Convince me to switch from PC to POR

[Zippa D Doodah]

We are currently booked for Pop Century resort next March (5 nights). This will be our 4th trip. We have always stayed at All Star resorts on previous trips. I was thinking this time I might pull a little surprise and switch to POR for the March trip. It will be DW's b-day. The switch would cost me about $350 unless I snoop out a better deal between now and then. Is this worth it? I'm really liking the POR from what I read about it, but I need to be convinced by some veterans.

Thanks!

 

[helenk]

Since Pop Century has not opened as yet, I can not compare the two resorts.
However, I was going to stay at the Allstar Music this past September, but I got a post card deal for the moderates for $79.00 a night so I changed to the POR and I was very happy I did. The POR it is a beautiful resort, the food court was very nice and the sit down restaurant was good too.
The moderates have the hot tubs at the main pool and the value resorts do not, also the moderates take your luggage and you to room after check in.
In my opinion the POR themeing is a nice as a deluxe resort. If you can swing it in your budget, stay at the POR.

 

[PTarbay]

Go for it.You'll always wonder what if if you don't.I've stayed at PO and seen pictures of PC.Bigger rooms,Hot Tubs,Room Service,Sit Down Restaurant,Boat To Downtown Disney,Better Pool,More Romantic,All This for $350.00.The look on your wife's face when you surprise her=PRICELESS.Have a great trip.

 

[Evil Princess]

My family always gives us "kids" a choice of where we want to stay. Each and every time, we pick POR.

One of the reasons is because we are a family of five. At POR, we are able to get one room, which never bothered us considering we're a tour at the parks all day kind of family.

POR is absolutely beautiful. There are many pools, and the grounds really are pretty. You can just walk around the resort and be enchanted. Much more romantic than PC (I'm assuming).

We always found the food court at POR to be great. Lots of variety. There is a full service restaraunt too, though we've never been there.

POR is centrally located on the WDW property, which means that it isn't too far to get to any destination. They offer a boat from the resort to Downtown Disney. We never had a problem with bus service.

There is a bar with a man playing piano. I forgot his name, but he is HYSTERICAL. Incredibly energetic and lively, the whole room was on their feet singing and clapping. We stumbled upon him by accident.

We've always enjoyed our time at POR.

 

[kirby428]

Pop Century was still under construction during the first week in Sept, but I was able to drive by for a peek. The place is HUGE as compared to POR. Buildings have 3 levels; POR has two. The room design is probably on par with the other All Star categories.

Others have posted very well thought out comparisons. If I could not afford to stay in a Disney moderate resort, I would opt to book a room off-property rather than stay at an All Star or Pop Century category resort. The over-sized theme decorations just do not convert to enough Disney magic to offset the dinky room size and floor plans.

POR is to PC as Yosemite National Park is to New York City as I see it. There may be beauty to be found in each depending on the type of beauty you prefer to enjoy most.

 

[RescueRanger]

I have never stayed at POR but I have heard alot of good reports on it. If you don't mind the extra money then I would say go for it. If you like the value resorts and decide to stay with PC, you could take some of the money you save and go out somewhere nice for dinner like Victoria and Albert's or California Grill. Or maybe you could book an Illuminations cruise. Whatever you choose hope you have a great trip.

 

[MarkLem]

One word: SLEEP!

 

[Doug123]

To me, it's the budget that's the real question. If you want to allocate $350 toward a room upgrade, then go for it. My wife and I have always stayed at the moderates, and love them (though I'm sure we'd love the Deluxe Resorts too!).

POR is a relatively quite, well-themed resort. We loved our stay when we were there. It's nice having the water transportation option to the Downtown Disney area, as well.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I choose POR. I love that resort. It is the best moderate. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. I've never stayed at a value resort so I can't really compare, but from the pictures I've seen all the value resorts seem too garish and "cheap-looking", especially inside the rooms.

 

[Lewski709]

Convince you? If you don't mind spending the extra $$$, there is no question as to what I would do. If money wasn't the objection, would you have this question? We are staying at PC in Jan because I can't rationally convince myself that going moderate or deluxe is affordable.

COME ON ROOM ONLY DISCOUNTS!!!!

 

[palmtreegirl]

While we enjoyed POR if I were you I'd stick with the PC. The PC will be brand new since it's just opening next month so it should be really nice. POR might be in rehab by then and granted they are staying open during that time you could still get a room that is in need of a rehab, as some posters have reported recently.

