POP vs POR

[apress]

Looking for some help on which one you would choose. We are currently booked at POR from 9/9-9/19 and there are six of us total going. We have two rooms booked. My problem is we could switch to POP for a savings of $600. We have stayed at both and have had good experiences at both. My husband would prefer POR but would saving $600 sway you to go to POP. Thanks for your help.

 

[goofy4tink]

It would all depend on the kind of stay I was looking for. I was booked for two nights at POP, with my dd, 21, and her best friend. They haven't seen each other for close to 2 years, so this trip to WDW is a big deal for them. After that first two nights, we move over to OKW. BUT...I started thinking about it and decided to make it a really special start to our trip....spent another $300 to stay at POR in a Royal Room for those first two nights!!! The resort is so beautiful, and relaxing that I figured it was only money and it would start our trip off with a bang. It's a surprise for the girls...they think they're going to Pop!
So, having said all that...if you really just want a place to sleep, then go with Pop. But, if you're planning on spending a bit of time at the resort, then I would stay with POR.

 

[Belle61513]

I don't know if I can justify it...
POP really doesn't do it for me so spending a little more for a nicer resort is probably how I would lean. That said, I'm sure you could put that $600 to good use!

 

[HopperFan]

- Is your booking currently with a room discount or is that full price?
- How many in each room - it is 10 days?
- Are you hoping for a Free Dining offer to come out this year?
- Will you be spending much time at the resort?

My DH stayed at POP (which is like a second home for me, see below) once and said no more, moderate and up for him.

 

[EvilQueenT]

I always look at who I'm traveling with, where we'll be spending the most time, and if we're traveling at a time of year we'll be swimming every day. When it's just my granddaughter and I the value resorts are usually fine. We've only really started using them since the prices of the mods took a fairly big bump about 2 years ago. During the warmer months if we're swimming a lot I prefer POR to POP because I don't swim much anymore and it's super easy for me to get out of the sun, sit in the bar area, and we can both come/go to the bathroom area and I can see her all the time. At POP sometimes it's to open in the sun for me. I love having the extra bed space at POR, especially if I travel with say my granddaughter, daughter and her husband...that way we spread out just right. And our third consideration is where we're spending most of our time. When I do F&W with just my daughter, one of my sisters, or just my husband we pick a resort closer to Epcot (POP, CBR, or a boardwalk area resort). We've stayed at deluxe, dvc, moderate, and value resorts and always drive and I honestly like the moderates the best in terms of the least amount of walking from where I park to our room. If the extra $600 won't kill other parts of your vacation then I'd stay at POR or maybe if you're spending a lot of time at the resort at least a preferred room at POP.

 

[darkwing818]

For us it would be POR, but it's our favorite moderate.

 

[goofy4tink]

I will add that my dh refuses to stay at Pop, or any other value resort, ever again! He did it twice....no more. It's either at least a moderate or he's staying home!!

 

[goofyintoronto]

It all depends on the age of the people in your party. I love both resorts!!! But $600 can be a lot if youre on a budget. If you want to save money, go with Pop.

60s Lakeview is so pretty and serene. Pop has some of the best poolside entertainment staff ive seen.

 

[apress]

- Is your booking currently with a room discount or is that full price?
- How many in each room - it is 10 days?
- Are you hoping for a Free Dining offer to come out this year?
- Will you be spending much time at the resort?

My DH stayed at POP (which is like a second home for me, see below) once and said no more, moderate and up for him.

We have a bounce back offer, so we have free dining for the ten days. We will have some down time planned, so we plan on using the pool some. Not sure how we will split the rooms yet(it is me, dh, dd, dd, ds, and my mom) I'm sure the kids will be going back and forth. Also, it's not that we can't afford the extra money, I'm just the type that likes to keep the costs down and has a hard time justifying the extra expense(if that makes any sense). Thanks everyone for the input so far.

 

[JennyDrake]

I would switch.

 

[HopperFan]

We have a bounce back offer, so we have free dining for the ten days. We will have some down time planned, so we plan on using the pool some. Not sure how we will split the rooms yet(it is me, dh, dd, dd, ds, and my mom) I'm sure the kids will be going back and forth. Also, it's not that we can't afford the extra money, I'm just the type that likes to keep the costs down and has a hard time justifying the extra expense(if that makes any sense). Thanks everyone for the input so far.

Just some thoughts -

With a free dining bounceback - is downgrading or changing your reservation at this point possible if they do not offer free dining to the general public. I did this one year (POR down to POP) and had to wait until they opened free dining to the public and it was basically a new reservation.

You may have already done the math adjusting before posting but if not. Does the $600 take into account that the value will only have the QSDP free and to get the regular plan you will have to pay the difference for all of you?

If you are considering the QSDP for 10 days - I would say don't. I did it at POP for 12 days and by day 5 I was over it.

If dining plan is already in the numbers in the end you save $600 with two rooms is $300 each room and ten days is $30 a night per room. I absolutely would pay the extra $30 to be at the moderate, particularly with the Dining Plan. POR gives you a Table Service and the boat to DTD where you have more options to eat.

 

[Amanda999]

With a free dining bounceback - is downgrading or changing your reservation at this point possible if they do not offer free dining to the general public.

Just fyi: OP can change the dates (and even resort) of her free dining bounceback. Of course there has to be a room at the resort under that offer code available when s/he calls to modify.

(I do it ALOT - modify room only and free dining bouncebacks, by modify date and/or resort. Whether its offered to the general public or not is irrelevant, thank goodness!)

 

[HopperFan]

Just fyi: OP can change the dates (and even resort) of her free dining bounceback. Of course there has to be a room at the resort under that offer code available when s/he calls to modify.

(I do it ALOT - modify room only and free dining bouncebacks, by modify date and/or resort. Whether its offered to the general public or not is irrelevant, thank goodness!)

I shared so that she makes sure before she gets her plans lined up to do so. I my case, a few years ago, I was told I could not downgrade, only upgrade my resort with a free dining bounceback. I too was in about Feb/March time frame. They suggested I wait until the free dining came out which I did. Maybe it's not an issue now, but certainly I would verify that.

 

[Disfan1968]

Like an earlier poster I would agree that the upgrade from the quick service plan to the regular dining plan you receive by going to POR alone is worth a huge portion of that $600.00. For me, that would very much justify going with POR.

 

[apress]

I just want to clarify the $600 savings does include me upgrading the dining plan.

 

[maxiesmom]

For me, it would depend on a few things. How much time will the gang be spending at the resort? Will anyone notice the lack of a nice pool or hot tub? Would anyone use a surrey bike, or rent a boat? How about the boat ride to DTD, will anyone want to go to DTD and shop? The boat is a much nicer way to go.

I guess what I am saying is that the only way I would downgrade is if no one plans to spend any time relaxing at the resort.

 

[ellie05]

I will stay at POR hands down worth the difference in price.

 

[Sue M]

Love POR, it's such a beautiful resort, boat to DTD, evening entertainment, just watching and hearing the carriage rides going by makes me smile. And good food court too. ️POR is so relaxing, and peaceful after the parks! no comparison between Pop & POR. And for 10 days, no question, I'd pic POR.

 

[disneybliss2]

I would stay at POR.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

POR everytime unless $600 is really going to hurt you. POR is worth the extra money especially since my wife had some issues with her stay there a few years back and some of our friends did this past year. According to my wife, she would choose off site vs POP.