Will you stay at the gondola hotels if they raise their prices?

[loves to dive]

I'm not very loyal to any particular resort. I just stay in whichever one is less for whatever category I'm booking at the time. I find something to like about all of them.

 

[tiredmom4]

It's less than a mile over land and water from CBR to Epcot's backdoor. You're talking at a platform to platform time from the hub to the park at under five minutes. That doesn't account for how long you're in line, but it's not going to take too long at all.

Yes, but the gondola is not going in a straight line. The gondola is going along a zigzag line from CBR to Riviera to Boarwalk to IG. I measured the total distance on google map: it is 1.52 miles. The gondola will stop at Riviera to pick up and slow down at Boardwalk for the turn. It will take at least 10-15 minutes, assuming it goes at top speed. Otherwise, it will be twice that long. It is likely the gondola will go fast during rush hour and slow during the day.

I don't know why the gondola doesn't go in a straight line. Perhaps it is due to construction difficulties of building towers in the World showcase.

 

[tiredmom4]

I'm not very loyal to any particular resort. I just stay in whichever one is less for whatever category I'm booking at the time. I find something to like about all of them.

That would be easier, yes! But I love Pop Century so much! It would be so sad to have to give it up! It's like breaking up with a boyfriend!

 

[loves to dive]

That would be easier, yes! But I love Pop Century so much! It would be so sad to have to give it up! It's like breaking up with a boyfriend!

I sort of felt that way about YC until I started staying at Dolphin for a couple hundred dollars less a night and that boyfriend was out the door. He wasn't worth it.

 

[ellbell]

You don't need to if you aren't going to stay there anyway. I wouldn't care if something is happening to the monorail, good or bad. But I have to get the bounce back offer for Pop a year ahead, so I have to make my decision based on rumors and theories; by the time the facts come out, it will be too late for me. However, this is only true for the first year, of course. Once the facts are out, there is no need to do guess work after that.

Pop is actually my favorite resort and I have 3 trips planned next year and at least 2 the year after. If I don't like what's happening with the gondolas I'll switch hotels or suck it up. If they raise the prices after you've booked it won't make a difference. If one of the other things happen that I wouldn't like I'd find a way around it and in the future figure out what works best for me. At this point I will continue on booking at POP and figure everything else out as I get real information and not speculation and rumors

 

[KNovacovschi]

We will definitely be staying at POP no matter what. We have been staying there every year since 2006, except 2016 but that was because we booked CBR for FD and were upgraded to Savannah view room at AKL. I also like POP for my solo trips, mind you I have only done 1 solo trip so far but will be doing another in Spring 2019. I personally will be waiting till we have some more concrete info on it.

 

[tiredmom4]

I sort of felt that way about YC until I started staying at Dolphin for a couple hundred dollars less a night and that boyfriend was out the door. He wasn't worth it.

Oh. Sorry to hear about the break up! That's what my kids are telling me too, Pop isn't worth it if we can save hundreds of dollars at All Stars. But I'm hoping I can salvage this relationship! But congratulations on finding Dolphin! It does seem to cost a lot less than YC.

 

[happymomof1]

Wait a minute.... is this a “plant” question, generated by WDW higher ups to see if they can plan to start to raise hotel rates?????

Just joking —lol!!

 

[tiredmom4]

Wait a minute.... is this a “plant” question, generated by WDW higher ups to see if they can plan to start to raise hotel rates?????

Just joking —lol!!

I have a feeling that Disney feels that they need not ask plant questions -- or any questions -- before they raise hotel rates. And park rates. And add fees.

 

[SL6827]

I must admit that I am glad I am going to go ahead and fork over nearly $370 for one night at AoA for my daughter who has been begging to stay there for years. I know that after the gondalas are installed, the prices will go even higher.

