Am I crazy to downgrade from CSR to POP??

[Suzanne74]

As much as I am excited to stay at CSR, I really just have this nagging annoyance in my head that I am overpaying for this trip. I am not cheap and normally we stay at deluxe but since sis and I are chipping in for parents package and airfare and since the dining is free no matter where you stay, we thought we'd stay at POP. Then since we are staying so long (9/30 to 10/10), we thought maybe we should upgrade and CSR looks so nice and they have a restaurant and Pepper Market for the meal plan. Okay great - settled. Now, as we are finalizing dinner reservations and where we will all be on certain days etc.. I am thinking - we are trying so many new restaurants and are doing EMH, MNSSHP etc... - we really will only be at the resort during nap times for the kids and to sleep at night. UGH!!! Now I am thinking I should downgrade the hotel and get cars for easy commute from parks and resort restaurants. I also think POP looks more appealing to kids and we have 2 that are 4yrs old and one 2 yr old in our group.

Why can't I just be satisfied with one or the other
Is anyone else torn like this??? Suggestions why I should stay with CSR or move to POP?

Thanks for letting me vent

 

[Disney Debbie]

If I had the money - I'd go with CSR. Your parents might want to come back to the room and rest, you might end up spending more time there then you think. The pool area is no comparison to a value (I haven't stayed at POP but I'm pretty sure I'm right on that since I think the layout is similar to All Stars)

I'd always make the choice for a moderate over a value IF I had the money. I stayed at CBR for just one night last weekend instead of a value even though I didn't spend hardly any time there.

 

[iwannbindisnee]

HI. First let me say I have never stayed at POP or any of the value resorts. SO that is where I start-As I went by them in the car or bus, they just didn't "feel" right to me-too busy, too "over the top". BUt I would think that little ones would love it! I have stayed at CSR & there are a lot of business people there--just a comment about CSR-that may or may not appeal to you being there w/ your family. It didn't really change anything for me, but again it has been said to bother some people. (maybe being reminded of work! ) POP's theming may very well appeal to your children. I don't know anything about the pool there. ( I imagine it's pretty neat tho) I do know the CSR pool was really cool looking & the kids seemed to be having a great time. Of course , if that is not in your itinerary, not a plus. I have heard the rooms a bit tight for 4 at POP, but like you said, you are only napping there or sleeping there. I like the space & the theming of CSR. I have also read on these boards depending on where you are at POP, it can be noisy at night when little ones are trying to sleep. Not that you cannot get neighbors like that anywhere, but I have not experienced that at CSR. SO, if you children are light sleepers, CSR might be a better bet. Hopefully someone who has stayed at both will write back. Escpecially someone w/ smaller children. Mine were 7 & 9 for their first trip. Hope this helped a little! Deb

 

[jjarman]

I don’t think so. Our 2002 trip DH, DS12 (then) and I stayed at POFQ. We loved that resort. But our next trip was just DS15 (now) and me. DH didn’t want to go (can’t imagine why) and I was basically paying for this one on my own so budget was a little tighter. The room rate for Pop was $74 a night and the moderates were about $30 more a night at least. We were staying longer too so I just couldn’t justify that much more a night. Sure the room at Pop was a little smaller but really not that noticeable. The bathroom was smaller and I missed having the little seat at the end of the bathtub that POFQ had but for the savings Pop was well worth it. Besides, I think Pop’s bus service was much better than POFQ. No resort sharing. Sure Pop didn’t have a slide but DS is really to old for that and he loved the Pop pools anyway. I guess the only thing I really missed from POFQ was no beignets. But then the beignets I got at POFQ were a little on the tough side and not as light and fluffy as Café du Monde and I can always make them at home. So, to answer your question, go, enjoy, save some money, eat at better restaurants.

 

[Disney5Mom]

We love CSR. We stayed one night at a value resort (Music) and found it quite noisy and busy. After long days at the parks our family really appreciates the more peaceful feeling at the moderate resorts. We found the buses at CSR were not crowded at all.

