Port Orleans Riverside/Boatwright's Dining Hall

[mkbroas]

My hubbie and I are going to WDW in August and are staying at the Port Orleans riverside. Can anyone tell me which are the better rooms: Bayou rooms or Mansion rooms? I can't tell from the pictures which I should call to request before we head down. Also, anyone ever eat at the Boatwright's Hall at POR? Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[honeymo78]

I've stayed in the mansions twice and hopefully will be there again in 3 weeks. I really like the mansions but that just might be the part of me that wishes I were a southern belle. I have only eaten at Boatwrights for breakfast. Good meal, I think I got some kind of breakfast skillet with eggs, potatoes, bacon, waffles, etc and also strawberries and cream. I love how they bring your silverwear and napkins (at least 2 years ago) in a little toolbox with mason jars and "rags" for napkins.

 

[madcoco]

DD and myself ate at Boatwright's last Sat. night. It was around 830 and packed and we didn't have PS. We were seated in app. 30 mins. Imho the meal was so-so. DD had what supposed to be Cajun spiced chicken wings. They were really sweet and coated with a thick layer of what appeared to be Orange Marmalade. We doctored them up with some hot sauce but they were still way too sweet. Some people may love them though. I had onion soup for a starter and it was pretty good with a good layer of gooey "chew forever" cheese melted across the top. DD had the cheese ravioli with a garlic cream sauce for an entree. The sauce must have been made in a hurry and not reduced. It was more of a watered down milk than a cream sauce. She liked the ravioli but the sauce was lacking. I had the blackened seafood pasta in a creole type sauce. The pasta was way overcooked (mushy) The sauce seemed like it had been in a pot all day and somewhat burnt. The seafood was plentiful, but what happens when you cook scallops and shrimp too long? Rubber. The catfish pieces were OK. I do think this dish would have been much better if it wasn't overcooked. Would like to try it again earlier in the evening.

 

[Belle5]

Boatwright's serves one of our very favorite breakfasts. We make it a point to never miss it--even if we have to go out of our way. We are not overly fond of their dinners.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've stayed in both the Mansion section and the Bayou section. The Bayou is more spread out and rustic, especially in room decor. The Mansion section is obviously more formal. The rooms have a faux cherry-wood decor. The Bayou decor is more unfinished hickory branches. Kids seem to love the Bayou section. Only two levels here as opposed to 3 levels in the Mansions. We like both though.
As far as dining goes...we ate one meal at Boatwrights, a dinner. It was okay. My dh enjoyed his, I think he had some kind of gumbo. I had steak. Like I said, it was fine not great. I would have liked to try the breakfasts there but we always were in too big a hurry to get going.
On another note...be sure to catch Piano Playing Bob in the lounge. He is terrific. He isn't there every night but when he is, the place is rocking!!! We're thinking of checking on his schedule and trying to catch him on our visit next month.

 

[mkbroas]

Thanks for the info everyone. We will hit Boatwright's for breakfast and head to one of the parks for dinner!

 

[Majestic]

Wife and I stayed at Port Orleans in 1998 when they were PO and DL. We went to Boatwrights once and won't be going back. We thought service was slow and the food was left under a heat lamp. I personally thought that the ribs were WAY to sweet but that could be a southern thing. I like mine with a little "bite" if you know what I mean.

Can't speak for breakfast other than I have heard MANY good comments for breakfast there.

One place we LOVED was Bonfamiles at PO. Wish they never closed that place down. I feel that was a bad mistake on Disney's part. We won't be returning to PO because of it.

On the other hand, we are now big into The Wilderness Lodge so that is our new haunt.

Fred