Should we spend the extra money to stay at Riversideor just settle for Pop

[elaw]

I love POR. Can't think of one negative thing about it. The pool is great, food court is delicious. If it were me, I'd spend the extra money and enjoy the great amentities!

Same here

 

[marykatmp]

IMHO... The buses at POP are great. We never had an issue there last year.

 

[lurkernj]

I've stayed at both and enjoyed them both. I would base it on how much time you will be at the resort. I'm thinking since it's your first visit, you'd be in the parks more, then I'd say Pop. We only slept there and ate in the foodcourt a couple of times and it was more than sufficient. If you're going to be at the pools, enjoying the lounge, and just generally relaxing at the resort, POR would be the way to go. They also have a hot tub, and the leisurely boat to DTD.

I did have better bus service at Pop, but POR was fine too, don't think we've ever waited more than 15 min for a bus (except when DTD was involved, which seems to be a problem at all resorts).

For $700, I'd probably just choose Pop.

That said, we'll be staying at POR for the third time next month

 

[luckyfin]

We love POR. We stayed at Pop 3 weeks ago for a quick trip and it really left us wanting more. It was nice enough and the service was as great as at POR, it just left us feeling like something was missing. The theming just didn't make sense to me. That being said, we walked over to AoA and thought we would consider staying there for a quick trip. While we don't totally regret staying there it was probably our first and last stay.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Stayed at both and I vote Pop all the way. Just didn't love POR. Pop gives you much more bang for the buck plus the extra $$ you save can buy more souviniers and food!

 

[emilyann415]

One of the things I love about Disney is feeling like I've been transported to another place altogether when I pull up to the resort. I just don't feel that way at the value resorts. Never been to AofA but I LOVE feeling like I'm in New Orleans when I stay at POR. For me it's easily worth the money....is it worth it to you? Ahhhhhh.....lthat is the question. Only you can answer. If it were my first trip...don't know if that is the case, but I'd want that magic. Sorry, but I just don't get that from the POP.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I am definitely with what most have already said here, I am a Port Orleans freak! There is not anything negative I can say about Riverside. I honestly think that the moderates are mini-deluxes without paying a load of money to stay at them! They have so many amenities, queen beds, sit-down restaurant (except for POFQ) and the grounds are just so beautiful! I love the boat to DTD at POR & FQ!

 

[Paradise18]

Having stayed at both, we definitely prefer POR and feel the additional cost is worth it. I enjoyed how peaceful the resort was and the grounds were beautiful. The next time we stay there I am going to make a point of walking over to POFQ to try the beignets.

 

[waynesgirl]

IMO It looks like this is your first trip. Just going by your # of posts!! I would go for POP and spend that 700 bucks in the park!

Yes, for your 1st trip, I always say save the money. Your kids won't care what the room looks like, only that it is "larger than life" theming, and it has a bed to sleep in at night. I don't think it will be super crowded during your time so the buses will run decently, which seems to be a big complaint. You might even get lucky and get a better room or request close to food court and get it. The extra money means a little better option on souvies and dining...extra snacks never hurt anyone on vacation! You could pay to do the F! dining plan and really enjoy the ease of it. You could do an extra character breakfast with it. You can get Mickey ears for everyone!

POR is a great hotel but I stayed there before the refurb and it was me and my DH so the extra space was nice but it was kinda meh to me but DH loves it. But IMO it is not worth $700 more nice. We aren't in the rooms at the values and mods very much because it takes so long to go back to relax.

Either way- you're at Dinseyswirl (like my DS used to call it) and what could be better than that?

HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[DisneyFive]

So, you think the buses at Pop are more convenient than POR?

Yes, all buses are direct from POP to the parks and vice-versa. No extra stops along the way. At POR, there are multiple stops at POR and potentially at Port Orleans French Quarter.

We've stayed at POP the last two years and this year at POR.

We love POP, and the only reason we're doing POR is because we wanted to try something different and with our smaller party of 5 this year it is actually more economical (one room at POR that sleeps 5 vs two rooms needed at POP that sleep 4 each).

POP is big, bright and colorful and really gives that feeling of fun and excitement. It definately doesn't feel like a typical hotel, that's for sure. The rooms are basic, but clean and a good place to sleep and get ready in the morning. POP has three nice pools to choose from (no slides though), and a big food court with lots of options.

We toured POR this spring after a cruise, and it is a totally different kind of feeling. Much more relaxed, lush and a little more quiet. The beds are queens rather than the doubles at POP, so I am looking forward to that as well. I'm interested to see how we like it vs POP.

If this is your first trip, you'll probably be spending most of your time in the parks anyway, and I would vote for POP.

Dan

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I love Pop. I've been there 7 seven times, and it's a really fun resort. If you can sleep on really hard beds, then I would save $700.00 and stay at Pop. They got new mattresses. POR is a beautiful and more relaxed resort. If you're going to spend more time at the resort, the POR might be better for you. Have a great time!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

We went during President's Week in 2008. I wanted a moderate because I was concerned that it might be cold out and we'd want somewhere with a hot tub. Because of the holiday, the best deal I could get was a AAA discount.

I looked into staying at the Swan/Dolphin and was actually able to book a room after the weekend for quite a bit less than a Disney mod. So I booked us for 3 nights at POR over the weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday before President's Day on Monday), and took the rest of the week at the Dolphin.

Unless you're set on getting the Dining Plan, check into what you'd pay at the Dolphin or Swan. Take into account that you will have to pay for transportation to/from MCO (no Magical Express), a daily resort fee, and/or parking. It may surprise you how much less it can cost than a Disney mod. The accommodations are quite luxurious there plus the location is spectacular.

