Disney's POP CENTURY RESORT Information & Questions

[Runred1893]

Need a little input here...

Hi, All!

First post...long time forum reader. We took our first family WDW trip last summer and stayed at POFQ. Needless to say, we are hooked. We are currently booked at the Wilderness lodge in early June for 10 days, 9 nights. Here is my dilemna... Been doing a bit more research and it looks like we could switch to Pop Century and potentially save about $1500 for the same amount of nights. We have me, my wife (sorry...I don't know all the Disney acronyms yet) our two sons (age 13 and 8).

With only one stay under our belt, really need some of you seasoned veterans to chime in and let me know what you think. Should we just stick with WL or switch over to Pop? It would give us a lot more $ to spend in the parks.

FYI, our plan is to spend most of the mornings and early afternoons in the parks, rest for a bit and then return in the evenings. We have the dining plan and all of our FP and ADR already done.

I appreciate your input!

We were in the same dilema...we will be there the end of May...it will be our 4th trip in four years. Have stayed at BWI, AKL and CR. I had us booked at BC, but would save $1600 by switching to pop. Our kids are also 13 & 8 and we really spend no time at the resort. I'm not going to lie, I love the deluxe resorts, but the savings of $1600 for a 5 night, 6 day trip made me switch to pop! Didn't even really consider the moderates...figured we would go straight to value for the biggest savings since a moderate still isn't getting us close proximity (walking) to parks. The full size beds are my biggest concern, but willing to take the risk!

 

[Minnesota!]

So my room request should be sent in a couple days. I was thinking of trying to see if a renovated room would be open but I do not want the walk to the buses. Thoughts?

Honestly - the walk from the 90's is easy. Cut across the parking lot and it's even better. It seems a lot shorter than from the 50's honestly...

 

[KNovacovschi]

The hospital/rehab center color scheme.

 

[karly05]

Need a little input here...

Hi, All!

First post...long time forum reader. We took our first family WDW trip last summer and stayed at POFQ. Needless to say, we are hooked. We are currently booked at the Wilderness lodge in early June for 10 days, 9 nights. Here is my dilemna... Been doing a bit more research and it looks like we could switch to Pop Century and potentially save about $1500 for the same amount of nights. We have me, my wife (sorry...I don't know all the Disney acronyms yet) our two sons (age 13 and 8).

With only one stay under our belt, really need some of you seasoned veterans to chime in and let me know what you think. Should we just stick with WL or switch over to Pop? It would give us a lot more $ to spend in the parks.

FYI, our plan is to spend most of the mornings and early afternoons in the parks, rest for a bit and then return in the evenings. We have the dining plan and all of our FP and ADR already done.

I appreciate your input!

Hi and welcome!

I have stayed at Beach Club and Poly, and for the last 4 trips before this year, I stayed at POFQ. I LOVE POFQ! I would happily stay there every year. But when I planned my most recent trip (Feb 2017), I decided I should save a few more $ and so had my first stay at POP.

POFQ is still my favorite, but I was very happy with POP and plan to stay there again on my next trip. It saved me $500+ over POFQ on a 7 night trip, which is hard to pass up. I spend most of my time in the parks, so I'm that ideal POP guest who really just needs a safe clean happy Disney place in the bubble to sleep and shower.

As others have pointed out, I think the big thing for you to consider is if the double beds will work for your family.

If you do stay at POP, take some time to walk across the bridge and check out Art of Animation. The morning I went over there for breakfast, the AOA food court was much less busy than POP's, which can be packed in the morning.

 

[BridgetR3]

Need a little input here...

Hi, All!

First post...long time forum reader. We took our first family WDW trip last summer and stayed at POFQ. Needless to say, we are hooked. We are currently booked at the Wilderness lodge in early June for 10 days, 9 nights. Here is my dilemna... Been doing a bit more research and it looks like we could switch to Pop Century and potentially save about $1500 for the same amount of nights. We have me, my wife (sorry...I don't know all the Disney acronyms yet) our two sons (age 13 and 8).

With only one stay under our belt, really need some of you seasoned veterans to chime in and let me know what you think. Should we just stick with WL or switch over to Pop? It would give us a lot more $ to spend in the parks.

FYI, our plan is to spend most of the mornings and early afternoons in the parks, rest for a bit and then return in the evenings. We have the dining plan and all of our FP and ADR already done.

I appreciate your input!

We have stayed at many different deluxe and moderate resorts. This past fall was our first time staying at POP and while we absolutely loved it (I love it more than most of the moderates), there are a few things to consider. As everyone has said, the beds are smaller but the thing that would affect a summer trip the most for us would be the loss of the hot tubs and pool slide. My boys have grown to love Disney pool slides so we likely would not stay at Pop in the summer. Just our opinion.......

