Just back from first Pop stay!

[maxiesmom]

And had a great time! I wanted to share a few good things and a few bad things that will hopefully help others deciding where to stay. The good thoughts do outweigh the bad.

The good: The staff. Down to a person they were very friendly, and went out of their way to help. The room wasn't ready when we arrived, and much to my surprise not only did they take the bags we left with bell services to our room, they brought up our Garden Grocer order too. That was very unexpected, and very nice.

The bus service was good. It was rare to have much of a wait for a bus.

The resort itself was very well kept and seemed bright and open. I was also happy to get my requests for a 50s room near the bus stop. It was a very short walk yet the room was away from the noise and hubub of the pool.

The bad:

The buses. Yes, they were both good and bad. Rather, the location at the parks is bad. I know it is a value resort, but does the Pop have to have the worst bus stop location at all of the parks? And that hike to the bus stop at the Magic Kingdom. Eeesh. Disney almost needs to have their shuttles running out there!

Any questions? Feel free to fire away!!

 

[ScarletBegonias]

Good to know. We are going in April. We just stayed at AKL in September and I thought the stop at MK for THAT was so far away! I can start mentally preparing myself now! LOL

 

[angel0321]

The bad:

The buses. Yes, they were both good and bad. Rather, the location at the parks is bad. I know it is a value resort, but does the Pop have to have the worst bus stop location at all of the parks? And that hike to the bus stop at the Magic Kingdom. Eeesh. Disney almost needs to have their shuttles running out there!

Agreed. We learned this when staying at POP in 2007 and 2009. Unfortunately the bus stops are where they are in part due to when the resorts were built. So at MK, POP is at the VERY end of the line. However, given the amount of walking one does a day there, this is just a little bit more (although most of us don't want it that way). Glad you enjoyed your stay there overall!

 

[Disneylover99]

I know it is a value resort, but does the Pop have to have the worst bus stop location at all of the parks?

Well, yes. Pop has to have some kind of imperfection. Otherwise, nobody would stay at the AllStars.

 

[Tissa]

We have been staying at POP since it first opened and still love it. We only dealt with the bus situation once, then I promised my tired son never again! We drive, even to the MK. The kids like the monorail and ferry.

 

[blackmamba10000]

Glad you enjoyed your time there!! I've always loved Pop, especially for quick getaways when we can't book the Swan or Dolphin. The staff has always been friendly and I love the fact we can visit Art of Animation too!

 

[WEDWDW]

I would ride the POP buses just for the soundtrack-best on property!

 

[aleh021]

And had a great time! I wanted to share a few good things and a few bad things that will hopefully help others deciding where to stay. The good thoughts do outweigh the bad.

The good: The staff. Down to a person they were very friendly, and went out of their way to help. The room wasn't ready when we arrived, and much to my surprise not only did they take the bags we left with bell services to our room, they brought up our Garden Grocer order too. That was very unexpected, and very nice.

The bus service was good. It was rare to have much of a wait for a bus.

The resort itself was very well kept and seemed bright and open. I was also happy to get my requests for a 50s room near the bus stop. It was a very short walk yet the room was away from the noise and hubub of the pool.

The bad:

The buses. Yes, they were both good and bad. Rather, the location at the parks is bad. I know it is a value resort, but does the Pop have to have the worst bus stop location at all of the parks? And that hike to the bus stop at the Magic Kingdom. Eeesh. Disney almost needs to have their shuttles running out there!

Any questions? Feel free to fire away!!

Sounds like a great trip! Always wanted to stay at Pop (one day) How many nights were you down there for?!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Our next trip in January will be our...lost count...umpteenth time we have stayed at Pop. Every resort has their good's and bad's and you learn to just go with the flow and be flexible. Pop has everything we like and so we just keep going. Glad you had a good time!!

 

[Sherrkel]

Thanks for the report . . . 30 days to go Lot's of "firsts" this trip 1. Pop, 2. F&W and 3. MVMCP. And, it's just me and DH this time - YIPEE!
We requested 50's, lake view. Glad you liked the area too. Thanks again.

 

[team weasel]

We too are frequent POPers. Glad you had a good time!

 

[jaiminee krikit]

OMG I love Pop! I agree with all your comments, too. When I checked in a couple of years ago for my first solo trip, I had the best check-in experience ever! I had arrived around 9am, and my room was ready (got both requests - 50's and top floor) and the young lady checking me in was so excited for me all around - she got my trip started in the best possible way!
I loved the location of my room - less than a 5 minute walk to the buses. I loved walking around the resort when I had time! Last summer my family and I did a one night stay there before a cruise and enjoyed what we could see of the fireworks over the lake and my daughter loved the entire resort. If we didn't love Port Orleans as much as we do, we would stay Pop every time!
I also completely agree about the bus stops at the parks. That is the worst walk! Last year I had to carry one of my (surprisingly heavy) nieces from the bus stop to the monorail for dinner at 1900PF (she was napping) and it was terrible! Glad to hear you had such a great time!

 

[BethR9]

Love reading this!

We're considering a trip in February. The SPD offer is already full. I'm considering still staying at Pop without a discount. When I add the dining plan with no discount or do the dining plan at All Star Sports (not really sure I want to even stay there), it's only around $150 more to stay at Pop. Me thinks the winter "discount" isn't much of a discount (since they force you into the preferred rooms).

 

[chasenluke]

This was also my first stay at Pop. It was just me and my 10 yr old son. I don't think I will be staying again. I heard everything through the walls. We were in 4217 and the second night I heard someone in their bathroom. At first I thought I was dreaming that I actually heard them peeing but then the toilet flushed. That was not the last time that I heard that on the trip!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

Love reading this!

We're considering a trip in February. The SPD offer is already full. I'm considering still staying at Pop without a discount. When I add the dining plan with no discount or do the dining plan at All Star Sports (not really sure I want to even stay there), it's only around $150 more to stay at Pop. Me thinks the winter "discount" isn't much of a discount (since they force you into the preferred rooms).

If you would rather save the money, then the Sports is a nice resort too. But I do get preferred at the value resorts, so if one is preferred and one is not, I would go with the one you will book preferred at. The preferred section at the Sports resort is actually very pretty. The featured sport is surf boarding, so it is done in lots of shades of blue and green, and the decor is surf boards and shark fins. Not overly manly or sporty, if that makes any sense.

 

[ols386]

Glad you had a nice trip!

I stayed at POP last December and liked it a lot!