HELP in a hurry!!!

[goofy for fire]

Okay everyone. I need some last minute help quick!!! We're planning on being in WDW Nov.27-Dec. 2 and I just got finished reading a public forum about the off-site hotel that we were planning on staying at. There were many posts about people finding bugs in not only the rooms but also in the BEDS!!! Now I've been planning this trip for over a year and this kind of new info. is very unnerving at the last minute. So here are the questions:

1) All along we really wanted to stay at AKL but because of what the off-site property was offering with the cost comparisons, we didn't think we could afford it. But now with this new info. I think that comparison is out the window. Since I believe that it is too late to get any kind of 2004 discounts, I think that it sounds like Pop Century sounds like the way to go for us, money wise, based on what everyone on here has to say. Would you agree that this is a better choice than All Star Sports/ASM in quality for the same cost? Does anyone know how to go about possibly getting any of the 2004 discounts that were in effect?

2) While looking at the Disney reservations page they give prices for Standard View room and Preferred View room at Pop Century and I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference.

3) And I know that this question has been raised before but I need to ask for myself, If we decide to stay at Pop or any of the other Value resorts, is it better to use Disney transportation to the parks or to drive ourselves?

Thanks again for all of your folks help. This forum has made trip planning so much easier!!!!! I love you guys.

 

[wannab@dis]

Okay everyone. I need some last minute help quick!!! We're planning on being in WDW Nov.27-Dec. 2 and I just got finished reading a public forum about the off-site hotel that we were planning on staying at. There were many posts about people finding bugs in not only the rooms but also in the BEDS!!! Now I've been planning this trip for over a year and this kind of new info. is very unnerving at the last minute. So here are the questions:

1) All along we really wanted to stay at AKL but because of what the off-site property was offering with the cost comparisons, we didn't think we could afford it. But now with this new info. I think that comparison is out the window. Since I believe that it is too late to get any kind of 2004 discounts, I think that it sounds like Pop Century sounds like the way to go for us, money wise, based on what everyone on here has to say. Would you agree that this is a better choice than All Star Sports/ASM in quality for the same cost? Does anyone know how to go about possibly getting any of the 2004 discounts that were in effect?

2) While looking at the Disney reservations page they give prices for Standard View room and Preferred View room at Pop Century and I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference.

3) And I know that this question has been raised before but I need to ask for myself, If we decide to stay at Pop or any of the other Value resorts, is it better to use Disney transportation to the parks or to drive ourselves?

Thanks again for all of your folks help. This forum has made trip planning so much easier!!!!! I love you guys.

First, welcome to the boards!

1. Pop and the All Star Resorts are very similar, but Pop is brand new, so that's why we are staying there in Dec! No matter which one you pick, it's ALWAYS better to stay on property.

2. The preferred 'view' at the value resorts is the closest buildings to the main pool, food court and bus stops. Keep in mind this is 'average' distance so some non-preferred rooms may be closer to the bus stop, but if you pay the extra bucks, on average you will be closer to the main sections.

3. Unless you have a specific reason for driving (such as early PS or going to another resort) then use the Disney transportation. We use it all the time.

Last, have a great and fun trip!

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Is this hurry enough?

Ok,
I'm a great proponent of staying on site and for those on a tight budget, Pop and All Star are a good choice. I personally like Pop more as it is an isolated site and therefore has dedicated transportation. Staying at one of the "remote" Disney resorts is better than staying at the nearest one off property IMHO. It is also a nicely themed site, especially for the price. Won't really help you, but the rates for early 05 are $55!

Don't know about any additional discounts, but rooms for $79-89 aren't bad.
The preferred rooms are more to the front and center so you have easier access to food courts and bus transportation. Room size is the same.

I personally am a great proponent of Disney transportation. Unless you really know your way around, driving on property can be very confusing. With a little planning, the transportation system can be very efficient.

 

[AEfx]

Pop Century is my specialty


1. Pop kicks the All-Stars behinds. The All-Stars share busses (Pop gets it's own), they don't get the little soaps, and Pop is just newer and, IMHO, prettier.

2. Standard/Preffered isn't about view, it's about position. It puts you in the 60's buildings which are supposed to be closer to Classic Hall, but other sections,like 50's building A, are actually closer. In most cases, everyone I have spoken to has said it's not worth the extra, especially if you request one of the other sections that is actually closer.

