Just back from 9 days at Pop!

[bigbabyblues]

This was our second stay at Pop, and it was much better than the first. This time we were in the 50's Tramp building with a lake view. We were on the first floor on the end near the Jukebox building. The room was not ready when we checked in, but that was what I expected as we checked in at 11:00 a.m. on Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Our room was clean when we got there and we didn't have any issues with housekeeping at all. They did seem to be cleaning it right around the time we came back for a nap/break, so there were a couple days that we only got clean towels, but that was our choice. We swam in the Bowling Pin pool a few times, and in the Hippy Dippy pool once; we preferred the Bowling Pin because it was more shallow all the way around the edges where my DS6 could stand up. We ate in the food court a few times, and it was fine too. I still prefer the choices at ASMovies, but Pop was fine. We didn't have any problems with the buses. Most of the time, they came within 10 minutes, but there were a couple times early in the morning that we missed the first bus and it was around 7:25 before the bus came. We have five early character breakfasts at non-EMH parks (7:50, 8:05, 8:15) and were not late for any of them. We had a long wait one night at MK, probably waited about 30 minutes, 3 buses came in that time, but I had a sleeping 3-yo and didn't want to stand. One of the drivers drove pretty slow, but there is nothing the resort can do about that.

Hope this helps someone, I'll try to answer questions if you have any!

 

[DisneyFan83]

How were the crowds? We leave Tuesday & was just wondering if Pop seemed really crowded, like the food court & pools... Also, any problems with love bugs at the resort? I'm hoping they're clearing out now... Thanks! Glad you enjoyed your trip!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We didn't notice huge crowds at the resort except at checkin. When DH went to check us in, there was a slew of people in the lobby, apparently waiting for their rooms. We checked in at 11:00 a.m., and DH was finished checking in by the time I parked the car and got to the lobby. The pools didn't seem crowded either when we swam. One day we swam in the afternoon in the Hippy Dippy pool not long after lunch, and we had plenty of room.

The love bugs. They were pretty much eveywhere, unfortunately. They didn't really bother us, but there were plenty of them. They really seemed to be thick at the bus stops for some reason. There were quite a few of them squashed on the walkways to our room (1st floor room), but they were cleaning the walkways of the building with some kind of soap every morning, that helped.

Hope that helps, have a great trip!!!

 

[Stitches12]

How was the DME service from the airport ? We are staying there 1 night in October until we check in at OKW.

Why do you like ASM over POP ??? Just wondering which one to book.

Thanks - glad you had a great time !

 

[disneyfanatic60]

I leave on the 15th for Pop. I have been debating on what building to request. We stayed in the 70's for one night about 2 years ago and that was our only stay. I was thinking about the 50's building and a room on the first floor. My DD is going with me (19) and she thinks it will too far of a walk to the buses from the 50's vs. the 70's. She also thinks the view could be lousy on the first floor and we'd hear lots of noise.

Did you have a preferred view booked in advance? How close was your location to the main building, food court, and the buses? Was there another building you would recommend or would you stick with the 50's building?

 

[5boyz]

we stayed at POP last year in the 50's, it is not far from the buses or food building. I may be a bit further than the 70's. We also stayed on ground floor there was no view but you can take a walk around, we did that. In saying that we are going again in 7 weeks (cant wait) and I have requested 60's non preffered!!!

 

[DisneyFan83]

We didn't notice huge crowds at the resort except at checkin. When DH went to check us in, there was a slew of people in the lobby, apparently waiting for their rooms. We checked in at 11:00 a.m., and DH was finished checking in by the time I parked the car and got to the lobby. The pools didn't seem crowded either when we swam. One day we swam in the afternoon in the Hippy Dippy pool not long after lunch, and we had plenty of room.

The love bugs. They were pretty much eveywhere, unfortunately. They didn't really bother us, but there were plenty of them. They really seemed to be thick at the bus stops for some reason. There were quite a few of them squashed on the walkways to our room (1st floor room), but they were cleaning the walkways of the building with some kind of soap every morning, that helped.

Hope that helps, have a great trip!!!

Thanks for the info! I leave tomorrow morning for POP!!!

