Would you upgrade to POR for 3 nights from POP for $88?

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I am crazy resort hopping. I am aware that it is completely nuts and there is no talking me out of it lol My husband will not be with me for the first 5 days so it's my chance to stay where he won't.

We are in the middle of purchasing a resale with no points until 2014. So we rented points for our 4th of July/daughter's July 5 birthday trip. Originally it was going to be July 2-July 7 and we rented points to stay in a studio at BWV July 2-3, BLT July 3-4, BWV July 5-7 and a BWV cash reservation for July 4-5.

But then my parents, (my father's b-day is July 4), brother, sisters and 3 nieces are coming down to stay at my parent's vacation home and go to Disney. I decided to extend my trip for 5 days before DH arrives at 10pm on July 2. I was going to stay with my family but 11 people (6 adults and 5 kids) in one house is just chaos. (I have previously posted about this) Plus the 30 minute drive each way to Disney.

So I thought I could stay 3 nights with them and 2 nights at AoA in LM room. (I cannot cancel this ressie or my daughter will kill me). Then I realized I won't be able handle 3 nights. So I booked POP for 3 nights with my AP rate. But for $88 more I could stay at POR. Is it worth it? It's just for 3 nights and I'm switching to AoA then BWV then BLT and back to BWV. I usually stay at deluxe resorts and have never stayed at POR. Years ago I stayed at POP for one night and couldn't sleep on their mattress. However, I heard they refurbished it so maybe it is better? Am I being too cheap over $88? I have 2 young kids, ages 5 and 2 so I won't be using the hot tub lol. I know there is a lot for them to do at POP. How does POR compare with kid's activities? Which would you stay at if you were traveling without your significant other and with 2 young kids? (I might have help from my brother or sister but can't rely on it.)

 

[auralia]

I would switch just for the size of the room being bigger and the resort being smaller.

As for your DVC stays are you switching around to try different places or because of a lack of availability? Trust me when I say moving so much especially with little ones is very hectic I would take all those days together at SSR or OKW rather than have to bounce back and forth like that or at least the front half at ssr or okw and then do the back half at board walk axing bay lake just to reduce the moves. (if there is availability But that's just me!)

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I would switch just for the size of the room being bigger and the resort being smaller.

As for your DVC stays are you switching around to try different places or because of a lack of availability? Trust me when I say moving so much especially with little ones is very hectic I would take all those days together at SSR or OKW rather than have to bounce back and forth like that or at least the front half at ssr or okw and then do the back half at board walk axing bay lake just to reduce the moves. (if there is availability But that's just me!)

DH will only stay at BLT, BWV or BCV and that was what was available.

 

[MissBritt]

I have stayed at both and would go with POR. It was my first onsite stay and for many reasons it is my favorite. I would absolutely take my 2 yo with or without my husband. And if you are used to deluxe, 5 nights in value may drive you crazy. Think of the POR to AoA move as a gradual shift.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Definitely worth it! POR is beautiful, much closer to a deluxe. I think there is a bigger difference in value to moderate, as opposed to moderate to deluxe. I have stayed at almost every Disney resort several times ( haven't done GF, Poly or WL, yet) and POR is one of my top choices.

 

[quietgirll]

I LOVE pop, and it was our go to resort, UNTIL we stayed at POR in jan- now werE going bacK to POR in a week! Love it, and it would definitely be worth the price difference....and I'm a cheapo!

 

[madelyn]

Wow, that is a lot of resort hopping! Hopefully since you are at BWV July 4-7 even though you have different ressies, you won't have to actually change rooms. So your DH is OK with moving so much? Last summer we stayed BWV for 2 nights then BLT for 2 nights before moving over to at off-site Marriott condo for 7 days. I don't think I will ever stay any one place for less than 3 nights. We thought that staying at BWV and BLT for short stays would be preferable to staying at another resort (that had availability for all 4 nights) since we had never stayed at BWV/BLT before. DH was tired of packing up/unpacking and moving. We know we could have had bell services move our luggage but we drove to Florida and had our own van and thought moving things ourselves would be easier. It wasn't easier. DH said he would resort hop again, but not with kids (we have 3). Plus my sister and brother were also with us so he had to move stuff for 7 people. I have never stayed at POR or Pop but I would probably go with POR for the minimal price difference, especially if you are moving to a value (Little Mermaid room) after that.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

Thank you all so much! I switched and can't wait!

 

[ceecee]

I was immediately going to respond with YES! But with 2 little ones they would so love the POP. Our DD really loved the ASMo and POP when she was younger, she begged to stay there and we did, it was so fun for her. Now that she's older we like Coronado Spgs! We did stay at Port Orleans/Riverside last yr because there was no opening at CS. We got the upgrade which was a "princess" type room because those had just been upgraded and had queen beds, it had fireworks on the headboard and Beauty and the Beast factored in which was neat because DD was just in their musical Beauty and the Beast at school!.. It was a close walk and peaceful, but lacking the magic factor if you had younger kids. At least once your kids should see the values because they are so fun and 3 days would be an ideal time period. Of course if you go to the AoA that should get that covered!!!

