Pop Century Legendary Years - 03/2007 & Updated 06/2008!

[suzimar57]

yes, they should absolutely make the Legendary Years into an all family-suites value resort!

or half the buildings regular rooms, and half suites

one can only dream....

 

[doconeill]

In the article, they claim POP has much lower capacity than AS. Obviously this has never happened when I was there. It always seems PACKED (ex: food court in the am)!

I'm curious as to what you mean by these statements...capacity does not equate to occupancy.

I don't have actual numbers, but took a quick look at both resorts. The building designs are very much the same, although POP buildings are slightly longer, so they probably have a few extra rooms per building. But POP has only 10 buildings, and the AllStars have 10 each. If they are taking them as a combined unit, they have much more capacity right now. If they are treating them individually, I'd say they probably have on the order of 80 or so rooms less (total guess). But each one does have its own food court and main hall.

 

[sharadoc]

I'm curious as to what you mean by these statements...capacity does not equate to occupancy.

I don't have actual numbers, but took a quick look at both resorts. The building designs are very much the same, although POP buildings are slightly longer, so they probably have a few extra rooms per building. But POP has only 10 buildings, and the AllStars have 10 each. If they are taking them as a combined unit, they have much more capacity right now. If they are treating them individually, I'd say they probably have on the order of 80 or so rooms less (total guess). But each one does have its own food court and main hall.

HI. Pop does have 4 floors where All-Stars have 3, so that makes each Pop building have 1/4 more capacity I believe.

I don't know the exact numbers, but I believe the two Pops when completed would have equaled the 3 All-Stars. Smarter construction, less land space - good idea on Disney's part, but the food courts probably should have been larger with more stations at Pop to distribute folks better.

 

[doconeill]

HI. Pop does have 4 floors where All-Stars have 3, so that makes each Pop building have 1/4 more capacity I believe.

I don't know the exact numbers, but I believe the two Pops when completed would have equaled the 3 All-Stars. Smarter construction, less land space - good idea on Disney's part, but the food courts probably should have been larger with more stations at Pop to distribute folks better.

Ah...thanks. I haven't been to AS since 2003, and didn't remember it was only 3 floors.

That would actually mean POP has 33% more capacity from the additional floor, plus possibly a few more rooms per floor. That could bring both POPs close if not equal to the AS for total capacity.

 

[MamaCoog]

I'm curious as to what you mean by these statements...capacity does not equate to occupancy.

I don't have actual numbers, but took a quick look at both resorts. The building designs are very much the same, although POP buildings are slightly longer, so they probably have a few extra rooms per building. But POP has only 10 buildings, and the AllStars have 10 each. If they are taking them as a combined unit, they have much more capacity right now. If they are treating them individually, I'd say they probably have on the order of 80 or so rooms less (total guess). But each one does have its own food court and main hall.

I'm sorry for using capacity, I really meant occupancy. I was referring to the information in the Jim Hill article regarding retheming Pop:

"Well, to be blunt, in the nearly five years that the Classic Years portion of Disney's Pop Century has been open, this Value Resort has never been able to maintain the same sort of steady high occupancy rate that Disney's All-Stars typically enjoy (Those three Value Resorts regularly experience occupancy rates of 95% and higher. Whereas Pop Century's occupancy rate is typically stuck in the 80s). Which WDW management blames -- in large part -- on Pop Century's unappealing theme.

Baby boomers may think that it's cool to see a huge can of Play-Doh or a giant Big Wheel. But these oversized icons had zero appeal for their parents or their children."

I disagree with the idea that Pop Century's theme is unappealing to most people. I think it is bright, colorful and fun for all ages. And I know that a crowded food court is in no way an accurate representation of occupancy but the resort, buses and food court always seem busy.

 

[mitros]

I'm sorry for using capacity, I really meant occupancy. I was referring to the information in the Jim Hill article regarding retheming Pop:

"Well, to be blunt, in the nearly five years that the Classic Years portion of Disney's Pop Century has been open, this Value Resort has never been able to maintain the same sort of steady high occupancy rate that Disney's All-Stars typically enjoy (Those three Value Resorts regularly experience occupancy rates of 95% and higher. Whereas Pop Century's occupancy rate is typically stuck in the 80s). Which WDW management blames -- in large part -- on Pop Century's unappealing theme.

Baby boomers may think that it's cool to see a huge can of Play-Doh or a giant Big Wheel. But these oversized icons had zero appeal for their parents or their children."

I disagree with the idea that Pop Century's theme is unappealing to most people. I think it is bright, colorful and fun for all ages. And I know that a crowded food court is in no way an accurate representation of occupancy but the resort, buses and food court always seem busy.

DW and I are both baby boomers, and find NOTHING about the huge cans of Play doh or a giant wheel the least bit amusing. Disney most certainly dropped the ball on that resort, IMHO.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Pop Century Classic Years as it stands has a room count of 2880 rooms.

If the Legendary Years side gets built - that could be (depending) up to 2880 rooms again. Less if they persue an 'all suites' thinking.

Each of the other values (All Star Movies, Music & Sports) each have a room count of 1920... Or I should say - did.

With the changes to some "two room" suites at Music, that lowered their overall room count slightly.. but not significantly.

All Stars (Combined) = 5760 rooms (as originally built)
Pop Century (Legendary & Classic Combined) = 5760 rooms (as originally designed)

And that's today's episode of "Fun with Math"

Now, as for the themeing.. I'm not a baby boomer.. but more accurately a Gen-X-er .. and I love all those elements at Pop. I think they were really designed for the Gen-X crowd and their children. But at this stage, my feelings wouldn't be hurt with a re-themeing - if it actually is in the cards.

