Pop Century vs. Riverside?

[freckles04]

I realize they are two very different resorts, but based on research, POP is the value that appeals most to me, and POR is the same as far as the moderates. (I'm a single mom, so deluxes are out... believe me, I'd LOVE the CR or Poly, but I keep buying the wrong lottery tickets.. or more accurately, never buy one... hehe)

So in doing a little digging, I realized we can upgrade to Riverside using the summer discount deal for only $200 more for the whole trip. It seems like it would be a lot quieter with an awesome pool for my DS8. POFQ actually appeals to me more, with its smaller size, but it's not included on the discount, and from what I understand, we can use POFQ pool also.

Can I get a (mostly) unbiased view on which I should choose? Stay at POP and save the $200 for something else? Or is the upgrade completely worth it? I've read some not-so-great reviews on the busses at Riverside, with multiple stops. While POP has the one stop...

We are not saving a whole day to enjoy the resort but I do have one half-day and a few evenings where I'm hoping for some poolside downtime.

We're staying 7 days/6 nights.

Opinions appreciated!

 

[GATORinaZ28]

While we have never stayed at Pop, we did stay at All-Star Sports once. This last trip, we stayed at Riverside.

Riverside was far quieter than Sports and did not feel nearly as crowded due to its spacious layout. We enjoyed nice quiet strolls throughout the Riverside resort. The quick service meals usually had a line, but it wasn't as long as the Sports lines. We could get our meal within 10 minutes or so of entering the dining area.

We used the busses since we decided to fly this last time. There were no issues with the busses for 6 out of the 7 days. We made all early ADR's and never waited forever for a bus. Sure, they could get crowded, but we never had to wait for another bus. Maybe that was luck? The final day, there was some sort of goofiness going on with the busses and everyone was being diverted to Riverside for some reason. Weird.

To be honest, we didn't use the pool, so I can't really comment on that. The main pool was usually busy when we walked by it.

I personally would spend the $200 to go to Riverside. It's a beautiful resort!

 

[Belle83]

I haven't stayed at either resort, but I think upgrading would be worth the $200. The pool slide would be a nice bonus, plus the atmosphere is more relaxing and you get covered bus stops The boat access to downtown disney is pretty neat, too. You'll have a slightly larger room and I think an extra sink.

We're planning to stay at POR in December. Can't wait!

 

[GAN]

We own DVC and before they changed the point structure we use to stay at POP on Friday and Saturday nights to save on points. We like it and it's relatively inexpensive -but personally I wouldn't want to spend a week there. We've also stayed at POR, and for an extra $30 or so a night I would tell you to jump on that deal. It's soooo much more relaxed, the landscaping is beautiful, your son will love the pool(as should you). But the biggest reason of all is Yehaa Bob at the Rivers Roost lounge -if you've never seen his show, you will soon realize your money was well spent.

 

[EpcotBill]

I have stayed at all the Value and Moderate resorts. $200 isn't much to upgrade to POR. I like Pop but it's starting to wear on me. I only stay there because it's cheaper.

I'm doing something similar to you. I was going to book Pop with free quick service dining but I wanted to upgrade to the standard dining plan. After adding the price to upgrade the dining plan at Pop Century it was only about $268 more to book POR and get the standard dining free for 8 nights. A no brainer in my opinion.

 

[Pixiedust34]

POR = a way quieter atmosphere, queen beds, a pool with a slide, more activities (marina, bike rentals, Bob Jackson's show), a great sister resort where you can use the pool, bigger rooms with 2 sinks, table service restaurant, and a boat to DTD. If you can comfortably afford the upgrade, I'd go for it!

 

[cobbler]

I've stayed at both and would totally upgrade for just $200. Not only will you have a nicer pool, + the use of FQ pool, but more lush grounds, and the option of a sit-down restaurant. Plus they have neat carriage rides & FQ has the pastry that I can't spell right now

 

[EpcotBill]

POR = a way quieter atmosphere, queen beds, a pool with a slide, more activities (marina, bike rentals, Bob Jackson's show), a great sister resort where you can use the pool, bigger rooms with 2 sinks, table service restaurant, and a boat to DTD. If you can comfortably afford the upgrade, I'd go for it!

Don't forget the ceiling fan, except in the Royal Guest Rooms, and the in-room coffee maker.

 

[pigletto]

200? In a heartbeat.
POR was one of my favourites!
And I don't have a single bus complaint from our ten day stay. I found it no better or worse than OKW or CSR, and much much better than the Boardwalk.

If the theme appeals to you.. go for it! I loved all the shade and the meandering pathways. It was pretty and tranquil

 

[freckles04]

Thank you all very much. I appreciate that you all are giving thoughtful, detailed replies. I sat down and actually did the math and it's $258 more to upgrade to POR. Still a tough decision. I think we probably will not spend that much time wandering the grounds. The renovated rooms (regular, not forking out extra for Royal, even though they are pretty) look so comfy. I think my main concern is quietness. POP looks fun but also LOUD. Just want a QUIET place to sleep @ night... More opinions appreciated!!

