what to do

[yankeechick]

we are planning to stay at pop in jan,but with some reviews im kinda worried. this is our 1st trip to DW and family vac. since our second child was born. for $500 more we can stay at AK! I have 2 kids a 8 yo and 2 yo that will turn 3 in jan. i really need some help in my problem here what really would be the better choice for my kids pop or AK?

 

[Kate and Pete]

DH and I stayed at the POP in Feb. and really liked it. It was bright, safe, and clean, and the CMs were really nice (and that's all that's important to us!). It's not fancy, but it serves its purpose of a clean place to sleep and lounge by the pools. I have a feeling AKL would be even nicer, but, POP does its job. Good luck on your decision!

 

[jls886]

My friend and I stayed at POP and also really enjoyed it! The decorations are so fun to walk through on your way back to your room! The biggest difference as far as I'm concerned is that POP is all outdoor entry to your rooms while AK is an indoor hotel. But, I think you'll be more than happy with POP, especially if you find other fun things to do with that $500! Plus, you can always go visit AK and get the feel for it without staying there.

 

[Tink-aholic]

Never stayed at POP, but we love, love, LOVE AKL! The animals are so close and the pool is amazing. For some, the theming is too much...but that is what we like about it. I understand that POP is just as over-the-top themed, too. Do you have any codes or PINs that you can use?

Could you split the stay and do both? Save some money and experience both. Just a thought.

 

[DISNEYRIFFIC]

We've done POP before and are doing it again Jan 2009. We've stayed at a few moderate's and really there isn't a HUGE difference. It's not like POP is a $39 motel on the side of a highway. It's really nice and safe. I'd say, save yourself the $500 and spend it on other fun treats at the park. I am a really picky person and trust me, I wouldn't be staying there if it was icky....

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[ddiva]

We almost always stay at POP. As annual passholders, we visit several times a year. It's a great place for kids. Use the $500 for character meals or something special that the kids would enjoy.

 

[ibdamamma]

I know exactly what your questioning in your head. We did the pop 2 years ago, Rachel was 5, Mia was 3 and Ashley was 5 weeks. The 5 of us (with porta crib) fit very well in the rooms. They aren't ginormous, but the amount of time you actually spend in them is very little. We only were our rooms for naps and bed time. Other than that we very rarely hung out in our room not because it was too small but because there was so much to do. I'm a saver so to me that $500 could be some great family fun. Well worth sacrificing some sq footage if you ask me. Good luck with your decision!

 

[bmoncher]

That is strictly a personal decision.
my family (me, DH, DS and DD (ages 3 and 1 at the time) stayed at pop in May 2007 and DH informed me after one night - never again... our next stays were SSR and AKV... Yes we are DVC - but My DH will never stay at Pop again...

Not our style.. AKL/AKV - more our style and we would spend the extra on the AKL and buy less stuff/spend less on food...

 

[yankeechick]

why did your husband not like pop?

 

[HayGan]

My kids favorite resort is POP. We adults really like it as well AKL is beautiful as well. They are completely different experiences. If it was me, I would save the $500 and keep the reservation at POP.

 

[JohnsonsRUs]

We stayed at WL the first 2 times at DW and then for a last minute trip stayed at POP the next time. To quote DD "This is the best hotel ever, I don't ever want to stay anywhere else!" Needless to say, we went back to POP the next time and are planning to stay there again next year.

We thought that the distance from the parks would be a problem, but it is not, especially if you are considering AKL, which I believe is probably the same distance away from MK.

We love the theming and have never had any problems with waiting for buses either going to or coming from the parks.

IMO, I would stay at POP and save the $500.

 

[yankeechick]

im just wanting to know which one would be better for the kids. we can't swim bc it will be jan. we are on the dp so im not worried about food.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We have stayed at both hotels and I would have to say that the Pop is great. I think that the AKL is a lot of extra walking. The bus stop seemed forever away from our room.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have never stayed at AKL myself, but have had 3 friends (& their families) who have. They all liked it, but the biggest complaint by far was the bus service was horribly poor. Now these were their experiences, but ironicly, that they all had the same complaint. They would not stay at AKL again unless they had a rental car. The complaint was the busses did not run close enough together. If one bus just left, it was on average 45 min until the next one came. That was what they shared their experiences to be. Are you planning on using Disney's transportation system? That would be something I would consider. I have visited/dined at AKL and it is lovely. But to me, it took too long to get anywhere other than AK.
We have stayed at POP 4 or 5 x and are getting ready to go back in Nov. We love POP. Yes, the busses can be crowded, but we have found they run them very regularly. Many times when the line is long, they've double parked busses to load them quicker. The ride to MK is the longest. I swear the ride to DHS is like nothing. You're barely on and then your there. DTD and AK can take a little longer to get to if they are stopping at the water park first, but it still doesn't take long.
BTW your kids would probably love the goofy water jets at POP.
Good Luck making your decision. I know it's a tough one!

 

[jls886]

POP also has the slushie machine in the food court...a big hit with kids (and people in their 20's)!

 

[Gutzy]

can they use their refillable mugs for the slushy?

 

[roadtripper]

We have stayed at both, and while I wouldn't go into debt to stay at AKL, it really is a remarkable experience. The theming and the animals are amazing, and it is a deluxe hotel experience--even in a standard room. I figure I will never have that experience unless I go on a safari in Africa, and even then, it would be less predictable than the Disney savannahs.
Using the dining plan at Boma gives you a great bang for your buck, too. I don't know how many nights you're staying, but if you can swing it, I vote AKL. Good luck!

 

[jls886]

can they use their refillable mugs for the slushy?

Unless something has changed, I think thats allowed...others can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Kate and Pete]

POP also has the slushie machine in the food court...a big hit with kids (and people in their 20's)!

And with people in their 30's! My DH could suck down TWO before we got on the bus in the morning (and we like to get to the parks 45 min. before rope drop...). And, yes, you can use them for slushies!

 

[yankeechick]

I went w CSR I hope this resort will be a good one for kids i just love the pictures of this resort