 

[tzeitel]

I have stayed at both and for little kids (and even for myself) I would go with Pop. POR is a nice resort and all that but I think Pop is more fun

 

[bumbershoot]

3 nights at POR or POP,
2 nights at AOA,
BWV July 2-3,
BLT July 3-4,
BWV cash reservation for July 4-5,
BWV July 5-7.

Well first, yes, I would change to POR. Lovely resort with fun playground near the big pool, tons of other pools where you and the kids can swim together, etc.


We have been avowed split-stayers, but it got out of control with our last trip and now we're trying to tone it down. We did 2 nights at POR, 3 night cruise, 3 nights at Universal, 2 or 3 nights at Kidani, 3 nights at SSR (that turned into moving rooms after the first night), and 2 or 3 nights at VWL.

It was just too much. I grew exhausted from tipping Bell Services each way. Unpacking and packing better each stay. (though I might have become a packing expert from it) etc.

My biggest advice to you is to know what you're packing and know where it is. If need be, pack in compartments: first chunk of the trip in this part of this bag, second part over here, etc. Write it down if you have to! Put things back where they came from. Don't totally unpack at any point. Have the bathroom stuff in one spot so you can pull it out and put it back simply and easily. Maybe have closet hanging shelfy things (I got them for $2 each in the dollar section at Target) so you can pull out that "chunk's" clothes and shoes and put them in an easy spot to get to. Just be as organized as possible, and make sure to get enough ones and fives before your trip for tipping the people who will be helping with each luggage move!

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

Well first, yes, I would change to POR. Lovely resort with fun playground near the big pool, tons of other pools where you and the kids can swim together, etc.


We have been avowed split-stayers, but it got out of control with our last trip and now we're trying to tone it down. We did 2 nights at POR, 3 night cruise, 3 nights at Universal, 2 or 3 nights at Kidani, 3 nights at SSR (that turned into moving rooms after the first night), and 2 or 3 nights at VWL.

It was just too much. I grew exhausted from tipping Bell Services each way. Unpacking and packing better each stay. (though I might have become a packing expert from it) etc.

My biggest advice to you is to know what you're packing and know where it is. If need be, pack in compartments: first chunk of the trip in this part of this bag, second part over here, etc. Write it down if you have to! Put things back where they came from. Don't totally unpack at any point. Have the bathroom stuff in one spot so you can pull it out and put it back simply and easily. Maybe have closet hanging shelfy things (I got them for $2 each in the dollar section at Target) so you can pull out that "chunk's" clothes and shoes and put them in an easy spot to get to. Just be as organized as possible, and make sure to get enough ones and fives before your trip for tipping the people who will be helping with each luggage move!

Oh wow that sounds like a super fun split stay trip! Thank you for the advice. I really don't unpack. I like to live out of my suitcase. I find it easier.

 

[DVCTX]

POR is my favorite resort when not staying at DVC. I like the country feel in the Alligator Bayou section, the ducks that are permanent residents, the POR Food Court and the boat ride to Downtown Disney.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would switch for that price difference!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I would do it ! I love POR , my kids loved it when they were little .

 

[3boymthr]

I would absolutely.

 

[Fjobe]

I would! I have never stayed at POP, but for $88 more, I would choose to stay at POR. We wind up at POR by default when DH travels with us because it is the cheapest place to stay for our family of 5. I have fallen in love with that place. It really feels like "my" resort. My kids love it so much they picked up that the theming on Splash Mountain has a similar feel. We just did 4 nights at POR, 4 night cruise, and 2 nights at POR in March. The packing and moving got a little old, but like the previous poster, I tried to keep stuff together based on when we would need it.

 

[horseshowmom]

I would switch just for the size of the room being bigger and the resort being smaller.

As for your DVC stays are you switching around to try different places or because of a lack of availability? Trust me when I say moving so much especially with little ones is very hectic I would take all those days together at SSR or OKW rather than have to bounce back and forth like that or at least the front half at ssr or okw and then do the back half at board walk axing bay lake just to reduce the moves. (if there is availability But that's just me!)

I saw that you have already switched. Just wanted to agree with your decision!

 

[stitchlovestink]

I would switch just for the size of the room being bigger and the resort being smaller.

As for your DVC stays are you switching around to try different places or because of a lack of availability? Trust me when I say moving so much especially with little ones is very hectic I would take all those days together at SSR or OKW rather than have to bounce back and forth like that or at least the front half at ssr or okw and then do the back half at board walk axing bay lake just to reduce the moves. (if there is availability But that's just me!)

Are you maybe thinking of french quarter??

Riverside is large enough it has MULTIPLE bus stops. POP has one bus stop. French Quarter is definitely smaller than POP...but Riverside, smaller than POP?? I don't think so...

 

[SarahKate]

POR is a great call. Love that resort.