My Pop review 9-12 to 9-19

[jenrose66]

Hi all, I just got back from my stay at POP Century. It was me, dh, and ds 1. I thought the resort was pretty nice. It was my first time at a value. I'll start with the positives. Check in was very efficient. I checked in at around 11 am and my room was ready. We were in the 50's bldg, 2nd floor, room 3256. It was a great location, close to the food court, and both the bowling pin and flower pools. Everything was clean and fresh. Now to the one negative...There is no getting around it, these rooms are small. You don't realize how small until you actually stay at one. But still, it was doable. Mousekeeping was friendly and did a good job keeping the room livable.

I thought the foodcourt was good. There was a lot of choice and we ate the majority of our meals there. I actually liked the POP food court more than the POFQ food court.

On to the pools. We did the majority of our swimming in the Hippy Dippy pool. My son enjoyed the kiddy pool, but we only went in it a couple times. The reason for this, well, and I know this happens wheter I see it or not, but it's harder to go back when you do see it...a kid peed in the pool. Now, my son has to wear a swim diaper, which is fine...but the kid who peed in the kiddie pool was about 8 years old. He was sitting on one of the jets of water that squirts up and he looked at his friend and said, watch me pee. I thought he was being stupid, but then all the water around him turned yellow and he went, wow, that's a lot. I was disgusted and left the water with Jack immediatly. His mom looked at him and said nothing. I think at 8 you should not be peeing in the pool, and if you are, you should receive a stern talking too. The Goofy Pop Jets were fun. DS actually liked those the best.

Now, transportation. I will say that I have used Disney buses for my last 3 trips, but this is the first time I've used them with a baby. NEVER AGAIN! and I mean never. There was always a wait for the bus and it was a long wait. At least 15 minutes. And we almost always had to wait for 2 buses, the lines were that bad, at least going to the parks. Coming back wasn't as bad. Maybe if I didn't have a baby I wouldn't have noticed, but because I did have an impatient baby, I did notice. Plus adding to the horribleness of the buses were the ECV's. Whatever, hot button topic, I know, but I'm gonna say it...if you are so fat, that you can't walk, lose some weight!!! I don't doubt that these people have mobility problems, but those problems can be solved with some simple weight management. Hey, if you need an ECV you have as much right to Disney transportation as I do, but, I think they should have a special bus just for the ECV's. I can't count the number of times that my family was waiting for a bus when at the last minute, just as the bus pulls up, here comes a person on their ECV, with the sunshade and all, loving life, ready to get on that bus first with their 6 family members. Meanwhile there is at least 2 busfulls of people that have been patiently waiting in line. The ECV shouldn't get on the bus first, they should have to wait like everyone else. Every bus I went on had this problem and it gets tiresome, especially when it appears to be for weight issues and not a real disability. Finally, the q's for POP aren't covered. We are in Florida people, there should be covered waiting for the bus. Oh, and when the bus finally came, we were packed like sardines, for every bus. I don't remember being packed that closely before.

Also, I think there was some kind of bug going around at Disney. 4 days into our vacation my son got a terrible cold, followed by dh, and followed by me. I noticed that all the little kids I saw at the resort appeared to be sick and coughing. Then when we got to the airport there was an older couple at Coronado Springs that was also sick.

All in all we did have a good time. I see that this post did turn into a transportation vent, but I'm just being honest. I know if I don't like the way the Disney bus service works, I don't have to use it and after this vacation, I'm not using it again. However, I would stay at POP again. I thought it was was lovely resort and my son loved the big icons and general theming. Having a baby opens your eyes and I think our whole vacation would have been much better, had we the foresight to rent a car.

 

[Gales4Goofy]

Jenrose,
Thanks for a good, balanced review! I'm thinking of a value resort this trip, and the buses are what's concerning me the most about the values.

How long is the actual bus ride to from POP to MK?

We'll be driving down from PA so we'll have the car if we need it. But if we're going to need it, perhaps we might as well stay OP.

 

[GalDisney]

Jenrose,
Thanks for a good, balanced review! I'm thinking of a value resort this trip, and the buses are what's concerning me the most about the values.

