Caribbean Beach or Pop Century

[andy_dangg]

I'm currently booked at Pop Century for four nights in August for a trip with my boyfriend. Caribbean Beach would be $250 more for the same trip. We are taking a resort day in the middle of our trip and I like a nice resort to walk around, which is why I'm considering CBR.

However the rooms at Pop honestly look a little nicer to me; even though they're smaller, they look a little more modern than the CBR rooms. Do y'all think it's worth an extra $250 to have a nicer pool/resort? Part of me would enjoy CBR more for our resort day and more pleasant grounds, especially because the park hours are more limited.

But I don't know if the extra $250 is justifiable--that's a few meals! I was considering a split stay at a deluxe, but that's even more money ($400 extra) plus the inconvenience of moving hotels. I also don't really think a Pop/CBR split stay would really be worth it.

 

[Lumpy1106]

We were not impressed with CBR - too spread out, it took too long to get around. We ended up moving to AoA and loved it. POP is across the water from AoA, so even if AoA is closed, you could still take a walk around the lake and check it out. CBR does have some nicely renovated dining and shopping. My advice; save the money, stay at POP, take the skyliner over to CBR to check it out on your resort day.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I've stayed at both. CBR for 10 days and an overnight at Pop.

Pop rooms are newer/modern (laminate city) but I don't think they're more comfortable. Honestly, I liked the CBR room a lot. It is bigger, the bed was decent and it felt homier to me. Pop is like a place to crash before you go somewhere better. Pop has less room for your bags and the vanity area is awkward/cramped.

The CBR pool and grounds are awesome. And you have a good food court, a nice bar and a sit down restaurant. This is the resort where I started to fully embrace the late afternoon pool break before dinner.

 

[Moliphino]

I love Pop, but we're park commandos and never spend much time hanging out at the resort. I have stayed at CBR and it's just too big and spread out for me. Too many bus stops, potentially very long walks to the main building and Skyliner.

 

[shoegal9]

I would pick CBR. Especially if you're not going with children. For us, POP is filled with kids, themed for kids, and nowhere for adults to be adults. At least at CBR you have the Banana Cabana bar and the option of walking over to Riviera.

I've stayed at POP once and won't go back unless I have to. In our opinion, it just has too much of a motel feel. Fine for one night, but for a "vacation" feel I would go for Caribbean Beach.

 

[andy_dangg]

I would pick CBR. Especially if you're not going with children. For us, POP is filled with kids, themed for kids, and nowhere for adults to be adults. At least at CBR you have the Banana Cabana bar and the option of walking over to Riviera.

I've stayed at POP once and won't go back unless I have to. In our opinion, it just has too much of a motel feel. Fine for one night, but for a "vacation" feel I would go for Caribbean Beach.

This is really my main concern, Pop looks fun, but not really *relaxing*. A pool day sounds so much nicer at CBR and I'd imagine evening strolls around the resort would be so nice. But the $250 is kind of a big jump for a resort with essentially the same location, I don't know. However we probably won't be eating any table service meals because I'm weary of eating indoors, so that might offer some savings...

 

[SarahC97]

If you plan to spend time at the resort, I'd always go with a moderate over a value for the amenities. I say if you can afford the price difference, go with CBR.

 

[cjlong88]

We considered upgrading from Pop to CBR for next week's trip but decided against it. Will be using that $$ to increase our food/drink budget at F&W Festival instead. If we went through with the upgraded, I think we would have requested to be as close as possible to the main skyliner hub. It would have been a pain to get to the MK and AK buses, though.

CBR seems like a nice, relaxing hotel. We definitely want to stay there at some point. I don't think you can go wrong with either option. Just depends on what you want out of this trip. FWIW, when we stayed at Pop last December we were in the 90s section, and it was super relaxing and quiet. Hardly anyone used the computer pool (we had it to ourselves at one point), and we didn't see many kids unless we were in Classic Hall or around the Hippy Dippy pool.

 

[Shellyred8]

If $250 is a pretty big deal for you, and it is for a lot of us, I would recommend staying at Pop. DH and I went last year and I really liked the room for just the two of us. If there were more than two people, I would change my recommendation. You can slide your luggage under the bed so it's out of the way. They have LOTS of USB ports for charging your electronics. I actually liked the bathroom area. You don't want to plan for both of you to be at the vanity/sink area at the same time, because you will be cozy. But they have some pretty decent storage space in that area to keep all of your toiletries and what not.

