POP = Walmart?

[DisneyBride'03]

Darby,
Nice positive post

 

[Fredd's Girl]

I don't understand why people continue to book rooms at the All Stars and POP and then complain that the accomodations are not comparable to Yacht and Beach Club, or the GF.

For $100 per night I think the All Stars and POP are fantastic. When we've had a little more money, we've stayed at the moderates or WL and it's been good value for the money. I also don't undertand the misconception that only "poor" people stay at All Stars or POP. It's really more of a situation of choosing where you'd like to spend your money. For some families, it's more important to have $ to eat in the nicer restaurants, or buy more souveniers, so they stay at a cheaper resort.

I just get frustrated that the All Star and POP guests tend to get classified as second class citizens. Anyone that can afford a Disney trip is blessed to be able to do so, regardless of whether you're in the last building in the All Stars or the finest suite in the Grand Floridian. We're all people with a common love of Disney, there doesn't have to be social status checks at resorts.

 

[DarbyB]

Thanks Disney Bride,

 

[Lilysmom]

I'm not asking this to be snarky.... I'm looking for an honest answer. I can care less if everyone and their mother uses a scooter or a wheelchair while in Disney World. I don't care if you have a disability or don't have a disablity or if you are lazy or fat or cross eyed or whatever your reason may be. But WHY does using some sort of device to aid you in your mobility mean that you get to go to the front of the line? I guess I can kind of see the rides because they are sort of narrow and you wouldn't be able to queue and the person utilizing it, I'm assuming, wouldn't be able to stand for long periods of time.....but the bus lines certainly aren't narrow. I've stoof in them with a double stroller open and had plenty of room and then some.

I have no problem having to wait for a bus. I have no problem not being able to get on the bus because there was someone in front of me (whether they have a party of one with them or 100) in a scooter/wheelchair. What bothers me is when I have been waiting in line and someone clearly arrives after me and goes right to the front with their party so that they can board the bus in front of me. Getting on the bus isn't like an emergency situation. You are sitting and you are just as capable of waiting as myself and my small children. I think that's probably what irks people the most. If the person using the scooter or wheelchair was in front of them I don't think anyone could complain (well I guess people COULD but then they would be very rude.) It's when the person GETS in front of them that people get peeved.

As far as POP being like Walmart to each their own. Personally I'm not a value kind of person but I think it's a great option for people who choose to stay there. That being said I read the OP's comments to be more like a you-get-what-you-pay-for type of thing. I wouldn't go into Walmart or Target and buy a blouse for $9 and expect it to hold up the same way an $90 blouse from Nordstroms would, KWIM? If the values were comparable to the deluxes and offered the same atmosphere and amenities they wouldn't be over $200/night cheaper. As long as you go into your stay at any hotel knowing that you are getting what you paid for then I think you are fine. I wouldn't book a Motel 6 and expect Ritz standards and amenities. Just my .02.

 

[chimmie219]

wow-this thread is all over the place,But as far as the disabilities and the wheelchairs-you just dont know.I am going to drift a little more just to give an example of how you just dont know.While in the animal conservatory in the animal kingdom,a family was brought to the front of the line to meet pocahantas.
They just kind of appeared and were up in the front out of nowhere-many remarks from people on line,and you could hear it quite loudly.
The cm came over to the line and (very nicely,by the way)informed the folks complaining that the little girl-who appeared to be about 7,was a make a wish kid and had a terminal illness.She was the sweetest looking little girl and her family looked so strong for what they were dealing wth.So,you just dont know.

 

[vbarry]

OP...well I read it...you guys did stir up the boards!! Welcome to DVC!!

 

[chimmie219]

I don't understand why people continue to book rooms at the All Stars and POP and then complain that the accomodations are not comparable to Yacht and Beach Club, or the GF.

For $100 per night I think the All Stars and POP are fantastic. When we've had a little more money, we've stayed at the moderates or WL and it's been good value for the money. I also don't undertand the misconception that only "poor" people stay at All Stars or POP. It's really more of a situation of choosing where you'd like to spend your money. For some families, it's more important to have $ to eat in the nicer restaurants, or buy more souveniers, so they stay at a cheaper resort.

I just get frustrated that the All Star and POP guests tend to get classified as second class citizens. Anyone that can afford a Disney trip is blessed to be able to do so, regardless of whether you're in the last building in the All Stars or the finest suite in the Grand Floridian. We're all people with a common love of Disney, there doesn't have to be social status checks at resorts.

