Booked POP for Dec, but really scared should me move to a mod?

[Alicnwondrln]

I have been reading MANY mixed reviews expecially about the buses
DH wont rent a car he is on vacation so ..
i dont wanna get there and be waiting for an hour for a bus
its like 300 tp upgrade to a mod
any thoughts and which mod if so
thanks

 

[dixiedizfan]

We've stayed at the All-Stars, which is the the other value resort, and actually had better bus service there than at any moderate we've stayed at. Yes there are lots of people at the value resorts, but it seems they have more buses that run continuously. So I wouldn't worry about that. But if you still want to upgrade to a mod, I would recommend POR, which was our favorite.

 

[blessedby3]

I just booked POP last night and the CM said that POP has its own busses and they do not share with another resort. That sounded like a plus to me. I hope the bus system is not too bad. We usually have a car with us, and last time stayed at the CR. Really spoiled to the monorail!! I hope we can adjust this time.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've stayed at AllStarMusic once and Pop once..POR three times. I have to say that the buses at all three were fine. I don't tend to take the buses at 'peak' times though. I eat early, try to be at the park an hour before they open, or wait until an hour after they open. If it's park closing, I usually just take my time going to the buses. If I can't be on the bus before park closing, I wait until it's about 45 minutes after.
I didn't think the buses at Pop were bad at all. We waited one time for the bus to MK for 20 minutes but that was understandable since we were just coming out of the bldg as the bus pulled away. All the resorts can have different issues with the bus system. I don't think I have ever seen a resort where no one made any complaints about the buses. You're on vacation...take a big ole chill pill and don't worry.

 

[Ali]

The only big diference with buses from the mods or the values is the place they are stationed at the bus pick-up places. The values are almost always at the end of the line, so you have to walk farther when you are tired.

POP has great bus service - they don't share with anyone, and have only one pick-up place, so once you get on you get going to the place you need to go, unlike CBR which goes arund 2 times to pick up at all the stops before going to the parks. Or it fif when I stayed there last.

I do like the convenience of the Boat to the Marketplace from POR, of course. So, if you are going to be going shopping or to Pleasure Island a lot, maybe you should change your mind.

But there is no need to freak out about POP bus service at all. There is no reason to spend 300 more for a different bus that is generalyy the same or worse than POP. But, if you truly want a mod and think you won't be happy in a value because of the perceived lack of service, however, admit it and stop blaming the bus system, and book the Mod hotel of your dreams.



Alicia

 

[*Fantasia*]

One great advice I think... leave the park an hour or at least half hour before the parks close, especially the MK and Epcot. Otherwise, the POP and the All Star Resorts usually have the longest wait. I have stayed at POP a few times and ASR a few times, and that's what I usually notice. So now that we've seen the fireoworks and the parade, we don't bother sticking around to see it again. And POP and ASR are usually the last line for bus pick up at most parks.

 

[mtdevine615]

We've stayed at Pop 4 times now and have never had any major problems with the bus service. The longest we have ever waited was 20min. The worst bus service we ever had was at the WL, the bus not only stopped at the campground but also sometimes would then stop at CR and GF depending where we were going. My real advice is if you're that concerned about Pop switch. No matter what people tell you, you're probably not going to be happy. Pop is a great resort for the money but they do have 2880 rooms so if only 1% or 2% of the people are not satisfied it adds up. Have a great vacation. Maine

 

[Minerva]

You can pay the extra and switch to a moderate if that's what you really want to do but if you're doing it just because you've seen bad reviews of Pop I guarantee you that as soon as you switch to POR you're going to start noticing people's complaints about the bus service, CBR or CSR the long, long treks to the rooms from the food court and the pools and PORFQ the people at POR taking all the seats on the bus. Disney is in the business of moving people around, they make more money if they're moving you to a different place where you've got new restaurants and new shops to spend your money. They move a LOT of people every day, sometimes with no wait at all sometimes with a little bit of a wait. Pack some bubbles if you've got really little ones or a small Mad Lib book if you've got school aged kids and have some fun while you're waiting for the bus at the resort you *really want to stay at.

