POP vs CBR questions

[Katnmouse]

We have stayed at CBR and OKW for the past several years. Finances are tighter this year so so we are looking to save money so of course OKW is OUT. lol. We currently have res. at CBR (in July) but are considering POP to save even more money (yes, it currently shows availability during our time). We love the tropical atmosphere of CBR and know that POP doesn't have that. However, we could stay an extra 3 nights if we chose POP....decisions, decisions.

Can any of you help push me in one direction or another. How do the crowds at the pools, busses, etc. compare between the 2 resorts? Would the rooms at POP be too small for 3 (2 adults, 1 teen) for an extended time? Are there usually teams/groups at POP in July? Any help would be appreciated. We're going to have to decide soon...like today. Thanks,
Kat

 

[zgirl]

We just got back from one night at POP. We usually stay at CBR. Pop rooms are a tad smaller than CBR - wasn't a big difference for us. There is only one sink and no curtain divider. The toilet/shower room is larger though. I think the three of you would be fine as long as the bathroom differences aren't a big deal. Pop was a lot louder than CBR however. I heard people running along the walkway outside our door, doors slamming and kids screaming. I wasn't super thrilled with POP but the kids really liked it and if we were in the situation where we needed to stay there for money reasons I probably would, I would just bring earplugs next time. Good luck making your decision. It is a hard one!

 

[Katnmouse]

Zgirl, thanks for the heads up about the noise. That is definitely something to keep in mind.
Kat

 

[zgirl]

No problem - sorry I can't help with the pool and bus question. I think the time of year you are there really plays a big part in that. Hopefully someone who has stayed there during the summer can help you out.

 

[Katnmouse]

bump

 

[mamamary]

For 3 extra nights I'd choose Pop. We have only stayed at CBR but if I did need to stay at a value it seems Pop would be a good choice. Have you also checked out the reviews for Pop at Allears? Good luck in your decision.

 

[cybrkitn]

We just got back from one night at POP. We usually stay at CBR. Pop rooms are a tad smaller than CBR - wasn't a big difference for us. There is only one sink and no curtain divider. The toilet/shower room is larger though. I think the three of you would be fine as long as the bathroom differences aren't a big deal. Pop was a lot louder than CBR however. I heard people running along the walkway outside our door, doors slamming and kids screaming. I wasn't super thrilled with POP but the kids really liked it and if we were in the situation where we needed to stay there for money reasons I probably would, I would just bring earplugs next time. Good luck making your decision. It is a hard one!

Zgirl, thanks for the heads up about the noise. That is definitely something to keep in mind.
Kat

It depends on what section of Pop you are staying in. We stayed at Pop last October and it was quiet, but that was b/c our room was facing the parking lot and not the pool.

One thing I noticed about Pop was the breakfast crowd. If you eat between 7 and 8 am the crowds are very low. However, around 8 am it starts getting crowded.

The busses were fine. I think the only problem we had was getting to AK prior to opening in order to get to our ADRs for Donald's Breakfastosaurus. We wound up taking a cab so we could get there in time for our ressies.

DH stayed at CBR for 4 days prior to DS4 and I joining him. I don't know about the rooms there (DH knows since he stayed in them), but I believe there are 4 bus stops at CBR (due to the different sections) compared to 1 bus stop at Pop.

 

[mom-mom2three]

We stayed at POP in May and the buses were really crowded. The main pool area was also crowded. We have a 3 year old that loved the kiddie pool and the large icons all around the resort such as the big wheel and lady and the tramp But as for myself I really did not like the resort. It was too loud and I think I knew everytime someone in the next rooms flushed a comode or took a shower I know a lot of people love POP, it just isn't for me

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

We have stayed at CBR and OKW for the past several years. Finances are tighter this year so so we are looking to save money so of course OKW is OUT. lol. We currently have res. at CBR (in July) but are considering POP to save even more money (yes, it currently shows availability during our time). We love the tropical atmosphere of CBR and know that POP doesn't have that. However, we could stay an extra 3 nights if we chose POP....decisions, decisions.

Can any of you help push me in one direction or another. How do the crowds at the pools, busses, etc. compare between the 2 resorts? Would the rooms at POP be too small for 3 (2 adults, 1 teen) for an extended time? Are there usually teams/groups at POP in July? Any help would be appreciated. We're going to have to decide soon...like today. Thanks,
Kat

I have stayed at both CBR and POP. ABout the bus situation - at POP there is one central location for all buses. There are queues set up for each different destination just like when you are leaving one of the parks. I stayed there in July and I think only twice did we have to wait for a second bus to come for our destination and the longest we waited was a total of 15 minutes even if we did have to wait for a second bus. CBR has many different bus stops all over the resort. We were in Aruba and if the bus came in the back way then we were the second stop, but if it came in the front then we were like the 7th. That is a long ride with many stops at night and sometimes in the mornings a bus would be full before it reached our stop and we were there the 1st week of December (not a very busy time).

We did not deal with a lot of noise at POP. We were in the 70's building facing the parking lot. I think you would run into noise if you were facing the pool (especially the Hippy Dippy)

When we stayed at POP we had one room for the 4 of us (1-mom, 1-23 yrs old, 1-20 yrs old, and 1-16 years old) We had enough room to sleep at night and shower in the morning which is as long as we were ever in the room. It does not have a curtain across the bathroom entry areas like CBR but that is easily fixed with two hooks, a string and cheap piece of fabric brought from home, if necessary.

There were not any teams or cheerleading squads at POP that I saw. I know that they normally try to house those groups at the All Star resorts and use POP as a last resort.

Hope this helps you out. In my opinion I would stay at POP and get 3 more nights of magic! You can pm me if you have any specifics you want to ask.

 

[G8r4evr]

For 3 extra nights I'd choose Pop. We have only stayed at CBR but if I did need to stay at a value it seems Pop would be a good choice. Have you also checked out the reviews for Pop at Allears? Good luck in your decision.

Same here! We love CBR, but if it meant 3 mroe nights, POP is the one value I would settle for. The pictures I have seen look great!