Back from Pop Century

[K P & J's Grandma]

We just returned from our WDW trip Sunday -- We stayed for the 1st time at POP --- a very nice resort. We have stayed in some Deluxe, Moderate & All Star resorts before. The resort was very clean, rooms were nice but small, transportation was no problem. We ate a couple of evening meals at the food court -- in the morning the court was packed!!! We had requested the 50's section - but got the 70's which we enjoyed. We were on the 3rd floor facing the lake. One night there were beautiful fireworks that we could see from our room -- turned out that they were 'testing' them from MGM. Sunday night when we got home, I checked the computer & found that Annual Pass hotel rates were out - we already have airfare for February - so I called & got POP again for the $49 plus tax rate !!! Just Grandma & Grandpa going this time!!
Any questions - I will be happy to try to answer them.
I will have to change my countdown clock!!!!!

 

[DisDee]

WE're planning a trip for Jan. ,so we were glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay at PC. This will be an adult trip for us. What are your thoughts on this resort for us? Does PC have a lounge where we can go relax and have a drink? Does it have a quiet pool? Any comments re: an "adult" stay would be appreciated!Thanks!

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

DisDee ---
Looking at your time clock -- are you going in December also & staying at the Poly?? If so, you could go to Pop Century to just check it out. There is an outdoor bar by the Hippy Dippy pool -- my husband noticed a bar inside by the food court area also, but did not check it out. There is a pool shaped like a bowling pin in the 50's section & another in the 90's that is supposed to be a computer -- they seemed quieter than the main pool. This past trip we had grandkids along that were 3 & 6 -- of course they loved it. Our February trip is just 'us' & we are in our mid 50's. We don't spend much time at any resort & have found the value resorts are just fine for us. We enjoyed sitting on the bench by the lake outside our building -- also liked the quiet walk out onto the 'Generation Gap Bridge'. There is no 'sit down' restaurant, just the food court.
For the price we were very pleased with everything.

 

[cflood78]

We honeymooned at the BWI, and cant wait to go back to WDW. We cant afford the pricier hotels next trip. What would you say we should know before getting to the value resorts? Biggest letdowns? Biggest surprise?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by cflood78
We honeymooned at the BWI, and cant wait to go back to WDW. We cant afford the pricier hotels next trip. What would you say we should know before getting to the value resorts? Biggest letdowns? Biggest surprise?

Value resorts do not have all of the amenities that a Deluxe resort will have. ie: Hot tubs, full service restaurant, valet parking. Value resort rooms will have exterior doors versus interior corridors, and will be smaller than a deluxe room. Value resorts will have more people.

If you go into a Value resort expecting a Value resort, you will be happy. If you go into a Value resort with Deluxe expectations, you may be let down.

 

[Fromeurope]

What I really like about PopCentury is the atmosphere, the Disneyfeeling if you know what I mean. Happy and laughing people everywhere, enjoying their stays. And that's what you can sense at PC!
Last vacation we stayed at PC and at AKL savannah view. Ofcourse the animals and theming are great at AKL, but I liked PC better
For example: we got a compliment from a CM at breakfast at Boma's for being cheerful and happy in the morning, that's what I mean.
And maybe it's strange to say but I think the service at PC is better than at AKL. Ofcourse they have the fancy things at AKL, but at PC they smile at you....And I consider that very important, when I am at WDW.

 

[stemikger]

I can only say two words about my stay at Pop Century in August and they are GROOVY BABY!!!!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

What I found over at Pop Century are people that are really happy to be at Disney. The enthusiasm of the guest is very contagious, you don't see many people walking around that seem to be immune to the Disney Magic.

 

[DizMom11]

I totally agree with the great Disney atmosphere at PC. Everyone from the CM's to the guests were "Disnified". I would rather stay at PC than POFQ, where I found the atmosphere too quiet and not that Disney. The POFQ was a beautiful resort and I had no problem with it except that it did not have a magical feel like PC. The next time I go to PC I would definantely try to get a room closer to the main lobby, but away from the noise of the hippy dippy pool. I would also try to avoid a ground floor room next to the lake (alligators!)

