Dixie Landings
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Reviewer's Name:
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Aron |
Reviewer's Email Address:
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ashay01@hotmail.com |
Rate / Night (for your stay):
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Can't quite remember exact amount-- we were originally booked for
Magnolia Bend. |
Date(s) of Stay:
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July 10-22, 1999 |
Accommodation Used:
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Standard Room / Studio |
Accommodations Review:
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As the review said, it is a stunning setup like the old south. Beautiful
and serene, but the whole deep south cotton picking theme was a bit
much for me-- when Disney themes something-- they THEME it, hehe. |
Why Did you Select This Resort for your Stay?
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more of the lower cost than the contemporary resort, for example.
We had never been there before, and a planning book recommended it. |
Room # and Location Description:
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Aligator Bayou (we had originally booked Magnolia Bend) |
Room Location Pros & Cons:
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Location was terrible-- It is indeed a hike from everything, especially
the busses. The landscaping was, a little annoying. Everything was
thick with large plants and in the humidity, it didn't smell too good.
Also, there is a host of animals, such as rabbits, ducks and swans
roaming the area. Great for photos, but watch out for paths underfoot.
A large population of small lizards was cool, but gross when you accidentally
stepped on the little guys as they tore out from the bushes across
the cement foot paths. The landscaping overall was great, and the
lawns were excellently kept. It was very picturesque, and ground speakers
filled the air with the sounds of frogs and animals (kinda scary having
to walk to your room in the dark though). Laundry was conveniently
located. |
Check-In / Check-Out Comments:
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After a 25 hour non stop drive, we got in to the check in, only
to find out that our rooms would NOT be ready for quite a long time.
rather than sit in the lobby all day, we accepted a room in the Gator
Bayou area. Check in itself was cool, because the wait was not long.
You also now get electronic key cards-- which are great! Check in
and Check out get you a ride on what id say is a golf cart, making
it easy to carry luggage. |
WDW Transportation Comments:
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Because Dixie Landings wasn't one of the higher resorts, we soon
found that at a bus terminal--- we had to walk all the way to the
end. They also had more busses for the nicer resorts, and less for
Dixie Landings, which resulted in waiting for a long time at the end
of a day, and often our group was getting separated when the bus became
full. It was a mess! We found ourselves waiting a long time to catch
a bus to and from parks. It's not the best thing, but being free,
I guess I can't complain. Also-- Pay attention to what bus you get
on! hehe, we almost ended up going to a park we hadn't intended going
to. They're clearly marked with digital signs so it shouldn't be a
problem (I guess us Mainahs can't read!) |
Restaurant / Lounge Review:
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The breakfasts are great. You have eggs, bacon, cereal, sausage
and fruits and pastries. Excellent selection. Drinks were pricey,
but the purchase of a 10 dollar thermal mug that could be refilled
free for your entire stay soon paid for itself and made beverage getting
pleasant (soda stayed cold, and coffee stayed hot). Lunch and dinner
was another thing. It seemed that all they ever had was pre-made sandwiches
and pizza (nothing but PIZZA!) if you didn't want to dish out the
money to eat at the nice restaurant.
The lounge served alcohol and had entertainment, and in the lobby,
there was a caricature artist (excellent) and I had a grand time
getting my picture drawn (and watching little kids get their drawn).
I totally recommend having a character drawn! They draw it on paper
with a little Dixie Landings logo on the bottom so you'll remember
your visit. They also had hair wrap artists there some days, and
a bike rental all in the general area of check in. THERE IS a gift
store with gourmet jelly belly jelly beans (addicting!) and a LOT
of candy!
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Pool Description / Comments:
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The pool was nice but again, it was a hike for anyone who had booked
a stay in Gator Bayou instead of Magnolia Bend. The pool was kind
of shallow (I don't swim in pools much so I don't know standard depths)
and I always was stubbing my toe. It did have a nice waterslide though!
Also there was a SWEEEETT Hot tub! Primo! Excellent for your feet
after a day of hoofing it through parks. |
What Suggestions Would you Give Anyone that is Considering This
Resort?
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Book Magnolia Bend... not Gator Bayou. Your feet will thank you!
Bring lots of film 'cause those cute bunnies roaming the resort are
darling! and you can creep up right next to them and get a picture! |
Other Comments:
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It was nice. The gator Bayou rooms are themed with what I could
call "rustic L.L. bean" styling, and there were historic photos and
documents from employees framed on the walls with little notes about
the history (I think they were copies because they were very interesting).
THE MAIDS ARE THE BEST! They're sooo cool! All the maids are nice
to the extreme! When we would buy stuff like stuffed animals and
toys from our trips, we would come back to find the room nicely
cleaned, and all of our toys arranged on the beds, and even looking
out the window at us! Very Cute! Also, they have excellent first
aid services. My grandfather sat down on the bed and bounced right
off and cut his leg on something and we called for service and they
showed right up. SUPER! Also, being a Disney resort, you can have
purchases sent to your room so you don't have to lug them through
the parks, as long as you have your room number handy! Do purchase
the refillable drink mug. It pays for itself practically immediately--
when in Florida, you do tend to get thirsty.. *Note, the mug only
is good for Dixie Landings.
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