Help with Pop non-preferred request

[Caitriona]

I just changed our reservation over to Pop, and I'm trying to figure out which room type to request.

We'll have 3 kids with us, ages 1, 3 and 8 and I guess that since we'll have the double stroller with us, a bit of extra walking to our room will do us no harm.

I don't like the idea of 1st floor rooms, because I worry that if my DD opens the door, one of the little ones could run out and I think it would be easier to catch up to them on one of the balcony walkways (I don't know why this is a worry of mine, but it is)

I would like a quiet area and I think I would love 4th floor so that no one is above us. And then I also think that I would also like lake view, but only if it isn't 1st floor. And am I wrong to think that if I say "No first floor" that that could get misread as a request for 1st floor?!

What request would we have more chances of being honored:

- 50's or 60's buildings, lake view, 4th floor
- 50's or 60's buildings, 4th floor
- 50's or 60's, lake view

Ideally I want to go with the first, and I know that nothing is guaranteed, but is that narrowing things down a bit too much?!

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Both times we have been non-preferred it was in the 70's section and we loved it! Very close to the main hall and the buses.

The first floor rooms can also be loud if you are near a walking path so a top floor is a good choice.

We have not stayed in the other sections, but nothing is far. You will have a great time!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I don't think that anyone can say which request has a better chance.

Prioritize your request in order of importance. That way you should get at least your first one.

There is also lake view in the 70's....I'm not sure about the 80's/90's. You might be best to ask for 4th floor, lake view....or which ever is more important to you.

As far as the ground floor worry.....the walkways on the ground are edged with thick shrubs. It will be basically be the same as the railing on the upper floors. Many people find it easier to be on the ground with strollers.

ETA: any of the lake view rooms will be quiet regardless of the floor. The noisey rooms will be pool facing.

 

[tzolkin]

Both times we have been non-preferred it was in the 70's section and we loved it! Very close to the main hall and the buses.

I was also going to say we have stayed twice in the 70s section and I think it's nice with kids since that's where the Goofy "squirt" area and the playground are located.

The first time we stayed on the 4th floor in the back building (6) facing the lake-- Very quiet

The second time we stayed on the 4th floor in the front building (10)-- Very short walk to the busses

 

[Caitriona]

Thanks so much - that is great to know about the 1st floor pathways and the shrubs. I think I worry too much about them running straight towards water, and I read somewhere that the edges of the lake are steep and sudden (my husband had a near-drowning accident as a kid and his fears rubbed off on me a bit, I think)

We're not overly picky in which area we end up, so I think I will just request "4th floor, lake view" with 4th floor being the most important... but now that has me thinking about how convenient the 1st floor would be with the stroller. Hmmm...

 

[blestmom]

I've put in room requests for Pop, and they never seem to be noticed when I go to check in. However...I just ask right when I get there and I've been able to get what we were hoping for anyway. The castmembers there have always been so nice and helpful. We've stayed 50's 4th floor lake view, 50's 2nd floor not lake view, and 50's 3rd floor corner facing pool. We liked all of these locations.

 

[Pats Dragon]

I guess we are lucky but we always get our requests. We like 4th floor facing the lake in 50's or 70's. Quiet and nice to look at the lake.

 

[goofy4tink]

My favorite room at POP??? 4441. It's in bldg 4 (60's), fourth floor, and faces the lake. I wouldn't specifically request that room..but I would ask for a room in bldg 4, facing the lake as high up as possible.

If it were me, I would be more concerned about my kids running, unattended, down the balcony areas. If you leave the latch on the door, the kids won't be able to open it. Besides, it's a very heavy door to begin with. If I had three kids and a double stroller, I would be asking for a ground level room, rather than have to worry about using elevators. But, that's just me.

All of the lake view rooms are pretty quiet. Pool facing rooms are notoriously noisy.

 

[Janet B]

Just a thought … with you booking standard, the “pool” of rooms (no pun intended) is narrowed a bit more than 2011. For 2012 the booking categories include 2 new pool views (preferred & standard); all lake view rooms will be considered standard … and lake view pretty much guarantees you the 50s/60s/70s areas. It seems like you most likely want to avoid the 80s/90s areas (there are a few lakeview rooms at the ends of bldgs 7 & 9), but for most part lake view encompass the other areas.

You might request lake view, upper floor. We also request an end room (although further from the elevators)- it is very quiet.

I like goofy4tink’s suggestion, keep the double lock on for security … but I also believe that at 8 years old your DD will be very conscious of the need to listen to you and not open the door for her younger siblings.

And remember, that if you are not satisfied with your room location, you can always discuss this with the CM at check in and they will do their best to accommodate you.

 

[maj42169]

Just an FYI, the Goofy Squirt area is not there now. They tore it out and are redoing something there. My daughter was really bummed to see that it was gone when we were there last week.