3. Bus service at Pop is excellent - I didn't need a car. Actually, it's more of a hike to the parking lots than it is to the bus pick-up in most cases. You know your family best - do you mind waiting from 5-20 minutes for a bus? I found it easy to park hop and hit at least 2-3 parks each day using bus transportation at WDW and it was great.

Check Mousesavers.com for the current codes - it may not be too late to get one. In any case, it's always best to call for reservations than do it online - it's more flexible, and you can check on discount codes that do not work online. It's worth the savings if you can book one. But call today - it is getting down to the wire.

Good luck! I loved Pop, and will never stay anywhere else. Just booked another trip in January for $49/night with the AP rate and am so excited to go "home".

AEfx

 

[gobuckeye@wdw]

Okay everyone. I need some last minute help quick!!! We're planning on being in WDW Nov.27-Dec. 2 and I just got finished reading a public forum about the off-site hotel that we were planning on staying at. There were many posts about people finding bugs in not only the rooms but also in the BEDS!!! Now I've been planning this trip for over a year and this kind of new info. is very unnerving at the last minute. So here are the questions:

1) All along we really wanted to stay at AKL but because of what the off-site property was offering with the cost comparisons, we didn't think we could afford it. But now with this new info. I think that comparison is out the window. Since I believe that it is too late to get any kind of 2004 discounts, I think that it sounds like Pop Century sounds like the way to go for us, money wise, based on what everyone on here has to say. Would you agree that this is a better choice than All Star Sports/ASM in quality for the same cost? Does anyone know how to go about possibly getting any of the 2004 discounts that were in effect?

2) While looking at the Disney reservations page they give prices for Standard View room and Preferred View room at Pop Century and I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference.

3) And I know that this question has been raised before but I need to ask for myself, If we decide to stay at Pop or any of the other Value resorts, is it better to use Disney transportation to the parks or to drive ourselves?

Thanks again for all of your folks help. This forum has made trip planning so much easier!!!!! I love you guys.

1) Yes, I do believe that the Pop Cent. Resort is the best choice b/t the two. It is the newest Disney Resort and the quality is average. Basically I comare the Pop Resort to a Radison on steriods. The rooms are VERY small in size, but that is the case at all the value resorts. Basically, you get exactly what you pay for in this situation.

2) The standard view rooms are the rooms in which the basic resort fee applies. If you were to request a Pref. View room you would pay a little more extra each night. Personally, I would go with the Standard view room because what good does a good view do you if you are rarely in your room (if that is the case).

3) Drive your own car!!!!!! The transportation to and from the POP resort is VERY poor!!!! The reson is because the Disney transit busses make stopes at all of the value resorts before departing to the parks.
My Recommendation:
EPCOT: since the EPCOT lot often fills up VERY quickly and is a firly lengthy walk to the from entrance, park at either the Yacth or Beach Club and use the walkway to get into EPCOT through the Int. Gateway. Usually Disney Security is fairly strict about parking in the lot if you are not a guest there but just say you are going into the resort to eat, and say you do not have any reservations (they check).
MGM: Same as EPCOT except park at the Boardwalk resort and use their walkway. It is about the same walk from the MGM lot to the front gate, but if you are going to stay until closing time park at Boardwalk, the MGM lot is a MESS when over 5,000 cars are trying to leave at the same time!!!!
MK: This could go either way. One option that I usually use is to park at one of the MK resorts attached to the monorail system. This is very useful because it save you A LOT of time if you stay until closing time!!! Instead of waiting an hour for the Express Monorail you can wait 5 min. for the resort monorail to take you back to the resort at which you parked at. The best MK resort to park at is the Grand Floridian. If you park in their lot on the left hand side of the resort entance you will not have to justify why you are parking there to a Disney SEcurity Guard!!!!

 

[RebeccaQ]

As far as Pop vs the All Stars - I consider them pretty comparable. But since everyone seems to think that Pop is so great, the place is mobbed all the time. (that is not to say that the all stars are exactly empty) We ended up there this past September (very last minute trip) and found the crowds terrible. And even thought they have their own bus loop, since the place is so full it seems to get pretty maxed out. For example, one night leaving MK, the Pop bus stop was packed with people but the All Stars had only a few people - they seemed to have more busses coming through as compared to the number of people (this could have been a fluke though). It comes down to just a personal call for you depending upon which is more important to you - a slightly newer building (but essentially the same) or a little more room to breathe. No matter what - as others have mentioned - you will have a great time staying on property - have a great trip!

