Pop Preferred vs Standard: How's the Walk?

[ExtraMagic]

We are staying at Pop for the first time in September. I watched some resort walk-through videos but don't have a good sense of whether there's a significant walking distance difference between Standard and Preferred rooms. My family doesn't usually go for preferred rooms, but on this trip we have 5 days straight of park tickets. (Our usual pattern is a couple of park days, a couple of resort days.) We're planning to drive and use the Skyliner for transportation. Will our feet be thanking us for an upgrade, or is the difference minimal considering the thousands of Disney steps we'll get anyway?

 

[mkb3]

We have stayed in the Contemporary Garden Wing and the Riverside Royal Rooms, but LOVE the Pop Preferred rooms because of the walk is so much easier to transportation and dining.

 

[Justrose]

I didn't book preferred for the first time ever on my solo trip in November since it was "just me" and I wanted to save money.

Suffice to say, I will never do that again.

 

[Honeypot]

When we stayed there, we were in the 70's, building 6. The walk to the lobby was only a few minutes, I didn't think we needed a preferred room.

 

[loves to dive]

I have stayed in the 80s and 90s building, both are standard. Quick easy walk across the parking lot to the Classic Hall and bus stops. I have also walked from the front all the way to back (I'm a walker so I walk every morning) and had to make two turns around Pop and over to AoA to even get 1/2 hour in so it's not really that far back to the farthest room.

 

[PaladinButters]

We've recently stayed way back in the 90s and our first walk all the way back there was crazy (at one point I asked my husband if he was *sure* we were still on resort property). I'm certainly in the 'what's a few more steps' crowd personally, but if there's anyone in your party that might not be (issues with foot pain, walking, endurance, or just exhausted after 30000 steps in a theme park anyway) then I would just get the preferred room.

 

[StageTek]

or is the difference minimal considering the thousands of Disney steps we'll get anyway?

90's building is about a two minutes longer walk to the Skyliner. It didn't seem significant to me. But very close to the parking lot.
The 50's building is only a few steps more than 60's (preferred) and a nice walk along the lake if you're in Building 2 or 3.

To me; not worth the extra money.

 

[Moliphino]

There are standard rooms in the 60's buildings, which is usually what I request.

 

[ExtraMagic]

This is super helpful feedback, everyone! Thank you!

 

[StageTek]

There are standard rooms in the 60's buildings, which is usually what I request.

How often do you get your request?

 

[ChanaC]

Last time I stayed at Pop we didn't do preferred and got assigned building 1 in the 50s area, facing the parking lot. I actually really liked that location and would ask for it again. When you walk through the building you can exit through the bowling pin staircase closest to the main building, and from there you can enter the main building's side door by the Magical Express pickup area. It was easy to get to the main building, where we ate breakfast and got on a bus for the parks. We also had a car and it was nice being near the parking lot since we could easily get to the car. Plus, on days we didn't use the car, it was nice just to see it and make sure it was still there and intact (not that I don't trust Disney, but I'm always really protective over my car). This was pre-Skyliner, but we did walk over to AoA using the bridge and I didn't think the walk was too bad, but we were also walking leisurely and not in a hurry.

If you are driving you might want to make sure you are in a building near a parking lot. It's nice after a long day to just pull in in front of your building and get to your room. Personally, I don't go for the priority view rooms in value or moderate resorts. I hate having people just walk by my window so I usually don't keep it open anyway.

 

[StageTek]

Last time I stayed at Pop we didn't do preferred and got assigned building 1 in the 50s area, facing the parking lot

Exactly where I was Sept. 2020. I had requested building 3 and was disappointed at first. But I ended up liking the short walk to my car. I took the Skyliner several times and the walk was fine.

 

[KristaZ]

I haven't ever done preferred at Pop and have never had more than a maybe 3 minute walk to Classic Hall. We've been in buildings 6 and 10 in the 70s, and 3 and 1 in the 50s. 10 was probably most convenient to Classic Hall and busses. 3 was really convenient for the Skyliner.

 

[Moliphino]

How often do you get your request?

My past two trips, at least. I can't remember the last time I haven't been in the 60s or 70s buildings, which are my top two areas.

 

[Disneylover99]

I've stayed in Standard and Preferred.
I'm a fan of the 50's, 60's and 70's lakeview standard rooms.
So I take a chance and book standard.

OP, if you are splitting your time between the skyliner and driving, I might suggest requesting building 3 in the 50's. Close to the skyliner and not too far from parking.
No guarantee, you'll get that building, but it's always worth a shot!

 

[Tattylou]

When we stayed there, we were in the 70's, building 6. The walk to the lobby was only a few minutes, I didn't think we needed a preferred room.

Agreed - have stayed twice (not in preferred) and never found the walk bad from 50s or 70s even with small kids.

 

[NotANewbie]

We were in a standard room back in February. Placed on the backside of 70s. It was wicked close, so much so I asked if we had been upgraded to preferred. We had not. It just depends. If you are in the 90s, it will be a walk, but you can cut through the parking lot.

 

[tinkerbella16]

In September we were booked in a standard view room and we were in the 60's section, building 5 facing the lake. It was so close to the Skyliner, main pool and the food court. We loved it! We are going tomorrow and I requested the same area, if we can't get our same room again.

 

[bffer]

We always stay in standard rooms, usually in '80s/'90s. It's a bit of a walk to get food and to go to the lobby if you walk through the resort, but it's not far if you cut through the parking lot, and it's really close to the buses if you go through the parking lot. I haven't been there since Skyliner opened, but I used to walk over the bridge over Hourglass Lake, and it isn't that far away, and that is where the Skyliner is. (What a run-on sentence that was.)

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

I haven't found any standard room at Pop to be too far. Now CBR different story lol. Now with the skyliner, even if you are in standard furthest from food court you would be closer to skyliner. We were in 90's last visit and quick walk to buses via parking lot area. maybe 3 mins, walk to skyliner maybe 4 mins and food court maybe 3 mins. I personally do not think any location at PoP is a bad walk.