Do small kids even like Pop Century? Or even care??

[DCWarrior]

We are trying to nail down where we want to stay the first week of September this year. It will be my wife and I (mid 30's), both of our mothers ( early 60's) and our son (3 years, 4 months at time of trip). I wonder if kids that age like the theming of Pop Century or if they even care? I know the theming at AoA and the All Star resorts are very kid friendly and fun and we will probably be staying at any of the value resorts. Who has taken small kids to stay at Pop and did it matter about the theming to them?

 

[laceyinwonderland]

We are trying to nail down where we want to stay the first week of September this year. It will be my wife and I (mid 30's), both of our mothers ( early 60's) and our son (3 years, 4 months at time of trip). I wonder if kids that age like the theming of Pop Century or if they even care? I know the theming at AoA and the All Star resorts are very kid friendly and fun and we will probably be staying at any of the value resorts. Who has taken small kids to stay at Pop and did it matter about the theming to them?

Your son will LOVE pop!!! We have stayed there 3 times, the first being when dd was 2, the next she was 3 and i was preggo with baby2, then next with both girls age 5 and 1. There are lots of Disney references, not just pop culture. Im sure they don't "get" the décor about the decades, but there is a huge lady and the tramp, jungle book, a huge mickey phone, a splash pad with goofy and a car. PLUS aoa is a short walk across the bridge, and you could check out the themeing of aoa as well. the first week of sept, you have a good chance of a discount at pop, but aoa is usually exluded from any discounts.

 

[leebee]

When my DD and nieces were small, they didn't really give two hoots about the theming at a resort. If there was a pool, they were happy. Now, we liked POP, we liked ASMu, but honestly? They were happiest when we had a rental house with our own pool! Of course that also gave them more space for playing- gave the adults more space, too!

Are you thinking of doing two rooms at POP or AS? I'm not going to try and talk you into off-site vs. on-site, but really, when our kids were young, they didn't care about resort theming AT ALL, so that factored into our decision of where to stay. (It's much harder to convince them now, at 20, 16, and 14- they totally love the freedom and independence of staying onsite, even if they don't love the "cozy" accommodations!).

 

[Disneylover99]

Honestly? Theming does not matter to my kids or myself. What matters to us is close proximity to buses and the food court area.

 

[dizzyinwdw]

Frankly I have to agree...my kids only care about the pool. We are booked for Pop 2 nights and have stayed there before--they didn't really care about the large statues etc but liked the pool area. I am thinking of switching to AOA for the pool area, but my only concern with AOA is my preschooler is scared of lobsters and crabs for some reason these days LOL.

These are some factors I use for my consideration for the kids:

1) Kid friendly pool (my preschooler likes zero-entry)
2) Transportation options (on monorail, etc.)
3) Food choices (kid friendly options)
4) Bed size/room size

Other choices my kids have loved:

AKL/AKV--awesome splash area; animals were awesome to view; night vision goggles, etc
CBR--Pirate splash area was great! Kids loved the Pirate beds
Poly--on monorail, volcano pool was terrific, quick hop to Chef Mickey's, Epcot, etc.
WL--close to MK, kids loved the pool slide

Whatever your choice will be great. Enjoy!

 

[DCWarrior]

Your son will LOVE pop!!! We have stayed there 3 times, the first being when dd was 2, the next she was 3 and i was preggo with baby2, then next with both girls age 5 and 1. There are lots of Disney references, not just pop culture. Im sure they don't "get" the décor about the decades, but there is a huge lady and the tramp, jungle book, a huge mickey phone, a splash pad with goofy and a car. PLUS aoa is a short walk across the bridge, and you could check out the themeing of aoa as well. the first week of sept, you have a good chance of a discount at pop, but aoa is usually exluded from any discounts.

That's one of the main reasons for looking at Pop instead of AoA, because of the possible discounts or free dining coming along.

We probably would do the book two rooms idea so the two grandmas don't have to share beds. I understand that offsite places are cheaper and more roomy, and have considered those, too. But I really think it would be easier for my group to be on site for taking mid day breaks and stuff. If grandmas want to take a break, it would be easy for them to without having to drive offsite without us. If we all want to take breaks, we still won't have to load up into the car and go sit in traffic there and back. That's just my thought. I am treating my family with this trip and want to make it as easy to do as possible for everyone.

 

[brekken1]

Both of our young children love Pop! It is a great value resort.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We stayed at POP many times when our kids were little. They loved it! But in all honestly - with ages 3 yrs and 4 months, "theming" will probably be lost on them. POP has a lot of fun icons (Mickey, Potato Heads, Lady and the Tramp, Jungle Book etc...)that they can see - But really...stay where you want...they will love it regardless.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Our girls were 3 and 5 when we stayed at POP. There are giant toys everywhere....enough said. They loved looking at the huge icons. I think a "theme" would be lost on most kids, but they are very tuned into visual stimulation and POP has plenty of that!

 

[Lauren0505]

We stayed there when my son was 5. He loved it. He still asks to stay there. He liked looking at the large icons. He especially enjoyed the twister game and jumping around on the giant keyboard.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

My kids LOVE Pop Century and ask to go back there, all the time. They were little when we stayed their last and still remember it.

 

[POOHsie]

What's good about staying at Pop is access to AoA, while having promotions for discounts on rooms and Free Dining that AoA won't have. AoA is new and popular, so no need to offer discounts. AoA is right across a short bridge from Pop, and it's worth it to see all their icons and artistry. You can also use their food court, visit their gift shop, board their park buses. So, two-for-one, in a way. Pop Century would be my choice.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

When mine were 2 and 4 we stayed at pop and they loved it! The baby pool is really cute and fun for them + easy for you. The goofy pop jets were a must do when we returned from the parks at night. The music and big toys were cool for them as well. Giant potato heads, big wheel, lady and tramp. Great for all ages!

 

[Aliceacc]

I've never been there, so take this for what it's worth.

But small kids in particular are so incredibly happy to be in Disney World that they would happily sleep on a park bench. Every single piece of theming is amazing to them. And it has a pool??? And a food court??? They have no idea that there are other resorts with other theming or other ameneties. They'll be over the moon no matter where you stay. As far as they know, wherever you stay IS Disney World.

Have a great trip!

 

[dpswift]

At that age my son loved having his picture taken by all the big figures. He thought that the pool shaped like a bowling pin was cool. I took him to the Movies the next year (I loved the smaller size) After that he kept asking to go to POP until AoA opened.

 

[Valstew]

We are having the same debate. We are currently staying at POP but if free dining is.offered we could stay at POFQ for ruffly the same price and at POP we would still have to.upgrade dining as we would.only get a quick service for free. We are going first week of October. Dh is worried POFQ is not.kid friendly enough for our ds who will be 2 years 10 months.

 

[Becky0216]

My kids LOVE Pop. It is actually their favorite hotel. We stayed at AoA last year and they begged to go back to Pop. Have been going there since my oldest (9) was 2. This year I was considering POR but all my kids insisted we do Pop again. It will be tight for us. Family of 5 (youngest is just under 3) but we will do it because we all enjoy it there.