POP vs. CSR - I'm waffling!

[katieandemismom]

Going 9/19-9/28 for free dining. POP is currently booked. We'll arrive LATE on 9/19 and leave first thing in the am on 9/28. We're a family of 4 (dds are 5 y.o.). My dh and the girls love the sun/heat. Unfortunately, I do not (red-head's skin). Our plan is to hit the parks early in the morning, rest/swim in the afternoon, and go back out in the evening.

Booking POP saves $600 over CSR, but I'm wondering if it would be smarter to upgrade for my comfort - LOL! The girls would love the slide at the pool, and I would appreciate the covered bus areas. My fear is b/c we are arriving so late in the evening that we'll end up as far out as possible at CSR. We won't have a car. I also need to add that dd#2 has some physical limitations which we'll have documented by a doctor (she gets special accomodation in the parks). We'd request a room in the Cabanas section.

I love the POP food court although it will be very crowded due to free dining. The girls would prefer the theming at POP. Dh would love the frozen cokes. POP is going to be packed I'm sure.

Help me sort this out please. I'm so confused. I've flip-flopped several times already, and there's no way I'm letting go of my POP ressie w/o being sure about the upgrade.

 

[Lilolvr]

I love CSR! The pool is a great afternoon break for the family. But $600 is a lot of money in these times so if you are better served saving the money, I'd stay at Pop. If the money is not an issue, go with CSR!!

 

[helenk]

To me it would be worth the $600 just to stay away from the bus queues in the sun at the value resorts. The values do tend to fill up during the free dining, so I am sure the POP will be crowded, meaning lines at the bus stops, and the food court.
A few of the perks at the moderates are ; the rooms are larger, there is a fridge in the room, and there is a coffee pot in the room . The pools have a bit more to offer for the children and for adults the themeing is more laid back.
I say if your budget permits, upgrade to the CSR.

 

[litlpixie2]

I just came back from my first stay at CSR last month and in August I am staying there again because it has become my new fave!! Although I have never stayed at a mod., I DO know that the mods will be packed for the FD weeks. IF you ask me, GO WITH CSR!!! Every part of that place is gorgeoeus, I cant wait to get back there!!!

 

[dancin Disney style]

Since POP is booked that makes the choice for you. If you want to go you have to take what is available.

I have stayed both mods and values and for me given the choice I would go with the mod. We stayed at CSR 2 years ago and I have to say I really didn't want to stay there but we were on a conference and had no choice. Turns out I LOVE LOVE LOVED it.

The pool and the water slide are fantastic and since you plan to rest around the pool in the afternoon I think you would really enjoy it. There is also the Dig Site that the kids would like.

 

[spiceycat]

get your daughter a wheelchair - they are free - just ask for one at the front desk or bell services - would go with Pop - you can do alot with $600.

the girls will love the pool at Pop.

nothing at Pop is far away - just be sure to get a map and make sure you are going the shortest route.

Hey I am leaving Pop on the 19th!!!!

Now CSR is great. but if budget wasn't an issue would you have booked Pop in the first place. remember why you picked Pop.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I just realized that I totally misunderstood the OP. You already have POP booked and are thinking of upgrading....... I must have forgotten to take a pill today....sorry.

Anyway, I would still go with a mod but only if the extra $600 is no big deal. If you have to think twice before spending the extra money then don't do it. Let's put it this way....POP is more for the kids and CSR is more for the adults.

What about a split stay? A little of both.

 

[Buzz2001]

Anyway, I would still go with a mod but only if the extra $600 is no big deal. If you have to think twice before spending the extra money then don't do it. Let's put it this way....POP is more for the kids and CSR is more for the adults.

Agreed, if money isn't an issue, definitely go with CSR!! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[katieandemismom]

Thanks for the advice! Right now I'm holding off changing from POP. It's a lot of $$$$ to upgrade, and we could do a lot of fun things with that money (or practical things I guess too ). CSR is open for our dates, and I may still switch before 6/22. I've already been booked there once only to go to POP when it opened back up. I'm just struggling b/c this was supposed to be our "cheap" trip, and I've gone from 6 nights to 9 nights already. I'm not sure CSR is really realistic unless I cut nights. If it's too hot, we'll upgrade our tickets to the waterparks and more. The beds just sound so much nicer and there's shade at the bus stops, but my girls would be happier at POP probably.

Still waffling.......

 

[PathGirl]

Not that I think in any way that you're basing your decision on the frozen coke, because who would do THAT right ?

Well...erm...my husband and I decided to stay at POP because he loves frozen cokes and we wanted the extra cash we would save. *sigh* Fooled by the frozen coke machine again.

