Pop century or port orleans royal room

[the_rich]

I'm in the process of booking a late August trip. I've never stayed at Pop century and it's been almost 20 years since I've stayed at riverside. Are the royal rooms worth an extra $500 for my trip?

 

[LeighM]

I haven't stayed at Pop Century but we had to rule it out because we didn't like the queen bed with the other queen murphy bed, which removed the table when the bed was down. Plus, I have claustrophobia and vertigo and having to rely on the Skyliner to travel to Epcot and HS was the deal breaker. If I was staying on the Skyliner route, I would probably choose Caribbean Beach (even with the higher price) because that's where the Skyliner hub is located so you can skip connections to AoA/Pop. However, I have stayed in a Royal Room at Riverside and I don't think it's worth an extra $500. I found that staying in the Alligator Bayou standard or garden room closer to the West Depot was best for us because that's the first theme park bus stop. I don't know if they are still following the same bus pick up/drop off schedule but I preferred a shorter walk to the first bus stop with a guaranteed spot instead of being closer to dining and boat to Disney Springs.

 

[Mireille]

I've stayed at Port Orleans (regular rooms in Alligator Bayou in Riverside and at French Quarter) and I stayed at AoA last year and poked around Pop, which I'm staying at later this year. So, here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth. I love Port Orleans because it has nice running paths, the resort is quiet and just feels more laid back, and the boats to Disney Springs. Really, Riverside was probably my favorite resort I've stayed at in Disney World (I've only ever done moderates or values). However, I don't tend to spend a lot of time at the hotel, so the money for fancier rooms is money I could instead spend on character dinners, souvenirs, backstage tours and literally anything else. Yes, Pop is going to be a bit noisier but it DOES have the Skyliner which, if you aren't afraid of heights, is absolutely fantastic. It is so nice having such a fast option to get to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. And for a little bit more, you can get the preferred room closer to the main building making bus and Skyliner access more convenient. But, if you are planning on spending a significant amount of time at your hotel and want something other than counter service food, or you need a more comfortable room, it can be worth the money. If enough people answer you'll probably get enough answers arguing both ways (or worse, throwing out other options you hadn't considered) that you might be just as stuck trying to decide as you are now, maybe worse. In the end, I think just ask yourself where you are going to spend your time, and that's where you should spend your money. Unless money is no object, in which case, go crazy!

 

[the_rich]

I've stayed at Port Orleans (regular rooms in Alligator Bayou in Riverside and at French Quarter) and I stayed at AoA last year and poked around Pop, which I'm staying at later this year. So, here's my opinion, take it for what it's worth. I love Port Orleans because it has nice running paths, the resort is quiet and just feels more laid back, and the boats to Disney Springs. Really, Riverside was probably my favorite resort I've stayed at in Disney World (I've only ever done moderates or values). However, I don't tend to spend a lot of time at the hotel, so the money for fancier rooms is money I could instead spend on character dinners, souvenirs, backstage tours and literally anything else. Yes, Pop is going to be a bit noisier but it DOES have the Skyliner which, if you aren't afraid of heights, is absolutely fantastic. It is so nice having such a fast option to get to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. And for a little bit more, you can get the preferred room closer to the main building making bus and Skyliner access more convenient. But, if you are planning on spending a significant amount of time at your hotel and want something other than counter service food, or you need a more comfortable room, it can be worth the money. If enough people answer you'll probably get enough answers arguing both ways (or worse, throwing out other options you hadn't considered) that you might be just as stuck trying to decide as you are now, maybe worse. In the end, I think just ask yourself where you are going to spend your time, and that's where you should spend your money. Unless money is no object, in which case, go crazy!

My biggest problem is I'm afraid of heights. I went on the skyliner last year and it wasn't a good experience. I'm trying to figure out if saving $500 is worth a few scary trips lol.

 

[LeighM]

My biggest problem is I'm afraid of heights. I went on the skyliner last year and it wasn't a good experience. I'm trying to figure out if saving $500 is worth a few scary trips lol.

My one time experiencing the Skyliner wasn't good - we stopped for longer than I liked over the highest point, over the road, with another family so I couldn't have the proper mental breakdown I needed LOL. That extra family sharing my cabin made me feel even more claustrophobic. Because of that, I wouldn't stay at any Skyliner resort when I had a trip planned to Epcot or HS. I have no control over ride stoppages, windy weather, other people put into my cabin, etc. I think it comes down to just how bad your experience was and if that $500 is worth the time saved by taking the Skyliner. I am usually one of the first ones to get to the first bus stop at any resort before the buses start running so that I can miss the crowds and the claustrophobic, packed like sardine bus rides. It might cause me to wait longer at the gates to the park but at least I'm not trapped

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

Another option... save the $500 and stay at Pop. But when it is time to go to a park that you would have to use the Skyliner, use the $500 that you saved and get a minnie van. (or Uber or Lyft, but you get the idea).

 

[Mireille]

My biggest problem is I'm afraid of heights. I went on the skyliner last year and it wasn't a good experience. I'm trying to figure out if saving $500 is worth a few scary trips lol.