How long is the actual bus ride to from POP to MK?

We'll be driving down from PA so we'll have the car if we need it. But if we're going to need it, perhaps we might as well stay OP.

Its about a 15 min bus ride from pop to the MK

 

[jenrose66]

Jenrose,
Thanks for a good, balanced review! I'm thinking of a value resort this trip, and the buses are what's concerning me the most about the values.

How long is the actual bus ride to from POP to MK?

We'll be driving down from PA so we'll have the car if we need it. But if we're going to need it, perhaps we might as well stay OP.

The actually bus ride is about 15 minutes, but with loading and the lines, it always took closer to 35 or 40 min to get from the bus line to the MK gates. I would definately stay onsite and POP is a great hotel, I would just use my own car. Plus, I think parking is like 12 bucks a day, but don't you get free parking as a resort guest?

 

[Bete]

ECV users have to get off the bus last; so, it's a balance between getting on first and getting off last. To me that's fair. Many ECV users need to stay in the shade or even inside; so, I can understand them pulling up at the last minute to the bus stop.

I really don't agree bringing a baby to Disney World especially one that's 1yrs. old. You are taking a terrible chance of that child getting sick. There are so many germs in an atmosphere such as this one. I doubt very much if your child never cried on the trip in public. Everyone is suppose to tolerate all that crying, right? This isn't counting all the strollers, carryalls, etc. and the issues there. I bet you expect someone to give up their bus seat , too; because, you have a baby. We seem to only tolerate what's in our own little world.

By the way, we rent park ECVs or drive to the parks most of the time to avoid using ECVs on the buses there. We use a wheechair; until we can make a transfer to a ECV. I feel I'm pretty considerate, but you are rubbibg me the wrong way, here. I have taken younger grandchildren and most of the time we go by car; so, no one has to get involved with listening to our grandkids if they are misbehaving, etc. You have that choice, too.

I'm sorry, we have to love one another and see different sides to all situations. It's up to Disney, not you how this is all handled. By the way, at times if there are many wheelchairs or ECVs together Disney will arrange for a special van to drive them separately.

If you are going during free dining and staying at a value resort, you are going to have longer waits at the bus stops. That's to be expected.

 

[jenrose66]

ECV users have to get off the bus last; so, it's a balance between getting on first and getting off last. To me that's fair. Many ECV users need to stay in the shade or even inside; so, I can understand them pulling up at the last minute to the bus stop.

I really don't agree bringing a baby to Disney World especially one that's 1yrs. old. You are taking a terrible chance of that child getting sick. There are so many germs in an atmosphere such as this one. I doubt very much if your child never cried on the trip in public. Everyone is suppose to tolerate all that crying, right? This isn't counting all the strollers, carryalls, etc. and the issues there. I bet you expect someone to give up their bus seat , too; because, you have a baby. We seem to only tolerate what's in our own little world.

By the way, we rent park ECVs or drive to the parks most of the time to avoid using ECVs on the buses there. We use a wheechair; until we can make a transfer to a ECV. I feel I'm pretty considerate, but you are rubbibg me the wrong way, here. I have taken younger grandchildren and most of the time we go by car; so, no one has to get involved with listening to our grandkids if they are misbehaving, etc. You have that choice, too.

I'm sorry, we have to love one another and see different sides to all situations. It's up to Disney, not you how this is all handled. By the way, at times if there are many wheelchairs or ECVs together Disney will arrange for a special van to drive them separately.

If you going during free dining and staying at a value resort, you are going to have longer waits at the bus stops. That's to be expected.

Not to start a debate, but I don't expect anyone to give me a seat on the bus. I have no problem standing with my baby. To me being the last one off the bus is not a fair compromise to being able to cut a line of 50 people and getting on the bus first with a ton of family members. It is up to Disney how they want to handle transportation and I have already stated but I'm still entitled to my opinion on how I think it's unfair to always be able to get on the next available bus no matter what. Because of how Disney handles their bus transportation I will be using my own car next time. It was a lesson learned. I'm just sharing my experience candidly about what I witnessed. Also, I did not canvas all ECV users. If you have a real disability that makes you unable to walk, then by all means use your ECV, but if you can't walk because of your weight, to me that's not a disability. With the number of ECV's that I witnessed and the kinds of people I saw using them, I can tell you that there is no way that everyone on that ECV truley needed it.

