Free dining package & 1st stay @ a Value..POP..Review.Lessons learned *Updated*

[MayMom]

Thank you so much for your post! It came at just the right time for me. I am getting ready to book our May trip and am planning on a budget (ASMo - my son is Toy Story crazy). Well I was having some major second thoughts. We are used to moderates and deluxes, so I sat up all night 2 nights ago worrying about the difference. The hotel is a big part of the vacation for us! Thanks again for your opinions!

 

[alwayspooh]

While CSR is our favorite in the mods. We stayed a Pop when they first opened and I agreed with on just about everything you have stated in your report. We would definetly go back there again.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I just wanted to clarify that I am not trying to push my opinions off on anyone else, these are just my own personal observations.

No worries.....didn't think you were. Same on my end. Oh, and it's hard to argue with the savings and value of the package you got. $2,400 is a ton of money!!

While we haven't stayed at POP, we have stayed in other Value resorts. I'm not a huge fan, but at the same time I would agree that the Poly isn't worth $240 a night more.

 

[leighe]

Thanks for the great review! My TA just informed my that Disney messed up our ressies for next week at POFQ so we are going to try out Pop. I'm a deluxe resort girl so I was a little apprehensive about it. You have made me feel much, much better!

 

[leighe]

people talk about the long walk from the bus stops for the value resorts or the long walk to your room at a value. They should stop and compare the walk to some of those rooms at the deluxe resorts. They can be pretty hefty!!! I think that sometimes they actually average out!!!

I totally agree with this! The Poly is one of my favorite resorts and but when we were there this summer we were in Tahiti and such a long walk from the Ceremonial House. That was one reason that DH didn't really care for the Poly.

 

[Sammie]

$2400 is a large difference but with that comes many amenties that cost.

Valet parking,
full service restaurants
nice interior bars and lounges
variety of shopping
monorail, boat and bus transportation
larger room, baths, and beds
more recreation activities
Interior hallways
Patios and balconies

And to me the most important:
a view of Cinderella's castle: cost: Priceless

 

[Olallamom]

My DH & I will be staying at POP in 11 days. We haven't stayed at a Value before either. We thought it would be a great opportunity to try them at, as we are traveling by ourselves this time. We aren't nervous about it due to the fact we are just thrilled to be getting away together.
It is great to hear your opinions about POP, it is quite reassuring.

 

[kath1210]

$2400 is a large difference but with that comes many amenties that cost.

Valet parking,
full service restaurants
nice interior bars and lounges
variety of shopping
monorail, boat and bus transportation
larger room, baths, and beds
more recreation activities
Interior hallways
Patios and balconies

And to me the most important:
a view of Cinderella's castle: cost: Priceless

No flames, really, just my thoughts on your post:

I was thinking that all of those things were important and worth the extra money to me, so I booked the WL and Contemporary concierge for our Christmas trip. Then we stayed at ASMu on our recent trip, and we all (including DH, DS14 and DD11) loved it SO much.

We had two connecting rooms, so the cost was $154 per night, but we had two TVs, two bathrooms and double the space. We drove to all of the parks and restaurants we wanted to go to, and even drove to get on the monorail when we wanted to. We don't drink, so the bars and lounges didn't mean much to us. I was happy with the shopping choices at ASMu, and there was DTD for serious shopping. My kids don't care about slides in the pools or hot tubs, just the fact that there is a pool, and the ones at ASMU were lovely. We never used our tiny balcony when we stayed at the Poly anyway, and the walkways at ASMu were covered at least.

After considering all of this, we changed our Christmas reservations from one room at WL to 2 rooms at Pop ($59 per night with BRP). Our family will be much happier, since we all need our space, and it will save us $1200!!

That being said, we are still going to "splurge" from December 23-26 with a Tower Concierge room at the Contemporary and hopefully that priceless view, but staying at Pop the 6 nights prior will make that luxury so much more affordable for us!

 

[disneytraveler]

I enjoyed reading your comparisons between the deluxe and the Pop to. I enjoy the value resorts also. Next year though i am staying at the Akl.

 

[thelionqueen]

I am so glad I could ease the mind of others that were in my same position! I was worrying myself sick about what to expect and went with my expectations in check.

I basically thought of it as a "Disney Motel 6" once I got there and saw everything my expectations were vastly exceeded.

Again, there are pluses and minuses with every resort and room, and even Cast Members, but as long as I'm at Disney, I'm basically thrilled no matter where I am!

