POP vs. Moderates...please help!

[bstafford]

Hello: I have been reading this site for a year now. We are making our first "on-site" trip to Disney in early Feb. Right now we (our family of five, the grandmas, and sis/bro in-law & cousins) are thinking of staying at POP. I am wondering if it is worth it to move up to a Moderate.
My biggest concern with POP is that I have seen many people write that the walls are thin & it's huge. I was thinking POFQ, because it is quiet and small. After long days at the park, a good night sleep is a must. I know I can't bank on the better pool because early February weather doesn't necessarily guarentee swimming.
What else makes a moderate worth the extra money?
Any advice is greatly appreicated!!!!!

 

[Sandi]

My DD12 and I actually prefer Pop right now for our commando style of doing WDW. We look at it as a place to sleep and shower. We find the transportation to be absolutely first rate at Pop as well.

When we travel with DH and other family, however, we go to the Moderates. The benefits of the moderates include: two sinks, a privacy curtain, the size of the room is just enough bigger than the value resort that you notice, kids usually like having a pool slide and values don't have this feature, and the ability to find "quiet" space at the resort (usually outdoors). I think all four of the moderates are nicely landscaped with POR probably ranking first. DH was able to find a quiet bench to read, etc. (although why he does that when he is at WDW is hard for DD and me to understand -- maybe that's why he only goes with us every few years).

DD and I were at Pop in February and August this year. We enjoyed the pools both times (although a few of our February days were COLD). But, I sure wouldn't want to have to have more than 2 or 3 in the room.

In April, we are traveling with my sister, brother-in-law, and their two kids. For that trip, we're staying at POFQ. They need the extra room and it will be a nice treat for us.

 

[Buzz2001]

Visit my CSR website below for pics and info on CSR! Have fun deciding and a great trip!

 

[scottnorth]

Unless you are only using the resort for sleep and a shower, I would go with one of the moderates. Although, We have only stayed at one moderate, that being the Port Orleans - Riverside, it gave us a much more comfortable feel than that of the values and offered better dining options and amentities. I would think that the other moderates would do the same. Another option may be the Swan/Dolphin which offer nice amentities and a great location at a very reasonable price particularly for Government Employees, Teachers and AAA/Starwood Members. In any event, enjoy your stay!

-Scott

 

[BamaFan121s]

My personal opinion is that it IS worth paying the extra money...for the reasons you mentioned and then some.

 

[bstafford]

Thanks for all the advice you guys!!! I am definitely leaning toward a moderate. What hangs over my head is the whole "how much will we really be in a room to pay extra" thing.
Once I can get over that, the next question will be: CSR, PO, or POFQ. I have avidly followed comments from this site. I think PO looks the nicest, most relaxing, etc, but POFQ seems to have the edge just because of the busses. I still can't rule CSR out either....oh the stress

 

[KimWDW]

Will you be renting a car?

Bus service at Pop is much better than moderates. No sharing, no multiple stops. Just get on... next stop is the park.

 

[bstafford]

No we aren't renting a car. I am looking forward to not having to park, walk, take the tram, etc.
After reading another post, it sounds like many people prefer ASMovies to to POP. Is it really noticably quiet compared to POP?

 

[KimWDW]

At ASMovies, you will share a bus with two other resorts.

The only resorts that don't share buses or have multiple stops are Pop and AKL.

 

[TwingleMum]

POFQ is really charming. My kids loved to take the boat to DTD and Goofys Kitchen. The pool is cool with the aligator slide. Boatwrights is a nice place for breakfast. That said next trip we will be staying at POP. The price is soo good it will allow us to extend our trip a few days. Can your group stay a little longer if you get a good rate at POP?? So you have to weigh will POP which gets pretty good reviews be worth it to stay longer(if thats possible for your group) or if the number of days are fixed is the extra $XX worth it to stay at a moderate. How long are you staying?? With a group like that I'd think the minimum would be 5 days in the park. Have a great time planning.

