Argh im struggling to choose between POP or Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista?!

[Leagill]

Has anyone stayed at the latter? Any thoughts? Clarion is much cheaper for me, and walking distance to Disney Springs/downtown disney, but is POP better in general? Cor I am the worst when it comes to making decisions! I am looking to book for 1st Sept for 10 or 14 nights. Thank you so much for your help in advance! xx

 

[Macprincess]

I've stayed at both. First, Clarion Lake Buena Vista is not within waking distance to Disney Springs. It's on Palm Parkway. They do offer a shuttle to Disney property, but it's very limited and I highly suggest having a car if you stay here.It's a basic motel, clean and safe, but really nothing special about it. That said, we do often stay here on quick trips where were just using the room to sleep and shower, because it's a cheap safe place to stay.

Pop would be my choice for a longer stay with these two properties. It's nicer, offers decent transportation to and from the parks, Disney Springs, and has access to use the Magical Express to get to and from the airport. The pool area is far nicer here as well if you want a down day hanging at the resort.

 

[wdw penny girl]

Just returned from my first solo trip.....stayed at the POP for the first time (usually stay deluxe when with the family)...that said I LOVED THE POP.....clean, safe and convenient.....prefect for a solo traveler or 2, not any more....I only stayed 5 days, but the POP is definitely going to be my solo home

 

[Bete]

If you are going as a single gal I would opt for POP all the way. Right now, the entire month of September has a Disney free dining offer promo that you could take advantage of. That would save you money. There's a limited amount of availability on this offer; so, the sooner you book the safer you are getting it. Play with different dates if you get some sold out times.

Staying onsite offers you the advantage of extra magic hours (longer time in the parks) and you can do fastpass plus selections a month sooner than those who are offsite. This is 60 days out for onsite and only 30 days out for offsite.

I have always felt safer on Disney property. You still need to watch your back returning to your resort.

The Clarion Lake Buena Vista has very mixed reviews. I agree with previous poster that it is not that close to Disney. You really can't walk to everything and it could be dangerous to do so.

 

[Ericaxo0528]

I am also in favor of the POP! Staying on property just makes a trip so much less stressful. Wont have to worry about airport or park transportation, bags can be delivered right to your room so you wont have to waste time at the baggage claim, you'll have extra magic hours, ect. A vacation is supposed to be as stressfree as possible and staying at Disney definitely helps with that! You can also link a credit card to your magic band so you dont have to worry about carrying money with you. For the full Disney experience, staying on property is always a must for me!

 

[Pkltm]

another pop vote!

 

[bamacmac]

I haven't stayed at the Clarion hotel, but I've stayed at Pop twice now solo and it really is a GREAT choice. Plus the theming is really fun and the few little Disney perks you can get are great.

Having the really awesome pool option and the food court option is really great too! PLUS...with Art of Animation a short walk away...they have an AWESOME food court!

 

[Leagill]

Wow, thank you all so very much for your opinions, you have helped me to put my mind at rest (must admit it was driving me crazy, pros and cons for both and reading endless trip advisor reviews to no real help with the decision!) POP it is then! Whoop!!! I cant wait! Thank you soooooo much again! x

 

[Leagill]

Oh, can I be a pain and ask one more question?? Its not that much extra to book the Art of Animation hotel (Little mermaid room) Is that better than POP or not that much difference? Thanks again!! -

EDIT Please ignore above after all - I guess really I should save the extra hundred and stay at POP so I have more money to send on Disney merchandise hehe! Thanks!

 

[BrianL]

Oh, can I be a pain and ask one more question?? Its not that much extra to book the Art of Animation hotel (Little mermaid room) Is that better than POP or not that much difference? Thanks again!! -

EDIT Please ignore above after all - I guess really I should save the extra hundred and stay at POP so I have more money to send on Disney merchandise hehe! Thanks!

Just FYI, AoA and POP are very similar, but AoA is designed as family suites (they are the cheapest suites on property but more than a regular room). They do have themes, but the resorts themselves are very similar in construction/amenities and such. POP is always awesome!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I've stayed in a Mermaid (non-suite) room at AoA, and I've also stayed at Pop. The Mermaid theming is more over-the-top intense, especially inside the room, compared with Pop. Pop has outdoor theming, but much less theming in the room, while Mermaid is themed indoors and outside. For that reason I prefer Mermaid between the two.

 

[JaniceV]

I have stayed at AoA and loved it but we were in a family suite. The Mermaid rooms are so cute. The only complaint I hear about them is the long walk to transportation. I am staying at POP for the first time this fall.

