POR- Alligator Bayou or Mansions

[Jack's Mom]

We are staying at POR 11/29 - 12/5 this year.
It will be my DH DS (3) and friend (babysitter) 20.

I think the Mansions look beautiful and that is where I want to be. My DH like the rustic look of the AB much more & thinks the mansions look too "frilly" I live firmly by "pick your battles" is this one worth picking?

 

[eeyore45]

I couldnt say - we stayed at the Mansions, for me it wasnt much different than the Holiday Inn, as far as 2 beds, armoire, it was a nice room... the walkway to the rooms was nice, its so big you dont realize you are in a mansion per say... there are many "entrances" to get to our 2nd floor... the theming was lovely and relaxing... we were a short walk to the main building and the "south" bus stop - I dont know about the AB section, for us it was so crowded often the bus stopped POFQ first, south stop then to the parks... not sure about other bus stops!! I thought the AB section looked a little "too rustic" for my tastes, but that is the whole idea of choice!!

I will say the pictures that have been posted at allearsnet.com gave a good indication of what to expect, except for the main Mansion entrance - we just never used that area!

 

[wannabee]

I requested Alligator Bayou for our stay 2 weeks ago. We didn't get it because the CM told me those rooms hold five so larger parties are put there. We loved the Mansions-- our room was close to the main building and bus stop.

 

[magicaldisney]

One difference between the two is that AB doesn't have elevators, and the mansions do.

 

[landmark]

Haven't stayed in the mansions but we LOVED alligator bayou. Sigh. BTW we will be going the same time as you 11/28-12/5 we are going to be trying the POP. Have a great trip!

 

[jtovey56]

Never stayed in the Mansion section but we LOVED the AB section.Would stay there again in a heartbeat,but want to try another resort.
Jim

 

[soccer mom]

We also prefer AB. Like the "overgrown" look of landscaping rather than very trimmed and formal landscaping of Mansions.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Last two trips, I also wasn't given a room in AB because I was not in a party of five. I begged last time for AB, but nothing. So be prepared for mansions. I am staying there later this week (Wilma go away!!) and fully expect mansions ........ again.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

I say throw your dh a bone and let him have this one.

I also thought the AB looked too rustic and would have much rather stayed in the mansions. I knew my dh would love it, but I wasn't so sure about me. Alas, we are a family of five, and AB is the only moderate that can sleep five, so we had no choice. I sucked it up and booked a room in the AB.

I LOVED it ! I was really surprised to discover how beautiful it was. I completely fell head over heels for it. The kids and I talk every day about how much we miss our Bayou "home".

So, book the AB and keep an open mind. You just might be surprised. Good luck

 

[kizmac]

Loved the AB section! I just wanted to say that the pictures on Allearsnet.com of the AB rooms were not updated that last time I look to show the newly refurbished look. The rooms are much nicer looking! I know another DISer had posted some great photos a couple months back of the rooms. She had great shots of the room from all angles so you may want to do a search. I have one of the bed.

It really is a nice room. The kids loved the tree beds. I preferred AB to the look of the Mansion rooms myself. The landscaping is really beautiful also.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have stayed in AB twice and the Mansions once so far. Both times we were in AB we had either 2 or 3 people. And 3 in the Mansions section. I specifically asked for AB in June since my dd really wanted to stay in that section again. And we had no problem getting it.
I thought I would like the mansions more, but I have decided that I really love the AB section. It is so wonderful to walk those paths. It's like you're in an entirely different place.

 

[LiteBrite]

We also requested, and got, AB with a family of 3. By the way, we thought it was very beautiful in the AB section. The landscaping is amazing. If you end up there, I don't think you'll feel like you're "slumming". Give it a try!

 

[HopperFan]

Stayed in both and like them both, each have their own charm. My question would be are you getting one or two rooms? If only one, I would absolutely pick AB so the friend can have the bed and your DS the trundle bed. The BOYS in our house find the AB much their style, but either way you'll enjoy !

 

[sexyravenfan]

We have stayed at both numerous times but prefer the Mansion homes. AB was really nice though. We just stayed at the magnolia terrace with adjoining rooms and it was awesome. We had a view of the river and were right by the food court and ol man island. Either was is excellent.

 

[phisigprincess]

I wanted to stay in the Mansions sooooo badly (back when it was Dixie Landings) but since my aunt and uncle had 5 people in their party we could only stay in the Alligator Bayou. It was nice, but I'm such a big Gone With the Wind junkie I was always staring across to the mansions wishes I was staying there like Scarlett O'Hara. *Sigh!* AB was very, very nice though.

 

[3princesses4us]

My DH and I stayed in AB in September for our 10th anniversary trip (just the two of us). I didn't get the building I requested (14) but got 18 which was pretty close to it. It was wonderful!! My DH doesn't even want to try anywhere else next time. It was so quiet we could hear crickets at night! Only once did I even hear another person outside my door. The scenery was so beautiful we didn't even mind walking around. I highly recommend trying it once- you'll be hooked.

 

[Logan]

Hiya

New to this Forum, just planning our first trip to Florida, never been across the Atlantic in fact!

I've finally settled on 1st week at Residence Inn, SeaWorld (any comments?) and 2nd at POR, now it's down to which type of room to request, AB or Mansions.

There's me, the better half, daughter of 17 and son of 20. From the sound of things, I think the girls would prefer the Mansions and us guys the Bayou.

If I go for AB, building 14 seems a good location for food court, 1st bus pickup at main entrance and it's no-smoking.

If Mansions, Magnolia is no-smoking and close to East Depot, though being the last bus pickup, they could be rather crowded by then.

I know requests aren't gauranteed of course, but I'm thinking of building 14 AB (or possibly 27) - anyone stayed in these?

 

[Sandi]

Logan: I hope you have a great trip to the USA. I certainly enjoyed your country and am hopeful you receive the same kind of gracious welcoming here as we did there.

AB 14 is a great location. That is what we typically request now and we've gotten it a few times. We've also been in AB 18 and something in the 20s. We've also stayed in Parterre Place which was very nice -- we were at the farthest end away from everything and it was quiet. Even being "far" away, it wasn't a bad walk to anything. Plus, we had a beautiful view of the river. I'm not sure the choice is a gender thing. My DD prefers the AB section; DH and I are happy in either section.

Really the whole resort is lovely and each building has its own attributes. While making requests makes some sense, I sure wouldn't let not getting the request fulfilled ruin my mindset for the trip. I've seen people flip out when they don't get what they want at POR and I just think they're being silly.

Have a great trip.

 

[Logan]

Thanks Sandi, glad you enjoyed our country and I know from everything friends tell me that I'll be well looked after in the States too.

Yes, I agree it's not worth getting worked up about if we don't get exactly what we request, the whole Resort does look lovely and any part will be good. You know us Irish, we're fairly relaxed and easy going about most things!

Only thing I would like for certain is to be in a No-Smoking building, but I'm sure Disney would accommodate that request for sure.