Got the cruise - but which resort ?? pls help

[billvack]

We are all set to book the cruise we want. We are going on the 3 day land / 4 day sea, in May 2003. My choice of resorts are the PO French Quarter, PO Resort Riverside, and the Caribbean Beach.
We have already been on the Magic - so we are ready to sail again. We just don't know where to stay.
We will be with children ages 3 thru 9. Which resort do you think would be better to go to.
Thanks
Bill

 

[bartoscowabunga]

My choice would be Riverside. We have stayed there twice and plan to again this year. We just can't bring ourselves to stay anywhere else because we love it so much.

 

[Kim&Chris]

With the white sand beaches and tropical themed villages, I couldn't possibly think of a better way to get ready for a great Caribbean cruise.

I've stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort many, many times and now consider it my home-away-from-home. The rooms are larger than any other moderate resort on property, and the entire resort has just been refurbished. So, it will be like staying in a brand new hotel

 

[abitjaded]

Riverside, Alligator Bayou gets my vote. The whole resort is wonderful, green, shaded. Lots of birds, Ol Man River is a great swimming area. Better grounds than most of the deluxe resorts for my money. Boat to PI for an evening out. Rent a surrey and peddle around, check out the butterfly house. But then the debate over all the moderates and which you like best is a long and ongoing one. You are going to the Carribean for the cruise, AB would be the biggest contrast.

Carla

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by abitjaded
Riverside, Alligator Bayou gets my vote.

Carla

I agree with that, I loved Alligator Bayou!
I stayed at the Carribean once and did not care for it at all!

 

[Ginny]

We have stayed at Riverside, Grand Floridian and the Beachclub....Riverside is still my favorite (although I miss the name Dixie Landings instead) I love the grounds and the food court with the Lego table from heaven. Boating back and forth to Downtown Disney is delightful and Ol Man Island is great.

One other benefit I enjoyed were the individual room A/C units made great "white noise" for small children napping during the afternoons.

Whatever resort you choose, have a wonderful time.

 

["Ginger"]

I have to go along with Riverside. We loved their pool area and the fishing hole. The food court at Riverside is far better than the others.

 

[vicnmickey]

We are doing the 7 night land/sea May 1-8th 2003 we are staying at the Carribean. We have nevered stayed in the hotel before, but I have heard wonderful things about it. What days are you cruising? 377 days and counting everyone of them.

 

[Pugdog007]

But whichever you choose, call and request a room as close as possible to "the main hub" where food court, main pool, bus pick up is. Also remind them upon check in that you've made this request. These hotels are HUGE and you could very well have a mile long walk to the all-important hub if you don't! (the novice mistake made by all!)

Also - anyone know why Dixie Landings' name was changed to Riverside? Please tell me it wasn't because of the word "dixie." I just saw on the news (in AL) that we have a local suing our state because our state license plate reads "Heart of Dixie." Since when is the word "dixie" a derogatory word??? Unbelievable

 

[Irishmom23]

We have stayed in both CRB and Riverside (though it was called Dixie Landings then) with children ranging in ages from three, all the way up to seventeen, over the past few years. The kids definitely like Riverside because of the set up, pools, etc. I did not find much difference in the size of the rooms. Both are great resorts, and I really enjoyed my stays at CBR, but I would also have to say that Riverside is my favorite. I also think the food court and sit down restaurant is MUCH better at Riverside. We will be staying there again for 8 days after our three day cruise on June 13th.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Hi,
We stayed at Riverside in Nov. 2000 when it was still called Dixie Landings. My family LOVED it! The grounds are so beautiful, we loved walking to the main building. The food court was pretty good; the bakery had a lot of tasty offerings. My kids loved the legos. We stayed in Magnolia Terrace (mansion section) and thought it was wonderful. The rooms are small, but pretty. We asked for and got a corner room so there were two windows. The water taxi to DD is fun, so is renting a surrey bike. It is just a peaceful, beautiful place, and I think it is the best moderate by far.
Bonnie

 

[DVCinderella]

My vote is for Port Orleans - Riverside. The resort is divided into two sections - Magnolia Bend and Aligator Bayou. I have stayed in both areas, and my personal favorite is MB. The buildings in MB are reminiscent of grand southern mansions (think "Gone with the Wind"). The landscaping is breathtaking, and I agree with "abitjaded" that the grounds are as nice, if not nicer, than some of the deluxe resorts. AB has more of a rustic theme.

Disney's attention to detail is unmatched. The Sassagoula River (which runs along PO-FQ and PO-RS) is supposed to represent the Mississippi River. PO-FQ represents New Orleans. As you go up the river, you get to the "mansions" of MB.

The first mansions are very "rich" and "ornate". The gardens are more elaborate. As you go further up the river, each mansion becomes "plainer". As you go even further up the river, you get to the rustic "houses" of AB.

We were told that as land developed along the Mississippi River, the further up the river you went, the less supplies were available...thus the houses up the river were not as "rich" and "ornate" as the mansions closer to New Orleans.

Thus, the trip up the Sassagoula River is a trip up the Mississippi...reflecting a change in money and lifestyle as you move farther away from New Orleans.

Originally posted by Pugdog007
Also - anyone know why Dixie Landings' name was changed to Riverside? Please tell me it wasn't because of the word "dixie." I just saw on the news (in AL) that we have a local suing our state because our state license plate reads "Heart of Dixie." Since when is the word "dixie" a derogatory word??? Unbelievable

I have stayed at DL four times, and I love it! It will always be DL to me! I was heartbroken when I heard they were going to change the name, as I am not crazy about PO. During my last stay, I asked a CM about the name change. Although he probably shouldn't have volunteered this information, he did say it was for the reasons you mentioned..."Dixie" is no longer considered politcally correct. Disney was worried about facing a lawsuit similar to the one you mentioned in AL.