 

[KarenP64]

What are the beds like; can anyone describe them for me? I stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort a few years ago & the beds were so comfortable. I understand the beds at Pop are only full size, but that's no problem. I do have back issues though & need something comfortable enough to refresh me each night after the parks. I prefer a softer bed with some support. If anyone can describe the beds, I'd really appreciate it! It will help us make a decision on whether or not to stay here. TIA!

 

[Rusty2rules]

Nevermind. I had a brain cramp.

 

[Lesverts]

What are the beds like; can anyone describe them for me? I stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort a few years ago & the beds were so comfortable. I understand the beds at Pop are only full size, but that's no problem. I do have back issues though & need something comfortable enough to refresh me each night after the parks. I prefer a softer bed with some support. If anyone can describe the beds, I'd really appreciate it! It will help us make a decision on whether or not to stay here. TIA!

No one can really tell you. I have stayed at Pop Century 4 times in 4 different buildings. The beds have not been consistent. I've even had rooms where one bed was beautiful and the other one was horribly rock hard and lumpy.

 

[ChloeChipper]

How long is the walk to the AoA food court? Do they offer different things, or are the food court offerings the same as at Pop? A ton of people mention walking over to AoA to eat. Just curious why..

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

How long is the walk to the AoA food court? Do they offer different things, or are the food court offerings the same as at Pop? A ton of people mention walking over to AoA to eat. Just curious why..

It's not a very long walk at all, and it is very scenic overlooking the bridge and seeing the AoA buildings as you go to their main building. The menus are very different than Pop. And they also have a very nice gift shop. We walk over at least once a trip, or ride a returning bus to AoA and walk back "home" to Pop.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Here's a link to AoA's dinner menu on the Disney Website. It's fun to check out the different menus at the different hotels.

 

[Minnesota!]

Agree with a PP - the beds are not consistent...at all.

I have never had a bad bed, but I have definitely had harder/softer mattresses...at all levels.

 

[bluezy]

How long is the walk to the AoA food court? Do they offer different things, or are the food court offerings the same as at Pop? A ton of people mention walking over to AoA to eat. Just curious why..

It's about a 1/4 of a mile from the Pop Century side of the bridge to the food court at AoA. So about a 10 minute walk depending on where your room is at Pop. We prefer the food/menu at AoA over Pop Century but I know not everyone does. It's nice to have 2 food courts so close together as their offerings are very different.

 

[Ndusmama]

Nevermind. I had a brain cramp.

On Disney it's considered vacation brain FYI. Or at least that is my term.

 

[Minnesota!]

How long is the walk to the AoA food court? Do they offer different things, or are the food court offerings the same as at Pop? A ton of people mention walking over to AoA to eat. Just curious why..

It's not far, at all. It's a pretty walk, but no shade, so it can be hot in the heat of the day. We take the bus to AoA from parks if the line is shorter/bus is faster.

We haven't had a "bad" meal at AoA, but I will say, I prefer Pop. AoA is SO loud. With the real silverware and plates, the clanking + the voices...it just is very loud to my ears.

It is pretty, though! My heart is just at Pop

 

[720L]

Earlier in this thread people were mentioning using Uber......wondering what's better with Uber over Yellow Cab?

 

[dansdad]

Earlier in this thread people were mentioning using Uber......wondering what's better with Uber over Yellow Cab?

Uber is almost half the cost of a traditional taxi.

 

[Daisybell911]

Uber is a great service! The only problem is when they charge "surge" pricing. In essence, when demand is high, their rates go up so the $10 you may have paid to go somewhere could cost you up to twice as much or more to come back. Uber says it's to entice more drivers to hit the road and pick up the influx of opinion but I think it's a bit on the price gouging side personally. The good thing is that when you open the app, it will tell you before you book the trip. You can also set a notification to have the app alert you when the price goes down some. It's a chance to go back in a place and have another drink while you wait!

I've never used Uber at WDW but I plan on it this trip. I would think they use surge pricing when parks close but it could be a life saver either way going between POP and intended destinations. I'm sure someone else could let you know if they do but I just wanted to let you know that was a thing if you didn't.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

we plan to use lyft or uber (my dh likes lyft more when he has to take it home after work, sometimes, for some reason)

 

[Dug720]

we plan to use lyft or uber (my dh likes lyft more when he has to take it home after work, sometimes, for some reason)

IME, Lyft is ALWAYS nicer than Uber. I've always had much better service with Lyft than Uber ever gave me.