Oh Come All Ye Faithful... DIS TR Addicts... UPDATE 4/19

[kschafer]

I bet the 1976 report would be rather entaining, Christine! At least- I know the pictures would be!!!

I agree. I'd love to see that!

 

[punkin413]

i'm in for the trip report! looks like you arrived the day we went to epcot. it was AWFUL!!!! i've never been so wet from rain in my life....even with a poncho!

 

[29apr00]

OH NO!! I hope your poor doggie is ok!! Scary to be away from him/her during that time.

Wow great time flying throught ME and on your way to Pop. We've stayed at Pop 2x and love it, but then we also have kids. Hopefully it wasn't too bad for you.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I bet the 1976 report would be rather entaining, Christine! At least- I know the pictures would be!!!

I agree. I'd love to see that!

Hmmm... maybe we'll do a 1970's interlude. Over the break I'll see if I can get the photos scanned. They are funny... that's for sure!!

i'm in for the trip report! looks like you arrived the day we went to epcot. it was AWFUL!!!! i've never been so wet from rain in my life....even with a poncho!

Hi Dawn! So great to see you over here. I just LOVE your TR's. The weather that day was AWFUL! Very un-Disney like!

OH NO!! I hope your poor doggie is ok!! Scary to be away from him/her during that time.

Wow great time flying throught ME and on your way to Pop. We've stayed at Pop 2x and love it, but then we also have kids. Hopefully it wasn't too bad for you.

Oh thanks. Molly (my dog) is fine. She just lost a bit of fur but otherwise is as happy go lucky as ever. Thankfully that was not an omen for the trip. Pop... hmmm... well you're about to hear some of what I thought. I totally get why people like it. I just don't think it's for me. Now it's easy for me to say that when I'm traveling alone. When I have to pay a family of 4 I may be singing a different tune!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So we arrive at Pop and it is pouring. I should have picked up on it when the Magical Express driver announced that the wind was very strong and while we may feel the bus shaking he was in complete control. Somehow that didn’t register so when I stepped off the bus it was a surprise. I needed to get my carry on from under the bus and of course the driver was too busy standing at the door looking for tips to open up the under part of the bus. We were under cover but the wind was whipping the rain in pretty good. Finally he got my bag and into the lobby I went. And to the end of a VERY long line. The check in desk was very long with room for, I don’t know, what seems like 20 cast members. There were 4 working this morning. UGH. Lots of people hanging in the lobby, staying out of the monsoon. They had a DJ and hula hoops. There were some really cute kids trying the hula hoop and they played some good 80’s tunes from Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran and some other old school hits. That improved my mood a bit.

After what seemed like FOREVER, I got to the front of the line. Check in went smoothly. An aside- I had booked this reservation with a AAA discount and was told when booking that I’d better be sure to bring my AAA card with me for check-in. They didn’t ask.

I had not made any room requests- mostly b/c I had no idea what to ask for- but I did ask as checking in for a room close to the main building and mentioned that I was traveling alone. Not sure if that request did any good or if it was just serendipity but I got a room in the 50’s – fairly close to the main building. And it was ready!

She gave me a map, told me to go out the door, turn left, and then right at the 2nd bowling pin and I was off. Out into the monsoon I go. Picture me, with my very heavy carry on and Vera Bag, my umbrella blowing inside out trying to find this building. I pass a few Pop employees all of whom pass by me without a word. This will be an interesting contrast to my AKL experience…

I finally find it. On my way I had to take a picture of the poor lifeguards who don’t even get a break in a monsoon! The pictures don't do it justice... can you see the rain coming down? I am NOT exaggerating with use of the word "monsoon"!!!!

I get to my room. I notice there is a towel animal in the room. I am a bit giddy.

But I get into the room and my first thought is: “holy cow, this room is SMALL!!!” Seriously small. I know you have probably all seen Pop room pictures before but I took some for you anyway. This one I am literally standing with my back against the door. You can barely open the door without hitting the first bed.

From the other side of the room:

The bathroom:

Hidden Mickey in bathroom wallpaper:

Wallpaper border in the main room:

Then my glance falls upon the little table… and I see it… the elusive bounceback offer that had escaped my grasp in October!

Of course, my main interest is visiting again in October during Food and Wine and upon further review…

… the deal expires Oct 3rd and is not valid the rest of Food and Wine.

Well, something to think about anyway… no need to make a decision for 5 days.

So according to the Mousefest schedule there is a welcome meet and reception this afternoon at the Contemporary. I had toyed with the idea of the Wave for lunch. The monsoon put a damper on those plans… literally. I decided I’d just go check out Everything Pop (I was hungry- getting up at 4 takes a lot out of you!!) and then see what the weather was like.

Before I go, a little test for you. I had a bit of a panic when I was trying to head over the Everything Pop. I could not, for the life of me, find my Key to the World card. Can you spot it?

OK... it looks obvious in the pictures but it took me a good 10 min to find it!!

Up next… Everything Pop and my DVC tour…

 

[Lady Lallie]

Wow! It took a minute to find your room card too! I am so glad we stayed at Pop on our first 1/2 of our trip because I think I would have cried going from WL to Pop.

I also don't understand why they make the lifeguards stand in the rain when NO ONE is swimming!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Those rooms at Pop are small -- I remember opening the door and joking with Charles about how we could just collapse straight into bed after a long day at the park.

It took me a few minutes to spot your room key also -- it was the exact same shade of blue as that bit of comforter.

