Just back from POP

[mom2of2]

Just returned home today from a week at POP Century. We actually spent a lot of time at the resort this trip since it was a combo vaca/apt/job finding trip. We stayed in the 70's bldg, the one with the Big Wheel in the front. Our room overlooked the playground and we were on the 4th floor. Mousekeeping was okay, nothing special but our room was always cleaned relatively early in the day (before noon) Day 2 our Mousekeeper did leave us a note thanking us for her envelope and wishing us a Magical stay.
Pools were warm, we used the Hippy Dippy most of the time but did wander over and check out the Computer pool. Chairs were scarce and we were able to secure a table twice but we were at the pool early...around 10ish. There were at least 4 lifeguards at the pool every time we were there and we were always able to get a lifevest. We did see people taking them away from the pool area although it does say to leave them in the box when done.
Foodcourt...I wish they had a different menu from Lunch to Dinner but for the most part there was something for everyone. Note: The Lo Mein servings are HUGE!! A quart and they add tons of shrimp so make sure you split it with someone in your party!!!! The twinkie tiramasu was good, different but good. The refill station's floor can get mighty slippery so watch your step! I took a slider one day and a very nice CM caught me halfway down
Buses....We were very pleased with the bus service this trip. In Epcot one night in our line we had 3 wheelchairs, these can take up a lot of room and our que was filled with tired, cranky people and the first bus driver stood up in front of the line and announced that he would call for more busses for us. In a matter of 4-6 minutes we had 2 more of the new busses and were on our way in no time. Another day leaving MK we had a bus driver who did some creative driving and took us though the bus service area to avoid a huge traffic jam. The MK lots were full and they were turning pple away..hence the traffic jam.
Check in/Guest Services....When I checked in (I've been 3 times in 5 months!) the CM recognized me from my stay at WL in January!!! My DH stood there shaking his head in disbelief that I got recognized!! Hey!! I made an impression!! She hooked us up in January with bunkbeds and she made sure that we didn't have to change rooms this trip. Had a continuing ressie since I wasn't able to get my AP rate for all days. Guest services also left a voice mail reminding us to change our clocks. My only complaint..and maybe it shouldn't be a COMPLAINT per se was....POP wasn't able to do the online check in for our flight home. WL was able to do so in January and it made it so much easier for us. We had a 7am flight this morning so we had to get up at 4:00am just to go get in line at MCO and what a line it was!!!
GAS....... BUY ONSITE!!!! $2.17 onsite $2.47 off!! nuff said!
So that's it in a nutshell. Any questions just ask away.

 

[Poohbear123]

Just wanted to say glad you enjoyed your stay! Glad to hear the bus service is great too. I often wonder WHY they don't have a seperate bus JUST for Wheelchair folks. It would hold more, and would be necessary during busy times.

 

[extraredstuff]

Thanks for the post, I'm staying at POP for the first time in May. So I LOVE hearing all those nice things.

Was your trip successful, did you find at apartment and a job?

 

[mom2of2]

yup to both. We will be about 2.5 miles from WDW and DH was successful with his transfer. Thanks for asking

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Thanks for the post as well. We are going at the end of June. We have stayed at the other All Star's and have had fun and hoping this will be just as good.

 

[jjan]

Just wondering if you don't mind me asking... Did they happen to tell you why they couldn't do your online flight check in? I was planning (hoping) that we could have this done for us again this upcoming trip like they let us do in Dec.

 

[HitchhikingGhost]

Regarding the gasoline, you are correct about the on-site. Since Hess took over the Disney property stations last year from Exxon, they have the best prices in the area. There is one at Boardwalk, Magic Kingdom exit, and Downtown Disney. I was amazed that Hess keeps the prices down, because Exxon certainly took advantage of the area.

 

[Robundrh2o]

Excellent review, we stayed there right before thanksgiving last year and are staying there again right before x-mas this year. I noticed in your post, you mentioned Bunk beds, I didn't realize these were available at POP was that a typo or do they have them. If so we may look into those for our 2 DD's. Thanks in advance.

 

[mom2of2]

Just wondering if you don't mind me asking... Did they happen to tell you why they couldn't do your online flight check in? I was planning (hoping) that we could have this done for us again this upcoming trip like they let us do in Dec.

POP isn't "equipped" to print boarding passes is what I was told at Guest Services. I had no problem when I was at WL in January.

Excellent review, we stayed there right before thanksgiving last year and are staying there again right before x-mas this year. I noticed in your post, you mentioned Bunk beds, I didn't realize these were available at POP was that a typo or do they have them. If so we may look into those for our 2 DD's. Thanks in advance.

POP doesn't have bunk beds, WL does. The CM at POP recognized me from my stay at WL (she was working there at the time) and she had hooked us up with bunkbeds at WL.

 

[Avalanche]

When we stayed at POFQ in July we went to the business center at GF and they let us use a computer to print our boarding passes. We just hopped on the monorail from MK and after we were finished we ate lunch at the counter service place by the game room and then went back to MK.

 

[mom2of2]

My problem was I was flying Southwest this trip with a 7am flight. You can't check in online until 12:01 day of departure so I didn't have time to go somewhere else to do online check in. I just wish all the resorts offered this service.

 

[jjan]

POP isn't "equipped" to print boarding passes is what I was told at Guest Services. I had no problem when I was at WL in January.

It must be another case of who you talk to because it was no problem when we were there in Dec. It is probably a lot easier at midnight too since they aren't so busy and have time for someone to step away from the desk which is when we did it.

 

[Tinkaroo]

yup to both. We will be about 2.5 miles from WDW and DH was successful with his transfer. Thanks for asking

Lucky you!! Congrats!

 

[mom2of2]

It must be another case of who you talk to because it was no problem when we were there in Dec. It is probably a lot easier at midnight too since they aren't so busy and have time for someone to step away from the desk which is when we did it.

I asked the night before check out if I could do it and was told no. I was the only person in line so I don't know if the CM just didn't know how or didn't want to. I guess it just all depends on who you ask. Maybe asking for a manager might be the best bet.

 

[Davefrompgh]

Wow, thanks for all the great info...we too, are staying at POP in August...first time there....we have stayed at Cont., Poly, CBR, ASMo, off-site one year...so we are anxious to stay at Pop, but we are also upgrading the last half of the stay to my personal favorite Poly...good luck with your new careers and apt.....thanks again

 

[PneumaticTransit]

It must be another case of who you talk to because it was no problem when we were there in Dec. It is probably a lot easier at midnight too since they aren't so busy and have time for someone to step away from the desk which is when we did it.

As I understand, all Cast Members now have internet access on their network sign ons, before it was restricted and only select people had it. This is a relatively new thing, and perhaps the person did not know they had access. Or perhaps the computers at the front desk have been blocked from the internet so CMs wouldn't be surfing instead of working and the person didn't realize that internet access was available in the back office. Many value resorts have a high volume of College Program CMs, and there are only so many tricks of the trade you can learn during the 6 month program.