 

[tinawv]

Thanks for the update. POP is my favorite value resort. I want to stay there again next year, but my family is wanting to try the Poly. I told them we could stay longer if we stayed at POP, but so far I am losing the battle.

 

[dominicsplace]

The love bugs. They were pretty much eveywhere, unfortunately. They didn't really bother us, but there were plenty of them. They really seemed to be thick at the bus stops for some reason. There were quite a few of them squashed on the walkways to our room (1st floor room), but they were cleaning the walkways of the building with some kind of soap every morning, that helped.

Hope that helps, have a great trip!!!

Are the "love" bugs what I think they are?? (water bugs?)

I have stayed the past 3 times in GF, Poly and WL and was considering POP next. Have never seen these before at the other resorts. Don't know if it is seasonal - we go in Oct/Nov. Water bugs would be a show stopper though...saw enough of them in Brooklyn!

 

[Up2late4clay]

You guys and your rave reviews of the POP are the only reason we're going to be staying there later this fall. I'm so excited that I've got my Mousekeeping tip envelopes already made and we're not leaving for 3 more months!

We stayed at Dixie Landings (I mean Port whatever it's called now) before and I thought it was the most boring place evah! But then I don't go to WDW to relax....I go to open the parks and to ride RNR 10 times in a row!

 

[George69]

I leave on the 15th for Pop. I have been debating on what building to request. We stayed in the 70's for one night about 2 years ago and that was our only stay. I was thinking about the 50's building and a room on the first floor. My DD is going with me (19) and she thinks it will too far of a walk to the buses from the 50's vs. the 70's. She also thinks the view could be lousy on the first floor and we'd hear lots of noise.

Did you have a preferred view booked in advance? How close was your location to the main building, food court, and the buses? Was there another building you would recommend or would you stick with the 50's building?

Hey if you see me say hi! I will be there with DH and 2 small children with blue and green swimmy lifepreserver backpacks for the pool. I, as a femaale, am 6'3" so you can NOT miss me! Can't wait to get out of here and forget our troubles (DH lost job) for a few days!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Thanks for the review! We are so excited to stay there in July.

 

[DizzDoll]

What was your favorite item on the menu at Pop? I read that the shrimp lo mein was good and in 10.5 weeks I get to try it. My son is Joe Pizza Head so do you know how the pizza is? My daughter will try (then toss) anything.

Also, how are the walking paths? Do you get a good workout or do you have to do several laps? What's the view along the path like? I read that the new section of Pop is a real eyesore so I won't be taking too many pictures of that.

So glad to read your report and that you had a good time there. I'm kind of nervous since this will be our first value and the kids chose this one over the All Stars.

 

[cfknight]

This was our second stay at Pop, and it was much better than the first. This time we were in the 50's Tramp building with a lake view. We were on the first floor on the end near the Jukebox building. The room was not ready when we checked in, but that was what I expected as we checked in at 11:00 a.m. on Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Our room was clean when we got there and we didn't have any issues with housekeeping at all. They did seem to be cleaning it right around the time we came back for a nap/break, so there were a couple days that we only got clean towels, but that was our choice. We swam in the Bowling Pin pool a few times, and in the Hippy Dippy pool once; we preferred the Bowling Pin because it was more shallow all the way around the edges where my DS6 could stand up. We ate in the food court a few times, and it was fine too. I still prefer the choices at ASMovies, but Pop was fine. We didn't have any problems with the buses. Most of the time, they came within 10 minutes, but there were a couple times early in the morning that we missed the first bus and it was around 7:25 before the bus came. We have five early character breakfasts at non-EMH parks (7:50, 8:05, 8:15) and were not late for any of them. We had a long wait one night at MK, probably waited about 30 minutes, 3 buses came in that time, but I had a sleeping 3-yo and didn't want to stand. One of the drivers drove pretty slow, but there is nothing the resort can do about that.

Hope this helps someone, I'll try to answer questions if you have any!

We plan on going to POP for the first time in DEC. I also requested a lake view in the 50's building. I am so glad you liked it. I was worried about going to a value resort, if I would like it or not. All these great reviews about POP sets my mind at ease!

