Pop Century vs. Caribbean Beach

[pooh2001]

Pop rooms may have thinner walls than CBR
CBR better chance of getting a seat on the skyliner
just a FYI

 

[Ronaldo17]

If you're not going to be in your room much or using the resort amenities at all, then book PC and save some cash to spend at the parks.

 

[Dug720]

CBR better chance of getting a seat on the skyliner

Unlike busses, there is no standing on the Skyliner. So even if they are putting multiple parties in the gondolas again (ick!), you'll have a seat.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I agree. I don’t have much experience with the moderate resorts other than CBR, but the value for money doesn’t really make sense to us. On resort days, I’d rather pay more for Poly and feel like I was getting a better value.

Definitely. Paying $900 a night at Poly vs $320 a night at CBR is the big deciding factor.

Heck, if I am going to pay $900 a night, I am going to stay at the Four Seasons again.

Yes--we were hoping to stay at Poly for our upcoming stay, but there were no discounts available and I just can't spend $900 a night on that room (last time we stayed at Poly was club level during July 4th and we didn't pay near that much!). So we are trying out CB.

We narrowed it down to Pop and CB because we love the skyliner. Settled on CB for more dining options and proximity to Riviera (for more dining options there). We don't like the food court at Pop (too loud and crowded). Also, the landscaping and beauty of the property when you're walking around is a big part of my enjoyment of a resort, and it looks like CB will have that.

 

[bookgirl]

Hi all,

My spouse and I are planning a DW trip now for the coming spring. We are set on either Pop Century (PC) or Caribbean Beach (CB). I know PC is a value hotel with a more "kiddie/Mickey" type feel while CB is a moderate with a more island "adult" feel. Being in Disney we don't have about the "kiddie" feel as we want to be immersed in Disney. To me it seems like the CB rooms are very dark looking while the rooms at PC seem more chipper. However, I like the CB property from the photos I see. It makes you feel like you're on a beach vacation too.

We've never been to either so a more experienced person might be able to provide more insight on which to choose. From what I hear PC is a little more "upscale" for a Value resort when compared to the All-Star Resorts. Any input?

I know both have access to the Skyline which is a PLUS! Also, we'll barely be in our rooms and we don't even need any pool days or hotel lounging - so we take that into consideration too.

Thank you!

CBR is a really big resort. PC is at least walkable, even for those with mobility issues or just tired feet after a day in the parks. At least if you need to be at the main building (like check in or out or to visit gift shops or food options)

I've stayed at both and I would do POP over CBR.

 

[Ear Scouts]

We actually just got back from a trip where we stayed at CBR for the first half of our trip and PC for the second half. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the quick service food at PC and the service from the Cast Members was fantastic. It took a little longer to get to the parks via Skyliner in the AM, but it was not much longer in the PM since most of your wait is at the park. The grounds at CBR are definitely more lovely, but we found the room to be more or less comparable. Our room at CBR felt a little dated, but PC felt very new and fresh. The pool at CBR is light years better than PC and we loved eating at Banana Cabana. If money was not a huge concern, we would probably pick CBR over PC, but we would be very happy to stay at either again in the future.

 

[buzz1523]

I've been doing some further looking and found that CBR's rooms seem a bit dark and depressing when compared to POP. Is this true from an in-person perspective? I'm only getting visuals through photos and YouTube.

I'm concluding that visually I'm liking POP's rooms with CBR's resort areas. lol

 

[Ear Scouts]

I've been doing some further looking and found that CBR's rooms seem a bit dark and depressing when compared to POP. Is this true from an in-person perspective? I'm only getting visuals through photos and YouTube.

I'm concluding that visually I'm liking POP's rooms with CBR's resort areas. lol

I wouldn't say "depressing," but our room at CB did feel a little darker and more dated. There's that one jeweled ornamental light fixture over the bed that seemed kinda cheap and did not give off a ton of light. POP's rooms felt newer, cleaner and brighter.

 

[buzz1523]

I wouldn't say "depressing," but our room at CB did feel a little darker and more dated. There's that one jeweled ornamental light fixture over the bed that seemed kinda cheap and did not give off a ton of light. POP's rooms felt newer, cleaner and brighter.

Thanks! Which other moderate resort has a bright/new feel?

 

[Ear Scouts]

Thanks! Which other moderate resort has a bright/new feel?

We really loved Coronado Springs. We stayed in the older section (not the tower) but the room was clearly recently renovated and felt very bright and fresh. They also have a better pool than CB, in my opinion – the Mayan pyramid is very cool. There are also more dining options. We really liked Rix, but the pool bar is not as good as Banana Cabana (not even close). The downside is transportation – no skyliner, ferry or monorail. You only have the bus. That said, if you are planning lots of time at Animal Kingdom or Blizzard Beach, Coronado is very close by and one of the only resorts with direct access to Blizzard. Most resorts require you to transfer at Animal Kingdom to get to Blizzard Beach.

