At Disney World RIGHT NOW!

[crazyj4488]

First, excuse the rambling...I'm typing quickly.

I arrived here yesterday. The crowds are noticeably lower than they were when I was there this past last week in April. That week in April was TERRIBLE compared to what I've experienced this week, so far.

I arrived at POP (first time staying here - first time SOLO trip) on Monday around 1:00PM and headed over to the Boardwalk where I parked my rental car and entered EPCOT thru the I-Gateway. I completed almost EVERYTHING in Future World well before Illuminations.

I rode Soarin' twice using some old Fastpasses The waits there were still about 40 mins to 60 mins. Test Track was, typically, slammed with 60 to 75 min waits but I walked right onto it using the single rider line. Everything else in the park was a walk on and I wasn't constantly dodging people like I had to during that last week of April.

I saw Turtle Talk and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. I laffed my butt off. Man, what a great little attraction that is. I would rate it a must-see if you can get in with a 15 minute or less wait.

I also rode SE twice and took video of it using my digicam....walked onto Mission Space...Journey into Imagination...Maelstrom.

After the Future World attractions, I grabbed a pint of beer over at the UK and listened to the guy playing the piano. That was nice since it was god awful hot out. SUPER HOT OUT!!!

I grabbed a bite to eat for Dinner at the Electric Umbrella. I had the roast beef sandwich and it was AWFUL!!! YUCK! I won't be going back there. NASTY!

Illuminations was great as usual. I viewed it from the bridge connecting France to the I-Gateway path. Of course, I made a quick and flawless exit after the show using the I-gateway and took a lovely walk down the boardwalk at night to my car. I was out of there in 20 minutes flat with no crowd dealings. Good planning for sure.

I just got back to POP, today, after visiting the Magic Kingdom from the time it opened. I completed a LARGE chunk of the park by Noon. I rode Space 3 times upon arrival (and still hold 2 fastpasses for it), Buzz once, Pooh, Snow White, BTM, Haunted Mansion, COP, TTA, and went thru Toontown. I was in line for Splash to see if they had cleaned it up at all but it freakin broke down. I now have a fastpass for it and an INSTANT ON ticket to use anytime.

For the most part, the park was pretty empty. I was taking pictures in some of the main pathway areas and there were only 2 to 3 families wandering around. It was supposed to be hot but, luckily, the clouds rolled in and kept the heat from getting really nasty.

The Haunted Mansion was improved since the last time I rode it. A lot more of the heads that were popping up were screaming properly and the sound in my doom buggy was great...maybe I just got lucky cause last time I could hardly here the ghost host.

I skipped Pirates and Jungle Cruise on my way out since people that enter the park around lunch seem to start out in Adventureland....this was the only crowded section of the park.

I plan on catching those two attractions and Philharmagic before viewing Wishes tonight.

Anyways, it's almost 2 o'clock and I am resting in my room with a beer at POP. I'm about to grab some lunch at the food court since I haven't even seen the resort yet (just been going from parking to my room).

What a great trip so far!!! If you have questions...sound off. I will dial-in later to check up on things.

 

[Honeibee]

Wow, this is so great! It's kinda like I'm there with you! Thanks for posting! One of these days I'd love to do WDW solo.

I'll be looking forward to part 2!

 

[loriandmatt]

looking forward to your thoughts on Pop. I am stoked that COP was open for you. keeping my fingers crossed for our next visit. thanks for the info on turtle talk. will put it on my list of "gotta check outs". Gotta ditto you on the electric umbrella thing - once bitten, twice shy.

happy days!

- lori

 

[liznboys]

Hey! Thanks for the live report! Geez, I was just there a little over a week ago, and it already feels like it's been forever...and I can't wait to get back! I love hearing live reports from the World.

Keep on having fun!!!

 

[crazyj4488]

I'm still online, so I will reply.

POP is OKAY and I reserved a room here because I am here ALONE this week just screwing around and having a good time on my own. The room is AWFULLY small and I couldn't imagine a family of 4 staying here...ICK. It is just fine for me though.

