Best Transportation Pop or Coronado?

[jsmla]

I currently have one night booked at Pop Century (AP discount) in early December but see that I can book what I’m 99% sure is Coronado Springs on Priceline.

I know the rooms/pools are nicer at CSR but I’m primarily interested in transportation. I was not impressed with the Skyliner during my September Caribbean Beach stay.

I’m planning to visit Epcot the first day, Animal Kingdom the second and would like to arrive at the park as early as possible.


Thanks!

 

[loves to dive]

From what I understand, Pop only runs buses to Epcot once a hour since they are on the skyliner route. CS does the usual schedule.

There is the obvious difference of Pop having the actual ques but no cover, CS not having ques but cover. Pop has only one stop, CS has a number of them (I don't find the walk from the front to the back that far so I get off at the first stop, but it seems to be a deal breaker for some). If you walk to the front to get on at the last stop, there is a possibility you will have to wait for another bus since that can get crowded. If you don't mind the extra time to ride around the resort, you can either get on at your stop or walk to another one.

As far as is the bus service better at one or the other, the buses are the buses are the buses. They are no better or worse at any of the resorts. I have stayed at just about every resort on site from value to deluxe and even the campground with our RV and I've had good and bad service at every resort at every level.

 

[SarahC97]

There are only two bus stops at Coronado right now because the resort isn't fully open. They're only placing people in the tower and the casitas section. I mean, in my view, I'm not sure you can really pick a resort based on bus service alone. There are bound to be frustrations with each resort's transportation options, but from what I've heard CSR has been pretty quiet and there doesn't seem to be as many people there as there are at Pop. Better rooms and better pools -- I'd choose CSR over Pop, personally.

 

[nkereina]

In the current environment, I don't believe the Skyliner resorts are running buses to DHS and Epcot unless the Skyliner goes down. We just spent a week at CBR, and a bus to either park was never an option but I don't believe the Skyliner ever went down during our stay. So, you'd have to use the Skyliner to get to DHS and Epcot coming from Pop. People do line up for it quite early to make it to DHS park opening, although I would think its slightly better now that the new ROTR boarding group process is in effect. You could always take Uber at park opening.

As for the buses, with such limited capacity, we found that they really needed queues at park opening. Like CBR, CSR does not have queues at the bus depots. It was a bit of a free-for-all when buses pulled up and some didn't respect who was there first. Again, we opted to take Uber at park opening. So, IMO, there's pros and cons with regard to transportation at either resort right now.

I typically would always choose CSR over Pop, but the QS at CSR is not open right now and only the small grab and go area is open. No refillable mugs either. They do have a couple of TS options if that appeals, but it would be too limited for us right now.

 

[SarahC97]

In the current environment, I don't believe the Skyliner resorts are running buses to DHS and Epcot unless the Skyliner goes down. We just spent a week at CBR, and a bus to either park was never an option but I don't believe the Skyliner ever went down during our stay. So, you'd have to use the Skyliner to get to DHS and Epcot coming from Pop. People do line up for it quite early to make it to DHS park opening, although I would think its slightly better now that the new ROTR boarding group process is in effect. You could always take Uber at park opening.

As for the buses, with such limited capacity, we found that they really needed queues at park opening. Like CBR, CSR does not have queues at the bus depots. It was a bit of a free-for-all when buses pulled up and some didn't respect who was there first. Again, we opted to take Uber at park opening. So, IMO, there's pros and cons with regard to transportation at either resort right now.

I typically would always choose CSR over Pop, but the QS at CSR is not open right now and only the small grab and go area is open. No refillable mugs either. They do have a couple of TS options if that appeals, but it would be too limited for us right now.

The food situation is a big bummer at CSR right now, that is very true. They did add mobile order to one of their restaurants and the pool bar serves food, too, but there is no QS which I think is kind of crazy.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

In the current environment, I don't believe the Skyliner resorts are running buses to DHS and Epcot unless the Skyliner goes down.

Just a small clarification, AoA is running buses to Epcot and DHS. The other Skyliner resorts (including Pop) do not have bus service, as you note.

 

[nkereina]

Just a small clarification, AoA is running buses to Epcot and DHS. The other Skyliner resorts (including Pop) do not have bus service, as you note.

Thanks for clarifying! Is AOA running the bus once per hour like "old times"? I wonder why they are choosing to do it there, but not the other Skyliner resorts.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks for clarifying! Is AOA running the bus once per hour like "old times"? I wonder why they are choosing to do it there, but not the other Skyliner resorts.

I ‘think’ from reports it’s running on a relatively normal schedule, not the once an hour thing, but I’m not 100% sure on that.

I was surprised to see reports too - but probably a good thing for the morning Skyliner rush I guess. Seems to me they “should” go back to having the bus alternative from both Pop and AoA at peak times - but what do I know!

 

[cpep42]

I would choose Pop...I have gone to CS several times just for lunch but 80% of the time i'm stuck there waiting on a bus. Pop Century is usually on time. You may not like the skyliner but it sure is a quick way to get to two of the parks.