This is driving me nuts! Free dining and resort type UPDATE - I SWITCHED!

[HayGan]

I was really set on doing POFQ for this Sept. Free dining made it slightly cheaper than the 40% off code I had. Now that standard room at POP keeps calling to me. It is $500 cheaper for us to do POP vs. POFQ. That difference more than pays for our trip in three weeks Nothing else is being neglected by me spending that extra $500 on a room but I just keep thinking, is a different resort really worth $500?

I can't make up my mind. I keep asking myself "should we stick with POFQ which I know we all will love? Or should I book POP (which I know we will be fine at) and save the $500?"

Just out of curiosity, what would you do? Did you face the same dilemma? Did you go deluxe/mod or deluxe/mod/value? What was your deciding factor?



UPDATE: I called on the way home from work tonight and switched! At this time I would rather put the money to another trip rather than the resort right now. So POP here we come 2 times in 2007

 

[Lisa10]

I had CBR all set to go for 8 nights with 9 day hoppers and free dining. So then I figured it would be about $500 cheaper to do the Pop Century. I've never even been to a value before, just mods and deluxes, but I went ahead and switched to Pop. I figured the rooms are not that much smaller than the mods anyway, and the themeing my kids will love. Plus the Pop is a newer resort which means the rooms will be nice, the counter service there is supposed to be great, along with the bus service. We plan to spend most of our time in the parks and restaurants with all these TS credits anyway. Either way you go, its Disney and once you get there, you'll be happy and have a great time anyway.

 

[tinaluis]

We did POR last year and are doing POP this year. It's slightly more for us at POP because we're getting two rooms, but I've heard so many great things about POP that I think it will be a perfect fit for us. I'd opt to save the extra $500, but that's just the way I am.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Well I have stayed at all levels of the Disney resorts.We are DVC members also.
But when free dining came out,I jumped all over the Values for the price you just cant beat it.
We are staying at AS Moves this time and then in December I got the 40% off code and will be staying at POP.
But if we go again before that time we will be staying at one of the DVC resorts.
We love the values and the theming thats what made my DH fall in Love with Disney as our first trip was to AS movies and he was in AWE.

It is definetely left up to you but if it were me I would definetey save the money and stay at POP.

 

[HayGan]

I do really enjoy POP. My mom and I stayed there last year during free dining. We are even staying there next month for a few days. I guess the 3 things that are keeping me from jumping ship and going with POP are:

1: I really want to try POFQ
2. The kids really really want the dragon slide
3. Will we be cramped with my mom, me and the 2 boys in a value room. (I'll see what it is like next month with me, my dad and the boys.) My mom and I did think the POP room was kind of small so that does worry me.

I will likely stay with POFQ but I can't help keep thinking about it. I guess I am one person who wishes that there wasn't new availability at POP

Thanks for all the input!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Personally, I'd stick with POFQ since you've never stayed there before and you already planned to shell out the extra money anyways. The boys will love the pool and slide. I'm sure you'll love the atmosphere and themeing.

 

[Judge Fudge]

Pop is great, save your money unless you hang around the resort all day for the pool.(There's always either waterpark with better pools and slides than any resort) Think of what you could do with the $500 you don't spend, put it towards another trip, buy something extra on the trip, maybe a new camera, or donate it.

Pop has their own busses, a fantastic food court with tons of different choices, decent pools, and it's much newer compared to the AS's. Most people judge based on those values. Having stayed at both, Pop beats them hands down.

 

[cocowum]

We were going to stay at POR but I just could not do it. We've stayed at POFQ and CBR. To me there isn't enough of a difference between a value and a Mod to justify the expense. Instead of 6 days at POR, we are staying at POP for 11 days.

We used the 40%off code for AKL 8/21-8/25 then it's off to POP 8/26-9/5 w/free dining I cannot believe how much money we're saving. (using that good ole Disney math )

 

[coconutsunshine]

It sounds like you would really like to stay at POFQ, go with your gut and treat yourself.. something I know is hard to do sometimes... like MariaEllerºoº said you were already willing to spend the money, so GO FOR IT!!!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

if you have your heart set on it then stay where you would really like. we usually just stay at the all stars. it was always cheaper with the kids. personally we stay at the parks most of the day, unless we go back to swim. so i think we would save the 500 bucks and stay at pop. my dh would love to stay at the akl, but i keep telling him, when we hit the lottery we will stay there..............have a great trip..............