Here are some things I really don't like about POP, so far (I haven't even taken the time to walk the grounds). The lighting in the room is pretty nasty. They use all flourescent fixtures to save on costs and the room just puts off this nasty vibe when turning the lights on. I kinda feel like I'm in some sort of mental hospital when it's dark and I turn the room lights on. They could really use just one incandescent lamp in this joint. This may sound REALLY weird to some of you guys, but it really bugs me...feels very cheap and not comfortable like home. Also, the super small counter space for the sink area would be a nightmare for most women. I am a guy and the darn thing is filled with toiletries right now. I must also complain about the water saving fixture installed on the sink itself....gimme a break...about 6 tiny streams of water come out of the thing and it makes me feel like I am in an airport bathroom struggling with the motion sensor. Last, my shower curtain is torn and hanging there. I'm sure, if this was really bugging me, that I could call and get it replaced.

Next, the beds aren't too comfy but are do-able for sure. If you are in-and-out of your room, it's fine. If you plan on hunkering down in your room a lot, the, much less than luxurious, bed may bother you.

On a positive note, I am surprised how close all the parks are. The farthest drive I've taken in my rental has been to the MK this morn. It still only took me about 7 minutes. All the other parks seem like they are on my doorstep.

Overall, I am comfortable and happy here. I'll be the first to admit that I am, somewhat, picky and, typically, stay in boutique hotels when I travel...so take these comments as personal opinions...nothing more. I think POP is a neat place with a lot of positive energy and I'm glad I'm here for my first SOLO trip. I'm sure most people that are on a budget but still want to stay on-site would love this place. I just would not be overjoyed staying here if I was taking someone along with me on my trip as I find it quite cramped and I miss having a fridge (purchased a cooler at Walgreens to solve the problem). Myself and my girl loved POR this past April and I plan on staying at the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge next time I come out.

Hope this helps. I'm having a blast!!!

 

[frannn]

Also, is the Electric Umbrella the place in Epcot that just reopened with all the different food court type places, or is that something else?
Sounds like you're having a great trip!

 

[kupperman]

I'm sooo jealous!! I'm glad you're having a good time! I'd like to know what you think about the food at POP food court. Also I didn't know that POP was so close to the parks. Keep us posted on your trip!

 

[crazyj4488]

I think Electric Umbrella has been there for awhile.

I just finished eating some lunch I grabbed from the POP food court. Nothing there really grabbed me. I passed up the flat breads since they looked nasty at the new Land pavillion restaurants. Everything else was pretty standard so I ended up playing it safe with a Fresh Deli Sub that was in the fridge section. I put some condiments on it and headed back to my room with it. It was good...kinda hard to screw up though.

The selection at the Everything Pop Gift Store and food court can truly satisfy everyone's tastes...lots to choose from but nothing unique at all like you might see at some other resort restaurants (i.e. Boma buffet).

 

[crcormier]

Hey there! Glad you're having a great trip! The weather all last week while I was there was perfect, high eighties, not much humidity, sunny, not a drop of rain all week. Hope it's holding out for you! I'm jealous, I so wish I was still there!

 

[swtnikki]

I'm glad that you're having a great time down there. Hope you enjoy the rest of your magical vacation!

 

[Ziggie]

Hey! Thanks for the live report! Geez, I was just there a little over a week ago, and it already feels like it's been forever...and I can't wait to get back! I love hearing live reports from the World.

Keep on having fun!!!

hehehe.. I feel like I was just there too!

I love live reports also!

 

[Simba's Mom]

So how does it feel being Solo? Just watch it, solo trips can become addicting! In "Turtle Talk", I've heard they were going to add Dorey, who wasn't there originally. Have they?

 

[Ziggie]

I must also complain about the water saving fixture installed on the sink itself....gimme a break...about 6 tiny streams of water come out of the thing and it makes me feel like I am in an airport bathroom struggling with the motion sensor.

Also, I don't believe hot water comes out of it ~ the only hot water there is is in the shower

 

[wDivaw]

I had the same experience with the sinks/room at POP, no pressure for the sink....however you must STAND BACK when the toilet flushes or you get sprayed!

