Can’t decide between… please help!

[michbaron]

Hi! So I’m planning a surprise trip for just me and my son to come down in July on his 10th birthday. Staying 3 nights on Disney property. Whenever we’ve come we always have a car but this time we won’t. I’m torn between Pop century and old key west. I know they seem totally different but here are my reasons the first being the price of pop is actually more than renting DVC points at OKW for those nights but only by $100 or so so it’s not the end all be all.
I know nothing about Disney transportation. We will def be doing MK dhs and Epcot. I’d like to go to Disney springs for a couple hours but it’s not the highest priority.
I think pop would have cuter theming for a 10 year old but I don’t think we’ll be in the room much as we’re going for mostly rides and snacks lol
Okay and last thing was if the extra evening hours for deluxe resort hotels happens to land on our days for the parks we’re going to can we utilize them if we’re renting DVC points?
Any and all info/suggestions is appreciated!
Can’t wait to wake up my son on his birthday and surprise him! thank you!

 

[DizneyFamof4]

DVC does qualify for extra hours and to us, that would be the big factor in deciding, but only if your park days coincide, otherwise it's worthless. I personally think that your son would really get a thrill out of riding the skyliner and you will be able to use that to both DHS and Epcot which, I think, is a really big plus (I know it is for our family). OKW rooms will be much bigger but since it's only you and your son and you're planning on being at the parks most of the time, I do not think that is any big advantage. Plus with POP, you have a normal reservation and can cancel and get a full refund where as DVC has a lot more strings attached to the reservation. Which ever way you decide have a great trip

 

[michbaron]

Thank you! Those are all great points!

 

[robinb]

Advantages of OKW:

• Bigger room
• Balcony
• Some rooms have really great golf course or water views
• Kitchenette for breakfast
• Waterslide and sauna at the feature pool, hot tubs at quiet pools
• Laid back feel
• Eligible for extra hours
• Can park outside your door (not an advantage for you)
• There is a boat to Disney Springs

Disadvantages of OKW:

• The resort is spread out. Ask for a studio in the "near the Hospitality House" booking category to be near the feature pool
• The bus can take a long time driving in the resort picking people up and dropping them off
• Food options are limited, especially quick service
• Renting points is usually a final transaction unless you find an owner who can be flexible
• All buildings have 3 floors but only a few have elevators.

Advantages of Pop Century:

• It has the Skyliner for easy and fun access to DHS and Epcot
• It has a huge food court with a variety of options
• It has one central bus stop with more frequent buses
• Disney has a cancelation policy in case something happens

Disadvantages of Pop Century:

• No extra hours
• Some would say it has a garish theme
• smaller room
• no balcony, no view
• no pool slide
• no hot tubs
• no sit down restaurant
• busy, busy, busy place with lots of other guests making it less relaxing

I would prefer OKW if I was planning to spend anytime at all at the resort. If you're going to go-go-go commando mode then Pop would probably be better.

 

[maryj11]

I would say Monday will be Epcot extended hours and Wednesday MK extended hours if they keep them the same. If that helps to decide.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

POP alone for the convenience of the sky liner, especially for a short trip. Love the sky liner, it almost spoils us for any non-sky liner resort.

 

[kwdw]

For a 10 year old - the advantages of OKW are a pool slide and the extended hours of a deluxe if you are going to be out late. That's it. But if you aren't going to spend time at the pool - that's out. If you are going to spend your later evenings going to DS to do things there instead - then the extended hours don't matter.

Pop advantages - he'll like the theming in comparison to OKW. Skyliner. Feels super kid friendly. But more than OKW? That's crazy.

I'm a bit shocked that you found renting OKW less than Pop for your dates. To be honest - if OKW is really cheaper - I might do that. He really isn't going to care - going to Disney with you for his B-Day present is what matters. I'm sure he'd rather have $100 to spend on stuff than the room.

 

[michbaron]

Thank you for all the input!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Thank you for all the input!

Remember, those extra evening hours can be as late as 11-1 on only Wednesday in Magic Kingdom. 9-11 and only Monday in Epcot

 

[Ensusieasm]

. Duplicate

 

[PittPantherfan]

Remember, those extra evening hours can be as late as 11-1 on only Wednesday in Magic Kingdom. 9-11 and only Monday in Epcot

Week of May 16th - they changed up the EH - they are back-to-back. Monday EP & Tuesday MK. So you never can really on the "pattern" for much it seems.