It is MY turn to be Indecisive!!! Please Help!

[Lollipop's Mom]

I have POP booked. First trip to WDW in 8 years, and its just my daughter and I. She is 11.
We have always wanted to stay at POFQ, but when I booked before codes came out it was out of price range. I booked POP and then got a code last week which brought it down quite a bit.
I never even really thought of upgrading, because POFQ has been sold out on our dates for a long time.
Tonight....it opened up - and its on the discounted rate. It would cost me $534 to upgrade.
We are going for 10 nights.

So I need advice - either to talk me IN to our OUT of upgrading....(I don't want to do a split stay either -I want to upack and be in one place for 10 days)
We are not hotel snobs, but due to some business travels, we have been very lucky to enjoy 4 and 5 star hotels and do love it. We decided we can handle Pop for this vacation, as it is what I could afford.
I can probably come up with the $534 (I have that put away for spending money), and I know I can make more spending money before we go (selling on ebay).

Would you upgrade if it is a bit of a strain, or just stay put and we will be happy at Pop? Help!

 

[frdeb1999]

I think it depends on how much time you will actually be spending in the hotel and on the grounds. If it's just mainly sleeping and then off to the parks I'd just stay put. But if your wanting to do what we always do and spend a fair amount at the resort itself I'd go for the upgrade and enjoy POFQ....it's beautiful!

 

[only1alexa]

I agree with the previous poster. If you're planning on spending time at the resort then upgrade, otherwise save your money; you can buy more stuff, eat more table service meals, etc.

I would also factor in the time of year - if it's going to be fairly cool and you're not planning on spending time walking through the resort and relaxing outdoors, then stick with the POP. I just returned from the POP in October and think it's very nice for its price. You have everything you need and your daughter might enjoy the huge icons scattered around the resort.

In case you're wondering - the buildings at POP are WAAAY closer than they look on the map. There's not much walking to be done unless you WANT to walk but there's plenty to see if you do. I've also stayed at POFQ and the property is beautiful. I took the ferry down the river to downtown Disney and it was really nice to be able to do that too. But, because I have two little ones and use the room only to sleep, bathe, and change clothes, I would prefer to stay at the POP.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Stick with Pop and put the money away for your next trip.

 

[pixistix]

And both are great resorts. Yes, a lot depends on how much time you'll spend at the resorts but I found a few other things to consider for my next trip.
My family spent 10 days at POP in June. Loved it! What I didn't like is that sometimes it's so crowded at the bus stop that we had to wait for more than one bus to fill up and we were still in line and not on a bus. That's frustrating when you're there early and want to catch a park opening.
Also, the bath towels at POP left a lot to be desired. Kind of flimsy.
If you're looking for a spa at the end of the day to sink your tired muscles into, POP doesn't have one; POFQ does.
And at POFQ you can take a boat to Downtown Disney. That's a great alternative to the bus. And POFQ shares a bus with POR but there's only one stop at POFQ and those guests are picked up first and dropped off first!

 

[Keara'sMom]

I agree with the PP who said it depends on the time of year/weather. My dd10's only real resort requirement is a pool slide. If the weather is such that you'll be swimming, you might want to consider switching if your kid is like mine, since I don't believe Pop has a pool slide, and I know POFQ does.

Hey, I just saw that you'll be at WDW in 1 month, four weeks! We're going in early Jan, too! We've gone twice in Jan, and we've enjoyed the pool both times, but I know it can be hit or miss...

 

[Shmily1]

I would stay at POP. I have stayed at both and have stayed at POP way more than POFQ. We love the Disney atmosphere more at POP. It is way more exaggerated than POFQ. Our first trip to POP was right after it opened and we have stayed there atleast once a year every year. My DD and DS are now older teens and they still love it! We just feel it is decorated in the WDW style and when we go back to the resort from the parks, we don't feel like we've totally skipped out on WDW. It just adds to the magic!! If you want to experience POFQ, go over there and visit it, walk the grounds, etc one day.

Having the ~$500 that you would be saving on the room would be great for you and your DD to have as spending money. There will be so much stuff you may want to do and see, such as getting a pearl in Japan at Epcot, renting a watermouse, Cirque, etc. Have a great trip!!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

You say you always wanted to stay there, you are getting it at a discounted rate. DO IT.

 

[mousebit]

I think your daughter would love POP! I first stayed there with DGD when she was 10. She loves it! My plan was to stay at the values while she was young, then move up to mods and maybe a deluxe or 2 as she got older. Are you kidding? We're planning her 13th BD trip now and I can't get her away from POP! I finally talked her into a split stay at AKL.

In addition to the fun atmosphere, she loves the arcade, hair-braiding, ping-pong, and pizza delivery. We also just enjoy looking at all the memorabilia and talking about how different life was back in the dark ages when I was her age. We like to walk around the lake and read all the signs and of course she wants to know if I remember when those things happened. We actually spend quite a bit of time relaxing at the resort. She loves all 3 pools and I enjoy the pool bar. She doesn't really miss slides at the pools because we usually hit the water parks. When I ask her if she wouldn't rather be in a "fancier" hotel, she tells me that's she sees them when we go there for dinner or character breakfasts.

The one thing I miss is a hot tub. And a pillowtop mattress would be nice. Other than that, POP is just great for the 2 of us. Save your money. For $500 the two of you could go over to Discovery Cove -- or do some serious shopping at DTD! JMHO Have a great trip!

 

[hercamore]

Your DD will certainly love Pop. It's bright, cheeful, and fun.

However, I suspect you might like a mod a bit more. What about a split stay?

That's would I would do. I would not want to stay any one place for 10 days

herc.

 

[1DISNEYLVR]

I have stayed at both & would definately choose POP. I found the bus service and food court to be much better at POP. As others have said, it has much more of a Disney feel to it. It's a very fun atmosphere.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Well thanks everyone. I have decided to stay put at Pop and keep some $$ back hoping for a free dining bounceback, or other bounceback special. Also, we always 'say' we will be at the hotel a lot, and then don't end up.
Sure, the nicer mattresses would be nice, the quieter atmosphere, pool slide and boat to DTD are really drawing me in - but the trip will be more comfortable financially if we stay at Pop, and the last thing I need is money stress on a vacation!