Why was Dixie Landings converted to Port Orleans?

[HopperFan]

Also looking at the link (thanks ROBERT P), the most logical connection to the definition of Dixie and it's use at the Disney resort was the first definition given by Wikipedia and it's reference to Louisiana:

"The word "Dixie" refers to a privately issued currency from banks in Louisiana. These banks issued ten-dollar notes, labeled "Dix" (French for "ten") on the reverse side. These notes are now highly sought-after for their numismatic value. The notes were known as "Dixies" by English-speaking southerners, and the area around New Orleans and the Cajun-speaking parts of Louisiana came to be known as "Dixieland". Eventually, usage of the term broadened to refer to most of the Southern States."

The two resorts were always sister resorts, both representing New Orleans !
French Quarter = French Quarter in New Orleans.
Mansions = St. Charles Ave's large and historic mansions in New Orleans.
Alligator Bayou = Parishes located beyond New Orleans.
Using the Wikipedia definition again, these areas of LA were called DIXIE LAND..........Disney made it Dixie Landings.

This was how it was presented way back when they were opened. The question was for guests, what part of New Orleans, LA do you want to stay in ??

It made perfect sense when they merged the two resorts that they be called Port Orleans because they were themed around the different areas located along the river in and outside of New Orleans.

I stayed there many times while it was still Dixie Landings and there were no references at all to it being a plantation or anything else negative. Those are not plantation homes. They may look that way because they are big = hotel buildings. They are mansions, and they call them mansions.

I agree with DROGERSTN that it is all about context and how it is used.

I am a Yankee, I have lived in the Deep South half my life off and on, I am not racist. I was vehemently opposed to the Georgia Flag having a confederate symbol on it.......not because it was the Confederate Flag, that does have a place in our history, be it good or bad, but because it was being used as a symbol for hatred rooted in the 50's. It was about context.

We have to look at context and intent with anything !!! Disney did not use the word Dixie with the intent for it to be taken out of context. That would be bad business sense. Good business sense was to merge these resorts when the economy wasn't able to support them both, and since they were sister resorts anyway. The entire theme of the resorts always was New Orleans and the surrounding area. It made perfect sense to expand on that theme and therefore the new name.....Port Orleans.

 

[Schmeck]

So, there were mansions in the South that were not plantations or had any slave labor at all? I guess if you were wealthy enough you could have had a mansion that was maintained by paid servants, and you could have been in the shipping industry, or other such profitable business. Are the names of the mansions related to any specific real mansions in the South?

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Well, they should have just changed it to Pixie Landings.

 

[lisaviolet]

This is absolutely off topic but this thread is making me think about it.

When people tease me about WDW/DVC or genuinely ask me about why I go or why I bought an interesting answer just flows out of me.

I start talking about service and how exceptional it is. But I very quickly, and passionately, go on about their marketing. Ten years ago+ Disney was marketing using different ethnicities at a time when everything was so "white" in marketing campaigns. It must be frustrating not to "see yourself" in marketing. I absolutely love when I see a pamphlet with a "non-white" on the cover. I smile. To me, it has a lot of meaning. I have no problem obviously if a white child/family is there instead. Why would I? I don't. Also because I know, 100%, that other ethnicities will be inside. I love the commercial where the Asian child is dancing in her princess costume.

A couple of years ago I said to my partner I love this place look at all the different ethnicities here. I said, "you know I haven't seen a lot of South Asians and/or Muslims". Too bad. One day. These last few trips I saw many South Asian families. And I smiled broadly.

It's not just about seeing different cultures. I live in the most multicultural city. It's about Disney. Their business. And how I'm proud to go. And proud to own DVC. And so proud of their early steps in marketing.

And huge smile when I realized that the President of DVC is a black man.

I know. Way off topic. Way. But made me think.

 

[G8r4evr]

Well, they should have just changed it to Pixie Landings.

Love it!

 

[G8r4evr]

Thanks for the link.

Let's see Dixie:
Preserves the name of a slave owner.
Was the unofficial anthem of the Confederate States of America.

No need to "take sides". I can understand enough people being offended, even it doesn't necessarily offend others, to justify using the other resorts name when the resorts were combined.

No reason to maintain use of a name that is offensive to part of your customer base.

