Help...should I upgrade?

[Imamermaid]

I booked our trip last week, and chose a value resort (Pop Century) this time around. Before we've stayed at WL, and last year at CBR. After two trips, I've realized that we've only used our resorts for a place to sleep--leave early, do the parks all day, then back late at night to sleep. We've rarely eaten at our resorts (except for a few breakfasts) or used the pools. So after reading here, I decided to try a value. Now I'm afraid I'm going to worry myself sick for 5 months.

Every time I plan a trip I have anxiety about the accomodations. It's a thing with me. Always. But I figured, what the heck, we're not going to use the resort except for a place to sleep and shower anyway, so why spend more money? Right? I'm right, right?

Am I going to be sorry? It's clean and decent, right? The "no frills" thing doesn't bother me at all. And, my kids--7 and 9--will enjoy the theme, huh?

Also, I'm going to follow the advice in the Pop Century thread and fax a request to the resort 10 days before we arrive for a quieter room. I didn't think to request that when I made my reservation. I did get a preferred room though, whatever that means. Can anyone recommend a particular building to ask for?

Someone please help ease my mind so I can sleep tonight, or tell me to upgrade! What should I do?

 

[Gina]

Pop Century has a magical quality about it that I have not found at any other WDW resort. I LOVE DxL, and I liked CBR, I've stayed at every All-Stars. Haven't made it to a deluxe yet. But there is just... something... about Pop. DS and I look at pictures on the Pop picture thread, and we are just overcome with excitement at being back there again in December. We can't WAIT. It is so full of energy, and fun, yet it's also so pretty and lush and scenic! Sitting on the bridge over the lake is sooooo peaceful and quiet. You feel like the only person on earth.

If you have already requested a preferred room, just ask them to note on the reservation that you would like a quiet room AWAY from the pools, and you should be fine.

Your kids are going to love Pop, and I bet you're going to as well!!


-gina-

 

[simonkodousek]

I think you would be fine staying at Pop Century. Because you really don't use any of the resorts' amenities, you shouldn't worry too much about where to stay.

 

[Imamermaid]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm starting to calm down a little bit.

 

[katieandemismom]

We just upgraded to CSR from POP during free dining. Our stay is 9 nights, and I worried about a packed resort during the heat and no covers over the bus stops or by the pool (I'm so fair I've never tanned). Dh can't sleep unless it's really quiet.

Now.....if it were the same week of Jan we were there this year, I'd have kept POP. We were just worried that the influx of people would make it too much for us. We had visited POP during Jan to check it out, and I was really looking forward to staying there. It's decor is really cute, and the food court was amazing. Hopefully we'll be able to try it next time when it's cooler and slower!

 

[Kaler131]

Pop is GREAT! I have stayed at the Poly (which we loved) and OKW, as well as ASM & ASSp....but since our first stay at Pop in 2005 we have NEVER stayed anywhere else! I thought about booking a different resort for our Sept. trip, but I couldn't bring myself to do it....that's how much we LOVE LOVE LOVE Pop!

 

[Imamermaid]

O.K. I'm starting to feel a lot better. Thanks!

We're going the first week of December--same week we went last year, and it didn't seem packed time at all. Maybe we'll be o.k.

 

[Imamermaid]

Do you have a favorite building at Pop? Are any better than the others, or are they all about the same, except for theme?

 

[tinkerbell*Xo]

I stayed at the POP last year the second week of DEC. It was not busy and the food court was not crowded at all!
We had a prefered room and our room overlooked a large Mickey!!
It brought a lot of excitment and disney magic to our vacation seeing that big Mickey every morning!
This is in the 70s building!!
enjoy!!

 

[mommykds]

I think Pop Century will be fun to stay at & since you said that use the resort really only to sleep in then it should fit your needs well.

I stayed at Pop last October & it was very clean & the staff were very nice.
The foodcourt offers alot of choices & the pools look like fun (I did not swim).
The buses at Pop were better than some mod/deluxe I have stayed at. The theming is colorful & fun.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

 

[anonymousegirl]

I would keep the Pop ressie. Try staying in what many people say is the best value resort and see if you are happy there. If so, that can save you a boatload of money on your future visits.

I have never stayed there (only been to WDW four times 1985, 1988, 1995, 1998 and have never stay on property) but it is said to have the best food court of all the values and beats out some of the mods too, plus excellent dedicated (shared with no other resort) bus service. This would be my hands down choice for a value.

 

[Sandi]

We've stayed at Pop 3 times and are headed back there in August. We've stayed at Deluxes and all of the moderates, but Pop is a real gem. When it is just my DD13 and me, we use our resort for a place to sleep. The money saved can be put to other uses!

Pop has the absolute best transportation of any of the WDW resorts we've stayed at. Even when there are long lines at the end of the day, they manage brilliantly -- sending two busses to load at once frequently.

DD13 loves the Coke slushies available at Everything Pop's beverage island -- a selling point for your kids, perhaps.

The CMs are wonderful. Very friendly and efficient.

The biggest downsides as compared to a moderate are: only one sink and no ceiling fan.

 

[ntsammy5]

I've said this before and I'll say it again - I find the values - all of them to be a stimulating place to stay. They're delightful. We've stayed at all the deluxe and all the values and we actually prefer the values. They're a great place to stay. POP is a fun place to be. You'll enjoy it. We especially like the food court -- even when it's crowded - it's a good place to eat breakfast! It just seems more Disney there. JMO.

 

[Kaler131]

Do you have a favorite building at Pop? Are any better than the others, or are they all about the same, except for theme?

We always like to stay in one of the 80's buildings....but I think most people prefer the 60's and 70's because they are closer to the main building.