Holy Monsoon Rain!!! What was the date? I am wondering if it was the same day that it was coming down in buckets here in Georgia.

 

[Sarilas]

Oh dear lord have mercy- those rooms would make me claustrophobic with my clan!

And it DID take me 5 minutes to find your card on that bedspread!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Holy rain batman!!

Those values are small... they're really tight with the 4 people they're supposed to hold! :crowded : It's really hard since you're used to Dx.

I couldn't find your card either

yipee! DVC coming up

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wow! It took a minute to find your room card too! I am so glad we stayed at Pop on our first 1/2 of our trip because I think I would have cried going from WL to Pop.

I also don't understand why they make the lifeguards stand in the rain when NO ONE is swimming!

If you're going to resort switch HAVE to start value and move up NO WAY you can go the reverse direction!

I've heard lifeguard is one of the less desirable jobs at Disney. Perhaps this is why??

Those rooms at Pop are small -- I remember opening the door and joking with Charles about how we could just collapse straight into bed after a long day at the park.

It took me a few minutes to spot your room key also -- it was the exact same shade of blue as that bit of comforter.

Holy Monsoon Rain!!! What was the date? I am wondering if it was the same day that it was coming down in buckets here in Georgia.

they are very small! This was Dec 11th that I arrived. So glad it's not just me who couldn't find the card. Unless y'all are being nice to me.

Oh dear lord have mercy- those rooms would make me claustrophobic with my clan!

And it DID take me 5 minutes to find your card on that bedspread!

I was thinking to myself the whole time how do big families do it? But then there is the matter of the budget and I guess when you are hardly in your room it makes sense! That's what I love about WDW... something for everyone!

Holy rain batman!!

Those values are small... they're really tight with the 4 people they're supposed to hold! :crowded : It's really hard since you're used to Dx.

I couldn't find your card either

yipee! DVC coming up

I'll confess... I don't think I'm a value resort kind of gal...

 

[punkin413]

so i'm thinking you took those lifeguard pictures at about, oh, 12:00-ish??? that's when we were walking from the beach club to epcot and it was CRAZY rain!

 

[TarzansKat]

You remind me of how much I love Pop. I know your arrival was a little eventful, but just your description of the place brings back memories.

 

[julezdisney]

Just read your update today! Wasn't dis-sing really yesterday. It took me a few minutes to find your card!!

And comparing that room to my off-site room at the Clarion Maingate, I think if our fam. has a car- we'll just stay offsite again. That room was SMALL- and aren't POP rooms supposed to be a teeny bit bigger then the AS's?

I'm so happy you've started your trip report<--- I know I said that the first installment, but I'm rendundant.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

so i'm thinking you took those lifeguard pictures at about, oh, 12:00-ish??? that's when we were walking from the beach club to epcot and it was CRAZY rain!

That is just about exactly when I took the pictures! I'm so glad someone else can corroborate (sp?) the craziness. I figured people would think I was exaggerating! Thank goodness it ended quickly. The cold, however, not so much.

BTW- love the pic of you and Ray in your signature. Very cute!

You remind me of how much I love Pop. I know your arrival was a little eventful, but just your description of the place brings back memories.

It was a cute place. The lobby with the hula hoops, kids and 80's tunes was very cool. All of the kids were having a blast. I thought Everything Pop was neat too. And had the coke slushie someone recommended...

Just read your update today! Wasn't dis-sing really yesterday. It took me a few minutes to find your card!!

And comparing that room to my off-site room at the Clarion Maingate, I think if our fam. has a car- we'll just stay offsite again. That room was SMALL- and aren't POP rooms supposed to be a teeny bit bigger then the AS's?

I'm so happy you've started your trip report<--- I know I said that the first installment, but I'm rendundant.

I hadn't heard that Pop rooms were bigger than other values. I shudder to think that is true. Well, it would certainly promote family togetherness.

 

[TarzansKat]

And had the coke slushie someone recommended...

I have no idea who that could possibly be.

 

[29apr00]

yeah the check in at Pop is truelly an experince isn't it! I'm suprised there were only 4 CM's. when we checked in the whole counter was full. yes the rooms are small....very small. but with small kids that's ok. I'm sure you were counting down the minutes until AKL!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I have no idea who that could possibly be.

It was a very smart lady.

yeah the check in at Pop is truelly an experince isn't it! I'm suprised there were only 4 CM's. when we checked in the whole counter was full. yes the rooms are small....very small. but with small kids that's ok. I'm sure you were counting down the minutes until AKL!

Yeah... I pretty much was! But I can totally see myself back there with kids.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I just wanted to take a minute to wish all my dear DIS friends happy holidays, merry christmas and a very happy new year!

I've had such a great time getting you know you all this year and look forward to another year of friendship.

At the risk of spoiling my TR, here are some holiday pics for your enjoyment.

And lastly... wishing you all a year full of peace, love and, of course, Mickey Mouse!

 

[TarzansKat]

It was a very smart lady.

Aw, shucks.

Thank you so much for the warm wishes! Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[jenjolt]

WOW...gorgeous pics I can't wait to hear more!!!!!!!

I'm staying at the POP on my solo trip...and I don't think I'll mind small because I'm by myself, just like you. However on my last trip we stayed with 4 adults in one room...cramped doesn't even begin to mention it LOL

I haven't really posted here as much as I would like, but Christine I have to totally thank you for your list at the beginning. I copied and pasted it and I'm taking it with me to the World on my trip. They were great tips that I really want to remember as I travel solo LOL!

I hope you also have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!