Recent Experiences at POFQ versus Pop

[Newsies]

Hi! Looking to head back to the Mouse for a solo trip in September. I've never stayed at POFQ before but I really like the fact that it's small, quiet, and of course: beignets! A solo trip at POFQ is also just something I've always wanted to do-- this is going to sound very silly, but I grew up reading solo trip reports from DISers who stayed at POFQ in the fall, so it's kind of been a bucket list item for a while.

I could stay at a preferred room at Pop for $500 less. I've stayed at Pop in the recent past and wasn't a huge fan of the resort and bus system, but I am obsessed with the Skyliner. I'm planning on spending a lot of time in Epcot, specifically the World Showcase, so there's a lot of added value of having that Skyliner for me IMO.

Choosing POFQ won't break the bank and is something I want to try, but I'm hung up thinking about how Pop will likely be the better value for me. WWYD? Any thoughts from people who've stayed at POFQ recently? Transportation, room quality, food quality, etc. let me know what you think. TIA!

 

[fla4fun]

Hi! Looking to head back to the Mouse for a solo trip in September. I've never stayed at POFQ before but I really like the fact that it's small, quiet, and of course: beignets! A solo trip at POFQ is also just something I've always wanted to do-- this is going to sound very silly, but I grew up reading solo trip reports from DISers who stayed at POFQ in the fall, so it's kind of been a bucket list item for a while.

I could stay at a preferred room at Pop for $500 less. I've stayed at Pop in the recent past and wasn't a huge fan of the resort and bus system, but I am obsessed with the Skyliner. I'm planning on spending a lot of time in Epcot, specifically the World Showcase, so there's a lot of added value of having that Skyliner for me IMO.

Choosing POFQ won't break the bank and is something I want to try, but I'm hung up thinking about how Pop will likely be the better value for me. WWYD? Any thoughts from people who've stayed at POFQ recently? Transportation, room quality, food quality, etc. let me know what you think. TIA!

I love both Pop and POFQ. With no budget issue, I would choose POFQ in September.

September is still part of the summer weather patterns, meaning there will be many afternoons with storms, which in turn closes down the Skyliner. We were at Riviera in September, and we did not have one day where the Skyliner wasn’t down for a while due to weather. It is worse when you are at Pop, because you might board the Skyliner at IG only to have the order to shut down be issued before you get to CBR, where you have to wait for a bus (this has happened to me in late August). At Epcot, if the Skyliner is down during the day, we have always been sent back to the front of the park to catch the bus, which is a lot of extra walking after being in the park. My hope is that someday they will be able to send out a notice on the app that the Skyliner is closed, but for now there’s no way to know without actually getting close enough to see it is down.

We love the Skyliner, but we only book Skyliner resorts from November through May now and other resorts from June through October, to avoid dealing with the weather shutdowns.

Transportation to/from POFQ is easy, since there is just one bus depot for the resort. I love having the boat to DS (although the boats will shut down during storms as well - they do run buses to DS all day also). The rooms are larger than Pop, and I personally think the theming of the resort is more immersive as well. You not only have the amenities at POFQ to enjoy, but the ones at POR as well, which also gives you additional dining options. To me, it feels more adult and relaxed than Pop.

Only you can decide if the savings of Pop is worth the risk that the Skyliner won’t be running. I can say I have enjoyed my stays at both resorts and I think you will enjoy whichever one you select.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I saw some pictures on IG from this past fall where the lines for Skyliner were backed up all the way back through Pop. Sort of shocking to see! Not sure if that happens regularly or if it was broken down that day or what. I would probably research that a bit.

That said, it would make a lot of sense if you’re planning to spend a lot of time at WS to stay there.

POFQ would also be nice, though. Maybe a different sort of trip.

You could eat in some nice restaurants or pick up something memorable for your house with the money you save staying at Pop.

 

[Newsies]

September is still part of the summer weather patterns, meaning there will be many afternoons with storms, which in turn closes down the Skyliner.

This is the perspective I needed to hear, thank you so much! Since the parks came back up from COVID we've only stayed at Riviera, Pop, and CBR so I've become very attached to the Skyliner; The caveat being we've only stayed at the Parks in March since 2020. We dealt with the Skyliner going down once during a bad storm and it was a hassle getting back to Riviera -- I've lived in Orlando before I can understand how frequent this will be in September. I think you're correct on all fronts that POFQ will be a much nicer vacation and I won't have to worry about the Skyliner going down.

I saw some pictures on IG from this past fall where the lines for Skyliner were backed up all the way back through Pop. Sort of shocking to see! Not sure if that happens regularly or if it was broken down that day or what. I would probably research that a bit.

The Skyliner lines can get really long, especially when the Parks open in the morning during peak season, but what I love most about Skyliner is that as long as it's not down, it's constantly flowing people through, so the wait time is not as dramatic as it would be for a bus or even the monorail. PP had a good point about September weather though -- I'm sure the Skyliner goes down a lot more in the stormy weather season and it's a more disruptive experience.

I totally agree that less money on the resort room = more money on nice experiences and souvenirs, which is something else to consider. I think I'll book POFQ now to lock in the current rate, and if there's some type of room discount next year that makes staying at Pop even cheaper, I might consider switching.

 

[brockash]

I love both Pop and POFQ. With no budget issue, I would choose POFQ in September.