Yeah, if you don't like the skyliner, then I wouldn't recommend Pop, except for the price and I think you can get an All Star for a little less if price is a factor. (I've stayed at All Star Movies two or three times and it was always perfectly fine, but I see a lot of people slag on the All Stars... Other than buses to everything, I think they're fine if it's not prime kid/school-related trip season.) And Riverside IS a great resort.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

FWIW, my wife has vertigo and uses sea bands while at WDW…we’ve used the skyliner several times when we stayed at POP and she never had a problem (even when stopped up high)…of course, everyone is different and she’s not super afraid of heights.
For your well being, I’d go with POP and use the saved $$$ to Minnie van or Uber it to HWD or Epcot…we love POP, much better themed than ASR and cheaper than POR or CBR. Like I always say, for the amount of time we spend at the resort, as long as the room is clean, the TV works and the shower has hot water, we’re content. We’ve stayed at BW, GF and SSR w/rented DVC points..yup, they’re great but too frou-frou for me, but I will admit, BW was very convenient…

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

My biggest problem is I'm afraid of heights. I went on the skyliner last year and it wasn't a good experience. I'm trying to figure out if saving $500 is worth a few scary trips lol.

I'm scared of heights too and I know what you are going through. FWIW, I would pick POR anytime over Pop. It is my favorite resort. I love the ambience and the boat to DS, just everything about it. We have never had trouble with the buses either, but we tend to go when it's traditionally slower, if that even exists now? The extra 500 to me would be worth it not to worry over the sky liner and to have a beautiful moderate resort to stay at.

 

[LeighM]

Before paying $500 for a Royal Room, I would check to see if Riverside had any standard or garden view rooms. If they don't, I would choose French Quarter. There's only one bus stop at French Quarter and it's the only stop during busy times. When the bus routes are shared with Riverside, then FQ is the first stop.

 

[the_rich]

Before paying $500 for a Royal Room, I would check to see if Riverside had any standard or garden view rooms. If they don't, I would choose French Quarter. There's only one bus stop at French Quarter and it's the only stop during busy times. When the bus routes are shared with Riverside, then FQ is the first stop.

So I just looked into this and the riverside garden views are $20 a night cheaper than the royal room. The French quarter rooms are actually a few dollars more a night than the royal rooms.

 

[LeighM]

So I just looked into this and the riverside garden views are $20 a night cheaper than the royal room. The French quarter rooms are actually a few dollars more a night than the royal rooms.

I would choose the Riverside garden views, if it was my trip. I just thought the majority of the rooms were more centrally located. The Royal Rooms are pretty though. My favorite Riverside buildings were 85 (Magnolia mansion building) and 26/34 (in Alligator Bayou). When I stayed in the Royal Room, I requested a room close to the bridge and they put me in Building 90, and it was a great location because it was a shorter walk to the main lobby and boat to DS. Some of the royal rooms in building 95 are closer to French Quarter. When rooms are too expensive at either of the PO resorts, we'll stay at Coronado Springs. Their rooms are actually much nicer than those at Riverside (and I hate to say that because I love Riverside so much!!). I haven't stayed at CSR since the Destino Tower opened but the buses were better during our trips. Because CSR is a convention hotel, it doesn't as if the buses are as busy. That could've changed post covid though! If I were to go back during August or any hurricane season month, I would stay at Destino Tower so that we didn't have to leave the building to access anything.

 

[the_rich]

I would choose the Riverside garden views, if it was my trip. I just thought the majority of the rooms were more centrally located. The Royal Rooms are pretty though. My favorite Riverside buildings were 85 (Magnolia mansion building) and 26/34 (in Alligator Bayou). When I stayed in the Royal Room, I requested a room close to the bridge and they put me in Building 90, and it was a great location because it was a shorter walk to the main lobby and boat to DS. Some of the royal rooms in building 95 are closer to French Quarter. When rooms are too expensive at either of the PO resorts, we'll stay at Coronado Springs. Their rooms are actually much nicer than those at Riverside (and I hate to say that because I love Riverside so much!!). I haven't stayed at CSR since the Destino Tower opened but the buses were better during our trips. Because CSR is a convention hotel, it doesn't as if the buses are as busy. That could've changed post covid though! If I were to go back during August or any hurricane season month, I would stay at Destino Tower so that we didn't have to leave the building to access anything.

So I was about to book French Quarter and then I decided to check the epcot resorts. I wound up booking boardwalk inn for $500 more than French Quarter. Always wanted to check out that area and the price was to good to pass up.

 

[UNCgolf]

Riverside is the best value at WDW, in my opinion. It's by far the best moderate resort. Beautiful grounds and quiet.

I like the Royal rooms because of the location -- it's the best at the resort. They are close to two different bus stops, the lobby/food court/restaurant, and to French Quarter if you want to walk over there. That said, I don't actually love the rooms themselves and would prefer if they were just a standard room in that location instead of the princess theming.