Saratoga vs Pop Century

[FigmentJason]

My wife and I are planning a trip with our 13 month old DS and my mom.
It may be around the 9-15 of December. We have a deal for Pop Century or Saratoga. Obviously Pop century is cheaper (which I am always a fan of), but Saratogo would work out to be $300 more after splitting the costs etc.

Basically my question is --which would you go with and why?

Which resort has the better bus system (least wait time etc.)? .

Which offers better amenities for our son. I think both have pack and plays, but do both also have free cribs and high chairs available on request? Saratoga does offer the free refridgerator which would cost extra at POP.
Anyone with babies, please let me know any of your experiences.

Minor point, but does one decorate more for Christmas than the other?

Since the parks close earlier, any benefits of one more than the other? I realize that Saratoga is close to Downtown Disney, which is nice.


Thanks!

 

[Kristina]

Wow. Well, I can't help you ! I am one of those Pop people and I have heard that sometimes the Pop can be full and people have been given the Saratoga instead, and I've actually thought...I wouldn't go! However I've never stayed at the Saratoga and and it's brand new and I'm sure very nice. Definitely a big step up in quality from the Pop too, surely. It is close to DTD and you can take a boat which is very cool, however the Pop has a great bus system as well. Hmmm We stayed at the Pop Century last December and just loved every minute of it. The Christmas music they pipe in is so cool, there are decorations and there is just a great element of fun and family there that we really love. If you are getting 2 rooms at the Pop vs. something similar at Saratoga then I think I'd go with the Pop personally.

 

[RachelTori]

My wife and I are planning a trip with our 13 month old DS and my mom.
It may be around the 9-15 of December. We have a deal for Pop Century or Saratoga. Obviously Pop century is cheaper (which I am always a fan of), but Saratogo would work out to be $300 more after splitting the costs etc.

Basically my question is --which would you go with and why?

Which resort has the better bus system (least wait time etc.)? .

Which offers better amenities for our son. I think both have pack and plays, but do both also have free cribs and high chairs available on request? Saratoga does offer the free refridgerator which would cost extra at POP.
Anyone with babies, please let me know any of your experiences.

Minor point, but does one decorate more for Christmas than the other?

Since the parks close earlier, any benefits of one more than the other? I realize that Saratoga is close to Downtown Disney, which is nice.


Thanks!

Here's my opinion - FWIW!!! You can't lose either way! Both resorts have dedicated buses so they score about even there. For the money, Pop is a great value, but you will definitely feel like you're in a hotel. My vote is going to go to Saratoga! The room will be slightly larger; the feel of the resort is more relaxing and homey. There are more daily activities at SSR, but since you're asking about cribs and high chairs, I'm thinking your son is too young for many of those activities.

From SSR, you can walk or boat to DTD. At SSR, besides the refrigerator, you'll also have a microwave and DVD player.

Please let us know what you decide. Either way, it'll be a great trip, I'm sure. After all, you're going to Disney World!!!

 

[mattsdragon]

ITA with the above poster. We are both biased because we own at SSR, but I've stayed at both as well. While I loved POP, and thought it was the best of all the value's, you would not regret a stay at SSR.

 

[CanadianGuy]

This thread is a better fit over on the resorts board.. which is where I'm going to move this one over to.

Knox

 

[mickeymom629]

What do you mean a "deal" between the two? I've never heard of that. Would you be getting a studio at SSR?

 

[Sooze]

And here are my two cents! To me, one of the big advantages of DVC resorts vs. value resorts is WALL INSULATION!! When I'm at my room in SSR, I can BARELY hear that I have neighbors.. and it's usually when someone is yelling, laughing loudly, or there's a screaming kid! And even then, it's muffled. If you have a baby, you might want to consider SSR because it feels more like home, less like a hotel room where you can hear everything going on around you.

JMO!

 

[Desnik]

I might be bias too because SSR is my home resort! I have never stayed at POP and I'm sure it's fine. Really thgough you cannot compare POP to SSR. One is a value resort and the other a deluxe, DVC resort. I'm not sure about cribs and highchairs. I do believe you can get both at SSR, but maybe ask over on the DVC boards to be sure. Which size room would you be getting at SSR? The only thing that I could see that would make you choose POP over SSR is the fact that the POP will have 2 beds and the studio at SSR will have a bed and a pull out sofa bed. SSR has a lot of activities for kids, a community hall, great pools and a zero entry pool, water play area, surrey bike rentals, sitdown restaurant, walking distance to DtD, higher quality room furnishings, kitchenette with fridge, micro, sink, coffe maker, toaster and plates, utensils. You will also have a balcony at SSR. Where ever you stay you could always use A Baby's Best Friend to rent a full size crib and highchair:
http://www.abbf.com/

Here's a link to POP pictures:
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_pop.htm

Here's a link to SSR pictures:
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_ss.htm

No matter what you will be at WDW and will have a great time!