 

[ldo]

I am a light sleeper and I could hear showers, toilets, and even someone's 4:30 AM wake-up call. If you are a light sleeper--go for the moderate---otherwise POP was fine. I like the POP food court, decent food and good selection. POP Pools were good, fun theming. I did not have an issue with it being too big. I thought it was a VERY good value--and if not for the walls, we would stay there more often.

Do moderates have fridges and coffee makers? This is worth a bit extra to me. Also, moderates have slides on pools and hot tubs--that could keep my kids entertained for several hours.
When we want a REALLY cheap quick trip for 3 days or less, we might do POP, and when we want a more relaxing trip, we do DVC or moderate--plus POR can sleep 5-if that is a concern.
Also, if you are going in a busy season, realize Values food court will be jammed and there will be more noise b/c more people.

 

[msgoofy]

We have stayed at POP three times and are going back in December. We have stayed in three different buildings and we have never heard anyone next to us or the showers, etc.

We stayed at the Contemporary many years ago and it was noisy where we were located, so I think you take your chances where ever you stay.

I would much rather spend my money on other things in WDW. Just my opinion!

Paula

 

[budbeerlady]

We loved POFQ, it was our first resort. We liked the small resort, short walk thing. It is used by cruise guests so it seemed to be less young families, more adults when we stayed.
This year at the request of DD was are staying at POP, she wants the cool pool, the goofy jets, the whole look of the thing. She is hoping for kids and lots of them to play with. She literally had 1 kid she saw all week at POFQ when she went to the pool. AKL was a little better but she wants kid heaven for her resort and I think Pop will fill that bill. And by staying at POP we can stay much longer than we did at AKL.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Hello: I have been reading this site for a year now. We are making our first "on-site" trip to Disney in early Feb. Right now we (our family of five, the grandmas, and sis/bro in-law & cousins) are thinking of staying at POP. I am wondering if it is worth it to move up to a Moderate.
My biggest concern with POP is that I have seen many people write that the walls are thin & it's huge. I was thinking POFQ, because it is quiet and small. After long days at the park, a good night sleep is a must. I know I can't bank on the better pool because early February weather doesn't necessarily guarentee swimming.
What else makes a moderate worth the extra money?
Any advice is greatly appreicated!!!!!

The grounds are so much more prettier in the mods and there is more of a peaceful, relaxing feel. The rooms are also larger and you will have a larger vanity and dressing area with a privacy curtain compared to the values. Some mods have two sinks vs. one at the values. One mod has a single sink but a double vanity and it's nice to have that space for toiletries. You will also have a coffee maker, small fridge and more room in general. In the value hotels the furniture is rather cheap looking (Pop is better than the All Stars) and the rooms themselves are plain jane while the furnishings at the mod's are better. POFQ's rooms are my favorite, more traditional and more tastefully done. While Pop is fun, POFQ is just relaxing and beautiful. Out of all of the mod's it's my favorite. POFQ and POR also have a nice boat that goes to DD and being on the River gives such a nice view. Like you said, the resort is small and everything is within walking distance. If you want a relaxing trip, choose POFQ. If you just want a more fun, crazier experience, go with Pop. Oh - and don't fret too much about how spread out Pop is. We were in the 90's, which is as far out as you can get and we survived. There is actually a short cut to the buses and food court. You just have to know how to go - just study the map. : )

Good luck!

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

JMHO...yes its worth it. This past trip was my 1st on-site...but the friends we were down with have stayed at all of the mods...it was kind of a budget trip so we figured we'd "save" the 600 bucks (whatever it was...around there) and go with Pop....its just very basic lodging...pretty much an econo-lodge type place with jazzy paint. I just wasn't into the theme-ing at all...the food courts were crowded, and the transportation was always jam packed...

next year we're actually going with a deluxe...but our friends said it IS worth the upgrade to the mods...if you think about it logically, the mods HAVE to offer something MORE than the values...otherwise why would anyone stay there???

I'm sort of a travel snob...I would have enjoyed more down time at our resort...but Pop didn't have all that much to offer...

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have to say that especially with a family the moderate resorts are well worth the money!! My personal favorite is CBR!! I love the Caribbean theme - reminds me of Nassau!!