If you happen to run into Gary the bartender at POP....tell him Debbie from Chicago says Hi!

Thanks for your great reports!

 

[crazyj4488]

More live ramblings for you...pardon the rants.

First, they did add Dorey to Turtle Talk and the little scene she puts on is super funny...I think it's a different voice actor than Ellen though...sounds very similar though.

Sadly, POP really got on my nerves today. It was too darn noisey. I swear I can hear every room around me at times. I can hear toilets flushing, people talking, kids going crazy, sinks and showers running....it's ridiculous and I don't think I'll stay here again. I was SOOOOOOOOO EXHAUSTED when I got back from MGM this morning and I, SERIOUSLY, needed a two hour nap (all I had time for)....I couldn't sleep with all the noise around the resort. I ended up putting some ambient music on my IPOD mini and using my Sony ear plug headphones. It wasn't comfy but it helped with the noise and I was able to get a crappy sort of nap. I mean, I don't really spend time in my room too much when staying at these hotels...I don't even use the pools....I just would like some peace for the few times I am in the room. As I write this around 12:30 AM, some idiot is banging on my neighbor's door and blabbing in the walk way with no thought of the other guests....how bout some class people. I'm about to go out there and smack them with a pillow. Some common consideration for others is all I ask...sheesh!! I couldn't imagine this place at capacity...the parking lots are only a quarter to half way full right now and it's still a bit goofy....yikes. I really did miss POR.

Okay, I'm saving the absolute WORST hotel moment I've ever had for the trip reports....you heard me right...I had the WORST thing happen to me at POP that I've ever experienced at a hotel. It was a HUGE screw-up by a cast member and I had to yell at some people. UGH.

Hopefully, things here at POP won't stay all that terrible and I'm still having a blast....glad to be here in general...it's an adventure.

Weather wise, a cold front came through and brought some storms to the South of Orlando. It looked like rain but not a drop fell. This brought the nasty heat down perfectly for dinner time and later.

MGM was REALLY quiet today...everything was a walk on. The longest wait times were racked up for Rock n Roller and the Tower and they never went past 15 to 20 minutes. I grabbed fastpasses for both but never even had to use them. Last up, I saw Lights - Motors and will post a review on that in my reports.

EPCOT was equally quiet. Mission Space had a 0 minute wait (there was NO ONE in the standby area)...cast members were just waving people in when I got there around dinner time. Of course, Soarin' and Test Track were up in the 60 min range but I already walked on those two twice on my arrival day using FP and the single rider line. I even saw open spots at some prime Illumination locations while the show was full-on....that was nice.

That's all for now. Until later.

 

[dizenthusiast]

Sorry to hear about the problems at the hotel. Glad you didn't let them ruin your visit!

 

[crazyj4488]

Bah, it's an adventure and a VALUE resort. You get what you pay for and Disney hotels, no matter what the cost or level, are better than most in the world, ya know?!?!

I'm headed to bed...I think I'll drift off listening to a Disney related podcast and then dream about Pirates of the Caribbean or SE tonight...hehe. Lovin it!

I'm a HUGE dork. YAY!!

Nighty night...

 

[kupperman]

I can't wait to hear more! Glad you're having fun!

 

[cdntourguide]

Glad to hear that you are at WDW having a great time. Sorry to hear about the problems with POP.
Next time you go solo, do what I do, ask for a King room. Seems that these rooms are all in less noisy areas of the buildings. Plus there is more room to move around in the rooms. I
Hear you about the lack of space on the bathroom counter: I have to keep my toiletry kit on the rack above wall safe to have enough room.
My favourite moderate resort is POFQ, but POP is the value I go to when I cannot afford or cannot book a room at a moderate.
Have a great time. I am really enjoying your reports.

 

[Maverick Mike]

Tell me about this. Are the IPods now capable of picking up live broadcasts, similiar to what Live365 does? Or do you just download Disney stuff to your IPod, and listen to it later?

Thanks for the info! I can't wait until July to get to POP!