 

[kizmac]

We just got back last night from our first stay at POR and absolutely loved it! I am in love with the resort. While we were there, my mom and I did some resort hopping to see what the some other places were like. We went over to POP since I was considering it for a future trip. I don't think I'll be staying there. It just didn't appeal to me after being at POR. It was very crowded and we waited a looong time to catch the DTD bus. It was quite a long bus ride from MK too. Another thing I noticed was how extremely hot it was walking around at POP. The heavily landscaped POR AB section is just beautiful and is much cooler for strolling around the resort.

I do think it's worth the $300 to upgrade. Not for the bus system because I really doubt there is much difference in them, although POP did seem to have bigger lines at the end of the night, but for the resort itself. You just get a whole different vacation feel. The pools at POR are wonderful. Honestly, I loved everything about the place.

As for the buses at POR.
We did have cars but used the buses a lot. Most mornings for the parks we waited only minutes. At night, leaving the parks, the buses were more crowded and but we didn't wait long for one at all. I'd say the only time the wait was bad was the DTD buses. It was the longest wait and then when you caught one to come back to the resort from DTD during the day, it would go to Westside and Typhoon Lagoon too. Made for a very long (and hot!)bus trip. Without kids it wouldn't be bad but my DD who was 18 mths threw some intense hissy fits on the bus.

I did go visit WL, CR, GF, AK, and the Poly too and I still think I would choose POR. I just loved the peaceful setting. I did love the POLY though and would stay there any day if I had the money in my budget.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

The only big diference with buses from the mods or the values is the place they are stationed at the bus pick-up places. The values are almost always at the end of the line, so you have to walk farther when you are tired.

POP has great bus service - they don't share with anyone, and have only one pick-up place, so once you get on you get going to the place you need to go, unlike CBR which goes arund 2 times to pick up at all the stops before going to the parks. Or it fif when I stayed there last.

I do like the convenience of the Boat to the Marketplace from POR, of course. So, if you are going to be going shopping or to Pleasure Island a lot, maybe you should change your mind.

But there is no need to freak out about POP bus service at all. There is no reason to spend 300 more for a different bus that is generalyy the same or worse than POP. But, if you truly want a mod and think you won't be happy in a value because of the perceived lack of service, however, admit it and stop blaming the bus system, and book the Mod hotel of your dreams.



Alicia

sorry but i dont
"perceive" a lack of service i have heard great tings except for the bus service
i have a 19 month old and was concerned about waiting for an hour
i wanted to get a feel for what people thought
so far we have always syated deluxe so i wanted some opinions
i have never stayed mod so i dont have a mod of my dreams
my primary concern is the bus and im not blaming anything or anyone
im asking advice that one of the great perks of the board

 

[CheshireVal]

Buses at Pop are great. Don't worry.

 

[goofy4tink]

Kelly, when we stayed at Pop in August I did notice the same thing others have posted. The bus stops for Pop are always waaaay out at the end of the bus stop areas in the different parks. I guess that's because Pop is the newest one in, so they have to be at the end rather than switch a bunch around. Keep that in mind when you book a resort. I have to say that that walk, back to the bus at the end of a day, can be daunting!!!
Should you rebook at a moderate? Don't know. Only you can make that call. If money were no object for me, I would stay at POR rather than Pop. I love Pop but the theming at POR is so beautiful. It's cooler there and just walking around there is nicer than at the values. Good luck in your decision!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

thanks everyone about the advice of leaving the park early or late
we plan on trying to take out time
so we will see
and i plan on packing stuff to take the baby busy
thanks again

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We resort hopped last year for our wedding and two of our resorts were
POP and POFQ, after checking into POFQ, we ALMOST died and regretted our switch! The bus service was longer and we hated the rooms, even though we had the building closest to the main building. We stayed there cause we like the pool but decided never to go back! of all the resorts we have stayed at it was by far the worst! Pretty much everyone reacts differently to different things, some people LOVE POFQ and would always go there! we are going back to POP this year and booked CBR for next year with a switch to CR. Why don't you try POP and if you really can't stand it, have the money ready to make the switch while there.

