If you click on the links in this post, we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.
Port Orleans Riverside is one of my family’s favorite hotels to stay in when we visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We love the spacious rooms, comfortable beds, the boat to Disney Springs, etc. We also like the discounted price for Port Orleans Riverside you can get here.
But above all, we love the theming. It has a wonderful relaxed Southern feel (which, as a Southern girl myself, I appreciate). The whole resort has beauty and charm.
And I mean the whole resort. Port Orleans: Riverside is very large. Much larger than its sister hotel, Port Orleans: French Quarter. It is so large, in fact, that there are two distinct areas.
These two areas are Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou. These two sections both have their share of rooms that are conveniently located to dining and the busses and rooms with great water views (as well as rooms without these features). So they are pretty evenly matched in that department.
The main difference is the theming. We believe both sections have their own charms. But they are very different.
So the question is, which one is better? We’ll go over the advantages of both to help you decide.
Alligator Bayou
More Rustic, Peaceful Feel
A big advantage of Alligator Bayou vs Magnolia Bend is the rustic feel.
Alligator Bayou is more themed to rural Louisiana than the big city of New Orleans.
More Beds
There are a few room options available with a 5th sleeper option. In these rooms, you get two queen beds. But you also get a pull-down bed for a child.
This is a wonderful option if you have five people in your family. If you, say, have two adults and three children, this can be the perfect room.
These rooms are only available at Alligator Bayou. So that is an advantage of Alligator Bayou.
Magnolia Bend
Grander Feel
While Alligator Bayou can feel more simplistic, Magnolia Bend feels grander.
You can see it right away in the architecture. There are beautiful white columns and grand staircases.
Royal Princess Rooms
Just to add to the grand feel, there are special rooms in the Magnolia Bend section that are Royal Princess Rooms.
These rooms are great for those of us who love Disney characters, especially Disney princesses.
We have stayed in one of these rooms multiple times and have loved our stays. You can see in our video from our last stay at in a Royal Princess Room.
These rooms are only available in the Magnolia Bend section.
Which Section Do I Like Better?
So I told you the facts. Now you may be wondering, which section do I like better?
Well, let me tell you about my own experience. The first couple of times I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, I stayed in Magnolia Bend. I had a wonderful time and thought the buildings were so beautiful. I am definitely a “city girl” and love luxurious buildings like this.
The first time I stayed in the Alligator Bayou, I must admit that I did not like it. I felt it lacked the beauty of the Magnolia Bend section and I was disappointed.
Now, the architecture is nice, don’t get me wrong. I like the use of bricks.
But it doesn’t jump out as “grand” the way Port Orleans Riverside does.
If I recall correctly, I dramatically told my family I would not go back to Port Orleans Riverside unless it was in Magnolia Bend.
But since then, I have grown a real appreciation for Alligator Bayou. There is definitely something to be said for how peaceful and naturally beautiful it is. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if you liked Alligator Bayou better.
But even with my newfound appreciation for the Alligator Bayou section, I still have to say I prefer Magnolia Bend. It is not as big of a preference. But when I book a stay at Port Orleans Riverside, I like to check in at the front desk. it takes up more time than if I checked in through the My Disney Experience app.
But then if the hotel is not too crowded and there are lots of rooms available, I get a choice on which section I want to stay in. And then I pick Magnolia Bend.
But once again, this is just me. There are reasons to pick either one.
Reasons to Pick Magnolia Bend
- If you prefer grander architecture and more of a luxury feel to your vacation
- You like to stay in themed Disney rooms (in this case, a Disney Princess Room)
Reasons to Pick Alligator Bayou
- You are more of a nature person and would prefer a cabin in the woods or camping trip to a luxury hotel stay
- There are five people in your family, so you need an extra pull-out bed
Booking Port Orleans Riverside
As I alluded to earlier, you can get a great rate for Port Orleans Riverside here.
This is one of the tips we included in our Tips For Staying at Port Orleans Riverside Guide. We tell you other ways to save money during your stay, too. This includes how to get discounted Disney World tickets.