Sammy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2000
- Messages
- 3,005
DH and I just returned from an "adults-only" Anniversary trip to WDW. We stayed at POP for the very first time and had free dining. Although we did have a great time, I'm not sure I'll return to POP again.....at least not during free dining or a busy time of year.
Check-in was a breeze and once the CM found out we were there for our Anniversary, changed our room assignment so that were facing the lake, on the quiet side of the Playdoh building. It was a terrific location....very quiet, but still right around the corner from the main area, and also very close to the bowling pin pool.
The resort itself is adorable and even though we were two adults, we really got a kick out of the "in-your-face" theming. There was so much to look at, and it was just plain fun! Everything was very clean...the pool areas, the walkways, the buildings, the lobby, bus stops. Our room was very clean, though I think the "software" (carpets, bedspreads, curtains) is looking a little worn and faded. Every CM we encountered was friendly and super-helpful....right down to the smiling young man who was working checkout at the food court during the insanity of breakfast time.
And speaking of the food court during breakfast time.....WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!!! I think every, single person who was staying in the resort was in the food court between 7 and 10 AM. It was absolute insanity!! You couldn't walk two steps without bumping into or tripping over someone. I'd go crazy if I had to keep track of my children there if they were little. The drink stations were a mess, they seemed to always be out of ice, and people were just reaching and grabbing and pushing to get what they wanted. Just crazy.
Now, the same can not be said for lunch. Since everyone was usually at a park, the one lunch we had in the food court was actually pleasant and a lot less stressful. We never ate dinner at the resort, so I can't comment on that.
The food itself was surprisingly good...for breakfasts we had fresh pastries, and a breakfast croissant sandwich that was yummy. For lunch, we had the parmesan chicken and the chicken/pasta alfredo. Both were very good! All other meals were eaten elsewhere.
One of the (many) things that surprised me was how late there were small children at the pools....especially the main pool. We'd come back to POP around 11:30/midnight, and there were many little ones....and I mean like from ages 3 to 6 still in the pool or running around. Another thing that was very surprising were the adults "partying" with styrofoam coolers of beer around the pool every night, while their kids ran amok. I've just never experienced an atmosphere like this in my prior trips to other resorts.
The bus stops were waaaay crowded, both to and from the parks....although they were loading 2 busses at a time each time we were leaving MK. Also, we had to laugh when we discovered that POP has the furthest away bus stops at the parks. Of course, it was a little less humerous at the end of our 14-hour marathon park day and we had to schlep all the way to bus stop #18 at the MK!
We had a wonderful time for ourselves and might consider POP again if we were going during a less crowded time, although I'm not sure there is such a thing anymore! I'm sad to be back home, and even though we agreed we probably won't be going again for some time.....I'm already feeling like I need to start planning the next trip! Disney...it's a hard habit to break!
I'd be happy to answer any questions...
Sammy
Check-in was a breeze and once the CM found out we were there for our Anniversary, changed our room assignment so that were facing the lake, on the quiet side of the Playdoh building. It was a terrific location....very quiet, but still right around the corner from the main area, and also very close to the bowling pin pool.
The resort itself is adorable and even though we were two adults, we really got a kick out of the "in-your-face" theming. There was so much to look at, and it was just plain fun! Everything was very clean...the pool areas, the walkways, the buildings, the lobby, bus stops. Our room was very clean, though I think the "software" (carpets, bedspreads, curtains) is looking a little worn and faded. Every CM we encountered was friendly and super-helpful....right down to the smiling young man who was working checkout at the food court during the insanity of breakfast time.
And speaking of the food court during breakfast time.....WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!!! I think every, single person who was staying in the resort was in the food court between 7 and 10 AM. It was absolute insanity!! You couldn't walk two steps without bumping into or tripping over someone. I'd go crazy if I had to keep track of my children there if they were little. The drink stations were a mess, they seemed to always be out of ice, and people were just reaching and grabbing and pushing to get what they wanted. Just crazy.
Now, the same can not be said for lunch. Since everyone was usually at a park, the one lunch we had in the food court was actually pleasant and a lot less stressful. We never ate dinner at the resort, so I can't comment on that.
The food itself was surprisingly good...for breakfasts we had fresh pastries, and a breakfast croissant sandwich that was yummy. For lunch, we had the parmesan chicken and the chicken/pasta alfredo. Both were very good! All other meals were eaten elsewhere.
One of the (many) things that surprised me was how late there were small children at the pools....especially the main pool. We'd come back to POP around 11:30/midnight, and there were many little ones....and I mean like from ages 3 to 6 still in the pool or running around. Another thing that was very surprising were the adults "partying" with styrofoam coolers of beer around the pool every night, while their kids ran amok. I've just never experienced an atmosphere like this in my prior trips to other resorts.
The bus stops were waaaay crowded, both to and from the parks....although they were loading 2 busses at a time each time we were leaving MK. Also, we had to laugh when we discovered that POP has the furthest away bus stops at the parks. Of course, it was a little less humerous at the end of our 14-hour marathon park day and we had to schlep all the way to bus stop #18 at the MK!
We had a wonderful time for ourselves and might consider POP again if we were going during a less crowded time, although I'm not sure there is such a thing anymore! I'm sad to be back home, and even though we agreed we probably won't be going again for some time.....I'm already feeling like I need to start planning the next trip! Disney...it's a hard habit to break!
I'd be happy to answer any questions...
Sammy
