Talk Me OUT of a Resort

[Elwood P. Dowd]

So I'm going to do a solo trip in a couple weeks, and I'm having a VERY hard time choosing a resort (and I'm an indecisive person anyway). So I thought maybe you guys could help. I've narrowed in down to 3: CBR, POR, and Pop. I've stayed at POR quite a few times, and it's one of my favorites (and that includes Deluxe resorts). The other two are unexplored territory...

So, instead of the usual "help me decide which resort," and having posts listing reasons to choose a specific resort, I was hoping people would list things you DON'T like about one of the three listed (not necessarily using price as a reason). Please keep in mind it's just me going, so things like activities for kids don't apply. Thanks in advance-- I can't wait to make a final decision!

 

[Itinkso]

I have stayed in all three. The one thing that i did not like about Pop was the uncomfortable mattress - it was very noticeable because I had just gotten off of the Fantasy.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

At the Pop you will have to use your room towel at the pool because the do not provide towels at the pool. The towels at the Pop are thin and scratchy as is the toliet paper. The Pop tends to have A LOT of kids and is a noisier resort during the day.

CBR is one of my favorites. Much more relaxing than the Pops.

Plus the buses at the Pop tend to be crowded.

 

[Itinkso]

At the Pop you will have to use your room towel at the pool because the do not provide towels at the pool. The towels at the Pop are thin and scratchy as is the toliet paper. The Pop tends to have A LOT of kids and is a noisier resort during the day.

I agree with Shelly's Pop list and want to add that from the Lobby, you have to walk through the shop to get to the Food Court.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[nurse.darcy]

Pop - full of kids, loud, can hear everything going on at each pool, beds uncomfortable.

POR - I love this resort. Would choose to stay here just because. Main pool area does not get as crowded as the other two. Big resort though.

CBR - Just stayed here for the first time a few weeks ago. It was quiet and lovely. It really did surprise me how much I enjoyed it. The main pool area can get really crowded though. Big resort. . .lots of walking.

 

[kwdw]

I personally want to try CBR - so that's what I would vote for! Two mods and one value. I've stayed at all three level - value/mod/deluxe - and there's a difference there. I'm glad I did stay at a value one time - and I will likely do that again for a quick solo trip in the next year - but I did miss the coffee maker and sit down dining option.

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Thank you SO MUCH for the advice! Right now I'm leaning toward CBR-- Nurse Darcy's opinion of POR sounds like mine, and she liked CBR, so that helps. And thanks to you guys, I'm pretty much ruling out Pop at this point. Anyone else? Thanks again!!!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

You've already been to POR! Stay somewhere new. (Of course, I'm one of those people who want to try to stay at as many resorts as possible.)

 

[Peonyfan]

Pop's great for very short, cheap trips but it is A LOT noisier than the others. I usually stay at POFQ but am trying out CSR this time on the recommendation of two of the attorneys I work with.

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

DisneyFreak06-- I'm that way too, to some extent. I've stayed at one Value-- All Star Music in the Broadway section, and liked it. Otherwise, it's always been moderate or deluxe. But I really need a short vacation, so I don't want to risk picking a resort that isn't great (even though I'll be in the parks A LOT).

Peonyfan-- see, that's what I don't want! I don't want noisy/overwhelming. I was thinking of asking for a top floor, quieter area. Is there any such thing? The Broadway section of ASMu was fine for me...

 

[collegeprogram01]

CBR is a great resort but huge! If you go there I would highly suggest getting a preferred room. It will make life alot easier! POL Is a great resort with great theming with direct access to DTD by boat where CBR only offeres busses but is a stones throw away from the studios...I cant say anything for POP by a friend of mine is there now for 2 weeks and he returns there every year and loves it as well.

all rooms look the same when your eyes are closed fast asleep!


I am going through the same thing as well between CBR or renting DVC points for WL for the same price for next december. Dont know what to do and have until around the middle of January to decide!

