Nervous about Pop...

[DLgal]

At the end of the day, the values are all the same, so if you were unhappy with your last value stay, you will be unhappy with your next for the same reasons. The room refurbishment is lipstick on a pig. The walls are still paper thin, the noises will be just as loud, the food court at Pop is MORE chaotic than at All Stars due to the combination food court/merchandise store layout, the bus lines and faraway bus stations at the parks are still annoying, the large groups will still be there, etc.

 

[Mome Rath]

From my multiple trips to both All-Stars and Pop, they are definitely different, and the refurb at Pop was fantastic. The walls aren't paper thin, I've had louder stays at Beach Club. The food court is not more chaotic, any food court, including mods and deluxes get chaotic under certain conditions (busy time of year, time of day, and whether it is storming or not). If you go at certain times of year, the 15's are not there. Each resort is going to have its detractors and its fans, the key is to figure out which ones you like and which you don't, and avoid the ones you don't like. I feel each resort I've stayed at has pros and cons, so I pick based on what I want from my trip, Pop is in the rotation a lot, All-Stars aren't, but many people love All-Stars and that's great.

 

[maxiesmom]

$600 is a lot of money. But in the scheme of things, if you are unhappy with your resort it will affect your whole trip. If I was at a resort I hated, $600 wouldn't end up seeming like much. Just something to consider.

 

[Magical2017]

If you are over the values and DH is pointing out the price difference between a value and a mod, there are several options that you both might consider.

1. Use a Disney TA (from an agency that gets big discounts on blocks of rooms).
2. Try to rent DVC to stay deluxe.
3.Stay off site in a nice room or one bedroom unit with a great pool and have more space.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you are over the values and DH is pointing out the price difference between a value and a mod, there are several options that you both might consider.

1. Use a Disney TA (from an agency that gets big discounts on blocks of rooms).
2. Try to rent DVC to stay deluxe.
3.Stay off site in a nice room or one bedroom unit with a great pool and have more space.

I'm wondering what it is about the values that the OP's husband likes so much. Besides the price.

 

[SarahC97]

Agreed about the timing. We just spent a week at Pop and the groups made it miserable. It wasn't so bad at the food courts, but the constant running and yelling and banging on doors (until nearly 2 a.m. on multiple nights) left us exhausted and frazzled. We were surrounded by teenage boys on sports teams, but there were also groups of 9-10 yr-old boys running around unsupervised, too. I opened my door and told kids to be quiet more than I can count, and we called security multiple times (once it got past 11 p.m. or so). It was so bad in our section that multiple nights security was patrolling on foot and by bikes, and there was still little effect. We've stayed at Pop during different times of the year, and never had this problem - so just avoid the group season(s).

As for the refurbed rooms - they were great. Definite upgrade on mattresses, nice having queen beds, and storage was well designed. We had a minor problem with housekeeping not stocking things like cups, coffee, and washrags daily, but I think WDW is having that kind of issue at multiple resorts right now.

Is the summer the group season? We were just at All Star Movies last week and had the same problem - teen tour groups that kept us up until after 3 am. It was absolutely terrible and made me never want to go back to the All Stars and I have never tried Pop because I always considered the All Stars to be the less hectic option. We're planning a labor day week trip next year, so I'm unsure if tour groups will be a factor or not.

 

[SarahC97]

If you are over the values and DH is pointing out the price difference between a value and a mod, there are several options that you both might consider.

1. Use a Disney TA (from an agency that gets big discounts on blocks of rooms).
2. Try to rent DVC to stay deluxe.
3.Stay off site in a nice room or one bedroom unit with a great pool and have more space.

These are all great suggestions, but we're going next month and planning to book a bounceback (hopefully free dining) for next year for this trip. For us, free dining is definitely the biggest savings because of the age of our children, more savings overall than renting DVC or using that agency (Which we have done in the past). That's why I'm trying to decide which resort to go with and why I'd like feedback about people's experiences at Pop.

 

[SarahC97]

I'm wondering what it is about the values that the OP's husband likes so much. Besides the price.

It's the price and the bus situation. He likes the lines and the single bus stop at the values, but I think price is his biggest selling point.

 

[Magical2017]

These are all great suggestions, but we're going next month and planning to book a bounceback (hopefully free dining) for next year for this trip. For us, free dining is definitely the biggest savings because of the age of our children, more savings overall than renting DVC or using that agency (Which we have done in the past). That's why I'm trying to decide which resort to go with and why I'd like feedback about people's experiences at Pop.

Understood. I did post upthread. I have no issues with Pop (have stayed at all levels) but our kids are older and we simply need more space now. I hope you and DH find a good compromise and have a fabulous trip!

 

[SarahC97]

Understood. I did post upthread. I have no issues with Pop (have stayed at all levels) but our kids are older and we simply need more space now. I hope you and DH find a good compromise and have a fabulous trip!

