POP vs POFQ for adults-only, parks-heavy anniversary trip?

[Artygal90]

I know, I know, these threads get posted all the time, but I feel genuinely torn and can't pick! Can you help us? My husband is happy to let me do all the planning which is fine until I need to talk through an expensive decision.

We are trying to plan a 7-night stay starting Sunday of MLK day weekend using a relative's CM discount. We will be coming from a friend's wedding in New Orleans and it will also be our annual anniversary trip. I am planning one down day but mostly planning to spend lots of time in the parks. We are not as concerned with the resort pool or access to a TS restaurant.

Pop!:
Pro - cost is $666 (hah), which would give us more $ for nicer meals. Refurbed rooms look great. Skyliner!
Con - Seems like a busy, high-energy resort with lots of people. Worried about noise, tour groups, and crowded buses

POFQ:
Pro - romantic, compact, looks like a quiet place to relax in the evening when the parks are closed at 8 or 9 each night. Beignets!
Con - more expensive at $967, buses are sometimes shared with POR(?), might want a change of pace after spending Saturday in the real NOLA.

So ultimately it comes down to about a $300 difference between Pop and POFQ. Is the extra money worth it for peaceful ambience and a smaller footprint? What does everyone think?

 

[Searc]

POFQ, no question. I just booked our anniversary stay there.

 

[pacomom]

POFQ! We once spent a couple days in NOLA and a week later flew to Disney World and stayed at POFQ. We got a kick out of the theming so soon afterwards. So fun and so romantic!

 

[daae3]

Pop is high energy and loud! POFQ is beautiful, plus the bar and the musical acts make it more fun for grown ups! I love Pop but if your purpose is celebrate the anniversary, spring for the romantic resort!

 

[Bjkandma]

For a grown up romantic week definitely POFQ. Quiet and smallest resort on site. Can walk over to POR, if you'd like. Boat transportation to Disney Springs, lots of great restaurants.

 

[BaymaxFan78]

It really depends on personal preference.

Since you are going around MLK day, that's usually off season for the south american tour groups (the most horrible groups to stay at a hotel with). Pop definitely isn't romantic. I personally love pop though. Since you are going to spending most of your time at the theme parks, pop is a really good option.

POFQ on the other hand, is a more decent resort with more quality to it. I haven't stayed there yet so I can't say much. But I have been there to just walk around and it is a very quiet resort. I think it's better for anniversary trips only if you're spending a lot of time at the resort.

I don't know if you like Coronado Springs but that's another option. Its usually similar in price to POFQ but has better rooms (my opinion only haha) especially if you stay in the new tower.

 

[Artygal90]

It really depends on personal preference.

Since you are going around MLK day, that's usually off season for the south american tour groups (the most horrible groups to stay at a hotel with). Pop definitely isn't romantic. I personally love pop though. Since you are going to spending most of your time at the theme parks, pop is a really good option.

POFQ on the other hand, is a more decent resort with more quality to it. I haven't stayed there yet so I can't say much. But I have been there to just walk around and it is a very quiet resort. I think it's better for anniversary trips only if you're spending a lot of time at the resort.

I don't know if you like Coronado Springs but that's another option. Its usually similar in price to POFQ but has better rooms (my opinion only haha) especially if you stay in the new tower.

We actually stayed at Coronado Springs on our last trip! We thought it was really pretty but too spread out, and the tower is going to be out of price range for this trip.

I'm glad to hear that there are fewer big tour groups around that time of year, that is a big concern of mine as far as Pop goes.

 

[Keels]

I live in NOLA, so I'm hesitant to stay anywhere that imitates NOLA - but that's just me!

For an anniversary trip, I'd think about beds ... at Pop, you'll have one larger bed guaranteed - either a queen or king. At POFQ, you're going to have to pay for a king bed (if they even have them available), or you're getting a room with two queens that - yes - is larger than Pop, but two beds would be a deal-breaker for me on a special trip like that.

