Is it worth it to get a Preferred Room?

[jodim]

Since this is our first stay at a Disney Resort, I am unsure if I should go with a Preferred Room or not. An acquaintance at my children school told me she always gets a preferred room.

We're staying in 2 rooms at the POP.

What's the difference between regular and preferred rooms?

Is it worth it to go with the Preferred Rooms? ($304.00 for 9 nights)

 

[babyrich]

Since this is our first stay at a Disney Resort, I am unsure if I should go with a Preferred Room or not. An acquaintance at my children school told me she always gets a preferred room.

We're staying in 2 rooms at the POP.

What's the difference between regular and preferred rooms?

Is it worth it to go with the Preferred Rooms? ($304.00 for 9 nights)

It seems the preferred rooms are closer to the food court or bus stops. If you dont mind a little extra walk than I dont see the need to spend the extra $.

My DH and I always go for the standard. We usually go to the food court for breakfast and than hop a bus to one of the parks so the we would go that way anyway. It does save some $.

 

[secretpantssam]

I like having a closer room, but I have arthritis in my hip and sometimes that end of the night walk can seem really long.

 

[perriwinkleblue]

The PP is right - the preferred rooms at POP are just closer to the foodcourt/bus stop and main pool. You can do a search to find a map with the preferred room locations. I believe they are in the 60's building, part of the 50's and part of the 70's. The rooms themselves are identical to the non-preferred locations. There are non-preferred rooms that face pools (as opposed to parking lot), too.

I agree, If you don't mind walking a bit, go for the regular rooms. When you check-in, you can still ask for the closest non-preferred room. They will give you the best non-preferred location they have available to you. (We have stayed in the 50's building non-preferred and it was a great location. Steps to the bowling pin pool and pretty close to the food court.) The only building that seems like a real hike is the 90's. It doesn't hurt to request a particular building - it just can't be guaranteed that you'll get it.

If walking to and from the bus is an issue, go for preferred. You still can't pick your exact room location but they will be closer. Just know that some of the POP preferred rooms are near the main pool and are a little noisy.

Have a great trip. POP is really fun.

 

[tripletots]

I voted NO. On our first family trip we stayed at All Stars Sports in a Preferred. I was so excited when we looked out at the pool. I thought it was the best thing. UNTIL.........we were awaken every night at 3:00AM with screaming kids having fun in the pool. (We were there in August).

We have since stayed in standard rooms and even though they may seem far from the busses and lobby, if you cut through parking lots it's just as quick.

 

[MrsPete]

I vote no. At Disney we don't stay in our rooms much anyway -- doesn't fit our commmando style -- and we don't see much point in paying extra for a fancier room.

On our first-ever trip we did pay for a waterview room at Port Orleans. What a waste: We didn't have a balcony, just a walkway outside -- no place to sit and look at the water. And it wouldn't have mattered. We were on the second floor, and the lovely crepe myrtle trees were in bloom, which blocked 100% of the water view for which we'd paid.

Sometimes, some places it DOES make sense to pay for a nicer room. Not at Disney.

 

[figment3258]

I say just stay in standard rooms. I have always done that and each time I check in I ask for a room with a view maybe water or something like that they have always upgraded us for free. Its been really great. take a chance and ask it never hurts

 

[Mrs. Charming]

We like to request the 50's. It's close to the main building, but without the extra moola.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I voted yes, but I think if me and fiance were just traveling w/o DD I wouldn't go for the preferred room.
For us it is good b/c its a lot to carry a sleepy child off the bus and back to a far away room along with her carriage and our book bag and anything else we me have purchased that day.

 

[TooGoofyMan]

Last June was the first time my family and I stayed onsite. We stayed at ASMo in a "preferred" Toy Story room. We were in the Woody on the farthest T leg away from the food court. It was great that we were close to our car...we were on the top floor so it was quiet...However, I wouldn't have called it "close" to the food court, pool, or buses. We had a great time, but it certainly wasn't worth the extra money for "preferred" label.

 

[LisaInNc]

It would depend on your family. How much time are you going to spend at the pool?

To me I don't need to be that close. I actually want rooms close to the parking lot because we drive to all the parks except MK.

You can also ask for a different room at check in if you don't like where your room is.

I would take the $300 and use it for something extra special for everyone.

Lisa

 

[thelionqueen]

I voted no. I have stayed in every section at POP and can tell you each section has it's own charm and appeal to me. The last trip when I got the 80's section I thought would be a nightmare, but LOVED the peace and quiet. Prior to that I would request 50's as it is close and fun. In my opinion, they're all great!!

 

[perriwinkleblue]

BTW, check out the disboard thread:
"The GROOVIER New Pop Century FAQ Thread Chapter 3! ~ Posts #1 & #2 are MUST sees!" it hasa complete rundown of preferred vs non-preferred POP rooms

 

[TeaForTulips]

We stayed at ASMu and did not get a preferred room, but were lucky enough to get the closest non-preferred room to the pool and food court. It was so nice. We were four adults with no children, but about midweek when everyone was getting more tired and feet was starting to hurt it was great. I plan on paying the extra for a preferred next time because I do not want to end up really far away. If you don't think you would mind the walking though then skip it for sure.

 

[bookgirl]

I put yes but that is because my family has some mobility issues. If I were a young family with strong healthy kids who could stand a 5-10 minute walk, I'd totally stay in whatever room they assigned. However it was much better to be closer. Also because we were not swimming and didn't care about the pool we just asked to be on the back of the building....no pool noise and no problem getting the room, since all the families wanted the front side.

 

[Kae]

We like to request the 50's. It's close to the main building, but without the extra moola.

That is where we were & loved it.

Kae

 

[lisa3635]

We've had a preferred room and loved how close it was. For me, it's definately worth it.

 

[manhattan]

I voted yes. The last thing you want to do is take a long hike on top of all of the walking you have already done in the parks. I have never stayed at POP, but have stayed at the ASMusic and I remember the long walk we had to do when we arrived at almost 1 in the morning and had to drag our luggage along with two sleepy toddlers. I do request rooms not facing pools though, the noise is just crazy.

 

[penguin087]

I went with a standard room at Pop. Big mistake. I would spend the extra money. It was far from the main bldg. I knew it would be far but it was REALLY far. Plus we ended up surrounded by college aged kids. Not that I mind them but they were up partying all night. I would have been much happier surrounded by families.

 

[SheenaXena21]

We had a preferred room.... and it was very noisy. It faced the the kiddie pool, and every morning we were woke up by the pressure washer. We didn't wake up to be at the park openings and it was annoying. But you live, and you learn!