You are right on the money.I think that is one of the reasons that these type of threads get so much response ,there are so many people who seem to think that the value resorts have ruined disney for the rest of them.we spent alot of money to go to walt disney world.far more than we would normally spend on a vacation.And it was well worth it.But staying at the value and then throw in the free dining and some people think you are there illegally.We completely enjoyed our first stay on property,so much that i would find it hard to stay off property.If it wasnt for the values ,i probably wouldnt have gone this year.Don't get me wrong-I would love to stay at a deluxe-it is actually one of my dream vacations.but for now,pop is it for me (and a few thousand others,because it was packed).

 

[merryweather20]

I'm not asking this to be snarky.... I'm looking for an honest answer. I can care less if everyone and their mother uses a scooter or a wheelchair while in Disney World. I don't care if you have a disability or don't have a disablity or if you are lazy or fat or cross eyed or whatever your reason may be. But WHY does using some sort of device to aid you in your mobility mean that you get to go to the front of the line? I guess I can kind of see the rides because they are sort of narrow and you wouldn't be able to queue and the person utilizing it, I'm assuming, wouldn't be able to stand for long periods of time.....but the bus lines certainly aren't narrow. I've stoof in them with a double stroller open and had plenty of room and then some.

I have no problem having to wait for a bus. I have no problem not being able to get on the bus because there was someone in front of me (whether they have a party of one with them or 100) in a scooter/wheelchair. What bothers me is when I have been waiting in line and someone clearly arrives after me and goes right to the front with their party so that they can board the bus in front of me. Getting on the bus isn't like an emergency situation. You are sitting and you are just as capable of waiting as myself and my small children. I think that's probably what irks people the most. If the person using the scooter or wheelchair was in front of them I don't think anyone could complain (well I guess people COULD but then they would be very rude.) It's when the person GETS in front of them that people get peeved.

As far as POP being like Walmart to each their own. Personally I'm not a value kind of person but I think it's a great option for people who choose to stay there. That being said I read the OP's comments to be more like a you-get-what-you-pay-for type of thing. I wouldn't go into Walmart or Target and buy a blouse for $9 and expect it to hold up the same way an $90 blouse from Nordstroms would, KWIM? If the values were comparable to the deluxes and offered the same atmosphere and amenities they wouldn't be over $200/night cheaper. As long as you go into your stay at any hotel knowing that you are getting what you paid for then I think you are fine. I wouldn't book a Motel 6 and expect Ritz standards and amenities. Just my .02.

The people you see leaving the queue for a ride do not get on immediately. They leave to go somewhere else to wait. Sure the odd time the wait has been shorter, say at IASW when the wheel-chair boat pulls up at the right time But most of the time its alot longer. Kilimanjara safari's for example I wait in the whole queue and then get pulled aside to wait in an additional queue my shortest additional wait (thats in addition to the time you or any other able bodied person would have waited) was 20 minutes, the longest 1 full hour. Does it still sound like a benefit to you?

Your forgetting something when you talk about busses. We get off dead last. So while you've hopped off the bus and are heading into the hotel or park, I'm still waiting, waiting for everyone else to unload, waiting for the ramp to drop, for my chair to be untied.

Wheel-chairs and scooters board first for the simple reason that they need more room to maneuver into a spot and be tied down. The other poster who said a wheel-chair user got in line, is actually inconveniencing the bus-driver. Remember there are only two tie-down spots on each bus, and thats if the lift or ramp and tie-downs are working correctly. You think you've waited long for a bus? You haven't seen anything.

I think its likely that the people listing 12+ were exagerating. Disney policy is 5 additional members, and I personally have never seen more than 4.

But with all this extra waiting is it really worth it for someone with accessibility needs to visit Disney? Yep! The kicker is its the most accessible place I've been! Thus me and, many other people with mobility issues end up in your way.

Count me as one of the people that doubts the OP has both a medical degree and ESP. I'm under thirty with severe arthritis so I doubt he/she'd be able to tell I need my wheel-chair and my knees are locked at 90 degrees from joint damage.

