Pop Century questions

[wdw2011por]

Planning a trip at the beginning of June with my wife, children, and parents. We are considering staying at POP. We have been one time before and stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. I know the themes between the value and the moderates are vastly different with the values being more geared to children and the mods toward relaxation and adults. So, what I was wondering about is how is the bus service at POP? The rooms? We will have two adults and two children per room. (Two rooms makes the price difference between the values and the mods quite a bit!) Any other help and advice you could give would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jessica Meier]

The rooms are small. The buses were quick and easy to use and walking to them is not a big deal as long as no one in the party minds a little walk.

 

[disneygirl1024]

The buses are good. They don't share with any other resort. I can't remember what the rooms look like. It's been a while since we stayed there. You can look at pics of the room on disneyworld website.

 

[Phineas]

I would add too that while POP is my favorite value resort, it depends on what time of the year you go. During peak season-you know you can at least escape the crowds briefly at your resort-but in my experience, you're often fighting similar crowds both in the parks and in the resorts-and this is especially noticeable at the value resorts. If you're going during a slower time, I say go for it-save yourself some money, still be able to kick back at your resort without necessarily having to fight for leg room so to speak, and rest assured that the rooms, though simple in theming, are actually very nice and fun to walk around. And really, with kids on the trip with you, how long are you really going to be spending at the resort?

 

[wdw2011por]

We are going the first part of January. June 7-13. It is the last star wars weekend (which my boys are so excited about) and the half week after that. I know those first three days are going to be busy (especially at DHS but we will only be there Saturday) but I am hoping this is early enough in June that the crowds are not yet out of hand. Anyone experienced this time of year there?

 

[taz0162]

I have stayed at each (Though Riverside was called Dixie Landings back then.) Riverside is prob my favorite resort so far with a close Coronado Springs right behind it. Pop has smaller rooms, and a longer walk to the busses. RS will be quieter. I found RS more relaxing after a long day at the parks shorter walks to the room and quieter resort was more then welcome. If you do not mind the smaller rooms and do not plan on too much time at the resort then POP. If you like poolside relaxing and peacefulness then RS. But with the party that you have going it sounds like you have to decide if resort or park will be where your priorities are.

 

[wdw2011por]

I just found I can do Coronado Springs for $400 more than POP. is that worth it? I know the rooms at CSR will be bigger and nicer. How is the bus service at CSR compared to POP? (The walk to the bus, the time waiting, etc.)
I have heard that CSR is very large. I looked at some of the room pictures and the interior seems very drab and dull. Are all the rooms like this?

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Our fav is Pop! The walk to the buses is not that bad, especially if you get a preferred room. If you are looking for something a little quieter, then don’t get the preferred room; stay closer to the back of the resort. The extra walking is worth it if you are looking for peace and quiet.

Busing at Pop is the best of the Values, and you could ride the bus to AoA if the lines are shorter (we did this once in December). Not sure how much you and your peeps want to walk, but AoA busing is a nice option.

Rooms are generally the standard 2 beds, mini-fridge, vanity and bathtub.

 

[popcenturylover]

We had a split stay at AOA/POP in September & the busing was much better at POP than AOA. Prior to that stay we stayed at POP in June 2009 & the busing was excellent! The rooms are a bit small but, if you're like us we could care less because we're only there to sleep!

 

[Disneydreamer23]

Loooooove pop best bus system

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I can imagine the place being a nightmare in the Summer, honestly.

You'll potentially have to walk an annoying distance to your room. I'm by no means a lazy guy, but after a long day at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, the last thing you want to do is walk a long way back to your room. If you have to haul children, it could be worse. If this doesn't bother you or you put yourself in the "I'm at Disney" mindset, you'll be fine.

If you queue for the buses in the daytime, you should be well on your way to a nice tan before you even board. As for getting back, in my experience, the value resort buses usually have massive lines toward the end of the day if you tend to stay at the parks later. Again, the "I'm at Disney" mindset will help in these times.

As for the size of the room, it shouldn't really matter if you want to save money. The rooms are kinda small for four people, but if you're only using it to sleep and shower, what does it matter? You're at Disney.

 

[JustInTime]

Why do people care about room size? You're just sleeping in it.

 

[Dagger]

It really depends on your family and your expectations, but we have stayed at many different resorts at varying category levels, on and off property, and my kids' favorite is still Pop. When we go there, they think we really "sprung" for something special. It's pretty funny. They are younger, though.

