I need opinions on which resort is worth the cost!

[Sarahslay]

I have stayed at all levels of resort at WDW, and am also a hotel snob of sorts but it depends on what type of trip I'm on. I stayed at Pop twice last summer (each 2 night stays) at it was fine for that amount of time, but I wouldn't want to stay there much longer than that and especially not for 9 nights! If it were me doing a 9 night trip I would jump at the chance to stay at Riviera (that is, if you can get a DVC rental). I tried to get one for an upcoming trip and there wasn't a reservation in sight aside from the overpriced rooms through Disney paying cash.

 

[Duchie]

We own DVC, but I was there last month dropping my daughter off for the DCP. Rather than use up points, we stayed at POP for a night.

The interior of the rooms were recently remodeled and it showed. They looked amazing - functional, clean, super comfortable. I was very pleasantly surprised.

That being said.... the room was small. Fine for our one-night stay, but any longer than that, or any more people, and it would have been uncomfortable. We faced the pool and had the noise from that late into the night. And neighbors....LOUD talking right outside our door, running back and forth, yelling... Agin more than 1 night and I would have been very unhappy.

So yeah - I'd say skip POP and go with one of the other 2 options.

 

[ljmclin]

I understand the "hotel snob" comment. When we go to Disney, we spend a lot of time at the resort. For that reason, we will save until we can stay where we love, the Polynesian. I have stayed at value, moderate and other deluxe resorts for different reasons but for family trips we always choose the Polynesian. If you enjoy time at the resort, you need to stay where you WANT to be. Its never fun to go on vacation and think "I wish I would have ......" Look at your budget and think about what's most important to you. What will make your trip great?? Go with that!! Good luck and let us know what you decide

 

[kaytieeldr]

And neighbors....LOUD talking right outside our door, running back and forth, yelling.

This can happen anywhere, though. Outdoor walkways, indoor halls, cheap motel, expensive resort...

 

[terri33inne]

For me on a longer trip like that the resort is a huge part of the equation. My daughter & I spend a good deal of time at the resort. Also for a longer stay I like the convenience of the little kitchenette in the suites of the DVC rooms. Our preferred one is BCV, or BWV. As a PP stated, you may find DVC cost somewhere in the middle for those resorts from OKW to Riviera. The BW/BC location is great for it's proximity to 2 parks, and the whole BW area offers stuff to do when you're not up for a park.

 

[Hi Pluto]

Did you check with a few of the disney-based travel agents? They are another option for good discounts.

 

[BabybetterDisney]

Ok, so I’m looking to go 9 nights in August 2020. I’ve found a great deal (or what I think is a great deal) for POP Century...$1844 room only for 9 nights. Is that a good deal in August?
My other 2 resort options are going through David’s DVC rental. OKW @ $2278 for 9 nights, and where I REALLY want to stay, Riviera @ $3332 for 9 nights.
I will say I’m a hotel snob. I don’t believe “you just sleep in the room” I like staying in a nice place and enjoying the resort amenities.
I’ve never stayed at POP, and I’m a little afraid to because it looks like a motel with public pools. We stayed at OKW last month and it was a nice resort but the connecting room on the other side was SO loud it’s like they were in the room with us. Plus the cockroaches I found in the bathroom and the fact they left my door open 2x during our 9 night stay, along with crumbs and dust at check in, long story short it just left a bad taste in my mouth. Only considering it again because it’s a lower cost.
Should I book POP just to have the reservation and cancel if I decide against it?
What would you do???

$1800 for 9 nights? That's expensive for Pop! Never used to be this way.
I am at Pop right now. Personally, I love this hotel so much, and I've stayed at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, and all the moderates. If I can only do one hotel for 9 nights and they all cost the same, I would pick Pop!
But that's just me. Cockroaches are everywhere no matter how much you pay. Based on your description, your best option is the DVC rental at OKW. Riviera is new, so it would cost more than its worth, you should wait till next time.

 

[Davev77]

We just stayed at Pop in August, we hated it that much that it helped make our decision about buying into DVC, bought direct from Disney for OKW. Although the room decor and design was nice, the room was disgusting, we checked in and someone's toe nail clippings were all over the floor, along with shredded cheese and massive cob webs from the ceiling. 3 times we had to ask to have our room cleaned, they did comp us a night for our troubles but it was pretty gross. Pop has something like 2888 rooms, and it was filled, so every wheres you went (ex. dining hall, bus stops, pools) was super crowded. Also Pop's bus pick up locations at the parks/DS are always the furthest point. Then you usually have to wait for 2-3 buses before you can get on. I was always of the opinion that you just need a place to sleep, but when you're there for a long trip and have off days from the parks, it is nice to have a relaxing resort to spend time at, Pop is definitely not it!

