Honest opinions: Pop Century

[Arielfan98]

I have stayed at The All Stars my whole life and only once at Pop as a toddler. I will be staying at Pop in August. Imagine a typical Holiday Inn, Best Western, etc. That is what the Disney value resorts are like. They are nothing like your typical side of the highway motel rooms. Disney provides wonderful service at these resorts and we've always had a nice, clean room. Will it be a downgrade from your expected DVC resort? Absolutely, no doubt. Just go in with fair expectations and you will be fine. The rooms will be a bit smaller and you won't get as many complimentary items like hand cream or such, but it is a nice economic hotel.

 

[HopperFan]

Am I right in thinking that Art of Animation is within walking distance? That'll give us a choice of 2 food courts.

Just over the bridge

AoA has a great food court with more options than POP. We enjoy the create your own pasta there, the smoothies etc. Be sure to check it out especially for lunch/dinner time.

WALK all over AoA with camera, it's like being in the movie Cars, the Nemo area landscape makes you feel like you are underwater, Ariel icons are awesome and Lion King has the boneyard. ABSOLUTELY set aside time to walk the resort there and take pictures, probably one of the best imagineered resorts at WDW, but for sure of the values.

And you can use their buses and your DD will love the coral reef playground. You can't use their pools but you can use their food court, buses, playground and drawing classes.

 

[nighttowll]

Am I right in thinking that Art of Animation is within walking distance? That'll give us a choice of 2 food courts.

Yes, it really depends on which room you’re in as to how far of a walk, but some are very close. That is one of the things we liked about staying at Pop, having the option to go over to AoA as well. I recommend going over there at least once to check out the decor. We had a lot of fun exploring that hotel. Also, keep in mind you can use their buses if needed.

We only ever used the AoA bus once, but it was nice to have that option. The night we used it, there was a huge crowd waiting to get on buses back to Pop. Probably, 2 to 3 bus loads worth of people and no bus in sight. No way were we getting on a bus anytime soon. However, the AoA bus was already loading and had plenty of room. We hopped on it and were back in no time. We then had maybe a 10 to 15 minute walk back to the room from AoA, but I’d rather walk than stand around waiting at the park.

 

[clayfolks]

I’m going to disagree that Deluxe rooms have better sound proofing. The noisiest neighbors we have ever had was at BC (as in I could hear every word of their conversation) and one of the outer buildings at the GF.

I’ve had noisy deluxe rooms, but they were always ones that had a connecting door. The noise that I found most disturbing at Pop was the sound of toilets flushing, from above.

 

[Sue M]

For me it was o.k. I loved the new rooms. Very well done. I had my first long stay (10 days) At Pop this past Dec. in the past I only had a couple of 1 night stays. I love the Mods & Deluxe. What was lacking for me was the relaxed feel, lush landscaping, pretty buildings, nice landscaped pools ( we were in 80s computer pool was just in a cement slab) hot tub. The lack of covered bus stop didn’t bother me in Dec, but in hot or wet weather it sure would. Esp since our bus waits every day were around 30 min. This was in late Nov/early Dec.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I stayed at Pop three years in a row 2008-2010. They were among the best trips we ever had because we had so much fun.

My favorite room location was 4th floor of Building 4 lakeside. It’s where I asked to be and it was the perfect standard room.

While it was far from being the most luxurious place where I’ve stayed, it was plenty nice enough for me. You should see some of the dives where we’ve stayed at the Jersey shore.

 

[desl10]

I suppose the answer to that would depend on what you expect out of a hotel. You should expect it to be clean and a comfortable place to sleep. The rooms will not be as spacious as you're used to, and the amenities will be more basic. But it's onsite, with all the attendant perquisites that go with that (magical express, magic bands, 60 day FP).

It's in-your-face Disney. It's popular culture. Some people find that tacky and garish. Some people find that funky and fun. Are you able to embrace it for what it is or will you constantly be comparing it to your favorite deluxe?

The pools won't have waterslides or other features. But you'll still be able to cool off in them. Does your family need all the bells and whistles to have poolside fun or can they enjoy themselves in a typical pool? Maybe bring some pool toys with you.