I'm personally done responding to this topic because I feel I have made my stance clear, though anyone can feel free to challenge my opinion in the spirit of needing to adhere to political correctness or (and I know there are more of you out there, go ahead and agree with me). If you have any other questions about the hotel, feel free to ask me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

t to start a debate, but I don't expect anyone to give me a seat on the bus.

I double-checked the post to which you're responding - there's NOTHING in that post about getting a seat on a bus.

To me being the last one off the bus is not a fair compromise to being able to cut a line of 50 people and getting on the bus first with a ton of family members. It is up to Disney how they want to handle transportation and I have already stated but

You already stated it here, sure - but did you state it directly TO Disney's Guest Services while you were at Disney World? That's a heck of a lot more effective than blowing off steam on a message board.

Because of how Disney handles their bus transportation I will be using my own car next time.

Good.

Also, I did not canvas all ECV users. If you have a real disability that makes you unable to walk, then by all means use your ECV, but if you can't walk because of your weight, to me that's not a disability

Thank you, Dr. jenrose. It's good to see you did not canvass all (any?) ECV users, since frankly it's none of your business why anyone is using one. You may see the weight, but you don't see the drugs prescribed to treat a medical issue but which cause the weight gain. You see the weight, but you don't - because you can't - see the lack of cartilage in the ECV user's joints that make walking painful. You see the weight, but you don't see the illness or condition that prevents that ECV user from exercising and so subjects them to the criticism of others. You see the weight but you don't see the tumor, or the cancer treatments that leave the person exhausted and ill. I can go on, but you get the point.

 

[Bete]

Please, close this post.

I'm willing to extend a politeness, but I expect to be treated with respect, as well in return. We all go through different stages in life. I think Disney is wonderful on how they handle all these different situations.

I'm happy for the Pooh crowd to have access to Disney in an easier way and others who need power chairs, etc. God bless you if everyone in your direct and indirect family are skinny. Let's face it; Overweight has a stigma; it's a terrible silent bias and it shouldn't be that way.

I have room in my heart for all to go to Disney. I just want you to see and understand the other side. There are plenty of people who dart out in front of ECVs without looking at the last second. Can you be one of them? This is no fun for any ECV driver; yet, they have to tolerate those actions all day long. It's stressful to a degree. Until you are placed in this situation; I don't think you will understand.

At least, you will be driving the next time; so, you won't have to deal with it on the bus. Thank-you.

I wish you would have done two posts to keep these two thoughts separate, but you didn't.

 

[mickaholic4077]

OP,I'm glad I won't run into you the next time I stay at Pop.

 

[kapoof]

i think alot of you are being unfair to the op. yes alot of people have disabilities, but some, you have to admit are just fat and lazy. she was calling those people out...i think a bus built to handle ECV's would be a great idea and more comfortable to everyone.

 

[Disney Ella]

Why should a moderator be called? She was just stating her opinion.

 

[MiaSRN62]

jenrose66: I know, but I'm gonna say it...if you are so fat, that you can't walk, lose some weight!!! I don't doubt that these people have mobility problems, but those problems can be solved with some simple weight management.

kapoof :yes alot of people have disabilities, but some, you have to admit are just fat and lazy. she was calling those people out

How does anyone know what condition/disability one has who is using a wheelchair ? How does one make this statement ? Anyone----fat or skinny can abuse the wheelchair/ECV policy but how can anyone see into their bodies and see if they have cancer, MS, arthritis, etc ? Weight has NOTHING to do with it.
Wow...so sad people actually think this way..

How long is the actual bus ride to from POP to MK?

We'll be driving down from PA so we'll have the car if we need it. But if we're going to need it, perhaps we might as well stay OP.

