Anyone stayed at both POP & WL? NEED ADVICE

[thesoldtrain]

I am going crazy trying to make a decision on this, so I look to any of you who can chime in with your thoughts.

We are traveling June 20-30 (10 nights) for our 2nd trip to WDW. 1st trip was last summer, we stayed 10 nights at AKL and loved it there. This year we will be traveling with DD 6, DD 2, and DS 15 (going on 30). We are bringing my sister along since we converted to her to being a Disney fanatic and also because she has done some babysitting for us on our trips prior to this and will be doing so this trip. We pay for her to come and we have a built-in babysitter for a few evening meals for just the 2 of us, WOOHOO

Okay, anyway, we currently have booked the Pop Century Resort, 2 connecting rooms, AAA discount, for $1873.00. Of course, we are hoping for some AP codes pretty soon that would hopefully bring this cost down. We figured that we did the big lovely deluxe last year, and so this year we would scale down in order to afford 2 rooms for extra space for us all....2 bathrooms, 2 TVs, etc. We love the deluxe amenities, but don't mind traveling value either, esp, since we have heard good things about POP.

Another option for us is the WL standard view, 1 room, AAA, $2397.00. Again, hopefully a discount would come out to lower this. What got me thinking about this is the possibility of easier transportation to the parks and perhaps more for the kids to do/see, plus a larger size room that might accomodate us all in 1 room? I don't know....what do you think?

Given our party size and costs, which would you recommend? THANKS!

 

[spiceycat]

I love WL - and if you can afford it - go with WL.

however if you think this might put in an financial blind -go with Pop Century - I love this resort - it is cute, friendly - a good place to have fun at.

 

[newholidayx2]

do a split stay - 5nights Pop then 5nights WL

 

[Minnie&Nana]

POP: 2 rooms, 2 TV's, 2 bathrooms...connecting rooms would be great space and the POP is so much fun

Good luck deciding!

 

[sanibelover]

6 people in one room at WL is not going to be fun. I think you can (because one is a baby) but the rooms are not very big at all. I can't even imagine...

While POP is not great either, you would have 2 bathrooms which would be a huge plus in my book.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Rooms at the WL only sleep 4 people max. You get two queen beds, or one queen and one set of bunkbeds. So I definitely wouldn't try it with 3 adults and 3 kids... not only is it against the rules, but you'd be miserable.

 

[Princess Glenda]

WL is our favorite and YES the proximity, theming, and activities would be pluses for your family. BUT...given the size of your group I have to go with POP. We stayed there 2 nights and it has a fun theme and the pools were nice. I think the 2 adjoining rooms would work nicely for you. You could always take a trip over to WL for supper at Whispering Canyon Cafe one evening to check out the lobby and pools, etc for a future trip.

 

[thesoldtrain]

Thanks for all the advice....just to clarify, our party is only 5 people total, 2 adults, 3 kids (1 of the kids is a 2yo in a crib). The CM told me that with my 2yo being in a crib, they still allow 4 people plus her. Is that not correct? SOmeone said I was against the rules, but I was going by what the CM told me? I thought deluxes like WL could hold 5 anyway? Am I wrong?

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

My mistake, when you said your sister was coming I thought she was a third adult. 4 people plus a child in a crib is allowed.

 

[thesoldtrain]

Silly me! No, it was my mistake! I wrote DS intending it to mean sister, but it read "son." LOL WOOPS, I need to be more careful! Thanks again; I think the extra space at Pop will be worthwhile.

 

[Bimmy56]

I've also stayed at both and found the WL rooms to be small and dark, but quiet. These rooms are much smaller than other Deluxe rooms. The Pop Century has more for kids to do - the little ones will probably love the pop jets - I couldn't get my grandchildren out of them. There also is a much bigger pool, kiddie pool, playground, more kid-type food offered, etc. at the Pop, but it is much noisier and can be a long walk depending on which building you are staying at. I see the WL as more of an adult resort. It is beautiful.

you will have a great time in either one - but I would tend to go with the Pop for the extra room.

 

[arizonacolbys]

We have stayed at both - & while the WL is my favorite resort based on theme and surroundings alone - We LOVE the POP! We've stayed there twice in the last 6 months & may be returning there in May (especially, if no codes come out!)

For the size of your family I would definitely choose POP for this trip - 2 rooms would be very helpful with everyone getting ready, etc. The food court is great there & may also be more useful to you than the food selection at WL. I also think, IMO, that the transportation at POP far exceeded the transportation at WL. The busses at WL share with other resorts & can make for a lengthy bus ride. We did enjoy the boat to the WL, but getting to other parks was sometimes lengthy!

I also think your young DD's will really enjoy the pools & theming at POP.

 

[tinan]

Given the fact that you are going there for 10 nights, I would think that you would want some alone time with your husband besides dinner. If that's the case, then I would definitely go for the two rooms at Pop. There are only four of us going in Nov. and that's what I chose to do. DH, myself, DD 10 and DD 13 for 10 nights.

 

[keith-atl]

I would stay at Pop, 2 rooms would be real nice. WL rooms are kinda of small if you ask me. Plus the money you would save you can use that for a couple of nice meals with the built in babysitter.

I loved pop and actually I think I have convinced my wife we should stay there instead of CSR.

 

[Cindy B]

I've done both. With the amount of people in your party, I would do POP. My kids loved Pop, and it was fine (actually great) for us.

WL is nice, serene, beautiful but cost is a factor.

 

[Tamickey]

I really like both resorts and would suggest splitting your stay, but with little ones you may not want to move mid-way. I think I'd go with 2 rooms at POP instead of 1 at WL. I feel you'll be too crowded in one room for 10 days and the kids will love POP.

 

[Skroops]

I love the WL, the location, the pools and the serenity! But just like you, we can't afford two rooms right now at WL. So right now I have a split vacation booked. Half at POP with 2 rooms, and half at WL with 1 room. I am actually looking into renting from the DVC board and we'll see if that would work.
It's such a hard decision! Good luck to you, I really know how you feel! Either way it will be loads of fun!

 

[Magic2000]

Last summer, we did a split stay at Pop Century (3 nights) and Wilderness Lodge (5 nights). We had a great time at both!!!!

We did the first three nights at Pop - in the 60s bldg - our room overlooked the kiddy pool. We never heard our neighbors or any outside noise!!! We had a great stay!!! Transportation was great too!

The next 5 nights, we stayed at Wilderness Lodge and it was wonderful!!! My DH has always wanted to stay at WL! Our room overlooked the pool again!! We never heard our neighbors here either!!!! Transportation was fine!

Splitting the stay was so easy. The morning we checked out of Pop Century, I called Luggage Assistance. They told me to leave the luggage in the room and they'd get it to WL. We went off to Typhoon Lagoon for the day, and when we checked in, our luggage was at WL!!!! No problems at all!!!

Enjoy your stay!!!