I don't think a Lions head is "bad luck" but I understand MGM making some changes so as not to offend a part of their customer base.

So maybe the real question is, why did Disney choose the name Dixie Landings in the first place?

 

[lisaviolet]

So maybe the real question is, why did Disney choose the name Dixie Landings in the first place?

Hmmm. Maybe complete ignorance to it. Maybe not. I know I did. Before I stayed there for the first time I was reading a guide book. Can't remember who...years ago. Frommer's maybe. And interestingly enough the writer reviewed the resort and questioned this very issue. I sat perplexed for a moment. And then I realized, "Wow. That could be offensive. Got it".

 

[lisaviolet]

But then again I'm not a group of executives and imagineers in many meetings over time. So who knows?

 

[ToyStory]

We stayed at Dixie Landings in August of 2001 and one of my DH's coworkers were staying in Port Orleans. They stated DL was much nicer the PO and wished they were staying at DL.

We were there the last week of August and flew home on Sept 1st. The attendence level was really low. Magic Kingdom had NO fireworks during our stay and the parks were closing much earlier the the historical data. Thankfully they had wristband E-nights still at MK. Also, during this time was when great codes were coming out.

During this time the "R" word was being used alot (Recession) prior to 9/11. Then the unfortunate events of 9/11 didn't help out the travel industry which was already seeing the effect of the economy. I remember the uproar that Pop Century was sitting there and no one knew when it was going to open if ever. Also the speculations of PO closing. Many people didn't want to travel to Disney since there was talk of it being a target for terrorists. I guess it made sense to consolidate hotels and this time and not open up a new one.

We went back to Disney in December since we got a post card with a $49.00 rate at All Star Movies and was able to get our plane ticke for less the $100.00 round trip. We otherwise would have never have gone in December.

 

[goofy4tink]

Also looking at the link (thanks ROBERT P), the most logical connection to the definition of Dixie and it's use at the Disney resort was the first definition given by Wikipedia and it's reference to Louisiana:

"The word "Dixie" refers to a privately issued currency from banks in Louisiana. These banks issued ten-dollar notes, labeled "Dix" (French for "ten") on the reverse side. These notes are now highly sought-after for their numismatic value. The notes were known as "Dixies" by English-speaking southerners, and the area around New Orleans and the Cajun-speaking parts of Louisiana came to be known as "Dixieland". Eventually, usage of the term broadened to refer to most of the Southern States."

The two resorts were always sister resorts, both representing New Orleans !
French Quarter = French Quarter in New Orleans.
Mansions = St. Charles Ave's large and historic mansions in New Orleans.
Alligator Bayou = Parishes located beyond New Orleans.
Using the Wikipedia definition again, these areas of LA were called DIXIE LAND..........Disney made it Dixie Landings.

This was how it was presented way back when they were opened. The question was for guests, what part of New Orleans, LA do you want to stay in ??

It made perfect sense when they merged the two resorts that they be called Port Orleans because they were themed around the different areas located along the river in and outside of New Orleans.

I stayed there many times while it was still Dixie Landings and there were no references at all to it being a plantation or anything else negative. Those are not plantation homes. They may look that way because they are big = hotel buildings. They are mansions, and they call them mansions.

I agree with DROGERSTN that it is all about context and how it is used.

I am a Yankee, I have lived in the Deep South half my life off and on, I am not racist. I was vehemently opposed to the Georgia Flag having a confederate symbol on it.......not because it was the Confederate Flag, that does have a place in our history, be it good or bad, but because it was being used as a symbol for hatred rooted in the 50's. It was about context.

We have to look at context and intent with anything !!! Disney did not use the word Dixie with the intent for it to be taken out of context. That would be bad business sense. Good business sense was to merge these resorts when the economy wasn't able to support them both, and since they were sister resorts anyway. The entire theme of the resorts always was New Orleans and the surrounding area. It made perfect sense to expand on that theme and therefore the new name.....Port Orleans.

