Disney's Pop Century Resort Review

[Josh Lee]

My review of Disney's Pop Century; A celebration of American pop culture.

Lobby
The lobby at Pop has big decade numbers outside. Large numbers displaying the years Pop's buildings are based off of are placed between the main doors and the drop-off area. Inside the lobby, to your left is Everything POP, Pop Century's gift shop and food court. To your right is the check-in and concierge area. If you walk straight, you find the arcade and, outside a set of doors, one of the two pools. The check-in process was quick and easy, as we didn't do online check-in. Our lady that checked us in did a great job at dealing with our two rooms, making sure some bands were on one card and the rest on the other card. She also made sure my grandma's scooter was there and ready for her.

The Food Court
The food court at Pop has many choices, ranging from burgers to pizza to ice cream. The only thing that I had (and wanted) was a hot dog in a pretzel roll. It wasn't bad, but it feels weird to say that I looked forward to the park food more than the food court. I only did breakfast one day, and got the kids french toast because I wasn't even that hungry. The cast members didn't have a single smile on anyone's face, except for one lady from the UK working at the ice cream booth. She did make a good chocolate milkshake.

The Rooms
Ok, Pop's a value resort. The rooms aren't great. I actually prefer a room at a Springhill Suites next to Sea World than this room. But regardless, it was nice. Since we were at the parks most of the days, we didn't really care. Only reason we stayed there and not an All Star was the Florida Resident rate. I forget the price but it wasn't bad.

The Pool
Didn't go to the pool at all, but saw it. It's a pool. Nothing more, nothing less. Just some extra props.

Pokemon GO
Ok so I went from a level 9 to a level 13 in one night. I had access to THREE POKESTOPS FROM MY ROOM. Like holy crap! Lots of stops, couple gyms, and with the bridge across Hourglass Lake to Art of Animation, you have access to even more! Oh, and pro tip: Sit towards the large decade numbers outside the food court. One of the numbers is a stop. Put a lure down. Help all of the other trainers out.

Disney Transport
The only method of transport to the parks from Pop is the Disney Transport buses. The buses come frequently, but one drawback is the waiting area. The whole line is in the sun. That's torture. Half of the people wait on the shaded benches behind the lines and once the bus arrives people run into the line. Also, don't complain about the handicapped people taking a while getting on the bus. My grandma took a while with her scooter and people stood there with disgusted looks on there faces. It hurt my feelings a lot, and made me have a lot of more respect for the handicapped people getting on the bus. Just wait the extra 2 minutes. The line for Frozen Ever After isn't going to go from a 15 minutes wait to a 300 minute wait during that 2 extra minutes. Sorry to go into a rant but just wanted to throw that out there.

Conclusion
Disney's Pop Century Resort is a good hotel. Great rates, nice rooms, WAY better than any All Star, and a less-than 5 minute bus ride to any Disney park. Easy to find, being the second hotel you come up to on Osceola Parkway, and a not bad food court. If you like spending time at the resort, pay the extra money for a better hotel. If you go to the parks every hour of every day, stay at Pop.

Oh yeah, the handle-less mugs are at Pop. Not a fan.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
-Josh Lee

 

[adisneyaunt]

Well thx for posting! Glad u enjoyed.
About the Scooters... There's always the face makers, glad it didn't ruin ur trip and even happier that u got to experience Disney with ur Grandma, lucky You!

 

[Carolrita]

Handless Mugs?

 

[fla4fun]

Handless Mugs?

Handle less - the refillable mugs no longer have handles on them. They are more like a tumbler or glass than a cup or mug. Some people like, because they can fit in cup holders better, but for people who like to carry multiple mugs to the refill station it's not so convenient.

 

[Carolrita]

Handle less - the refillable mugs no longer have handles on them. They are more like a tumbler or glass than a cup or mug. Some people like, because they can fit in cup holders better, but for people who like to carry multiple mugs to the refill station it's not so convenient.

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm one of those people who usually carry several mugs. Guess everyone will have to start getting their own refills. I do like that they'll fit in the cup holders.

 

[vettegirl]

Great Pop review! I have enjoyed my stays there and find it to be quiet enjoyable.

 

[Josh Lee]

Well thx for posting! Glad u enjoyed.
About the Scooters... There's always the face makers, glad it didn't ruin ur trip and even happier that u got to experience Disney with ur Grandma, lucky You!

Thank you so much! It was my grandma's first time back at Disney in 15 years so it was wonderful!

 

[Josh Lee]

Great Pop review! I have enjoyed my stays there and find it to be quiet enjoyable.

Yeah it's a nice hotel. Not as extravagant as Poly or even Yacht & Beach, but still a great stay

 

[Shoshana]

My grandma took a while with her scooter and people stood there with disgusted looks on there faces. It hurt my feelings a lot, and made me have a lot of more respect for the handicapped people getting on the bus.

My mother was in a power wheel chair and I know those looks of disgust all too well. She noticed and just got so flustered and nervous. I'm pretty sure that the people with the attitude wouldn't want to change places with the person in a chair. I'd rather be traveling with an elderly or handicapped person and spend more time getting anywhere than suffer from entitlement and a lack of compassion. I'm really sorry you and your grandmother experienced this.

 

[loves to dive]

Thanks for the review.

I agree about the food court, I'd rather eat in the parks. The only time I use a food court in any of the resorts is for breakfast or maybe a late night snack if I didn't eat supper in the parks. I find most of them too noisy and crowded.

I also agree about the rooms, they are value resorts, nothing fancy but as you said, if you are spending all day in the parks they are a place to sleep.

I must be the only person out there who would rather stay in ASSp than Pop. My first value stay, for two nights during a split stay, was at Pop. I usually stay in the deluxe resorts but since I drive down and get there around 3 or so thought it was silly to pay deluxe prices for that first night and I knew the second day I'd be going to AK, which you have to take a bus to no matter where you stay so it made sense. After my stay there, I swore I'd never do a value resort again. Went back on that the next year when I got a ridiculous rate like $50/night at ASsp so I thought let's try it for one night before I totally give up on the value resorts. I thought the room was cleaner and food court not as hectic as Pop and if forced to stay at a value again, I'd stay at ASsp over Pop.

 

[J'Adore Disney]

Thanks - GREAT review! I'll be at Pop in 3 days, first time staying at a value resort and kind of weary. But your review got me a little excited, I appreciate your positive vibe!

I'm one of those "champagne taste on a beer budget" kind of people. However, my family and I are the kind who just go to the resort to crash after some mad park hopping. With that said, I think Pop will suit me just fine.

 

[EstebanC]

Great review! I am staying at this resort on december with my family and I am glad to hear very good things about it. I had only been on the All Stars before so I appreciate all the replies and references comparing both resorts.

I had access to THREE POKESTOPS FROM MY ROOM.

On a side note, Pokemon Go has became a family thing for us, we enjoy playing together and has been a great bonding vehicule, I would really like to know if possible in which building you suggest we should stay to be within the "Three pokestop" range from the room itself, can you please advice?
Thanks!!