POR- Bayou or Mansions

Sunshine8

Sunshine8

Member
Original Poster
We have our trip booked for Christmas (YEA) at Car. Beach and yesterday I got a pin that we can get free dining at any moderate. We are planning to move to POR but I wasn't sure which area. In 2007, we stayed in the mansion area and loved it. We are taking 4 kids, 17, 15, 13, 11 and I though maybe I should switch it up and stay in the Bayou area. What do you think? If we do stay there, we want to be close to the buildings/buses. Which section should we stay at that would be convenient. Also, I couldn't remember, what building of the mansion section was more conv
 
walter1901

walter1901

Active Member
Personally, If you would like to be closest to the buses and the building I would consider POFQ. All of its buildings are within 3-5 min. walking distance of the lobby and they only have one bus stop! However, at POR they share buses with POFQ and have 4 stops so if you were the third bus stop, which the lobby is the last stop you could end up standing. Or if you don't want to share buses you could consider CSR, I am staying there this November and it looks nice. If POR is really where you want to stay I prefer the regular mansions without the Princess and the Frog rooms. I am also open to trying something new so Bayou could be a nice option! Have a magical trip!:):)
 
Dafid Duck

Dafid Duck

Well-Known Member
Sunshine8 said:
We have our trip booked for Christmas (YEA) at Car. Beach and yesterday I got a pin that we can get free dining at any moderate. We are planning to move to POR but I wasn't sure which area. In 2007, we stayed in the mansion area and loved it. We are taking 4 kids, 17, 15, 13, 11 and I though maybe I should switch it up and stay in the Bayou area. What do you think? If we do stay there, we want to be close to the buildings/buses. Which section should we stay at that would be convenient. Also, I couldn't remember, what building of the mansion section was more conv
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You got a pin code for free dining at ANY moderate!!! I want one! I got two pin codes in the last year and wasn't able to use either. Now I have a reservation for Christmas (YEA), but had to switch from FQ to Coronado Springs.
We stayed at both FQ and the Mansions for two different Christmas'. Personally, I had no desire to stay in the Bayou and asked the operators to note that every time we called. The idea of staying at CS is growing on me, but the French Quarter is our family's favorite resort of all!
 
Mr Toad

Mr Toad

Well-Known Member
I've stayed in both. I do like the mansion rooms better. Not had to stay in a Royal Room yet. My little Princess isn't old enough to enjoy it yet.
 
Dafid Duck

Dafid Duck

Well-Known Member
Mr Toad said:
I've stayed in both. I do like the mansion rooms better. Not had to stay in a Royal Room yet. My little Princess isn't old enough to enjoy it yet.
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We were lucky enough to get a free upgrade to the Princess rooms when we checked in at Riverside. Our daughter was 15 and still loves all the Disney princesses. To tell you the truth, I loved the room as much as anyone. The rug and the woodwork is dark and the firework headboard is spectacular. The room is decorated with prince and princess family portraits. It's classy theming, not over the top like at the Pop resorts.
 
Mr Toad

Mr Toad

Well-Known Member
Dafid Duck said:
We were lucky enough to get a free upgrade to the Princess rooms when we checked in at Riverside. Our daughter was 15 and still loves all the Disney princesses. To tell you the truth, I loved the room as much as anyone. The rug and the woodwork is dark and the firework headboard is spectacular. The room is decorated with prince and princess family portraits. It's classy theming, not over the top like at the Pop resorts.
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Those Royal Rooms do look neat...my Princess is almost 2.5 yo...will wait a couple more years til we stay in one of those. But my youngest Pirate is 15 months...so I will have to stay in a Pirate room at CBR as well. I must admit, it's a nice problem to have!
 
slappy magoo

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
Sunshine8 said:
We have our trip booked for Christmas (YEA) at Car. Beach and yesterday I got a pin that we can get free dining at any moderate. We are planning to move to POR but I wasn't sure which area. In 2007, we stayed in the mansion area and loved it. We are taking 4 kids, 17, 15, 13, 11 and I though maybe I should switch it up and stay in the Bayou area. What do you think? If we do stay there, we want to be close to the buildings/buses. Which section should we stay at that would be convenient. Also, I couldn't remember, what building of the mansion section was more conv
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If this map is any indication, it would seem Buildings 14 15 and 18 in Alligator Bayou would get you closest to the main building, 24 and 34 are far from the main building but closest to the West Depot bus stop, 36 & 37 (and Building 80 of Magnolia Bend) are closest to the North Depot bus stop.

