Need some serious resort choice advice!!

[Irin997]

Ok we are in the middle of planning our 1st family trip at the end of June!!! 1st trip for DD11 and me and 3rd for DH (he went twice as a kid).

We are STRUGGLING to decide which resort to stay in. Here are the ones wer are considering:

- Port Orleans Riverside
- Pop Century
- renting DVC for a studio (would prefer BWV or BC but would take SSR or OKW)

It's just the 3 of us and we are having a hard time justifying the extra cost of POR as we will be spending all day in the park. BUT I've read multiple reviews that Pop is quite chaotic and the food court is just ok (and crazy busy). I'm imaging and have read that POR is much quieter.

If we were able to get enough points for BWV or BCV, that would be amazing because it would be cheaper that rack rates for both POR and Pop and the location is incredible. BUT I haven't had luck as of yet of that happening and I know I can get SSR and OKW right now for more per point than I want to spend. And lastly, what are the chances that a summer discount is released? It's driving me bananas that nothing is released yet! We've been planning this darn trip since August!

 

[twinboysmom]

As a DVC member, I think renting points successfully for BC or BW villas at this late in the booking window is probably unlikely. I likely wouldn't choose SSR or OKW for a first trip either. My opinion is that the food courts at values and moderates are equally chaotic at busy times, mainly breakfast time. I never, and I do mean never, try to eat breakfast at the food court when I stay at a value or a moderate. Learned my lesson. I would choose POR for a first stay but think your daughter woukd likely enjoy POP if you want to save some money. I am not the best with discounts so someone else will have to come along and help with that but I would guess unlikely. WDW discounts rooms when they need to sell rooms. Usually the summer is a very busy time.

 

[WizardLarz]

As you can tell from my Signature I have stayed at POP several times.

The food is Fastfood/Denny's level, average filling fare.

Why everyone rages on the busses, I have no idea. I have found the bus service simple and quick for getting to the Parks. Coming back, especially after firework or Park closing, the lines can get long, but Disney routes busses as needed as quickly as possible.
--Going to the Parks---
Early Morning , 5-15min. wait, You may at times need to stand.
Afternoons , 10-20min. wait, usually plenty of seating
Evenings , 10-20min. wait, " "

--Leaving the Parks--
Mid Afternoon, 10-20min. wait, usually plenty of seating
After Fireworks, 15-30min. wait, You may have to stand

By staying at POP you can save a little money & be able to easily cross the bridge and visit the Art of Animation Resort, which could be a great alterinative choice.

 

[Kristibo42]

WE love POP. Have stayed there serveral times. I can't see paying for anything other than a value resort. We are not in the rooms long enough. We like spending our time in the parks.

 

[kkmauch]

I agree with a pp that BWV or BC this late in the game is highly unlikely. However, I wouldn't discount SSR or OKW you'll get more space in the room for less money, DVC discounts (only a few left), great pools with water slides and features (that Pop can't offer) and you'll still have access to fast food options as well as great table service. SSR quick service has more to offer than OKW, but it is also a quick walk from DTD where you can grab even more food options.

But I digress...

Pop is going to be fine for your child who will never notice the differences. You are the one who will notice the smaller room, less appealing food court and crowded bus. What she will notice is the lack of a water slide. Been there. Done that. Learned my lesson.

We've done value a few times, but only when we got great AP rates that made staying an extra day or two feasible.

POR is a fine choice and a great "first time" resort. It is large, but we never really noticed. The food court is so much better themed and organized than POP. The rooms are larger and of course it has a water slide. The bus will still be crowded at the end of the day leaving after fireworks, but at least you'll get dropped off close to your room.

If it were us, we'd stay at SSR. But if that wasn't an option, then I would go with POR and decide if the mods worth it for our family. We would rather realize we could spend less next time than be disappointed by something we could have avoided by picking a moderate (pools, slides, beds, overall resort feel, etc).

You're going to WDW, don't stress too much

 

[carrie1626]

If you're really going to spend everyday all day in the park, then don't let a review of craziness in the POP foodcourt bother you.

It'll get crazy in the morning, but guess what...it will at PO too.

If you know you'll be doing a total parktime vacation, no downtime, no pooltime then POP will be fine.
Otherwise, I recommend PO because ammenities are just a little nicer

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

As far as the chaotic food court, remember you are going during a busy time so most food courts are going to be chaotic.

I say go for what ever your budget can handle. But as the other DVC person mention BC and BWV are going to be hard to come by. SSR is under referb so their room inventory is limited. So if you think you want to stay there I wouldl not waste time on booking SSR. OKW on the other hand does not have a food court so you could avoid the chaotic food court. They offer a walk up stand for CS food.

summer is WDW busy season so discounted room rates are far and few between for this time period.

What dates are you going?

 

[bakie21]

I would stay at POR much nicer everything than the values. Plus there is nightly entertainment in the bar area for all ages. The Sassagoula river cruise to downtown disney is also a big plus. Small fridges and queen beds are at por.

 

[Dixiemom]

I think it's all in what you want in your vacation. We have stayed at a moderate (CSR) and a value (Pop). Enjoyed both. When we stayed at Pop we decided to get the waterpark and more option so the pool not having slides was not an issue. I booked Pop again but asked the kids if they would rather stay at a moderate with no waterpark or Pop again with the waterparks. It was a no brainer. Pop it is. Food court.......kind of crowded sure. Food was not bad to us. We ate at AoA a couple of times and really enjoyed the variation. Gotta love doing The Hustle in the lobby with the staff and other brave guests. The kids still talk about it. That said, we did enjoy the queen beds at CSR and the resort was beautiful. You will have a great trip regardless.

