need some help in deciding which way to go. We are levelling out the backyard around the pool. The lowest point is 5 feet below pool coping/deck. Need a retaining wall that will be around 5 feet tall running about 150 ft.

Stacked rock with a concrete footer, backfilled with gravel, weep holes for drainage would be the obvious choice.

However, a CMU block wall (8" x 8") with reinforcement bars and 5' high columns is potentially costing half the price of the rock wall. This wall will be vertical and not battered like the stone wall.

Will this work ? Any concerns, gotchas ?

Thanks