As for a reccomendation for a mod, we are IN LOVE with CSR!! but once again a lot of people HATE it here...don't believe everything you read, some people have a bad stay cause something else is already irritating them to begin with

We may have hated POFQ because we had horrible roomservice and had just gotten off of a WONDERFUL DCL honeymoon! So you never know try it for yourself and then post your own reviews!!

Sorry so long!

 

[Ali]

Kelly

I have been staying at all of the value and mods with my DS4 since he was 5 weeks old - we live 1.5 hours away and go at least every other month if not more often. We don't feel that the price of the deluxes are worth it for what our child needs, or for his age - it isn't nice for the other guests to hear a baby screaming all night (which he sometimes did and we would get him outside quickly at the value resorts because they all open outside!) or for his interests. The values are what he requests every time we go. When he is older and can appreciate the deluxes more, we will go up to that class. I don't expect the bus service to be any different there, though, because I know at the swan and dolphin they have to pick up at 4 places each time so it is a longer trip, unlike POP with one stop. And unlss you are on the monorail line and going to the MK you still have to get on a bus with multiple stops. Yes, the walk to the bus stop is easier at the parks.

If you are worried about keeping your child occupied during the bus trip do remember to leave and arrive at non-busy times. If you have a really cranky child typically that isn't going to change on vacation, so work around her schedule and don't go commando syle touring because it will lead to massive frustration on the bus on the way back to the hotel. Because my Ds loves the bus, and says it is his favorite ride after the monorail we sometimes just ride around on buses to make him happy and we see the good kids, happy kids, sad kids, sleeping kids, and yes, screaming kids who are just too overwhelmed by all of the Disney Magic to cope with anything else. You sound like you are trying to plan for every eventuallity and that's great.

I agree that this is the place to ask questions, and I often do it myself, but I am so sick of people writing how nervous they are about Disney this or Disney that that I could scream, or vent, which in this case I did. I think that's allowed here, too.

Alicia

sorry but i dont
"perceive" a lack of service i have heard great tings except for the bus service
i have a 19 month old and was concerned about waiting for an hour
i wanted to get a feel for what people thought
so far we have always syated deluxe so i wanted some opinions
i have never stayed mod so i dont have a mod of my dreams
my primary concern is the bus and im not blaming anything or anyone
im asking advice that one of the great perks of the board

 

[marj70]

The only big diference with buses from the mods or the values is the place they are stationed at the bus pick-up places. The values are almost always at the end of the line, so you have to walk farther when you are tired.

POP has great bus service - they don't share with anyone, and have only one pick-up place, so once you get on you get going to the place you need to go, unlike CBR which goes arund 2 times to pick up at all the stops before going to the parks. Or it fif when I stayed there last.

I do like the convenience of the Boat to the Marketplace from POR, of course. So, if you are going to be going shopping or to Pleasure Island a lot, maybe you should change your mind.

But there is no need to freak out about POP bus service at all. There is no reason to spend 300 more for a different bus that is generalyy the same or worse than POP. But, if you truly want a mod and think you won't be happy in a value because of the perceived lack of service, however, admit it and stop blaming the bus system, and book the Mod hotel of your dreams.



Alicia

I haven't stayed at POP yet, but the year before last we stayed at POR in December. True about the busses, you wait just as long it's just a BUNCH of stops, and a lot of times we did have to stand because we were no where near the first stop. AND that was at a time with POFQ was being rehabbed and empty. I think I'll like the POP way better, at least then you know how full any given bus is going to be.

POR is beautiful, but this time, for the money, we decided to try the value after two moderate stays. I think my 4 year old will love POP. I'll let you know how it goes once we've stayed there. I also hated how FAR everything was from the main hall at POR. It would be tough without a car if you wanted to use the food court, etc and be in of the far buildings. The moderates are REALLY huge and spread out (at least CS and POR). The decision this time for me was save the money or go all the way with a deluxe.