 

[pigletto]

I can tell you that I found our room at Pop very loud but we were right next to the pool and it was busy. I don't think we would have had the same issues if we had been in a quieter area. Along the same lines, I found our room at POR very quiet and peaceful but that could be easily changed by a noisy neighbour so I don't think there is any guarantees that way. If you don't see yourself spending much time in the pool or at the resort I would stick with Pop to save the money.
If you build pool time into your afternoons, or want to walk around in the evenings POR is the way to go. We loved the boat to Downtown Disney too. It was another nice perk

 

[McKelly]

While we love both, for $200.00, I would upgrade to Riverside. For one reason alone, looks like you are traveling in the summer, POR has covered bus stops! Those uncovered bus stops outside POP might be brutal in the summer!! Also, the pool areas are more shady at POR, POP will be full on sun during the day. We like to take mid-afternoon breaks in the heat of the summer, so that matters to us, maybe not to you...

As far as quiet goes, our room at POP was very quiet. We were on the top floor in the 70's section. And we went the week between Xmas and New Years.

 

[EpcotBill]

One time at Pop we were facing the pool in building 3 (AKA the Tramp building). The noise from the pool was very loud. In my 8 or 9 stays at Pop, I've lost track, that was the only time there was a noise problem. That was before they started charging extra for pool view. I would never pay more for a pool view at Pop.

The food court at Pop is another story. It's loud and hectic most of the time, especially during the peak morning rush from about 7:30 until 9:00. The food court at POR is much more civilized.

 

[jerseygirl18]

Great question...I'm in the same boat. Does POR have a hot tub by pool?

 

[shell8558]

For 258 extra, I would jump on it! I have never had any complaints with the buses at POR. The rooms are bigger, the beds are bigger, and they have two sinks. My kids loved the pool and slide- it is a huge draw for us. Not to mention the boat to dd. We also enjoyed the horse and carriage rides available. The resort is beautiful and quiet, I dont think you would be disappointed!

 

[tripletots]

For 258 extra, I would jump on it! I have never had any complaints with the buses at POR. The rooms are bigger, the beds are bigger, and they have two sinks. My kids loved the pool and slide- it is a huge draw for us. Not to mention the boat to dd. We also enjoyed the horse and carriage rides available. The resort is beautiful and quiet, I dont think you would be disappointed!

Are all the beds queen size or is it just the Royal rooms? I am wanting to stay here so bad. I just discovered the POR thread and the rooms are beautiful! It makes it hard to afford when I need two rooms for our family.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I have stayed at all the Value and Moderate resorts. $200 isn't much to upgrade to POR. I like Pop but it's starting to wear on me. I only stay there because it's cheaper.

I'm doing something similar to you. I was going to book Pop with free quick service dining but I wanted to upgrade to the standard dining plan. After adding the price to upgrade the dining plan at Pop Century it was only about $268 more to book POR and get the standard dining free for 8 nights. A no brainer in my opinion.

this is what we did too! we love pop. been there a few times. so much fun. the best arcade for my DS12. we originally had Pop booked but for less than $300 more we decided to upgrade to a moderate (CSR this time, did a split stay last time with Pop & POR). im a single mom too, but the upgrade is a no brainer. your upgrade is only $200 more, if you can affrord it, i would do it. Boat to DTD is awesome, pool is phenominal...the pool slide is awesome. you get to use the FQ pool....really cool btw. Dont forget to try the beignets in the food court! at POR you get bike/surrey bike rentals, horse/carriage ride, a TS restaurant, yehaw bob show etc. i love POR! its a gorgeous resort. I personally like it way better than FQ.

POR = a way quieter atmosphere, queen beds, a pool with a slide, more activities (marina, bike rentals, Bob Jackson's show), a great sister resort where you can use the pool, bigger rooms with 2 sinks, table service restaurant, and a boat to DTD. If you can comfortably afford the upgrade, I'd go for it!

Exactly!!

No matter which one you choose you will have fun. Pop & POR are both great. Pop has a different vibe that i love. Its so vibrant and colorful. good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[shell8558]

Are all the beds queen size or is it just the Royal rooms? I am wanting to stay here so bad. I just discovered the POR thread and the rooms are beautiful! It makes it hard to afford when I need two rooms for our family.

All the beds were suppose to be upgraded to Queens. This is what they told us last May.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Have stayed both. We loved everything at POR except for buses. They were just TERRIBLE. It was beautiful, and quiet, but the busing was a huge let-down.
Pop is my least fav out of the values (but I am in the minority here). I do like that at the values, you get in line for a bus, and you know everyone is going to get on in the order they arrived. Also know that the bus will not arrive FULL!!! POP has a great food court. Everyone talks about the POR foodcourt being so good, but I found both to be good.
Overall, a tough choice. It really depends on how much you think the busing will affect you. I am a HUGE noise person, (we heard NOTHING from any other rooms in 8 days) so I'd probably go with POR. We did find the buses to be WAY better in the afternoon. We almost missed a morning ADR and we left the room with an hour and 20 minutes to go. But the values are way too crazy and loud for me.

 

[sunnysideup3]

I love POR. We stayed there for the first time last year (my parents had been there before in 2006) and I loved it. When we booked again this year, I jumped on the chance because I knew it was good. I usually go with something that I know will be a good thing than taking a chance on something (especially being there for 8 nights).

We found the pools (main and quiet) to be great, the food court is nice, the rooms were nice, and the grounds beautiful. The busing was never an issue for us.