Pop or Contemporary... I know silly?

[buzzrelly]

Contemporary. No doubt about it. Not even close.

This. Not even close.

 

[Eastern]

I like to save money too, but I would choose CR. I have stayed at POP and it's ok for 2 people, but it's small for a family of 4. And CR is so convenient with small children.

POFQ is also good; I prefer it to POR. It is smaller and easier to get around, but you still have to take buses. For small kids with no car, CR is probably optimal.

Also, price garden wing at CR, it is usually much cheaper.

 

[brockash]

Yes I generally figure about 45 min each way by the time you wait for a bus and ride it or wait for a boat and walk back to your car and drive. So that would be 3 hrs of our day on our vacation spent traveling. Part of me thinks this is one of the reasons we come home from Disney so dang tired! (Then I realize we also walk at least a half marathon every day)

Yes, we've found that going back for breaks is just not worth it, unless you're located somewhere convenient (like CR at MK or Epcot). We found it wore all of us out more going back and forth etc., because yes, it's a haul and especially with little ones. Unless we're staying at CR, we just find a quiet/shady spot and let the kids sleep in the stroller or just relax for a little bit.

 

[brockash]

I am a big fan of Pop, and I've never stayed at Contemporary, though I've walked from there to MK. Last summer, I stayed at Pop with my 8 month old baby for 2 weeks. We went to a park in the morning, came back around 1pm, baby took nap, we went back to a park around 430pm, so 4 trips a day. We went to Magic Kingdom about 8 times. The wait was about 10 minutes, the ride was 18 minutes (this is counting returning to hotel before fireworks, so no crowd). Epcot/HS/AK rides were 10 minutes each. (AK buses used to take longer, but now the bus no longer stops at Blizzard Beach, so it's much faster.) I timed the bus trips myself.

So, the math for you:

Contemporary:
Going to MK 3 days = 12 trips. Total travel time: 0 minutes. (the 10 minute walking will be counting as waiting time.)
Going to AK 2 days = 8 trips x 25 minutes=200 minutes
Going to EP 1 day: 4 trips x25 minutes =100 minutes
Going to HS 1 day: 4 trips x25 minutes =100 minutes

Total: 400 minutes.

Pop Century:

Going to MK 3 days =12 trips x18 minutes = 216 minutes
Going to AK 2 days = 8 trips x10 minutes = 80 minutes
Going to EP and HS 2 days total = 8 trips x 10 minutes = 80 minutes

Total minutes: 376.

So overall, whatever you gained from being near MK is going to be lost for being far away from everything else.

My recommendation 1: Stay at Contemporary AND rent a car. A week long car rental costs about one night at the Contemporary's cheapest rooms. There's no reason to skimp on car rental just because you are staying at CR. You can then skip your hated buses completely, be right next to MK, and go to everywhere else with ease.
My recommendation 2: Stay at Contemporary for 3 nights and then move to Pop Century for 4 nights, and rent a car. It's called a split stay. Go to MK only while you are at the Contemporary, then go wherever when you are at Pop. You'd have to do the extra work of moving, but other than that you get the best of both worlds.

I don't feel those times are realistic or at least don't tell the whole story. The hassle of unloading the stroller, folding it up and lugging it on the buses is a huge negative to staying at POP for all 3 MK days and most likely Epcot (yes, the monorail isn't always reliable, but most likely it might be down 1 of the 4 times they're traveling back and forth.) We've stayed at Pop and CR many times with little ones and strollers, and there's just not a comparison as far as convenience staying at CR, even if you're not doing breaks etc. We're staying at Pop this year and most of the kids are older, although we'll still have 1 in a stroller and while it will be fine, if CR was an option we'd jump on it, and we're only doing MK 2 days and never doing breaks.

 

[Shanti]

I don't feel those times are realistic or at least don't tell the whole story. The hassle of unloading the stroller, folding it up and lugging it on the buses is a huge negative to staying at POP for all 3 MK days and most likely Epcot (yes, the monorail isn't always reliable, but most likely it might be down 1 of the 4 times they're traveling back and forth.) We've stayed at Pop and CR many times with little ones and strollers, and there's just not a comparison as far as convenience staying at CR, even if you're not doing breaks etc. We're staying at Pop this year and most of the kids are older, although we'll still have 1 in a stroller and while it will be fine, if CR was an option we'd jump on it, and we're only doing MK 2 days and never doing breaks.

Agreed. This also doesn't take into account having to walk to and from your resort room at the sprawling Pop Century Resort grounds, as opposed to the compact Contemporary Resort. Even the Contemporary garden wing is closer to the Contemporary's check-in lobby than most of Pop Century's rooms are to Pop's check-in lobby. And with Pop you always have to travel outside to your room, which can be problematic in poor weather.

 

[Amanda999]

OP: You sound like me, finances-wise. And I hate Disney buses (just always bad luck).