 

[kidsgobears]

We loved POFQ!! In fact , we're planning another trip (October I think). Part of me thinks we should try someplace new (CSR?) and the other part keeps saying go back to POFQ where everything was really perfect...not a single complaint.

 

[MPHARJ]

I just changed my reservations from ASSports to POFQ, we stayed there 2 years ago and I loved it. I am treating my parents to a vacation this year for all they do for me and the kids, they still think we are staying at AS, but i just had to change it when I saw that POFQ was available again. I can understand how you feel, I really didn't want to spend more, but I so wanted to stay at POFQ again.

 

[ktink]

I know what you mean. We were originally booked at Poly w/ 40% code and purchasing DDP. Well we've ran into some expenses w/ DH's truck. I was set to book ASMu but felt that I should go on w/ a moderate at least. Well I'm seriously debating going to a value if possible.

We manage our funds really well so it's not a strain but I just think that's $500 extra that we'll be saving. I will never be able to stay deluxe if I don't get the tight wad out of my system. DH and I are avid savers and refuse to touch savings. My BF told me the other day that we should splurge for once and stay at Poly. We just don't have it in us. We book and then next thing you know downgrade to mod or value.

This thread struck up a conversation w/ me and DH and I'll probably regret it in the morning. But I just got off of the phone w/ CRO (while I've been typing) and I've booked ASMU. We did go w/ a preferred room though.

 

[Cinders Mum]

I would go with a value. That's what we have done in fact. We could have afforded to stay at a Moderate this year, but we like the All Stars, so we are there and then saving the difference and putting it towards the Poly for another trip either next year or the year after ...... Either way we are happy with our choices. Enjoy ASMusic.

Val
xx

 

[wilma-bride]

When we first got our quote from DU, there was only availability at a moderate (CBR). Then we decided to extend by 1 day and, lo and behold, availability came up at All Star Music at $500+ cheaper (for an extra night too). This is a budget trip for us anyway (as it's our 3rd in 12 months) but even so, it was a no-brainer to me - that $500 is better in my pocket than Disney's

 

[Pooh for Presid]

I agree with most everyone when I think that POP is the best value on property. The food Court is the best of any resort and the one bus stop is great. However as I was reading through the thread, I thought that I wished you had posted how big your party was. SInce I see the size of your party I really think the $500 is worth it. Cramming too many people in a smaller room can really make everyone irratable.

In addition if you do decide to save the $500 only do it if you can get into POP. The ALL stars are not nearly as nice and the bus situation is horrible. Best of luck.

 

[dclfun]

I guess I'm the only one to think the POP food court leaves alot to be desired, esp. compared to ASMo. The only thing my kids prefer there is the icees, but for the food they really have never found anything very appealing. I also don't like how the ice cream/dessert area is outside the food court area. If you get your ice cream first then it's melted by the time you get through the other lines and otherwise ( to get the dessert with the DP) I don't like going outside the checkout area since I haven't paid yet. My favorite thing about POP is that the curtains overlap!---Kathy

 

[bigmoonmullen]

Hi:

We have stayed at Pops, CBR & BC.... This winter we are staying at AKL & WL. You have stayed at Moderates & Deluxes BUT I really think you will enjoy POP. It's convenient... bus service was very good.... much much better the CBR.

I would suggest you try it once and then you will know have a true feel of each resort class... Yes... they must vary somewhat between resorts within the same class.

If you choose POP and like it or dislike it... you will know if it's something you would want to consider in the future.

Have a Great Trip,

Mark

 

[DisneyOCD]

Hi,
I had the same set of facts. Originally I booked POP w/40% code and the changed to POFQ after free dining came out. I decided to stay w/POFQ for two reasons: 1) resort size- I felt that the POP at 3000 rooms will be really crowded if it is completely booked, whereas the FQ only has 1000+ rooms so the impact has to be less, on the food court, transportation, the pool, etc. and I usually need a refrigerator which is 10+ dollars /per night at POP and standard at POFQ, at the end of the day the savings would be minimal.

I think that if the upgrade is a deal breaker then POP is the way to go , but if not POFQ would "probably" be a more relaxing experience in my opinion.

Good luck deciding and have a great time!

 

[KodakFigment]

We had the same discussion at our house just last week. Decided on Moderate because
1. Quiet pools
2. Fridge and COFFEE pot
3. Ceiling fans
4. Bigger rooms

Is it really worth $450 more for the week? Not sure I can rationalize it cost wise, but for us the little things are a big difference.