Pop Century or Coronado Springs?

[fiasco32]

Planning a possible trip for September to take advantage of free dining and low crowds.

We've done DW twice now, first time in AoA and second time in WL.

While I personally loved WL, the rest of the family thought the resort was nice, especially the pool, but the room left quite a bit to be desired and wasn't worth the extra cost.

For this trip, I'm trying to scrimp a bit, so we're definitely not going deluxe, but I'm currently looking at a price difference of about $800 between Pop and Coronado Springs.

Personally, I'm inclined to pay the difference, as I don't really like the "motel" feel or the cafeteria feel at the bargain resorts.

 

[SinCityMMAFan]

I've stayed at both and did enjoy Coronado quite a bit. I felt that the resort was a lot less quiet than Pop and the bus was never nearly as packed like Pop. Don't get me wrong I like Pop and if I had to stay a value resort Pop would be my choice. But if your budget allows for it I would opt to splurge the little extra and stay at Coronado. The rooms at Coronado are very nice and roomy plus the grounds are very, very nice and peaceful. Coronado also has a nice pool area as well. I have not experienced the new and updated food court at Coronado but it looks like it has a lot of variety compared to before.

 

[Babsy]

What is it that gives the 'motel feel' to the value resorts for you? If it is the exterior walkways then the moderates also have that. Interior corridors are only found in deluxe resorts in WDW. If it is the atmosphere that tends to be a bit gaudy and often based upon animation or 'play' oriented themes, then the moderates might be more to your liking. The moderates have nicer grounds, slightly larger rooms, slides at the themed pool, in all but POFQ they have a TS restaurant as well as the food court, shelter at the bus stops and the rooms that feel less like a child's/teenagers' bedroom.

If you are wondering about another option, you might check the price at the Swan/Dolphin. The discounts don't seem to be as good as they once were, but you might still get a good deal. In the past the rates have been known to be as good as the rates at Disney moderates. These resorts are on Disney property and have many of the perks that staying in a Disney resort offers. (No Magical Express, though and a resort fee that needs to be added to the nightly cost).

Good luck!

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I've stayed at both.
Coronado was one and done.
Can't say enough bad things about it lol.
POP is my go to. I've stayed 10 times. Most recently a few weeks ago.
I absolutely love POP.

BTw Coronado is still a motel feel since its exterior hallways and has a food court so not much difference there between mods and values.

 

[Monykalyn]

Coronado definitely is a bit nicer, but Pop is fun too. We just liked the grounds, and rooms better at Coronado.

 

[my2lovedisney]

I love Coronado. We’ve stayed there twice and never had any issues. It’s a big moderate, so walks can be longer than when staying in a deluxe. However the rooms are bigger and it feels like a mini deluxe to me. I wouldn’t stay at pop over Coronado but that’s just my personal preference. I’ve heard great things about pop and there are people who absolutely love it.

 

[Disneylover99]

I’ve stayed at both Coronado and Pop.

Rooms are bigger at Coronado. For some people, Pop feels too small.
We don’t get a motel feel at either resorts, though they’re both set up like motels.
The food courts are similar in that you line up to order your food, then take your tray to pay.

All in all, we prefer Pop. Buses took too long at Coronado with the multiple stops and we found Coronado way too big for us in comparison to Pop.

 

[verleniahall]

1 bus stop at pop over multiple stops - no brainer

 

[dansdad]

1 bus stop at pop over multiple stops - no brainer

Multiple covered bus stops, without the corrals too.

 

[SharonZ]

CSR, because I won't stay in Value - just my opinion.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

I went through a very similar resort debate POP vs CSR this week and in the end went with POP.

I had POP originally booked and then switched to CSR because of a pretty nice rate but then switched back to preferred POP room.

Even though the CSR cost wasn’t that much more I concluded that the extra things that CSR would offer wouldn’t likely to be things that I would utilize and that money could be spent on other stuff that I would actually enjoy.

 

[HopperFan]

My favorite moderate and favorite value.

You didn't say how many nights that $800 is divided over ... that would make the difference in my choice.

Two other factors for me ...

