So I'll be staying at the Port Orleans Riverside for a week and am trying to figure out which side of the resort to request a room on ... Alligator Bayou or Magnolia Bend. Which do you prefer, and why?

I like the Mansions - but it's a personal taste thing. I prefer pampered to rustic.

How many are in your group? If there are 5, then you WILL be in Alligator Bayou, as that's the only part that has trundle beds.

Opposite opninon here, we prefered rustic. Either side however is beautiful. You have picked a GREAT resort.

The Bayou section seemed a bit more secluded and private, and being from Southern Califonia, we like to get out of the "city" and get among the "trees". I know may prefer the Mansions as they appear a bit more upscale, but the rooms are exactly the same outside of decoration.

Have Fun!!

We have stayed at both several times. DH and I like the mansions, a bit more calming and charming. Closer to River. DS & DD have always liked the Bayou's better. I always had let the CM tell us where we were staying so nobody got to pick or loose, no way to start a vacation. Bayou's smaller buildings, bit easier to access your room, Mansions have elevators if that is important to you, strollers, luggage etc. Going back there in a few days we'll see where we wind up.

I'm with Drince here - pampered over rustic! But I don't feel strongly either way - they're both excellent themed areas. One advantage to the bayou is that you can get a room in a building that's right next to the central area, but some of the mansions aren't that far away. I really enjoy that short stroll along the Sassagoula River!

I'd look over pictures and see which you like the feel of better. It is just a personal preference thing unless you need the trundle bed. We're in the AB camp, we prefer the more rustic feel and decor, the landscaping, and the smaller buildings.

We have stayed in both sections, and prefer the mansions. Then again, we live in a rural area and get enough of the rustic feel, so the mansions are a change for us.

This has probably been asked and answered a million times, but....we will be staying there for the first time in January. From the furthest building approx. how long is the walk to the food court or a bus stop....We haven't requested any area and wonder if we should knowing that we may not get it. I'm just wondering how important a request would be. It looks pretty far but it's hard to tell from the map.

This has probably been asked and answered a million times, but....we will be staying there for the first time in January. From the furthest building approx. how long is the walk to the food court or a bus stop....We haven't requested any area and wonder if we should knowing that we may not get it. I'm just wondering how important a request would be. It looks pretty far but it's hard to tell from the map.

It's been awhile, but when we stayed there we were beyond the main pool area. It wasn't more than a couple of minutes, and that's with pushing a stroller. It's only far away when you arrive at the bus stop and your bus is pulling away! It's really not that long of trek no matter where you staying and considering all the walking you'll be doing anyway, another minute or two won't matter.