Any negative reviews of Pop?

[Hippychickali]

I have been checking out what you who frequent the Resort Board have to say about Disney's Pop Century Resort. Most of the reviews I have heard have been positive. I'm kind of kicking myself now because we chose All-Star Sports. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to stick with it because I think we'll like it but I often wonder if maybe we should have gone with Pop. So, the when we go back next time (after our honeymoon) I thought we might give old Pop a try.

My question is: Does anyone have any reason not to stay there? Bad experiences? Observations? I don't want to start a war between Pop fans and non-Pop fans but I'm just wondering. I've heard the good, what about the bad and the ugly? I understand that it's a value resort and I know the common complaints about them but is there anything negative to say specifically about Pop?

Ali

 

[Micca]

Ali I haven't stayed at Pop but I have seen some negative reviews here. My one budget experience was at All Stars. It was ok, but I wouldn't go back.
For a mod, we think CSR is terrific.

 

[Hippychickali]

What does CSR stand for again?

Ali

 

[KilleriMac17]

Here is an idea, when you go on your next trip to disney, take a bus over and check pop out. that way you can see if you like it before going there to stay on a trip and finding out then.

 

[Hippychickali]

Here is an idea, when you go on your next trip to disney, take a bus over and check pop out. that way you can see if you like it before going there to stay on a trip and finding out then.

Thanks for the tip. We do plan to do that if we have time but I don't think that's the same as staying there. While you can get a feel for the theme, you won't encounter the problems that the Pop guests may have come across.

Ali

 

[chobie]

I have never been to the All Stars. I was not addicted to on-site until I stayed at Pop last year so my son could do E-night on his 7th birthday. I had to go value and I chose POP because it was the newest. I can't stand grimy hotel rooms so I figured newer meant less grime. We loved POP and have stayed there several times now. I can't compare it to the AS, I just know the rooms are still clean and new feeling, the food court is great, the pool bar makes good drinks and the people who stay there as well as those who work there are very friendly. The only problem we encountered was once we were in the 90's building and that was a bit far from everything, but not so much it would deter us from staying thee again even if it was in the 90's building.

 

[acidreignn]

I have a negative comment about POP, I didnt get any Magical Towel animals!!!
Otherwise everything was grand!
Like the other poster said, take a ride over to check it out, but check it out day-time and night-time.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We didn't like Pop, won't return. We didn't sleep much at all, it's SO noisy, the walls are very very cheaply made and you can tell. We have stayed at many many many other hotels, Disney and otherwise, and never ever heard people as plain as day talking next door. We heard their alarm go off at 6am, heard the phone ring, heard their excited kids getting ready for their day, heard every single word spoken as people walked past the room, heard the doors slam on each side of us each time they went in and out, toilets flush, showers on, etc. We had connecting rooms, and there were 5 of us, none of us slept well either night. There was also a huge amount of noise coming from the "quiet pool" until about 3am, but I can't complain about that because we didn't call on it.

It's a very crowded, very motel like resort - VERY cute decor, rooms were clean but very very small. I loved how they were decorated. Nice basic amenities. CMs were nice, food court was okay, store and such were cute and well laid out. We just didn't sleep, and when you mess with sleep on a vacation, you aren't on my good list

We are glad we tried it once, we got a great CM rate, but next time we'll be paying the extra $30 or less a night to stay moderate, which we have stayed and never had a problem and enjoyed the more resort like stay than motel like.

I think you'll enjoy your stay anywhere at Disney, we certainly didn't let that ruin our trip by any means, we had a blast! You just live and learn, and find out what works best for you. Others haven't had noise problems, but it's not worth the risk for us again. Been there, done that.

That's truly my only complaint.

 

[BENNYPOOH]

Ali if you are going in July on your honeymoon I would suggest POR. My husband and I stayed there on our honeymoon and we absolutely loved it. It is a moderate resort, but I have heard that there is a code that can get you a mod for @ $79 a night! When we went I had gotten a code for $74 and it was so worth switching hotels. The atmosphere there is sooo romantic, we are actually thinking of switching our ressie this year to include a couple of nights at POR. If you have any other questions, just ask!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Just a heads up - you can ask this question about any Disney resort and you will get the following responses about each and every one:

- walls are paper thin, couldn't sleep
- rooms were very quiet, couldn't hear a thing

- food was great
- food was horrible

- transportation was the best
- transportation was the worst

- loved the theme
- hated the theme

I could go on....

Set your expectations accordingly, don't expect towel animals or special treatment, be surprised when you get them, do your research.

I personally have been at CBR twice (loved it first time, hated it second time due to being at Trinidad South), All-Stars twice - loved them! - WL once and AKL once - both are terrific.

Our next trip is to Pop in June and I can't wait.

 

[Hippychickali]

Thank you all for your insight.

BENNYPOOH, we are going with the cheapest resort that we can (since we will spend very little time there). At the time of booking, the values were the cheapest. If you could hook me up with that code you are talking about, I would definitely jump at the chance to stay at a moderate. I stayed at PO before there was value resorts and just loved it.

ILoveWDW2003, I know that there are contrasting opinions on every resort and that's what I'm looking for. I asked about Pop because most people had only good things to say (except for the complaints about values in genera). Thanks so much for your suggestion. We certainly will go in with an open mind expecting nothing more than what we pay for.

Ali

 

[crzy4mickey]

Asking this question you will get many many different opinions. We stayed at Pop last December thinking new resort cleaner rooms but did not get that. I liked the resort, it's a value so you go in not expecting much but the only complaint was actually with housekeeping. The cm's at the resort were great, one even helped our kids with math homework. The food court and store were great. I loved looking at all the things on the wall etc. I just wish we had better house keeping but that can be a problem at any hotel. Even the life guards at the pool were great with the kids. We didn't have a problem with thin walls, never heard people talking unless they were walking by. Only heard the toilets flush but that wasn't a problem. I would take a bus over and check it out, you at least can get a feel for it. Where ever you stay, have a great honeymoon!

