Can't agree more...Riverside is awesome! We also had a great time with Bob the Piano player in the lounge. He really gets the spectators involved and singing away. And we prefer the mansions as well. We just had a much more peaceful feeling there.
Make your reservations for the carriage ride ahead of time. It's a lovely, lovely ride around both Riverside and French Quarter, and I forget what kind of horses they use, but they are huge and beautiful!
I also highly recommend the boat to Downtown Disney. Again, it's a peaceful ride, you get to see preserved land that can't be used to build on anymore, and you get to see the old Treehouses! Plus you can sometimes pick up a few trivia items.
You can also rent several different kinds of boats there at the Riverside marina. Near the marina you can get hair wraps, and just inside the main building you can have caricatures drawn of yourself or your family. I think there are sometime other types of entertainment as well, but I don't know what they are.
The main pool area is very nice, with a playground nearby, and a hot tub. There are also quiet pools located throughout the resort. There is a lounge area near the pool area, as well as the one inside. I think you can get appetizer type foods at both.
And of course there is the gift shop, which has a surprisingly diverse selection of gift and souvenir items, as well as a convenience item area for drinks, snacks, asprin, diapers, etc.
Our maid service here was excellent. Very clean rooms, and while I don't think our mousekeeper was able to make towel animals, she did other special things for us like a styrofoam snow man, and pretty Christmas ribbons around our washcloths. We just left her a tip in a Disney decorated envelope, and a little Christmas candy every day (we stayed in December).
We're staying here again for our next trip this Nov/Dec. It's a beautiful resort and I know you'll love it!
:xmas: