Just back from POP

[DisneyFan32WI]

Hi Everyone!
Just returned back from a wonderful trip to WDW. Sunny and mid eighties each day..........not a drop of rain either!!!
here are my thoughts on JUST POP resort...
1. The room was cleaned well each day. I left $2 each day with a note to Mousekeeping saying THANKS, and she refused to take the money each and every day! I even put the money and note in different places in our room thinking she may not have seen it....but she just didn't take the money!
2. Busses were very much on time and available. We never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. Standing room only on most trips, and I was surprised to see how many MEN wouldn't get off their seats for women, small children and the elderly.
3. The food court food was like eating cardboard. We only tried it for dinner twice and it was just plain unedible. I especially did not like the penne noodles with spaghetti sauce. It looked like throw up...
4. We got a bounceback offer waiting for us on our nightstand when we walked in. I was disappointed, however, to find that it could only be used in 2008. It was good for 30% off moderate resorts and 20% off value resorts.
5. I felt a bit out of place at POP. The people at this particular resort were a bit "different" than at the other resorts we visited while on our trip. I don't remember it being that way a few years ago. It mostly has to do with etiquette.I don't want to get slammed, so I'll just leave it at that. I just had better experiences making friends, feeling comfortable and talking to others at different resorts we visted and/or stayed at in the past.
6. The price for the room can't be beat. We used code CMB when it was available and I believe we paid $79 a night.
7. Our hair dryer didn't work. I called the front desk and they sent someone out with a new hair dryer within 5 minutes. Talk about service!!!
All in all, it was a clean place to shower and sleep and that is all we needed it for this trip. We were at the parks most of the day and night.

 

[hlane]

We stayed at Pop in Jan...it was ok, but we liked ASMo better. We are going back in Aug and they had Pop & Sports to pick from....we picked Sports.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I felt a bit out of place at POP. The people at this particular resort were a bit "different" than at the other resorts we visited while on our trip. I don't remember it being that way a few years ago. It mostly has to do with etiquette.I don't want to get slammed, so I'll just leave it at that. I just had better experiences making friends, feeling comfortable and talking to others at different resorts we visted and/or stayed at in the past.

We felt the same way on our last POP stay in 2007...was not the same as our first stay in 2004 or 2005. We've stayed at all levels of resorts and was very pleasantly surprised on our and first/second POP stay.

I am sure there are lots of wonderful POP guests right here on the DIS, but many others were quite different last time.

Glad you had an otherwise great stay and visit to WDW!!

 

[BamaFan121s]

I felt a bit out of place at POP. The people at this particular resort were a bit "different" than at the other resorts we visited while on our trip. I don't remember it being that way a few years ago. It mostly has to do with etiquette.I don't want to get slammed, so I'll just leave it at that. I just had better experiences making friends, feeling comfortable and talking to others at different resorts we visted and/or stayed at in the past.

Don't feel bad. We felt the same way.

 

[disnut8]

Stayed at Pop Century in mid-April.

1 - I believe the housekeepers cannot accept tips for the room cleaning.

2 - I wasn't so lucky with the buses but I'm not very patient. I didn't have to wait long but I took an Epcot bus the day I was going to the Studios because the Studios line was too long.

3 - I thought the food court was decent. Nothing to write home about but enough. The chili cheese fries were good enough that I ordered them twice. The only problem we had was those horrible Disney wheat buns for the burgers and dogs (another topic entirely).

5 - We didn't have that experience. On our first full day, we were stopped on our way to the car my another guest. He and his wife and wanted to know if we felt like it was OK to use the hotel safe. If the safe was, well, safe. Had a very nice conversation with he and his wife. Another time, I took a very slow walk around the property to get pictures and everyone said hi (I said hi first) and I offered to take a group photo for someone and they were very appreciative.

Pop Century was always my favorite value resort although we would stay at All Stars for variety. After this last stay, I'm sticking to Pop Century.

 

[mickeystoontown]

For the last two trips to Disney, we stayed at the CBR and loved it. For our June, 2008 trip, we were originally booked at the Wilderness Lodge. After Uncle Sam came a knockin', we downgraded to Pop Century. I have sent my expectations very low and am hoping that we will be pleasantly surprised by Pop.

I think our main concern is the size of the rooms. Even though there are just 3 of us in our party, I liked the roominess of the CBR room. We don't stay in our rooms too much during our 10 day stay but we do like to sleep in a couple of days and just hang around the resort.

