First Disney Stay

[The Black Pearl]

Hello Everybody!!!!!

I've finally nailed down the details of our WDW trip in October from the HoopDeeDoo to tickets for Le Cirque and Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween ( I've still got to do Dinner and Charactor Breakfast - 90 day rule) , But there is something I need to know ...........................

Despite having been to WDW 9 times this is the first time I've stayed on property. We made reservations at Pop Century and I would be grateful any info on the what its like. Also, I've never had to depend on the WDW transportation other than the monorail to get around so any info on the bus system ( like scheduling, getting to Magic Kingdon, Epcot, MGM and Downtown Disney) would also be appreciated.

Lastly, Being that it is my family's first stay in WDW...........Should I have gone with one of the Luxury resorts with more recreation options and/or Awesome views from your room or did I do the right thing by starting small and leaving new experiences for the future?

Thanks for your time and opinions,

The Crew of The Black Pearl

 

[SRUAlmn]

I have only ever stayed at moderates and deluxes and this September will also be trying Pop. I was feeling a little bit nervous about this, but I have read so many wonderful things about the place. In my opinion, you are there to experience everything Disney, not sit in your room. It sounds like you have lots of great shows and character events planned, that I think it would be a waste for you to spend more money on a room that you may not even be in that often. Take a day while you are there and resort hop and check them all for when you plan for next time If you go often, I would say stay at a value first and work your way up each trip! Have a great time!

 

[bridgettesmom]

We have stayed at deluxe, moderate and value. Last March for a last minute trip, could not find any discounts and we opted to stay at POP and pay rack rates . It was about $120 tax included per night and to be honest... It was worth it!!!! We absolutely loved POP , I cannot compare it to the other values (stayed at ASMU twice), it offers so much more. We loved the foodcourt, the pools, the room furnishing, the fact that they don't share buses with other resorts and the overall theming of the resort. As a matter of fact, we are booked at POR this October and I still am considering POP. It is a great value for the money.

Just an FYI, we used to stay offsite for our many trips to DW. It was not until 2002, that we started to stay onsite and as my husband says..It is so much easier and fun to stay onsite that we will never go back offsite. I love this man , I love him, I love him

 

[ibouncetoo]

I second the start at a value and work your way up theory. My first three trips were All Star Movies (which I loved) and then did some split stays with my time share and a deluxe. Last trip was the whole week at a moderate, Port Orleans French Quarter, which I REALLY LOVED. Did a lot of resort hopping those first three years and did discover that while I enjoyed visiting some of them, I wouldn't spend my $$ staying there (I have no interest in the Contemporary for example). It's all personal preference, so explore, explore, explore!

here's a hint about value and moderates....don't worry about "view", make your room requests based on the localtion issue that's most important to you (near pool, near food court, near bus stop). 90% of the time your drapes are closed for privacy anyway. It's when you have a balcony in a deluxe that view may be more of an issue....and that's provided you'd spend time out there! When I had a deluxe savanah view at AKL, I spend A LOT of time on the balcony!

 

[kelscross]

The first time onsite I stayed at the All Star Music...my cousin and myself, no children. I thought it was perfectly nice...we were hardly in the room because we went all day in the parks practically.

Last year we were going to stay at the All Star Movies with my two little ones. However, when they came out with the 7/4 deal last year I had two options...just get money back from the current ressie or upgrade to a Moderate for the same price essentially. We chose to upgrade simply because we figured we would stay at the resort a little more seeing how the kids were small. We did spend alot of time at the resort, but to tell you the truth...we did like the CBR...It really wouldn't make that much of a difference to me.

This year we were originally going to stay at the Swan (RN Discount) we wanted a little closer to at least one of our favorite parks (we love EPCOT, the kids love MK) but when they came out with the 7/5 deal we went with the Poly because I have always wanted to stay there and the location is convenient for both parks. I figure we should do it this year as my children still get in at no cost and again, I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at the Poly.

Here's my personal suggestion...if you have very small (stroller riding) children I would stay at one of the monorail resorts if you can swing it. It will make it so much nicer to catch the monorail back to the resort when they get tired instead of the bus system (which is perfectly fine, just got tiring for us adults waiting for the bus, folding up the strollers, unfolding the strollers, etc all week).

We aren't big on views...if we don't get a good view at the Poly that's fine, we are staying GV anyhow, we'll just go out on the beach and watch the fireworks...again another perks, don't have to fight the crowd after the fireworks with the tired kids.

Sorry so long, just wanted to give you an honest take. Have fun where ever you stay...we are planning on staying at different resorts each time to experience different things.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

What are the ages of your family?

Personally I would go DELUXE if you can afford it. It is worth every penny. Better location, restaurants, entertainment, views, transportation!!!!!!I would keep your ressies until I could find a discounted room. I don't remember if they still give out good discounts for October. If they have AP rates then you should consider buying one AP and that is all you need to get the discount which is usually substantial. If they don't discount then then I would check the rates at the Dolphin or Swan. I know they have a teacher, nurse, gov't employee and entertainment book discounts which are substantial.The Epcot resorts have the best location of all the resorts in my opinion ( unless you are mainly going into the MK). You can walk or take the boat to two parks.Check out mousesaver.com for other discounts. The other way to go would be WL or AKL ,which are less expensive than the other Deluxes, but their rooms are smaller. Beautiful resorts though.

GO DELUXE with a DISCOUNT

 

[molly213]

This will be our 7th visit to Disney since 95, this time staying in two rooms at POP. We started with All Star Sports for the first few visits then went to French Quarter, Riverside, and AKL. Well, after AKL we went back to sports but this time booked two connecting rooms instead of one at AKL for my DH, and two teenage sons. It was GREAT! The extra room, especially the extra bathroom was well worth giving up the amenities of a deluxe. We were in the room and resort so seldom that we really didn't take advantage of the amenities enough to make up for the difference in cost for a moderate or deluxe. Also, while AKL was nice, especially the lobby area, the room itself wasn't much bigger or that much nicer than a moderate or value. I'm sure that this isn't as true at the true deluxe resorts like Yacht Club or GF. Besides AKL was much noiser than Sports while we were there - paper thin walls and people running down the halls yelling, etc. We spend quite a bit of time visiting the other resorts for dinner so we get to enjoy the other lobby areas that way.

 

[The Black Pearl]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I know that I said I had everything "nailed down" but when I saw the "Stay 5 nights get 2 Free" Deal I called the contractor ( AAA) had them rip out my old reservation (VB & PC) and install a new one for 7 days POR!!!


Thanks Again!!!!!

The Crew of The Black Pearl

WE JUST CAN"T Wait !!!