 

[ludari]

I usually stay at deluxe resorts and only once did I stay at Pop and I was not completely happy. Yeah the price was great to be on property and the bus service was exceptional but just the amount of people and kids playing in the field areas between the buildings and at pool can be extremely overwhelming. I also didn't care for the dining at Pop.

 

[Peonyfan]

Peonyfan-- see, that's what I don't want! I don't want noisy/overwhelming. I was thinking of asking for a top floor, quieter area. Is there any such thing? The Broadway section of ASMu was fine for me...

I think the rooms facing the lake on the top levels aren't bad. The walls are a bit thin (I heard friends snoring in the room next to me). If you are just going for a quickie, and have stayed at a value before, I don't think it will be a big deal.

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Thanks everyone! I really do appreciate all the responses. After lots of reading and considering (I re-posted this in the resort thread), I think Pop is the winner. When I looked at the park hours I realized I would barely be at the hotel. I won't be using the pool or food court, and I will have my car (although I take buses a lot while there). Like collegeprogram01 said-- all rooms look the same when your eyes are closed fast asleep! Having a hard time justifying spending $200 more when I won't be there much.

And hey, if I hate it, I'll move to POR.

 

[dtstampz]

Please let us know how the Pop works out for you. (I'm also on the fence about Pop vs.
a Moderate for a future solo trip.) And have a great time!

 

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Please let us know how the Pop works out for you. (I'm also on the fence about Pop vs.
a Moderate for a future solo trip.) And have a great time!

Will do! Thank you!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I've stayed at Pop twice, in 2006 and 2007. That was back when I was such a newbie I didn't think I'd be back again. I liked it! I hope you do too. If not, the beautiful POR will accept you back.

 

[dsneprincess]

We have had good luck with rooms near the computer pool area at POP, however, you do not want to be pool side or pool view. Just in that vacinity. Pool facing rooms were very loud, but it was a busy, hot week. We were initially thrilled; that ended quickly.

 

[geffric]

Thanks everyone! I really do appreciate all the responses. After lots of reading and considering (I re-posted this in the resort thread), I think Pop is the winner. When I looked at the park hours I realized I would barely be at the hotel. I won't be using the pool or food court, and I will have my car (although I take buses a lot while there). Like collegeprogram01 said-- all rooms look the same when your eyes are closed fast asleep! Having a hard time justifying spending $200 more when I won't be there much.

And hey, if I hate it, I'll move to POR.

Good Choice IMHO..I do love POP..yes there are lots of Kids but really it is just a room and I would rather spend my money on good food, good drink and parks.. i have used the buses..not bad ... food is okay..and I do love watching the kids have fun..and talking to lots of fun peeps.

 

[spiceycat]

happen to love Pop - if not for DVC - Pop would be our resort.

love the food court, gift shop, arcade.

try to get a room in building 3 - 50th section toward the lake. It is quiet and I love it. go for the highest room possible.

this is standard. the pref are pool views and near the food court - so the front of building 3 is pref - the back is standard. for lunch the place is great. for breakfast either get up early -hot meals start at 7:00 am - so try to get there then or before. (make sure the night before if you can) If you can't then eat breakfast at the parks. (or bring some fruit with you)

CBR did not like it - walking and pushing a wheelchair -makes this a only go if this is the only choice for me. It is a long walk to the food court. This was disney first non-deluxe resort - so they greatly improved with POR - since you have tried it - how about POFQ. oh CBR does NOT have the queen beds - that both POR and POFQ have.

like the garden betters at PO than CBR or even POP which for me is a lot better than all stars.

really think if you like POR then you might enjoy POP -- to me they have a lot in common - really great service - some of the CM's at Pop are the best and the manager is pretty great. Pop definitely has the best bus service at WDW (my opinion)

now if you still want a moderate for about the same price you can have a DVC resort if you rent from a DVC member - go to the DVC rental/trade board for my information and make sure you read the sticky