I like Pop better than the All Stars and at least they have their own bus. They also now have fridges and wi-fi so that is helpful. You can also walk across the bridge and check out Art of Animation while you're there.

 

[Dagger]

I just found I can do Coronado Springs for $400 more than POP. is that worth it? I know the rooms at CSR will be bigger and nicer. How is the bus service at CSR compared to POP? (The walk to the bus, the time waiting, etc.)
I have heard that CSR is very large. I looked at some of the room pictures and the interior seems very drab and dull. Are all the rooms like this?

CSR rooms are beautiful. We stayed there on our honeymoon, but I won't lie: I have waited just as long at every level resort for a bus at different times. Every given day and season can be different. We also waited until 5pm to check in once and CSR. And the walks to the buses may be shorter (usually) but there are multiple stops along the route as it is such a large resort, whereas Pop has only 1 stop. If you enjoy hanging out at the resort, like using pool, eating there and enjoying views and only take 1 or 2 Disney trips a year, it could be worth the extra $ for your family.

Last time we stayed there, about a year ago, we had a more recently refurbed room and it was nice. It depends what your taste is. I am not a fan of the styling at OKW even though I love old Florida. Everyone is different.

 

[mr_braver23]

Why do people care about room size? You're just sleeping in it.

Exactly!!!

 

[M.rudolf]

I've stayed at all the resorts but the Coronado and my all time favorite is pop. Don't know why but I really like it. Second is the Poly

 

[fam]

last september we stayed at POP and I spent the extra 100 bucks for a "preferred room" and then under special requests I wrote "ground level". So my room was literally the first building on the right of the main building...it was ground level, and the 4th or 5th room down....it was soooo close. No walking around the resort...literally could get off the bus, fill the cups up and walk through the lobby out the door a few feet and into the room. It made it so convenient.

To me POP had the quickest busses of all of the resorts...I like staying there more than beach club\wilderness lodge because (when Im the one paying) I dont care about ritsy dressed staff or giant slides on pools...yes the super expensive resorts have a few more things but for a new and nice place to eat breakfast, go to a pool and get on a bus..POP is awesome.

That being said im hitting up art of animation in august and hitting up the standard room (little mermaid) so i'll be doing a ton of walking to the room and may regret not staying at pop again...but...gotta try new things (plus the nemo and cars pool look amazing and I want to see them in person).

 

[swissamy]

Our family has stayed at all price range/category resorts throughout the past 22+ years and as a family with 2 adults a teenager and a child, we love POP the most! It allows us a decent sized room (to sleep in - we are out and about most of the day) and a great food court with options for everyone, good bus service, great theming and a GREAT price. The price difference allows us to come to WDW more often which to my kids is more important than coming once a year and staying at a deluxe. We just got back a week ago from POP and paying only $74 a night was great compared to the $195 per night they quoted us for Caribbean Beach!! That paid for the meals...Give me POP any day!!

 

[Tinkerbell 8]

Pop is my favorite resort. I've stayed in the 50's, 60's and 90's sections and we never walked more than 5 minutes to get to anything. The rooms are nice, once it was me, DH and my aunt with one of those electric scooters and we fit fine. The food court has a great selection, and the buses were great. Yes you'll be standing in the sun while waiting for the bus, but the wait usually isn't long. And at night the lines at the parks can get really long, but they are usually great with having a ton of buses at park closing. I always pick staying at Pop over a mod or deluxe because I can afford longer/more frequent visits, and can upgrade the dining plan.

 

[davidc1578]

We have stayed at POP twice and our last trip was at POR. I loved POR for the theme and relaxing feel but the longer walks from our room to food court and the multiple bus stops got tiring as the week went on. We are planning on going back to POP on our next trip in October. We like to use the buses and enjoy the only one stop. It will also be nice to have the AoA resort close by as another Food court option and possibly bus stop option. The beds and rooms at POP are smaller and there is just a single sink. If you have young children like we do (4 & 7) than the smaller isn't as much of an issue. We always get a preferred room and have been in the 70's building across from the little playground. The playground was hardly ever used and it was a quiet location with lots of trees around. It felt secluded but still only a few minute walk to the buses or food court. Looking forward to going back to POP in October. Cost is also an issue as we wanted to do value and save money so we could try out the Halloween party this year.