 

[TINKB72]

DBF and myself are staying at Pop (again) 11/30-12/7/07. We've stayed there in 2004 & 2005 also and love it! We usually request the 50's building, as we love the location and the pool. It's a nice location because it's not too far from the busses and food court, yet it's far away from the main pool (Hippy Dippy) where it does get pretty noisy! There's alot of fun things to do as well; like taking a walk around the paths that encircle the resort or checking out the CM's doing the Twist in the food court

 

[5boyz]

up2late- LOL!!! You sound like me!! I am trying to be not so organized this year but it is hard, I have things in piles now....how did you do your mousekeeping envelopes. Also we stayed at POP over POR cuz my kids picked it too...my then 15yr ds said,"I don't wanna stay there, that's reminds me of somewhere my grandma would stay"! Not offence to anyone he's a boy and he's 15 he wants cool places!!!

Jenn lynn- when in July we will be there too at that time!!! July 21-Aug4.

cfKnight- you choose a good location, we stayed there last year no noise, except my dh!!! He was feeling no pain and being a pain, if you know what I mean!!!

 

[HarbinsMom]

Love bugs are black, flying bugs that just annoy the devil out of you. They don't seem to be bothered by anything and they were worse Saturday 5/26 thru Thursday 5/31. It seemed to me that on Friday, 6/1 and Saturday 6/2, they weren't as many of them.

As for the crowds, Monday, Memorial Day seemed lighter than normal at the MK. Tuesday was much busier and seemed more crowded as the week progressed. Not too, too bad, but this is our first WDW trip at this time of year.

 

[bigbabyblues]

How was the DME service from the airport ? We are staying there 1 night in October until we check in at OKW.

Why do you like ASM over POP ??? Just wondering which one to book.

Thanks - glad you had a great time !

We drove this time, so I don't know about the DME.

Both resorts are perfectly fine, the main reasons I prefer ASMo is we like the food court better there and I like the movie characters. My kids are still little (6 and just 4) and they like the Toy Story characters.

 

[bigbabyblues]

What was your favorite item on the menu at Pop? I read that the shrimp lo mein was good and in 10.5 weeks I get to try it. My son is Joe Pizza Head so do you know how the pizza is? My daughter will try (then toss) anything.

Also, how are the walking paths? Do you get a good workout or do you have to do several laps? What's the view along the path like? I read that the new section of Pop is a real eyesore so I won't be taking too many pictures of that.

So glad to read your report and that you had a good time there. I'm kind of nervous since this will be our first value and the kids chose this one over the All Stars.

My favorite thing at Pop was probably the Ham and Harvati (sp?) flatbread. DH and I split one for lunch one day, and it was plenty for both. I also liked the tye-dye cheesecake! My boys had the pizza and they really liked it. We split a large pizza one afternoon and it was ok. Not the greatest, but not bad either.

I didn't really pay much attention to the construction, it's all the way across the lake. We only walked all the way around once, and it was fun. We were mostly looking at the buildings and the signs for each year.

I hope you have a great time! We've stayed at CBR, ASMo, and Pop. As long as you know that the rooms are not huge (plenty of room for the 4 of us though), and there is no slide at the pool, you'll be fine.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Are the "love" bugs what I think they are?? (water bugs?)

I have stayed the past 3 times in GF, Poly and WL and was considering POP next. Have never seen these before at the other resorts. Don't know if it is seasonal - we go in Oct/Nov. Water bugs would be a show stopper though...saw enough of them in Brooklyn!

Nope, not water bugs. They fly around and are a nuisance, but they don't bite or sting or anything. They are pretty small, and most of the time there are two stuck together. My DS6 thought they were similar to lightning bugs, but they don't light up. They aren't just at Pop though, they're EVERYWHERE! Resorts, parks, Downtown, everywhere we went. I think they are a seasonal thing, but I'm not sure when they're gone.

I didn't see any water bugs/roaches/ants or anything like that either time we've stayed at Pop. We did see several rabbits and ducks, and one squirrel near our room.

Don't worry!!!