POP Century~Unofficially the Grooviest FAQ Thread #8~July 2013

[no capes darling]

Getting ready to board our plane!!!

 

[inkedmom]

Thanks everyone for the tips!

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Getting ready to board our plane!!!

Cool! Exciting!!

 

[keekfemom]

Less than 24 hours! Still so much to do!!

 

[MamaJessie]

We have ADR's for Tuskerhouse Breakfast at 8:35am on a non-magic hours day. What time should we plan to be at AK? Is 8 am too early?

8am is not too early

seriously LOVED every second of this and soooo glad I got their reactions on camera. OK sorry to hijack the thread just read about your surprise trip and wanted to post that it is SOOOOO worth it

These pictures are seriously awesome!!

We are 2 adults with 5 kids...so we had to book 2 rooms...we requested adjoining rooms since we are one family unit, but they can't guarantee it....this is causing me stress. Anyone have experience with this? Did you have trouble getting adjoining rooms?

Thanks!

My res specifically says 'guaranteed connecting'. I know nothing is guaranteed but it makes me feel better. Like the others said make sure it is connecting not adjoining.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

2 weeks to go

We got magic bands and booked our Fastpass+
Never got an email just showed up in MDE about 30 days before

 

[heathere3]

I had to laugh because our DD (4.5) has no idea that we're leaving for Disney on the 19th (this will be her first trip). She was being rather rude to me last night and my DH said the exact same thing to her....mommy does so many nice things for you, some that you don't even know about. I still haven't figured out exactly how we are going to tell her, maybe wait till we get to the airport or have her receive an "Invite to Disney" in the "mail" next Saturday and say, wow we should leave..............RIGHT NOW. I'm not getting my hopes up that she will go off the wall bonkers when she finds out because she's never been. When they are this age, you just never know what their reaction is going to be in different situations.

I am enjoying all these stories. We're about to become foster parents this weekend, and have a trip booked for January. It's going to kill me not to say anything to the boys, but we know the situation is too uncertain. We can't make promises to them that we can't keep. But man is it going to be hard, especially since I'm training to do the 10k!

 

[Pikester]

My DH and I got home last night from a 9 day Anniversary/40th Birthday stay at Pop. Checked in around 11:30am on 10/1 and the Online Check In area was empty. Room was ready and I got all the requests I hoped for. 4th floor, 60s building 4, lake view. We were in room 4449 which is the very first room you come to on that side. Couldn't really see the lake due to some very tall trees but if we walked a little ways down the walkway we could see Wishes, Illuminations and even the very loud fireworks they had at DHS for a special event one night.

Had a new fridge but no new bedding. Mouse keeping kept the room clean and well stocked with towels, wash cloths, soap and shampoo. Had a towel Mickey when we arrived and another critter added later in the week.

I was a little nervous about the Pop food court after all the negative reviews I had been reading. All the food that I ordered was pretty good. Nothing I wouldn't order again. We walked to AOA and had a couple of meals there and I enjoyed the meals I got there too. My DH felt the same way. We are early risers so the food court wasn't that busy. I'm talking from 7am to 8am. After that it turned into a mad house! Noon until 5pm it wasn't bad either and then it would get crazy again. The one line that was the craziest was the one that had pepperoni pizza. All the kids wanted that. The line that tricked you into thinking it was fast but wasn't was the make your own salad/pizza/sandwich area. Took forever for the CM to make the salads for people and for the fresh made pizzas to get cooked.

The Magic bands and FP+ worked great for us. Room charging was a breeze (just remember your 4 digit pin) although a couple of times the MB had to be re scanned as the pin didn't take. Photopass could be done on your MB or on a photopass card. We used the card. Yes, we could use the MBs for FP+ and the room key they gave you just in case the MB wasn't working to pull paper FPs. We did that twice just because we could. Ended up giving some away as we ended up not using it. Heard many complaints of unfairness on the DIS and FB about this and to be honest, with all the shows, rides and other things you are so busy doing it is hard enough to fit in the 3 FP+s you are allowed. MDE had a few glitches but over all DH was pleased with the how it worked on his wifi enable ipod touch. He was also impressed with the wifi he was able to get at the parks and the resorts. I too enjoyed the wifi especially around the pool with a tasty adult beverage.

We had a rental car from Dollar which was great. Good price, easy to pick up and bring back. We loved the freedom of having a car and by booking a package with AAA we had the AAA Diamond Parking card which we used often. One afternoon we took the bus to Epcot for Food & Wine so DH wouldn't have to drive us back. On the way home we were waiting for the Pop bus but the AOA showed up first. Since there were not a lot of people in line we decide to hop on the AOA bus and cross the bridge that wasn't far from our room and get back earlier then we would have waiting for the Pop bus. We left the stop before a Pop bus showed up.

Since this trip was just my DH and I we got park hoppers and used them for most of our days. We'd rope drop one park and have our FP+s for our afternoon park. Worked like a dream!

