Should I upgrade?

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

We've only stayed at two on-site resorts in the past: Animal Kingdom Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Both places were great and we loved them!

We are making an inexpensive trip down in September/early October because of the free dining. I am trying to keep the cost of the trip down because we are in the process of building a house, and it took a lot for me to convince my DH to go on this trip. The fact that my 30th birthday is in October helped a great deal.

So, because we are trying to save money, and have to furnish/decorate our new home, we are staying at Pop Century. Dave initially said he wanted to fly, he hates driving. Then he jokingly said if we drive we can stay at AKL. I told him we wouldn't save enough on driving to cover the cost to upgrade from PC to AKL (about $1000).

I showed him a picture of PC that came with our "Thanks for booking" paperwork from WDTC. He said something about trying to find a better place to stay. I have to admit, I'm really not looking forward to staying there.

As much as I tell myself it's just place to sleep and swim every day, I'm not looking forward to it. But to upgrade to a moderate is about $400.

No, $400 isn't a lot of money at all. To some people, it is pocket change. But with all of the things we need for our house, I'm finding it hard to justify that extra $400.

Our trip, if we fly, is going to be about $1500 (meals are free and we already have park hoppers from our trip in 2004). If we drive, we'll save about $300, so it'll be about $1200. Then we'll need a few hundred spending money.

So, that $400 can be spent on souveniers at AKL for our new house. I love the things they sell in the gift shop over there. The $400 can be used to go golfing and do other stuff we've never done before. We can have a few breakfasts on-site, and still have money left over.

So, if you were me, would you just stay at PC and tell yourself it's just a place to sleep and swim, or would you upgrade to a moderate and just tell yourself its only an extra $400?

I'm really torn. I was looking on allearsnet.com at three different mods, POFQ, POR, and CBR. Upgrading to a deluxe is out of the question. I could never justify that extra expense with what is going on right now.

 

Originally Posted By sun-n-fun

We have never been able to stay at anything above a moderate (Dixie Landings and loved it!) I can see once you stay at AKL, you wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. Although our All stars experience wasn't too good, I have heard nothing but good things about PC. I think that once you get home you'd be glad to have saved the money. Just my 2 cents.

And no matter what you decide, I'm sure you'll have an great time.

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

Are you hesitant about the All Stars because of some of the bad reviews it gets?

Personally, I would stay cheaper and save the $400.

 

Originally Posted By cape cod joe

Om--We stayed at AKL on our very first trip, so it's a huge emotional thing for us. Since then, we stay mostly at PC or the Stars with a CSR thrown in.
Stay at PC and save the money. Still take the bus ride to the AKL and eat at Boma and of course spend the 400 on souvenirs at the sensational gift shop there. Just on our last trip we picked up a hand penciled scene of the AKL for around 50 bucks which goes great in the Florida room. Buy the souvenirs as you've been there done that!
The house should take TOP priority imho only?

 

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

^^Just looking at the pictures of PC, it looks so cheezy compared to the moderates and deluxes.

I don't know, I'm not really leaning towards upgrading or staying the same. I'm torn right in the middle. I may end up just sticking with PC.

 

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

<<The house should take TOP priority imho only?>>

Yes, you are absolutely right. I probably will stick with PC and tell myself it's only a place to sleep and swim.

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

It would take top prioity to me. Some things in life are more important than Disney (gasp!)

 

Originally Posted By cape cod joe

Touche---BUT it is not just a place to sleep. PC ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Music in the bushes, the hippdy dipty pool, the food court!!!!!!!!!! We LOVE that place so have a ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just visit the AKL for FREE!!!!!!!

 

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

^^sorry joe, my post about PC looking cheezy was in regard to trekkerus's post <<Are you hesitant about the All Stars because of some of the bad reviews it gets?

Personally, I would stay cheaper and save the $400.>>

It just took me a while to reply, and you posted in between. I was just saying why I am hesitating to just stay at Pop, and am contemplating upgrading to a moderate.

But I do agree with you when you say my house should take first priority and I should just stay at Pop.

