Making changes again...

[aliyasmomma2003]

Today, I changed our resort reservation again. This is the 4th resort we have been booked at for our Sept 25-Oct 3 trip. We decided to take our youngest (4 almost 5) when free dining came out. I started out at POR, decided to switch when DH got a raise to WL, couldn't stand the thought of that much money so switched to CB, and today, decided I didn't want to do 15+ hours of driving one way after reading another post about deciding between flying and driving I switched to POP.
This last switch made up the difference in the price of three plane tickets from our driving budget. However, I'm nervous about POP. We have never stayed there. I have read several posts about pool noise, distant rooms from the buses, etc. much of it is similar to other resorts.
We love POR and I wish I had never switched it the first time because I probably would have never changed it and just ate the extra cost of plane tickets. We hated ASM when we were there last but I'm not sure how much of it was the resort versus our own personal drama that happened while we were there including getting my wallet stolen and having to call my parents to wire us money to get home because of it.
So fellow late night Disboarders, tell me this will be a great resort for an almost five year old, that it is better than ASM, and why pay more for the very little time we spend in the hotel room.

And while I'm on it, we have always flew with Delta but we are looking at Southwest for this trip because it is half the price. Any experiences, tips, or good advice?

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Today, I changed our resort reservation again. This is the 4th resort we have been booked at for our Sept 25-Oct 3 trip. We decided to take our youngest (4 almost 5) when free dining came out. I started out at POR, decided to switch when DH got a raise to WL, couldn't stand the thought of that much money so switched to CB, and today, decided I didn't want to do 15+ hours of driving one way after reading another post about deciding between flying and driving I switched to POP.
This last switch made up the difference in the price of three plane tickets from our driving budget. However, I'm nervous about POP. We have never stayed there. I have read several posts about pool noise, distant rooms from the buses, etc. much of it is similar to other resorts.
We love POR and I wish I had never switched it the first time because I probably would have never changed it and just ate the extra cost of plane tickets. We hated ASM when we were there last but I'm not sure how much of it was the resort versus our own personal drama that happened while we were there including getting my wallet stolen and having to call my parents to wire us money to get home because of it.
So fellow late night Disboarders, tell me this will be a great resort for an almost five year old, that it is better than ASM, and why pay more for the very little time we spend in the hotel room.

And while I'm on it, we have always flew with Delta but we are looking at Southwest for this trip because it is half the price. Any experiences, tips, or good advice?

Thanks everyone!!! [/QUO

With the free dining, you will only get quick service at POP and the regular dining plan at the mods. I'd keep CB just to get the table service meals. Do you have ADR's made already for your table service meals?
If your family really doesn't want to waste time in restaurants and won't be spending much time at the hotel, POP is a fine choice. We've done both kinds of trips and there are advantages to both.
I love SW air b/c the tickets are changeable at no cost.

 

[aliyasmomma2003]

I thought getting the dining plan for free was a deal at the mods but we always upgrade to the deluxe plan. When I ran the numbers with reservations on the phone, POP was still $400 cheaper than the mods. I am confident we got a deal, at least for us, just not sure we will like the hotel, but we don't spend much time there anyway. That was my justification to do a value and fly.
I do have all my dining reservations made. We love to eat at Disney! LOL!

 

[4mykids]

Don't worry! We have stayed at all levels of the resorts. We finally switched to Pop 7 years ago and have stayed six times since then. We LOVE the Pop! The theming and transportation are incredible. Just go into your stay realizing you are at a value resort. As far as the noise, we request a lake view room (usually building 5). It is so quiet back there and a short walk to the main building. The view is lovely. I also request a first floor room just to avoid more steps with stairs and elevator. We never use the food court except to fill mugs, buy milk, and grab a milkshake. I don't think I could ever go back to the mods or deluxe resorts. I just keep thinking that the price difference pays for our tickets! Enjoy your stay and just think of all the $$$$$ you are saving!

 

[TinkerP]

I too am taking advantage of the free dining in Sept. We will be there for 9 nights beginning on September 19, 2013 and are staying at the All Star Movies. You can upgrade the free dining to include a table service and a quick service for a small amount. We do this each time so our grandchildren can enjoy character meals. We also like the buffets for the kids, this way they can eat as much as they want and what they want.

 

[NC Disney Fan]

We will be traveling about the same time. We are actually staying for the first time at POFQ since the free dining was cheaper doing it this way than doing value with the upgrade (which another person said was cheaper but as our "child" has now become an adult in Disney's eyes at 10, the numbers work at moderate). I say this because for the past 6 years, we have stayed value--ASmovies and Pop. We felt the same way with the cost of rooms--we barely are in them so why pay more.

To answer your question, we love Pop century for the values. Yes, it is bigger than ASM but the bus system has always seemed better--sometimes they would even double up the Pop busses at the end of the night! That is not to say it isn't packed as it will be during the free dining. May I suggest that you, on your reservations, request a building and that will alleviate your worries about the noise and or the walk. If you request the back sides of building 5 or 4 (the 60's building) you will have standard room but not right on the noisy pool. Additionally, you will be close to the front. We normally have requested room specifically room 5413. (we also like 3413!) It is at the end of building 5 top floor corner--perfect and no real noice but right around the corner from the action. It doesn't hurt to make the request and tell why. I think if you can get a somewhat quiet room, you will be okay. Again, it is packed but we love the ambiance and the whole resort. I hope this helps.

 

[aliyasmomma2003]

That does help! Thank you! I have been over it a million times trying to decide what will work best for us. Stressing myself out over something silly really in the grand scheme of things. So Pop it is and with my $400 savings, airline tickets that save me some serious drive time.

 

[familyabgar]

I just wanted to chime in that you will have a good experience flying Southwest, if my past experiences are to be an example! The only thing is you need to make sure you check in right at 24hours before flight time or pay the surcharge for priority check in (which is automatic). There are no assigned seats on Southwest flights and the way you board is based on order of check in.

Also, did you factor in Southwest's free checked bags into your savings? If not, that's so much more money saved right there!

Have a great trip!

 

[Candice1873]

I only used to fly Delta but now I always check southwest first. I flew them twice in the past year and love it. The seats seem larger and more legroom plus two free bags per person plus you get a carryon. Only downside is no assigned seats. But just check in 24 hours and you will be fine.... They do let families board between the A and B groups though so u should have no issue. Love Southwest!

 

[sndral]

With 6 people in your family, all over the age of three, I assume you have 2 rooms and have requested that they be connected. I personally would opt for regular dinning and a moderate resort over a value resort and deluxe dinning, but others have different priorities. Since connecting rooms are a priority, any other requests - such as a specific location will be harder to fill, btw.
In regards to SW, unlike other airlines, they do not pre board groups with young children. They will allow one adult to board w/ a 4/5 yr. old between the A and B groups - but the other adult and the 2 older children will have to wait to board w/ whatever their boarding pass no. is. If you opt not to pay the $10 per ticket for early bird boarding no. assignment, then be online @ exactly 24hrs. before your flight to get the lowest boarding number you can for the entire group so that you can sit together. Don't forget to do this 24 hrs. before your flight home as well. Even mid B boarding numbers should allow you to find seats together in the back of the plane. You'll love the bags fly free!

 

[aliyasmomma2003]

Only 3 of the 6 are going. The older 3 kids are staying with grandma this trip.