Just switched from 1 room at POR to 2 rooms at Pop...Please tell me we will be happy!

[Crazy4Disney06]

I have really had my heart set on staying at POR for our WDW vacation next month, however after talking to a CM last week who suggested for the ages of our children (13 and 5) and that our party of 5 had 3 adults, that we not stay at POR. She said if I had booked with CRO rather then online they more then likely would not have booked me the room and since this was our first WDW trip she did not want us to be miserable in one 315 square room. After thinking it over for a week, I broke down and booked two rooms at POP. The cost was $245 more the one room at POR with the 40% code I had, but with my mom's medical condition and the fact she uses a nebulizer every 2 hours at night, I went with two rooms at POP for more privacy and room.
I'm very excited to be going to Disney at all, however I've been planning this trip for 2 years and have had my heart set on POR the entire time. Please tell me that POP will be just as great

 

[DarthKTrava]

I enjoyed Pop last year. And unless you ask for a preferred room, be prepared to walk a few minutes from your room to the lobby/bus station.

I think your children will get a kick out of the large icons scattered throughout the resort and the 3, count them, THREE pools to choose from! And there's a nice food court for meals, an arcade for the kids (and kids at heart!), and gift shop.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I stayed at both my last trip (needed an extra night, and POR was booked, so I added a day at POP). POP is a lot of fun. And, I agree, with that many people, having the extra space will be absolutely worth it. When it comes down to it, POR is all about hte atmosphere, so take an evening, ride the boat over from DTD, and just wander around for awhile. Maybe even grab dinner at Boatwrights. While POR is beautiful and great (where I stay), that many people would be very crammed.

 

[dthogue]

We are a family of 5 (dd's 17, 15 and 9) and just switched our Dec ressies from one room at POR to 2 rooms at Pop. I know for sure that the extra room will be a blessing - not to mention having 2 bathrooms. In your situation with a 3rd adult in your party - I say you made the right choice. Your kids will LOVE Pop - its so much fun.

We traveled with my DM several years ago and had conencting rooms at the All Star Movies - it was perfect - DH and I had our own room and my DD's were able to visit/sleep in DM's room.

Tammy

 

[Allison]

I know it works for a lot of people and we stayed at POR with 5 people in 2004. But, now that my kids are a lot bigger and we are going back, I opted to get 2 connecting rooms(at POFQ) rather than 1 room at POR. I think with 3 adults and 2 kids, you made the right choice. I thought Pop looked pretty cool when we stopped by and toured a couple of years ago.

 

[2manypets]

Having an extra bathroom will really make it worth it! Pop is a lot of fun and is quite pretty. You can also see IllumiNations from the back of the 50's building.

 

[Deb & Bill]

4 beds vs 2 beds. And the question is???

 

[Dis31]

I hate to be a downer but we just got back from pop and didn't enjoy it at all. I have stayed at all star sports and enjoyed it much more. Pop was to crowded for one(and we noticed alot of groups- we were on a bus with a camp) and the noise level at night was a bit much I mean ppl were in the pool till 3 am- we had to call the front desk multiple times( which isn't something i have ever had to do at any disney resort). Security came and didn't ask them to leave just to quiet down and 30 seconds after security left it was loud again. The front desk even said we were just one of numerous calls. It was nice to only have one bus stop though. The beds were very unconfortable and we just found the room to be very small and bare. Although i agree that 4 beds is better than 2 you said you have been planning this trip for 2 years and brining your mother along I would book two rooms at POR or maybe the allstars before I went to POP. I just thought the landscaping at All star sports was nicer(the icons are nice and all but I prefer landscacping like POR). POR is one of my fav resorts so maybe I am a little biased but if you had your heart set on POR i think Pop will fall short of you expectations. Sorry for the long post but I just got back from POP and my disatisfaction is fresh in my mind. I also found the customer service to be lacking since we went to the BC as well and I didn't feel I should have been treated any differently whether i was paying 120$ or 350$ at disney. I hope you have a great trip no matter what

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I am so sorry - this really must be difficult, but if 2 rooms at POR is not possible, then you made the right decision.

The resorts are very different, but there are lots good things about POP. The poster before me prefers ALLStars, but I find AS rooms much too busy - makes me dizzy! Whereas POP rooms are more understated. The newly refurbished rooms at ASMU do look very nice, but I absolutely hate the check in area.

POP check-in is fun, lots of nostalgic pictures etc on the wall. From some rooms the top of IllumiNations can be seen and it's wonderful. One night we saw WISHES and IllumiNations at the same time!

Some rooms are in much need of refurbishment, but if you get those, request rooms in better conditon. The housekeeping managers are very nice.

Your five yr old will love it - some of the icons are wonderful and the walk around the lake is lovely.