Thanks so much for that!! That clears up some stuff in my head, that has been festering there since '99! We first went to WDW in Oct.'99, stayed at DxL...loved it, but just couldn't figure out why is came across as so New Orleans rather than Georgia-ish. Then, in '01 (early Nov) we went back and stayed at POR. I was a bit distressed to find it changed but still loved it. And POFQ was closed at that time...refurb was the explanation. Seems that since 9/11, the resorts were empty, so they put everyone in POR and closed POFQ.
So..now, with your post, it all makes sense to me..the whole 'Dixie' theme. It would make sense if you stop to think about Dixieland jazz...that's not in Florida, Georgia or any other southern state. It's pretty New Orleans. So, now I understand why it seemed that everything wasn't that antebellum style but a more French or bayou style...duh.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Or, maybe, there is a larger demand for timeshares than there is for increased hotel capacity at this point. So Disney chooses to build what there is demand for, rather than rooms they suspect will remain empty.

FYI, DVC buildings are insured for HUGE amounts of money...the only way an assessment would hit owners is if the insurance didn't cover the repair/replacement/remodel costs. Possible, for sure...but not really very likely. Our dues would likey just go up to cover the increase in insurance premiums.....

yes your dues will go up, but just remember, if it were to get hit really bad, which chances are really low (thank goodness) you could stand to loose a lot. My sister has a timeshare on Daytona Beach. When the storms came thru in 2004, her's was hit so hard, they never rebuilt it! From what she said, they are all still "owners" but without a "home".. basically. She trades into other places. Timeshares are the hot item now, they were not always that way & may not remain that way. Disney is not actually even a deeded one either. I am not putting it down, so do not take it that way. I have looked into it and at several times thougt about purchasing (way back when I could have gotten it for $53 a point).
On of the reasons I didn't was because I live so close & sometimes do spur of the moment & was afraid that I would not be able to get what I wanted. Antoher was the fact of long term figuring it out, as a FL resident, I get discounts so it sort of balanced itself out. Yes, DVC is much nicer than a value or mod but it isn't really yours for the money you are paying. If anything ever happened to you or who ever else's name is on it, how does that work? I know you only really "borrow" it for 50 years where as a deeded it is yours for ever. Upon your death on a deeded, it can get passed on to your family. Anyway.. I just feel that Disney is doing the NOW thing with the timeshares.. I can be wrong, maybe this isn't just a phase. I know it is only 15 years old. On the same token, if Disney is doing this to it's resorts, I wonder if something better came along for them to invest in, what condition would they let their timeshares get run down to.. then you really would be paying dues thru the nose.. so what how they fix the resorts up, that could be the future for you..... I really do mean that in a nice way, not nasty... remember, they are a business.. they aren't there to really make your dreams come true.. If they aren't turning a profit, it is onto bigger and better for them.... Look at the condition of the parks as opposed to how they were say maybe 10 years ago. Standards have dropped....



sorry we ended up off topic...

back to topic... Maybe they should convert the vacant bldg over by POP to an all studio POP DVC. They can still seperate it from POP. It isn't too late to section it off. They do have the lake that divides the sections. As of now, that bldg remains empty. I know if they were to open it up, the years it is representing, how are they going to decorate it. It can lead to the samething that Dixie Landings did... We are talking about the 1900-1949... Disney would have to be careful on how they word some of the themes. They need to remain politically correct..

And so did we.. that is why I changed our course and placed us back on topic...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Ok.. here is a crazy thought.. if Dixie is that offensive, then why are the Dixie Chicks that big. I personally do not like them. They had there time of not being liked very much, but then they made their big come back. I have never heard anyone make a mention of the Dixie in their name. Or is it because the Resort is referring to the place.. but he Dixie Chicks are "southern girls" I know, crazy thought!! Just wondering though!!!! I guess Disney wanted to please those that it offened and the Dixie Chicks could care less?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Well, they should have just changed it to Pixie Landings.

You are right... then we would have never had to have this thread to figure out why of which we may never really know which of us has the correct info

Pixie Landings it is. You should email the Resort Guest Relations to tell them of your thoughts.... it really is a cute one

 

[Maliki2]

Disney is a business (why do people forget that) if bowing to politically correctness means they get the business of a wide population of people then that is what they will do. I did not stay at Dixie landings because as a minority (and a disney stockholder, who expects the company to maximize my investment) I found the plantation theme offensive.