We have gotten used to the buses at the CBR. There, you had to make your rounds around the entire resort before you ever left. So, I think we will be able to handle the bus situation at Pop. If we don't like it, we will have our own car and we can always drive.

I had been reading that the food court at Pop Century was good. We really liked the one at the CBR and I hope we'll be pleased with Pop Century's. That being said, we don't eat in the food court every day. We usually eat there the day we arrive and one or two times on our "down days".

Like I said, I am going to Pop Century with very low expectations. I know that we will be excited to be anywhere in Walt Disney World so it'll be okay no matter what!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

disnut8: Housekeeping has always accepted our tip envelopes at CR, Poly, BC, CBR, POR, FQ and POP - since 1981 not once was our tip left behind

mickeystoontown: We love CBR as well. It was our first stay in moderate after several years at CR or Poly. CBR was brand new and we've always felt Disney did the best job with CBR as the first moderate.

Never had a problem or issue with CBR buses (enjoy seeing the other villages as we pass by) and in busy times they have buses going in both directions, which really helps.

CBR rooms are just 4 sq ft less in size than AKL and WL std rooms, so that's a definite plus - and it feels like a vacation within a vacation We do wish CBR would have a full refurbishment like POR and FQ did a couple of years ago!

If POP rooms have been painted and cleaned recently, then POP rooms will not be too bad - even tho small, we were pleasantly surprised on our first stay - but the resort was brand new and the rooms were pristine.

The first time I arrived at POP I asked the CM at check-in to transfer us to CBR, if possible! She convinced us to give POP a try and we adjusted our attiitude to enjoy something new....but it has changed since 2004. (Have told that story soo many times!! LOL)

June is going to busy and I wish I had some helpful advice...one thing that might be nice (if you've not booked a pref location) is to request a top floor room with a lake and Illuminations view - this can be nice and definitely helps. Rooms on the lake side do not have as many large icons, top floor tends to be quieter and seeing IllumiNations at night is great!

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Standing room only on most trips, and I was surprised to see how many MEN wouldn't get off their seats for women, small children and the elderly.

Equal rights, you fought for it, you won, enjoy!
Also, everyone going to WDW knows that they are in for alot of walking and standing in lines, etc. If your children or grandparents can't handle it, then maybe WDW isn't the place for them to vacation. Why should I suffer because you chose to have kids and I didn't, or because an old person chose to vacation at WDW knowing that they aren't in very good shape. Im on vacation too and Im just as exhausted as the next person after a long day. Alot of us "MEN" are willing to skip things like fireworks or parades to get a seat on the bus because we are tired. So even though I missed seeing something to get a seat, I should still give it up to anyone whos not a man? Im offended.

 

[SamIAm21]

Equal rights, you fought for it, you won, enjoy!
Also, everyone going to WDW knows that they are in for alot of walking and standing in lines, etc. If your children or grandparents can't handle it, then maybe WDW isn't the place for them to vacation. Why should I suffer because you chose to have kids and I didn't, or because an old person chose to vacation at WDW knowing that they aren't in very good shape. Im on vacation too and Im just as exhausted as the next person after a long day. Alot of us "MEN" are willing to skip things like fireworks or parades to get a seat on the bus because we are tired. So even though I missed seeing something to get a seat, I should still give it up to anyone whos not a man? Im offended.

Really?

Because women want equal pay for equal work, kindness goes right out the window?

If you didn't post your location, I would have known exactly where you were from. I bet you ride the El too!

 

[darrengs]

...I was surprised to see how many MEN wouldn't get off their seats for women, small children and the elderly.

I know what you mean, on a packed train ride last weekend into NYC 3 women were taking up seating for 6 and refused to move over so my 4 year old daughter could sit.

 

[mmmears]

Equal rights, you fought for it, you won, enjoy!
Also, everyone going to WDW knows that they are in for alot of walking and standing in lines, etc. If your children or grandparents can't handle it, then maybe WDW isn't the place for them to vacation. Why should I suffer because you chose to have kids and I didn't, or because an old person chose to vacation at WDW knowing that they aren't in very good shape. Im on vacation too and Im just as exhausted as the next person after a long day. Alot of us "MEN" are willing to skip things like fireworks or parades to get a seat on the bus because we are tired. So even though I missed seeing something to get a seat, I should still give it up to anyone whos not a man? Im offended.

1. I didn't fight for it.
2. I was tought that giving up my seat for the elderly or pregnant women is good manners and common courtesy.
3. I know that everyone is tired, but when did manners and sympathy for those less fortunate than you just go out the window? This is really sad.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

​

2. I was tought that giving up my seat for the elderly or pregnant women is good manners and common courtesy.
3. I know that everyone is tired, but when did manners and sympathy for those less fortunate than you just go out the window? This is really sad.

Well said!!!

 

[torinsmom]

As far as the buses, if there is standing room only, you always have the opportunity to wait for a seat on the next bus. My DS13 and I do that every trip and some people always give us the "how rude" look when they got on with small children. I feel like saying "I could have stood on a bus 15 minutes ago, but I waited for this one, and I'm not standing now, so you can avoid waiting 15 minutes for another bus." Everyone is tired when you leave the parks. Besides, I think it is totally UNSAFE to stand on the buses and I refuse to do it or ask my DS to do it. If you don't want to stand, wait for the next bus or drive your car to the parks. JMHO

Marsha

 

[mickeystoontown]

mickeystoontown:[/B] We love CBR as well. It was our first stay in moderate after several years at CR or Poly. CBR was brand new and we've always felt Disney did the best job with CBR as the first moderate.

Never had a problem or issue with CBR buses (enjoy seeing the other villages as we pass by) and in busy times they have buses going in both directions, which really helps.

CBR rooms are just 4 sq ft less in size than AKL and WL std rooms, so that's a definite plus - and it feels like a vacation within a vacation We do wish CBR would have a full refurbishment like POR and FQ did a couple of years ago!

If POP rooms have been painted and cleaned recently, then POP rooms will not be too bad - even tho small, we were pleasantly surprised on our first stay - but the resort was brand new and the rooms were pristine.

The first time I arrived at POP I asked the CM at check-in to transfer us to CBR, if possible! She convinced us to give POP a try and we adjusted our attiitude to enjoy something new....but it has changed since 2004. (Have told that story soo many times!! LOL)

June is going to busy and I wish I had some helpful advice...one thing that might be nice (if you've not booked a pref location) is to request a top floor room with a lake and Illuminations view - this can be nice and definitely helps. Rooms on the lake side do not have as many large icons, top floor tends to be quieter and seeing IllumiNations at night is great!

Have a wonderful trip!!!

We would have gone back to the CBR ('cause Uncle Sam left us with a little bit of money) but we now have a family traveling with us and they need to stay at Pop Century.

We didn't book a preferred location because of the other family. Disney has us down as traveling together and they booked a standard location. We aren't worried about walking or anything so I'm sure I'll be fine. I did request an upper floor because I just like them better.

I think we'll be okay with any noise. We usually stay at the theme parks from the time they open until the time they close. We are so tired by the time we get back to our room, we crash and any noise is filtered out by the sandman.

The CBR buses go all around the resort (which we liked but most people complain about) which takes a bit of time. We have also stood on the CBR buses quite a bit so we'll be okay with the Pop Century bus situation. Like I said, if we get frustrated with the bus system, we can always take our own car.

I've told our friends and family, Disney doesn't have any real crappy places to stay. They can't afford to or they wouldn't have repeat visitors. We've stayed at some real dumps while traveling (not by choice but because there were no other places to stay along the road) so I can pretty much handle anything.

We are an easy going family so I know we'll be okay.

 

[goofy4tink]

Equal rights, you fought for it, you won, enjoy!
Also, everyone going to WDW knows that they are in for alot of walking and standing in lines, etc. If your children or grandparents can't handle it, then maybe WDW isn't the place for them to vacation. Why should I suffer because you chose to have kids and I didn't, or because an old person chose to vacation at WDW knowing that they aren't in very good shape. Im on vacation too and Im just as exhausted as the next person after a long day. Alot of us "MEN" are willing to skip things like fireworks or parades to get a seat on the bus because we are tired. So even though I missed seeing something to get a seat, I should still give it up to anyone whos not a man? Im offended.

Harsh....I have a 35 y/o son and I would have a few words with him if he said that to me! Your youth is showing! Granted, no one is promised a seat on the bus, but if I see a young mother, holding a small child and she has to stand, well, she gets my seat. Same thing with someone who is elderly. My dh gave up his seat many, many times...even though he had a severely bad knee! Lest you question my age and ability to stand...I'm close to 59!!! I'm sure you think of me as 'elderly'. I have had young man offer me their seat on both buses and monorail....I politely declined, but thanked their mothers (if they were there also) for doing such a nice job raising compassionate sons.

