I am tyring to decide if we should pay the extra for a "preferred room" at Pop. It sounds like what it gets you is closer to transportation, laundry, food etc.

My question is - is it worth it?

How far are the other rooms? Is the preferred area noisy?

I know after walking all day, a closer room may be nice...I remember when we stayed at the Grand at DL, our room was a bazillion miles away...

I would love to hear what you have to say. Thanks, Aubree:D

The rooms that are not preferred are only a ten minute walk at most (and that's if you're thinking of walking really slow!). I actually enjoyed staying further away from the main buildings because the pool in our section (the 90's section) was really quiet (I assume most people wanted to go to the more heavily-themed pools, or simply that it was November and no one in their right mind swims in 70 degree weather... Unless of course, you're a New Englander :D). There is a laundry room in the non-preferred area, which always had a washing machine available when we needed it.
I guess what it really comes down to is your budget. Personally, I prefer saving every dollar I can to spend on food or in the parks; I don't mind a little extra walk if it will save me money. If you're going with children, I would imagine it could tire their legs out, especially after a long day at the park, so that should be taken into consideration.

We paid extra for the preferred on our 14-night stay at Pop and loved the convenience of being closer to the pool, food court. With the kids' obsession with frozen cokes and wanting to have coffee (albeit fake coffee) every day, the closer room paid off.
We were in the 70's building on the ground floor and never had a problem with noise.
Have fun!

I have stayed at Pop in both preferred and standard rooms. Last time I was there Aug 07 CM told me they have expanded what rooms are preferred and I was actually quite a distance away in 70's building, back side, 3rd floor farthest from the lobby/ food court. Was quite a walk for My Mom who has trouble w/ long distances. For me it wasn't bad. If you don't mind a little walking I would go for the standard. Preferred may not get you as close as you'd like. (It was a closer walk to busses, cutting through the parking lot though!)

23 days left til short 3 day to POP for Moms birthday!

I always request the location Tink72 is mentioning (I think!) -- request Standard View in the "A" Building in the 90's. You can scoot right across a small parking area (take small children by the hand) and you are right at the end of the bus area. It's not far to Classic Hall, if you need a bite, and it's nice to have fewer steps at the end of a long Disney Day!