POP vs CSR... need advice

[aquaboy33]

My DGF and I are currently planning for our trip in mid-June. We've been to Disney in June '09 and October '09, and enjoyed it a lot. When we went in June, we stayed at CSR, and it was great. We really enjoyed the pool and the overall vibe.

When we went in October, we stayed at the POP and that was great as well. Granted the room wasn't as big as CSR, but that's expected between a Value and a Moderate. But the service was top-notch, and the room was very quiet.

We'd like to save some $$$ and stay at POP again. However, I've read that during the summer months a lot of families with small children stay at the POP and at times the rooms can be noisy and the hotel on a whole can seem very crowded, as opposed to some of the Moderates. We only stayed there in October, which is considered a slower time than the summer and just wanted to get some opinions on this.

A little background... we don't spend a lot of time in the room, and the only ammenity we really use here and there is the pool, two or three times during out stay.

THANKS Guys!!

 

[aquaboy33]

*bump* would really appreciate any advice you guys can provide

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

Go with POP. It really is a great resort, you have stayed there before and you know you like it. I have been to POP in Feb/March, June, May, and August, and I honestly didn't notice a difference in the amount of children or the noise level any of the times I was there. Hope this helps!

 

[bgsnmky]

I too would go with POP, even if there were a lot of kids..you are not in the room much. I love the value resorts!

It is usually Value or the Deluxe (if I am using DVC points).....

 

[summerlvr]

Here's another vote for POP, it is my favorite resort. You just can't beat the price and the atmosphere is so fun. If you are worried about noise, request a room on an upper floor, facing the lake. I have always had good luck getting my requests at POP.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We love CSR - it is our favorite place to stay at WDW (we also love the Poly, but not the price so much!). That said, my kids are dying to stay at Pop. They love the look of it, and DD10 is all about tie-dye and wants to stay in the 70's building and eat tie-dye cheesecake.

Since you have stayed at both, you probably know the pros and cons of each, but here are my impressions just in case:

CSR pros:

larger rooms
better landscaping
queen beds instead of doubles
separate buildings tend to make rooms quieter - we didn't hear a sound from anyone on our last trip
more food choices
better pool with a great slide, and a large hot tub
fridge in room
room service, spa, salon and fitness center
four bus stops within resort, so you are always close to a stop (some may say four stops is a con, but not to us)
does not share buses

CSR cons:

costs more
Pepper Market is expensive for counter service if you are not on the DDP

Pop pros:

lower cost
very fun theming that appeals to kids and kids-at-heart
supposed to have a good food court
does not share buses - only one stop, I think
rooms are being refurbed (a pro if you get a refurbed room!)

cons:

can be very crowded, especially with tour groups, cheerleaders, etc.
rooms are being refurbed (a con if you don't get a refurbed room or if there is visible construction, but Disney is good about that)
rooms are smaller and you have to pay for a fridge

If you are looking for a laid back, romantic resort, I'd stay at CSR. The lake is beautiful at night, you can get a massage or room service, you can enjoy the hot tub, swing in the hammocks. If you are commando DISers and need a clean place to sleep and shower, save the money and stay at Pop and enjoy a nice dinner somewhere with the savings.

We enjoy spending time at the resort, so we prefer CSR. But I'd like to spend one night at Pop just for the kids.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We stayed at POP once at a peak time in March and had a very quiet room- 70's facing the lake. You could try and request that. That area has great views.

 

[kayleesmomxo]

We are struggling with the same thing! I booked CSR again for our September trip but my DD (4) , just watched the vacation planning DVD and now she wants to stay at Pop! I would really like to try it out since we've never stayed there........but My Mom is joining us on this trip and my DH said it might be kind of tight for 3 adults and 1 child. He suggested we try Pop maybe next spring when it's just the 3 of us. Any thoughts?

 

[aquaboy33]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

 

[aquaboy33]

We are struggling with the same thing! I booked CSR again for our September trip but my DD (4) , just watched the vacation planning DVD and now she wants to stay at Pop! I would really like to try it out since we've never stayed there........but My Mom is joining us on this trip and my DH said it might be kind of tight for 3 adults and 1 child. He suggested we try Pop maybe next spring when it's just the 3 of us. Any thoughts?

We had a king size bed in the room, and the space was ok... but if you're only using it to sleep/shower... I would suggest it would be great for your DD. But if you guys need a lot of space... CSR def fits the bill. Let me know if you have any other ??s

 

[kayleesmomxo]

We had a king size bed in the room, and the space was ok... but if you're only using it to sleep/shower... I would suggest it would be great for your DD. But if you guys need a lot of space... CSR def fits the bill. Let me know if you have any other ??s

Thank You!!!