Which hotel would you pick?

[mmeh97@yahoo.com]

My son (22) & I will be heading to WDW in 2025 for what may be our last mother/son trip (at least for awhile). Trying not to break the budget and keep price of vaca under control.
Will be heading to HS, AK, & EPCOT. (MK only if we add park hopper). Always spend an evening or two at DS & maybe a few hours poolside.
Now to decide on resort… (usually choose a garden view type room). POP most affordable, CBR about $500 more , or POR a few dollars more than CBR. Closet / drawer space important. We have stayed at all three without issue but I’m having a hard time choosing.
Help DIS friends

 

[elvispursley]

Why not let your DS decide? Unless he’s like my two boys and all id get would be a “shrug” also, have you priced out the Swolphin resorts? When I went last month, I was originally booked at POFQ and could stay at the Swan for the same price. Have to say I’m kinda jealous—tried and tried to get my 2 boys (21 and 18) to do a trip with just the 3 of us. I was flatly refused!

 

[bdrex28]

Have you considered renting from someone here by using their DVC points?

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Why not let your DS decide? Unless he’s like my two boys and all id get would be a “shrug” also, have you priced out the Swolphin resorts? When I went last month, I was originally booked at POFQ and could stay at the Swan for the same price. Have to say I’m kinda jealous—tried and tried to get my 2 boys (21 and 18) to do a trip with just the 3 of us. I was flatly refused!

Came to second this - if you plan to spend a lot of time at HS and EPCOT, I would look into Swan and Dolphin.

 

[migirl]

I would choose Pop and use the savings for a nice meal.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I would choose CBR for Skyliner proximity. It will give you access to HS and EPCOT. Worth a bit extra to have more time with your son! Enjoy!

We are flying in tomorrow. Our son is already there and DIL arrives today. It is all about FAMILY!

 

[sponica]

I guess I would wonder how many nights, that price difference between Pop and CBR is a big one if it's just a few nights...but I have a soft spot for Pop.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

It's a hard decision, I know!!

My logical side says money talks and go with POP!
My heartstrings say IF this is really going to be a last
(even for awhile) time Mom/son trip then spend and upgrade!

 

[MICKIMINI]

It's a hard decision, I know!!

My logical side says money talks and go with POP!
My heartstrings say IF this is really going to be a last
(even for awhile) time Mom/son trip then spend and upgrade!

We were empty nesters from high school (prep school could not take time off) when we did just one WDW trip since the lacrosse team was training at HHI. We enjoyed a few days together, drove up to HHI where he could join the team and then had a few days in Charleston and Disney HHI. Undergrad and grad school, medical boards, new job etc kept him away for another 14 years! He married a Disney girl and now we meet at WDW most years, sometimes twice. It may be a LONG time before he joins you again - and he will LOL!

Whatever you do, make the best of it!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would ask DS. If he has no opinion, Pop. Skyliner access to DHS/EP is sweet.

(But do price out Swolphin. Once in awhile it’s a better deal even than Pop.)

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We would go with POP, it's a great resort and has the skyliner. If looking at Swolphin make sure to add in the resort fee and if you are driving, the parking fee, both fees together adds another $80+ per night.

 

[ice cube]

Like pp go with POP for budget but do check Swan and Dolphin as they tend to be cost effective at times.

 

[The Bosa]

Swan and Dolphin for sure

 

[1goofymom]

My son (22) & I will be heading to WDW in 2025 for what may be our last mother/son trip (at least for awhile). Trying not to break the budget and keep price of vaca under control.
Will be heading to HS, AK, & EPCOT. (MK only if we add park hopper). Always spend an evening or two at DS & maybe a few hours poolside.
Now to decide on resort… (usually choose a garden view type room). POP most affordable, CBR about $500 more , or POR a few dollars more than CBR. Closet / drawer space important. We have stayed at all three without issue but I’m having a hard time choosing.
Help DIS friends

CBR access to skyliner would make it my pick

 

[Spoisal]

Have to say I’m kinda jealous—tried and tried to get my 2 boys (21 and 18) to do a trip with just the 3 of us. I was flatly refused!

Off topic, but this just breaks my heart. I have got two girls though, so it is tough to relate. Hugs to you!

 

[bbak30]

POP for the affordability and the skyliner.

 

[kevtlas]

Have you considered renting from someone here by using their DVC points?

I was going to suggest the same. Sometimes renting costs less than even the good neighbor hotels.

 

[peachiepie]

CBR for the Skyliner!

 

[leebee]

First choice? If you are SURE of your dates and that you are going regardless of what else might come up, I'd rent DVC points from someone here.

Otherwise, I'd consider WHY I'm looking at those resorts. I'm not a fan of CBR as it is HUGE and you don't know how far from the skyliner your room might be. Seems counterintuitive to me to take an internal bus to get to the skyliner to get to a park, and if the weather is bad, the skyliner doesn't run. Also, you can't always count on the boats to DS from POR (if the boat access is the lure). If there is too much water in the river, too little water, or inclement weather, they don't run. Same with the skyliner from POP... inclement weather means the skyliner doesn't run. These are just things to consider.

ALSO, is this a park-centric trip? Are you using your hotel room simply as a place to shower and sleep? When that's the case, I almost always choose the cheapest accommodations and use the money saved on table service meals or experiences. DD and I usually stay at a value, as we are usually in the parks for most of our days. DH and I, on the other hand, stay at whatever other type of resort I can afford (AKL, CSR, WL, etc.) because he and I rarely have park tickets when we go to Disney; we are there for the atmosphere, relaxing, etc. Same with the trip DD and I took in August, which was 3 nights at the Poly. She got a great bounceback rate AND had money in reserve at Disney (long story... she didn't get her refund but did get the money held for a future trip) so we booked the Poly, where we always wanted to stay, but no park tickets.

Anyhow... that's how we decide where to stay.

 

[Carolynleanne]

I've stayed everywhere from the cheapest on site property to one of the most expensive and I will say, higher end isnt always the bees knees! We've had LOVELY times at POP, so if you're on a budget, I wouldnt hesitate to stay there.