Port Orleans Riverside Question

[rghtstff12mac]

I've stayed at POR's Alligator Bayou section many times. Love it. I especially love the level of immersion you get. Even the walks to the bus-stops are shrouded in thick foliage so you get the full effect of the resort's themeing all the way up to the moment you step on the bus. Stayed at Coronado Springs once, and this wasn't the case. The trek to the bus-stop always took us across a barren parking lot, killing the wonderful themeing of the resort.
My question is, what's the Magnolia Bend section of POR like in this regard? Is their wonderful landscaping consistent up to the door of the bus, or is it more like Coronado Springs?
I've heard rumblings about Magnolia Bend's landscaping not being as thick as Alligator Bayou's, which is why I ask.
We are very dedicated to maintaining our Disney Magic on our trips. We like to forget about The Real World from the moment the door to our house closes behind us upon departure to the moment we walk back through it upon our return.
Thus, we're probably staying at POR in May on our Honeymoon, and we're trying to decide which section we'd prefer. This issue--weird as it is--could be a deciding factor. Any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks!

 

[Mayl]

We stayed in POR in April on the Mansion side. We never ventured over to the Alligator Bayou side, so I can not compare.

Mansion side was really wonderful. We used disney buses, had a view of the Courtyard looking over the quiet pool. The walk was very disney like if that make sense. We had the 2nd to last set of rooms that were riverside before you cross over to FQ if that helps.

The walk from main depot was nice. We cut thru the gift shop and got drinks each night, pass the marina depot , over bridge and to our room. Felt the magic the whole time.

Wonderful resort. We are trying FQ for our Jan 08 trip, just because we have not done that mod before and like to try out new ones.

But POR is up there and my 2nd favorite resort.

 

[Taytorjo]

I've stayed at POR at least once a year every year since it's been open and absolutely love it! I'm actually spending my honeymoon there too! My family and I always preferred the Alligator Bayou section to the Magnolia side, but we've really grown to like Magnolia too (that's the only side we've stayed in for probably the last 7-10 visits). If you are in one of the last buildings, then you could use the bus stop by the lobby...in my opinion the theming on the way to the bus stops is not as lush as it is on the Alligator side, but it is in no way bad. The paths don't really wind around as much on the Magnolia side. Alligator has a closer, lusher, more romantic feeling than Magnolia which feels bigger and more open with its charms here and there.

Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong whichever side you are on. I think when we are down there I am going to try to request Alligator since I haven't stayed on that side in sooo long! We've tried to request it in the past, but they never had anything available. I won't be disappointed either way, though!

Congrats and have a wonderful trip!

 

[Youarehere]

We walked through parking lots and service areas to get to the bus stops from the Mansion side.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We've stayed at both AB and Magnolia Bend. Both sections are nicely themed; however, you can get a parking lot view (which can take away from the magic) in either section.