 

[Rylee]

WOW, I have to respond on how this thread has taken a spin. My husband was the one who posted the original post, and the main message he was trying to convey was the reality of staying at the POP. I did warn him that if you have a negative view, you can get bashed and things get spun into something else, which is what has happened. Before, our trip we read all of the positive raves about this hotel, and that is why we decided to go. We DID only want a place to sleep, since the majority of our time was going to be at the parks. WE LOVE DISNEY and had a fabulous time, but staying here changed how we felt about "sleeping only". The inconviences are worth it to us and maybe to others like us to spend a little more money next time. We were at Disney a week in Feb (which is not a peak time) and the lines were the longest and the farthest away, people need to know especially if they are traveling with small children or disabilties. I do take offense that people think my husband is bashing people with disabilties. I am a medical office manager,and we have a twin niece and nephew who have disabilites from birth, who should get special treatment and have been to disney. It is going to the front of the line in front of people who have been waiting, standing, for over 30 minutes with their whole party. This process alone takes 10-15 min. This happened time and again and that is what is frustrating, everyone should have to wait their turn. This process did not happen at the other resorts because they did not have the amout of people staying there. Having a scooter should not allow you to go to the front of the line in front of hundreds of people, the system is being abused.
Also, at POP we were told if you left housekeeping good tips, you would get towel animals and they would decorate your room with them and all your disney characters. This didn't happen and we were leaving $5.00 a day. I think because it is so busy. So, if you expect that you should leave a note.

One more point, the checkout to magical express to check our luggage took over 90 minutes in the morning. We thought we would have all day to spend our final day at the parks, but with that, and then you have to be back at POP 3 hours before your flight we ended up only having 3 hours. You just need to be prepared for those things. When I got back I saw that the POP is the 10th biggest hotel in the world and you defintely can tell that. It is a value, but we joined the Disney Vacation Club when we got home and are happy to say that we will be spending our time in a 2BR villa next time and hopefully a more relaxing vacation. It is just our opinion and forewarning to others. Lastly, I shop at Walmart all the time, I just don't want to vacation there!!

To the OP's wife,

I understand the need to defend your husband, but perhaps you should also, explain to him that some disabilites are "hidden."

Your husband clearly questions the definition of the disabled and their needs. Guessing which guest have justified rights and which guest are "lazy", seems about as morbid as sitting outside an operating room and guessing which patients are having a broken bone reset or which ones are having a life threatening surgery to have a life threatening tumor removed.

I do agree he/anyone has a right to express his opinions and dissatisfaction with any and all things Disney.

I also agree he has a right to question Disney's policies on everything and anything... including smoking locations and why wheelchair and ECV users and their families are loaded first.

However, I would hope he can do so, in a manner that doesn't add insult to injury, especially to those who know far more than they ever wanted to know, about living with a disability, and already have a constant ache in their hearts.

Also, I would expect him to have a willingness to listen and learn when others with knowledge or experience on a certain subject, offer an explanation, when reacting to his comments.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your stay at Pop, but now you know by having experienced it. I hope others can gain some insight to the disabled, without having to experiencing it.

 

[Lilysmom]

The people you see leaving the queue for a ride do not get on immediately. They leave to go somewhere else to wait. Sure the odd time the wait has been shorter, say at IASW when the wheel-chair boat pulls up at the right time But most of the time its alot longer. Kilimanjara safari's for example I wait in the whole queue and then get pulled aside to wait in an additional queue my shortest additional wait (thats in addition to the time you or any other able bodied person would have waited) was 20 minutes, the longest 1 full hour. Does it still sound like a benefit to you?

Your forgetting something when you talk about busses. We get off dead last. So while you've hopped off the bus and are heading into the hotel or park, I'm still waiting, waiting for everyone else to unload, waiting for the ramp to drop, for my chair to be untied.

Wheel-chairs and scooters board first for the simple reason that they need more room to maneuver into a spot and be tied down. The other poster who said a wheel-chair user got in line, is actually inconveniencing the bus-driver. Remember there are only two tie-down spots on each bus, and thats if the lift or ramp and tie-downs are working correctly. You think you've waited long for a bus? You haven't seen anything.

I think its likely that the people listing 12+ were exagerating. Disney policy is 5 additional members, and I personally have never seen more than 4.

But with all this extra waiting is it really worth it for someone with accessibility needs to visit Disney? Yep! The kicker is its the most accessible place I've been! Thus me and, many other people with mobility issues end up in your way.

Count me as one of the people that doubts the OP has both a medical degree and ESP. I'm under thirty with severe arthritis so I doubt he/she'd be able to tell I need my wheel-chair and my knees are locked at 90 degrees from joint damage.

