Pop, POFQ, and bus service

[melsc1]

I've just decided to surprise my DD (who is turning 5) with a quick last-minute trip (we'll leave in 3 weeks) to Disney to celebrate our February birthdays. We're flying in Friday morning (arriving at 9 am) and leaving Sunday afternoon.

My resort choices are limited at this point, but my front runners are Pop and POFQ. My main concern isn't amenities, or the difference in price between the two, but the quality of the bus service. Since we're only going to be there a few days, I would like to have the most efficient service and not waste time waiting for transportation. I've only ever stayed at All-Stars, and would like to avoid bus-sharing. If it makes a difference, we're only visiting MK.

The whole family (DH and little brother included) are headed down in December for a 'big' trip.

Thanks!

 

[ganggreen4jc]

Temper this comment with the fact that I've never been to WDW, but in reading these threads to plan for our July '05 trip, I've learned that POP has it's own bus service, while POFQ shares with POR. POFQ still gets on the bus first (and drops off first as well), but you still have to ride over to pickup guests at POR. Not exactly direct as POP.

 

[MomofKatie]

If you are only going to MK, then the bus from POFQ is direct. It is the only park bus that is. All the others go to POR, but the MK bus goes straight there with no stops inbetween.

 

[Stiff]

we stayed at POFQ last year

shares with POR....so its a few more stops on the way

that said, Ive never really had a problem with the time on the bus (didnt seem real long or anything)

and POFQ picks up before POR and drops off before POR

and when leaving MK on a busy night, they usually split POFQ and POR

as far as pop...Ill let you know mid may

 

[Stiff]

we stayed at POFQ last year

shares with POR....so its a few more stops on the way

that said, Ive never really had a problem with the time on the bus (didnt seem real long or anything)

and POFQ picks up before POR and drops off before POR

and when leaving MK on a busy night, they usually split POFQ and POR

as far as pop...Ill let you know mid may

 

[capthooksmom]

I've stayed at both and thought the bus service was good at both. Overall, I vote for POFQ.

It's true that sometimes POFQ and POR share buses, but when we were there in early-mid December, we did not share buses to and from MK. Even when we did share, it was a quick ride through POR. When coming back from the other parks, POFQ is the first stop.

The walk to and from the bus stop (from your room) is much quicker from POFQ than POP. We walked a long way at POP - not so great with tired children.

I don't remember who's stop was closer when departing MK - maybe someone else can tell you.

I thought the commute times from both resorts to MK were comparable.

I know you said you don't care about amenities, but POFQ is smaller-much easier to navigate. The pool is cool (POP has cool pools too, though), the rooms are more spacious, and if the parks close early and you want to head to DTD, you can take the boat from POFQ to DTD. It's a very nice ride.

As I said before, we've stayed at both and POFQ will get our business everytime over POP. POP was also much noiser.

Good luck making your decision!

 

[melsc1]

Thanks for the advice! Except I'm a dunderhead and the available rooms are at Pop and Port Orleans - Riverside.

Does that change anyone's answer? Isn't POR much bigger than POFQ?

Thanks again - sorry for being a pain!

 

[capthooksmom]

Thanks for the advice! Except I'm a dunderhead and the available rooms are at Pop and Port Orleans - Riverside.

Does that change anyone's answer? Isn't POR much bigger than POFQ?

Thanks again - sorry for being a pain!

POR is bigger, but I haven't seen it for myself. I will be honest with you. I know lots of people love POP, but I don't care for it myself. Hopefully someone who has stayed at both will reply. If I were you, I'd call back occasionally and see if anything opens up at POFQ. Even though I haven't stayed at or even seen POR, I'd probably choose it over POP if the money isn't an issue.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Too bad you can't get POFQ. POR is a large resort. I believe there are 4 different bus stops. I love POR. Even though it is large, it is a beautiful resort to walk around in. And they have a carriage ride and bike rental, if those things interest you. Pop is supposed to be a lot of fun too. It's always hard for me to pick a resort. Sorry, I wasn't much help!

 

[4mykids]

We have stayed at both POR and POFQ. Both are very nice. I like POFQ as it is smaller and not a long walk to anything. POR is very nice if you can get in one of the buildings close to the lobby and food court. Otherwise, it is a hike. We will be staying at the Pop in Feb. due to $$. I have a friend who has stayed there and said you cannot beat it for the money. She has stayed at all of the deluxe resorts (no moderates), and likes her bang for the buck at the Pop.

Hope any of this helps!