5 people - POR Bayou v. Pop 2 rooms

[camset8]

We are going on a trip in April. I have been back and forth between the pros/cons of both scenarios and I am left with size vs. resport accomondations.

We have 5 people going - 2 adults, 17, 15 and 14 y/o. We currently have reservations at POR for 5 (so 2 queens and a trundle or murphy bed) but I am starting to second guess the size (as well as travel time to WWOS as we are going there to watch my other son play baseball several times). Therefore, I am considering a switch to POP and getting 2 rooms. The issue - will we like POP if we are POR "regulars," what are the "Crowds" like at POP (we are going in the high season)?, if we just taxi to WWOS does the distance issue go away?, we are not guaranteed adjoinging rooms at POP so we could be spread out over the resort. (then again we could get together but Dis won't guaranty that).

Thoughts?

 

[Kerriowl]

I think you will be VERY tight in a room at POR with 5 people. The biggest benefit of 2 rooms at POP for me would be the extra bathroom. I know Disney won't guarantee connected rooms, but I bet you can at least get close.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I'm 5"3' and barely fit in the murphy bed. I think it depends on how tall your teenagers are.

 

[Katedisneylover]

I stayed in Pop last year as couldnt get a reservation For POR, was worried for months, in the end I loved it. The place was great, queues were actually less than POR and it was Wine & Dine race weekend during F&W so busy time. And they were one of the only places where cast members came in at 3am and opened the food court for the runners so we could get a coffee before transport to the start, the moderates and deluxes didnt all do that, cast members were great. Great view of star wars fireworks from our room too.

This year we are back at POR but only because of free dining plan, otherwise I would be a Pop regular now.

Plus I agree, three teenagers and two adults would be very very tight, and difficult first thing for the early starts to the parks with only one bathroom.

 

[Babsy]

POP is a great value. There is the lake which is pretty and an easy walk across the bridge to AoA for photo ops. plus, it is fun to try something new.

I would definitely do two rooms at POP rather than one room at POR.

POR
2 queens and 1 trundle (small)
1 bathroom
2 chairs
1 TV
coffee fixins
no elevator
314 sq ft

POP
4 full beds
2 bathrooms
4 chairs
2TV's
elevator
no coffee (bring your own)
260 sq ft X 2 = 520 sq ft

I would request connecting rooms. You might be lucky.

 

[rosiebean]

I'm not a fan of values, but given the ages of your kids, Pop all the way. Two bathrooms is a must (IMO) with kids those ages.

When my family has had two rooms (many trips due to the fact that we travel as an extended family) we designate one room as the 'quiet' room and another as the 'tv watching, talking, game playing' room. It's worked for us. And on the vast majority of our trips, at least two rooms have adjoined or been side by side without connecting door, even without us asking (my sisters and I have simply linked our rooms together via MDE).

 

[HopperFan]

My family can handle togetherness and organized bath time but ....

How big is your 14 year old?

"...pull-down child-sized bed (approx. 63" x 30") over the banquette bench seat..."

 

[TJA]

Yeah that's a cute looking bed and all, but my DD did not sleep well in it.....

 

[Suzanne74]

Having two rooms at Pop is more ideal because of the bathroom - and I highly doubt the 14yr old will even fit on that bed.

That said, the beds at Pop are only double and even that is tight for 2 teens to sleep together.

 

[DisneySOS]

I'm far from an expert & I just booked a first time trip at POR this afternoon, but when speaking with the CM on the phone I was told the Murphy Bed was for children & preferably those no older than 10. Not sure if they will let you with book since Disney will know all of the ages?

 

[DisOrBust]

I booked and stayed at POR with what disney calls 5 adults. The Murphy bed sucked. We rotated thru sleeping on it. It also eliminates alot of storage so we were living out of suitcases. If I had to do it over I would do 2 rooms at pop or a family suite at AOA, but it would depend on the price difference as well. We did a split stay with BVC deluxe studio and that was even worse.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm far from an expert & I just booked a first time trip at POR this afternoon, but when speaking with the CM on the phone I was told the Murphy Bed was for children & preferably those no older than 10. Not sure if they will let you with book since Disney will know all of the ages?

Right on the website they say bedding for 5 adults.

They let you book but they probably want you to know not to expect a normal sized bed.

But I agree that the bed is small (larger than crib, smaller than twin) to discourage bookings for an adult or teen.

2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull Down Bed or 2 Queen Beds

Sleeps up to 5 Adults

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

With teenagers, I would probably pick two rooms. It will allow for some separation if necessary and two bathrooms is never a bad thing. Have a great trip!

 

[Deb & Bill]

With teenagers, I would probably pick two rooms. It will allow for some separation if necessary and two bathrooms is never a bad thing. Have a great trip!

But you have no guarantee that the two rooms will connect. And you need at least one 18 yr old or older in each room.

 

[adisneyaunt]

If ur POR regulars you Will def feel the diff of the pop resort/value. It just felt more Mobbed, tons more little kiddos, over stimulated, bold n loud, decent food court, Pool was big but nothing like ok man island at POR .. think quiet pools on steroids...no onsite restaurant option or inside bar for a cocktail.. it's a value so it's not meant to be like a mod.
As far as rooms go ( and we only stay Preferred at POR), pop was Very thin walled ( we constantly heard the other toilets, ugh!) squishy and a Value feel..
As someone mentioned 1 adult in each room needed and you could be in total different area.
I'd personally rather be at POR, just feels like a second home.. calmer, and live the feel and amenities of that particular mod.
Good luck deciding, safe travels as have fun at the games!

 

[blast822]

We did this and stayed at Pop. We loved it. Our TA said Pop guarantees connecting rooms when there's more adults than kids. We loved Pop, and have stayed at POR before. The two bathrooms, two fridges came in handy.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yeah that's a cute looking bed and all, but my DD did not sleep well in it.....

I would book POR if I had a younger one, but not with a teen. My DD is in the beginning stages of planning an extended family trip with my two adult nieces joining us, and one of the first questions she asked them was how they felt sharing space. It makes a difference in choosing rooms, because my DGD 1ill be 16, and shortie that she is, we will not ask her to sleep on a Murphy bed, She will need a full sized day bed if they choose a resort for 5 people to a room.

OP- honestly, how much time will you all be planning to be at the resort? If it is just for the room, book two rooms at POP. You will not look back. When my DGD was 4 I took her to WDW and we stayed at POFQ. Three women and a little one. My niece was about 22 and not so neat, and my sis in law was not "organized" with her stuff. It was cluttered to say the least. If you are traveling with teens, and they have not developed "housekeeping" skills, which you will need if you are all on one room, do everyone a favor and toss them in their own room. Make connecting rooms your only request, and while it is not a guarantee, if you do not ask for more, your chances of having the request granted are pretty good.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

How many nights are you going for? I would also consider a suite at All Stars or AoA.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

But you have no guarantee that the two rooms will connect. And you need at least one 18 yr old or older in each room.

But the OP said two adults and three teenagers. Would that not work to separate the adults into two non connecting rooms if necessary? Maybe I misunderstood .

 

[nkereina]

But the OP said two adults and three teenagers. Would that not work to separate the adults into two non connecting rooms if necessary? Maybe I misunderstood .

In theory, the 2 adults could split between 2 rooms since someone over 18 is required to be in a room. Disney could split up the rooms under this assumption. But of course, that means the family (I assume mom & dad) would need to split up or leave the teens on their own, which is not ideal.