 

[KNovacovschi]

I received an email today from Disney regarding the construction that will be occurring in September for it. I'm not bothered by it though, POP will always be our favorite. I just wish they would give a completion date instead of just saying 2019. I'm hoping that it will be done by the time I go on my Solo trip in the Spring but I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[mousefan73]

I received an email today from Disney regarding the construction that will be occurring in September for it. I'm not bothered by it though, POP will always be our favorite. I just wish they would give a completion date instead of just saying 2019. I'm hoping that it will be done by the time I go on my Solo trip in the Spring but I'm not getting my hopes up.

is this email referring to the current bridge work between POP and AoA or will constuction be more impacting starting in September?

 

[robinb]

I will definitely stay at the Riveria Resort at least once. DVC and the Swolphin are the only ways I stay on property.

 

[KNovacovschi]

is this email referring to the current bridge work between POP and AoA or will constuction be more impacting starting in September?

This is the email received:

May 2018

Dear Novacovschi Family,

We are delighted you have chosen to stay with us at Disney's Pop Century Resort!

Walt Disney once spoke of how his creations would never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world. It is in this spirit that we have embarked on creating a new transportation system, Disney Skyliner, which will give Guests a bird’s-eye view of Walt Disney World® Resort while traveling via gondolas. This transportation system will connect future Guests of Disney's Pop Century Resort with Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, the International Gateway at Epcot® and other Resorts.

While we work our magic, the Resort will be in full operation with all amenities available to you, including our dining, merchandise and recreation locations. It is possible that you may see or hear construction, but noise should not be heard from your Guest room between dusk and 9:00am. We apologize for any inconvenience this work may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding. Please know we are making every effort to ensure your comfort and enjoyment.

If you have questions or need assistance prior to your arrival, please contact your travel agent directly.

General Manager Jeff Korte and the team at Disney's Pop Century Resort look forward to your arrival and wish you a truly magical stay!

Sincerely,
Disney Destinations, LLC

 

[HopperFan]

How much increase will you tolerate?

I'm not talking about price comparing to the past rather than price comparing to the present. My bottom line is, if Pop costs $70 more than All Stars (after discount), will you still choose Pop over All Stars? Or if CBR costs $100 more after discount than CSR (and therefore definitely more than POR), will you still stay at CBR? You know that the difference is to pay for the gondola upgrade to the resort.

I get you are comparing them to each other in Gondola Live time but I do think you really still have to factor in what these resorts have been costing as well. The rates are already over an acceptable line for me most seasons. Considering I will not ride the gondola - if the rates go up substantially over what they have been in the past - then I won't stay there.

In your scenario you are saying that CSR is say $200 per night (already too much) and then CBR would be $300 per night .... not a prayer I would pay that for a Disney moderate when I can get a VERY NICE deluxe resort room offsite for that. Adding $70 to an AllStar rate, putting POP way up in the over $200 mark, when I can get a nicer room offsite for less than half of that ......... no way.

The gondola is worth $0 dollars to me, so all that matters is what the actual cost of the resort is compared to what I can get offsite.

 

[deakam]

I have a December 2018 trip booked at POP. It will be our first trip in a renovated room. After reading reviews and looking at photos I am thinking this might be my last stay at Pop anyway. Not a fan of the table bed because we use the table a lot and I really have a problem with community sundries. Can you really be certain the last party in that room didn't spit in the shampoo? Yes I am paranoid. Anyway as far as the Gondolas go I think they might be a nice change but I don't think I am willing to pay more for them. Adding an additional fee would put Pop much closer to French Quarter in price so that would be my choice. Is Disney actually creating another level of resort? Value, Value plus, Moderate, Moderate plus, Deluxe, Deluxe monorail and Deluxe Epcot.

 

[dansdad]

Can you really be certain the last party in that room didn't spit in the shampoo?

No. But the odds of that happening are the same with the little bottles.

 

[deakam]

Wait a minute.... is this a “plant” question, generated by WDW higher ups to see if they can plan to start to raise hotel rates?????

Just joking —lol!!

Not the only person that thought this....

 

[Sandiz08]

The gondolas make is appealing to stay at these resorts now, but I don't think I would wanna pay more for these rooms though.