POR vs POP

[JulieMB]

We are heading back in Dec '16 for 8-10 days. It's been 6 LONG years since we've been there. The big decision is, of-course, where to stay.

We've stayed at Wilderness Lodge, Caribbean Beach, and Animal Kingdom on our last three trips.

Our kiddos will be 9 (DD) & 12 (DS) when we make the trip and thought maybe POP would be fun for them. I am concerned about the noise, transportation, and everything else that goes with a resort that has 2000+ rooms. I think we would book a preferred room in the 50s sections as my son is an old soul and (I think) would get a kick out of the ambiance.

I read great reports about POR, but wonder if it would have the appeal that the POP has? My husband and I are drawn to it, of-course, for the quaintness, ease of transportation, etc.

Price wise- we are HOPING for fall free dining and IF we stayed at POP, we would upgrade to the next tier of the dining plan. SO, if you take into account the difference in cost between to the two plans versus the price difference in the rooms, it's a wash...

We don't typically spend much time in our rooms, BUT since we are going for a longer time this trip, we will probably build in some "down time" at the resorts.

Thoughts?

 

[bbak30]

We stayed at POP in 2010 and didn't care for it, mostly due to the size and transportation issues. I felt like there were tons of scooters and buses took FOREVER. The food court was always a zoo.

We stayed at POR in 2014 and loved it. The resort is beautiful and we had great luck with the buses. The food court was usually very busy, but not as bad as POP was.

I don't think I can ever stay in a value again, POP ruined me. The resort itself was fine, it was just everything else that went with it.

 

[dansdad]

What you will get at POR that you won't a Pop:

Bigger rooms
Queen beds
Double sinks
Coffee maker in room
Ceiling fans
Multiple covered bus stops
Hot tubs
Pool slides
Sit down restaurant
Yeeha Bob
Boat to Disney Springs
Lusher grounds

Now it's up to you to decide if the above amenities are worth the extra $$.

 

[buzznina]

If price is the same, then I would take a Mod over a Value just for queen beds vs full beds alone We do not even consider transportation in our resort decision, because it really could be good or bad at any resort, including the monorail. Another benefit with POR over POP is "if" you use the pool that the main pool has a slide that kids enjoy.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

We stayed at POP for years and then we surprised my niece with the royal room at POR. She thought the room was great, but missed the nostalgia at POP. That being said, she got over it pretty quickly. I'm sure your children will be happy at either. The question is, will you? By looking at your previous resorts, I see that you've only stayed deluxe and mod. A value resort may not make you and your H happy as you would be missing out on all the things that dansdad mentioned.

 

[Kevin355]

Mod any day.

 

[Babsy]

You are right, price wise with dining plan upgrade you are probably just as well off at POR as at POP.

POP is a nice value, but it doesn't compare to a mod well at all, IMO.

As Dansdad said, there are a lot of things missing at values that you get at moderates. I think that your kids would enjoy POR much more than POP. The great pool area at POR is just being refurbed and will be a lot of fun. Plus, you get a slide at the pool. Plus you can rent surrey bikes and ride to POFQ, where you are allowed to use all the facilities there as well as those at POR. Yes haa Bob is a ton of fun for adults and kids alike. There is the boat to DS with all the fun there.

You will enjoy PO much more as well. The extra space in the rooms is great for everyone. Book a preferred room in AB and have the extra bed for the 9 year old. Better beds, sheets and towels are nice too.

I would definitely go with POR over POP!

 

[JulieMB]

Wow, overwhelming support for POR!

A couple of questions:

The pool was mentioned several times; is that even a factor since we are going in December?

Royal Room?!?!?! My daughter is 99.9% sure she is a Disney Princess. Worth the extra expense?

I'd like to feel that I'm not a hotel snob, we just happened into fantastic deals on our previous trips.

I just read him the responses and he said to book POR. NOW, the question is what type of room to book? Royal for my princess? Standard because even standard is better than what we were getting at the value? I just hate to waste money on a room that we will hardly be in. Disney is going to get the money, I am just not sure if we use it for a better room??

 

[jaceraden]

Royal Rooms only accommodate 4 + 1 under 3, I believe - so we can't stay in one. Otherwise, it would be on our radar for upcoming trips.

Also, the pools are heated so actually swimming is nice. It can be a little nippy when you get out though. We have swam in December on 2 trips now but we are hardy Canadians and we got a few looks from bundled up lifeguards on the cooler days.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I would book garden view at POR - I've done the Royal Rooms twice and while they are nice, booking one means putting out extra money that could be used elsewhere.

I only ended up in them because that was the only discounted room available when I booked the first time and the 2nd time I got a free upgrade to it.

I love POR - I stayed elsewhere on my last trip and missed it.