 

[goodferry]

If you are going on free dining and saving that money on the food, I would go with CSR. I don't know about your parents, but mine would not enjoy the over the top theming at POP, and my kids go for a good pool over giant icons anyday. As far as transportation goes, I think it is just as easy to use Disney's as it is to rent a car, and maybe a little easier. You still have to deal with parking, both at the parks and the resorts, plus finding your way around. We rented a van one trip because there were nine of us and we drove it from the airport and to the airport, a total waste of money for us. You could always switch to POFQ, then your transportation options increase because you can take the boat to DTD and catch a bus to any resort from there. Whatever you decide, you will have a great trip, it's disney! I always stress over my resort decision too.

 

[owtrbnks]

I see where you've stayed previously and can only guess that you've finally lost it, like my MIL! We stayed at a value resort for 1 night, had ressies for a week. Next morning I went to front desk and said I'm outta here. Moved to POR and all was fine. I highly recommend AKL especially for kids and people like me that will always be a kid. CSR is also nice. But, if you like crowds, noise, non-English speaking housekeepers and guests, stay in the Motel 6 of Disney! Maybe you'll even get a room with a view of the highway or your car! I know I'll get flamed for this, but maybe I've saved you.

 

[tinknme]

PC is the only onsite resort we have stayed at. With the free dining though I decided to try another resort, so we are now going to CSR My boys are ages 11 & 9 & when I showed them pictures of CSR they were very excited. I am very excited myself to be able to try a moderate, hope I don't get to spoiled

 

[Amy&Dan]

I would stick with a moderate because of travelling with your parents. I know that when we were in the early stages of planning a trip with my husband's dad, aunt and cousin we were unsure of what to do. They said they were fine with a value and since we are paying for fil's trip ( I know you can relate to this added expense factor!) I was all for saving money. We had stayed at ASMO for our first trip and I thought we would be fine. Then we went to Pop in January and I don't know if it was the novelty of a WDW value resort had worn off a bit but I was not as impressed. Packed food court, loud, sreaming kids everywhere, toilet noises constantly and iffy bus service. This was in January at an off time. I knew when we came back over Christmas there was no way my in laws could handle this, especially my husband's cousin who isn't used to being around young kids in large numbers. So I decided we would switch to POR until we toured DVC and bought on the spot ending the whole debate! However, had we not bought into DVC, POR would have been our choice. We ended up staying there in April (points don't start until next month on our DVC contract) and we loved it. The closeness to DTD would have been perfect for our extended family stay and I know they would have loved the lush landscaping. My kids and I love huge icons but I know my stuffy inlaws would have thought they had been transported to some sort of cartoon Hell! To me a moderate has something for everyone without paying an arm and a leg. I still like the values and in fact we are staying two nights at ASSP this October before moving over to our DVC but I know I will never stay at one again for 10 nights (the length of our Pop stay) especially with older family members. You know your family the best but for me I just know it could have been a disaster and wouldn't have chanced it. Good luck!

 

[sarahsmom73]

We loved POP! (I am a serious hotel snob... ) It was so much fun we are going back for Thanksgiving!

 

[robinb]

Since you have only stayed at Deluxe resorts in the past, I think it would be a big mistake for you to change to POP. Don't get me wrong ... I love POP! But only for a couple of days. I think the bigger than life theme, the bright colors, the tiny rooms, the crowds at the food court and the boring pool will get to you after a while. I could never stay at POP for 11 days!

 

[geetey]

As you can see from my signature, we typically stay at deluxes but POP has won us over! We were there in June for 11 days!! As someone else mentioned, we stayed at ASMovies - made it 1 night and moved to the YC. My family won't try staying at an All Stars resort again, but we would go back to POP!

I know that doesn't help with your decision (we have never stayed at a moderate) but I wanted to let you know that POP was great! It really depends on what you want from your resort. Good luck with your decision!

PS: if you do decide to do POP, spring for the preferred room. The extra $$ were worth it for my family.