Loved MNSSHP! Had a blast trick or treating, getting my picture taken with characters and riding rides. The Boo To You parade and Hallowishes were Awesome! I would do this event again.

Also did the Key to the Kingdom Tour. Very much enjoyed it. Not sure I would do that one again as I don't think the info changes. I highly recommend it though.

Every CM I encountered was friendly. I experienced smiles, hellos, waves, good mornings, etc from all the resorts, parks and restaurants I visited. I'm not saying there weren't a few who didn't acknowledge me as I walked by but I didn't acknowledge them either. You know, normal stuff.



Over all the trip was great. I really hope I can plan another trip soon!

 

[Ebear]

We are checking into pop next week and need some advise. We have a 1 year old and were wondering what building would be the best for her or Does it even really matter? I am assuming a lake view or pool view is best but was not sure how noisy the ground floors were. Any input is appreciated. Thank you and it looks like many of you will be checking in the 19th as well. I hope everyone enjoys there trip.

 

[no capes darling]

Here in building 1, 50's... I requested 60's but here we are This is our 3rd stay in 50's. DH thinks that maybe because we requested a preferred building, it's the one if the defaults.

Food court was crazy, even close to 11pm.

We don't have our bags from ME... DH is checking at the desk now. Our flight came in just before 9 & when I made the reservation the guy assured me that flights that come in prior to 10pm still make it. I sure hope they do, otherwise I'm not sure what we'll do for clothes in the morning. Usually we fly in the morning, so this is a new experience. Live & learn.

Oh- we have a fridge, but the bedding is the old style.

DH just texted me & said the bags will be here in an hour. Lesson learned, next time we fly at night we'll get them ourselves!!!

Eta the bags came at 3am. Never again will I use bag transfer for flights arriving at night!

 

[Susiec]

In 1 week at this time we will be on our way to walt Disney world... So excited can not wait.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

In regards to POP and magic bands.
- In response to the poster who said you will be notified 60 days out, it seems like that's what will happen eventually but right now they are still in trial mode. I'm 52 days out, staying at POP and to date I have NOT received email about magic bands or pre registering for fast passes. I was told I might not get them at all, I just have to wait and check back from time to time.... I'm hoping to get them because it will be easier for us to use the bands.

Have you checked your MDE account? I got my invitation the same day my MBs came (29 days out). I had customized them and made FP+ selections weeks before. MBs were available to customize at least 67 days out (that's when I noticed it), FP+ at 60 days out. I never got any notice, just saw that I could do this on MDE (the wording on the MB link changed to "customize").

 

[Patrickiii]

we start our drive to the kingdom on monday

 

[keekfemom]

We leave tonight! After all these months of planning I can't wait to reveal the surprise to my dd's this afternoon!!!

 

[MamaJessie]

DH just texted me & said the bags will be here in an hour. Lesson learned, next time we fly at night we'll get them ourselves!!!

Eta the bags came at 3am. Never again will I use bag transfer for flights arriving at night!

Thanks for the advice. We have not flown but I will definitely keep that info handy!!

 

[rileyroo120]

A little over 2 weeks until we arrive. I can NOT wait!

 

[Flynnismine]

In 1 week at this time we will be on our way to walt Disney world... So excited can not wait.

Same here This time next Saturday we will be on our way to the airport....This will be our DD's first trip to Disney and she still doesn't know anything about the trip, should make for some xcitement next Sat when she finds out. So many of us are arriving at POP next weekend. I'll have a Lime Green disboards Mickey Head with my screen name on it attached to my backpack....if anyone seems me from here, stop and say Hi!

 

[Sandi]

DH just texted me & said the bags will be here in an hour. Lesson learned, next time we fly at night we'll get them ourselves!!!

Eta the bags came at 3am. Never again will I use bag transfer for flights arriving at night!

Another alternative is to make sure you have what you need for the next day in your carry on (I always do that anyway -- airlines lose luggage all the time) and then ask the Resort CM that your bags be held for a morning delivery. You can only do that if your flight arrives before 10:00 p.m. I've done this at Pop and other resorts and it works very well and you're not awakened in the middle of the night. One of the best things about ME is that you don't have to wait for your checked bags and schlep them around.

 

[mickeysmith]

Same here This time next Saturday we will be on our way to the airport....This will be our DD's first trip to Disney and she still doesn't know anything about the trip, should make for some xcitement next Sat when she finds out. So many of us are arriving at POP next weekend. I'll have a Lime Green disboards Mickey Head with my screen name on it attached to my backpack....if anyone seems me from here, stop and say Hi!

I'll try to find mine, too, and attach it!! Safe travels! See you next Saturday!!

 

[shyjade]

What is the latest we can have visitors stop by to see us at the resort? Is the front gate staffed around the clock?

We have friends arriving late one night next week. They are staying offsite, but would love it if they could stop by when they get to town since we will probably be "coming home" from the parks around the same time. I haven't seen my friend (in person) in 15 years, so I'm very anxious to reconnect!