I do hope you have a truly magical trip and are able to enjoy POP. :

 

[David 1980]

We went in June with my family of seven and we loved it. It was so nice to have 4 beds, two tv sets, and yes two bathrooms. I will never stay anywhere else other than POP. I hope you have a great trip we sure did and cant wait to go back next year. Dave

 

[Dad_Z]

We went to both POR and POP in the past year and loved both. POR is beautiful, and POP is great fun. Your kids will love POP. The next time we go (with two young boys in tow), we will probably get two connecting rooms for about the same price as one mod room.

As Dis31 pointed out, there is always the possibility that some rooms may be less desirable than others. I think this is probably true at most resorts. My feeling from reading many posts is that Pop is a or the favorite among values. That being said, we would definitely not accept any room near the pools (I think those are the "preferred" rooms).

I think you be happy that you got two rooms.

Good luck!

 

[Disfan3]

That CM was WRONG. We had a POR room for March. I took my 2 cousins who are 22 and 25, myself who is 30, and two girls 11 and 7 and we loved POR!!! There was PLENTY room and this is coming from someone who LOVES the Poly and has stayed there...your 5 yo would be happy on the trundle I guarantee you!

I have not stayed at POP but my friend did at the same time in March and they did not like it, said it was noisy and crowded, etc.

I have no experience at POP but I can tell you that the POR rooms are a good size and the bathroom area is GREAT it is separate and has a curtain for an easy changing area and you can shut the door to the toilet and shower...

I would not want to pay 245 bucks more for a value resort...2 rooms or not. I would stick with POR.

That is my 2cents but I am sure you will have a great time. I have friends that do like POP but I do not have friends that RAVE about it like other resorts get raved about.

I hear the busses are good though


good luck


p.s. if a good pool with hot tub AND slide and sitdown meals and nightly bar entertainment are important you will want to go to POR.

 

[ottawamom]

I think it really comes down to family dynamics. We stayed (5) at the POR on our last trip. My DS 14,12 10 wouldn't be happy there our next trip. They just need more space between them in the room. We will be staying at the POP next trip. Don't get me wrong the resort was gorgeous and if I could drop one of the boys I would be back there in a heartbeat. Having the two rooms will make your downtime just so much more enjoyable.

 

[4greatboys]

I think you will really like it. We used to do the 1 room thing too when the little ones were smaller. Now its just easier to get 2 rooms. My teens stay up late and the little ones get up early. They dont watch the same kind of tv shows and my oldest likes to leave stuff lying around that we dont feel like tripping over.

POP is smaller than POR so its a short walk to food court (depending on where at POR walking over is a very, very long hike).

 

[Sherrynny]

Did anyone suggest a family suite at ASMusic? I have stayed at all the properties mentioned- POR, ASSp, POP and the family suites. The suites are great. Separate bedroom, two bathrooms, sleeper sofa, chair and ottoman. And then you get a microwave, sink and refrigerator. That would be my suggestion, we went with 2 adults, 2 teenagers, 2 8 yr olds and a baby and had plenty of room. I would give it a try

 

[MickeynMinnie]

I absoulty Love POP!!!! We will be staying there a 3rd time This september .... 2nd time this year! I have never found it to be loud or crowded... the rooms are a perfect size for me and 2 other adults that stay with me.... I absoulty love all the icons around the resort.. the food court is wonderful lots of options... wew ere bumed this time because when we first booked with a coode there were no rooms at PoP, but after weeks of trying we finialy found a room there at the price we wanted!!!
I;m not exaclty sure when you are leaving but we actually booked our hotel for September 21-27 for 69.00 a night at Travelocity... last i looked there was still some rooms left at this rate!! Check it out you might be able to save more money!!
Have a magical stay! if you have any other questions about the resort just ask!!

 

[jessieroo]

We went to Pop with 15 people and we all had a lot of fun! The buses were great and there were no problems at all!!! Enjoy your trip! We will be there November 16th!!!!!!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Do not forget that you get two TV's with the POP room also. Along with the two bathrooms and four beds it is a hard combo to beat.

From what I have seen of the Family Suites you have some people sleeping on sofa beds. I am like the Princess and the Pea and have never been able to sleep on one of those things. I can feel each and every spring and metal brace.

I love the POP Century food court too!!

Go, have fun, do not worry. You can do it a different way your next trip if this is not to your tastes. ANY Disney hotel is better than the average off site place IMO.

Slightly Goofy

 

[magicmouse2]

We are also family of 5 - 2 adults and kids aged 17, 11, 9. This year I booked 2 rooms at ASMU then changed to 1 at POR. (CMS never tried to talk me out of it) I stayed at POP last year and the landscaping was lacking for my tastes, and I missed the hot tub. I love plants and lush greenery and there was too much concrete for my liking. We dont mind all being in 1 room as we are out of the room til 10 pm at night. If you spend more time in the room or go back for naps you are probably better off in 2 rooms.

 

[Makdyn]

when we firs booked we booked one room at por. 3A 2K. I was just so happy that we were going to back I did not care. But then I got to think that maybe we should get two room at value instead of one. Th first thing was that my step father snores and I can not have that. Also two bathrooms. which is good cause it seem the girls always have to go when someone in there. Plus I will get my own bed