Only have 4 days.. POP or POR??

[BlueHue]

This will be DH's and my first trip to WDW. We are very excited but can't seem to decide on a resort to stay at. Originally we were thinking POP. It looks nice, fun, and the price is the best (we are not really "have-to-stay-at-deluxe-resort" types). BUT since it's our first trip and we want to make the most out of it, we are now considering staying at a moderate, most likely POR. My main reservation with this is that since we only have 4 days to see as much as we can, we will probably not spend that much time in the room. So would it really make that much of a difference in our case? Is it really worth it to stay in a moderate resort? Is POP "Disney" enough for a couple of fanatical Disney lovers? Is 4 days enough to do alot (at least the major stuff) at each park (not going to water parks)?? Thanks so much in advance!!

(I have read many reviews and trip reports on alot of resorts, so i'm not totally ignorant, just want to get some more opinions!!) TIA!

 

[DW mouser]

I would go with the value and next time you visit go with a moderate! That way you can compare.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

ditto from me. If you aren't going to spend much time at the resort, save the money and stay at Pop. PO-R is very nice & well worth the money but save the money this trip & put it towards your next one and stay at PO-R then. That will be your incentive to go again....

 

[Candicno]

Our trips sound very alike.

DH and I are going for 5 days/4 nights in October. DH has never been, and I have been 3 times when I was young, the last time being when I was 15 (I'm 23 now). So we are "virtual" first timers. We had trouble choosing between POP and POR too!

We decided to go with POP. I figure we won't be in the room much, and we really aren't hotel snobs by any means. As long as it is clean, I could care less about the "extras." We never use them anyways.

The price difference was around $300 for us, which was a dealbreaker for POR. I like the "romantic" feel of POR, but $300 is a lot of money for a place where we will only sleep. With only 4 days, we won't be taking romantic strolls around the hotel grounds anyway. Even if we do find time, POP has a lake and the generation gap bridge to stroll on. I have heard great things about POP's food court too. That $300 is going to pay for our airfare (SW ding) and will allow us to sample from the F&W festival booths.

Now, if you absolutly must have a king bed, you can not guarantee this at POP. You can book a king specifically at POR. We requested a king at POP very early, so we'll see what happens. I called and checked on my preferences, and the CM on the phone said I had a king bed confirmed. I've never heard anyone have a room preference confirmed, so I take that with a grain of salt. Ask 3 CM and you'll get 3 different answers. Once again, we want a king bed, but it isn't worth $300 to us.

 

[DW mouser]

You first timers, there is nothing like the first time at DW!! You will enjoy it no matter where you stay!!! Have lots of fun and do know that you will be going back! It gets in your blood!!

 

[psumomluvswdw]

We are staying at POP this trip, and we think that it is wonderful. For the money you really cannot beat a value resort! If you have the extra money POR is absolutely beautiful, but if you are not spending that time at the resort what is the point in spending more money if you don't have to!! In our opinion a value is the best deal you will get at Disney! Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Flyerfan]

We stayed at POR and although the grounds were nice, we did not spend that much time there. We didn't get too much "Disney feel" there either. We are staying at POP in Jan and from all the research reading these boards, I believe the POP is the way to go for fun and magic. I would choose POP.

 

[cyndibelle]

stay at pop century..we always do...decided hubby and i on one of our alone trips would stay at por riverside.....hated it...i mean the room was ok...but the people were rude..the buses took a long time...and the atmosphere wasnt what we were used to like at pop.....