Just Back from Pop

[summersalt]

My husband, 11 DD and I just returned from a week’s stay at Pop Century Resort. We had a wonderful vacation at this resort. Pop Century is fun and offers everything a family on a budget could ask for. The magical express service from the airport to the hotel was very efficient and very much appreciated. The cast members and the mouse keeping staff were all very helpful and did an excellent job. The food court was crowded but we never had a problem getting food or a table. BUT...

Here are my compliants (and I have already written a letter):

1. The bus transportation to the parks is terrible. Pop has too many guests to only have one bus coming every 20 minutes. I feel that I spent a third of my vacation waiting for buses only to find there is standing room only.

2. The dining plan is NOT convenient anymore since tips are not included. Bring cash to avoid the confusion!

3. My third compliant was the most embarrassing I’ve ever experienced on any vacation. The magical express service back to the airport from the resort is terrible. Since we were flying Delta, we took advantage of the airline check in thinking we would save time and hassle. Boy, were we wrong! We waited in line over an hour to check bags. Then the bus comes. The driver gets off the bus and starts helping the other guests (the ones that couldn’t use the airline check in) to load their bags. Since we had already checked our bags, we assumed that we could go aboard the bus. Then a very rude cast member yells at my husband to get off the bus and tells him to get in the back of the line! I had to explain to him that we had already waited in line to load our bags why should we have to wait for all the other guests to load their too? He finally let us on but not until everyone on the bus thought we were line breakers.

 

[becky_AK]

Sorry to hear about the bus incident! I stayed at Pop in October '07 & LOVED it. I agree that the bus transportation can be kind of a pain at times since there are so many people, but otherwise it was a great place to stay while on a budget.

 

[summersalt]

Sorry to hear about the bus incident! I stayed at Pop in October '07 & LOVED it. I agree that the bus transportation can be kind of a pain at times since there are so many people, but otherwise it was a great place to stay while on a budget.

I think I'll spend the extra money next time and rent a car. That way I can still enjoy Pop and avoid the buses.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I agree it is a reat place on a budget! We have a few favorite areas for room locations, none of which are preferred, which is nice. Where was your room?

Although we rented points for 5 ngts at BWV for what it would have cost for 7 ngts at POP - well worth 2 less ngts. The difference in atmostphere was wonderful - so much more relaxing.

Glad you enjoyed your stay!!

 

[summersalt]

I agree it is a reat place on a budget! We have a few favorite areas for room locations, none of which are preferred, which is nice. Where was your room?

Although we rented points for 5 ngts at BWV for what it would have cost for 7 ngts at POP - well worth 2 less ngts. The difference in atmostphere was wonderful - so much more relaxing.

Glad you enjoyed your stay!!

We had room 5469 in the 60's building. It was a great location. Top floor to try and escape noise.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We had room 5469 in the 60's building. It was a great location. Top floor to try and escape noise.

Ohhh,we may have to try that location sometime! In the heart of things, but top floor! Would not mind paying for a preferred location for a change.

So far we've had a top floor at every POP, Poly, BWV and BC. It's always nice We were pretty high in the Tower at CR, but too high for me

Thanks!

p.s. Any photos??
Meant to say that was an awful experience with the bus!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Wow we loved the Pop and didn't have any of these troubles. Magical Express was perfect both ways, we LOVED the Dining Plan (we ate $90-$120 of food a day for $76 plus a tip - so saved $$), and I do agree the buses do tend to get overcrowded, but I didn't ever spend more than 10 mins waiting for a bus.

 

[NewCrew42]

We have stayed at Pop! and have stayed at the GF and the CR. We found the bus service at Pop! to be much better than the bus service at either of the deluxe resorts. So, please do not waste your money on a deluxe if you think the bus service will be any better. It's not.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We have stayed at Pop! and have stayed at the GF and the CR. We found the bus service at Pop! to be much better than the bus service at either of the deluxe resorts. So, please do not waste your money on a deluxe if you think the bus service will be any better. It's not.

Same thing here - the bus service at the deluxe resorts is pretty bad! Especially the monorail resorts and BC/YC/BW/Swan/Dolphin - they all share a bus!! Takes forever to get to the MK.

Best bus service we've had was at POP (4 stays) and AKL (2 stays)

 

[Shenandoah Minnie]

Have you stayed at any of the other Value resorts? I wonder if the buses are any better at Movies...that was the seller for me on Pop that is was a dedicated route rather than stopping at all 3. I would love to hear other people's comparisons...Thanks!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I've read that too - about the dedicated buses. When the resort first opened the buses were great, so must have really gone downhill.

 

[lUVTOGO]

I found that at most resorts the buses are standing room only. We stayed at POP in November and I thought that the bus service was the best out of all the resorts we stayed in. The worst IMO was Port Orleans and the Polynesian.

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

We've stayed at Port Orleans, AS, CBR, SSR, and Pop. I found the buses comparable. Sometimes they all had misses but mostly were great.

 

[MeggerasMa]

We are just back from Pop. We have stayed at several different resorts on the property (CR, Pop, PO, Fort Wilderness, CSR, Poly) and I think several things factor in. First is the time of year you are there. Naturally, the more popular the time, the more crowded the buses. Then, there is the location of the bus stops at the different parks. Again, the more $$ spent on your choice of accomodation seems to correlate with the proximity of your bus stop to the main gate entrance. Please note: I'm not saying this is right - I'm just stating my observation. We did not enjoy the bus transportation, but knew that it just wouldn't be one of the highlights of our trip. That said, I still think that the availability of the bus system is a big plus, especially when you consider the cost comparison with renting a vehicle for a week. And yes, I know that the "cost" is figured into room charges, etc, but relatively speaking Disney's value resorts really are a good value IMO. Just my 2 cents!

 

[Tink415]

Sorry your vacation ended with aggravation and embarrassment. Hope you get a response to your letter that your satisfied with.

The resort airline check-in is usually great and can save time (usually the lines are longer at the airport) but it can be a pain if they are having trouble checking people in, which they sometimes do. Once time they couldn't get us checked into our Jet Blue flight after trying for over 45 minutes, so we had to do it at the airport where there was no problem I'm sure the people behind us were as unhappy as we were! And the Magical Express drivers have to make sure your authorized to get a ride, so yes, you do have to stand in line again so your 'ticket' can be checked, but it can be confusing as there isn't a roped off line to get on the bus.

The resort busses to parks can vary as others have said. Timing is everything and when its bad its bad unfortunately.

As a side note - we were returning to CSR from MK this past Sunday night and I was very tired, getting more tired thinking I would have to walk to the end or almost the end of one of the bus stops for CSR - my choice of accomodation and the proximity of the bus stop to the main gate entrance and I was very pleased to see CSR was the 1st stop in the section!!! I know that will probably change next time I'm there, but it was great that night!