However...back to the subject at hand...I own BW DVC, I've stayed at CR, Polynesian, POR, DxL, S/D, BCV, ASMusic, and POP. For the most part, if I'm not at BWV, I'm at POP. I haven't found the guests there to be all that different than the guests elsewhere. Believe me, money, or the lack of, is not a guarantee of good manners. Just because someone is at POP does not mean they can ill afford to stay elsewhere and most likely have less than stellar manners. I have met some of the rudest people at the Polynesian...and their kids were, well, I'm not going there.
I have found housekeeping at POP to be very good overall. Our housekeeper has always taken our tips that we leave on the sink.
The food court has been very good, in my opinion. I have not had anything there that I haven't liked. Okay...I wasn't crazy about the tiedye bread or cheesecake! But that was it. But, different people are going to have different expectations and therefor different experiences.
I'm looking forward to my next two stays at POP...in Sept and again in Dec.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Like everything else in life, giving up a seat on the bus is a choice. My DH chooses to offer his seat to women, children, or elderly men every time we ride. And I choose to love him more each time he does it!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

As far as the buses, if there is standing room only, you always have the opportunity to wait for a seat on the next bus. My DS13 and I do that every trip and some people always give us the "how rude" look when they got on with small children. I feel like saying "I could have stood on a bus 15 minutes ago, but I waited for this one, and I'm not standing now, so you can avoid waiting 15 minutes for another bus." Everyone is tired when you leave the parks. Besides, I think it is totally UNSAFE to stand on the buses and I refuse to do it or ask my DS to do it. If you don't want to stand, wait for the next bus or drive your car to the parks. JMHO

Marsha

There has been a lot of discussion on this here on the Dis and I am so on the fence. DS12 and I have already discussed the situaton of giving up our seats. He has been taught by DH to always give up his seat. But I agree that if we choose to wait for another bus to have a seat, we shouldn't have to give that seat up. But if a pregnant woman or elderly person got on the bus, I would feel guilty sitting even though they also could have waited for another bus. This is just not a cut and dry issue for me. I guess that is how DS and I will have to approach it ... take each situation as it comes.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

1. I didn't fight for it.
2. I was tought that giving up my seat for the elderly or pregnant women is good manners and common courtesy.
3. I know that everyone is tired, but when did manners and sympathy for those less fortunate than you just go out the window? This is really sad.

How is a woman or child less fortunate? Children have much more energy and stamina than adults, whether male or female. As far as men and women go, it makes no difference. I have female friends that are police officers and I guarantee you that they are in better shape than I am. Should I still give up my seat to someone who is in better shape just because she is female? As far as elderly, Disney already gives them front of the line access to the buses if they are on scooters / wheelchairs. I think its offensive that just because of my sex, I should be expected to give up my seat.

 

[goofy4tink]

As far as elderly, Disney already gives them front of the line access to the buses if they are on scooters / wheelchairs.

Sure, they get to wait in an area off to the side, while we all wait for them to be boarded. Sure, I'm positive that the majority of those in scooters/wheelchairs just love being the center of all that animosity! My father would have a hissy fit if I suggested he use a scooter or a wheelchair...even though at the age of 80 he has severe balance issues due to inner ear stuff!
I am not saying that just because a woman gets on the bus every male over the age of 15 needs to jump to their feet...I am saying that if an elderly woman or someone with a baby in their arms gets on, I am getting up and giving them my seat. My choice. You make your own choices.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Sure, they get to wait in an area off to the side, while we all wait for them to be boarded. Sure, I'm positive that the majority of those in scooters/wheelchairs just love being the center of all that animosity! My father would have a hissy fit if I suggested he use a scooter or a wheelchair...even though at the age of 80 he has severe balance issues due to inner ear stuff!
I am not saying that just because a woman gets on the bus every male over the age of 15 needs to jump to their feet...I am saying that if an elderly woman or someone with a baby in their arms gets on, I am getting up and giving them my seat. My choice. You make your own choices.

Well the elderly can't have it both ways. You can't be too "embarassed" to get front of the line access, but then not be too "embarassed" to expect someone to give up their seat for you. If its that big of a deal for an elderly person to need to sit, then they need to choose whats most important, sitting or being "embarassed".