Also, the ability to avoid Disney busses to get to two parks (Skyliner) would trump a resort being "busy, high-energy" - especially if I wasn't planning on spending more time than just sleeping at the resort.

So - I go with Pop!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Since you are going around MLK day, that's usually off season for the south american tour groups

Really? Isn't that the middle of summer?

 

[buzznina]

If you were spending more time at the resort I would say POFQ, but why pay more for a resort that you are not really going to be at much. On your down day, if you do not want to spend time at POP, go resort hopping or Disney Springs and like you mentioned treat yourselves to a couple of nice dinners with the extra $$.

 

[agavegirl1]

Park heavy trip? POP is fine for a couples stay. We stayed there last time. There were downsides. But if you plan your meals for elsewhere and need a place to rest your head, it’s great. It was fun, affordable and the quiet pool was perfectly “quiet”. I do like the new refurbished rooms. We went before the change.

POFQ would be my choice for if you need a calming place to lay your head and start your morning, a hot tub, nicer pool bar, and more adult theming. Our trip this Fall is at POR for a different type of focus. Also, I don’t think POP pricing reflects its value anymore.

 

[sponica]

It depends on park hours. Are parks closing at 9/10, then I'd want POFQ. Parks open till 11 or midnight, Pop.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

POFQ. I just love that resort!!

 

[Lewisc]

Are you willing to spend an extra $300 to stay at POFQ? I mean increase the total cost of your vacation by $300. If so go for it. Much more adult and romantic atmosphere.

Is your budget fixed? In other words will paying an extra $300 for your room result in cutbacks in meals or activities.? My decision would be based on examining what you'd be cutting back. Skipping the hopper option on tickets is something to consider. Not a huge savings but reducing your tickets by a day, skip either arrival or departure day, is an idea.

 

[Disneylover99]

For an extra $300 for a couples trip? Yes, I’d switch to POFQ. And I’m a Pop lover.

 

[Searc]

I live in NOLA, so I'm hesitant to stay anywhere that imitates NOLA - but that's just me!

For an anniversary trip, I'd think about beds ... at Pop, you'll have one larger bed guaranteed - either a queen or king. At POFQ, you're going to have to pay for a king bed (if they even have them available), or you're getting a room with two queens that - yes - is larger than Pop, but two beds would be a deal-breaker for me on a special trip like that.

Also, the ability to avoid Disney busses to get to two parks (Skyliner) would trump a resort being "busy, high-energy" - especially if I wasn't planning on spending more time than just sleeping at the resort.

So - I go with Pop!

I literally booked a King room last night for our upcoming trip. They are available and are $20 more a night.

 

[CynBeth]

POFQ!

 

[casperthegm]

My wife and I are in a similar situation, with our anniversary trip coming up. And we're also going heavy on park time vs down time at the hotel. Even with limited time at the hotel we're going with POR rather than Pop. It's just nice to wake up and spend what time we do have in a nice, more tranquil environment, and same with our return in the evening. It's all subjective and everyone's budget is different, but I think it's worth it, even if it's for a limited time. Especially for an anniversary.

 

[unrequited23]

We just got back from a quick adults only trip and stayed at Pop. We stayed as a family at POFQ this past January. POFQ was more relaxing and seemed to have a more laid back feel. I have no complaints about Pop, there was much more activity and the pools were hopping until later in the evening. I would avoid the food court and rooms with pool views if you choose Pop for your trip. We had good luck with buses at both.

The parks will most likely close early in January. I think we had 8 & 9pm closes last year. Some days it got pretty chilly too. Even with hoodies and gloves it seemed to tire us out and we wanted to head back to the resort earlier than planned for some restorative cocoa and beignets.

If it's in the budget I would stay at POFQ, if it's not you can have a fun park-focused trip at Pop.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Book a king bed at Pop and put that savings to a great dinner to celebrate.