking a Boat Ride to Disney Springs & Once Upon a Toy – Walt Disney World – September 2016

One of the great attributes of Port Orleans Riverside is the ability to take a nice relaxing ride down the Sassagoula River to Disney Springs.  The ride takes about 20 minutes each way and is very enjoyable.  

Along the way, the boat may make a stop at the lively Port Orleans French Quarter to pick up guests who are also heading to Disney Springs.  Note:  We were told that they only stop during the day and go straight to and from the resort in the evenings.  Also along the way you will see The Treehouses Villas and Saratoga Springs resorts.

Check out these names!

The fleet consists of some 15 boats spread out over four routes, all decked out in a lively brightly-colored yellow and blue livery, with suitably fitting Southern names:

Memphis Miss
Louisiana Lady
Sassagoula Sunset
Bayou Princess
Crescent City Queen
Magnolia Blossom
Florida Queen
Buena Vista Queen
Saratoga Queen
Blossom Queen
Jazz Lady
Delta Lady
Azalea Bloom
Southern Breeze
Jazz Queen

Rain doesn’t bother us at Disney

A rainstorm landed on us while we were on board the boat but luckily was over quickly once we arrived at Disney Springs.  We pack the ponchos away and head over to Once Upon a Toy.  This is one of those stores that can hold your attention and imagination for hours.  There are several rooms to this store, each with a different theme.  

And our favorite… well the Star Wars room of course!!!  We found Darth Vader hats, costumes, t-shirts, light sabers, oh the list goes on and on!  The boys really liked the build-your-own light saber station and Colby put together a really cool double sided saber. We also found a unique penny press machine here in which you could choose one Star Wars character penny for $1 or you could get all eight for $5.  So of course I fished out a crisp $5 bill and got them all!!!  Although we had a great time exploring this store, it was time to move on…  More of Disney Springs to see!