Dowgraded to Pop Century - Please tell me about it!

[cheshirecat74sc]

Unfortunately, I had a reservation at the Poly from Nov 20-27, but we owed $2000 by the beginning of October and I just couldn't do it. :-(
So I called and changed my reservations to the Pop Century resort. Now I only owe $350!! I don't know anything about it other than a few pictures. Can anyone tell me what it's like and if you enjoyed it? What are the pools like (I'm sure they are nothing like the Poly's volcano pool??)? Was it clean? How small were the rooms? I am going with DH and 2 kids ages 9 and 11.

Thanks!
Sharon

 

[dennisnlisab96]

We stayed there last April with our kids (12,10,7,5,2and9mo then!!) We had 2 rooms in the 50's section. We were on the backside overlooking the parking lot. Not a great view but it was really quiet and it was a quick walk to the car. The walk to the Everything Pop was also quick even with 6 kidst. The kids really loved watching the CM's do the hustle @ 6:00 pm every night. The food was very very good for a Disney food court! We did not go to the Hippy Dippy pool much while we were there...it was really crowded and we had a pool right in front of our section. When I book this trip my husband was not at all happy that we were staying a a value resort. We usually stay at the WL but I wanted to save some money this trip. We only take my step kids everyother trip (12, 10) so this trip was going to be really expensive anyway!! My husband came around though once we got there...he WANTS to stay there when we go back in Feb (16 -21). It is me that wants to stay somewhere else!! I figure with it being value season and having AP's we (hopefully)will get a great code before we go. However, I have booked Pop for that trip already just in case

 

[Magic2000]

We just returned from a split stay at Pop Century and Wilderness Lodge! We really enjoyed our stay at Pop Century! Check in only took about 10 minutes, and our room was ready! We had booked the 60s Bldg (DH & older DD love the 1960s), and we had room 5312 (the bldg w/Mowgli & Baloo) - third floor overlooking the kiddy pool! Our room was very quiet - we never heard our neighbors or any outside noise!

The gift shop was a hit with the kids - and we only tried the food court once for breakfast; although we did buy our refillable mug!!!

We only tried the main pool - and it was fun!!! There are little water sprinkles (flower petals) that shoots water into the pool!! There are bikes you can rent, and there's a tattoo & hair wrap stand for the kids! The arcade was a lot of fun for my daughter, and she enjoyed getting the "tickets" for prizes!

The hotel is very clean; our room was very clean - mousekeeping did a great job!! It will be fine for your family! Rooms are smaller than Polynesian rooms, but we weren't crowded at all! We enjoyed walking around and looking at all of the icons they had!

Bus service was great - and you don't share with any other hotel! We did wait about 30 minutes leaving Epcot one day, but we had just missed a bus!

We're going back in December. I originally had booked Wilderness Lodge - but I got one of the postcards and I couldn't pass up the $49/night rate!!!! So we switched!!! We had a great time there in July, and we're looking forward to returning in December!!! Enjoy your stay!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

k

 

[seashoreCM]

Stayed at Pop Century earlier this month, very delightful place. Not too much of a walk from the furthest buildings to the food court (cafeteria style only).

Pop Century has nearly 3000 rooms, over 80% occupancy most of the time, and just one food serving area thge latter is bound to be crowded at meal times. Many folks carry their food back to their rooms although the food tends to get cold faster.

Room size was reported to be 350 sq. ft. The sink is outside the bathroom and that may help everyone get to bed sooner or up in the morning for early entry.

There are three buildings themed for the 1950's, just one for the 1990's, and two for each intervening decade. Music appropriate for the decade is played in the vicinity of each building.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[webray]

We enjoyed pop a lot. The rooms are fine. Nice decor.

Food court food is pretty good. Pools are very nice, the grounds are beautiful. Lots for kids to do.

The value resorts are very conveniently laid out. No matter what building/room you get, you are just a few minute walk from all the action. Make sure and take time to look around the lobby..it will bring back memories for sure. Very well done. Nice arcade for the kids. Nice assortment of mdse in the gift shop.

The also have an inside and and outside bar if you like to have a drink while on vacation.

 

[n2mm]

As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter where you stay because nothing beats a trip to WDW!!!

In addition, we have been to WDW 3 times this year (trip 4 is in October). 2 times at Pop and 2 times a WL. Every resort has it's pros and cons. I personally think Pop is a great place to stay and you can't beat the price. We always bounce between value and delux (never mods anymore) and enjoy both equally. Just don't dwell on the fact that you're not at Poly and enjoy Pop Century for the value that you are receiving. Hopefully, there's always another trip around the corner, and maybe next time you'll be at the Poly--that's if you don't fall in love with Pop Century first. We were at Pop in May and will be back there again for 12 nights in October. Being married to a CM, we can get any resort we want at a great price, but choose Pop and Movies several times a year--mostly because of the value and it lets us stay twice as long! Enjoy!!

 

[bsusanmb]

I booked 10 days at the Pop Century in May at the AP rate of $59.
I thought I could take anything at that price! No problem. I have chaperoned a High School group at the ASM, so this would be no biig deal -

I lasted 2 hours and asked to be moved to the French Quarter at $79 a night - best $14 a day I ever spent.

We didn't arrive until about 9:30 pm and our room in the 50's building was teeny tiny, and not very "Disney" looking - it looked like a motel 6. THe carpet had stains - couldn't imagine a new hotel being stained - and there were kids everywhere - hundreds . We went to the food court and the upholstered booths were smeared with food - perhaps toddlers standing and rubbing against them - I really was not happy and felt I would rather be at work than on vacation. Don't get me wrong, DH and I have raised 5 kids. But the difference in price was not worth it to me.

I ran into a man in the parks who said that the Pop Century reminded him of the projects on acid....hum.....

This is just mho, so I hope you like it as well as everyone else who posted did. For my money, it wasn't worth the hassle.