 

[Jacki89]

hey, I've seen some of your threads, I'm planning to travel solo at the end of September. Have you set your definite dates?

 

[richmo]

I've stayed at the Clarion Inn in LBV several times. For the price, its quite nice and the Palm Parkway location is a plus.

However, I would strongly recommend that if you stay there, you rent a car. The walk to Disney Springs is quite lengthy (guessing at least 1.5 miles, maybe closer to 2). There is a parks shuttle that runs from the Clarion, but as with any off-site hotel, I would always recommend renting a car. If you choose to rent a car, when comparing price-wise vs. POP, remember to add in the car rental price and $20/day parking at WDW parks.

If you are set on walking to Disney Springs (remember, buses don't run directly to the parks from Disney Springs...you'd have to switch at a Disney resort), the only other suggestion I might have is that you could probably walk to the Doubletree and catch a shuttle to the parks from there. (The Doubletree is on Hotel Plaza Blvd., closest to Crossroads Plaza, so it would be the shortest distance from the Clarion). The shuttles from the non-Disney hotels on Disney property (Hotel Plaza Blvd.) are much more reliable and frequent than totally outside the bubble. What I can't remember, since I haven't stayed at one of those resorts lately, is if they check for a room key before they let you on the bus...I don't think so, but maybe someone can chime in with that...

 

[Leagill]

Thank you everyone for your input! I decided on POP in the end as sounds like it is much easier for transport to and from the parks and also safer in general! For anyone you might be around at the same time as me i will be heading there on the 31st august until the 14th Sept!

 

[richmo]

Thank you everyone for your input! I decided on POP in the end as sounds like it is much easier for transport to and from the parks and also safer in general! For anyone you might be around at the same time as me i will be heading there on the 31st august until the 14th Sept!

I think you made the right choice. When I go solo, I try to stay "on the cheap", so I'll pick something like the Clarion Inn and rent a car. In your case, I think you'll be better off at POP and all your ground transportation will be taken care of. Have fun! (it'll be pretty hot then, so be ready for that...but, most schools will just have started so crowds should be relatively low)

 

[ludari]

I've only stay at POP once before I became a DVC member, however I would suggest that you do what is best for your budget. If the difference is very minimal I would definitely vote for staying on-site at POP verses off-site just for the convenience of the shuttle, magic hours, etc. Good luck with your decision.

 

[grumpysteelman]

I just got back from a split trip between the Doubletree at Springs and POP. This was my second time at POP. (Also have done CB, CS, Poly, AK Lodge)

Uber from the Doubletree was extremely efficient and almost dead on the same cost as paying to park. Much faster than any bus service from POP since it is near wide world of sports.

I find that the food court at POP is also slammed busy most of the time. It's a pain to get a quick dinner or breakfast. Buses also tend to be slam full around peak times and since it is relatively far from MK - the turnover is slower than many other WDW resorts.

For my $$$ I would stay at a Springs hotel rather than POP.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I just got back from a split trip between the Doubletree at Springs and POP. This was my second time at POP. (Also have done CB, CS, Poly, AK Lodge)

Uber from the Doubletree was extremely efficient and almost dead on the same cost as paying to park. Much faster than any bus service from POP since it is near wide world of sports.

I find that the food court at POP is also slammed busy most of the time. It's a pain to get a quick dinner or breakfast. Buses also tend to be slam full around peak times and since it is relatively far from MK - the turnover is slower than many other WDW resorts.

For my $$$ I would stay at a Springs hotel rather than POP.

Did you also try the buses provided by the Doubletree, and if so, how were they?

Also, when the OP gets back from her trip, it would be good to read how it went!

 

[grumpysteelman]

Did you also try the buses provided by the Doubletree, and if so, how were they?

Also, when the OP gets back from her trip, it would be good to read how it went!

They were scheduled to run every 45mins, not 30, since it was off-peak. Didn't consider using it for more than a moment. Most uber drivers arrived within 2 or 3 minutes, took 10-15mins to get to any park regardless of time and cost $6-11. This was a no-brainer for me. The only minor annoyance was the monorail hop to the TTC to MK - but some people get UBER to the contemporary and then monorail or walk over from there.

Also the beds were waaaaaay more comfortable and the full breakfast with omelet station was only $5 (drinks incl) since I'm a Hilton Diamomd member. Not sure what it costs casual travelers but probably $12 or so. Definitely a cheaper option than full brekkie at POP.