Well, like I said, I can totally see the ride lines because they are not conducive to the size of a wheelchair or ECV. But the bus lines are. And the fact that there are only two wheelchair spots still doesn't make me understand why they are able to go in front of other guests already waiting for the bus. The same way another bus comes along for the able bodied another will be along for those utilizing wheelchairs and ECVs, no? As far as them needing to be able to manuever there are many times that a wheelchair or ECV user will get on to a bus that has made prior stops and has people on it. Obviously the people utilizing the wheelchair/ECV spot need to move but it's not like the bus driver has everyone get off the bus to accomodate a wheelchair/ecv.

With three kids under five I'm not hopping off an going anywhere. With three kids, three strollers, a diaper bag and whatever loot we lug back from the parks you probably beat us! LOL

Thank you very much for answering my question in a nonargumentative way.

 

[merryweather20]

Well, like I said, I can totally see the ride lines because they are not conducive to the size of a wheelchair or ECV. But the bus lines are. And the fact that there are only two wheelchair spots still doesn't make me understand why they are able to go in front of other guests already waiting for the bus. The same way another bus comes along for the able bodied another will be along for those utilizing wheelchairs and ECVs, no? As far as them needing to be able to manuever there are many times that a wheelchair or ECV user will get on to a bus that has made prior stops and has people on it. Obviously the people utilizing the wheelchair/ECV spot need to move but it's not like the bus driver has everyone get off the bus to accomodate a wheelchair/ecv.

With three kids under five I'm not hopping off an going anywhere. With three kids, three strollers, a diaper bag and whatever loot we lug back from the parks you probably beat us! LOL

Thank you very much for answering my question in a nonargumentative way.

Woohoo! I was going for non-argumentative!

I'll add two things to my previous post:

A. I think I read somewhere that the bus driver has to "supervise" each guest getting on (to some extent), as a result the bus driver can't be in the back of the bus concentrating on helping the wheel-chair users get on, and have the bus doors open. So at some point the able bodied people are being loaded and at one point the wheel-chair users are being loaded. The wheel-chair users are giving it up at the other end by waiting until everyone else gets off, so I know some of the posters don't see it this way but it really isn't a one way street. You wait at the start I wait at the end.


B.However many people are on the bus they'll be less room once everyone else gets on. Not only for the chairs, even for the bus driver to fend his was to the back

And I'll just respond to this quickly :

The same way another bus comes along for the able bodied another will be along for those utilizing wheelchairs and ECVs, no?

I'm only waiting for one of two spots if they are functioning correctly. Able-bodied people are waiting for maybe 1 of 60 (I really have no idea how many seats).
My Dad and I got into one situation that was pretty much a comedy of errors once we got to the front of the line (6 people, so 3 buses) we had a bus with, a broken ramp, we then got one bus that had one broken harness and we let a family with young children take the other spot, then the bus with the broken ramp came back, the next bus was full already and so on and so on. I'm sure most people have waited through two or three buses, but have you ever waited through 8? In my comment in my original post, I was basically just getting all defensive about not waiting for buses, because boy have I waited for some buses

By the way 3 strollers No idea how you manage that!

 

[collcass]

)

 

[tinkerjess]

GREAT!!! that is the hotel i planned on staying at. w/ my 3 DD AND 9 DS! we have never been to DW! and im staying the first week in dec2008! i dont know if i should change resort!!!! if so which resort??????

 

[darlak]

The walmart comment is stating that pop is good for somethings not everything. You get what you pay for. Also, my opinion is not bashing. I am saying, "it is not for me" and I won't go back. Not everything is great and I have the right to say so.

I completely agree that you have every right to express your opinion of any resort. However, you went beyond that with your Wal-Mart comment.

I have stayed at all levels of resorts at WDW and found something to enjoy about all of them. One thing I have never done though is to judge someone by their resort choice. I find it sad to think about the insecurities one must have to do just that in order to make themselves feel more important.

DH likes the CR or the Poly and would stay there every trip if he got to make that decision alone. Next month we'll be at POR, which I love. If I were the only one making the decision though, I would probably stay at Pop every trip. I love it there. By the way, I rarely shop at Wal-Mart and have never bought any clothing item other than socks there.

I realize that I’m sounding pretty judgmental myself here, but it’s not based on your choice of resort, but rather on the arrogant and superior tone of your post.

