Pop Century or Coronado Springs

[DaBourques4]

I have an opportunity to transfer to a standard room at Coronado Springs from a preferred pool room at Pop Century for a $20 difference. It's myself and 2 teenage daughters going during Thanksgiving week (24-28). I've stayed at CSR before, but never Pop. Pop has counter service available for breakfast, which is likely the only time we'd eat at the resort, but it doesn't have bus service to Epcot and Hollywood Studios which makes me nervous for the expected traffic for Tgiving week and the existing challenges with time spent waiting for Skyliner. Anyone want to throw some advice my way and help me decide if I should switch or stay w/ Pop? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[sponica]

It's in coin toss territory for me, my only memories of the Pop quick service are that it can get crowded but maybe with lower occupancy it won't be as bad?
In normal times I'd prefer the more "Adult" feel of CSR.

 

[SarahC97]

I've heard that Pop QS and buses have been chaotic since reopen and that the resort is relatively crowded. But CSR has limited food options right now since their QS isn't open. There are pros and cons to both, I think the real question is what are you willing to put up with and what are you not? If you don't mind limited food options but want a better resort experience with crowds and transportation, then perhaps CSR. If none of that matters to you and you just the most inexpensive option and want to have a QS option, then stick with POP, IMO.

 

[DaBourques4]

I've heard that Pop QS and buses have been chaotic since reopen and that the resort is relatively crowded. But CSR has limited food options right now since their QS isn't open. There are pros and cons to both, I think the real question is what are you willing to put up with and what are you not? If you don't mind limited food options but want a better resort experience with crowds and transportation, then perhaps CSR. If none of that matters to you and you just the most inexpensive option and want to have a QS option, then stick with POP, IMO.

^^^^That's my dilemma! The $20 expense is really a non-factor, but I'm wondering if a better vibe and slightly larger room, bus service to all 4 parks, but no counter service breakfast is worth it. We typically stay at Beach Club, so I don't know what to expect from Pop. We stayed at AoA in a family suite once, but it was not a busy time of year, so bus service wasn't an issue. I've scoured both the Pop and CSR threads to read recent experiences and I'm sooo torn. Each has plusses and minuses. I'm inclined to just stay at Pop and Uber/Lyft to parks if need be. (But 2 sinks and a keurig coffee pot (that I can bring coffee from home for) appeal to me too.) We visited the parks annually for about 12 years, but this will be our first trip back in 7 years. We've been visiting Universal, staying onsite there w/ Express Passes, and driving over to one Disney park per trip. I feel so confused.

 

[RoseGold]

Who knows what Thanksgiving transportation will be like. I would guess you're going to need some Ubers either way.

I would go Pop for skyliner, which is an excellent Covid transportation method.

I'd actually go AoA, which is opening back up in November, and I like the theming better.

 

[SarahC97]

^^^^That's my dilemma! The $20 expense is really a non-factor, but I'm wondering if a better vibe and slightly larger room, bus service to all 4 parks, but no counter service breakfast is worth it. We typically stay at Beach Club, so I don't know what to expect from Pop. We stayed at AoA in a family suite once, but it was not a busy time of year, so bus service wasn't an issue. I've scoured both the Pop and CSR threads to read recent experiences and I'm sooo torn. Each has plusses and minuses. I'm inclined to just stay at Pop and Uber/Lyft to parks if need be. (But 2 sinks and a keurig coffee pot (that I can bring coffee from home for) appeal to me too.) We visited the parks annually for about 12 years, but this will be our first trip back in 7 years. We've been visiting Universal, staying onsite there w/ Express Passes, and driving over to one Disney park per trip. I feel so confused.

Well, I can tell you my personal opinion which is that I'd always choose a moderate over a value. CSR is a lovely resort and the most deluxe feeling of the moderates. It has a gym, the rooms are lovely and spacious, and it has a really fantastic pool. And even with no QS, it has more food options than Pop. For me, the Skyliner isn't as much of a game-changer as it seems to be for others since the lines can be long, especially when you get to the transfer station at CBR from Pop/AoA., where you'll have to wait in line all over again to get where you're going. Not great for rope drop, I say give me the bus any day. If I were you, I'd choose CSR hands down.

 

[Shellyred8]

I have an opportunity to transfer to a standard room at Coronado Springs from a preferred pool room at Pop Century for a $20 difference. It's myself and 2 teenage daughters going during Thanksgiving week (24-28). I've stayed at CSR before, but never Pop. Pop has counter service available for breakfast, which is likely the only time we'd eat at the resort, but it doesn't have bus service to Epcot and Hollywood Studios which makes me nervous for the expected traffic for Tgiving week and the existing challenges with time spent waiting for Skyliner. Anyone want to throw some advice my way and help me decide if I should switch or stay w/ Pop? Thanks in advance!!!