Gales4Goofy,
First of all....howdy neighbor....I'm about 10 min from Doylestown.
Secondly, very often we rent a car while staying at a disney resort. But I recommend always using the disney busses for the MK park. That is the one park that can be quite a hassle/time consuming getting in and out of. I'd say it's about a 15-20 min bus ride to MK, but taking a car there can easily add another 20-30 min. Because with a car you have to park in the TTC parking lot, then take the tram to either the monorail or ferry and then go into the park. The disney bus drops you off near the MK park entrance.

 

[Pugrpooh]

I'm at Pop right now, our first time at a value, and I have to say that it's been great. I don't see the point in paying more at a mod and we stayed at CBR and POFQ last year.

We've been here since Monday and busses have been great. The other day we were going to MGM and we didn't get on the bus that came. The driver cut it off at our party. Another bus came in about 2 minutes. We've never waited very long.

Coming back from MK after the fireworks, the line was so long, but the busses came one after the other. In fact, they came two at a time and were both loaded at the same time.

I had requested 50's lake side view, 3rd or 4th floor. We got 70's courtyard view, first floor. It's ok though, nice and quiet.

Got to go to the food court now, the lines there can get pretty long a bit later in the morning.

 

[kismet1003]

Wow...I guess she went up and asked all those 'fat & lazy people' what their medical condition was and they told her they didn't have any.
It's quite obvious she doesn't have anyone in her family or friend circle that has any type of medical conditions to maybe make her more understanding of underlying medical conditions that you don't see on the outside. It's sad but true that people think this way every single day.

Sorry to the OP that this was a memory you brought home from your family trip.

 

[antmaril]

Hi all, I just got back from my stay at POP Century. It was me, dh, and ds 1. I thought the resort was pretty nice. It was my first time at a value. I'll start with the positives. Check in was very efficient. I checked in at around 11 am and my room was ready. We were in the 50's bldg, 2nd floor, room 3256. It was a great location, close to the food court, and both the bowling pin and flower pools. Everything was clean and fresh. Now to the one negative...There is no getting around it, these rooms are small. You don't realize how small until you actually stay at one. But still, it was doable. Mousekeeping was friendly and did a good job keeping the room livable.

I thought the foodcourt was good. There was a lot of choice and we ate the majority of our meals there. I actually liked the POP food court more than the POFQ food court.

Now, transportation. I will say that I have used Disney buses for my last 3 trips, but this is the first time I've used them with a baby. NEVER AGAIN! and I mean never. There was always a wait for the bus and it was a long wait. At least 15 minutes. And we almost always had to wait for 2 buses, the lines were that bad, at least going to the parks. Coming back wasn't as bad. Maybe if I didn't have a baby I wouldn't have noticed, but because I did have an impatient baby, I did notice. Plus adding to the horribleness of the buses were the ECV's. Whatever, hot button topic, I know, but I'm gonna say it...if you are so fat, that you can't walk, lose some weight!!! I don't doubt that these people have mobility problems, but those problems can be solved with some simple weight management. Hey, if you need an ECV you have as much right to Disney transportation as I do, but, I think they should have a special bus just for the ECV's. I can't count the number of times that my family was waiting for a bus when at the last minute, just as the bus pulls up, here comes a person on their ECV, with the sunshade and all, loving life, ready to get on that bus first with their 6 family members. Meanwhile there is at least 2 busfulls of people that have been patiently waiting in line. The ECV shouldn't get on the bus first, they should have to wait like everyone else. Every bus I went on had this problem and it gets tiresome, especially when it appears to be for weight issues and not a real disability. Finally, the q's for POP aren't covered. We are in Florida people, there should be covered waiting for the bus. Oh, and when the bus finally came, we were packed like sardines, for every bus. I don't remember being packed that closely before.

All in all we did have a good time. I see that this post did turn into a transportation vent, but I'm just being honest. I know if I don't like the way the Disney bus service works, I don't have to use it and after this vacation, I'm not using it again. However, I would stay at POP again. I thought it was was lovely resort and my son loved the big icons and general theming. Having a baby opens your eyes and I think our whole vacation would have been much better, had we the foresight to rent a car.

Your concern about the bus transportation is the reason we ALWAYS rent a car at WDW. What you have described is not my idea of a vacation. We were at Pop Century three weeks ago (our first time at a Value resort, as well). I agree with everything you said about Pop. We had a good experience.

Obviously, I didn't have any bus problems, because I could come and go as I please with my rental car. IMHO, it's the only way to go.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I had requested 50's lake side view, 3rd or 4th floor. We got 70's courtyard view, first floor. It's ok though, nice and quiet.

Funny....I have stayed at POP 5 times (6th stay will be next Thurs). I have requested the 50's section each and every time and never got it. This trip I am NOT going to request it and see what happens

 

[Dav2205]

Why should a moderator be called? She was just stating her opinion.

Which in some ways, I happen to agree with.

I don't see why someone in an ECV should be allowed to skip in front of a huge queue of people either.

 

[lynn46356]

Opinions!!!!! I love reading these boards but this one is making me CRAZY! We have a Mom and a very close young man in an ECV. They would do anything to be able to be "normal" and not in the condition they are in right now but they deal with it and try to put a smile on their face and enjoy each day. You can't imagine how hard it is to live their lives in our normal world. Tomorrow I could need an ECV and maybe even you. Just because someone is "fat" doesn't make them a bad person. Hey, I'm fat ! I hope everyone still likes me. Oh well, maybe you'll find that perfect vacation spot where only skinny, healthy, people go to.

Lynn

 

[minnie61650]

It takes at least a 5 foot square area to turn a wheelchair or ECV.
The bus queues for the buses are not wide.
The regular bus lines are not accessible to ECV users.

The bus driver needs to know that someone will be loading a wheelchair before pulling the bus into the stop so that he/she can line up the back door with the correct place for loading.
That's why the bus drivers tell people using ECVs/wheelchairs not to be 'hidden" in the line.


This is from the disABILITIES board FAQ thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713


Riding WDW Buses with a wheelchair or ECV

How do I attract the attention of the bus driver?
You need to be where the driver can see you so that he/she knows you want to board the bus. Some bus stops have a wheelchair/handicapped symbol that you can wait by. For "unmarked" bus stops, have your group out in the open (but off the roadway) near where the back door of the bus will be when it stops. At stops with buses going to multiple destinations from the same stop (like at the resorts), let the driver know whether you want the bus or not by nodding or shaking your head.

------------------------------------------------


If you feel you have come up with a great solution that will be fair to all then I suggest that you write to Disney so they will change their policy.

Meanwhile, fair or not these are the instructions that guests who use EVC's and or WC's have been given.

So even though it seems unfair to you it is the way it is for now.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Tinkerbelll]

Which in some ways, I happen to agree with.

I don't see why someone in an ECV should be allowed to skip in front of a huge queue of people either.

ITA. I don't mind waiting for them to get on the bus at all, or even that they get put on before everyone else, but I think they should have to wait in line first. But I don't necessarily blame the ECV users. Obviously, they cannot wait in the queue line with the ECV, so they must wait over on the side. Then, even if their party gets in line, sometimes it is hard to judge in advance if you will get on the next bus, or have to wait for a 2nd or even a 3rd. And, as we know, ECV's must go on the bus first for security/safety etc., so for an ECVer to have to try & decide which bus his/her family waiting in the queue line will make it on so that he/she can be helped onto that particuliar bus just seems like a lot of work to me. I just think that Disney puts Wheelchair/ECV users in a hard place, becuase they are not really given the option of waiting in line... and I think most of them would be more than happy to wait in line and not have all the attention called to them that comes along with getting on a Disney bus in a chair of any kind. Also, on a recent trip, we saw a woman in an ECV who actually tried to wait in line.. she informed the bus driver when he pulled up that her family was in line and that she would be waiting for them to get to the front of the line. But, he just looked at her a little funny, and insisted, in a very polite way, that her and her family get on this bus. It was very strange.

ETA: While we're on the subject, how about all those pesky people with those funky blue lanyards that get to cut every ride line all day long?
Hope everyone has a safe and magical vacation.

And to the OP: Glad you had a great stay at POP. We'll be there tomorrow! Can't wait!