We stayed in the "50's" section and found it to be quite pleasant. We didn't hear a lot of screaming kids. It was a pretty close walk to the Skyliner too. I really liked that section because it's close to the lake and just made it feel more peaceful. We also enjoyed walking around both Pop and AoA. AoA has a fun walking trail around the resort with lots of "fun facts" signs that talk about details specific to the section of the resort you are walking by (Cars, Little Mermaid, etc...).

One other factor that might come it to play is this: do you want a hot tub at the pool? Pop does not have hot tubs at the pools.

In regards to food options, if you don't feel like eating what Pop has, you can always hop on the Skyliner to CBR or Riviera.

 

[nonnadisney]

I would save the $250 and stay at POP but book a dinner on your resort day at Sebastian's Bistro at CB and then stroll around the grounds before or after dinner.

 

[Sue M]

If you’re looking forward to some relaxing resort time I’d pick CBR. The landscaping is beautiful and makes for pleasant strolls around the resort. Plus you have the option of the main pool or quiet pools that are nicely landscaped. At POP we were closest to the computer pool and it was ugly. Just a cement hole in the ground.
CBR feels more like a resort.

 

[CdnBuzzFan]

We have stayed at both. The rooms at CBR are nicer but if you are only there to sleep, is it worth the extra cost? We love POP and also found that the food offerings are POP were better than at CBR. That is something else you may also want to consider.

 

[shoegal9]

This is really my main concern, Pop looks fun, but not really *relaxing*. A pool day sounds so much nicer at CBR and I'd imagine evening strolls around the resort would be so nice. But the $250 is kind of a big jump for a resort with essentially the same location, I don't know. However we probably won't be eating any table service meals because I'm weary of eating indoors, so that might offer some savings...

Banana Cabana and Bar Riva @ Riviera are both outside/open air

 

[andy_dangg]

We considered upgrading from Pop to CBR for next week's trip but decided against it. Will be using that $$ to increase our food/drink budget at F&W Festival instead. If we went through with the upgraded, I think we would have requested to be as close as possible to the main skyliner hub. It would have been a pain to get to the MK and AK buses, though.

CBR seems like a nice, relaxing hotel. We definitely want to stay there at some point. I don't think you can go wrong with either option. Just depends on what you want out of this trip. FWIW, when we stayed at Pop last December we were in the 90s section, and it was super relaxing and quiet. Hardly anyone used the computer pool (we had it to ourselves at one point), and we didn't see many kids unless we were in Classic Hall or around the Hippy Dippy pool.

I think this is what I'm leaning towards, the money saved is really attractive for our food budget--we both really enjoy trying lots of different types of food, and at Disney it adds up fast.

If $250 is a pretty big deal for you, and it is for a lot of us, I would recommend staying at Pop. DH and I went last year and I really liked the room for just the two of us. If there were more than two people, I would change my recommendation. You can slide your luggage under the bed so it's out of the way. They have LOTS of USB ports for charging your electronics. I actually liked the bathroom area. You don't want to plan for both of you to be at the vanity/sink area at the same time, because you will be cozy. But they have some pretty decent storage space in that area to keep all of your toiletries and what not.

We stayed in the "50's" section and found it to be quite pleasant. We didn't hear a lot of screaming kids. It was a pretty close walk to the Skyliner too. I really liked that section because it's close to the lake and just made it feel more peaceful. We also enjoyed walking around both Pop and AoA. AoA has a fun walking trail around the resort with lots of "fun facts" signs that talk about details specific to the section of the resort you are walking by (Cars, Little Mermaid, etc...).

One other factor that might come it to play is this: do you want a hot tub at the pool? Pop does not have hot tubs at the pools.

In regards to food options, if you don't feel like eating what Pop has, you can always hop on the Skyliner to CBR or Riviera.

We're both college students, so $250 is nothing to sneeze at. We were originally paying about $700 for Pop, but with the new FL resident rates it brought it down to $550ish so we would be kinda sad to see the savings go...

Not really crazy about hot tubs so that's neither a pro or con! Lol. We'd like to stay in the 50s as well--my bf loves bowling so I think it would be fun to stay in that section. I love Primo Piatto so we would def take the Skyliner over to Riviera.