- If planning to use pool time CSR is way above and beyond.

- DDP = CSR is the best moderate if you will be eating there.

 

[indoshakespeare]

POP. one bus stop, can walk to AoA's quick service.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Pop Century. I won’t stay at a moderate because I really dislike the idea of needing to ride a bus around the resort itself. I like to be one and done with Disney buses, lol. We really like Pop Century, actually, especially with the recent room renovations. The only resort dining we tend to do (unless we’re staying at a deluxe with a character meal we’re interested in) is QS, and I think the food court at Pop Century is pretty good for what it is. Plus there’s the option to walk over to AoA and eat at their food court, which is fun and offers some different choices, though my DD always wants pizza regardless!

 

[kjs1976]

CSR. I've received the best service there by all cast members we've come in contact with in our 6 stays there in the past 5 yrs. The newly remodeled rooms are awesome. There are 3 of us in our party so we need queen sized beds. We love the pool and waterslide area. Yes, it is big, but if you know where to request a room, you'll be fine. And even if you don't get a close room, you'll figure it out and be fine, also. We love the food court, also.

 

[fiasco32]

You didn't say how many nights that $800 is divided over ... that would make the difference in my choice.

Oh yeah, sorry. This is for 9 nights.

Also, does anyone know if all the CSR rooms have been refurbished now?

 

[Moliphino]

Oh yeah, sorry. This is for 9 nights.

Also, does anyone know if all the CSR rooms have been refurbished now?

Yes, rooms are all done.

 

[SUSAN O'BRIEN]

Planning a possible trip for September to take advantage of free dining and low crowds.

We've done DW twice now, first time in AoA and second time in WL.

While I personally loved WL, the rest of the family thought the resort was nice, especially the pool, but the room left quite a bit to be desired and wasn't worth the extra cost.

For this trip, I'm trying to scrimp a bit, so we're definitely not going deluxe, but I'm currently looking at a price difference of about $800 between Pop and Coronado Springs.

Personally, I'm inclined to pay the difference, as I don't really like the "motel" feel or the cafeteria feel at the bargain resorts.

I have not stayed at Coronado Springs in years, since my children were small. Depending on your children (ages too) and their interests understand that the Pop Century room is 267 sq. ft. Coronado is 314 sq. ft. The pool area is gorgeous at Coronado to be sure (hot tub if I remember correctly also). Additionally, Coronado has a pleasant peaceful feel to it, two pools, and an expansive landscape. Both have lakes. I have stayed at POP Century. I liked it but I was on my own. I found it a tad noisy but that could happen now at Coronado since they went hard flooring too. The new Murphy Bed at POP will definetly give you extra space during the day and the bathrooms are somewhat the same between the two places. I think Coronado has two queen beds and the two beds are full sized at POP. Honestly, it amounts to preference of vacation style, space, and money of course. You folks stayed at WL so POP will seem small by comparison. POP is larger than life animation however, if your children enjoy that. I especially enjoyed walking around the lake and reading the bits of history on the signs outside of each era. The dining options on Coronado property are more than just the food court. Several food venues. POP does have the advantage of AoA so can use their food court as well, BUT NOT their awesome pool though. From an adult prospective only, Coronado. POP Century is quite nice but many, many smokers right near the outdoor food court area and it is very, very smokey there. I do not remember at Coronado's where their designated smoking areas were but it was not near eating areas that I can recall. I found it very off putting at POP. When my kids were young and we took them to Coronado they absolutely loved it there.

 

[Monorail_Man_NJ]

Currently with Sun and Fun Discount a standard view at Coronado Springs is $164 a night. Thats practically the same price as a value.

Coronado > POP if price is similar.

If you cant get a standard view at Coronado then I would say go for POP. TBH though it seems like the hardest hotel to book is POP Century. Its one of the first ones to be sold out so book early if so.

Also I would say Coronado > POP currently before the new tower opens. Will be a lot less crowded.

 

[smmco]

AKL and WL rooms are a joke for what they charge. The rooms at CSR are very nice. If you ever stay deluxe again go to one of the hotels where they’ve refurbed the rooms.