I agree with the poster above,
Jules76126. If I had to choose...it would be POR, Mansions...specifically OAK MANOR, which is centrally located and a two-minute walk or less to everything on property. We have stayed there on several occasions when DD was younger (it's a fabulous resort for children).
We have some great memories from this place. We could actually see a nightly fireworks show from the balcony just outside of our room. We believe this was the MAGIC KINGDOM.
The food court (Riverside Mill) is also undeniably one of the best on property, with a VAST variety to select from (the hot wings are outrageously good). Boatrights Dining Hall has some of the best prime rib (bone-in cut) offered on property. The pizza delivery is also amazingly fresh and hot (and good!).
Fultons general store is a fabulous and fun gift shop...and the entire place is warm and welcoming.
Not only do they have a great main pool (awesome playground and slide), they also have QUIET pools all over the property (one @ Oak Manor is lovely, with giant stately white pergola's and lush plants all over the place). There are seven swimming pools in all. The convenient laundromat is right here on property overlooking the pool!
There is a fabulous arcade for kids (the Medicine show, second only to the CR), and even a children's fishing hole for them. I love the Sassagoula express boat transport to DTD, or even just next door to the FQ to swim in the big Dragon pool! Yes, guests from both properties are permitted to pool-hop and/or dine and use the facilities of both resorts. The rooms on average (340 SF) are larger than most Mod resort rooms, and the price of the room at this resort includes a fridge and trundle bed (if needed/requested).
They offer everything from boating to cycling, and some other fun things which are not offered at the deluxe properties. DD always enjoyed displaying her "grotto" (stuffed animals won in the arcade, as well as those purchased in the parks) in the windows for guests passing by to see! She would arrange them inside the closed curtain, like a little shop-owner! People would stop to "ohh and ahh" and make comments. We could always hear them inside, and DD delighted in this pastime *(she was only about 4-6).
The housekeepers also arranged her animals in "scenes" where some were hanging off the lamps over her bed, others were READING books on the bed, and some were making a mess (scattered paper around the corner of the bed-cover..and the animals with the paper in their paws!). We took photos to remember all this fun. These mousekeepers were all warm, friendly and always left some fun towel animals in the room as well.
Part of each day's excitement included returning to the room to see what "surprise" the housekeeper's had left for her!" Even in the Deluxe resorts, we have never had the same consistent treatment by mousekeeping.
They also offer a horse/carriage ride in the evenings, with/without champagne and goodies. This is so reminiscent of the old south, as is the entire property (which in the Mansion area seems to scream "Southern" Antebellum's)! The Spanish moss draped softly from the trees at dusk, as they reach over the amber-colored water is absolutely breath-taking. The boat master will explain the water is colored DARK and MURKY due to the release of tannins from the roots of the famous mangrove trees which dot the entire river landscape.
The "bus depot area" near the mansions (and all over this property) is one of the nicest on property. It's fully covered (for rain/hot sun), with ample bench and other seating available. There are also COOL refreshing water fountains to drink from. I've never understood why some of the nicest deluxe properties had the worst bus stop areas?!? You really can't go wrong with any of the mansions in this property. Birnbaum's always touted the old Dixie Landings as a "DELUXE" resort at a MODERATE price. That about sums it up for us as well.
As much as we LOVE the Deluxe properties, there is something about POR/DIXIE which always seems to continually tug at our heart. Sometime we will have to return for an eve/two, for sentimental reasons!
Enjoy your time together with your family, irregardless of WHERE you stay!
TTFN...DF99