 

[tiana1989]

I agree with the comments about the Coronado Springs rooms. Since a lot of convention guests stay there, the rooms definitely feel more upscale than the other mods and values. The lobby is also gorgeous (especially when the Christmas decorations are up!). Even with the transportation issues, which are frustrating at peak times, I still consider CS to be deluxe-lite. It’s really a beautiful hotel.

In terms of CBR v PC, I stayed at CBR last Christmas and PC for the anniversary weekend. I’m a rope drop to park close adults only traveler, and both are great. The skyliner is such a great way to get around. I’ve also stayed at All Stars Movies recently, and PC did seem a little better even though the rooms are the same, probably just because of the skyliner and lake haha. I also enjoyed the theming more (Lady and the Tramp is one of my faves). If budget is more important to you, you’ll probably love PC. I personally like CBR better, though. The room is darker, but the overall vibe of the resort is very relaxing. Walking around CBR at night really feels like you’re on a Caribbean island somewhere. Even my short walks around the hotel before/after the park days were very therapeutic for that reason. We were in Jamaica, right by the skyliner station. Also, I don’t think anyone else has mentioned it yet, but CBR has a ceiling fan over the bed. I really like having an additional option for temperature control while I’m sleeping. One con though-this was pure bad luck, but my loudest resort stay has been at CBR (second loudest has shockingly been Animal Kingdom Lodge). There was a dad who couldn’t stop yelling at his poor little sons in the middle of the night, every night of our stay. It was honestly so loud we were listening carefully to make sure it didn’t get out of hand and almost reported it a couple times. But I think the walls at most or all the Disney hotels are thin, so that just comes down to luck of the draw and who your neighbors are.

 

[Dug720]

I've been doing some further looking and found that CBR's rooms seem a bit dark and depressing when compared to POP. Is this true from an in-person perspective? I'm only getting visuals through photos and YouTube.

I'm concluding that visually I'm liking POP's rooms with CBR's resort areas. lol

I find CBR's rooms relaxing. I feel like I'm in a rehab center with the starkness of Pop's.

 

[Dug720]

We really loved Coronado Springs. We stayed in the older section (not the tower) but the room was clearly recently renovated and felt very bright and fresh. They also have a better pool than CB, in my opinion – the Mayan pyramid is very cool. There are also more dining options. We really liked Rix, but the pool bar is not as good as Banana Cabana (not even close). The downside is transportation – no skyliner, ferry or monorail. You only have the bus. That said, if you are planning lots of time at Animal Kingdom or Blizzard Beach, Coronado is very close by and one of the only resorts with direct access to Blizzard. Most resorts require you to transfer at Animal Kingdom to get to Blizzard Beach.

I stayed in a regular room at CSR in July 2021 and will be in the Tower in August 2022 and really liked it/am really looking forward to it.

The thing with the Skyliner is if it goes down (a storm in the area, emergency maintenance, or a crash (has happened more than once), you're stuck with only busses. And it takes them a while to pull them from other routes to pick those up. If that happens and they can get you to CBR, if you're at CBR you're golden, but if you're at Pop you're waiting. A while in my experience. And then they put AoA and Pop on the same bus so that people were climbing over each other to get off at whichever one stopped first. So always keep in mind that the Skyliner is not a 100% sure thing as an option, even at "Skyliner Resorts".

 

[wings91]

Pop. Never felt mods were worth the extra $

 

[BrotherCraig]

Pop. Never felt mods were worth the extra $

Might depend on when you go. Pop was $430 a night compared to CBR $340 a night

 

[Moliphino]

Might depend on when you go. Pop was $430 a night compared to CBR $340 a night

When the heck is Pop ever $430 a night?!

 

[BrotherCraig]

When the heck is Pop ever $430 a night?!

For mid-November. Week before Thanksgiving week. Even All Star Music is $400 a night that week. I got CBR with the 5th sleeper for $340.

 

[Moliphino]

For mid-November. Week before Thanksgiving week. Even All Star Music is $400 a night that week. I got CBR with the 5th sleeper for $340.

I looked 11/14-20 and see Pop at $186 and CBR at $289. Music is $311, but that's a family suite.

 

[BrotherCraig]

I looked 11/14-20 and see Pop at $186 and CBR at $289. Music is $311, but that's a family suite.

I don't see that rate for 11/16-11/21.

 

[Moliphino]

I don't see that rate for 11/16-11/21.

I don't see availability for Pop for the 21st. This is the rate calendar for a preferred pool view (most expensive category) room, though.



ETA: The $186 above was for a standard room, which was the only thing available for those dates.