 

[Fromeurope]

Did you really see alligators in the lake at PopCentury?
Told my family about them, but they wouldn't believe me, overhere the only alligator you can see is at the zoo

 

[DizMom11]

I did not see any, BUT was told that there are alligators in any still body of water in Florida. There have been sightings in Disney according to what people have wrote in the boards. When we stayed at PC, our room was ground level and VERY close to Hourglass Lake. Next time I am requesting a 2nd or 3rd floor room!:space:

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I wouldn't worry at all about gators at Pop. Yes, there may possibly be some gators in Hourglass Lake -- after all, it is thier natural habitat. However, the probability lies in that they will NOT come up on land, especially into Pop grounds. The ONLY reason that they might come up is if someone goes down and taunts it. (ie, sticks, rocks, etc). Then, it will pursue. Otherwise, you leave it alone, it will leave you alone.

 

[rockin_rep]

Originally posted by DizMom11
I totally agree with the great Disney atmosphere at PC. Everyone from the CM's to the guests were "Disnified". I would rather stay at PC than POFQ, where I found the atmosphere too quiet and not that Disney. The POFQ was a beautiful resort and I had no problem with it except that it did not have a magical feel like PC.

I *totally* agree with DizMom! We've stayed at POFQ and other moderate WDW resorts, along with countless *resorts* around the world.

ALL resorts are nice, but they're not DISNEY. And THAT is what we want. We want to know / feel we're at WDW!!
Why pay more when it's just another nice resort, and not disnified?! You can find a nice resort ANYWHERE on the face of the earth!!!! When in Disney, we WANT DISNEY!

Like going to the beach - there are lovely resorts in any beach town, but we stay *ON* the beach, ocean front, so we can hear and almost feel the surf -- otherwise we could be in ANY resort in the world! JMHO!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

You guys are making me excited about staying at the POP!!!!

 

[alwaysmom]

I love the fact that when you wake up and look out, you know your in disney at the value resorts. We have stayed at ASMo our last 2 visits and loved it, but are excited that we decided to try POP for our next trip.

 

[Disney753]

I stayed at POP this past spring and loved it. In my opinion it is what Disney is about. It is a fun resort and no matter how tired you are when you return at the end of the day you stil feel the disney magic. Oh can finally say in a short time "next month we wil be in Disney" and yes staying at POP again. Still awhile for single digit dance....

 

[floridagirrl2]

DH and I just got back today from a 3-night stay at Pop Century. We loved the theming. Room decor and size were great, and we could see the Epcot fireworks and "golf ball" (OK, that's what we always call it--the big sphere at the entrance) from the open corridor outside of our room (50s building #3, room 3425).

The food court was surprisingly good--I'm vegetarian and my husband is low-carbing, and there were plenty of breakfast selections for both of us.

My only criticism is that the hotel is very noisy and we had not thought to bring any "white noise" with us (we use a box fan at home). You can hear toilets flush, people pulling luggage or kids running down the corridor (we were on the top floor but the way the sound carried, it sounded like people were in a room over our heads!), kids yelling, and (in the middle of the night) I could hear what sounded like a mother cat and her kittens meowing!

Next time we will bring white noise and will request a room at the end of the corridor so there is less foot traffic going by. There will definitely be a next time, because we really enjoyed everything about Pop Century except the noise.

 

[720L]

I totally agree about the value resorts feeling more "disney" than the more expensive ones. We stayed at AK Lodge last time which was beautiful, but I prefer the values! When I'm at Disney I want to always feel that Disney feeling!

 

[Fromeurope]

So there are more people like me who prefer the values
I think that all the deluxe-fans at these boards consider us out of our minds

 

[DizMom11]

I am staying at the Poly in Feb. I know this might sound crazy, but I hope it is as Disney as the POP! If not than I am going right back to the POP.