 

[CharlesTD]

I wouldn't bother upgrading there has never been an hour wait at any value resort for a bus that I have ever heard of some people like to complain and blow that type of thing way out of proportion. You will love staying at POP I would just leave your ressie as it is.

 

[ShellyL]

WE jsut got back on Saturday and we were at the POP. The first day there my DH was livid with the bus transportation and had me call a friend at home to see how we could upgrade to the Contemp or the Poly. She told us to give it some time and we would be okay after the weekend. Well DH want monorail service since that is what we had before. I told him to chill and we would see what would happen. Well we continued our whole stay at the POP and the buses were great. The way I saw it was you either spend your time waiting on the bus or riding to the different stops on the bus. At night when MK or Epcot closed while one bus for the POP was loading another one would pull up and start loading out on the road beside it. I did not see another resort doing that. The fact that you have to walk further didn't bother us because it was a mater of 150 feet maybe not major miles. Yes it is a little further but you are on Magical grounds and so it really didn't bother us and we have 5 children 3-12 years old. WE would stay there again.
Michele

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Kelly

I have been staying at all of the value and mods with my DS4 since he was 5 weeks old - we live 1.5 hours away and go at least every other month if not more often. We don't feel that the price of the deluxes are worth it for what our child needs, or for his age - it isn't nice for the other guests to hear a baby screaming all night (which he sometimes did and we would get him outside quickly at the value resorts because they all open outside!) or for his interests. The values are what he requests every time we go. When he is older and can appreciate the deluxes more, we will go up to that class. I don't expect the bus service to be any different there, though, because I know at the swan and dolphin they have to pick up at 4 places each time so it is a longer trip, unlike POP with one stop. And unlss you are on the monorail line and going to the MK you still have to get on a bus with multiple stops. Yes, the walk to the bus stop is easier at the parks.

If you are worried about keeping your child occupied during the bus trip do remember to leave and arrive at non-busy times. If you have a really cranky child typically that isn't going to change on vacation, so work around her schedule and don't go commando syle touring because it will lead to massive frustration on the bus on the way back to the hotel. Because my Ds loves the bus, and says it is his favorite ride after the monorail we sometimes just ride around on buses to make him happy and we see the good kids, happy kids, sad kids, sleeping kids, and yes, screaming kids who are just too overwhelmed by all of the Disney Magic to cope with anything else. You sound like you are trying to plan for every eventuallity and that's great.

I agree that this is the place to ask questions, and I often do it myself, but I am so sick of people writing how nervous they are about Disney this or Disney that that I could scream, or vent, which in this case I did. I think that's allowed here, too.

Alicia

its great that you love the values and im glad youhave had fun there
if you read my last post i said i would make some changes and bring toys stuff like that
my baby is great sleeps thru the night but i ams till nervous

i agree this is aplce to vent but i am so sorry you didtn do that
you took you frustration and took it out on me
you may be sick of people being nervous but thats my 1st post about being nervous in some time and i have been here years
i see you started a thread talking about this
that was more appropriate that taking it out on me and thansk for admitting you were snarky
i was soo mad when 1st read your reply i thought it was alittle tough
ok to tough

 

[Alicnwondrln]

WE jsut got back on Saturday and we were at the POP. The first day there my DH was livid with the bus transportation and had me call a friend at home to see how we could upgrade to the Contemp or the Poly. She told us to give it some time and we would be okay after the weekend. Well DH want monorail service since that is what we had before. I told him to chill and we would see what would happen. Well we continued our whole stay at the POP and the buses were great. The way I saw it was you either spend your time waiting on the bus or riding to the different stops on the bus. At night when MK or Epcot closed while one bus for the POP was loading another one would pull up and start loading out on the road beside it. I did not see another resort doing that. The fact that you have to walk further didn't bother us because it was a mater of 150 feet maybe not major miles. Yes it is a little further but you are on Magical grounds and so it really didn't bother us and we have 5 children 3-12 years old. WE would stay there again.
Michele

thanks so much this was helpful