Is Pop really that bad?

[chipper10]

Hi everyone!

With all these recent posts on how bad Pop century is.... I'm getting very nervous. My Dh and I are going to be staying there July 24th-27th. We will probably be hanging out at the resort too, since I'm sure the parks are going to be packed and it'll be hot and we will want to swim. This is a last minute trip. We were just at WDW at the WL in February. and we are planning on going back again for a week in February 2006. I know not to expect a deluxe resort, but I just can't help wonder if we should upgrade to a moderate. We just can't afford to stay at a deluxe this trip. We do have APs, so we do get that discount. Would you recommend switching or stay put? If you recommend switching, then to what resort? Thanks for all your help.

-Nicole

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I stayed at Pop last Dec. and am staying again in 2 months. It was great. I had no problems at all.

 

[jeminni]

I was there last month and am going back in September. All resorts have good and bad , go with an open mind and have a great time.

 

[C.Ann]

It was great in April too!

Go and have fun - life is too short to worry about the resort before you even get there!!

 

[adisneymama]

We were there 5/04 and are going back in Sept. We love Pop. I can't stay in the Mods because of their "smoking optional" rooms. I am severe asthmatic and can't handle a room that someone has smoked in previously. I think your vacation is what you make of it. If you go with an open mind and don't expect a deluxe resort then you will be fine. Just remember, "bad" things or experiences can happen at any resort, not just the values. I hope you have a wonderful stay and let Pop know we are heading back!

 

[ktink]

Don't be nervous. We really loved Pop and really don't have anything bad to say about it. The transportation is better than other resorts that have to share because Pop doesn't share busses. The grounds are pretty and the food court is pretty fair. You'll have a great time.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Ill admit that im a deluxe snob. But as far as values/moderates I'd go with the Pop Century. The pool is great, pool bar was LOTS of fun , I really dug Concoctions Lounge and the appetizers they offered there, and the fiancee and I spent a few good hours inside the arcade

You won't know til ya go...so give it a try, worst comes to worst you can always change resorts!

 

[Aimeedyan]

It's not "that bad" - we had a bad stay and know it's not for us, but it might be diff with you.

You don't know unless you try! give it a shot and decide for yourself. There has yet to be any restaurant/park/attraction/resort that gets an unanimous thumbs down - and you have to be the ultimate judge for you.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[disneyjunkie]

We were there last during Easter break. This year the last week of April for spring break. We're staying there again this fall and yet again in July 2006.

We've always had great rooms. I never heard anyone in the rooms around us. We've never had to wait very long to get to parks. The buses are always crowded in the morning and when the parks close, but it wasn't a problem for us.

The food court was great. Just stay away from the pizza.

CMs are friendly and helpful.

Our luggage was moved from one room to another while we were enjoying ourselves in the park.

I get to mortify my son by singing "old" songs while waiting for the bus.

PC is an all around fun place to stay without spending a ton of money.

 

[Toadi]

Loved POP! My family has been to WDW nine times since 1994 and stayed at deluxe, home-away-from-home & moderate resorts ... stayed at POP in Feb 2005 for our first value resort and was blown away! I was nervous because of the negative posts, but was thrilled with the resort, rooms and service. Am not a fan of food courts, but liked this one much better than POR or CSR; as far as bus service, it's all in the timing! Bus service was a bit slow and time consuming, but you get what you pay for and it's hard to justify the cost of a deluxe when POP is so great. Had a king with connecting double for teen son and adult brother and it was great with plenty of room. And the themeing is fantastic! Lots of great pics! Would definitely stay there again and again.

 

[faeflora]

We liked it a lot. Stayed in March and am heading back in under 14 days. We liked the food court and the room was very comfortable. We have stayed at a moderate, deluxe and home away from home and have found positives about them all. Definitely go and have fun.

 

[scubalisa]

We just got back from POP today and LOVED it! We stayed 8 nights ( 1 night in the 80's (too smoky) and 7 nights in the fabulous 50's. Our 2 girls adored all three of the pools, the pop jet area and the kiddie pool. Everything was bright, whimsical and clean. It was not too crowded, and we met some very nice friends there for our kids to play with. Housekeeping was great and made us towel animals and a birthday cake to hold our toothbrushes like candles. The mugs were a great value. The fried chicken special on Saturday night was fantastic. Hamburgers were ok, but I would go another route if I were ordering again. We were on the first floor. It was never loud, and the cast members were all very friendly and helpful. The arcade is great and had some very cute little prizes and unusual games. We would go to POP again in a heartbeat! Let me know if you have any more questions. Lisa

 

[kandeebunny]

we stayed there for 14 days in may and LOVED it! We will be going back! (we is myself 21 and my DM 57)

 

[daisy2]

We stayed at the All-star Movies and loved it. We are going the first 2 weeks of October we went last year in December and had a blast. We really enjoyed our stay there. And are doing it again. Have fun and enjoy yourselves.

 

[ksoehrlein]

I was really nervous before my first stay there, too. It was our first time in a Value, and I was worried. I found it VERY helpful and reassuring to read the Pop Century FAQ (look for it in the Resorts FAQ sticky at the top of this board). Most of the posters there have had good experiences and return to Pop time and time again. It helped me tremendously to know exactly what to expect, and I checked in with a very realistic view of what our stay would be like. And yes, we (just DD5 and myself this time) did enjoy our stay! Don't let the "resort snobs" get you down, be realistic about your expectations, and I'm sure you'll have a great time, too.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Even though we did not enjoy Pop as much as ASMO and POR we still had a great time. It was hectic and crowded but that can happen at any resort. I will say the room was super clean and didn't feel nearly as small as some people complain about. I think buses are hit or miss at all the resorts as they all get their fair share of bad reviews and good reviews! Of all the values it seems to get the highest reviews overall and much more positve feedback than negative. I agree with others, if you go with an open mind and know that it won't be WL you should be fine. I still think the values are a great bargain and would rather stay at one of them than a 5 star offsite hotel! Have fun and let us know how you liked it (as I am sure you will)!

 

[Msslaydbug]

There was a scew up with our reservations (our fault) and the only thing available by that time was POP. I was truly mortified at the thought of staying there. I thought it was gawdy and had sworn I would never stay at a value , but it was GREAT !!! We had a perferred room and I will always get that because of the location to the pool. We had a great time and I am going back in Sept for a surprise AP w/ free didning trip. Don't worry - you will probably love it !!

 

[Chuck S]

When we drive, we usually allow an "extra day" in case of car problems or road conditions. Usually, we don;t need the "extra day" and arrive the night prior to our ressie at OKW. We usually stop in Ocala to reserve POP for that night with the AP discount. We like the food court (though I would get tired of it for an extended stay). The rooms have been comfortable and clean, and we really didn't notice any unusually loud guests next to us.

Our experiences there have been good so far.

 

[lbgraves]

Even with my report about our stay last week, one thing that we did like was the pool set up. The main pool was nice, but it was a little bit of a hike from the 90s. We went there & had plenty of room to put our things during the morning or afternoon. After coming in from MGM Tuesday night we were just drained from the heat & being able to walk right outside the building to swim in the pool there was wonderful! The food court was set up nicely too and the food that we got there was good. One thing that is really nice at POP are the bathrooms/showers next to the pool area. At ASMo we had to go into the main building if we were at the pool. The rooms were big enough for the four of us too.

 

[wfloyd]

We had a good time for both our trips to Pop. We would definately stay there again if we need to for whatever reason. We do like the deluxes better but out of the value places, it is our favorite.