 

[Master Yoda]

• Pop century is the best of the value resorts because of the bus service. Thee all star resorts are all serviced by the same busses. Pop century has its own route and is very centrally located. As far as the room difference between Pop and all star…there is none. If I am not mistaken the main structure of the value resorts uses the exact same floor plan for all 4 resorts. If you stay at POP I would highly recommend a preferred room. At pop the parking lot is in front of the hotel were as at the all-star resorts the parking lot wraps around the hotel. This can make for a very long walk carrying baggage.
• Depending on your length of stay you still might be able to get a FL resident or passholder discount.
• When I stay onsite I never even look at my car. The busses run very frequently. The longest wait you will have is at peak times (opening and closing). Not to mention you won’t need to navigate your way from park to park. If you chose to drive make sure you keep your parking pass in your car so you don’t have to pay $8 to park.
  [*]AKL is a great place to stay but it is very costly without a discount (aprox $300 without 180 with) Not to mention the room aren’t much bigger that at a value or moderate resort. If you don’t stay there I highly recommend eating dinner or breakfast there and walking around the hotel. I think the even have guided tours. If you can stay their get a “savannah” room.
  

 

[wannab@dis]

2) The standard view rooms are the rooms in which the basic resort fee applies. If you were to request a Pref. View room you would pay a little more extra each night. Personally, I would go with the Standard view room because what good does a good view do you if you are rarely in your room (if that is the case).

3) Drive your own car!!!!!! The transportation to and from the POP resort is VERY poor!!!! The reson is because the Disney transit busses make stopes at all of the value resorts before departing to the parks.

Have you stayed at Pop?

The standard / preferred rooms have nothing to do with view at value resorts... it's all about location and walking distance. Since opening, Pop has had their own bus service. Everything I've read has backed this up. Of course, I could be wrong, but I have not heard of the bus service being shared between All Stars and Pop.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Okay everyone. I need some last minute help quick!!! We're planning on being in WDW Nov.27-Dec. 2 and I just got finished reading a public forum about the off-site hotel that we were planning on staying at. There were many posts about people finding bugs in not only the rooms but also in the BEDS!!! Now I've been planning this trip for over a year and this kind of new info. is very unnerving at the last minute. So here are the questions:

1) All along we really wanted to stay at AKL but because of what the off-site property was offering with the cost comparisons, we didn't think we could afford it. But now with this new info. I think that comparison is out the window. Since I believe that it is too late to get any kind of 2004 discounts, I think that it sounds like Pop Century sounds like the way to go for us, money wise, based on what everyone on here has to say. Would you agree that this is a better choice than All Star Sports/ASM in quality for the same cost? Does anyone know how to go about possibly getting any of the 2004 discounts that were in effect?

2) While looking at the Disney reservations page they give prices for Standard View room and Preferred View room at Pop Century and I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference.

3) And I know that this question has been raised before but I need to ask for myself, If we decide to stay at Pop or any of the other Value resorts, is it better to use Disney transportation to the parks or to drive ourselves?

Thanks again for all of your folks help. This forum has made trip planning so much easier!!!!! I love you guys.

Call Pam of Kingdom Konsultant at 1866-566-7858 If there is a discount available that you qualify for she will know about it!!! Belle

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

One option that I usually use is to park at one of the MK resorts attached to the monorail system. This is very useful because it save you A LOT of time if you stay until closing time!!! Instead of waiting an hour for the Express Monorail you can wait 5 min. for the resort monorail to take you back to the resort at which you parked at. The best MK resort to park at is the Grand Floridian. If you park in their lot on the left hand side of the resort entance you will not have to justify why you are parking there to a Disney SEcurity Guard!!!!

Didn't they change the system now so that you can't do this any more? Don't they give you a 3-hour parking pass now?

 

[lukacseven]

1.) Any of the All-Stars resorts are nice if you're on a budget. Pop-Cent. is the newest one, but I would say you get the same quality at any of the resorts.

2.) The Preferred rooms are in what Disney has estimated to be the most convenient buildings in relation to everything going on at the resort (busses, food court, pool, etc.).

3.) Definitely use the transportation Disney provides. I've never experienced problems with it, and given the time you are going, crowds should be at a minimum.