 

[chrisw127]

I think it's important to get different viewpoints on the resorts. I appreciate hearing about everyone's experience, especially if it's done in a respectful way, which I think the OP did, at least partially.

The part about disabilities made me a little sad. I'm not even going to speculate why someone is using a wheelchair or scooter. I'm just going to assume they need it, give them the respect they deserve, and help when I can. Because I'm lucky I don't need it and I'm thankful everyday for my health. Sure, someone might abuse it. But I really doubt that is anything but a very small minority.

Oh, and I've always been a Target girl myself. Have you seen the bathrooms in Walmart?

 

[chimmie219]

GREAT!!! that is the hotel i planned on staying at. w/ my 3 DD AND 9 DS! we have never been to DW! and im staying the first week in dec2008! i dont know if i should change resort!!!! if so which resort??????

change only if you want to.its a great resort and perfect for kids.I loved it,my kids loved it even more.Its big,noisy ,colorful and the giant icons everywhere add to the whole experience.we stayed in the 50s building third floor facing the lake.It was fine.It was not to noisy,as a matter of fact it was peaceful.But next time, i am going to try and get a room in the 70's building(i think it may be prefered rooms in this area) facing the hippy dippy pool.this is probably the noisest of the areas,but it justs looks like a fun area to stay in.

 

[ntsammy5]

We've stayed in evry resort on property, exluding DVC, CSR and POR, and have never had a problem with any of them. They're all different but every one is fun.

 

[Minnie Lor]

I stayed at Pop for the first time last December. Pop Warner was going on. I Pop but hated the bus. Long, long. long lines.

I'm hoping that that isn't the case when I show off WDW to my friends in May. I understand that the Pop bus is the farthest but the lines started all that way at the first bus stop. I waited 1 1/2 hours or more to go back to Pop. I always wanted to get some hot chocolate on the way to room but they were closed by the time that I got there. It took 1 1/2 to get to Epcot one morning.

There were a lot of scooters. I'm sure that factored in there somehow.

Other than the bus problems, I loved Pop. Loved the food court, the theme-ing, all of it.

 

[SnowWhite1937]

I was reading this post last night and my dh and I were having a discussion about values vs. other hotels.

Yes, we would love to stay at the Poly or GF, but like many others we only sleep, swim and dress at the hotel, the rest of our time is spent in the parks or DTD. We appreciate the value and like to put the saved money towards other things.

I was reading the ops out loud, when my 6 year old ds came in and asked what we were talking about. After I explained to him what the post said, I told him that we all have opinions and that is okay, some people agree with us and some don't. He said to me,"Mom, you need to tell those people that the POP Century is the best, most fun place to stay, I love it". Dh and I just looked at each and that sealed it for us, we are gonna keep staying at the POP.

If we have to wait a few minutes more to get on the bus, then that is a few minutes more to anticipate the fun to come.

If we have to fight through a bunch of people to get through the food court, then that is MUCH better than fighting a bunch of high schoolers to get to the cafeteria.

And most importantly, we are just going to be glad that we have the means to take our boy on trips like this and cherish it while we can, really isn't this what it is really about? Spending time in the HAPPIEST place on earth with the ones you love the most!

That's a really nice post. I agree with your sentiments, too. Of course when staying Deluxe, you will have more amenities, etc. but values offer a great experience, too. Kids love them. I would avoid them during very busy times, though. Do I like Poly and Grand Floridian better than Pop- yes, but that's to be expected. It doesn't mean pop is not a great place.

I do have to agree with the OP about the choice of smoking area locations. To have them right next to the lobby entrance or bus stop makes no sense. They should be off to the side, not next to a place everyone *has* to walk through to get to a destination.

The ECV thing is an age old debate. Except in very rare cases, I can't tell who is a legitimate user and who is an abuser, but maybe Disney should? If someone wants to rent one, whether they have a legitimate need or not, I really can't say, but what bothers me is the people who drive them danerously on purpose. ( I know some people make mistakes, but that's not what I'm talking baout here).

Could they ask them for a Dr's note to stop the few people who might want to get drunk and play ECV tag? Or else could Disney ask people who are actinglike that (playing ECV tag) to leave the park?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We love Pop but not the buses. This has more with me being a control freak than anything else so we rent a car whenever we stay here. Love the rooms, love the theming and especially love the food court and gift shop!

We've stayed deluxe and usually split our stay between it and Pop.