Please Tell Me I'll Like POP!

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, in fairness, I don’t ‘usually’ stay in a deluxe resort – I’m flexible. Let’s see, onsite (including Hotel Plaza Boulevard) I’ve stayed at: Courtyard (now Holiday Inn), Pop Century, Dixie Landings/Port Orleans Riverside (once under each name), Coronado Springs, Shades of Green, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Old Key West – so, as you can see, a decent range of properties. And I’m relatively in your age range. I like Pop Century just fine – this will be my third stay there.

 

[antmaril]

Okay, in fairness, I don’t ‘usually’ stay in a deluxe resort – I’m flexible. Let’s see, onsite (including Hotel Plaza Boulevard) I’ve stayed at: Courtyard (now Holiday Inn), Pop Century, Dixie Landings/Port Orleans Riverside (once under each name), Coronado Springs, Shades of Green, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Old Key West – so, as you can see, a decent range of properties. And I’m relatively in your age range. I like Pop Century just fine – this will be my third stay there.

That is good to hear and helpful. Thank you.

 

[daisax]

I haven't stayed in Deluxe resorts before (at WDW -- I stay deluxe in Las Vegas and elsewhere when I can!) but I've stayed at Coronado Springs twice and enjoyed it very much. So when I did a budget trip with my sister and her kids last fall, I wasn't sure how I'd like Pop (I picked it because it seemed to have a more mature fan base than the All Stars!)

I loved it. Going from 2 people in a moderate room to 4 people in a Value room, I thought might be a problem. But it truly wasn't - the space difference wasn't glaring to me. One sink instead of two... okay. No ceiling fan... okay. Obviously the pool was kind of bare bones from an adult's standpoint, but I wasn't swimming anyway and the kids enjoyed it (nice bar right there, too, at the Hippy Dippy pool. I don't drink, but I had a nice virgin drink and sat back on the lounge chair and relaxed just fine in the evening)
(Note, I went to Pop in November and CSR in September, so I can't comment on Summer Pop crowds.)

I liken it to the difference between fine dining and pizza. I love dressing up and having a wonderful meal. I also like hopping in the car in my jeans and t-shirt and going for a good pizza. If you're in a pizza mood/budget, Pop's a great little resort. Is it champagne and caviar? No. Will it disappoint you if you compare it to that? Probably.

However, if you think of it as a "fun" trip in a "silly" resort, it's just fine. And if you can use the savings to extend your stay and make more memories, all the better.

Dumbo and Snow White aren't the most exciting thrill rides in the world. But they're charming. Pop is charming. I think if you frame your expectations in terms of silly-fun-almost-like-staying-in-a-part-of-the-park you can enjoy it more.

 

[antmaril]

I haven't stayed in Deluxe resorts before (at WDW -- I stay deluxe in Las Vegas and elsewhere when I can!) but I've stayed at Coronado Springs twice and enjoyed it very much. So when I did a budget trip with my sister and her kids last fall, I wasn't sure how I'd like Pop (I picked it because it seemed to have a more mature fan base than the All Stars!)

I loved it. Going from 2 people in a moderate room to 4 people in a Value room, I thought might be a problem. But it truly wasn't - the space difference wasn't glaring to me. One sink instead of two... okay. No ceiling fan... okay. Obviously the pool was kind of bare bones from an adult's standpoint, but I wasn't swimming anyway and the kids enjoyed it (nice bar right there, too, at the Hippy Dippy pool. I don't drink, but I had a nice virgin drink and sat back on the lounge chair and relaxed just fine in the evening)
(Note, I went to Pop in November and CSR in September, so I can't comment on Summer Pop crowds.)

I liken it to the difference between fine dining and pizza. I love dressing up and having a wonderful meal. I also like hopping in the car in my jeans and t-shirt and going for a good pizza. If you're in a pizza mood/budget, Pop's a great little resort. Is it champagne and caviar? No. Will it disappoint you if you compare it to that? Probably.

