Should I switch to Pop?

[DISfirstTimer]

I need help choosing a resort for our 1st and very possibly our last (DH has been fighting this trip) Disney Vacation. Initially we were going to stay at AoA for 1 night and move offsite to a 3 BDRM house but we needed to shorten our original timeframe so we decided to stay on property instead.

We are currently booked at CBR from Jan 29-Feb 3rd and plan to do 4 park days. Booking here put me a little over budget but I really wanted to ensure Queen Beds. DH is 6ft 3 and my children our 4 and 6 will both likely want to sleep with a parent. Adequate sleep will be necessary for us to be able to do so many park days.

We've decided to add one more day and possibly one more park day. I was considering switching to POP to put me back closer to my original budget. I of course would be hoping I could get a refurbished room with Queen Beds. I figured I could pack a twin size air mattress just in case I don't get one that way my husband could have a bed to himself. I'm used to a child calling me into their bed most nights anyways!


Other considerations: We plan to only do one or two late nights and stick to a regular 730-8 bedtime. We are planning on one resort day. My DH will likely stay back a couple days to rest and meet up with us later. (He NEVER has downtime and really does need vacation to recharge). I think the kids will love the theming and I like that its walking distance from AoA as that is a resort I had been hoping to tour.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[FSU Girl]

I would switch. There is massive construction happening at CBR which you might find intrusive depending on room location. I'd call Pop to have a request for a refurbished room noted on your reservation. I would also still consider an offsite hotel if it's a lot cheaper and your kids won't need to go back to the room for afternoon naps. Disney hotel prices can be really expensive sometimes for a lot less than you could get outside of the Disney bubble.

 

[Shellyb84]

I would definitely switch to Pop and request a refurbished room. We had one for one night in June and loved it! I think a lot of people that aren't on these boards are not going to even think to request one so there's a pretty good chance you could get one. I've stayed at Pop 4 times now (usually just a night each) but every single time they have honored all of my requests, or very close.

 

[JerseyJanice]

All I can say is I really enjoyed Pop Century each of the 3 times we stayed there. I think it's a wonderful resort for what you pay.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I absolutely would not switch to Pop, but to be fair, Pop is my least favorite resort and the only one my family and I have days we never want to stay at again. CBR, by comparison, is one if my favorites, construction or not. I also know a person who recently stayed there who also loves the resort (it's her favorite) and she said the construction really wasn't a problem. Plus,the pool is excellent at Caribbean Beach.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If going over budget is causing you stress and if packing the twin mattress will work for you should you not get the refurbished room, I would switch. After weighing all factors, cost, comfort, etc. I would simply pick the one that will cause the least stress for you.

 

[DISfirstTimer]

If going over budget is causing you stress and if packing the twin mattress will work for you should you not get the refurbished room, I would switch. After weighing all factors, cost, comfort, etc. I would simply pick the one that will cause the least stress for you.

I don't think either would cause me any stress. It won't be the end of the world if I go over budget but I feel I have to draw the line somewhere or else the budget could get out of control. However, I don't want to have a subpar vacation because I decided to save $300.

 

[Shellyb84]

I don't think either would cause me any stress. It won't be the end of the world if I go over budget but I feel I have to draw the line somewhere or else the budget could get out of control. However, I don't want to have a subpar vacation because I decided to save $300.

I don't think you would have a sub-par vacation by switching. We LOVED Pop. So much that if we're not staying deluxe, we would probably now pick Pop over CSR (which was our fav when not staying deluxe). I've stayed at CBR once, and even without construction, I won't be back. We just didn't like it at all.

 

[DISfirstTimer]

I don't think you would have a sub-par vacation by switching. We LOVED Pop. So much that if we're not staying deluxe, we would probably now pick Pop over CSR (which was our fav when not staying deluxe). I've stayed at CBR once, and even without construction, I won't be back. We just didn't like it at all.

My thought is that if this really ends up being our only Disney Vacation my kids will likely have more memories of Pop's in your face theming rather than CBR. My husband and I have traveled all throughout the Caribbean and some day my kids will too!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

My thought is that if this really ends up being our only Disney Vacation my kids will likely have more memories of Pop's in your face theming rather than CBR. My husband and I have traveled all throughout the Caribbean and some day my kids will too!

For what it's worth, CBR was the first WDW resort I ever stayed at and I have fantastic memories of that first stay. My daughter also has great memories of her first stay at Caribbean Beach. I feel like, aside from the giant statues outside the buildings, there isn't a lot of theming at Pop. The rooms are pretty generic. At CBR, you feel the tropical theme at all corners of the resort. It certainly helps that Florida is a tropical climate, but I think that the themes at all of the mods and deluxe resorts are much more expansive than at the values (with the exception of Art of Animation which has a lot of theming going on inside the rooms).

 

[Shellyb84]

My thought is that if this really ends up being our only Disney Vacation my kids will likely have more memories of Pop's in your face theming rather than CBR. My husband and I have traveled all throughout the Caribbean and some day my kids will too!

Agreed - at those ages, they will love it. If you get a refurbed room, the pull down bed with Pluto on it is just so adorable. The food court is also so convenient and the food is good. Not sure if you'll be able to swim that time of year, but if so, we really like the Hippy Dippy pool at Pop much better than the pool at CBR. You can actually sit in a chair and see your kids anywhere in that pool (or any pool at Pop for that matter). At CBR, we had to be in there at all times because the visibility from the pool chairs is not good.

 

[vallygirl0221]

My thought is that if this really ends up being our only Disney Vacation my kids will likely have more memories of Pop's in your face theming rather than CBR. My husband and I have traveled all throughout the Caribbean and some day my kids will too!

The theming at Pop is definitely more kid friend and like most of the PP everytime we have stayed there we have had a wonderful experience, The pools, staff, and theming are fun and there is a lot to see both there and the short walk over to AOA. I can't speak to CBR as we have never stayed there (a pirate room was under consideration this time but we are doing the Poly instead) but I think there could be a lot for everyone including your DH at pop. There are great benches and walkways around the pond that is separates it from AOA and that area is practically deserted most of the time. Perfect place to go relax and recharge for a bit.

Plus that $300 could be repurposed into a great experience for the family, like a dessert party, or EMM, for a short trip where you are unlikely to have "resort days" I think Pop is a good fit

 

[DISfirstTimer]

Just made the switch. Fingers crossed for a refurbished room. Either way I think my wallet will thank me!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Just made the switch. Fingers crossed for a refurbished room. Either way I think my wallet will thank me!

I think you made a good decision. We really enjoyed hanging out at the pool after we came back from the parks. It was always a great vibe near Petals and the Hippie Dippie.