We stayed at Pop Century last year. Like anywhere, there are pros and cons. It is a good price for a Disney property and of the value resorts, it is hands down the best one. I wouldn't really even consider one of the other value resorts. I say that not to sound like I'm too good for them, I like a good price as well as anyone else. I just think that even for a Disney value you are paying more than you would offsite, so make it worth it (i.e. use a good code/promo if you can an upgrade to atleast a moderate).
It is conveniently located pretty close to all the parks, MK is farthest, but that is true of most of the properties unless you stay at a MK property (WL, Poly, or GF). The bus system there is nice because it doesn't share the busses with other resorts like some of the other Disney properties. We only waited a little long one time for a bus at AK, but still wasn't that bad. Parking was good, though I'd request a room in the 50's, 60's or 70's, maybe some rooms in the 90's, but there isn't a whole lot of parking close to the 80's or most of the 90's rooms (if you care about that, we did hauling strollers and baby stuff around).
The theming is cute, especially for kids and it seemed like there were alot of activities for kids too (my daughter was too young at the time). The pools are really nice, and for little kids (our daughter was 15 months at the time), the splash pad and kids pool is about the best I've ever seen anywhere. I haven't seen all the disney pools, but I've looked at alot of the pictures and honestly POP's pools really rank high in my opinion (for kids). That said, the downside is that those same pools are REALLY packed with kids and adults because they are so popular.
The food in the food court was pretty good. I don't mind waiting in lines (how can you go to WDW or any park if you do?), but I have to say that the reason we may not go back to POP is because of the food court. In the mornings it was a disaster. There were so many people there trying to get breakfast and get to the parks that it was impossible to have a quick breakfast and get to the parks early. For a solid 2- 2 1/2 hours it was jam packed and difficult to find a place to sit to eat the breakfast when you finally got it. Like this everyday no matter what time we got there. Granted, we were there during
free dining, but I can't imagine what it is like when it's high season since free dining is during value season!
The rooms themselves are fine, but small, definitely smaller than most standard hotel rooms. I assume most people are planning to be in the parks all day, so if that is the plan then who cares about the size of the room. But, if you are planning to spend time at the resort or relaxing in the room, might want to think about that fact, and that there are very few king size beds, only double beds. We got a king in an accessible room because they didn't count our daughter in the # of people in the room, but my parents got two double beds. If you have more than 2 in the room, pretty much guaranteed to get double beds. As far as comfort goes, the beds were fine. Not the most comfortable, but not hard as a rock either. They do the job just fine after a long day in the park.
Overall, I liked POP because my daughter enjoyed it so much. We could have just stayed in the room (she loved the room, but this was her first stay at a hotel) or just at the pool all week and she would have had a blast just doing that. But, I don't think my husband would stay there again (well, I know he won't), and this year we are not staying there.
Hope that helps. Good luck!
Dis
