An Honest Review of the POP

[mickeysaver]

We stayed at Pop Century opening week. For being opening day guests, we each got a pin with the resort logo and the opening day date on it. We also got one commemorative coin that has the logo on the front and "The history begins December 14, 2003," on the back.

The resort has a nice feel to it. It's different and better than the All Stars. I know that the rooms are the same size, but I swear the room seemed bigger. I don't know if it's because the furniture is different or what, but it feels bigger. The outside atmosphere was really nice too. I liked the gift shop/dining area because it was very large and roomy enough to handle the crowds that flocked there daily. The only downside that I can see will possibly be something that will occur over time as the grease and food smells have a chance to saturate the air and the merchandise in the shop. I can see a day when the shirts all smell like old burger grease. I hope the ventilation system prevents this, but it might be a problem in the future.

The CM's were all great. We never encountered any CM's there that were rude. Our own Pop Century expert CM boardie, Tyler, is such a sweet fella. I was really glad to have the chance to see him on our first and last days. Check in was a little slow, but being opening day, it would be still a bit of a training day. The fact that I had a new credit card number and Disney Dollars to put on the account made us into a great training case. We were able to pick up our CP package badges and food vouchers with ease later in the week. Check out was a bit of a hassle yesterday. First, I set the clock to go off at 8:45. I woke up and decided to let my honey sleep while I showered. Before I could step in the shower, the Mousekeeper was knocking on the door to tell us that check out was at 11:00 am. So, my honey did not get to sleep in the extra few minutes, which stinks because we are intelligent enough to know when the freakin' check out time is. UGH! Also, we had stopped to check our bill the night before and it all looked right. So, when the express checkout bill was on the door yesterday, I almost didn't look at it. I was really glad that I did though. They charged the Holiday rate, not the Value season rate that they should have charged me. This happened to everyone there. They had a computer glitch, so I hope that everyone that checked out yesterday checked their bill before they left. I waited almost an hour to get a chance to get the error fixed. My credit card was issued a credit for almost $50 for the error. From there, I got a cart from Tyler, and hauled buns to get the car loaded, so that we could drive the 10 hour drive home. We barely were out of the room by 11 am due to the billing mix up.

The buses ran pretty well. The first couple of days most buses were empty, but with only 400 to 800 families to cart around, it would be that way. By the end of the week with the resort at or near capacity, the buses all had lines and were packed like sardine cans coming back from the parks. We would just wait for things to clear out for about 20-30 minutes and then board. Also, the bus stops were all a bit of a hike from the park entrances, except for MGM which blessed us with the closest stop of them all.

The food at the food court was good. I enjoyed the adult breakfast platter, the steak and cheese wraps, and the burgers. The chocolate chip pancakes were not all that great though. My honey said they tasted like cardboard. The coffee was HORRIBLE, but that is because it's that nasty Nescafe that WDW insists on forcing us all to drink. The sodas and the hot chocolate were good though.

I would not pay for the preferred view again because we like to go to some places by car sometimes and the parking is really not that convenient if you are in the 60's building. I would like to stay in the 80's or 90's buildings on future stays because they are closest to the parking lot and are an easy walk to the bus stops.

The Pop is really cute and you are bound to see many things that you remember from your near or distant past during your stay. I will stay there again one day. But, I want to try the Poly next time....Kona coffee....yum.

Maggie

 

[momoftwins]

you mentioned that the bus stops were quite a distance from the park entrances. Are they next to the All-star stops (which are also a walk) or the same as the All-star stops?

Thanks and have a great day.

 

[magicmouse2]

I have booked preferred view but we have a car too and being close to the parking lot sounds better, though then I would have to walk to the pool and food court decisions...
Has anyone got a map yet ?

 

[mtdevine615]

Thanks for the review. We figured that they would put the bus stops at the end. Oh well not to big of a problem. We'll be there in 30 days, hopefully I'll be over the flu bug by then.

 

[mickeysaver]

At MK, the bus stop is further out that the All Stars. The stop is literally the last stop on the B side which is the furthest walk. The stop at Epcot is at the second set of stops all the way at the end to the right. At AK, the stop is not as bad. It's a reasonable walk. The stop at MGM is best since it's the closest to the gate. I did not check the stops at the water parks. We did go to DTD and the stop was the second or third at the West Side, but I can't remember where it was at PI. I hope this helps. Maggie

Originally posted by momoftwins
you mentioned that the bus stops were quite a distance from the park entrances. Are they next to the All-star stops (which are also a walk) or the same as the All-star stops?

Thanks and have a great day.

 

[mickeysaver]

The 80's and 90's buildings share a really nice pool. It's close by the buildings. As for the food court, it's not that much further down than the bus stop, in fact there is a bus that stops right outside the door of the shop/food court. I would not pay the extra money again. I would ask for 80's or 90's and use the car as I pleased. JMO Maggie

Originally posted by magicmouse2
I have booked preferred view but we have a car too and being close to the parking lot sounds better, though then I would have to walk to the pool and food court decisions...
Has anyone got a map yet ?

 

[off2disney]

I just returned from POP yesterday and enjoyed my stay. The room was nice. I didn't have a preferred view but was on the edge of the building with the swimming pool katty corner from my door (of course, it was too cold to use the pool - at least for me it was). I had a car and agree the parking wasn't convenient. I used the car half the time and the bus half the time, depending on where I was going and when. When I went to the early entry park I used the bus and very seldom ran into a full bus. And Yes, most of the parks the POP bus stop was the fartherest from the gate entry. I twisted my knee getting on the plane to go to Disney, so I was hobbling for most of the week.

When I checked in on Monday 15th there were very few guests checking in, but by Friday everytime I walked to the food court or through the lobby going to the bus stop, the lines were long. The CM's were very nice and friendly. I needed directions to Wal-mart (I bought so many souveniers I had to buy another piece of luggage to carry them home) and she drew me a map to get there. The only problem I had was I bought a necklace with the individual letters to spell out a name and the CM charged me for charms. I tried to tell her I didn't get charms and she said she had charged me the right price. Well it came up to $22. and I figured it should have been about $12. I went to a supervisor and asked her to check my bill. She said the CM had charged me for the clip-on charms, instead of the letters. She issued me a credit for $12.74 and was very apologetic for it.

Housekeeping was very good - a couple of times when I got a late start they would knock and I'd tell them I'd be out of the way shortly and they'd come back after I left. I left my mousekeeping envelop and would have towel creatures when I returned. Only once did the envelop not get picked up and I think it was a different maid. Of course, I left my room by 6:00 am Sunday to catch my plane so I don't know if I got a hang up call.

For the money, I though Pop Century was a great value and I would definitely sta there again.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by mickeysaver
Our own Pop Century expert CM boardie, Tyler, is such a sweet fella. I was really glad to have the chance to see him on our first and last days.

It was a pleasure to meet y'all!