Have fun everyone and if I can answer anything else for you, just let me know.

 

[Sammie]

No flames, really, just my thoughts on your post:

I was thinking that all of those things were important and worth the extra money to me, so I booked the WL and Contemporary concierge for our Christmas trip. Then we stayed at ASMu on our recent trip, and we all (including DH, DS14 and DD11) loved it SO much.

We had two connecting rooms, so the cost was $154 per night, but we had two TVs, two bathrooms and double the space. We drove to all of the parks and restaurants we wanted to go to, and even drove to get on the monorail when we wanted to. We don't drink, so the bars and lounges didn't mean much to us. I was happy with the shopping choices at ASMu, and there was DTD for serious shopping. My kids don't care about slides in the pools or hot tubs, just the fact that there is a pool, and the ones at ASMU were lovely. We never used our tiny balcony when we stayed at the Poly anyway, and the walkways at ASMu were covered at least.

After considering all of this, we changed our Christmas reservations from one room at WL to 2 rooms at Pop ($59 per night with BRP). Our family will be much happier, since we all need our space, and it will save us $1200!!

That being said, we are still going to "splurge" from December 23-26 with a Tower Concierge room at the Contemporary and hopefully that priceless view, but staying at Pop the 6 nights prior will make that luxury so much more affordable for us!

Differing opinions are truly never a flame when presented with respect to the opposing view.

You make good points for what you learned was important to your family to enjoy their vacation and I made points of what it takes for us to have a good time. It's nice Disney offers such a wide variety of resorts and a wide variety of costs also.

 

[Patio]

I was one of those people that thought Pop looked tacky ( when it was being built ) and knew I'd never stay there. Same thing next trip, Pop still looked tacky. Then it opened and I saw the pictures of it, I thought it didn't look so bad. In June 2004, I dragged my kids over for a look, and I liked what I saw. Fast forward to July 2005 and a trip I planned with a friend, with just our kids and no husbands. We decided to stay at Pop and I fell in love with it. We had a great room in the 50's, building 3, rooms 3454 and 3455. We had a view of the lake in the distance and a better location than some of the 60's preferred rooms. I then realized NOT to judge a book by its cover and am dying to stay there again. It was just as the OP described...and more!!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I had an 2nd floor end room at ASMu ...right by one of the pools...it was quiet. I don't mind trading a long walk for peace and quiet when I want to sleep. I still prefer the semi-deluxes and the mods...primarily for food reasons and because I love the hot tub.

 

[deide71]

Guess I am kinda tacky, but Pop looks soooo cool to me.

 

[kath1210]

Differing opinions are truly never a flame when presented with respect to the opposing view.

You make good points for what you learned was important to your family to enjoy their vacation and I made points of what it takes for us to have a good time. It's nice Disney offers such a wide variety of resorts and a wide variety of costs also.

I agree with you completely. That's why Disney is such a great vacation for so many people.

 

[jzmom]

I am booked to stay at Pop the second week of Feburarary. I just saw that there is a cheerleading thing going on during that time. Does anybody know if Pop is going to be over run by them? I am not expecting absolute serenity since I am traveling with DH, a 5 and 1 year old.
Thanks

 

[thelionqueen]

I am booked to stay at Pop the second week of Feburarary. I just saw that there is a cheerleading thing going on during that time. Does anybody know if Pop is going to be over run by them? I am not expecting absolute serenity since I am traveling with DH, a 5 and 1 year old.
Thanks

I believe you are there during the Time Warner (Pop Warner) cheerleading conference. Never personally stayed there at that time, but the boards are loaded with references to them. From the posts I've read, it's a rowdy time. I'm sure you'll have a great time!!

 

[N2Disney]

We are going in January and this is our first time staying on site. I had read some of the posts about POP on this board and was getting nervous and even considering changing resorts, however, your post persuaded me to keep my reservation. Thanks

 

[thelionqueen]

We are going in January and this is our first time staying on site. I had read some of the posts about POP on this board and was getting nervous and even considering changing resorts, however, your post persuaded me to keep my reservation. Thanks

We considered the same thing. I'm glad we had the free dining package, otherwise we might never have tried a value. I hope you have as great a time as we did!

 

[InnerStrength]

LQ~

Thanks for the comments on POP. I booked a surprise trip/Christmas present for Dec and went with POP since the package price was so reasonable, and after reading your review, I am even more looking forward to our trip. Off to search for your dining and park reviews...


LM