Pop Century vs. Caribbean Beach

[cruislovin]

The past 3 trips to WDW were just my teenage daughter and me. She did not want to even consider staying any place but Pop Century. We both truly love that resort.

This year DD is going with he school band to perform at WDW so my DH is going with me. He is not wild about booking in the lowest cost resort even though my first choice is Pop. I so far have settled on Caribbean Beach as the alternative.

Can anyone who has stayed at both Pop Century and Caribbean Beach speak to the differences, preferences, etc.? I greatly appreciate any input as I have to make this decision SOOOOON and I am running out of tiiiiiiiime!!!

 

[HopperFan]

Just be aware, especially since you are traveling for a group event, that CBR is usually the moderate choice given to groups traveling to Disney. Not sure when her band is there but there are several cheer groups being offered CBR and I know our sports team was offered it in March. When we said no due to the pool closure, they then offered POR.

I would be more likely to book CSR since spring is so busy with teams and school groups and I think it is less affected.
(PS our team will be at POP. We opted for that at rack rate).


Oh and to answer your question if I have stayed at both - yes I have (see below) and I would chose POP first.

 

[TexasKel]

We just returned from 8 days at the Pop Century. It was my first and last stay there! The rooms were okay. They were somewhat dingy for a newer hotel. Our first room had a leak so they moved us to another room. The second room smelled like smoke to me. I just stuck it out because I didn't want to move again! The shower curtain was ripped and it just felt dirty to me. The snack bar was so crowded that if you went during peak times, there was nowhere to sit and the lines were extremely long. My daughter was really looking forward to going swimming. I decided to take her to the bowling pool on Thursday. As soon as I got in, the lifeguards asked us all to get out. Someone had "pooped" in the pool so they closed it for cleaning. So, I took her up to the flower pool. As soon as I stepped in, a man next to me told me not to get in. We looked down and that pool had the same issue! So, the lifeguards closed it for cleaning! It was disgusting! One of the other guests said that it had already happened to them several times on there stay! On our last visit, we stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside and it was a much nicer hotel. I will not stay at the Pop again! Spend the extra money and get a nicer hotel, its worth it!

 

[G&J's Mom]

Hi!

I have stayed at both POP and CBR and really love both. POP is pretty cool, but I would definitely pick CBR. We are headed back there in the Fall. What I liked most about CBR was it was quiet and I loved the tropical feel. I loved relaxing on the hammock on the beach while the kids played on the jungle gym thingy, also the double sinks, the quiet pools, the room size, the refrigerator and coffee maker and Shutters. It was just a less hectic feel. It is a big resort, but the walk along the lake to OPR with my two kids was really enjoyable.

Good luck on whatever you decide. Afterall, you are going to Disney World!

Denise

 

[mollyseven]

We have also stayed at Pop and CBR. My kids love POP....it was our first disney hotel and that is the best time to do it if you ask me. It is very Disney and over the top but the rooms remind me more of motel rooms. They are nice enough but you feel really packed in. Also there really isn't much quiet space around. We were in the 50's and looked over the lake and had a great view of epcot fireworks and did walk by the lake but it is very busy at pop and the buses are packed.
CBR is more spread out....quieter for sure. If you are worried about "groups" ask at check in where they are and pick an area away from them. They had soccer groups in the section beside us (we were in Aruba) and they would've gotten on my nerves but they are very accomodating when you check in and will move you easily.
THe beach area is nice and the quiet pools are nice. We also had the "poop" issue in the pool at pop....They call it Unscheduled maintenance and we soon got to know that meant poop in the pool!!! ti did happen alot......mainly cause it is full of families with small children.
The buses are better at CBR also.
We love CBR and would stay there for our March trip if the main pool was open but won't stay there again until it opens up. We went in Jan. and it is not as nice with that area under construction for sure plus it puts WAY more people in the quiet pools making them not so quiet.

For sure go CBR unless it's before sept, when the pool is closed ...then go POR or CSR......

enjoy.

 

[Shir Kahn]

We just returned from 8 days at the Pop Century. It was my first and last stay there! The rooms were okay. They were somewhat dingy for a newer hotel. Our first room had a leak so they moved us to another room. The second room smelled like smoke to me. I just stuck it out because I didn't want to move again! The shower curtain was ripped and it just felt dirty to me. The snack bar was so crowded that if you went during peak times, there was nowhere to sit and the lines were extremely long. My daughter was really looking forward to going swimming. I decided to take her to the bowling pool on Thursday. As soon as I got in, the lifeguards asked us all to get out. Someone had "pooped" in the pool so they closed it for cleaning. So, I took her up to the flower pool. As soon as I stepped in, a man next to me told me not to get in. We looked down and that pool had the same issue! So, the lifeguards closed it for cleaning! It was disgusting! One of the other guests said that it had already happened to them several times on there stay! On our last visit, we stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside and it was a much nicer hotel. I will not stay at the Pop again! Spend the extra money and get a nicer hotel, its worth it!

It's quite a coincidence that two pools were closed due to the same thing, but I hardly think that the issue was in any way connected to which resort you were at. The times my DW and I have stayed at Pop, our rooms were wonderful, the staff was great, we never had an issue with the dining area being overcrowded either. Were you there during peak times? My DW and I absolutely love Pop Century and very much recommend it to all. We'll continue to stay there even though we can easily afford to "upgrade".

 

[TexasKel]

We were there the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 2nd, which was supposed to be off peak times....I agree that the pool issue was quite a coincidence..it was just really gross! There were several mornings where we had to stand around and wait for someone to leave so that we could get there table to sit down and eat. I guess that I expected too much from all I read online before we went. I personally would not choose to stay here again.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I personally prefer the CBR.
There seem to be fewer rowdy teenagers. Everytime we've been at POP, there seems to have been a band or youth group or choir there with a low adult to kid ratio. You can draw your own conslusions there.

CBR is a bit more spread out...only two stories per building vs 4 at POP so there doesn't seem to be as much concentrated noise or crowds.

The pools at POP seem to be all loud, all the time. The quiet pools at CBR seem much less crowded and not as loud.

IMO and from my experience, the bus transportation has been better at CBR...but that is probably just luck of the draw.

I like the beds at CBR better as they are a tad bit bigger at the mods, meaning DH and I can actually sleep in the same bed.

I like the fact that CBR has a table service restaurant.

There are more resort activities that you can do at CBR (bike rentals, water craft, etc) which is a plus for us because we like to relax there mid day when it is hot in summer months.

 

[SunKat]

I've stayed at both POP and CBR and my vote would be for CBR. The tropical theme is wonderful, the pool is nicer than POP's, as is the food court and the gift shop. CBR has a more relaxed atmosphere, plus, it's fun to rent boats, hang out on the beach in a hammock, or take a swim in the quiet pool. Plus, the rooms at POP are just too small. It's not that I wouldn't stay at POP again, but I prefer CBR.