Are you rope-drop play-in-the-parks-all-day kind of people who mostly use the hotel for sleep? If so, you should be fine. Are you resort-day kind of people who plan to spend a lot of time enjoying the hotel's atmosphere and amenities? If so, you might want to come up with some alternate activities like Disney Springs or a water park visit.

Pop only has buses for transportation; are you okay with that? Of course you could skip the buses entirely with a lyft/uber/minnie van, which actually might be more direct and convenient than the Disney transportation from many of the DVC resorts.

Your disappointment or enjoyment will largely be dependent upon the expectations and attitude you go into it with.

We are booked at the POP in December. May be a silly question but are the pools heated?

 

[dansdad]

We are booked at the POP in December. May be a silly question but are the pools heated?

Yup. All WDW pools are heated to 82.

 

[desl10]

Yup. All WDW pools are heated to 82.

Awesome Thank you!!!

 

[palavra]

Resorts where the rooms open to the outside rather than an interior corridor are more prone to random noises because it's the whole resort on the other side of the door, not just those walking down your corridor. It's not a deal breaker for me, and I'm staying at Pop this fall, but overall, I find hotels with interior corridors to be a bit quieter.

Actually, the writers of one of the more famous Disney guide books did a study on noise at the resorts and found that the noisiest rooms consistently were the indoor corridor rooms at the deluxe resorts.

 

[starousse]

My family tries to visit once a year and usually stay Moderate or Deluxe. Last Spring, my friend and I decided to do a spontaneous trip down with the kids for school break. It had to be budget friendly so we decided on Pop. I figured, we're not in the room often, we weren't planning on using the pool, so how bad could it be. We're not the pickiest of people but just speaking from my experience, it was horrible. Check in process, was easily a good hour and half. The CMs behind the desk looked miserable and were unfriendly. The huge groups of teenagers screaming and chanting through the lobby was annoying as all heck. I'm all for school spirit and kids having fun and singing, but after a while, it got to be a bit much. The walk to the room from the parking lot was ridiculous. We're young without mobility issues and we were laughing about how bad it was. Anybody, or someone like my mom with any kind of mobility issue would never be able to do the hike. Beer bottles and garbage outside many of the rooms. Both my friend and myself had roaches in our rooms. My friend's son went to put his sneaker on and a huge roach crawled out of his shoe. Room was so dirty, that I had my suitcases on top of the little table. We complained and moved over to AOA, which seemed to be a lot better. Not sure if things have changed from last year. Maybe with the new refurbished room things are better. However, I won't be returning.

 

[Sarahslay]

I usually stay deluxe, but stayed at Pop for the first time this past weekend with DD1 (and will be there again end of July with DD2). I let my kids pick where they wanted to stay on my trips with them, and that was it so I had no choice. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised, of course I was only there for 3 days and we were in the parks unless we were sleeping or showering, so I didn't spend extended amounts of time there just hanging around. The CMs were all super friendly and helpful, the atmosphere was fun, and the food wasn't bad (I've certainly had far worse). I liked the renovated rooms a lot, and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again if I was going on a short, quick trip. The only thing I hated was how far the bus stops were at all the parks, aside from AK, and I hated walking all the way to our room at the end of the day. But really, with that last point, when staying at somewhere like Poly or GF you still end up with a similar walk so it's really not too horrible, I'm just lazy

 

[Sailormoon2]

Prior to my stay I had only ever been at Deluxes and once to POR-FQ, and I can honestly say I loved it! I had a renovated room, which I think makes all the difference. I was there while doing the Dopey races, so I did not spend much time at the resort beyond sleeping and grabbing a quick breakfast. I found the food court to be only moderately busier and no better in quality than what I experienced at POR. The bed was super comfortable and there was tons of storage space around the room! I would definitely recommend if you plan on spending a lot of time in the parks.

 

[momdisfan]

We stayed at POP right after they opened in 2004 and since have stayed at the mods. We are returning to Pop this year and I'm nervous we won't like it as much but I'm excited about the renovated rooms and I have heard POP HAS DOLE WHIP!!!! We are not planning on being at the resort much and it's Disney

 

[momdisfan]

I have stayed at all levels ... I think it really depends on what you want out of your hotel.