Thanks! I may convince him to just go with a moderate yet! LOL

 

[Debbie Jean]

Is the summer the group season? We were just at All Star Movies last week and had the same problem - teen tour groups that kept us up until after 3 am. It was absolutely terrible and made me never want to go back to the All Stars and I have never tried Pop because I always considered the All Stars to be the less hectic option. We're planning a labor day week trip next year, so I'm unsure if tour groups will be a factor or not.

People talk about timing as a way to avoid groups. As far as I can tell, all it is is luck.

I was at Pop in April. There were groups.... now if there was a way to know beforehand, I'd have made other arrangements. While I've had lots of experience with both values and mods, I've been DVC for many, many years.... and I'm now much older so my tolerance for chaos is lower. But it was last minute trip with no DVC availability and of the values, I'd always had the best experience at Pop. I'm not saying I would never do it again under similar circumstances, but I definitely spent most of my time in the parks and not the resort which is pretty atypical for me at this stage.

So, fess up, if you know a comprehensive magic website that tells you when groups will be at the resorts, I'm sure you'd be doing the DIS community a great service by posting it! Otherwise, you pays your money, you takes your chances.

 

[Disneylover99]

Is the summer the group season? We were just at All Star Movies last week and had the same problem - teen tour groups that kept us up until after 3 am. It was absolutely terrible and made me never want to go back to the All Stars and I have never tried Pop because I always considered the All Stars to be the less hectic option. We're planning a labor day week trip next year, so I'm unsure if tour groups will be a factor or not.

July is the big tour group season, but tour groups can pop up at any time of the year at the values. Nothing is certain. We stayed at Pop when there was a tour group in late August and also during Christmas week. Both times it was a non issue for us because our room was away from the groups. I remember others at the time complaining about the noise.

 

[Catvondita]

I love POP. It's not as pretty as some deluxes but it's worth the price. I've had bad experiences for buses at deluxes so I actually prefer POP's bus service. Plus they have an actual line queue for the buses rather than a free for all like the deluxe bus stops. It's a cute hotel. Nothing amazing but for a cheaper price is gets the job done. I'd rather pay the price for POP and be able to stay on property than pay less and stay off property. I always try to stay in the 50's section. Slightly more quiet but still super close to the main building.

 

[supitscarrie]

I also love Pop. But it's just my husband and I, childfree, and in the reno'd rooms, that second bed stays up - so the rooms feel much bigger. If you're traveling with kids, I imagine those rooms would start to feel very cramped very quickly.
I've stayed in both the 90s section and the 50s section. The 50s room was "preferred" and closer to the main building as well as to the bowling pin pool. The 90s was towards the back of the resort, very quiet. Stayed in the 50s section pre-refurb, and the 90s post-refurb, and enjoyed both stays!!
I've never had the funds to be able to afford extended stays in Deluxe rooms. I'd rather go more often and stay at a Value and still be able to enjoy the onsite amenities.

 

[amw]

Thanks! I may convince him to just go with a moderate yet! LOL

I was reading this thread out of interest. I’ve never stayed values but am strongly considering it as a free dining bounceback for next year. (We are going to a WDW next month.). My girls are teens now and want to stay in the park longer and DH no longer wants to come along so space is not a big deal anymore.

We have stayed at every moderate and most deluxes (those on special “labour day” deals.) I just wanted to let you know that I’ve had a few LOUD neighbours at these resorts. The level of the resort doesn’t reflect on the behaviour of those staying there. I just always ask for a quiet, upper level floor and pray for the best.

I had the worst experience at POR, and the loudest, sleepless stay was at the Poly. I will not go back to CBR or POR. I really enjoyed POFQ but not if you need pool time ... and we enjoyed CSR for its peace, and the best buses. Not a fan of the MK deluxes. They tend to be loud and monorails are not reliable. GF was very quiet though for sleeping. I prefer the Epcot resorts for walking to the parks. BC was the most hectic. Our best stay was actually at the swan. We are trying a AKL next month.

My point is noisy neighbours can happy anywhere, and any resort can give you that “off vibe” regardless of level. Don’t go at it thinking moderates will be solution for everything. Disney is chaotic and filled with kiddies everywhere. Personally, I find the obnoxious entitled adults to be worse neighbours. . If you do go in off-seasons like August or Sept, look for a good TA with deals. My deluxe stays were always at a lower rate that the Disney moderates prices.

My youngest DD actually wants a real food court and the tacky decor, hence I’m looking into the values. It’s all about expectations.

