Two rooms at Pop, a suite on-site, or DT DIsney???

[volgrl]

We stayed at POP last year and really enjoyed it - especially for the price. We are looking at returning next year with myself, my husband, my 8 yr old daughter, and my mom. One basic room will not work as Mom wants her own space, and the suites at Music and AOA would require my husband and I to sleep on a murphy or sofa bed for a week - ick! Would it be most cost effective to get two rooms at POP? Are there other resorts on-site that would work and not be $$$? Or should we look at one of the DT Disney hotels (either 2 rooms or a 2 room suite)? How is the shuttle service from the DT Disney hotels?

I know, a lot of questions! Also, how early should you book a room? Best to wait for deals...? If I book two rooms at POP and ask for connecting rooms and something changes, can I cancel one room?

Thank you so much!!!

 

[KappleB2]

Hey! I don't know about those DTD hotels,(and you know my love for the on property ones) but wanted to say- I see you! Glad you got on here! Count on these Disney people for help!

Katie

 

[pixiesteno]

I cannot answer your questions on the DTD hotels & shuttle. However, if Mom wants her own space and doesn't want to sleep on the sleeper sofa then your best bet is to stay in two rooms. You can ask for adjoining rooms but they can't guarantee it. It is however worth putting on your reservation as a request. You could also stay at any of the value resorts for about the same pricing. Don't be afraid to try other values. We have stayed at both Pop and All Star Music Resort and I actually prefer ASMu, but it has been a while since we stayed at Pop. You could get two regular rooms at AOA and still have the experience of staying at the resort sans the suite.

 

[Disney Shib]

I stayed at one of the DTD hotels in 2007 and was EXTREMELY disappointed. I stayed at the Lake Buena Vista Resort for 3 nights before checking into my Disney College Program. I was moved three different times, once because the shower head blew off the wall, once because the tv short-wired and then a third time because the AC broke. I waited 45 minutes for a bus to MK and about 30 for a bus to Hollywood Studios. Grant it this was back in 2007 so things could be different now but for what I paid there wasn't a big different from the cost of POP. I recommend two rooms at the POP for sure. Have a great time.

 

[Disneykidder]

We always stay on property so for me, the answer is to stay on site. Two rooms is prob. your best choice.

 

[pixargal]

I agree with two rooms on property. We love traveling with extended family, but at the end of the night, our own space is greatly appreciated.

 

[zurgandfriend]

I would always choose the "Magic Bubble" over an off site resort but that's me. I have stayed off site when i travel for business to orlando and it just isn't the same.

 

[volgrl]

It sounds like two rooms on-site is preferred, as I expected. We loved the on-site amenities!

If we book room only, can we book two rooms under the same name and then cancel one if needed? And how early should I book? I think last year I booked it and then called and got a better discount later...

 

[volgrl]

I stayed at one of the DTD hotels in 2007 and was EXTREMELY disappointed. I stayed at the Lake Buena Vista Resort for 3 nights before checking into my Disney College Program. I was moved three different times, once because the shower head blew off the wall, once because the tv short-wired and then a third time because the AC broke. I waited 45 minutes for a bus to MK and about 30 for a bus to Hollywood Studios. Grant it this was back in 2007 so things could be different now but for what I paid there wasn't a big different from the cost of POP. I recommend two rooms at the POP for sure. Have a great time.

UGH! I was most concerned about the bus service, so this confirms my fears!!! I would imagine the waits in the morning would be much worse than at an on-site option. If I can get a good rate at POP, I think we will go with two rooms there! Thank you!

 

[flynnibus]

We stayed at POP last year and really enjoyed it - especially for the price. We are looking at returning next year with myself, my husband, my 8 yr old daughter, and my mom. One basic room will not work as Mom wants her own space, and the suites at Music and AOA would require my husband and I to sleep on a murphy or sofa bed for a week - ick! Would it be most cost effective to get two rooms at POP? Are there other resorts on-site that would work and not be $$$? Or should we look at one of the DT Disney hotels (either 2 rooms or a 2 room suite)? How is the shuttle service from the DT Disney hotels?