September is still part of the summer weather patterns, meaning there will be many afternoons with storms, which in turn closes down the Skyliner. We were at Riviera in September, and we did not have one day where the Skyliner wasn’t down for a while due to weather. It is worse when you are at Pop, because you might board the Skyliner at IG only to have the order to shut down be issued before you get to CBR, where you have to wait for a bus (this has happened to me in late August). At Epcot, if the Skyliner is down during the day, we have always been sent back to the front of the park to catch the bus, which is a lot of extra walking after being in the park. My hope is that someday they will be able to send out a notice on the app that the Skyliner is closed, but for now there’s no way to know without actually getting close enough to see it is down.

We love the Skyliner, but we only book Skyliner resorts from November through May now and other resorts from June through October, to avoid dealing with the weather shutdowns.

Transportation to/from POFQ is easy, since there is just one bus depot for the resort. I love having the boat to DS (although the boats will shut down during storms as well - they do run buses to DS all day also). The rooms are larger than Pop, and I personally think the theming of the resort is more immersive as well. You not only have the amenities at POFQ to enjoy, but the ones at POR as well, which also gives you additional dining options. To me, it feels more adult and relaxed than Pop.

Only you can decide if the savings of Pop is worth the risk that the Skyliner won’t be running. I can say I have enjoyed my stays at both resorts and I think you will enjoy whichever one you select.

Agree due to time of year. In our opinion the skykiner resorts are a disadvantage during rainy months.

 

[gottalovepluto]

POFQ gets my vote for you. Solo trips are an ideal time to try out stuff for me because if there is disappointment the only one disappointed is me, I don't heap guilt upon myself for disappointing others in my travel party. For you because it is a bucket list item you can afford at this time in your life, I vote you should seize the moment, life can change way too fast and the opportunity might not present again.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I saw some pictures on IG from this past fall where the lines for Skyliner were backed up all the way back through Pop. Sort of shocking to see! Not sure if that happens regularly or if it was broken down that day or what. I would probably research that a bit.

I stayed there when it was backed up not quite that much for early entry but the line moves SO fast. Remember the buckets are all empty.

But I agree with others and would be disinclined to a Skyliner hotel during Sept.

 

[daae3]

I’m a fan of POFQ but my next stay is Pop… where I have stayed before (pre-skyliner)…even though I’m excited to try the Skyliner… it was really hard to switch from POFQ because it is a great resort… The pool and slide is fun… You have a hot tub… The quick service food is great plus scat cats club… Plus beignets… Plus Riverside is a quick walk or boat ride away if you want to try a different pool or different quick service… The boat to Disney springs is another advantage… with no budget issue and the weather issues with Skyliner… I think you’ll be very happy with POFQ!

 

[Newsies]

I vote you should seize the moment, life can change way too fast and the opportunity might not present again.

I LOVE this perspective! Thank you so much!

I’m a fan of POFQ but my next stay is Pop… where I have stayed before (pre-skyliner)…even though I’m excited to try the Skyliner… it was really hard to switch from POFQ because it is a great resort… The pool and slide is fun… You have a hot tub… The quick service food is great plus scat cats club… Plus beignets… Plus Riverside is a quick walk or boat ride away if you want to try a different pool or different quick service… The boat to Disney springs is another advantage… with no budget issue and the weather issues with Skyliner… I think you’ll be very happy with POFQ!

Thanks so much for the comment, gives me a lot to look forward to with the POFQ route! You're going to love the Skyliner -- IMO it really elevates Pop Century as a whole. Very fun, convenient way to travel. Hope you have a blast on your next trip + congrats on your 10 year DISaversary!

 

[MickeyNola]

I love the atmosphere at FQ so that would be my choice as well. I'm not sure if POP gets the same level of big groups (cheer/ sports) as the other values but if I was on a solo trip I'd want to avoid that if I could.

Also being able to take a boat ride over to DS to have a cocktail and a couple appetizers while checking out different spots sounds like a great night that I normally wouldn't be able to do with our full travel party. Going to the bar at Wine Bar George or Morimoto or someplace that wouldn't typically be on the radar for us would be great.

I think I'm talking myself into a no-kids Disney trip!.

 

[Newsies]

I love the atmosphere at FQ so that would be my choice as well. I'm not sure if POP gets the same level of big groups (cheer/ sports) as the other values but if I was on a solo trip I'd want to avoid that if I could.

The vibes seem real good at FQ for sure. POP is always busy but typically doesn't get the same level of cheer/sports/teen tour groups that the All Stars get, it's just a hair above that price range for the large group discounts so you miss the chaos that those groups typically bring.

Also being able to take a boat ride over to DS to have a cocktail and a couple appetizers while checking out different spots sounds like a great night that I normally wouldn't be able to do with our full travel party. Going to the bar at Wine Bar George or Morimoto or someplace that wouldn't typically be on the radar for us would be great.

I think I'm talking myself into a no-kids Disney trip!.

Will most definitely be taking the boat to DS if I stay at FQ next September! DS is an amazing place to do solo at night and even during the day in the middle of the week -- I like to catch a matinee at the AMC before a Halloween Party, sometimes I'm the only one in the theatre and I can just chill and enjoy my popcorn!

I think a no-kids Disney trip sounds great for you!