Since PC will be brand new, I say save the $$ and give it a try. Just a thought!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Thanks for all the responses! We (me, DW, DD-6, DS-4) have stayed at All Stars twice now (Sports and Music). It was wonderful the first time, OK the second time. I have been looking forward to Pop Century since it is so new. The big, garish theming doesn't bother me much (after all, it IS Disneyworld and not a Bed and Breakfast or something). One thing that I like with either the PC or POR is a more central location than All Stars. Sometimes the bus ride to/from AS to MK felt like it took forever.

I am ususally a pretty free-spender and am not really constrained by the money one could spend at WDW. I'd be willing to stay at the GF if I was convinced it was worth it. The big thing that holds me back is that it seems like a waste to spend a ton of money for a room when we like to spend most of the time at the parks.

Having said that, I will never again consider staying off-site. I love being part of the "magic" too much. Although according to what one responder said, there isn't that much magic at All Stars . I think I am pretty well convinced it will be worth it to upgrade to POR (assuming I haven't piddled around too long and rooms are no longer available). The worst thing that could happen is that we'll be out a little bit of money. One nice thing about money -you can always make more.

Again, THANK YOU all for for your responses. So many were so well thought out!

David

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I've stayed at POR several times, and a value once (AS Sports). I would definitely vote to stay at Riverside (Dixie Landings to me). There is just so much more to do there than at a value resort, and I have found that it really adds to the experience.

It really depends on what you want from your resort experience. If you hit the parks from dawn to dusk and only use the room to sleep in, then a value reort may be the best value for you and yours. I have found that I enjoy the resort experience almost as much as the parks, and that I missed being at Riverside when I was at the ASSPorts - enough that I went there several times during that stay.

BYW , the performers name that plays the piano at POR is Bob Jackson, and he is a hoot ! Well worth a visit.

 

[Ambassador]

Mrs. Ambassador, the junior diplomats and I have always enjoyed the Moderates. POR is our favorite.
For 2004, we are contemplating AKL or Poly, knowing full well that we may never return to our beloved POR. Is it a blessing or a curse? You decide. We are so fortunate to have such choices.

 

[>>^..^<<]

I didn't really know anything about PC so I was just looking at some photos

I would say "RUN!! ~ do not walk to POR and don't look back!"

It just looks a little more relaxing! LOL

>>^..^<<

 

[Teri Zolman]

I would say if you can afford POR go for it. I do not think people should put down Pop Century though. Disney has all of these resorts to try to meet all of our needs. To me the oversized and over the top themeing is what I enjoy about Disney World. I stayed at POR one night on a past trip and it was nice. I really think you will be happy wherever you stay after all you will be at Disney World.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

My vote would be to switch.
POR is the first resort we stayed at onsite.
I can still remember how beautiful the grounds were, and how lucky I felt to stay there. Waking up in the morning and walking along the river to get breakfast.....It was so peaceful and relaxing.
Bob Jackson entertained us for several nights, and I still can't believe that the deluxe resorts do not have entertainment of his caliber.
Even though we are now DVC members, POR still holds a special place in my heart, and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Originally posted by MickeyCrazed
My vote would be to switch.
POR is the first resort we stayed at onsite.
I can still remember how beautiful the grounds were, and how lucky I felt to stay there. Waking up in the morning and walking along the river to get breakfast.....It was so peaceful and relaxing.
Bob Jackson entertained us for several nights, and I still can't believe that the deluxe resorts do not have entertainment of his caliber.
Even though we are now DVC members, POR still holds a special place in my heart, and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

MickeyCrazed, every word that you wrote applies to my family and I as well. Because our POR experience was so positive we bought OKW within a year, sight unseen. We still find ourselves visiting there even when staying at other resorts - it just feels like "home" to us.

 

[shelleybell]

POR!
WE STAYED AT POR IN 2002 AND ASSP IN 2003. NO COMPARISON!POR IS MUCH MORE RELAXING AND QUIET. IT IS MORE CENTRALLY LOCATED AND THE BUS RIDES ARE QUICKER. YOU WILL LOVE TAKING THE BOAT TO DD, WE DID IT ALMOST EVERY DAY. HAVE FUN!