What are your hopes for pools, dining, quaint & quiet spots, lush landscape, bathroom space, room space, special touches?

If your hopes are high ... yeah you might feel like you are in a cartoon route 66 motel.

Now the new rooms have queen beds, larger televisions, decent showers, beverage centers and more storage & plugs than most values/moderates ................. but I don't feel that Disney touch or warmth in the rooms.

If you want it to feel a touch nicer ask for a lake view room, nicer than many moderate room views.



NOTE: 30-35+ stays at POP, 4-5 in renovated rooms. My favorite area is 50's, but I'd be fine with 60's (standard, not pool view). I don't ask for 70's anymore since there are odds of a busier area and I hate 80's and 90's.

HopperFan, can I ask why you say 70s is busier? That's where I was thinking of requesting (booked preferred room) because I thought it would be quieter and it appears to be close to bus stop

 

[StuckInKS]

We stayed in POP renovated rooms and CSR renovated rooms last year and they were both very similarly updated. POP really feels like a mod room-wise with the updates. I also love being able to walk over to AoA, as we enjoying strolling around to the different sections. We leave in a week to stay at Sports for 10 days and I am BUMMED that we couldn't get into POP.

 

[HopperFan]

HopperFan, can I ask why you say 70s is busier? That's where I was thinking of requesting (booked preferred room) because I thought it would be quieter and it appears to be close to bus stop

I feel like if you get a room facing the courtyard or backside (towards parking) then there will be more traffic out in the area. We often walk about and that way and it seems like those two buildings are so close and there is fun stuff there like the games and foosball .... we often see folks enjoying themselves there and it feels the most busy area aside from pools.

I loved my Lake View room there though, if I could guarantee that I would be happy. I also drive and hauling our stuff from that parking lot was a bite.

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

The thing that I did not like about the values is that there is no shade over the bus stops. I have never stayed at Pop, but I am assuming it is the same as at the All Stars. I can't imagine standing out in the summer sun for 30 min just waiting to get on a bus. Mods and Deluxe all have nice shaded bus stops. Now if you are going during the cooler months that may not matter. At the parks, the value stops are always the farthest away and at the end of the night the lines are a mile long. Seems like they are always longer than all the other resorts.

 

[DisArmyWife215]

We are DVC members so usually stay at a DVC resort. Due to bad planning on my part, I completely didn’t take into account that there is a Run Disney event during our dates and all DVC properties are booked up. I’ve set up a waitlist but not holding much hope for that so have booked a 3 night stay at Pop Century.

So, my question is will I be disappointed with Pop? I’ve stayed at Deluxe and Mods so am now worried that pop will feel a bit of a let down. Honest opinions would be appreciated.

I was highly disappointed with our stay a few weeks back. Although the rooms were nice I didn't care for the resort and we left after 2 nights. I think you might feel the same since you normally do Mods or Deluxe. We could have just had bad timing with a soccer group and baseball group with added noise but I think values overall are going to be a bit of a let down. When we mentioned the noise and kids throwing a football from the ground level to right outside our 3rd floor door they basically said they have to let off steam somewhere. Not even an attempt to fix the situation, or suggest the kids play on the giant foosball area.

I would definitely request the top floor on the backside away from the pool. My sister had a room on the back of our same building and didn't have any issues with noise.

 

[zobow02]

yes, it is a downgrade. But it isn't a terrible resort. Don't expect it to be like the Poly or BC, but the rooms feel more like a Holiday inn or a Hampton inn. So they are still very nice. However during the time your there, there might be some sports groups because ik there's a couple of gymnastics meets and cheer comps at the ESPN complex in feb and POP is one of recommended resorts to stay in (other resorts are CBR, ASSp, POR, & WL). You might like it though. We have friends with a DVC and if they're out of points or taking a last min trip they love booking here! They even admit POP has the best food court in Disney! (which is totally not true *cough cough* POR/FQ *cough cough*)