 

[rdsx28]

Hi, I would also say that if you have only stayed at deluxe in past I would stay at CSR. The values although are very nice are noisy with many children. This was a complaint of my mother -in-law when she stayed there as an extra visit last year.She owns DVC at WL and really didn't care for it at pop. CSR also has a really nice looking playground that your kids may enjoy too. We will be there Thanksgiving week and are really looking forward to it.If you do decide to drive to the parks and have AAA I was told that they had special parking spaces called"diamond spots". These are suppose to be closer to the park exits. I have not confirmed this myself but you may want to check it out. Good Luck and have a great trip!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

For such a long stay I'd stick with CSR. I loved the Pepper Market and I did not love the food courts at ASMu. You aren't paying for foods and you are coming back for naptime...if everyone comes back for naptime each day that's when they would be able to enjoy whatever is available at your resort while the kids nap.

You are going in what would normally be offseason (although with the dining promotion who knows) so I would think that would reduce the need to go commando.

 

[Disney Fans]

I too have stayed in the nicer hotels but I have heard so many good things about the POP, I thought why not try it this next trip. Lets face it when you stay at value resort you know its not going to be GF. You are paying A LOT LESS $$$ so it is going to be a little smaller room etc.
But noise is another thing. I really think its luck alot of the time because I have stayed at 5 star hotels where we could still hear running water from next door or above and bad service in general. I have stayed at BC and AKL and both or them I could here others somewhat in the next bath room so don't let that scare you away from trying POP out. But don't get me wrong there is a reason why you pay more for a Mod or Del, but after so many good reviews about the POP, why not give it a try.
Either way I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

I don't think you are crazy! Make a list of all the things you could do with the money you will save by staying at POP and then decide if it is worth it. For me, the sound of money in my pocket wins nearly every time!!

 

[aubriee]

I also don't think you're crazy. I went to WDW in January with my elder son and GD and wanted the trip to be perfect for them so decided to change my resort from All Star Movies to doing a split stay with a courtyard view at WL and a savanna view at AKL. We were so busy we hardly ever saw the rooms, except to collapse and go to sleep. Other than swimming three nights we never used the pools and never got in either hot tub.

In May, I went back solo and spent two nights at POP, then rented DVC points for five nights at BWV, then spent a final two nights at POP. I was pleasantly surprised at POP and had no trouble returning there after my five nights at BWV. In fact it is the only place I've received towel animals. I loved it so much that I changed my mind about staying in a moderate resort for our Sept trip and will be staying at POP again in Sept, so my younger son and D-I-L can enjoy it. I offered them the choice and they chose POP.

I'm going back in Dec also, but want to try something different and have no idea where I want to stay, but with the first few days of my Dec trip coinciding with the last few days of Pop Warner week, I'm hesitating over booking a value resort.

I say it depends on how much time you'll spend in your resort and if you'll have time to enjoy it's amenities or will you just be using it to sleep.

 

[Buzz2001]

Whatever will make you the happiest is what you should do, just enjoy your trip!

 

[Suzanne74]

Okay - I decided to stay at CSR. Although we are spending more and the POP looks fun, I think a mod will keep everyone from 2yrs old to 66yrs old happy in the family. I think my parents will want some down time, even from their own grandkids so CSR will probably work out nice - lots to do but lots of quiet places too. BIL likes a beer here and there so the lounge may be a benefit too, heck - I may need one after 11 days with extended family.

Another thing I forgot that really sealed the deal was the fridges and CSR was wireless internet access. DH needs internet access for his job if he wants to be away that long.

Thanks everyone. DD and I may be taking a quick weekend trip the first week of Dec and I think we will be staying at POP then. I think then the POP will work for us.

 

[robinb]

Okay - I decided to stay at CSR.

I think you made the right choice . I will be stayin at CSR myself for the first time in a couple of weeks and I can't wait!

Please join us over on the CSR FAQ thread now that you made up your mind:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=324638