We have done everything from value to deluxe. We have never had a bad trip.We however, found our "home" with a moderate. We did go back and stay at a value recently for a short week-end trip, and it was fine, but we just really like a bit more that we get at a moderate. If you have never stayed at any disney resort, you may be very happy there. They are large and it can be quite a walk to your room. They are however very kid friendly. Our favorite is CSR. It just works for us.
We really like CBR (stayed their 4x), but to save $600 I think I would choose POP especially if you don't plan on using the resort for more then sleeping and maybe a little pool time. If you plan on spending alot of relaxing time at the resort CBR pool area is awesome! The pirate ship has dumping buckets, slides and is just so much fun.
I've done both, it really depends. We were lucky enough to score a free dining plan by going with CBR over POP a few years back. The rooms aren't that much bigger, and despite it being really beautiful, I wound up with an allergic reaction to the flowers there (something to keep in mind) that really put a damper on things towards the end of our trip.
Bottom line, if there is a free dining plan available, take the CBR over POP, otherwise stay with POP.
Definitely go POP. We are 3 (DH, myself and DS now 7). For the 3 of us POP is fin room size...DS LOVES POP. It's convenient to get from your room to the main area with food court and store...Buses are fine..there's a fun arcade in the main building that DS enjoyed. There is also a play area (jungle gym type thing).
Definitely save your money...plus I think your son will enjoy POP more then CBR. When we were there this past September, they had a child dress the Duffy Bear in the store every morning couple of mornings we were there early and DS go to dress him...they have a wardrobe to choose from and they get a certificate. Your son might enjoy this.
Also I would recommend 50's, 60's or 70's buildings as they seem closest to main building. Since the rates are so good we get preferred rooms - but I think either category will be fine.
Save your money and splurge on some fun things while at Disney. I am a POP fan - I think it's a great value at Disney especially with 2 people.
Oh..FYI..POP is offering free dining - it's the QS plan but you can upgrade to DDP...BUT they are also offering the room discount for end of summer / fall (depends on when you are going). I would check prices for both to see which is a better savings...
I love CBR, but I am staying at pop this time with just my DD, age 2. There's just no way to justify the extra $$ for the 2 of us. $600 is a lot of money in my book, I'd definitely switch and could easily find other fun things to spend that on!! Pop is plenty big enough, the colors are bright and fun, I'm sure your son will love it.
We just had this same dilemna when we booked a few months ago, so we ended up with Pop thinking of all the extra things we could use that money on while we were there! We haven't stayed at Pop before, but from all our research I believe our two girls will love it and we'll mostly be at the parks! It also seems that coming and going is a bit easier there with shorter walks as well as transportation times being shorter! Have fun!!