Pop Century or Port Orleans Riverside

[Belle70]

I am currently planning a trip to WDW in the fall of 2022. I will be travelling to WDW with my DH and DD (18) for a week

My DH is particularly interested in staying at POR but we really need to be budget conscious, especially since we are coming from Canada and dealing with an exchange rate. Is it worth the extra for POR? I like the idea of the Ski-liner and the Theming of Pop, but POR seems beautiful. We are relying on Disney transportation and we do tend to spend time at the resorts we stay at. Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Without any consideration for the finances (which is unrealistic, I know!), POR is the place to stay - it is gorgeous. But from a practical standpoint, especially if you are planning to enjoy the parks, I would go Pop. The only non-bus option from POR is the nice boat ride that will take you to/from Disney Springs. The Skyliner would be a big plus from Pop if you plan to enjoy EP/HS. Good luck with your plans!

 

[Nabas]

POR is a wonderful Moderate Resort, our favorite. The grounds are so much nicer than POP. The rooms are larger, the pool is much better.

The Skyliner is not all it’s advertised to be. The Skyliner works great in the late morning and afternoon when lines are short. Skyliner lines in the morning can be terrible! Plus, we’ve gotten caught in the rain when we arrive at the Skyliner station only to be told it’s closed because of nearby lightning. Then we have to go on a haul to get to a bus. It makes it unpredictable, Skyliner or bus? You could end up doing a lot of extra walking (in the rain) because of it.

Still, the price difference is substantial. Only you can judge what makes the most sense for you.

 

[mickeymom22]

I am all about saving a penny at Disney, but a week at POR sounds so much nicer than the a week at Pop. The Skyliner is fun, but you can always ride it between HS and Epcot, or just take a round trip on it for the experience.

POR also has the option of the boat to Disney Springs and POFQ.

We do a lot of split stays so that is an option too. Start off the week at Pop when you are fresh and more apt to stay longer in the park and switch to POR when you are ready to slow down the pace.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We do a lot of split stays so that is an option too. Start off the week at Pop when you are fresh and more apt to stay longer in the park and switch to POR when you are ready to slow down the pace.

Sounds like a great plan!

 

[Belle70]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Very helpful.

 

[a1tinkfans]

POR, esp with ur Adult group. There is No comparison except
..Think loud, lots of young families, plenty of groups and noise and thin paper walls and noisy and budget beds and …noise… u get the pix. Just my opinion. Wherever you choose, enjoy!

 

[disneyseniors]

We are POR fans and love it! I think for grownups, POR is the best choice. You can use the pool at POFQ too. Beside the main pool, there are beautiful quiet pools in each area. We always use the quiet pools.
The grounds are just beautiful. The Mansions have manicured, formal grounds and the Alligator Bayou (where we stay) has small bridges, tropical plants and is more secluded.
The Mill quick service food court is huge and has a great selection of different foods. You can get a table looking out at the huge wheel turning outside.
Besides the relaxing boat ride to DS,, there are also carriage rides that are alot of fun.
Some people complain about the buses, but we have stayed numerous times and never had a bad experience with the buses. I think each resort has bus problems at times.
As you can see, I am prejudiced towards POR. Yes, it's more money, but I feel you get a much better experience for the money. POP is geared more towards children and looks like a fun place for little ones. Plus I like the bigger rooms and better amenities at POR>
Whatever you decide, have a great visit

 

[shortster]

We had the same dilemma and ended up going with a split stay. Started at Pop for our park commando days, ended at POR for a more relaxing end of the trip.

 

[loves to dive]

I agree with the split stay if you can't swing the entire week at POR. Given the choice and all things being equal, I'd go POR. The rooms are a tad bit bigger, with 3 adults two of whom are women that could come in handy. Big thing for me is the moderates have a hot tub at the pool and have the quiet pools for those times when so many littles might get on ones nerves. The moderates have a TS restaurant and the values only have QS. Advantage to the values is that they have actual ques at the bus stop, they aren't covered which can be a disadvantage in summer or the rain. The moderate bus stops (like the deluxes) have a covered area but no actual ques so it can be sort of like survival of the fittest when the bus arrives as everyone pushes and shoves to get on (sad I know). For us, the sky liner is a negative instead of a positive, it can go down during wind or rain. I actually prefer the buses and you don't have that option at Pop unless there is a weather situation.

 

[k5xs]

Have stayed in both.

POR PLUSES

Architecture. Quiet. Boatwrights sit-down dining. Upscale counter service dining. Boat ride to Disney Springs (way cool). Proximity to Epcot.

POR MINUSES

Price. Possible LONG walk to room. Bus “circuit” route. Minimal Disney theming.

POP PLUSES

Price. Character theming. Skyliner access. Depending on room location, access to Art of Animation bus routes and food court (which is very nice).

POP MINUSES

Noise (especially in food court and in rooms facing pools). Lots of kiddos. No dining options other than food court(s). Hit or miss Skyliner access (lines/outages).