 

[snappy]

You could also do a split onsite stay of money is a consideration, since your trip is for 9 days. Otherwise I would reduce the number of days and stay at Riveria and it maybe stay offsite for part of the time, say Bonnet creek properties or the swandolphin. Also, late August seems to have some good onsite deals that will surface next year.

I stayed at Pop once with DD when she was younger. In addition to outside hall noise, I could hear a lot going on in the adjacent rooms in both sides, toilet flushing etc during the night. I don’t personally experience the same at BWV, POLY, BCV, the Dolphin.

 

[disneycountrygirl]

I'd likely stay offsite before staying in POP again (or any value resort at Disney really). Values just feel cramped, noisy, frenzied, and extremely basic. We love OKW. If you can't do the splurge for the Riviera right now, I'd give OKW another chance.

 

[;-)]

Thanks so much everyone for you replies! POP is definitely off the table, I don’t think I would like it at all. I’m not gonna jump the gun just yet....I’ll put my request for David's in on January 9th...7 months prior. If Riviera is available then I will definitely take it, otherwise I’ll see what my other options are.
We’ve done Beach Club, Boardwalk, Copper Creek, Poly, Animal Kingdom, OKW. I kinda just wanna try something new. Maybe a good hotel deal will come out also. It’s still early, although we all know the planning must begin early!!

 

[Searc]

This can happen anywhere, though. Outdoor walkways, indoor halls, cheap motel, expensive resort...

True, but there is minimal to no soundproofing between the rooms at Pop.

 

[Duchie]

This can happen anywhere, though. Outdoor walkways, indoor halls, cheap motel, expensive resort...

Agreed. But I wondered if the reason we heard them so clearly was because the beds are basically right by the front door. At other resorts, they seem to have the bathroom first off of a hallway, and the bedrooms towards the back of the room (away from the hallways) so it's not as noticable.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Tip: keeping your bathroom door closed minimizes flushing sounds from other rooms.

Aren't Moderate and Value resorts designed the same, with the batbrooms in the back corner?

 

[SG131]

Thanks so much everyone for you replies! POP is definitely off the table, I don’t think I would like it at all. I’m not gonna jump the gun just yet....I’ll put my request for David's in on January 9th...7 months prior. If Riviera is available then I will definitely take it, otherwise I’ll see what my other options are.
We’ve done Beach Club, Boardwalk, Copper Creek, Poly, Animal Kingdom, OKW. I kinda just wanna try something new. Maybe a good hotel deal will come out also. It’s still early, although we all know the planning must begin early!!

What about the grand or bay lake towers if you want something new? Personally, I wouldn’t pick any of your choices. I like pop on trips where I know I will be there open to close. OKW is way too big for me. And while I like the skyliner and Rivera looks nice it’s probably one of the most expensive options and for that much I want to be walking distance to a park.

 

[maryj11]

Not Pop! Rooms are small. Beds were not comfortable. What about Grand Floridian?

 

[Deb & Bill]

You might be able to book Riviera for cash since for your trip it may not be sold out yet. But getting it for points, you'll need to wait until seven months out to book it. There aren't going to be many Riviera owners renting their points this early in the game. By seven months out, it may be hard booking what is left of DVC inventory for a points stay.

 

[Sarahleigh]

This can happen anywhere, though. Outdoor walkways, indoor halls, cheap motel, expensive resort...

So true. Our loudest neighbors and the only time we've ever had an issue was when we stayed in a studio at AKL Kidani. It was 11pm, the kids were screaming and running back and forth and we could hear them clanking dishes. It was the only time we've ever complained at a resort. We went to the front desk just asking if they could send someone up to quiet them down because we couldn't get our baby to sleep with the noise.


And to the OP. As much as we love Pop it sounds like it wouldn't be the right fit for you. If the finances aren't an issued I'd swing for Riviera. It seems like a lovely resort.

 

[;-)]

Grand Floridian is actually pricing out to more, plus I’ve stayed there years ago..BLT doesn’t look appealing really. They are possible contenders! But I think I really want Riviera. I hope I can get it at 7 months out.