 

[HM2012Butler]

POP isn't fun for anyone. Neither is All star. 100% POR. I am a little biased though, POR (Dixie Landing at the time) was the first place I ever stayed at Disney. The resort wont matter to the kids as much as you think and POP doesn't look so hot anyway/

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Have you seen pics of the royal rooms? They are pretty special and your daughter will love it (you probably will too). Honestly, your 9 yr old may not be into princesses next time, so if you can swing it, I would. I say this as my niece is now in college--time and childhood flies.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

We happen to like Pop and hubby and I had a great stay there in January, but to me the value resort rooms are way too small for four. Definitely moderate!

 

[TwoCortWort]

We have stayed at Pop and All Stars both with 4 of us, 3 adults plus a teenager. It's doable for 4 people, but can't imagine more than that in that room. We have had more issues with the housekeeping there more recently with them not taking care of the mold/mildew issue in the bathrooms our past 2 trips (we have been in the same room too...would've thought they would fix it) but if you don't mind cozy I say do it, but want more room, I say upgrade.

 

[Shanti]

You are right, price wise with dining plan upgrade you are probably just as well off at POR as at POP.

POP is a nice value, but it doesn't compare to a mod well at all, IMO.

As Dansdad said, there are a lot of things missing at values that you get at moderates. I think that your kids would enjoy POR much more than POP. The great pool area at POR is just being refurbed and will be a lot of fun. Plus, you get a slide at the pool. Plus you can rent surrey bikes and ride to POFQ, where you are allowed to use all the facilities there as well as those at POR. Yes haa Bob is a ton of fun for adults and kids alike. There is the boat to DS with all the fun there.

You will enjoy PO much more as well. The extra space in the rooms is great for everyone. Book a preferred room in AB and have the extra bed for the 9 year old. Better beds, sheets and towels are nice too.

I would definitely go with POR over POP!

POR also offers horse-drawn carriage rides.

 

[Shanti]

Wow, overwhelming support for POR!

A couple of questions:

The pool was mentioned several times; is that even a factor since we are going in December?

Royal Room?!?!?! My daughter is 99.9% sure she is a Disney Princess. Worth the extra expense?

I'd like to feel that I'm not a hotel snob, we just happened into fantastic deals on our previous trips.

I just read him the responses and he said to book POR. NOW, the question is what type of room to book? Royal for my princess? Standard because even standard is better than what we were getting at the value? I just hate to waste money on a room that we will hardly be in. Disney is going to get the money, I am just not sure if we use it for a better room??

I would book the royal room for my little girl if I were you. Don't tell her about it in advance, then watch her face when you all arrive.

 

[constantstar]

We're going in December and I just battled the same dilemma. We ended up going POR royal room and I'm really excited about it. I splurged and added 2 nights at Wilderness Lodge to the end of our trip - how did you like it?

 

[Babsy]

Wow, overwhelming support for POR!

A couple of questions:

The pool was mentioned several times; is that even a factor since we are going in December?

Royal Room?!?!?! My daughter is 99.9% sure she is a Disney Princess. Worth the extra expense?

I'd like to feel that I'm not a hotel snob, we just happened into fantastic deals on our previous trips.

I just read him the responses and he said to book POR. NOW, the question is what type of room to book? Royal for my princess? Standard because even standard is better than what we were getting at the value? I just hate to waste money on a room that we will hardly be in. Disney is going to get the money, I am just not sure if we use it for a better room??

The pool may be a non issue in Dec, but you might luck into some warm weather. If so, you are set! If not, POR still has lots more for the money than POP.

The Royal Rooms are cute. They have a richer, princess atmosphere to them and the light up headboards are kind of fun. However, they are a bit pricey for what you get, IMO. If you want to WOW your daughter, this might well do it. Personally, I felt like it was a one and done deal for us unless we can't get a preferred room. Then I would book the RR room for the location. My DGDs aged two and five liked it fine for the first day, then it was just another room. YMMV, though. All children are different. Perhaps your little princess will be thrilled with the decor and little royal touches. The location of the RR rooms is pretty good. I would book pool view for Rr rooms that are convenient to the bridge leading to the food court, etc.

I prefer the AB preferred rooms. The location is so convenient and the price is a little lower. However, it is a rustic cabin decor, so, depending upon your taste, may or may not appeal.

I would NOT book a standard room. This resort is big and I want to be as close as possible to everything, so it is preferred or RR room for us.

Good luck choosing!

 

[Babsy]

We're going in December and I just battled the same dilemma. We ended up going POR royal room and I'm really excited about it. I splurged and added 2 nights at Wilderness Lodge to the end of our trip - how did you like it?

Are you aware of the construction going on at WL?

Just a heads up.

 

[Disneylover99]

Just be aware that the more expensive the room category you book, the less value free dining is. Some of those Royal rooms are in the $250 range. If you booked at Pop and paid the difference to upgrade the dining plan, you'd still be saving a good chunk of money if you're comparing it to paying rack rate in a royal room.