http://allears.net/acc/ResortMaps/PortOrleansFQRiverside.pdf

While I certainly don't think Magnolia Bend is particularly "fancy" as some may suspect they are because hey they ARE mansions (right?), I did prefer Alligator Bayou. Just thought the rooms felt cozier. To each his own.
 
216bruce

216bruce

Well-Known Member
We always referred to the mansions as "Tara" and the Bayou as "slave quarters". We liked the more casual and informal look of the Bayou. One time we didn't place a specific request, got placed in the Mansions and asked to be moved. They accommodated.
 
Rodb

Rodb

Active Member
really enjoyed the mansion, but you would want to be close to Magnolia or oak, since that would be the closest to the bridge for the pool and the food court for mug refill. The bus transportation is good as long as you use the main terminal in the front of the hotel. By the time it goes to the other depot; it always seem to be full and you will most likely have to wait for the next bus.
 
216bruce

216bruce

Well-Known Member
slappy magoo said:
Hopefully in private. :cautious:
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Of course. It was meant in jest, but I understand the un-PC like nature of calling it that. No need for alarm. The mansions do look like Tara (on a smaller scale) and the Bayou dwellings/ 'slave quarters'- just why were/are they referred to as 'dwellings' anyway?- are a natural extension in name for a place called "Dixie Landings" that has mansions. I'm pretty sure that the name of the resort got changed due to it's un-PC like name anyway, or at least it was a factor. There's just a whole lot of 'bad' affiliated with Dixie.
 
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worldfanatic

worldfanatic

Well-Known Member
Alligator Bayou is my favorite location anywhere within the moderates.
I love the feel of that tropical swampy vegetation that surrounds the buildings & pools.
 
NMBC1993

NMBC1993

Well-Known Member
I always request a room in the mansions when I stay at Riverside. It just feels more upscale then the Bayou (for obvious reasons) and I love the fountains in each section.
 
acishere

acishere

Well-Known Member
The Alligator Bayou area is absolutely beautiful and creates a setting that feeling like you are much more isolated from the world than you really are. The frogs croaking and crickets chirping as you walk through the woods make for a nice walk back to your room at the end of the night.
 
GetAPaperBag

GetAPaperBag

Well-Known Member
We just stayed in the mansion in a royal room with a river view and loved it the resort so much. I know these threads generally are mostly concerned about the walk to the bus stop or lobby. I don't personally ever worry about how long the walks are to the bus stop or lobby. This resort is beautiful and a longer walk just means more time to enjoy the scenery.
 
pug

pug

Well-Known Member
:)You guys would probably love the royal rooms. if You what to upgrade to a Room that's closer you can and I love the theme and look in these rooms:):D
 
FerretAfros

FerretAfros

Well-Known Member
If it makes a difference in your decision, my experience has been that they have queen sized beds in the regular Magnolia Bend rooms, but doubles in Alligator Bayou and the princess rooms. Depending how big the kids are, and how much personal space they want, that could be a factor

Personally, I loved the feel of the Alligator Bayou area. We were in one of the farthest buildings, but it was still only about a 5-10 minute walk, and a very pleasant one at that! It was just nice to feel like we were getting away from it all after a long day in the parks
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
FerretAfros said:
If it makes a difference in your decision, my experience has been that they have queen sized beds in the regular Magnolia Bend rooms, but doubles in Alligator Bayou and the princess rooms. Depending how big the kids are, and how much personal space they want, that could be a factor

Personally, I loved the feel of the Alligator Bayou area. We were in one of the farthest buildings, but it was still only about a 5-10 minute walk, and a very pleasant one at that! It was just nice to feel like we were getting away from it all after a long day in the parks
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All rooms have queen sized beds now.
 

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