And I stayed there on my honeymoon. Do I find it offensive that it was once called Dixie Landings, nope not at all. I find that rediculous, and I'm a Disney stock holder too....big deal.

 

[MiaSRN62]

her's was hit so hard, they never rebuilt it! From what she said, they are all still "owners" but without a "home".. basically. She trades into other places. Timeshares are the hot item now, they were not always that way & may not remain that way.

Wow...this is just plain wrong. The owners should get together and find some legal recourse. It does not sound legal to me to force people to trade as their are exchange fees associated with that. And besides, some buy timeshares simply because they love their home resort. I feel for the owners of that timeshare.

I know my timeshare on the southeast coast of FL was hit extremely hard by the 2004 storms. We were all assessed $1K to be payable over 3-4 years but we're getting all new interiors with upgraded everything for that money.

Yes, DVC is much nicer than a value or mod but it isn't really yours for the money you are paying. If anything ever happened to you or who ever else's name is on it, how does that work? I know you only really "borrow" it for 50 years where as a deeded it is yours for ever. Upon your death on a deeded, it can get passed on to your family.

Yes, we do indeed have a deed with our DVC and it can be will'd or passed down to family. Even though we only "own" it for 50 years, it is recorded and deeded to us for that amount of contracted time.
Sorry to get off topic, but I just wanted to address the above issue.

 

[Coopsmum77]

We actually were staying at the original PO in July of 2000 when they had a meeting with the staff saying they were consolidating the two resorts. I think it did have more to do with the fact that they could consolidate the staff under one umbrella. The folks most upset (and affected) were the Bon Famille staff.

When we went in 2002, we stayed at Riverside (due to a pool rehab). I tend to like POR a bit better, as I feel the theming is so natural to the habitat. I actually feel like I'm in the south, somewhere else. Just my opinion though.

Toystory brought up an excellent point. When Disney was doing "rehabs" on the hotel, the travel industry was in the tank. Everyone likes to think that 9/11 sunk the airline industry, but fact was, it was already collapsing. The government gave them a bailout while everyone else was still blindsided by what had happened. Disney (and every other corporation) jumped on the bandwagon when the president told the country the best thing they could do to fight terrorism was to go out and shop and go into debt.
Anyway....

I think they kept the Port Orleans name because it was fitting to the newly merged resort. If they had been Dixie Landings and Cajun Hideway, neither name would have fit, and they would have needed a completely new name.

Just my two cents.

 

[G8r4evr]

Wow...this is just plain wrong. The owners should get together and find some legal recourse. It does not sound legal to me to force people to trade as their are exchange fees associated with that. And besides, some buy timeshares simply because they love their home resort. I feel for the owners of that timeshare.

I know my timeshare on the southeast coast of FL was hit extremely hard by the 2004 storms. We were all assessed $1K to be payable over 3-4 years but we're getting all new interiors with upgraded everything for that money.


Yes, we do indeed have a deed with our DVC and it can be will'd or passed down to family. Even though we only "own" it for 50 years, it is recorded and deeded to us for that amount of contracted time.
Sorry to get off topic, but I just wanted to address the above issue.

Just curious, why the 50 year restriction?

 

[G8r4evr]

Ok.. here is a crazy thought.. if Dixie is that offensive, then why are the Dixie Chicks that big. I personally do not like them. They had there time of not being liked very much, but then they made their big come back. I have never heard anyone make a mention of the Dixie in their name. Or is it because the Resort is referring to the place.. but he Dixie Chicks are "southern girls" I know, crazy thought!! Just wondering though!!!! I guess Disney wanted to please those that it offened and the Dixie Chicks could care less?

Great question......hmmmm...

 

[Ciao Mickey]

However, those of us who refuse to bend under the pressures of being "politically correct", still refer to the resorts as "Dixie Landings" and the "Mansions"...

It will ALWAYS be called Dixie Landings by me.

 

[TDC Nala]

I was just reading over a timeline of resort openings and found it odd that Dixie Landings was opended as an independent resort and then merged shortly thereafter....

It opened in May 1991 as Dixie Landings. The change to Port Orleans Riverside took place in 2001, I believe. Might be a year off one way or the other there.

The official reason given was that Disney wanted to centralize operations for the two resorts.

Rumors persist that the name change was for political correctness reasons.