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Budjeg11
LIF Adult
Member since 4/11 2644 total posts
Name:
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Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
I am having trouble deciding between staying at Pop and Coronado Springs for our trip in August. Going with a 4 and 6 year old for 3 nights. Likely will spend half a day at the resort or so. We will also have a rental car.
I’m leaning towards Coronado bc it seems nicer and the price differential between the two resorts is negligible - however I’m worried about the transportation to the parks from Coronado - we could drive too but I’m not sure how driving works.
Anyone stay at both resorts and recommend one over the other or have any insights on transportation ?
Is driving to the parks: easier or quicker than taking the bus?
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Posted 6/9/18 9:49 AM  |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
We've never had a car any Disney, but my kids love Pop Century. There is so much theming, which they love! We like the food court there and had no trouble with the transportation at all! We spent very little time at the resort and won't say that it was super luxurious, but it was clean and exactly what we needed! We will probably stay there again at some point, though now we need connecting rooms since we will be a family of 6!
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| Posted 6/9/18 10:44 AM |
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pumpkinmom
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2911 total posts
Name:
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
I've never stayed at those resorts, but we drive or rent a car. I prefer driving over taking the bus. If we can take a monorail or boat from the resort, I do that. The Magic Kingdom is a pain to drive to. With the strollers, maybe it's a toss up for me if the bus or driving is worse. We drive. With a 4 and 6 year old, maybe I would take the bus to MK.
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| Posted 6/9/18 11:31 AM |
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muffaboo
LIF Adult
Member since 12/10 3797 total posts
Name:
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
I haven't stayed at those resorts but we always rent a car when we go. Last time DD was 2 and this year she will be 4 when we're there. I can't be bothered waiting for the bus in the FL heat, maneuvering the stroller, wondering if we'll have a seat or not, missing the bus, etc. I like to be on my own schedule so renting a car just makes sense for us. I'd rather pay for the convenience of it than take the free shuttles. Also, if you stay on property, parking at the parks is free. They did just start charging for parking at the resorts but it's still worth it to me.
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| Posted 6/9/18 11:37 AM |
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Budjeg11
LIF Adult
Member since 4/11 2644 total posts
Name:
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
Posted by pumpkinmom
I've never stayed at those resorts, but we drive or rent a car. I prefer driving over taking the bus. If we can take a monorail or boat from the resort, I do that. The Magic Kingdom is a pain to drive to. With the strollers, maybe it's a toss up for me if the bus or driving is worse. We drive. With a 4 and 6 year old, maybe I would take the bus to MK.
Thanks!
What makes MK a pain over the others to drive to?
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| Posted 6/9/18 11:51 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
We stayed at Coronado, and I didn't like it. Rooms run down, and the bus service was SLOW since they have a million internal bus stops.
For the MK if you drive, you have to to go to the transportation and ticket center, park, then take a tram to the actual transportation and ticket center building, then take the monorail or boat to the MK. It's the pits, like seriously. I would NEVER drive to the MK EVER. Especially since when the park closes, the lines are like an hour long to get back on the boat or monorail. Taking Disney's bus from Pop Century drops you off right at the gate.
Also Pop Centuy has newly rehabbed rooms. And they have one bus stop. We have stayed there several times and like it.
I'm not sure if Pop has Minnie Vans, but those will drop you off at the gate also...for $20. I know they only had them at deluxe resorts for a while. They are run through Lyft
Message edited 6/9/2018 12:56:15 PM.
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| Posted 6/9/18 12:53 PM |
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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
I have stayed at both. With kids I would go for Pop Century. We just went Disney in February (we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge) and had rented a car since we were visiting my grandmother two hours away after our time at Disney. We would often drive and park at the parks. It made it easier than waiting for a bus. Or we would drive to the Transportation and Ticket Center so we could take the monorail (DS loved that). They would scan our Magic Band to show we were resort guests and we were on our way.
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| Posted 6/9/18 2:28 PM |
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dianadrw
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 2092 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
Posted by Budjeg11
Posted by pumpkinmom
I've never stayed at those resorts, but we drive or rent a car. I prefer driving over taking the bus. If we can take a monorail or boat from the resort, I do that. The Magic Kingdom is a pain to drive to. With the strollers, maybe it's a toss up for me if the bus or driving is worse. We drive. With a 4 and 6 year old, maybe I would take the bus to MK.
Thanks!
What makes MK a pain over the others to drive to?
It's a pain to drive to because you have to park your car and then walk or take a tram to the Transportation & Ticket Center and then take a monorail to the MK.
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| Posted 6/11/18 10:17 AM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
I just stayed at Coronado in April. My room was brand new. They are going through and updating. I always have a car and drive to parks. So easy!!!
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| Posted 6/11/18 7:19 PM |
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
Posted by alli3131
I just stayed at Coronado in April. My room was brand new. They are going through and updating. I always have a car and drive to parks. So easy!!!