 

[doitforlove]

I was fighting with a similar dilemma a few months ago (I was looking at CSR) and decided to stay at POP to save the money. Also we aren't planning on spending much time at the hotel. As luck would have it DBf surprised me by adding extra days to our trip because we didn't upgrade. I think I like the idea of the extra three days instead of the extra space

 

[Mamato3Princes]

We will always choose POR over the Values. Mainly bc of the queen beds. But we also love the look of the resort. The grounds are so lush and beautiful and the pools are nice. Oh and the Murphy bed in AB! We love that our family of 5 can fit in the standard room. So my vote is for POR. But I know you'll have fun where ever you stay!

 

[GraceMonica]

Im in the same boat. One room at POP is $900 cheaper than the room im looking at staying in at POR. My mom gave me a budget of $2000 for the hotel and I had a choice of 2 rooms at POP or AoA or royal guest rooms, river view at POR. I think i'm going with POR. Im not actually too sure as to what im going to do yet!

 

[KangaFan]

We did a split stay between POP and AKL on our last trip. I thought we'd splurge and spend our last 2 nights at AKL. I was shocked--the kids kept comparing the two and said they liked POP better. They loved the large arcade, the selection at the food court & all the other kids they met at the main pool. We've also stayed at POFQ & we really liked it but I think given the two options, the kids would choose POP.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

We have stayed at POP before and enjoyed it. Our friends that had never been wanted to stay there because of the price difference. I've thought more and more about this. I think even if my kids were little they still would have enjoyed POR more just because they have never enjoyed noise. I asked DD the other day if she would ever want to go back to POP for a visit if we could. Her answer surprised me. She understands it costs less. She said she would rather it take longer to save money than to stay at POP again. I was surprised. It's a great resort that costs MUCH less. Again you can't go wrong either way.

 

[cjsm&d]

For my family POR every time. We think the resort is beatiful.

Stuff at POR not at any value include a slide at the pool, hot tub, a restaurant, best food court for the money at WDW (IMO of course), a fishing hole, boat to DTD, queen beds, bigger rooms, covered bus stops...

For my family, we just don't get the fascination with giant numbers and characters. You can stop by, take a pic, and that's that. POR is just beautiful. We never get tired or strolling around the grounds.

As for the buses, there are 4 stops, and sometimes one at POFQ, but at values, though there is one stop, there might be 50 people waiting to get on at once.

If the $700 is a big deal then absolutely go with POP, but if it isn't POR is at least that amount better in my opinion.

 

[DisneyKidds]

One of the things I love about Disney is feeling like I've been transported to another place altogether when I pull up to the resort. I just don't feel that way at the value resorts. Never been to AofA but I LOVE feeling like I'm in New Orleans when I stay at POR. For me it's easily worth the money....is it worth it to you? Ahhhhhh.....lthat is the question. Only you can answer. If it were my first trip...don't know if that is the case, but I'd want that magic. Sorry, but I just don't get that from the POP.

Great post. While "feel" and "Magic" might be abstract words, I think they are important in the decision. I agree, the best thing about a true Disney resort, one Walt would be proud of, is that they instantly transport you to another time, and another place. The Ploynesian Resort instantly transports you to Polynesia, tiki torches, long houses and all. Much the same way, Port Orleans Riverside instantly transports you to the Old South. I think Dixie Landings....er, I mean Port Orleans Riverside is the best of the moderates for it's ability to make this transformation out of the Florida swamp land. It's a resort you want to walk around and explore. A resort you want to spend time in....and not just on the day you check in, but all during your WDW vacation. Take a stroll, fish, ride a bike, take a boat, go for a carriage ride, roast marshmellows, relax at the pool, grab a drink at the bar.

Let me relate a story about our first experience with a WDW hotel. We needed a night before our honeymoon started at the Grand Floridian. We grabbed a night at the Caribbean Beach Resort. You know what, a single night at the CBR, our first exposure to a Disney resort, is what I remember most about that trip, even after spending a great week at the Grand Floridian. Why is that? The theming and attention to detail that the CBR provided, from Customs House right through to our room you felt like you were in the Islands. Strolling the resort, past the pool, with music from the Little Mermaid playing on the grounds is one of my most enduring memories. Not that the GF wasn't wonderful, but you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Pop Century is not what I would want my first impression of Disney to be.......

Do the values serve a purpose? Sure, they allow people to obtain a Disney vacation at a lower price point. However, I don't believe price point should be a driving factor behind a Disney resort, and I believe the value resorts skimp on the experience that a WDW resort should provide. Are the decorations at Pop cool? Sure, but they are just that.....decorations. Disney resorts should rely on theming, and not giant decorations. Pop is a nifty hotel AT Disney, but I don't think Pop IS Disney, at least not Disney at it's best.

I would encourage you to try POR, and actually take time to enjoy the resort. While we have the luxury because we own DVC and get to WDW regularly, I don't think anyone should do the parks commando style. You need a break in the middle of the day, and opportunity to get away from the crowds. POR will provide that opportunity for a little relaxation in the middle of a hectic WDW vacation. I'm not sure Pop, being the largest WDW resort, can provide the same. After all, how much time will you want to spend in a crowded pool surrounded by giant icons and phrases hanging off your motel?

 

[CSchex]

We stayed at both resorts during our last trip. We have always stayed at Pop and loved it! But, we wanted a change and decided to try out POR. While I did love it, it was in May, so we were able to use the pool. Don't know if you would want to use the pool in February. The campfires and marshmellow roasts are not offered until the summer and into the fall. Carraige rides cost $45. The bus service was VERY slow. Waited over 45 minutes for a bus to the Magic Kingdom. After staying at Pop, which has excellent bus service, this was a little difficult for me to deal with. Also, the counter service dining at Pop blows POR away. We ate 2 meals at POR and did not like the food. Pop has so many more choices!