Short response: go CR. When your child is older, then go Pop or All Stars. The convenience of a monorail or Epcot resort cannot be overstated with little ones. (I'd actually encourage you to consider an Epcot resort, to be able to stroller/walk to 2 parks (Uber to the other 2).) Fond memories of watching the fireworks from our room (when TPV; from the beach at Poly when there and no TPV room) with the kids in PJs, and walk them right to bed after.

I'd rent a car for sure for the parks you can't walk to. (Else Uber.) August isn't an expensive time to rent, and every single trip we wait at least 40 minutes for a bus. Last summer we got stuck on 2 legs of a monorail trip from MK to Epcot - and no AC during first break down.

We stayed Poly when the kids were little, then mods, then values, but now BC when I get a good rate: its just a different vacation if you aren't a family that stays at the parks all day (we don't - we spend alot of time at the resort, and on transportation). We always rent a car, else regret it when we don't. We often go at RD to HS or Epcot, stay 2 hours, back to hotel, maybe back for a nighttime show/ride - so easy to walk over. We watch fireworks from the lake area at BC when staying there - never bother with the crowds in the parks for that.

 

[Babsy]

Contemporary for sure! It will make all the difference to the quality of your vacation and is easily worth the extra $$$. If possible, I would also rent the car for trips not to the MK. However, in your case with strollers, the CR is a dream to walk to/from the MK and easily doable from Epcot (although you do have to change monorails at the TTC, you can leave the little ones in the strollers).

As others have said, save staying elsewhere for when the kiddos are older.

Enjoy!

 

[BOST99]

We did the garden wing and requested first floor. So convenient with a stroller to roll right into the room. I would pick that over Pop for this trip.

I have been really lucky with priceline getting cheap rental cars in August. If you don't have a preference for company (all major rental companies) the name your price is great.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

If it's in the budget I would always pick deluxe over value.

 

[mayshamp]

Agreed. This also doesn't take into account having to walk to and from your resort room at the sprawling Pop Century Resort grounds, as opposed to the compact Contemporary Resort. Even the Contemporary garden wing is closer to the Contemporary's check-in lobby than most of Pop Century's rooms are to Pop's check-in lobby. And with Pop you always have to travel outside to your room, which can be problematic in poor weather.

I have to disagree about Pop Century being "sprawling". Even the farthest rooms from Pop to bus stop only takes 5-7 minutes to walk. You want to see sprawling? Check out the Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs. Traveling outside to your room isn't such a big deal. I mean, you have to do that to get to MK, don't you? The weather is always poor; you have to count on it.

I forgot to mention: I have had bad experiences with CR's elevators in the main building. When I was visiting there, there wasn't near enough elevators, and if you have a stroller, you'll be spending precious minutes just waiting for the stupid elevators.

Nevertheless, I still think it's better to stay at CR and rent a car. With 2 little kids, that is the most trouble free way of doing things.

 

[mayshamp]

I don't feel those times are realistic or at least don't tell the whole story. The hassle of unloading the stroller, folding it up and lugging it on the buses is a huge negative to staying at POP for all 3 MK days and most likely Epcot (yes, the monorail isn't always reliable, but most likely it might be down 1 of the 4 times they're traveling back and forth.) We've stayed at Pop and CR many times with little ones and strollers, and there's just not a comparison as far as convenience staying at CR, even if you're not doing breaks etc. We're staying at Pop this year and most of the kids are older, although we'll still have 1 in a stroller and while it will be fine, if CR was an option we'd jump on it, and we're only doing MK 2 days and never doing breaks.

I agree that folding the stroller for bus is no fun. I've seen people forgetting to fold the stroller and the bus drivers screaming at them for it. I've even seen people whose stroller was stuck and won't fold, and the bus driver won't let them get on, even though the stroller was very small, just an umbrella thing.

But pushing the stroller up and down the ramps of monorail wasn't any fun either, and you have to do it twice to go to Epcot. And nowadays, you also go through security twice if you take the monorail to Epcot. I hate security even more than I hate folding strollers. I also hate the monorail because it has weak air conditioning and stinks like pee. (I've never seen the monorail break down, so I don't hate them for that.) I don't like the buses but I don't mind them as long as I don't have to be on them too long. 18 minutes to MK is about all I can stand. The resort ferryboats are the absolute worst (slow, hot, disgusting), and I promised myself that I would never take them again.

Best experience: Stay at Contempo and rent a car.

 

[Little E]

I have not stayed at Pop (I've stayed at AoA and I've walked across the bridge to Pop to eat at their awesome food court), but I have stayed at CR in a garden wing room.

Our family LOVED the CR, and I would recommend it without hesitation. The garden wing is a great way to save money while staying at the CR. The rooms are identical to the rooms in the tower, they are spacious, very quiet, and close to the pool. There is a quick, covered walkway that easily gets you to food, shopping, and the monorail and bus stops. The Contempto Cafe is an awesome QS option, plus you have Chef Mickey's.

