A spoiled rotten Princess report

[jtdl]

We just returned from a 6 night stay at Pop. I had read about the "flushing toilet" problem before we left and expected the worse. I have no problems with my hearing, but I wasn't woken up or even bothered by the flushing toilets. You can hear them for about 3 seconds and it is not loud, it's kinda a far-off sound. The beds were fine for us. I never heard any complaints from DH or kids. The only noise was from outside the door - everytime anyone walked by you could hear them, but heard no noise from beside or above. Personally, I don't think I will stay at Pop again. I don't know what it was that I didn't like about it, other than our building (70's) was the ugliest colour and ugliest building I have seen at Disney (and green is my fav colour!).

 

[dizprincess717]

I've only stayed at one moderate resort, CBR, way back in the day. Other than that my family has always stayed at WL or this past summer we just bought a brand new motorhome and drove that down because we were visiting other places than just WDW. But anyway, my neighbor stayed at an All-Star and he said that the rooms were really small and the beds were almost too short. I hardly believe his line of beds being too short, Disney is too good for that. But after reading some stories about people staying in value resorts I'm kind of scared to stay there when I go in four years (I know, long trip planning) with my friends from college!

But some people present a good point - if you're going to be in the parks most of the time then why spend over $350 for a room a night? $75 a night would be perfect if you're not planning to spend a lot of time in the rooms. I think it's just a matter of personal preference.

To me, it's WL all the way.

 

[OzFan]

I agree with the previous poster, if you are going to be miserable at the resort it is not worth the savings. I try to find the silver lining in everything I do as far as Disney is concerned. I have those special Mouse Glasses on when it comes to Disney. But, it was just not worth for ME. Paying the extra $$ for a nice stay makes me more relaxed. That is what it boils down to, everyone is different and we all can tollerate different things. If you are going to stay in the parks all day, crash at midnight and then up at dawn then why pay the extra bucks? I can see that point too!

 

[Bill From PA]

Our first two stays inside Disney were a week each time at AllStarMu and we were very satisfied. Not having to drive to and from Kissimmee was benefit. enough. Our third trip took us to POR and while I appreciated the more adult theming and better amenities, I wasn't ready to write off the Values. Trips 4 and 5 took us to Dolphin then Swan for 8 days each time. That's what did us in. Being able to walk to 2 of the 4 parks to say nothing of the Boardwalk, ESPN club and Jellyrolls would be enough in itself but the jump from a Value to a deluxe is nothing to sneeze at. So now I'm a 'shot and a beer' guy with Champaign tastes. We last visited last month and had to split our stay three ways, first 3 at Swan, middle 2 at AllStar and last 3 at Dolphin. The middle 2 were an eye opener. I'd do a Value again if that's all I could afford, but I'll be searching for the Teacher's Rate for next March and I'll 'settle' for a Mod.

Bill From PA

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I've stayed at POP Century (just one night) and ASM. I look at it this way: basically, these properties consist of FIVE or SIX Holiday Inns situated around one central building. But you can actually stay at the Holiday Inn WDW cheaper if you play your cards right.

The difference is whether you want to use Dis transportation or rent a car. If you don't mind leaving your room a bit earlier to navigate the bus depot and the various stops each must make, then this is a good value for you. DH and I like to rent a car anyway so we can get to the park quicker in the morning, then Park Hop using the busses during the day. If we eat at another hotel, we usually drive ourselves.

For a couple, it is in our budget to stay at a moderate or deluxe; however, I won't shell out the dough for a Deluxe when we're barely in the room anyway. But I can definitely see the value in one of the values (pun intended) for a large family –– meals, tickets and souveniers can certainly add up, and if there's one place you can cut, it's the price of a room that will seldom be used for anything other than sleeping.

 

[OzFan]

Renting a car, I feel is a must if you are going to stay at the POP. If my kids were with me, I would have changed hotels. They would have NEVER made it back to the room at night and the crowded buses would have done them in also. Children were standing as well as adults on every bus. It makes me nervous to see a little one swing back and forth trying to stand. If the buses are that crowded they should have more than one bus running to the parks. When one bus would pull out, it would be another 10 to 15 minute wait for another bus. Only for a family with someone in a wheelchair to board with 15 in their party and there you go, standing room only. I had seen the same family on another bus, but this time somone else was in the chair. I would not stay at another value resort, I would stay offsite first. But thats just me, a

 

[Disney Fool]

I have to add my two cents, also. Having stayed at the GF, Poly, Swan/Dolphin, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Port Orleans, I think the values (yes, the values) are getting a bad rap! Lemme tell ya'--the buses at the Deluxes can be a mess at times too! I've waited an hour for a bus from the Grand Floridian to the MGM, and during the summer, the Yacht and Beach Club will also pick up folks at Swan/Dolphin and Boardwalk. Before you even leave the area, you're pooped! Wilderness Lodge at times shares buses with Fort Wilderness and the bus is already jammed before it arrives at the resort. I think Pop Century is a nice, fun place to stay--as long as you're aware of certain things:

the bathrooms are smaller (and noisier --but no noisier than the Poly);

Some buildings are much further away than the food court and buses; so when you make your reservation, and you don't want to walk, ask for something closer. The grounds of the resort are great, and fun to see.

