Pop Century Vs PO Riverside

[cisco911]

We have stayed at both POP and Riverside and French Quarter. This time around we are going back to POP mostly because we think that our little guy will enjoy the theme more than the more generic riverside for his first trip. Our friends were asking us why we would ever go back to a value after going to a moderate. The more I look at it though I feel that POP, with being fully renovated and having the skyliner going to it makes it more on par with a place like riverside than before. I know the rooms are slightly bigger but they are still motel style rooms and I find the bus service at riverside to be a pain in the butt sometimes with all the depots. Am I wrong in thinking that POP is more like a "Value Plus" and riverside is more like a "Moderate Minus" for the lack of better terminology?

 

[Disneylover99]

I don’t really think about the terminology I just know I find Riverside too big for my liking and I hate the multiple bus stops. Pop wins out for me on those reasons alone.

 

[mamamelody2]

We stayed at POR our first 2 trips. Really liked it. Next trip we stayed at POP in a refurbished room. Walk time to bus/food was WAY shorter at POP. Loved how POP had an actual queue set up for the buses and once you got on, off you went to a park--no more stops. We also felt like the bus service was better with less waiting, but we may have just been lucky. Loved the POP theming as well. Honestly I didn't miss anything from POR. We are booked at POP again this fall. Can't wait!

 

[Elle23]

I don’t really think about the terminology I just know I find Riverside too big for my liking and I hate the multiple bus stops. Pop wins out for me on those reasons alone.

This exactly.

Honestly, we have stayed at one moderate (POR) and 2 Values (Pop and ASMu), and we by far enjoyed our stays at the Values more than POR.

I sometimes don’t get why Values are considered the scourge of the earth by so many people. We have had great stays at them and hopefully will be returning to Pop again this November.

Considering they are Disney hotels on Disney property, I think the Values are, well... a great value! Our room we booked for November with no discounts was only $144 per night! I think that is a great deal to be able to stay on property with all of the on property amenities. And if they open up some discounts later on...even better!

 

[_Laurie_D]

We didn’t like POR at all. Too big. I felt like we had to walk miles for everything and the bus was a big pain. We did have small children at the time so maybe that’s why but by the time the bus made it around to our stop it was usually full. We always ended up standing trying to hold our toddler in one arm and the stroller in the other. Same situation when we stayed at CBR. I do like POFQ but would be just as happy staying at POP. I think a younger child would appreciate the theming at POP more so then the other 2 and IMO POP has a better food court then POR AND POFQ. We will be staying at POP this summer with our grandson!

 

[DisDreaming4116]

To echo other's thoughts, I don't really think nor care about value, moderate or deluxe status/terminology. POR is beautiful but the bus situation can be rough and the walk to Ol' Man Island with the pool can be long. Your little guy will find the oversized icons of Baloo and Mowgli (and all the others) more exciting than the serene, down south vibe at POR.

 

[sponica]

For me it depends on park hours, if the parks are open late, I'll gladly stay at pop, I only need a shower and a bed.

Even with a toddler, we won't consider values unless the parks are open late. We like having the option of a lounge aside from a poolbar.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I've stayed at both.
I like both but if I was forced to choose POP would always win.
I'm staying deluxe next trip but have no problem staying at POP after that.
Don't make decisions based on your friend's opinions about resort categories.

 

[cisco911]

Oh I have no issues with staying at POP, I just think its funny how people just assume something more expensive is better and I was wondering if I was missing something about riverside that made it great vs POP.

 

[roydavid7771]

I guess I'm in the minority here . I've stayed at Pop before and it wasn't for me. The rooms felt cramped, although I have yet to stay in a refurbished room, so I'll save judgment on that. Your kids may like the larger than life icons strewn about the resort, but for me, I need the relaxation of POR after a hectic day at the parks. Full disclosure, we rarely spend our entire vacation at POR, usually just the first night or two before moving to our DVC villa.

 

[TotallyTink]

I have stayed at both POR and Pop (and other values). If I am relying on the bus, I prefer POP or the All-Stars. I just find the bus queues and single bus stop to be less irritating. I hate being the first person at the POR bus stop but then having all the people who arrived after me mob in front of me on the bus. If I have access to a car, then I like POR. However, now that they charge for resort parking, I won't likely be bringing a rental car. I do like the theme and more relaxed feel of POR better. Rooms are fine for me at both now that POP has queen sized beds.

 

[Elle23]

I hate being the first person at the POR bus stop but then having all the people who arrived after me mob in front of me on the bus.

We were the second or third stop and it was frustrating never getting a seat on the bus in the morning!

I was nervous about the buses at ASMu, but they were totally fine. We never shared with the other resorts in the morning or evening.

Paying more for inferior bus service is crazy!

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed at both POR and Pop (and other values). If I am relying on the bus, I prefer POP or the All-Stars. I just find the bus queues and single bus stop to be less irritating. I hate being the first person at the POR bus stop but then having all the people who arrived after me mob in front of me on the bus. If I have access to a car, then I like POR. However, now that they charge for resort parking, I won't likely be bringing a rental car. I do like the theme and more relaxed feel of POR better. Rooms are fine for me at both now that POP has queen sized beds.

I don’t understand why people at moderate resorts can’t form a simple line to board a bus. I also hate the mob mentality at the bus stops.

I like POFQ, but won’t stay at POR now that it’s a pet friendly resort. I am allergic (not deathly allergic, but I will sneeze continuously for hours and end up exhausted-not what you want on a Disney trip). I used to stay at AoA, but don’t stay there for the same reason and now stay at Pop instead. They all have pros and cons, and there is no wrong choice so long as you stay where YOU want to.

 

[Sparkly]

Having just stayed at POR, I would actually pick POP. POR was very pretty and scenic, but too spread out, the rooms were dated looking and very dark, plus we constantly heard toilets flushing. (Our room wasn't one of the refurbed ones) and the bus service was poor. I was glad to move to GFV today.

 

[Disneypro1]

Well, POFQ imho.. is as good as deluxe resort...
POP is a great resort also. There is nothing wrong with the values at all. They are great resorts that we would never hesitate to stay in.

 

[Prince & Princess]

I've stayed at both, and for the money would prefer POP over POR. Our kids were very young, 4 and 6, when we stayed at POR and we were in Alligator Bayou section, but they were young enough that the scenery and atmosphere didn't matter to them. When we stayed at POP, they were 6 and 8, and were just old enough to love the retro stuff, as they kept calling it. I think POP feels more Disney than POR, at least for us.

 

[Searc]

Having just stayed at POR, I would actually pick POP. POR was very pretty and scenic, but too spread out, the rooms were dated looking and very dark, plus we constantly heard toilets flushing. (Our room wasn't one of the refurbed ones) and the bus service was poor. I was glad to move to GFV today.

If you don't like hearing toilets flushing, definitely don't stay at Pop. Noises from adjoining/above/behind rooms are even more noticeable.