From Pop Century to Saratoga or Old Key West?

[Unomas]

Today in my email I recieved an offer to upgrade my accomodations to Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. The rooms are studio only. Right now we are staying at Pop Century with a prefered room.

It sounds like a great deal at first but I have some concerns as to whether this resort would be more of an inconvenience for our needs. My mother has a heart condition that needs to be taken into consideration. Also, we are staying for one week and not renting a car. We are relying on the food court services of the resort for every breakfast. These resorts seemed to be geared towards people bring in food of their own. The food court at Old Key West appears very limited. Also, the inconvenience of having to make up the bed every night from the sleeper-sofa.

I have not done either of these places. So I'd like to hear the thoughts of others who have done it or know more about it than I. It sounds like a good deal, but I don't want to get there and end up in the back of the resort because I got a "free upgrade." At least with Pop Century we know what we are getting in our prefered room and nearby food court.

:wave:

 

[HntdMansionFan]

I just called about this offer. The guy said it was just a random offer to upgrade for guests staying at value resorts(we are booked in Pop Century). About 5 min after we started, he had computer problems. After @15 min. on hold, he came back and said that he had tried every way he could think of to get this for us, but the system showed no upgrades available for either resort. I guess there really was a limited number of these available.

 

[Unomas]

Probably just as well. I think we'll have a great time at Pop Century. At least we know what we're getting. My gut was telling me to stay away from the offer. I called in as well about 30 minutes ago but told the CM I wanted to consider it more.

 

[micknminnie]

We were supposed to stay at Pop also and I received the free upgrade. I did book at SS but I am also worried too. I have three little ones and we were supposed to also have a preferred room at Pop. It seems that everything is right there for our disposal at POP but then at SS there is a full kitchen with refrigerator which will be good for milk and juice and seperate bedroom in case the kids want to nap. In reality I think Pop would be better for us but really wanted to try a delux resort.

HntdMansionFan: I would try and call again if you want this special. The CM I had on the phone the first time I called told me I was not eligible for this deal. After I hung up with him I called back and got someone else who was very helpful who told me I was indeed eligible and was able to upgrade me.

 

[Unomas]

I think it will be nice having the little kitchenette with children. For things like you mentioned above. And I wouldn't worry about staying there if I were you. I think its a great offer but for what my mother and I need it wouldn't be suitable. One of the things we like to do at the end of a long day is head to the food court for a snack and mug fillup. That would be difficult for a 50+ year-old woman with a heart condition that has been running around all day in the heat. We also have the prefered room at POP so we're almost gaurenteed that convenience. I think you will love the extra room space at SS though.

 

[heliumalias]

SS does have a decent quick service which OKW doesn't have.

In the case of the OP it sounds like you are best sticking with POP.
IMO the "villa-type only" resorts (OKW,SS,etc) although considered deluxe aren't in the same league as the deluxe hotels such as Contemporary, Polynesian, etc. They just don't offer the same theming experience. (WL and AKL though have excellent theming).

 

[Rob562]

Most likely this "upgrade" is because they had to take a chunk of rooms out of active inventory, and Pop is now overbooked for the time period mentioned. So, they randomly contacted Guests to get some to switch to another resort for free. Saves the hassle of having to deal with getting Guests and their luggage from Pop to another hotel after they've already arrived in the lobby.

When we were there last month, they were in the middle of repainting the outside of part of Building 5 for pretty much the entire week we were there. None of the rooms along where they were painting was occupied. Most likely they had blocked out those rooms in the reservation system so they wouldn't be booked. But if for some reason the painting project went over the pre-scheduled length of time, they would have had to scramble and find rooms for a bunch of Guests.

-Rob