 

[Reddy]

I think the main question should be - can you & your spouse sleep together in a full size bed??
if you are going to be in the parks all day then that is the only thing that matters
We stay All Stars - movies last 2 trips next trip is going to be Music - we aren't much on breakfasts - I just send DH over to get our morning caffine then we head out
since we lost a snack credit on the quick service plan - we are planning on having cereal bars or muffins in the room for breakfast (or maybe the dessert we didn't eat that went into the frig)

 

[bbnursie]

Just FYI if it is important to you. POR has two queen beds in each room while POP has two double beds.

 

[AshleeH]

Out of your options, we've only stayed at Pop and it was very cramped. Luckily we were only there for one night, but be aware that it's smaller than the average hotel room.

Whatever you pick, I would pick soon - it's going to be hard finding what you want in June, since we're closing in on March.

 

[sadossey]

Went on our first trip last year to POR and loved it. Could easily spend a few days there and not go to parks. Very nice resort, landscaping, pools, activities, etc. Food court very good with good selection. Pasta bar was really good. One thing about POR, a lot of people talk about the boat to DTD, which was nice, but it seemed to take forever. We are going this April and to save a little $ we are trying Pop. I'm afraid I am going to be disappointed but I'm sure we will have fun no matter where we stay.

 

[Irin997]

Wow thank you guys so much! Since it seems like we won't get bc or bwv now I'm focusing on Pop vs POR.

Keep the comparisons coming and cause we are still totally unsure. Thanks!

 

[JeannieKY]

11yr old will most likely enjoy the Pop more. It is my DD16's 1st choice and she has stayed at BC, WL, POFQ, ASMO, etc. However, full size beds at Pop vs Queen at POR. 2 sinks at POR vs 1 at Pop. All bathrooms are tiny. That said, POFQ is more compact than POR and I'd pick it over POR.

 

[Sue M]

We love POR, we stay in the Mansion section. The landscapping is beautiful, the rooms IMO are more comfortable then the values, it's a more relaxing stay, and quieter then the values.
Love the pool area, and option of quiet pools too. Great food court, a fav is the make your own pasta bar, boat to DTD is a bonus, the resort also has evening entertainment, Bob Jackson puts on a great show.

I'd check out the resort pics on all ears.net they have a ton of pics, resort videos, etc. It's hard to describe the differences, but you can see looking at the photos. There's also a POR thread on this board that has lots of pics. Look on the info on page 1

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Out of those choices I'd pick POR, but I'd actually prefer POFQ, or rent points for a studio in AKL.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Ok we are in the middle of planning our 1st family trip at the end of June!!! 1st trip for DD11 and me and 3rd for DH (he went twice as a kid).

We are STRUGGLING to decide which resort to stay in. Here are the ones wer are considering:

- Port Orleans Riverside
- Pop Century
- renting DVC for a studio (would prefer BWV or BC but would take SSR or OKW)

It's just the 3 of us and we are having a hard time justifying the extra cost of POR as we will be spending all day in the park. BUT I've read multiple reviews that Pop is quite chaotic and the food court is just ok (and crazy busy). I'm imaging and have read that POR is much quieter.

If we were able to get enough points for BWV or BCV, that would be amazing because it would be cheaper that rack rates for both POR and Pop and the location is incredible. BUT I haven't had luck as of yet of that happening and I know I can get SSR and OKW right now for more per point than I want to spend. And lastly, what are the chances that a summer discount is released? It's driving me bananas that nothing is released yet! We've been planning this darn trip since August!

We stayed at POR for the first time in January for a night before we moved to our DVC resort for our stay. We thought it was a very nice resort. It has queen beds and Alligator Bayou has the little Murphy Bed (about 5.5' by 2.5') that folds down. We like the food court there enough to visit it at least once during our trips. My husband likes the pasta bar there. I thought the breakfast choices were very good on our last trip. My son and I got stuff to go and we headed to the pool where my husband was taking a morning swim after a morning run and we all ate there.

Really a very relaxing and pleasant resort. We'd go back there again if we didn't have DVC points to use at DVC resorts.

If you are looking for a food court, you won't be happy at a DVC resort. Most of the deluxe resorts only have a smaller counter service and not a food court with lots of choices.

Since this if your first trip, make sure you take a break every now and then and don't try to stay in the park from morning until night. You will tire yourself and your child out. Head to a park in the morning, then head to the resort for a swim or just to relax in your room for a few hours. In late June it will be very hot in the afternoon and a pool break might just be what you'll need. Then head back out to the parks. It's much easier and more relaxing.

BWV and BCV (and both might be hard to get this late) will only have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa in the villa. OKW will have two queen beds. Both OKW and SSR have several pools on the property as well.

 

[Irin997]

I did find a studio at Kidani Village for a great price. Does that change anything?

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

I did find a studio at Kidani Village for a great price. Does that change anything?

If you can get AKL and the price works for you, I'd grab it. As you can see from my sig, we've been there (along with several other locations) many times, and LOVE it. There IS a counter service at Jambo, the companion resort that's a walk or shuttle ride away, and the shop at Kidani has food items. Or you can have groceries delivered, or if you have a car, go to one of the local supermarkets for groceries. The studio will have a kitchenette with a microwave and a small fridge. There is so much to do there, and great pools. You can also go over to Jambo and check everything out over there as well!

Whatever you decide to do, you'll have a great time - hope it's the first as a family of many!