Pop Century vs. Fairfield Cypress Palms

[bless03ings]

Ok, this is my dilemma. I have a reservation for (POP) for May 28,2005--June 4,2005 for 656.00 but I have I friend that will let my family use her timeshare (Fairfield Cypress Palms)for 300.00 for the same week. What should we do? We're renting a car for the week regardless of which one we choose if this helps any. Does anyone know how far this timeshare is from the parks?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Welcome to DIS Boards!

I think it depends on what you need and how many are in your family. Looks like you have the POP booked without any type of discount (if you have AAA you could try that for right now) - a discount code might come out for May/June and you could save by having the code applied to your reservation.

If you have a small family (young children) POP would be fun and nothing compares to staying on site. Even tho you have a car, part of the fun is not having to drive and using Disney transportation

Can't help with the distance, someone else will surely know all that.

Good luck and have a great vacation!

 

[Mymatisse]

I would probably go with the timeshare. It's a great deal, and you will have more space. The rooms at POP are small.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I have done AllstarMovies and a two bedroom condo.

Take the condo. I don't have anything against POP. And we loved our stay at Allstars. But that was before we stayed in a condo. The space just can't be beat. I don't know much about Cypress Palms. We were at Vistana and it literally took 10-15 minutes from our door to MK parking lot. It took longer than that at Allstars if you counted the wait for the bus.

I love staying on site. Especially in the deluxes. But the price you have, considering what you are getting, is a steal. I would take it and try POP next time when you might not have any other offers.

**Just looked at Cypress Palms on hotelkingdom.com. They say it is 5 miles to WDW. Take it and run.

 

[bless03ings]

OK, thanks for your responses. We are a family of four husband, wife, son and daughter. I'm just trying to weigh all my options before making a final decision.

 

[ilovdisney2]

I say go with POP.
We have done both and my family never wants to stay off site again.
Yes, you will have more room, BUT what if you need a quick nap during the day? You would have to go to the car and drive back to the condo. YOu just can't beat the convinence of coming and going. We are a family of 5 so we get 2 rooms at POP and have PLENTY of room. Also, you are surrounded by the magic 24/7 and that's what we save all year for.
We are only paying 49.00 per night per room. I think staying on site can't be beat.

 

[chobie]

POP is fun and we have stayed there a few times, but if you will be saving $365 dollars by staying in the condo, I think you should do that. Staying on site isn't worth that much money. You could save that money to put towards your next trip.

 

[Pats Dragon]

staying onsite gives you early entry which is crucial to your comfort at the magic kingdom. Lines build up quickly if you don't get that hour head start. For that reason only I vote for pop.

 

[CheezDoodle]

Pop!!!

 

[queenof2princesses]

Wait to see if you can get a special rate for May. Don't forget to add parking (it's steep) if you stay offsite. That could easily add $$$ depending on how many days you go. Free parking if you stay at POP.

 

[susy]

Pop is wonderful! Very close to everything. To me, a condo is not a vacation unless someone will be coming in to clean (and I mean I don't want to see a so much as a glass in the sink!). It might be because I live in a condo in FL, but a condo to me is not magical at all!

 

[232271]

I have also done two seperate condo's and many many disney resorts.
The extra room was nice, but I love coming back to the "Disney" feel all
the resorts have. I would say do the POP, they have a huge food court so, you would not have to cook and you have many pools to choose from, early and late entry, as they are changing the program and you would benifit at POP,then there are the buses and not to metion all the giant Icon's that would make you feel like you were always in Disney.

I just love living Disney when I go!!

good luck on your decision, I know it is hard. But when discount codes come
out for your time frame the difference in price may drop dramatically (meaning POP wouldnt be very much more.)



oh and it looks to be about 5-7 miles from DisneyWorld from the condo, but remeber there is usually traffic lights and all,
and add $8 a day to park at Disney unless you have an AP?

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

BlessO3ings..........

you didn't say if this was your first trip or not. That makes a difference too, IMO.

If this is your first stay, I would go with POP (if the $356 difference isn't going to break you). I feel everyone should experience on site for their first trip. We did many trips on site before we ventured off site.

But if you've already experienced on site and want to save some money and have a few more luxuries, then go with the condo.

Let us know what you decide. It's nice you have options.

 

[jkjjhuddle]

I went for the first time in May with Dh and my 2 DS's. We stayed at Star Island a Fairfield resort. It was not that great. I have heard that Cypress Palms is much nicer.

The pros:
We would cook at the condo. We came back daily to rest and swim.
We had plenty of space. We could put kids to bed and stay up a little later to talk.


The Con:
You are off site. No matter how close the condo is to WDW it is still far. It took about 20-30 min each time we went to WDW to get there and get parked and we were close. At POP you can ride the bus and not walk forever to get to the main gate.


We really had a great time and there was a lot of flexability when it came to meals off site. We did realze quickly why everyone suggests staying on site.

So really it is up to you. If the price difference will help out a lot then you will be fine staying off property. Just plan well.

Staying on property at POP would be a ton of fun for the kids, but they will be at WDW so I am sure they will be happy anyway. We enjoyed our trip and would not change it for anything. Hubby and I are planning an alone trip on property for May.

Good luck on your choice and have fun!

Kristy

 

[chobie]

I'm taking back what I said about staying in the condo. I think you should go to POP for the benefits and fun of staying on site. It is more fun than a condo. It will be hot when you go and its easier to get back to POP to let the kids swim. My kids love the pool and I don;t know if this appeals to you, but the poolside bar serves great pina coladas. My family and I spent many hours hanging out at the pool during our two impromtu post- hurricane-schools-cancelled trips in September.