POP regular or preferred room?

[tink_n_pooh]

DH and I are thinking of taking a short trip down to WDW in August and rathering that using our DVC points since there isn't much available for a reasonable number of points... we are thinking of staying at Pop or maybe just staying offsite

We stayed at Pop once before, I wasn't terrible pleased but I'm open to trying it again. My main question right now is I'm not sure of the difference between a regular room and a preferred room There isn't much price difference so I'm thinking we would go for a preferred room but I'm wondering what I'm paying for

 

[lynn46356]

I know preferred is located by the main pool. We were located in the 70's section, second floor, and it was not preferred but really close to classic hall and the bus stop IMO. At check in I asked the CM if we could have a room that wasn't out in the sticks but close to everything. Both times we were given 70's section, second floor. Actually our rooms were doors down from each other both times. This was this year February and last year February. I'm sure others know more. Just wanted to let you know what I already know. I'd be curious to know how much difference there is in a DVC studio and a room at Pop. We just starting to talk about our 25th anniversary next year and a visit to WDW w/o kids at the end of November/first of December. We've never been during the holidays and that is something I'd love to experience. Happy Planning.

Lynn

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I know preferred is located by the main pool. We were located in the 70's section, second floor, and it was not preferred but really close to classic hall and the bus stop IMO. At check in I asked the CM if we could have a room that wasn't out in the sticks but close to everything. Both times we were given 70's section, second floor. Actually our rooms were doors down from each other both times. This was this year February and last year February. I'm sure others know more. Just wanted to let you know what I already know. I'd be curious to know how much difference there is in a DVC studio and a room at Pop. We just starting to talk about our 25th anniversary next year and a visit to WDW w/o kids at the end of November/first of December. We've never been during the holidays and that is something I'd love to experience. Happy Planning.

Lynn

Thanks Lynn - To take a look at your question, there is a world of difference between DVC and Pop. A studio will have a fridge and microwave, a queen sized bed and couch. Although I'm not sure about the actually square footage a studio seems much larger as there is only one bed and all studios have either a balcony or patio. There is more to offer at the DVC resorts as well, they are more in line with the deluxe resorts.

Happy Anniversary and enjoy your holiday trip!! DH and I were there last year at the same time for our honeymoon

 

[disnut8]

The only difference between a preferred room and a regular room at Pop Century is the location. If you want to be close to everything, get the preferred room. If you want a quieter location and don't mind walking, get a regular room and request the 90s section.

True, Pop Century isn't DVC but then again, it was never meant to be.

 

[MOmousefan]

We have used both in our two stays at PoP. The last time (2007) we got preffered rooms in Building 6 at the end by the Popjet pool. It is close to Everything Pop and the buses. I have requested Preferred again for our Christmas trip and want the same area that we used on the previous trip. I know it is an extra $120 but it is worth it to us. We would come back to the rooms for an afternoon nap and I could here music playing on the grounds, but mercifully it was turned off at night. On our 2005 trip we were around the corner facing the lake and it was totally quiet.

This is the view looking in both directions:

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

The only difference between a preferred room and a regular room at Pop Century is the location. If you want to be close to everything, get the preferred room. If you want a quieter location and don't mind walking, get a regular room and request the 90s section.

True, Pop Century isn't DVC but then again, it was never meant to be.

DH & I paid for a preferred room last year at POP and it was in a horrible location. In the 60's on the backside, far away from elevator, pool, food court & buses with a view of absolutely nothing. To us it wasn't worth the extra money at all. In fact our overall stay at POP was so unmagical (we've been 2x) that we've decided we won't be going back again. There were so many issues we had that made this decision easy for us. We've switched to ASMu for our value of choice as it's much smaller, quieter. It's recently been refurbished and overall was much more magical than POP was. We had chosen POP last year because we'd enjoyed it 3 years prior to that, but this time around it wasn't any fun for our anniversary at all. JMHO..........

 

[Amy&Dan]

I like being preferred, to me since the value rooms are still so inexpensive, that extra $10 a night doesn't bother me too much. But if one isn't available I am fine with being in a non preferred section. Its a gamble, you can actually get a non preferred room that is just as close or closer than some preferred rooms. Or you can be put in the 80's or 90's section which are further out (but still pretty darn close) but might be quieter. I too am DVC and have stayed in a many a value or moderate to save on points! I am always happy with those choices and have never felt jipped. Its hard to compare and I try not to because of course the DVC's have so much to offer. But I would still always pick onsiste vs. offsite.

I might also suggest you try All Star Music. Its my favorite value, it has the prettiest landscaping (not as many huge icons), the crowd is genrally older and more quiet and the newly refurbbed rooms have some really nice touches. That's nothing against Pop but I do prefer Music.

With whatever you choose, have a great vacation!

 

[marciemouse]

When we stayed at POP in May, we got a standard room to save a few bucks. That extra $10 per day is a CS meal and a snack! I requested a lakeside room with a king bed in Building 3 or 4. We got Room 3153 on the first floor. It was huge and quiet, and not a long walk to the main court, pools or bus stops. I prefer POP to the All Stars, however, I haven't stayed at Music, which also seems to be a Disser favorite.