 

[Mome Rath]

The groups are all different as to the impact on the hotel, IMO. The 15's are usually there in July and there's a lot of them, they seem to impact the food court, and the bus line on the way back to the hotel. Cheer groups get loud, sometimes early in the morning. If there is a group trying to get on DME at the time you are, you have to assert your right to get on the bus. So, some are hit and miss, but some can be planned for. Out of all the trips I've taken I've only really been "impacted" by a band group at All-Star. So, it is kind of a luck of the draw situation.

 

[SarahC97]

I was reading this thread out of interest. I’ve never stayed values but am strongly considering it as a free dining bounceback for next year. (We are going to a WDW next month.). My girls are teens now and want to stay in the park longer and DH no longer wants to come along so space is not a big deal anymore.

We have stayed at every moderate and most deluxes (those on special “labour day” deals.) I just wanted to let you know that I’ve had a few LOUD neighbours at these resorts. The level of the resort doesn’t reflect on the behaviour of those staying there. I just always ask for a quiet, upper level floor and pray for the best.

I had the worst experience at POR, and the loudest, sleepless stay was at the Poly. I will not go back to CBR or POR. I really enjoyed POFQ but not if you need pool time ... and we enjoyed CSR for its peace, and the best buses. Not a fan of the MK deluxes. They tend to be loud and monorails are not reliable. GF was very quiet though for sleeping. I prefer the Epcot resorts for walking to the parks. BC was the most hectic. Our best stay was actually at the swan. We are trying a AKL next month.

My point is noisy neighbours can happy anywhere, and any resort can give you that “off vibe” regardless of level. Don’t go at it thinking moderates will be solution for everything. Disney is chaotic and filled with kiddies everywhere. Personally, I find the obnoxious entitled adults to be worse neighbours. . If you do go in off-seasons like August or Sept, look for a good TA with deals. My deluxe stays were always at a lower rate that the Disney moderates prices.

My youngest DD actually wants a real food court and the tacky decor, hence I’m looking into the values. It’s all about expectations.

This is true, we've stayed at all level of resort too, but I think our quietest stays have been at the moderates. We just left CSR and even though there were a few late nights with people being loud at the pool, it was nothing like the group we were next door to at All Star Movies. I guess you just have to book somewhere that works for you and hope for the best! Thanks for the input!

 

[Skippyboo]

I think it all depends what you want your resort to do. I stayed in Pop this May solo. After 3 previous AKL stays (2 solo, 1 with friend). I had refurbished 4 th Floor room in the 70 section.

I spent the majority of my time at the parks not at the hotel other than the day that Star Tours got me ill with motion sickness. I didn’t really have any problems with the bus service except coming back from DS. My stop is always on the far side of the loop when you come from Disney Store side of DS.

I wasn’t on the dining plan so the lack of Table Service didn’t bother me. I liked all the plugs and storage cubbies. Did miss a regular closet to shove all the extra pillows from the unused Murphy bed into. I just stacked them on the mini fridge.

There was plenty of room with just me but I can see if you had bigger teens along, it could be tight.

However if you want more resort amenities and table service dining, I can see not going to Pop.

I chuckled at people staying Pop has the farthest return bus stops. AKL are pretty far too. Hollywood Studios are the only one super close. Epcot is middle of the way. MK, DS, AK are hikes.

 

[DisneyFive]

At the end of the day, the values are all the same, so if you were unhappy with your last value stay, you will be unhappy with your next for the same reasons. The room refurbishment is lipstick on a pig. The walls are still paper thin, the noises will be just as loud, the food court at Pop is MORE chaotic than at All Stars due to the combination food court/merchandise store layout, the bus lines and faraway bus stations at the parks are still annoying, the large groups will still be there, etc.

I disagree completely about them being the same. When I visited the All Stars I was surprised how old they felt. AoA has some of the best theming on property, an amazing lobby, and unique suites. Pop is somewhere in the middle, but closer to AoA IMO.

The walls aren't bad, the sound that makes it through is typically from the adjoining door. Toilet flushes are heard because floors are concrete and transmit the vibrational noise well. Footsteps are heard because POP now has hard flooring, which can transmit footsteps with hard shoes.

I agree about the bus stops being the furthers away, but I get it. You are paying less.

Dan

 

[DLgal]

I disagree completely about them being the same. When I visited the All Stars I was surprised how old they felt. AoA has some of the best theming on property, an amazing lobby, and unique suites. Pop is somewhere in the middle, but closer to AoA IMO.

The walls aren't bad, the sound that makes it through is typically from the adjoining door. Toilet flushes are heard because floors are concrete and transmit the vibrational noise well. Footsteps are heard because POP now has hard flooring, which can transmit footsteps with hard shoes.

I agree about the bus stops being the furthers away, but I get it. You are paying less.

Dan

I meant when you take away the fancy dressing and theming, they are all essentially the same experience when you stay there. I've stayed at all of them, except AS Sports. My opinion is based on numerous value stays going back to 1998.