Needing opinions please! Gran Destino Tower or Pop

[Octoberbaby]

We are currently booked at Gran Destino Tower for Christmas week. I have been super excited to stay here after visiting while staying at Coronado last year. I called and checked on availability at Pop and we could save roughly $500. We have never stayed at either, and usually aren't fans of the value resorts due to the size of rooms and dining options. I've seen the new rooms at Pop however, and I am wondering what you all would do? Is it worth a $500 difference? I am nervous to stay at a value because I don't want to be disappointed-- I apologize if that sounds bad. Please help me choose! TIA

 

[Farro]

If money isn't a pressing issue I would definitely not switch over a $500 savings

I haven't stayed at either, but just based on pics and videos. And we are booked at GDT next year!

 

[ucf_knight]

We are currently booked at Gran Destino Tower for Christmas week. I have been super excited to stay here after visiting while staying at Coronado last year. I called and checked on availability at Pop and we could save roughly $500. We have never stayed at either, and usually aren't fans of the value resorts due to the size of rooms and dining options. I've seen the new rooms at Pop however, and I am wondering what you all would do? Is it worth a $500 difference? I am nervous to stay at a value because I don't want to be disappointed-- I apologize if that sounds bad. Please help me choose! TIA

Stay at gran destino and don’t look at pop anymore. Merry Christmas

 

[AKLover]

Unless you really need the $500 back I agree...I wouldn’t go to Pop.

 

[Dave006]

Pop is a Disney Skyliner resort which can be good or bad depending on your view of heights. Also consider what you might spend that $500 on if not at Coronado Springs?

Dave

 

[SaintsManiac]

Spend the $500 and stay at GDT. I think you would regret it if you switched to Pop and I say that as someone who loves Pop!

 

[soniam]

The room sizes didn't change at Pop. They just got reorganized and bigger beds. How many people is it? I voted for Gran Destino, because I'm desperate to stay there. Love the theming and history. Barcelona is one of my favorite places in the world though.

 

[Octoberbaby]

The room sizes didn't change at Pop. They just got reorganized and bigger beds. How many people is it? I voted for Gran Destino, because I'm desperate to stay there. Love the theming and history. Barcelona is one of my favorite places in the world though.

It would be two adults and a teenager...who is as big as an adult lol. He is only 14, but almost as tall as his father who is 6'2.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I was going to ask about the party size - with 3 adults - stick with GDT. You'll appreciate the extra space. Plus your teen will love the tech aspects, you'll love the lobby and art aspects.

 

[soniam]

It would be two adults and a teenager...who is as big as an adult lol. He is only 14, but almost as tall as his father who is 6'2.

Gran Destino may be more comfortable, especially since the 2nd bed is a murphy bed. It looks like it takes up a decent amount of the room. If you aren't going to hang out in the room much at all, then it's not a big deal. However, with the shortened park hours, we spent way more time in our hotel room on our July trip than we normally do. Xmas week you may not be able to swim or hang out at the pool much, because it can get chilly or downright freezing. Gran Destino bathrooms have 2 sinks and a separate water closet for the toilet. Pop has 1 sink, and the toilet, sink, and shower are in the same room. I think the Gran Destino bathroom would be more comfortable.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Stay at Riviera. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Krisshay13]

I have stayed at both....I say, keep the Grand Destino Tower reservation!!

Most of the time, I'm taking a grandkid to Disney. And we always stay budget resort because of their age, it's more fun for them......and my pocket book (which means more trips!!) I am booked w/1 grandkid this Nov at Pop...I actually love Pop. Esp with the remodeled rooms.

This past spring, my DH & I took a cruise out of Port Canaveral........I booked GDT for 1 night after the cruise. Yes, the price was hard for me but, I did not regret it. We actually stayed at POFQ 3 nights before the cruise & wished I had swapped and had the 3 nights at GDT.

Pop is fine with little kids but, with an adult size teenager you will not regret staying a GDT. And Christmas week....NICE, I'm jealous. We had a king bed so, not sure how it is with 2 beds but, there was so much more room than Pop. Just the bathroom layout would be so much better for 3 adults.

If your pocket book doesn't mind........spend the extra and enjoy Gran Destino Tower for Christmas.

 

[Krisshay13]

view from our GDT room!!

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Gran Destino. We loved Coronado, but right now we would pick Pop because we don't have to fold strollers to go on the Skyliner. Trying to avoid busses while I have little ones. If busses aren't an issue for you, or if you plan on driving to parks, Coronado has way more to do and better dining. We loved the Pop room set up when just using 1 bed and a pack n play, but my sister said it was so crowded with both beds down that she didn't care for it. We had 4 adults in a Coronado room once and didn't feel overly crowded. Plus Coronado had 2 sinks for getting ready in the morning!

 

[Octoberbaby]

Gran Destino may be more comfortable, especially since the 2nd bed is a murphy bed. It looks like it takes up a decent amount of the room. If you aren't going to hang out in the room much at all, then it's not a big deal. However, with the shortened park hours, we spent way more time in our hotel room on our July trip than we normally do. Xmas week you may not be able to swim or hang out at the pool much, because it can get chilly or downright freezing. Gran Destino bathrooms have 2 sinks and a separate water closet for the toilet. Pop has 1 sink, and the toilet, sink, and shower are in the same room. I think the Gran Destino bathroom would be more comfortable.

Yes, with the shorter hours we will definitely be spending more time at the resort. I'm hoping it isn't too cold to swim, but it probably will be. We usually travel to Disney during May or October and we love our pool time, but I'm prepared for colder temps this time. I know one day we are doing DS and hopefully resort hopping for the decorations.

 

[shoegal9]

I've stayed at both. Pick Gran Destino. We will never stay at Pop again unless it's a one night before checking in somewhere else. It feels like a motel and the bus lines are ridiculous.

 

[Octoberbaby]

Thank you all! I appreciate the help! I'm going to stick with GDT....With having more time at the resort and needing a more comfortable room Pop wouldn't be the best choice of the two. We also enjoy having more dining options. I am super excited!

 

[soniam]

Yes, with the shorter hours we will definitely be spending more time at the resort. I'm hoping it isn't too cold to swim, but it probably will be. We usually travel to Disney during May or October and we love our pool time, but I'm prepared for colder temps this time. I know one day we are doing DS and hopefully resort hopping for the decorations.

That week is really weird. Plan for shorts and for coats. You might be able to swim. It's really a toss of the coin. We are from Texas, so our bar for swimming is a bit higher than others. However, they do heat the pools. When we did that week (xmas-NYE), their were days we were in shorts and days that the pools were closed because it was too cold. We actually had winter coats on at MK on the 30th, because it was down to the 40s. They ran out of hot chocolate, tea, and coffee in the park. They had hot water though.

 

[Octoberbaby]

That week is really weird. Plan for shorts and for coats. You might be able to swim. It's really a toss of the coin. We are from Texas, so our bar for swimming is a bit higher than others. However, they do heat the pools. When we did that week (xmas-NYE), their were days we were in shorts and days that the pools were closed because it was too cold. We actually had winter coats on at MK on the 30th, because it was down to the 40s. They ran out of hot chocolate, tea, and coffee in the park. They had hot water though.

Wow....40 degrees is super cold lol. Anything below 70 is freezing to me

 

[markpenske]

I'm a fan of the pop century since they upgraded the rooms. The dining options are limited. To be honest CSR dining is not great either. At the Pop you have the option of jumping on the skyliner for other dining options