I know, a lot of questions! Also, how early should you book a room? Best to wait for deals...? If I book two rooms at POP and ask for connecting rooms and something changes, can I cancel one room?

Thank you so much!!!

I would recommend two connecting rooms... we did that instead of a suite based on greater flexibility in booking. You can always book as early as you want, and make changes to your ressie. Some changes require rebooking depending on the block of rooms, etc.. but you will never be blocked from taking a new offer except in the case of no availability. A good disney travel agent will even handle those changes for you... but you can do them yourself as well calling into the reservations line.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

We stayed at POP last year and really enjoyed it - especially for the price. We are looking at returning next year with myself, my husband, my 8 yr old daughter, and my mom. One basic room will not work as Mom wants her own space, and the suites at Music and AOA would require my husband and I to sleep on a murphy or sofa bed for a week - ick! Would it be most cost effective to get two rooms at POP? Are there other resorts on-site that would work and not be $$$? Or should we look at one of the DT Disney hotels (either 2 rooms or a 2 room suite)? How is the shuttle service from the DT Disney hotels?

I know, a lot of questions! Also, how early should you book a room? Best to wait for deals...? If I book two rooms at POP and ask for connecting rooms and something changes, can I cancel one room?

Thank you so much!!!

We've stayed at the Hilton and the Doubletree. They are actually more in the middle of everything than many of the Disney resorts. They are almost straight across from DTD, which has many advantages and options as far as bus service. The busses came to both between 20 and 30 minutes, just like Disney resorts. Doubletree's advantage is the large rooms with large safes and a kitchenette. Hilton has small rooms maybe a tad bigger than the mods, but they also have extra magic hours whereas, Doubletree does not. You have to pay to park at both, but the amount you save on the rooms, will make up for the difference.
I prefer to stay in a Disney resort unless we don't plan to use EMH's or we need room for five and we need to watch expenses. Then, I prefer Doubletree. We stayed on site the last four trips, but we plan on getting a two bedroom, two bath at Doubletree if my daughter's college schedule allows for a Christmas trip.

 

[wdwmom2+1]

We love love love the pop. Did I say we love it??? But with5 of us we. Ran into a similar problem last trip. We choose the doubletree and saved about 1000$$. We liked it too. And will probably do it again

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I would go with the two rooms on property.

 

[tare]

I would never consider off property. So go with two rooms. Have a great trip whatever you decide!!!

 

[volgrl]

We've stayed at the Hilton and the Doubletree. They are actually more in the middle of everything than many of the Disney resorts. They are almost straight across from DTD, which has many advantages and options as far as bus service. The busses came to both between 20 and 30 minutes, just like Disney resorts. Doubletree's advantage is the large rooms with large safes and a kitchenette. Hilton has small rooms maybe a tad bigger than the mods, but they also have extra magic hours whereas, Doubletree does not. You have to pay to park at both, but the amount you save on the rooms, will make up for the difference.
I prefer to stay in a Disney resort unless we don't plan to use EMH's or we need room for five and we need to watch expenses. Then, I prefer Doubletree. We stayed on site the last four trips, but we plan on getting a two bedroom, two bath at Doubletree if my daughter's college schedule allows for a Christmas trip.

The 2 bedroom suite at the Doubletree was one that did catch my eye! My biggest concern was the bus service, but it sounds like you have not had a problem with that. Thank you for your help!

 

[volgrl]

We love love love the pop. Did I say we love it??? But with5 of us we. Ran into a similar problem last trip. We choose the doubletree and saved about 1000$$. We liked it too. And will probably do it again

Wow-that is a huge savings! I think I would prefer to stay on-site ideally, but if cost is a big difference, it sounds like the Doubletree might be a really good option! Thank you!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

You could look into the DVC resale market and think about getting a two bedroom unit. But if she really wants her own space and you don't want to do a suite, then yes, two rooms is your best option. If you don't do a Disney hotel, factor in that you won't get Magical Express, you won't get airport check-in, and you won't get EMH. Weight how much this matters to you. Also be aware you won't quite get that Disney "feel" offsite. I'm always biased towards staying onsite BTW

Also, the sofa beds are really quite comfy. I get by two weeks on them, and I have a bad back.