I think the thing we liked best about the CR is the fact that you can WALK to MK. We felt giddy leaving the MK and being able to walk back to the resort at the end of the night, knowing that so many others would be waiting a long time for busses, boats, or monorails to get back to their resorts.

I hope that you have a magical trip, regardless of which resort you choose.

 

[Shellyred8]

I would go for CR. Hands down. Being able to walk back and forth to MK and not have to deal with the busses for that park would be worth every extra cent.

Have a great trip!

 

[Shanti]

I also hate the monorail because it has weak air conditioning and stinks like pee.

This has never been the case for us. Never heard anyone else complain about bad smells on it, either.

But pushing the stroller up and down the ramps of monorail wasn't any fun either, and you have to do it twice to go to Epcot. And nowadays, you also go through security twice if you take the monorail to Epcot. I hate security even more than I hate folding strollers. I don't like the buses but I don't mind them as long as I don't have to be on them too long. 18 minutes to MK is about all I can stand. The resort ferryboats are the absolute worst (slow, hot, disgusting), and I promised myself that I would never take them again.

There are a lot of things you seem to hate about WDW. I wonder why you even go.

 

[Networth]

Surprised about people's reaction to the monorail. It does not have the colossal amount of issues many seem to believe, in my experience of course. I am a local and use it often.

Is it as good as the 90s? No.
Is it much better than a bus/car? Yes.

I would pick the CR.

 

[Ambehnke]

We did the garden wing and requested first floor. So convenient with a stroller to roll right into the room. I would pick that over Pop for this trip.

I have been really lucky with priceline getting cheap rental cars in August. If you don't have a preference for company (all major rental companies) the name your price is great.

That's what I have booked and plan on requesting. I will check out priceline for car rental. Maybe we will do it...

 

[Chrelaine]

Given that choice, I would choose CR, no question. The convenience can't be beat when you're planning to spend a lot of time at MK. Less having to fold and unfold a stroller works for me! If you can comfortably afford CR, there is no contest here.

 

[Lvsdisney]

yeah the grocery runs would be nice. My hubby I'm sure would like a few beers while there but being the savers we are he won't pay theme park price for a bud light and I would love me some chic-fil-a since we don't have it at home haha! But we've stayed and not had a car before and been ok too. Such a hard decision! Hence why I'm almost at 60 days with nothing booked! We might have to check out Whispering Canyon. Haven't been there yet!

They have a chickfila at the airport

 

[mayshamp]

This has never been the case for us. Never heard anyone else complain about bad smells on it, either.

There are a lot of things you seem to hate about WDW. I wonder why you even go.

Google "monorail smell" and see what you find. Here is one example: https://www.disboards.com/threads/does-anyone-else-think-the-monorail-smells.2853946/

Stop wondering why I even go, that doesn't even make sense. Just because I don't like the monorail and the ferryboats doesn't mean I don't go to Disney World. I also hate the 8 hour plane ride getting there. The monorail and the ferryboats and the plane rides and the packed buses AREN'T Disney World! That's just how you get there!

 

[jessiegirl1982]

What would you do? We definitely have the money to make either work but we do like to be budget conscious and stick with what we plan to spend. We tend to cut costs where we can in our every day life too even though we can afford not to. We need to have booked this trip about two months ago. Dining is set up so that's no big deal but 60 day fastpass is June 6 and air fare needs to be booked today. 6 nights/7 days probably 3 MK 2 AK and one each DHS/ Epcot. We love MK. 2 kids 3 and 5 who need naps EVERY day. Park open to close people but do take that break for several hours. We could stay at Pop, rent a car, have the option to eat out or get groceries for some meals, and have more money to spend on character/signature meals but have to take the dreaded bus or drive to TTC and wait forever for the boat to get us to MK in the morning and then again after midday. I'm thinking this would probably add several hours to our MK days without including the break (we stayed off site last time and I know it did then). Or we could stay at the Contemporary, but then renting a car would be out, and we would probably limit our signature/character meals to stay within our overall planned budget. I just hate the busses so this sounds better to me because of that. We have stayed at mods in the past or off site but never a value or a deluxe. For the reference we would save about $900 going the Pop/car route. Thanks for your advice!

So every trip, we always say "next trip we will stay at a 'nicer' hotel", and then we always end up back at Pop. Yes, the buses are not the greatest, but when it comes down to spending the extra money of $100+ a night (much more for Contemporary in this case), we always choose Pop. Unlike your DH, my DH and myself do not balk at spending $9 for a beer, and we prefer to spend the extra money we "saved" on food and drinks. We do rent a car, pick up groceries/drinks, etc, but we usually still use the buses. My DS was 18 months at our last visit and loved Pop, and will be 3 1/2 when we go in September. The stroller thing really isn't that bad. My DH takes care of the stroller, and I get my DS. Keep all the stuff in a bag in the stroller so it is super easy to grab quickly. Easy peasy!!