 

[magic minnie]

I agree with everyone's advice . . . stay on property! Don't know if you are into camping, but we always stay in a Wilderness Home in Fort Wilderness. We used to take our pop-up camper too. It's beautiful there and there's so much to do! Check it out while you are in WDW . . . check into the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (dinner show), go to the sing-a-long and campfire movie or stop over for the evening water parade.
Also, for deals, check on Mousesavers.com . . . they always have many codes to use for reservations. Not sure if they have anything that pertains to your plans, but it's worth checking.

 

[gobuckeye@wdw]

Nope!!!

Didn't they change the system now so that you can't do this any more? Don't they give you a 3-hour parking pass now?

See I know how to "cheat the system." The key in parking at these resorts is to make sure that you know the name of a restraunt inside of the resort. If you do they tend to believe you much more and are much more courtious to you. And even if they did give you a 3 hour parking pass what are they going to do if you exceed the 3 hr. limit? They aren't going to tow your car!!!! They have many other important things to worry about instead of your car parked in their lot!!! Sometimes, if I know they are very strict at the resort I will make a "fake" reservation, in that I will make it, go park there and not show up for the reservation. I recommend this at the COntemporary where they are VERY strict, usually what I would do is to make reservations at any of the many restraunts so my name is on the list of reservations and can park there with no problems!!!

 

[wannab@dis]

See I know how to "cheat the system."

why do you want to cheat the system? wouldn't it be easier to just ride the bus or park in the lot like everyone else? all this work to save a couple of minutes seems a little goofy to me! :brick:

 

[gobuckeye@wdw]

I'm Sorry, I was WRONG!!!

Have you stayed at Pop?

The standard / preferred rooms have nothing to do with view at value resorts... it's all about location and walking distance. Since opening, Pop has had their own bus service. Everything I've read has backed this up. Of course, I could be wrong, but I have not heard of the bus service being shared between All Stars and Pop.

You are 110% correct. I go the Pop resort confused with all of the other resorts I have stayed at. Usually when I stay at the beach club a Pref. view is a room in which the view is of a so-called "scenic area." The standard rooms often overlook the parking lot.

 

[AEfx]

3) Drive your own car!!!!!! The transportation to and from the POP resort is VERY poor!!!! The reson is because the Disney transit busses make stopes at all of the value resorts before departing to the parks.

This is NOT true. It does not share busses with ANY other resort. It's a very short bus ride to MGM and Epcot, slightly more to AK, and about 12-13 minutes to MK.

I talked to many people at Pop who had cars in the parking lot - that stayed there. The parking lots are further from the busses in many cases - and the service is simply excellent. At the MK several nights when it was busy and they'd send up to three busses at once to take us to Pop.

The bus service was better than any place else I have stayed on property - and it beats the hell out of the All-Stars, who DO share busses.

AEfx

 

[gobuckeye@wdw]

why do you want to cheat the system? wouldn't it be easier to just ride the bus or park in the lot like everyone else? all this work to save a couple of minutes seems a little goofy to me! :brick:

I usually do take the bus unless I know that I will be at a park until closing time!!! Trust me, the MGM parking lot at 10:00 is not very nice. We have once been caught up in the lot for 45 minutes before we could exit!!! Plus, one principal I always live by when in WDW TIME IS MONEY!!!! The less time I waste waiting for a bus to come around is the more time I have to use at the parks. Also, if we arrive at a park 2 or more hours after the park has opened the lot is usually jammed and they usually stick you in one of the last rows!!! In this case it is much easier to park at a resort and have a shorter walk and an easier exit from the park.

 

[wannabeBelle]

This is NOT true. It does not share busses with ANY other resort. It's a very short bus ride to MGM and Epcot, slightly more to AK, and about 12-13 minutes to MK.

I talked to many people at Pop who had cars in the parking lot - that stayed there. The parking lots are further from the busses in many cases - and the service is simply excellent. At the MK several nights when it was busy and they'd send up to three busses at once to take us to Pop.

The bus service was better than any place else I have stayed on property - and it beats the hell out of the All-Stars, who DO share busses.

AEfx

Absolutely correct and one of the big perks of staying "on campus" If you feel more comfortable with your own car or want to go off property, great rent a car. If not, which is my usual thing, dont even waste your money!!! Belle

 

[gobuckeye@wdw]

My Fault!

This is NOT true. It does not share busses with ANY other resort. It's a very short bus ride to MGM and Epcot, slightly more to AK, and about 12-13 minutes to MK.

I was looking at the 2003 Unoffical Guide and that was before Pop had a bus system. As a matter of fact I believe that was even before it opened!!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

He's been taken care of. I booked him a room at POP.

Pam