January '08, need Pop advice

[CindyMomto2]

Hi everyone! I've been lurking for a while but decided to finally join you all.

We're going to POP for the first time 1/10-1/13. I booked a preferred room. We're also travelling with another couple so we'd like connecting rooms. We're doing the Disney 5K run through Animal Kingdom on the 11th, that should be fun!!

Is there a better building/location to request? There will be 4 kids between us, mine will be 4 and 2, and our friends kids will be 2 and 10. We'd like to be close to pools, transportation, food court. But we won't want it to be noisy either so the kids can sleep. Is the kiddie pool centrally located? We'll be driving up since we only 2 hrs south of Orlando, but we'll likely park our car for the time we're there and use Disney transportation.

I PM'd someone about the fridge swap already, but now I'm confused because it seems like there are multiple swaps going on? So hopefully the one I requested to join is still active.

I read something about a parade for kids at Classic Hall, is that still an ongoing event?

Also how much are the refillable mugs and is it worth it? Can you get them refilled at the parks as well or only the hotel?

Any other tips for POP would be appreciated. I had initially booked at All Star Movies but they didn't have any preferred rooms so I ended up changing to POP, especially after seeing all the POP fans on the DIS boards! I thought POP was the newest, and since they have their own transportation that would be easier.

 

[HANDYMOM]

Subscribing! We have two families with 4 kids between us also, visiting Pop Jan 12-19. We too would like connecting rooms in a location that's not the noisiest, close to the bus stop and food court, but not facing a parking lot.

Can't wait for y'alls advice.

 

[Sandi]

DD12 and I stayed at Pop for 7 nights each in February and August. Both times we were assigned the 1950's section and really enjoyed it. In February we were traveling with my brother and his family (3 children: 6, 4 and 2) and we only asked to be in the same general area -- I didn't want to be in a connecting room with them.

We got standard rooms and were very satisfied. DD12 measured the time to walk to Classic Hall and to the bus stops and we were less than 5 minutes from both. With little ones, you'll need more time, but not much more.

The preferred rooms in the 60's section look over the pool. In February (and in January when you'll be there) that's fine. I would have HATED it in August. Way too loud and too much action.

There is a sort of water play area not far from the flower pool. My brother's kids actually preferred the bowling pin pool to the flower pool and water play area.

Take a look at the resort map and see what area appeals to you. If you really want connecting rooms, that should be your primary request and then a resort section after that. If you make too many requests, you run a risk of having none honored. One or two is much more manageable.

There are LOTS of refrigerator swaps. There is a sticky thread near the top of the Budget board. I did a swap both times we were there and they worked great.

The refillable mugs are about $12 and they are only good at the resort. Not in the parks. We always buy them and find that they are worth it. (Of course, we have about 30 various WDW resort mugs at home now . . .)

We never did the parade thing. Too busy with other things.

After staying at many of the resorts -- Deluxe, Moderate, and Value -- Pop Century is DD12's absolute favorite. We're staying at POFQ in April because we're traveling with my sister and her family and they like a bit more room. We will, however, be back to Pop. I thought they had terrific housekeeping (we got towel animals every day in August), a good food court, slushies at the fountain drinks, and outstanding bus service. Many people complain about the bus service at Pop, but we found it to be much better than WL or Poly even. While the lines can get very long at park closing, etc., they will load 2 buses at a time to meet the demand.

Enjoy your trips.