 

[Hippychickali]

Crzy4mickey - Thanks so much for your comments. I'm fine with getting different opinions. Heck, that's what this place is for. We will have a great honeymoon I'm sure.

Ali

 

[*Fantasia*]

As long as you don't expect any deluxe amenities, then you will be fine at POP. I have stayed at ASMo and ASSp and POP. I love POP the best. If you want quiet, ask for the bldg that is away from the pool and/or not facing the pool on the 4th floor. You might want to ask for the lake view, unless you want lots of action, then I would suggest the 60s bldg facing the pool.

Never had any problem with the noise.

Try to rent a surrey bike. Enjoy biking around the lake (ok, at least half of the lake), if not stroll along the lake. Watch the fireworks from bldg 50s and 60s from the 4th floor. You can see Spaceship Earth. If you care to see CMs dance and do the "Hustle," I believe you can watch this every day at the food court around 6:30pm.

 

[rockin_rep]

Just returned from POP and LOVED it.

Definitely a step (or two!) up from All Stars.

To us, the moderates aren't that much better to warrant the extra $$$ ~ we prefer having the extra cash for souvenirs, snacks etc.

Again, IMHO we feel only the mod pools are better ~ and we put more value on our time in the parks and not the pools. That's just us.

Also, a biggie for us is the magic quotient. To us, there is more sweetness and innocent magic at the values ~ while the mods and luxuries are certainly nicer, if you didn't know where you were, you could be anywhere on the face of the earth!

Don't get me wrong, we love luxury on other types of vacations......

But where else but WDW will you see such huge, colorful, magical icons?! We LOVED it and can't wait to go back!

 

[oogieboogie]

I think any resort you go to will have pros and cons, haters and lovers. I think as long as you go with the optimistic thought that you're going to enjoy your vacation, you'll be pleasantly suprised.

I've stayed at the All Stars Movies and while DH doesn't really like it, I thought it was a well themed resort and the kids loved it. We've also stayed at the POP and I must say I really like the resort overall, the food court was great, and our room location was really close to the bus stop. My only complaint against POP is the small parking lot and the fact that I really didn't like the '80s building theme - maybe subconciously because I hate the whole '80s decade and what it represented to me.

 

[rockin_rep]

Also meant to add...

We got a preferred room and it was sooo worth it!

We were in the 60s building on the 4th floor directly overlooking the big pool. It was GRRRREAT!

The walk to the dining hall and busses was shorter than any other resort, and we've always payed the extra for the preferred buildings.

Did NOT hear much noise, including the turbo toilets (except ours lol).

The pool was open waaaay past midnight on friday (april 1) but we too, were in it! And then we fell right asleep when our heads hit the pillow about 130am...

Oh yes, AND we also got adorable towel animals everyday! The place is immaculate (i loooooove NEW!)

Ahhh.....take me back.....

 

[patsal]

I like POP, but my room in February was filthy! (Before I get flamed, I did request housekeping--no one responded appropriately) Since I was checking out the next AM anyway I didn't fuss (did call housekeeping upon departure and list the things that needed attention to the person who answered the phone)large thick cobwebs in the corners of the ceiling, draped from the wall boarder, floor very stained and filthy--DD's socks were so black I just threw them out EWWW I will return, but if this happens again I will go to the front desk after calling and getting a patronizing answer but nothing done to clean it. BTW 70's building facing hourglass lake.
My first stay the room was spotless, we were in the 80's building pool view. I didn't notice it being any noisier than any of the other deluxe or moderates I've stayed at. Though it is pretty hopping all day long!

 

[bridgettesmom]

We have stayed at the values,moderates and deluxes. My personal favorites are POR and the POLY. We stayed at POP last March, paid rack rate ($109 plus tax) and we had the most wonderful time. Loved the theming, the food court (Beehive salad yum!!), loved the peaceful walk around the lake, loved the transportation and the gift shop. We have previously stayed at ASMU and the only thing I loved was the price If, I had to choose between a discounted room at ASMU and rack rate at POP I would definately choose POP.

 

[lovethattink]

We didn't like Pop, won't return. We didn't sleep much at all, it's SO noisy, the walls are very very cheaply made and you can tell. We have stayed at many many many other hotels, Disney and otherwise, and never ever heard people as plain as day talking next door. We heard their alarm go off at 6am, heard the phone ring, heard their excited kids getting ready for their day, heard every single word spoken as people walked past the room, heard the doors slam on each side of us each time they went in and out, toilets flush, showers on, etc. We had connecting rooms, and there were 5 of us, none of us slept well either night. There was also a huge amount of noise coming from the "quiet pool" until about 3am, but I can't complain about that because we didn't call on it.

It's a very crowded, very motel like resort - VERY cute decor, rooms were clean but very very small. I loved how they were decorated. Nice basic amenities. CMs were nice, food court was okay, store and such were cute and well laid out. We just didn't sleep, and when you mess with sleep on a vacation, you aren't on my good list

We are glad we tried it once, we got a great CM rate, but next time we'll be paying the extra $30 or less a night to stay moderate, which we have stayed and never had a problem and enjoyed the more resort like stay than motel like.

I think you'll enjoy your stay anywhere at Disney, we certainly didn't let that ruin our trip by any means, we had a blast! You just live and learn, and find out what works best for you. Others haven't had noise problems, but it's not worth the risk for us again. Been there, done that.

That's truly my only complaint.

Agree. Plus check in was a very LONG process due to HUGE lines!! We changed our reservation for our next stay that was to be at Pop to POR