 

[helenabear]

As a DVC member, SSR is my least favorite resort, but I would STILL take that over Pop any day. You are getting a huge difference in size in the room for starters. You also will have your kitchenette. You can ask for a crib and high chair, but those are always first come first serve. With so little cost difference, I would stay at SSR in a heart beat over Pop.

 

[DISNEYNY]

We just stayed at SSR in Aug and enjoyed it. I agree about a low noise factor. I never heard noise from any other rooms. The bus system was good for us. We chose the Grandstand section because it is the first picked up and first dropped off. We were always sure to get a seat. Sometimes people at the last stop -Springs- didn't make it on the bus, but we were there during a busy week. The food court probably has more offerings at POP, but the one at SSR was fine for us. Also, at POP you would have 2 beds...not sure if your mom would enjoy the pullout-that would be the only drawback for me. If I were to choose I would go with SSR.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

While I agree that SSR is a nicer place, and I've not seen the inside of the rooms there - and I'm surprised to hear myself saying this - there are some pluses to be had at Pop, especially for small kids.

The decor at Pop is really kid friendly. SSR is generally kid friendly too, but just doesn't have as much of a "Disney" feel to it. SSR could easily be off property, but Pop never lets you forget you're at WDW. After staying there, I can appreciate why folks love Pop so much. The food court there was also quite good, and for a food court, had some certain pluses. As I recall, the QS at SSR isn't really a food court, but I've only been once for lunch. The pool at Pop doesn't have a hot tub or water slide, but it is well themed. The pool at SSR has zero depth entry, a water slide and a unique shape, but somehow didn't wow me.

Granted, this is a unique opportunity to get a great deal on a Deluxe resort, so probably I'd take advantage of it if you can swing it, but there are tradeoffs.

 

[DISNEYNY]

FIGMENTJASON - I just bumped up another thread for you called "SSR Questions". It has some nice pictures of the resort on it.

 

[drag n' fly]

In response to the OP questions. Choose SSR.

 

[MissyDVC]

Have stayed at both....POP is fun, loud and bright . SSR is peaceful, beautiful and relaxing We own DVC at SSR and LOVE it! No choice for us....SSR all the way. BUT we loved POP before we found DVC so it is kind of apples and oranges. If you have any specific questions about either of them, I'd be happy to answer.

 

[alldiz]

SSR without a doubt.....For 300 bucks more I would not hesitate to
stay at SSR.

I have stayed at POP....It was nice but no comparison to a studio.
The microwave, coffee maker and fridge is enough for me.

POP has no shade waiting for buses.....
walls much thinner.
and hey it is a value....

SSR great zero entry pool.
table and counter service.
community hall activities for kids
nice playgrounds
MUCH NICER ROOMS
Either way.....your in disney....
Have a great trip
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[jlx2]

I would stay at SSR in a heartbeat. It is a beautiful resort, there are so many things to do with the children, and the staff is wonderful. If you are in a studio you will also get a kitchenette which comes in really handy with little ones (milk, snacks, heating foods in the microwave etc.) If you are in a 1 or 2 bedroom you will also get a washer/dryer and full kitchen. Being able to walk or take a boat to Downtown Disney is a real plus as well. I can't say enough wonderful things about this resort. Have a great trip!

 

[kimsuenew]

SSR (studio) is nice, it has a balcony, kitchenette, convertable loveseat, nice neutral decor, and bus stops (covered) nearby. The (in the closet) safe easily fit my laptop (plus other items). The pools are nice, there is even a water slide. We were blessed with a free upgrade (from ASMu to SSR) when we went in September. We would LOVE to go back to SSR but must stay at a value (cost) so we are at Pop this coming September. For the small difference in price I would do SSR! We were going to extend our stay by one day while at SSR this September... one night was going to be over $300.00 with tax! The Springs section at SSR is really nice, it is close to everything!