 

Originally Posted By junglejoy

We did the opposite of what most everyone has adivsed. We were going in early Oct and staying at POR (there are 5 of us, POR is the only mod-resort that sleeps 5 - we knew the values would make us get two rooms). When we heard about the free dining we switched to Sept and then realized that the $1200 saved would pay for an upgrade to the CR. It's always been my dream to stay in a resort on the monorail. We discussed it, I leaned towards POR and then DH said, "We may never go again, let's just go for it." We are so excited! It is our first trip, probably won't be our last (I haven't told DH this yet). But it will probably be our only visit to a deluxe. We figured we should do it while we could. Our next trip we may not have the $$$ to do so.

Everyone is different. I'm just so excited I don't have to stay crammed into a POR room. Phew!

 

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

<<Everyone is different. I'm just so excited I don't have to stay crammed into a POR room. Phew!>>

Congrats, I'm very excited for you! I would go for it if I were you!

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

<<Just looking at the pictures of PC, it looks so cheezy>>

I think you are missing the point, mom. It's SUPPOSED to be cheezy. Popular culture by definition is practically the epitome of cheeze.

It's not the Elegant Century Resort, it's the.... well, you get my drift.

 

Originally Posted By stitchcrazy

t1lersm0m - I'm staying at Pop for the first time in 11 days. Previously we've stayed at AKL 3 times and we've stayed at 3 of the 4 moderates so we're not so sure what to expect either. But when I get back I'll do a trip report and I always take a lot of pictures so I'll have a link to those too. If there's anything in particular you'd like to hear about or have me look into I'd be more than happy to!

 

Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub

I just returned from PC Friday night. I never ever thought I would stay anywhere besides the POly,the Boardwalk or the WL(DVC home). I also stayed on property at DL until the rates escalated with the 50th celebration.If I would compare it to the Park Place at DL Pop Century would be the winner. I was surprised I enjoyed the PC and would definitely stay again. If you think about it WDW does not have an ideal location. You will be using the buses and the monorail no matter where you stay. And with the EMH you are hardly in the rooms except to sleep. One other option is to check the rates on Swandolphin.com because they are located on the Boardwalk(boat rides to Epcot and MGM)plus they have the "Heavenly Beds".I have found rates for 174-194 occasionally on their website.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

Remember that the Pop Century is NOT an All Star resort. It's a value, but they did a much better job with the theming and landscaping at the PC. I'm a diehard moderate fan, and didn't enjoy either stay at the All Star resorts in the past (felt really cheap). But budget forced me to stay at the PC a few months back, and I was pleasantly surprised. It just feels nicer than the AS properties. I'd say save the money if you can't really spare it and enjoy the PC for what it is - a kitchy value resort that's still head & shoulders above your average roadside motel!

 

Originally Posted By t1lersm0m

Ok, you guys have pretty much talked me into staying at Pop. It is only a place to sleep and swim. I could buy lots for the new house at AKL's store (Zawabi?) with that extra $400. And I have heard that of the values, Pop is the best one because of it's newness and it doesn't share a bus with the All Stars.

 

Originally Posted By sun-n-fun

^^ PC is probably where we will stay next time, so I'll be interested to get your insight after you return.

Stitchcrazy, I'll also be interested inseeing your pics.

 

Originally Posted By stitchcrazy

^sun-n-fun I'll definitely post the pics along with my trip report early the week I get back! I would imagine I'll do it on the 23rd or 24th.

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

Zawadi is the shop at AKL.

Anddddddddddd, I think y'all will be happy with Pop Century, Leigh. It's bright, clean, and if you're not on the ground floor near a pool, odds are good it won't be overly loud. Plus, it's semi centrally located onsite.

But, of course, part of me says you should stay at POFQ since it's the best darned moderate there is. hehe

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

My latest trip to WDW convinced me to stay next time at the Pops or All stars. I had stayed at a moderate and although the room was clean, quiet and comfortable. I was never there. I was up and out of the room by 7 am each morning and didn't return till 1 am each day. Next time I'm going for cheap. I also don't think your going to find a big difference between the food choices in the food courts between the moderates and Pops/All stars.