POR - Mansions or Bayou - need some input please

[hookedup]

We have decided to try POR for part of our next trip (me, dh & 2 yr old ds) and I have been doing a bunch of research on the resort so I think I have pretty good understanding of it. Now what I am trying to decide is which themeing we want. After looking at the pictures I still can't decide! Is there any pros or cons with one vs the other? Is one more convenient or quieter or something else I may not realize about the resort since I have never been there? If you have stayed there can you plz share your preference and why? Thanks!

 

[Ariella]

We're staying there for the first time in November, and I'd like to see some answers to your questions too.

 

[catheren]

Here is a link to PORS photos.

http://www.wdwig.com/g_dxl.htm

We stayed at PORS in April 2002. I selected Magnolia Bend -- the Magnolia Terrace Building. I requested a top floor, non-smoking room in a quiet location -- and we got it! I was impressed w/ this resort.

Our room location was great! Short walk to main pool, the food court and quiet pool/laundry.

Take a look at the link above, it has a map of the resort.
Feel free to ask me more questions.

 

[Jillpie]

As you can see from my signature, we love POR. We've always had to stay in Allig. Bayou for the trundle bed. We love this section, but would really love to try the mansions. Especially along the river, it is so serene and beautiful. Either side is so nice, you can't go wrong, but with one child I would go with the mansions. Just as a side note, whatever you do take the boat ride to DD! It is such a nice way to go, but take it before the dinner rush, say about 4, 4:30sh. You'll love this place.

 

[daannzzz]

I prefer the Alligator Bayou as I like the forested setting and the smalle buildings. I am not a fan of Southern Mansion architecture but I was really impressed with the mansion homes. It is a pretty area and more formal feeling than the bayou. Still I like more rustic atmosphere than the formal feeling. Remember that your request is just that... a request and be ready to stay in either section. I personally have gotten my request 80% of the the time at all the different Disney resorts. The times we didn't I was very happy with what we got and one time, at the Yacht Club, was better than what I requested.

 

[mcm]

We stayed there over labor day weekend on the Bayou side. I have never stayed at the mansions but am curious what the rooms look like on the inside because they are very pretty. We enjoyed it. It is a huge resort. I went early for check in and requested a room as close to the lobby as possible. (I didn't get the preferred) We got into building 16 but had to wait until 5 p.m. to get the room. It was about a five minute walk to the lobby. I also requested a first-floor room because there are no elevators on the Bayou side. I could not even imagine doing the upper floor with two toddlers.

I loved the rollaway (which apparently all rooms have). Having the porch was very nice also. The mansion rooms looked like they had balconies. They are three floors and have elevators. I'm thinking about staying the mansion next time just to see. (We're going for Super Soap Weekend in November) Either way I'm getting there early to request a close room.

My kids love Ole Man Island with a slide my 3-year-old enjoyed doing with me. (He wouldn't go alone)

We often stay at the All-Stars, comparing, the POR Bayou room was roomier with more storage. Request a coffee pot but pick up the Maxwell House filter coffee packets for $2.99 for ten. At the resort you are charged $1.38 per packet!

Next time I'm also going to the fishing hole, which opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 3:30. For a few dollars your kids are given a pole with bait to fish. It's so hard to get to everything.

All in all, for the price, it's a very good buy.

mcm

 

[Ariella]

Ooo, that fishing hole does sound like fun! My little boy might love that. Definitely sounds like something we should try to do.

Thanks, folks, for the tips and information. Keep it coming. It gets me so excited.

 

[mcm]

Jillpie --- a quick question pls, are you saying the mansions do not have the trundle beds?

thanks,
mcm

 

[catheren]

mcm, the mansions do not have the trundle bed. They have either 1 king or 2 double beds, so they either sleep 2 or 4.

We stayed in Magnolia Terrace. Yes, it looks like they have balconies, its really the walkway to your room (outdoor hallway) there are no chairs (unless you pulled out your room chairs).

Also, I believe, Magnolia Terrace is the only building on the Mansion Side w. an elevator.

 

[luvdisney14]

We stayed in the bayou section because there were 5 of us. If you stay there I would suggest requesting building 14, great lacation for everything. I thought the rooms were a bit dark. The service was very good. I personally would prefer mansions, I like that fancy kind of stuff. Good Luck in deciding.

 

[MinnieGi]

We stayed on the mansion side back in "94 and loved our room! So elegant. We had a corner king room that had two windows and overlooked a quiet pool. The landscaping was beautiful. We were just a short walk away from a bridge that led to the main area with restaurant/shops/bus stops/check-in/swimming pool. We picked the mansions just b/c we liked the look of them better and that type of theming appealed to me more than the bayou rooms. I'm sure the bayou rooms are just as terrific if you prefer that theming.

 

[Jodi1980]

I stayed there for 6 nights this past summer - 3 nights on the mansion side and 3 nights on the bayou side. I liked the mansion side better as the grounds arond the bayou side was very dirty - I turned in a food tray, bottles, a hanger, etc to the manager. If you decide on bayou, bring a 100 watt light blub as it's very dark in the room-just in case you wanted to read or something.

 

[Brenner965]

Having stayed in both deluxe and moderate resorts, we felt that our Magnolia Bend room was the most "deluxe-like" of any of the moderates.

 

[eeyore0062]

We have stayed at both, and LOVE the bayou the best. We were in building 14, which while secluded, with no parking lot view, was very convenient to the food court, pools, busses and boat. We liked the theming better... more laid back. The entire resort is beautiful, but the bayou is the BEST!

 

[tedsmom]

I've stayed in both sections of POR, and while both are nice, I like Alligator Bayou better. It seems cozier or something to me. The landscaping is more lush, and I think the "feel" of it is more relaxed. As I said, though, Magnolia Bend was nice too, and if someone told me they were pay for my whole trip to WDW, but I'd have to stay at Magnolia Bend, I'd certainly go!!!!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

We stayed there two years ago. I requested a room in one of the mansions, but got a room in the alligator bayou instead. I hated it and fortunately we were able to change rooms the next morning. The mansion room was so pretty. Our room in the ab section, building 34 I think, was soooo far from the food court and I got lost walking back. The beds were made of logs...just a little too rustic for me. You're going to get a lot of people who love the alligator bayou section and the same amount who love the mansions. Oh, one more thing...you could get a nose bleed from the beds...they are so high! Don't know why. Be careful with your little one.