Alligator Bayou vs. Magnolia Bend

[PryncessChrysty]

My DH-2-Be and I will be getting married at WDW next October and staying after for our honeymoon. For the first 4 nights we'll be at BWV, then we're transferring over to POR for the next 8 nights. We've never been to any of the resorts so we don't have any first hand knowledge as to what's it's like. From the pictures we've seen, we like the rustic look of Alligator Bayou, especially all of the wood accents, but the rooms seem a bit dark and dank. The mansions in the Magnolia Bend section are beautiful, IMO, but the interior of the rooms really isn't our taste. Which section do you prefer? Please keep in mind that this is our first trip to WDW.

Thank you!

 

[Cindie-rella]

My dh and I will be staying at POR next April for our 25th wedding Anniversary celebration.
This will be our 1st time at POR and I looked at every single picture of this resort that I could possibly find. I chose AB because it seems so much cozier and romantic and kind of tucked away with the weeping trees and beautiful landscaping. The mansions do look beautiful, but they just seem so much more out in the open. The mansions are beautifully groomed and the rooms are beautiful, but not quite our tastes either. From what I read about the AB rooms the pictures you see of it does not do it justice. I also think they are doing all the rooms over and maybe the new bedspreads and curtains will brighten the room up. This is just my opinion even though I have never been there. I don't know if you seen this site yet, but there are alot of pics about the resort here. http://64.41.109.164/resorts.htm
Hope I was able to help a little. Cindi

 

[angielynn10]

My DH & I stayed in AB for our honeymoon 10 years ago in 1994. (wow! Has it been 10 years?? )

We loved this section and have stayed in it several times since then. It seems more secluded than Magnolia Bend and even some of the other moderates. I always felt like there were only certain paths that led to our room, even though I'm sure on a map it's pretty straightforward. But the way it's laid out just makes it feel very peaceful and secluded. I never heard some of the running down the walks outside the rooms that I've had at All Stars or even CBR or Magnolia Bend.

I think you'd love "the Bayou"!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We spent our very first trip to WDW in POR, AB section, and did not find the rooms to be dark and dank at all. In fact, the "whittled" wood bed frames and patchwork quilts seemed bright and cheerful, we loved this resort. Of course, we weren't looking for honeymoon romance, we had 3 young children at the time, so I can't comment on which is more romantic.

My DD (now 15) and I are heading to POR next week, and we've requested AB again - that's how much we liked it the first time around!!

Congratulations, and hope you have a fantastic trip!!

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Thanks to everyone who posted!! You have all been a BIG help! I'm pretty sure we're going to try for Alligator Bayou, but so far the results of the poll seem to be pretty close together. Can anyone else tell me why they prefer one over the other? I would really love to hear your opinions!

Thanks again to everyone!!

 

[newholiday]

does Magnolia Bend have elevators? but Alligator Bayou doesnt?
which area best for DS 12? Im thinking AB? Im also thinking AB is closer in theme to WL than MB?

 

[Tiggerlover48]

I love the AB section. I want one of those beds! They are just great. Both sections are nice, but if I had my choose it would be AB. It's also nice because you can take a boat ride to Downtown Disney.

 

[HopperFan]

Have stayed 4 times, twice in each section. I enjoyed them both.

Mansions were more feminine and formal. The gardens were very pretty and enjoyed walking there. It is a formal garden feel - very adult like. When I stayed there had my Mom with me both times. Quiet pools, while pretty, were not creative. Very open.

Alligator Bayou were more rustic and casual. Loved all the paths, bridges, bogs etc. Kids tried to figure out if all the croaking and crickets were real or "piped" in. We looked right at a pool but couldn't see it because of lush landscape around it. Pool was free form, very private feeling and had a more tropical like landscape to it. Buildings seemed smaller and more like bungalows. Both times here had my DH with me.

The kids and DH like AB better. But also, because they offer trundles you will get more families with small children. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at Mansions again, but I think I would request AB.