Port Orleans Riverside - Alligator or Magnolia?

Catyat

Catyat

New Member
Original Poster
Hello everyone! I'm starting to do some planning for our family's next Disney trip. We are thinking about staying in Port Orleans Riverside - never stayed there before, and have heard good things! For those who have stayed there, do you prefer the Alligator Bayou or the Magnolia Bend section? Is there a significant difference between the two, besides theme? I'm sure this topic has been covered before, but I couldn't find anything specific in the search. Thanks in advance for sharing your perspectives. If you have any other tips/opinions about Riverside in general, I'd love to hear them :)
 
wedje

wedje

Member
We have stayed at Riverside 5 times in the last 10 years. We fell in love with the resort on our first trip and have stayed there ever since. We have always stayed in the Magnolia section so I can't compare the rooms for you. This resort has everything ; nice quick serve area, nice sit down restaurant , gift shop/store, night time entertainment, several pools. You can catch the boat to Disney Springs which is a very nice trip. We have taken our grandkids last 4 trips and they love this resort. The only thing I could come close to complaining about would be the busses. This resort is very popular and therefore stays crowded year round which can cause a wait early in the morning when everyone heads to the parks. They are really good at adding additional busses to handle the crowd so the wait has never been unreasonable to us. We too are trying to decide when we will return for our next trip and will definitely plan on staying at Riverside again. Enjoy your trip, sure you will love Riverside.
 
Jahona

Jahona

Well-Known Member
This is entirely personal preference but I really don't like the Alligator Bayou section of POR. The rooms were themed appropriately. It kinda reminded me of a toned back and muted color pallet of the Wilderness Lodge but on a budget. The Mansions on the other hand are completely different. The rooms feel more luxurious inside and the landscaping and gardens that surround you are well done.

The distance to the main building from the mansions isn't to far as you either cross the bridge directly across or go through old man island. The very last mansion, parterre place doesn't have a decent bus stop near it so you have to walk to either the east or the south (lobby) depot. The south depot tends to be the last one before leaving the property to your destination. Buses may fill up before reaching the south depot and then go directly to their destination with out stopping. So just a note it may be better to walk to the east depot then anyways.

When it comes down to it the Resort is nice, not my favorite moderate, but nice. The experience is really dependent on if you like the theme of the Bayous or the Mansions. For me staying in the Bayou was a huge bummer. It didn't take me on a journey anywhere and I didn't feel any awe walking around that section. I am a huge fan of Antebellum/Georgian architecture so the mansions have a big appeal. It felt like strolling along Tara from Gone with the Wind, although you know before it burned down.
 
Stellajack

Stellajack

Well-Known Member
My personal favorite is the Magnolia Bend section of Riverside---specifically Magnolia Terrace (the white mansions with the wide external staircases.) Our 2nd preferred mansion is Oak Manor (light brick). We love this resort whether our room is in Magnolia or Alligator Bayou.
 
jaklgreen

jaklgreen

Well-Known Member
It depends on how many people are in your room and if you need the fold down murphy bed. Alligator Bayou has the extra bed but it is located where the dresser is at in the Magnolia rooms. So you will have less storage and the little bench with the hooks that are normally in the corner is replaced with a little dresser. I think that Alligator Bayou is better themed and has a good feeling to it, for us the Magnolia rooms are a better fit on the inside.
 
SoKatriotic

SoKatriotic

Member
My boyfriend and I stayed in Magnolia Bend this past August and loved it! We stayed in the Magnolia Terrace building which was just a quick walk over the bridge to the main building. I would highly recommend Magnolia Bend!
 
md1982

md1982

New Member
Stayed there this past September. We requested Magnolia but got Alligator Bayou. Loved our room there. The pull down bed is very cute and the themeing of the room was wonderful. The vegetation in the Bayou is beautiful and dense. My nephew and I loved just walking around the bayou and looking at all the wildlife. To me the Bayou is a little cozier and immersive while the mansions more grand and majestic. Depends on your preference but you can't go wrong at this resort. We loved it!
 
wannabeBelle

wannabeBelle

Well-Known Member
If you arent sure, take a look at the link I posted above which shows all of the room types, including the Royal Rooms, which are a separate bookable category and are pretty gorgeous. If that doesnt help, Yes I would let the Disney Gods decide. I have gotten some great rooms that way!! Marie
 
prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
wannabeBelle said:
If you arent sure, take a look at the link I posted above which shows all of the room types, including the Royal Rooms, which are a separate bookable category and are pretty gorgeous. If that doesnt help, Yes I would let the Disney Gods decide. I have gotten some great rooms that way!! Marie
Click to expand...

Thank you! I think I like them both equally as much, so I will leave it to the luck of the draw! :)
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
We stayed in Alligator Bayou (not long after the most recent refurb), and loved it. I found the theming there (with Princess and the Frog touches) to be a little more kid-friendly than the more grown-up, Victorian styling of the Magnolia Bend section, and we were fortunate to get a building that, while not in the "preferred" category, wasn't far from the main building, and within walking distance of the main bus depot.

I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.
 
pbrsaau

pbrsaau

Member
Our family prefers Alligator Bayou. Maybe it is more kid-friendly in appearance/theming. I hadn't thought of that previously. We have stayed in both areas and we just feel more comfortable in the Alligator Bayou areas. Riverside has all that we need at the moderate cost. We're booked here for a week in November currently.
 
papa

papa

Well-Known Member
POR is our favorite resort. We have stayed in both the mansions and alligator bayou. Magnolia Terrace and Oak Manor are the closest mansions to the food court and main bus stop. At Alligator Bayou buildings 14 and 18 are closest to the food court and main bus stop but they are preferred category and cost a little more. Alligator Bayou rooms can sleep 5 with a pull down bed. This resort is beautiful and has become our favorite resort.
 
Rodb

Rodb

Active Member
wedje said:
We have stayed at Riverside 5 times in the last 10 years. We fell in love with the resort on our first trip and have stayed there ever since. We have always stayed in the Magnolia section so I can't compare the rooms for you. This resort has everything ; nice quick serve area, nice sit down restaurant , gift shop/store, night time entertainment, several pools. You can catch the boat to Disney Springs which is a very nice trip. We have taken our grandkids last 4 trips and they love this resort. The only thing I could come close to complaining about would be the busses. This resort is very popular and therefore stays crowded year round which can cause a wait early in the morning when everyone heads to the parks. They are really good at adding additional busses to handle the crowd so the wait has never been unreasonable to us. We too are trying to decide when we will return for our next trip and will definitely plan on staying at Riverside again. Enjoy your trip, sure you will love Riverside.
Click to expand...

BUILDING# 85 garden view would be your best bet for pricing and being central located.
 
Noellikechristmas

Noellikechristmas

Active Member
I requested the mansion rooms for my family's 3 rooms, but it was honored. I was a little disappointed that my request was not filled, but I actually really enjoyed the alligator rooms. I think the rooms are the same size, they are just themed differently.
 

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