POP vs POR....

[tjknitz]

Ok here's my situation.....I upgraded from POP Standard Room (wanted a room in the 60's building facing the lake) to a POR Preferred room. I've only stayed on property once and that was at POP back in 2009. My family is me, DH, DD(7) and DS(4).

Pros to POR:
1. Queen size bed
2. Beautiful grounds
3. Better pool than POP (at least from what I can tell from pictures)
4. It's something different - never stayed there before.

Cons to POR:
1. It's $600 more expensive

With that in mind, we will be spending a little more time than usual at the resort. The weather is going to be insanely hot and mid day breaks for swimming or resting is going to be a requirement.
Am I crazy to stick with POR? Should I save that money, apply it towards a savings account for the next trip? Or are the grounds and queen sized beds really worth it? My husband and I are both small people, but I can't imagine squeezing into a full bed when we sleep in a queen at home.

Also, we will be in Disney for the first week of Free Dining. I'm not sure how crowded POP is going to be the first week....how about POR (since they did offer it that week, I'm sure the majority of people went there if they had the opportunity)?

 

[deannaf87]

The queen beds alone make it worth it to me. You need rest on a Disney vacation, especially in summer. You're going to get better rest in a queen bed, no question.

The $600 seems like money well spent IMO.

 

[richmo]

The key to me in your post was "we will be spending a little more time than usual at the resort". Since you'll want more than a box with a bed this time, I think POR is a good choice.

As far as the crowd level in the resort, free dining will have the resorts full...but they're full most of the time anyway...so it shouldn't make much difference.

 

[LisaCM614]

I would spend it on POR with the nicer pool and dining options. Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[PrncessA]

I would stay with POR. As a PP said, just having a queen bed makes it worth it. Besides that, POR is a wonderful resort and so relaxing!

 

[goofy4tink]

You're going to love POR! It is worth the addtl cost if you're planning on more resort time. And the main pool is terrific.....much nicer than Pops pool the slide is so much fun for the kids.
You won't notice any crowds at the resort. You may very well notice more guests at the restaurants though. Other than that, you really won't have any issues.

 

[darrengs]

Ok here's my situation.....I upgraded from POP Standard Room (wanted a room in the 60's building facing the lake) to a POR Preferred room. I've only stayed on property once and that was at POP back in 2009. My family is me, DH, DD(7) and DS(4).

Pros to POR:
1. Queen size bed
2. Beautiful grounds
3. Better pool than POP (at least from what I can tell from pictures)
4. It's something different - never stayed there before.

Cons to POR:
1. It's $600 more expensive

With that in mind, we will be spending a little more time than usual at the resort. The weather is going to be insanely hot and mid day breaks for swimming or resting is going to be a requirement.
Am I crazy to stick with POR? Should I save that money, apply it towards a savings account for the next trip? Or are the grounds and queen sized beds really worth it? My husband and I are both small people, but I can't imagine squeezing into a full bed when we sleep in a queen at home.

Also, we will be in Disney for the first week of Free Dining. I'm not sure how crowded POP is going to be the first week....how about POR (since they did offer it that week, I'm sure the majority of people went there if they had the opportunity)?

I say POR if you can.


IMO I do not believe the "we only sleep in our room" adage. You need to get ready in the room, you need to relax and unwind at night in the room, you need to get a good nights sleep in the room, and you need to store all of your stuff and suitcases in your room. Our resort of choice is POFQ, yet we have also stayed at POP, POR, AKL, WL, CR, and YC. We only stayed one night last year at POP before our YC reservation, and for my family POP was not a hit. My kids are older (11 & 16 at the time), and we felt cramped, the beds seemed small, as like you we are used to queen beds at home Also the single sink made it harder to get ready in the morning. However, even after our stay at YC, my family agreed that it was nice and we enjoyed our stay but we still missed and preferred POFQ. So that is where we are staying this summer.

 

[Babsy]

Definitely stay with POR! So much nicer for $600 extra! That is especially true if you plan to spend any time at the resort. Larger rooms, queen beds, great pool, boat to Downtown Disney, able to use POFQ facilities and pool also, TS as well as QS restaurant, Yeehaw Bob entertainment and beautiful lush grounds!! You will love it there!

 

[DrBanner]

POR is one of my top resorts to stay at.. The pool is very nice and the resort itself is excellent..

 

[supradupafast]

If POR has free dining, that alone is worth the $600 IMO (and of course queen beds).

 

[Jadyreen1282]

You will not regret POR. The Quiet Pools alone should sell you. This is the one next to our room. Ignore the uh can of....:

 

[tjknitz]

I love the overwhelming responses in favor of POR. I was hoping at least one person would tell me I'm not crazy for spending the extra money to stay at POR....and it turns out that all of you think it is well worth it! WHEW! I'm so excited to stay at this resort!!!

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I used to stay at POP. I love it but it got to overcrowded for me, especially at the food court and the lack of frequency with the buses. I switched to POR for our last trip, and LOVED it! More frequent buses so less crowded. The resort itself is peaceful with beautiful scenery. I'm so excitied to stay there again in September! I hope you enjoy!

 

[darrengs]

I love the overwhelming responses in favor of POR. I was hoping at least one person would tell me I'm not crazy for spending the extra money to stay at POR....and it turns out that all of you think it is well worth it! WHEW! I'm so excited to stay at this resort!!!

Makes it an easy decision then