Thank GOD for a positive Coronado review. We booked POR for August but then switched to Coronado when POR could not guarantee that the main pool would be open and Coronado was cheaper... so I'm getting scared hearing so many bad reviews about Coronado!!
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| Posted 6/11/18 9:07 PM |
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GoodThoughts
Dreams do come true
Member since 2/12 2259 total posts
Name:
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Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
Coronado’s rooms are recently refurbished. We’ve never had an issue using their buses. If you want a guaranteed seat, you can request one of the buildings near bus stop #2 (it’s actually the first pickup and bus stop #1 is the last). Requesting a room in Casitas 4 or 5 will put you right at bus stop #2.
As for renting a car, Disney guests now have to pay for parking at the resorts (yes, even if you’re staying at the resort). Also, you can’t walk to the parks from the parking area. You have to park and then take a tram to the park entrance.
I’d vote a moderate resort over value. The rooms are larger, beds are queen size vs full size. Coronado’s pool is great and has a fantastic slide.
Message edited 6/11/2018 9:15:17 PM.
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| Posted 6/11/18 9:13 PM |
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GoodThoughts
Dreams do come true
Member since 2/12 2259 total posts
Name:
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
Posted by BaysideForever
Posted by alli3131
I just stayed at Coronado in April. My room was brand new. They are going through and updating. I always have a car and drive to parks. So easy!!!
Thank GOD for a positive Coronado review. We booked POR for August but then switched to Coronado when POR could not guarantee that the main pool would be open and Coronado was cheaper... so I'm getting scared hearing so many bad reviews about Coronado!!
There’s a great FB group for Coronado (and all things Disney). Search Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort - A Magical Guide.
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| Posted 6/11/18 9:16 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
Posted by GoodThoughts
Posted by BaysideForever
Posted by alli3131
I just stayed at Coronado in April. My room was brand new. They are going through and updating. I always have a car and drive to parks. So easy!!!
Thank GOD for a positive Coronado review. We booked POR for August but then switched to Coronado when POR could not guarantee that the main pool would be open and Coronado was cheaper... so I'm getting scared hearing so many bad reviews about Coronado!!
There’s a great FB group for Coronado (and all things Disney). Search Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort - A Magical Guide.
I was in Casita 3. Right near small pool. Easy walk to restaurants and big pool and bus stop 2
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| Posted 6/12/18 6:38 AM |
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pumpkinmom
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2911 total posts
Name:
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
Posted by Budjeg11
Posted by pumpkinmom
I've never stayed at those resorts, but we drive or rent a car. I prefer driving over taking the bus. If we can take a monorail or boat from the resort, I do that. The Magic Kingdom is a pain to drive to. With the strollers, maybe it's a toss up for me if the bus or driving is worse. We drive. With a 4 and 6 year old, maybe I would take the bus to MK.
Thanks!
What makes MK a pain over the others to drive to?
Maybe not a pain, lol, but there is the extra step of taking the monorail from the TTC that cuts down on time saved by driving. I'm not sure if the bus or driving would he quicker.
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| Posted 6/12/18 8:11 AM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
Posted by pumpkinmom
Posted by Budjeg11
Posted by pumpkinmom
I've never stayed at those resorts, but we drive or rent a car. I prefer driving over taking the bus. If we can take a monorail or boat from the resort, I do that. The Magic Kingdom is a pain to drive to. With the strollers, maybe it's a toss up for me if the bus or driving is worse. We drive. With a 4 and 6 year old, maybe I would take the bus to MK.
Thanks!
What makes MK a pain over the others to drive to?
Maybe not a pain, lol, but there is the extra step of taking the monorail from the TTC that cuts down on time saved by driving. I'm not sure if the bus or driving would he quicker.
I can't answer the original question about the resorts because I haven't stayed at either one, but I don't think driving to MK is really that big of a deal. We have done it both ways (bus and drive) and arrival is not a big deal at all. If you leave at closing, the wait for the monorail or ferry can be long, but you can wait it out on Main Street.
Unless we get there late for some reason - like more than 2 hours after opening - we never have to take a tram. We just walk to the TTC. It's usually not THAT far.
Overall I'd probably prefer the bus versus driving but it's not a deal breaker or a big factor in figuring out transportation.
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| Posted 6/12/18 8:58 AM |
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lightblue
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 2249 total posts
Name:
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Re: Calling all Disney Experts- need resort help!
We stayed in Pop this past November, I thought it was fine. I know the resort was in the process of being refurbished. We had no issues with the buses, just in the morning going to the parks we had to wait on a line but it wasn't too bad. We stayed in the 60's section so it was close to the main area and buses. We don't stay in the hotel much (spent all of our time at the parks) so it wasn't worth it for us to do a more expensive resort.
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| Posted 6/14/18 4:04 PM |
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