Pop Century vs Port Orleans

[Rebecca Pocahontas]

We want to stay at Disney for the free dining, but Port Orleans' rooms are already booked up for all the times we want to go. We really want to go during this time and get this deal so we are thinking about changing our hotel to a value option.

I have never stayed at a value resort. We have only ever stayed at Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach. How different is Pop Century from the moderate options? I saw that it was connected to Art of Animation, so at least there is a huge walking track around the complex. But is the food area as nice? Are the rooms as nice? Is it any lower quality than a moderate hotel?

 

[Disneylover99]

Not lower quality at all. All DW resorts are clean and well maintained.

Rooms are a bit smaller at Pop.......double beds, no hot tub or pool slide.

But some things are better at Pop then POR or CBR IMO.......better bus service, less walking around the resort and more foodcourt options.

 

[MarBee]

So it is definitely a lower quality but for me wasn't "low quality." We've stayed at Pop and POFQ. -The beds at POFQ are better- queens instead of full and more comfy.
-The room was slightly smaller at Pop but comparable.
-The quick service food court area at POFQ was smaller but not as hectic. It was large at Pop but very hectic. The food selection seemed to be about the same.
-The pool at POFQ had a water slide. Pop pool had little sprinklers around the edge. The sprayground at POFQ was way nicer than the one at Pop.
-The bus stop at POFQ is covered with benches. Pop is open with no seating. The transportation for both were great.
-Theming at Pop was more fun and kid friendly. POFQ was nice and relaxing.
-overall POFQ was more upscale than Pop, but I would 100% stay at and recommend both places. If money were not an issue I'd go to POFQ over Pop. However, if it was I'd happily stay at Pop again!

 

[MarBee]

So it is definitely a lower quality but for me wasn't "low quality." We've stayed at Pop and POFQ. -The beds at POFQ are better- queens instead of full and more comfy.
-The room was slightly smaller at Pop but comparable.
-The quick service food court area at POFQ was smaller but not as hectic. It was large at Pop but very hectic. The food selection seemed to be about the same.
-The pool at POFQ had a water slide. Pop pool had little sprinklers around the edge. The sprayground at POFQ was way nicer than the one at Pop.
-The bus stop at POFQ is covered with benches. Pop is open with no seating. The transportation for both were great.
-Theming at Pop was more fun and kid friendly. POFQ was nice and relaxing.
-overall POFQ was more upscale than Pop, but I would 100% stay at and recommend both places. If money were not an issue I'd go to POFQ over Pop. However, if it was I'd happily stay at Pop again!

Also FWIW, I would pick Pop over CBR any day of the week!

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

Yes - there is a difference in the overall feel of the properties - POP has a lot more open feeling with a lot of cement...Port Orleans (which one, FQ or Riverside?) has more landscaping and a "cosier" feel. The room is smaller at POP and the beds are doubles instead of queens. As was mentioned, the pool at POP doesn't have a slide ...the pools at Port Orleans are more themed with slides.
Marbee, in her post covered the bus and food situation and I agree with everything she mentioned!
We always like POP when we stay there and the quality is solid for the cost...that said, I would pick Port Orleans (either one) over POP if money were not an issue.

 

[stratus]

I would pick Port Orleans (either one) over POP if money were not an issue.

This! I've been at both and much prefer the Port. YMMV but if I could I would go with PO

 

[Disneylvr]

How many are in your family? How much time do you spent at the resort?
Last year I went on my first solo trip to WDW and decided to try POP Century. I LOVED IT!!!!! It was just a fun resort BUT honestly I didn't spend much time there. I was happy with the transportation, my room was clean and comfortable and the food court was better than the one at POR in my opinion. However, when I travel with my family we prefer POR or another moderate because we do spent time together at the resort. We prefer the bed size (queen) and the additional amenities that the mods have to offer.

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed at both, in fact, I'm going to POFQ next month and Pop in September.

I prefer the transportation at the hotel from Pop, because there are designated lines for each destination. At any of the moderates it can be a bit of a free-for-all, because there are multiple destinations being served at the stop, and no designated lines for waiting. However, returning from the parks, the PO bus stops are usually closer to the park than the Pop stops - so in the end, it all kind of averages out.

As far as the food court, Pop has a larger food court, and the stations are more organized as far as the waiting areas, but it's also busier. I haven't had any issues getting food in a reasonable period of time at either resort.

You didn't mention how many people are in your travel party. For 1-2 adults and 1-2 small children, Pop is fine. 3-4 adults might be squeezing it a bit, not only because the rooms are slightly smaller, but because of storage for luggage and clothing for that many adults. PO will hold four adults comfortably, and the queen beds are more roomy than the full size at Pop. I have not had any issues with wear or cleanliness at either resort.

So long as you are aware of the differences in amenities, such as no pool slide and no hot tub, Pop can be a very fun resort.

 

[mickeysmith]

I absolutely love POP and POFQ. It varies each trip for us. This year we are staying at POFQ. I have found it works better now that our girls are 16 and 19. The two sinks come in really handy! I like the bigger beds, and my hot flashes love the ceiling fan! Haha!! POP will always be home just because we have stayed there more than the others.

 

[mousefan73]

We have stayed at both. -if all things being equal. Of course PoR!!! but things are never equal between PoR and POP.. One is a value and one is a moderate..


And both have two totally differnt FEELINGS about them.. POP is loud, in your face, fun, Disney like.. If you want to see a lot of happy people on a Disney Vacay walking about with running kids having a blast.. that is POP.

POR is huge, but for some reason, QUIET.. you never really see crowds of people. if when booked. Food court may get crowded, but is warm, and homey like.. POP is like a mall food court. POR you have greenery and lushness. BUT nothing screams DISNEY..

POP is concrete and plastic but SCREAMS Disney.


There are the basic difference as posted above Value vs. Moderate...


NO towels at pool, bring from room... Do values have coffee machines now?? No shampoo AND conditioner, but the mix.

But this year we also changed due to FD.. We were not even going .FD, as we had week RO at the BC but FD came and checked things out.. FD at POR would have been just too much as part of a split stay.. So we are now doing 4 days POP and the rest BC.. We will miss POR.. our first time in 5 years we are not doing POR. But the savings at POP outweigh PoR for us. POP is ok, but too be honest a whole trip only there I would not want to do.. That is why we are splitting with BC...

 

[loves to dive]

Just a thought, are there any room only discounts available at POR? If so, you might do room only without free dining and save the same amount of money paying out of pocket for food. It all depends on your family make up, your eating habits and if you are big on character meals or buffets.