We have stayed at both. The rooms at CBR are nicer but if you are only there to sleep, is it worth the extra cost? We love POP and also found that the food offerings are POP were better than at CBR. That is something else you may also want to consider.

I too enjoy a large food court over CBR's offerings, but I gotta say, having some food and drinks at Banana Cabana sounds pretty great...

 

[JenBush]

I would stay at Pop and use that $250 to have a nice meal or two on your day off. With the skyliner you can easily go over to CBR to walk the grounds or spend some time at the bars and restaurants there.

 

[WEDWDW]

We'd like to stay in the 50s as well--my bf loves bowling so I think it would be fun to stay in that section.

We LOVE staying in the 1950s!

He will love Bowling Pool-it is themed to the max,the Laundry/Shower is themed like a "rack" of Bowling Shoes and there are usually actual Bowling Balls on one end of the Pool(glued down to a rack!).

GREAT 1950s Soundtrack with Elvis Presley,etc.

And Pop Century has,IMO,the most unique thing at any WDW Resort-the Lobby Shadow Boxes.

Save the money and Skyliner over to CBR on your Resort day and use the money to BLOW IT OUT at one awesome bar-Banana Cabana(great drinks,geat staff,great atmosphere and great food(the food comes out of the Sebastian's kitchen)!

 

[andy_dangg]

We LOVE staying in the 1950s!

He will love Bowling Pool-it is themed to the max,the Laundry/Shower is themed like a "rack" of Bowling Shoes and there are usually actual Bowling Balls on one end of the Pool(glued down to a rack!).

GREAT 1950s Soundtrack with Elvis Presley,etc.

And Pop Century has,IMO,the most unique thing at any WDW Resort-the Lobby Shadow Boxes.

Save the money and Skyliner over to CBR on your Resort day and use the money to BLOW IT OUT at one awesome bar-Banana Cabana(great drinks,geat staff,great atmosphere and great food(the food comes out of the Sebastian's kitchen)!

View attachment 512755

The amount of hype I am hearing about Banana Cabana! I guess we really should try it out. And good to hear on the 50s section! We're currently booked in a standard pool view room because I didn't want the possibility of a parking lot view--is the bowling pool noisy?

 

[WEDWDW]

is the bowling pool noisy?

Not usually-most of the "action" is at Hippy Dippy,it draws the biggest crowds of the 3 Pools and is where the Activities Program takes place.

Also with shorter Pool Hours than a normal August because of King Covid,you should be in good shape noise wise at night.

(The Bowling Pool CAN be noisy when The 15s,etc. are in town,but none of that will be in play on your trip.)

 

[KyCoKe16]

I went through the same debate last week when my sister in law and I decided to take our kids on a short, impromptu trip the first week of August. I just got back from being there with my husband and step daughter and we got upgraded from a studio at Saratoga Springs, to a 2 bedroom preferred villa...so now I’m spoiled! Lol

Anyway, I’ve stayed at Pop several times...it was always my least favorite until they put in the skyliner. I love the skyliner! I just think I got a bad taste the first time I stayed there, in 2010, and my middle son was 17 months old. He’s a light sleeper and our room was right by the Hippy Dippy pool..which is loud! It made for a very grumpy baby that trip.

Anyway, this trip I am opting for CBR, mainly because I’ve never stayed there, my kids are getting bigger so any extra space we can get is a plus (they are all boys...17,11, and 8!), and I know they are going to enjoy the slide at the pool. Also, with the annual pass holder rate, it was only an $80 difference for the entire trip. Since, none of those things are a factor for you, I’d probably recommend Pop and save yourself $250. For what it’s worth, my husband has been to Disney 50+ times and stayed at almost every resort there, and he loves Pop!
*Also, there is a nice walkway around the lake there that we strolled back in November. We got engaged on that trip, so everything felt romantic, lol, but I do think that it’s a nice path that has a romantic feel and some interesting signs to read. And you can hop on the skyliner to walk around the other skyliner resorts and the Boardwalk area!

 

[scrappinginontario]

We love Pop and it's just a quick 4 min Skyliner ride to CBR and you can still walk around and enjoy it. I'd save the $250 for sure!