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!