However, if you think of it as a "fun" trip in a "silly" resort, it's just fine. And if you can use the savings to extend your stay and make more memories, all the better.

Dumbo and Snow White aren't the most exciting thrill rides in the world. But they're charming. Pop is charming. I think if you frame your expectations in terms of silly-fun-almost-like-staying-in-a-part-of-the-park you can enjoy it more.

I will keep this in mind. I do expect it to be fun and silly and I love that. I tend to be a kid at heart, so I may love it. My family is fine with it. My DH likes that we are saving some $$ and my son's girlfriend has never been to WDW, so she is giddy with excitement. She'll be happy. My DS will be happy because she's happy. The only one I've been worried about is me

It is a mindset - like Vegas. I love Vegas. I worked for a man who didn't get it at all. He thought it was so tacky. I said it is tacky, that's the beauty of it. You go there knowing that it's over the top. That's the fun.

Anyway, I get it. I will go to Pop with the attitude that it's meant to be fun. My DH and I won't be at the pools, so that's not an issue. If my DS and his DGF are in the pool, I may sit for a while (if it's not too hot) and have a drink.

I'll try to keep an open mind.

Thanks to all for your encouragement.

 

[spiceycat]

forgot a big one.

the toliets are those with an air burst - so they are loud!

close the door to the bathroom. if they noise is still a problem then put a towel under the door.

 

[mahoneyth]

i stayed there sep 2005 for free DDP and wish i was at a mod, but we made the best of it...
Also bit of a hotel snob. I like lots of room....

 

[msteddom]

I have stayed at all different ranges of WDW resorts. I stayed at Pop last Aug. during free dining. I didn't fall in love with the resort, but it suited my needs just fine. The resort was clean, fun and affordable, which was exactly what I needed. I really anjoyed walking around looking at the different themeing. I had a wonderful room location in the 70's facing the lake. It was wonderfully quiet. So bottom line: I enjoyed Pop Century and would not gestitate to stay there again if that is what the budget dictates. So don't worry about it and enjoy!

Melissa

 

[splash5]

check out allears.net for reviews on POP and other hotels..

 

[M&C'sMom]

and I loved POP!! My DD and I did a girls trip in May, so we were only 2 in the room. We had stayed at YC, and WL twice on previous trips and I was most worried about staying at POP. I wanted to stay at POR but my DD really wanted POP. The theming was fun and we enjoyed the food court. I was impressed with bus service, too. I was pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed POP. We stayed in 60s, which I think contributed to our enjoyment. It wasn't a preferred room, but it was an awesome location (quiet, close to elevator and ice, close to pool and food court). If I had had to do alot of walking to other sections after a day in the park, I might not have enjoyed myself as much. My DH is glad....he's hoping this means cheaper Disney vacations now!


If you go knowing it's a "fun" place to stay, I think you'll enjoy it.

 

[lynn46356]

We've stayed at the BC twice, POR and POFQ. This year we took the plunge and stayed at Pop in February. I like you was very nervous and concerned about staying at a value. Don't get me wrong, I loved the BC but I'd rather go to WDW and stay at value than not go at all. I can't say enough about Pop. In fact, I've booked another vacation there for next February. Is it January yet????? We really don't spend any extra time in our room other than sleeping so why spend the extra $$$. We too are early risers and were at the food court for breakfast each morning before 7:00 a.m. There were no problems with crowds at that time. Being at breakfast early meant we were in line for a bus before 8:00 also. Again, lines were no problem at that time either. We drove down so we had a car for transportation. We never used it once. I'd really think twice about using yours. I couldn't believe how short the bus ride was to all of the parks. We were never on the bus for more than 10 minutes. IMO that's one of the best perks about staying on site but thats just my opinion. The pool was fine for our DS9 also. Nothing special but a 9 year old doesn't request alot other than a pool especially coming from Indiana in the middle of the winter. Hope this helps. I thorougly enjoyed Pop and CAN'T WAIT to go back. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

Lynn

 

[antmaril]

Thanks everyone. You're making me feel much better.

I think it's going to be fine.