POR AB or Mansions?

[jkjs]

For those of you that have stayed in both sections could you share which is your fav and why. We have stayed @ all the mod except POR so this will be our 1st time. We have been many times to eat and walk around but not for a stay.

We are going in Dec.to celabrate Christmas with our FL daughter. The Mansions look nice but very much like POFQ(our fav). I'm somewhat intrigued with AB and would like to know more about it.

Either way I'm sure we will be happy esp with all the Christmas decoration! This is our fav time of year to go see

Thanks for any info can't wait to get back.

[martinfamily5]

We have visited a Mansion room and they are nice. However, because we are a family of 5 and AB offers a trundle bed we stay in AB. We love it. It also has more of a rustic feel to it which we love. I'm sure that either one that you choose will be just fine. Have a great trip.

[c&d]

We've stayed at both and we prefer the AB section. We like the theming there much better than the mansions.

[grumpypima]

We've stayed in both sections and like both sections. The entire resort is great. Our boys are getting older now (16 & 5), so our last trip we requested the Mansion side because of the curtain between the bathroom/dressing area and the room. It adds a little privacy for me, the only girl in the room. Also, I get up much earlier than the rest of my family; it cuts down on the "Mom, turn out the light, it's too bright for my eyes" complaint.

[#1donaldfan]

AB is very laid back. There is ample shade for a cool down walk from the bus on a warm day. It's very, very quiet, even at the main pool. The food court has a large selection and pretty darn good too. The main eatery is Boatwrights, which has, IMHO, the best breakfast at ANY Disney restraunt....after the first time we stayed there, that was it. I've visited all the other resorts, and even though they are very nice, we still come back, year after year to POR AB......you'll love it.

[sainter]

Grumpypima, there is a privacy curtain in AB rooms too!
We too love AB for the rustic feel and the shaded walkways, but I think both sides are beautiful in their own ways.

[katzctkpt]

We have a family of 5 and the AB section is where we stay. There is curtain between the dressing area and beds and they also have a trundle bed. We have stayed in bldg 18 and really like that one. It's close to the food court and the south depot bus stop. Also, very close to one of the quiet pools. The theme is rustic and we like that feeling. I've heard the mansion side was really nice and who knows we may end up there when we are older and on our own w/out children. Good luck making your decision I would love to go in Dec but, that's not a good time to go for a family involved in girls basketball.

[iloveupstateny]

We love POR and will be staying there again on our next trip in April

We have stayed in both the mansion and AB. I think for couples the mansion is a good atmosphere. Keep in mind you have to walk up and haul your luggage up a flight of stairs to get to most rooms. AB is better for families with young kids. You can request a main floor room and not have to get up a big flight of stairs. If you don't want a lot of extra walking ask for AB building # 14 or 18, and you will be close to the food court and main bus stop and not too far from the main pool. Even tough these buildings are close to the thick of things, around the back side of them it is quiet and you feel more secluded then you can easily walk around to the other side and right to the food court. Convenient to fill those great refillable mugs.
The food court is great and I'm interested to see the updated version; the last time we were there is 2004.
Either place you stay you should love this beautiful resort!
Jen

[garymacd]

Well, JK, after reading most of the replies, it sounds like you will have to stay at POR twice and experience both areas. That is just such a shame. Start planning for next year to stay in the area you didn't stay in this year and let us know what you think.

We personally stayed in the mansions and loved it. Friends of ours from England stayed in the Bayou area and disliked it ; but they were all about the style, ambience and class. It didn't seem good enough for them, even though they had won the trip. Definitely Grand Floridian people.

[Seasonscraps]

Well, JK, after reading most of the replies, it sounds like you will have to stay at POR twice and experience both areas. That is just such a shame. Start planning for next year to stay in the area you didn't stay in this year and let us know what you think.

That sounds like the best solution.


I had enjoyable stays in both sections. I prefer the AB a bit more because of their locations to the main building and I like the theming a tad bit more.

[grumpypima]

Grumpypima, there is a privacy curtain in AB rooms too!

Wow, I did not know that. When we stayed in the AB section in 2004, we did not have a curtain. Hmmm...

[nicole48040]

I thought the mansions had elevators???

[jkjs]

Thanks for all the great replys. I was already leaning towards AB guess now I'll request it.
I've spent alot of time @ POR eating and walking around esp when we stay @ POFQ. Was just there in July and had the eggs benedict @ Boatwrights yum.
We may only go once next year due to a wedding, and a trip to Irland. And since we hope to bring the whole family next fall to include our precious new grandson who will be celebrating his 1st b-day I think we will stay @ one of the DVC properties.
You have all made me even more excited about our upcoming trip and I didn't think that was possible.

[pennsy22]

I've stayed at both and my wife and I like the Mansions better. They seem to be more romantic. But AB is good if you have 5 people in your party. One of the few Disney resorts that lets 5 people in a room.

[mermaidmarian]

POR is our favorite resort and we prefer the Mansions section. I think it is really just a matter of personal preference; I like the Mansions side better because it is a bit sunnier/open and because the pathways are easy to figure out (or at least easier for me than those at AB). To respond to some of the other points of differentiation commented on above: (1) there is a privacy curtain between the bathroom area and the rooms in AB as well as in the Mansions and (2) the Mansions have elevators, AB does not.