Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I was visiting with friends at the Port Orleans Riverside this weekend. The main lobby and food services buildings are made up to look like a huge grain mill. I love the detail. Question -- How long has the big water wheel and associated mill mechanism not been operating? It looks like the water sluices have been dry for some time. Is this a temporary thing? Or is it down for the count? Can anyone provide info?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I believe it wasn't operational when I was there last spring. If it's like anything else at WDW, it likely was specially manufactured and needs a part or parts replaced, so they're just gonna let it sit. Now, Mouseplanet is reporting the Mill Food Court (or the Colonel's Cotton Mill as us racist Dixie Landings lovers used to know it as) will be closed from early January until May for a MAJOR rehab ... so it's possible the wheel will be dealt with then. We can hope ...
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The wheel at Dixie Landings was not operating the last time we stayed there. That was in Fall 1998. As far as I'm concerned they might as well shut the place down until they change the name back to what it should be.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Really? I'm about 99% sure that it's worked since then ... but it may be an intermittent deal ... much like the old style fans in the lobby.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<^^Really?>> Yes... for sure it wasn't working when we were there. We always ate at the food court during "off hours" and would sit at the table with the big window looking out to the water wheel. The first thing we noticed our first meal that year was that the wheel was not turning. It may be a periodic thing... I obviously can't say it has never worked since then.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz I have stayed there in 1997, 2003 and have visited on each trip that I have been there. the water wheel outside was always roking but the interior mill was not always operating. We stayed there in december of 2005 and the wheel outside (including the sluice boxes) were working but the interior mill was again not operating.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> much like the old style fans in the lobby. << These were working just fine this last week when we were there. >> the wheel outside (including the sluice boxes) was working but the interior mill was not operating. << I always figured if the wheel was working, then the visible interior gear mechanisms were too. Can their operation be separated? Is there a "clutch" mechanism somewhere?