The food court has many choices and the menu changes throughout the day.

The other side of the resort is not open yet, so maybe the far away buildings may be closer to that side's food court via Generation Gap bridge --who knows?

For a certainty, the rooms are spotless, the maid in the 60's building does an awesome job with stuffed animals and window displays--better than I've seen anywhere (I personally think she's out of control!) and the place is just perfect for kids. If you plan "commando style" trips and spending all day at the parks, and a quick swim at night, this is your place. Do not be scared off from staying here. If you want peace and quiet, don't book your trip during school vacations, or other high volume times.

 

[lauran cameron]

*falls over*

I'm an OKW fanatic too-just look at the sig

I'm guilty I'm guilty!!!

 

[Tinkerbelle99]

I maybe in the minority, but we thoroughly enjoyed our two stays at Pop. We never had an issue with noise (running water, toilets or otherwise) and the beds were good, we all slept like babies on them.

We never had issues with the bus transportation. A plus for Pop is that there busses are direct to each park and back, no picking up people from other value resorts. (I believe that the All Stars share their busses) We rarely had to wait, and if we did wait for a second bus it was by choice as my sister had her huge stroller with her.

During last weeks trip, we were told the resort was sold out and it did feel as though more people were around compared to last year. but it hardly felt crowded.

Our first stay was in the 60's building and last week we were in the 80's. The walk to the main building from the 80's was never an issue for us.

I would definitely stay there again...

That being said, I have only had two trips to WDW and both times at Pop, so maybe its a case of 'i dont know what i am missing', but i will say i am not really tempted to stay elsewhere at this point.

 

[bishop1989]

We've stayed at valueresorts several times and only one time did we not enjoy the stay. We were in the furthest building from the bus stop, pool, food court, etc. Was horrible!! Then we always requested rooms by the main pool after that and our stays have been fine. this also happened at the Carib. BR also. Too far away and we have never gone back there. Had a terrible time hiking for miles.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I've got my flame retardant undies on and here I go.. Ok, let me first say that it is true what I have heard about staying at Old Key West... "Once you stay there, you don't want to go anywhere else" True, so so true! I just got back from a 5 day stay at Pop Century! All I can say is that either I am WAAAY to SPOILED or I am just a . I guess I'm not used to standing on the bus no matter what time you get on them. Don't get me wrong, the busses ran frequently, but they were standing room only. As for the walk to get on the busses, holy cow ! We were in Georgia I think, or maybe it was the 80's building, yea the 80's. It took us 25 years to get to the busses, food court or even the ice machine. I did buy the refillable mug, I was just too tired to go back to the food court to refill it! The wake up call was housekeeping every morning @ 7:55am sharp. Not that I had to get out of bed to open the door and ask them to come back later, all I did was roll over and open the door. It was only 2 of us in the room, thank God! I cannot imagine 4 people fitting in there . On a better note, the Pina Coldas by the Hippity Dippity pool were pretty good.
The parks were great! My daughter's band was OUTSTANDING, we did have a good time when we were in the parks! I ate at O'hanas for the first time and now I'm hooked! It was sooooo good! I loved the pineapple and carmel sauce! YUM YUM! I also rode the Haunted Mansion for the first time at night! That was cool!
I can't wait until May... that when I get to go "home again". Old Key West here I come!

I'm sorry, you had me howling! 25 years.......

But seriously, I get your point. I've stayed at all levels at WDW and even though we've had great trips no matter where we were, I just don't think I could go back to the values or moderates.

This last time we stayed in a 2 bedroom condo, king size bed, and jacuzzi.......(even though the sacrifice I make is that it is off-site and I totally understand that not everyone wants to do this). I just can't sleep in a double bed anymore. It's no vacation if I can't sleep with my DH and have a door to close. But I know, that's just me.

And I've been able to get our condos for much less than the values, so I just can't say no.

But the values are a "great value" and it works for many families. You just gotta do what is best for your own family. I just wish my budget matched what I think I need.......(think the Walt Disney suite at the GF.... )