But anyhow, the frozen coke machine was usually out by 8:30 am at which point it would be shut off to refreeze (this is the real frozen coke, not the raspberry one) and wouldn't come back on until about 2pm, when we would be in the parks. And then it would be gone again by dinnertime.

Like I said, only really silly people like myself base their resort choice on things like frozen cokes, but I thought I would point it out. If you want one, shoot for 7am or 2pm. Have fun at POP I think you'll enjoy it !

 

[kat3668]

I'd go with CSR for sure!! My last trip I stayed at Pop the trip before that CSR. I'd pay the extra just for the buses alone! Pops buses are a madhouse! Rarely got a seat and had to stand constantly. Nothing worse in my opinion than spending all day at the parks then holding on for dear life while riding back to the resort. My biggest problem is that I would always feel quilty sitting there while people with babies crammed themselves into the bus so I'd give up my seat. Many people just sat with kids next to them that they could have put in thier laps but they would'nt. I just dont consider that relaxing or vacation so I'd rather spend the extra cash to ensure I get a seat . Dont get me wrong Pop is OK but CSR is beautiful!!!

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thanks for the advice! Right now I'm holding off changing from POP. It's a lot of $$$$ to upgrade, and we could do a lot of fun things with that money (or practical things I guess too ). CSR is open for our dates, and I may still switch before 6/22. I've already been booked there once only to go to POP when it opened back up. I'm just struggling b/c this was supposed to be our "cheap" trip, and I've gone from 6 nights to 9 nights already. I'm not sure CSR is really realistic unless I cut nights. If it's too hot, we'll upgrade our tickets to the waterparks and more. The beds just sound so much nicer and there's shade at the bus stops, but my girls would be happier at POP probably.

Still waffling.......

Based on the comments you just made it sounds to me like POP is the way to go for your family.

 

[FINFAN]

Well, I posted on your other thread about how crowded it was during free DDP...but I would stay at POP if it meant being able to still stay all 9 nights...(and remember $600 can feel more like $1200 if it is money better served elswhere and you are taking it away from that)because you will appreciate having the exptra days more than the extra hotel room/bus room...maybe, depending on how your family feels. To be honest, unless you could upgrade to a monorail resort and only did MK or an Epcot resort and only did DHS or Epcot...transportation will be more crowded during free dining, at any resort. If you go expecting the worst, you may be pleasantly surprised...we did that for trip over the 4th..and believe it or not we walked rtight into MK about 8:30 pm on the 4th, got a spot on the bridge to Tomorrowland and watched the FW display and the "played" in Tomorrowland 'till 1 a.m.! We had been warned that MK would probably close due to capacity and we were nuts for going then etc., but it turned out great! Still one of our best memoried ever.

 

[smidgy]

I just realized that I totally misunderstood the OP. You already have POP booked and are thinking of upgrading....... I must have forgotten to take a pill today....sorry.

Anyway, I would still go with a mod but only if the extra $600 is no big deal. If you have to think twice before spending the extra money then don't do it. Let's put it this way....POP is more for the kids and CSR is more for the adults.

What about a split stay? A little of both.

hmm, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can do split stay WITH the dining package unless you book 2 packages. (the free dining requires that you buy at least one day park tickets.) you COULD book the package with most of your park tickets on the First package, but you will still need to buy everyone a one day park ticket (at the FIRST DAY price) for the 2nd package. (i know, confusing). we have bought a package WITH dining for 4 days at one resort, with 8 day tickets, then booked a ROOM ONLY reservation for 5 days at a 2nd resort. (the park tickets are still good for the entire stay, and you can stretch out the dining. i.e. have a TS dinner the first night at the new resort. save snack credits to turn in that first night at the new resort. even save a CS credit.... buy them at the food court at the new resort TO GO. save them in your fridge. then Nuke them the next night at the microwave at the new resort!) dollar stretching!
but for FREE dining... why would you bother? you would add the cost of 4 one day tickets (not cheap).
back to the original topic, I love both resorts. with little kids, pop is really cool. we are just 2 adults, so we prefer CSR. but their food court (pepper market) is pricey. BUT with the free dining.... you can get a STEAK!!! for a CS credit! however, how often will you use the slide? $600 is a lot of money, and CSR is huge, too huge for little legs. if you stay in the cabanas (most convenient) you will probably never experience the total AMBIENCE of CSR (like walking through the INNER courtyards of the casitas at night, with the fountains, rotunda, etc. very romantic.)
5 year olds will love the huge lady and the tramp, etc at pop. I'd go with pop with little kids. (I'm going to stop writing now before I change my mind!! )