Are you planning to be at the parks for rope-drop (or earlier)? Or is this more of a relaxed trip where you won't get going right away in the morning. If you won't be getting going right away in the morning, I would recommend Pop. The skyliner issues really seem to be with the rope-drop crowds. When we were there in October, the lines for the skyliner during the rest of the day were not an issue. IMO, the convenience of the Skyliner really can't be beat (except for the rope-drop times). We really enjoyed our stay at Pop last year. The refurbished rooms are nice. The sink area is separate from the shower area, so that's nice.

If you are going to AK, the quick serve attached to Yak and Yeti has some pretty decent breakfast options.

 

[bound4wdw]

I've had two trips to Disney since the parks opened back up. one in early August and one in Early September. Both were at SSR, and I would have to say don't book a trip on what you are expecting out of the food places. Both trips we ate more off property then we ever have. What the resorts are offering is very limited compared to before. And the lines being posted online for buses in and out of POP is not something I would wish on anyone. If I were in your position I would definitely go with Coronado over POP regardless of time of year. Make sure you do your research now and request a room that is closest to the first or second bus stops. 3,4,and 5th bus stops will probably get skipped often that week. One other tidbit, we will be there that week as well, but we booked off property rates for roooms on property are just too high right now. But we almost went with Swan or Dolphin they are about $134 a room for passholders code "CWH", or about $140 ON PRICELINE. Even with the $25 a day resort fee they are cheaper than Coranado and Art of Animation. and just a tad more that POP. And they are walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood, and generally much shorter bus waits.

 

[DaBourques4]

I pulled the trigger on Coronado Springs last night. Only the Casitas section is open right now, besides the new tower, so that tremendously cuts down on bus traffic. Our airport transfer includes a 30 minute shopping stop, so we'll gather some breakfast items and room snacks at that time. Thanks so much for your feedback!!! I feel better about my decision now.

 

[nkereina]

Good choice on CSR, that was going to be my vote before I read your update. We love CSR and always book preferred to ensure we're in Casitas, so I think you'll like that location. We just returned from CBR and found the buses in the morning to be a little crazy since the moderate resort bus depots do not have formal queues like Pop, so that may be the only time you encounter bus issues. To avoid this, we took Uber to the parks in the morning. If you don't care about QS being closed, then I think you'll like all the other amenities at CSR.

 

[DaBourques4]

Thanks so much!

I just read an update on the Coronado Springs thread that Cafe Rix is set to open on 11-18 for quick service breakfast!

 

[nkereina]

Thanks so much!

I just read an update on the Coronado Springs thread that Cafe Rix is set to open on 11-18 for quick service breakfast!

Definitely a good option! That's the smaller grab and go market, so I would expect things like bagels and breakfast sandwiches. I don't think they'd have the capacity for anything more. El Mercado is the QS food court for CSR, and I don't think its been announced when that will re-open yet.

 

[PamNC]

I think you made the right decision with CSR. I've stayed there multiple times and always enjoyed it. I love the sprawling resorts because I like to walk around and take everything in. The rooms are bigger than POP and the decor/theming is a bit more adult. The garish look of the values doesn't excite me. I stayed at POP this year back in September for the first time and I will say the rooms were surprisingly nice, although small. The CM's were wonderful and I loved the skyliner, but I think you're right... at that busy time the skyliner line could get crazy. Have a blast.

 

[Krisshay13]

was glad to see this thread.........I was debating changing from Pop to CSR for my trip in a week. My son's family are at CSR this week & they have friends at Pop.......they've been comparing wait times and said CSR was a lot better. After reading this thread & hearing from them, I called & changed to CSR this morning!!! Can't wait to be back at Disney!!!

 

[DaBourques4]

was glad to see this thread.........I was debating changing from Pop to CSR for my trip in a week. My son's family are at CSR this week & they have friends at Pop.......they've been comparing wait times and said CSR was a lot better. After reading this thread & hearing from them, I called & changed to CSR this morning!!! Can't wait to be back at Disney!!!

Considering I was so hesitant to post anything on here, this comment makes me very happy. Thanks to PamNC and nkereina too! We are beyond excited!!!! Whoop!!!

 

[Krisshay13]

Considering I was so hesitant to post anything on here, this comment makes me very happy. Thanks to PamNC and nkereina too! We are beyond excited!!!! Whoop!!!

funny, same here....I didn't post because everyone has different reasons for liking different resorts. We actually love Pop for the grandkids....and even ASMo. I normally go cheapest so I can do more trips!! But, times are just not the same so, wanted to try for the best (if there is any right now) in transportation.
Have a wonderful time.....we will be leaving the 25th........so, we'll be sad as you are happy!!! LOL