Knox

 

[m2j]

I have to say that I enjoyed looking at all the large pop culture icons throughout Pop Century! My kids also enjoyed wandering the resort and taking their pictures in front of them. I find the resort to be colorful and cheerful! My family loved Pop Century, especially in comparison to POFQ! I would love to see Disney do something with the LY!!! Although I always wonder how the bus situation would change if the LY would open. I like the current bus situation over at Pop and wouldn't want to share it with the LY.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I agree with CanadianGuy in that I like the theming and DS(11) liked it too...to each his own. I can't see a retheming happening anytime soon.

 

[dreamsensei]

DW and I are both baby boomers, and find NOTHING about the huge cans of Play doh or a giant wheel the least bit amusing. Disney most certainly dropped the ball on that resort, IMHO.

You obviously didn't Boom any Babies if you don't know what a freaking Big Wheel is. Did it occur to you that, just MAYBE, other kinds of culture existed externally to what you witnessed in your life?

You're entitled to your opinion, but a great many of us find the stuff at Pop to be tremendously nostalgic. I grew up playing with Play-Doh, riding a Big Wheel, trying to figure out a Rubik's Cube, etc. In my opinion, the resort is unique and fun...but hey, at least I'm not trying to pass off opinion as fact.

 

[doconeill]

You obviously didn't Boom any Babies if you don't know what a freaking Big Wheel is. Did it occur to you that, just MAYBE, other kinds of culture existed externally to what you witnessed in your life?

You're entitled to your opinion, but a great many of us find the stuff at Pop to be tremendously nostalgic. I grew up playing with Play-Doh, riding a Big Wheel, trying to figure out a Rubik's Cube, etc. In my opinion, the resort is unique and fun...but hey, at least I'm not trying to pass off opinion as fact.

Uhhh...you replied to a post that expressed an opinion, even ended the post with IMHO, and you attacked it like this? Perhaps you should read what you reply to.

 

[dreamsensei]

Uhhh...you replied to a post that expressed an opinion, even ended the post with IMHO, and you attacked it like this? Perhaps you should read what you reply to.

Intent and inflection are two entirely different things. I DID read what I replied to, and here's what I read :

"Pop Century sucks. It is for little kids and being a grownup is seriuz biznez."

Ooops...I forgot, the saving grace of the post:

"IMHO"

Just like people say "I don't mean to be rude..." and then proceed to be rude, slapping on "IMHO" at the end of a pretty blanket statement doesn't necessarily make me believe that someone is expressing an opinion. It comes off far more like someone stating an opinion they believe to be factual in nature.

 

[mom of princessx2]

We just stayed at Pop for the first time a few weeks back and felt it brought back alot of good childhood memories . Love all those shadow boxes(I think that is what they are called) in the lobby.
We are staying at AKL next trip but DD5 says she only wants to go back to Pop. I certainly think it is the resort for kids!!! And I mean that in a good way. Will absolutly stay there again!

 

[karibritt01]

I love the look of the 60s section, and the toy icons around the resort. I also like the movie characters. However, I do not care for the bowling pins, cell phones, computers, etc. I think they should have stuck with the colorful, fun theme. And I also really liked the shadow boxes in the lobby.

 

[MamaCoog]

DW and I are both baby boomers, and find NOTHING about the huge cans of Play doh or a giant wheel the least bit amusing. Disney most certainly dropped the ball on that resort, IMHO.

I think they did a great job on Pop vs the other values. But that is the beauty of WDW resorts, there are plenty of other themes to choose from if you dont like Pop. I personally dont care for the themes of most of the moderates and several of the deluxe resorts. AKL does not appeal to me at all but other people rave over it.

 

[MamaCoog]

Now, as for the themeing.. I'm not a baby boomer.. but more accurately a Gen-X-er .. and I love all those elements at Pop. I think they were really designed for the Gen-X crowd and their children. But at this stage, my feelings wouldn't be hurt with a re-themeing - if it actually is in the cards.

Knox

I dont think its the retheming that really bothers me, its more the idea of changing it from a value to a mod. The whole 'animation inn' theme seems to be identical to ASMovies. It makes no sense to me. Thankfully, Im sure it will be quite some time before (IF) a retheming does take place.

 

[karibritt01]

I did notice several tractor trailers and box trucks with the name of a contractor company, JCQ Services, in the 50"s parking lot. Not sure if they are part of the remodeling crew for Classic Years or what....... They do have a web site and appears they do alot of remodeling at the resorts.

I do realize I am a bit late quoting this comment... but there was all sorts of construction equipment in the 50s lot when we were there back in early Oct. I felt as if they were using it for "storage" as much as anything.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I dont think its the retheming that really bothers me, its more the idea of changing it from a value to a mod. The whole 'animation inn' theme seems to be identical to ASMovies. It makes no sense to me. Thankfully, Im sure it will be quite some time before (IF) a retheming does take place.

Yeah.. the whole 'make it a mod thing' might apply to the Legendary Years side if they go all 'suites'... but seriously, Jim Hilll has been so wrong on so many things in the past 3 - 4 years.. it's almost like someone is feeding him wrong info to make him look bad. Real bad.

I do realize I am a bit late quoting this comment... but there was all sorts of construction equipment in the 50s lot when we were there back in early Oct. I felt as if they were using it for "storage" as much as anything.

They have been coming and going from the various parking lots for months now. And yes, the parking lots there (on Legendary side but up close to 50's) are used for storage for all kinds of vehicles. Frequently.

Until someone sees bulldozers actually bulldozing and and construction staff actually constructing and provides photographs of same .. then it's all just rumor.

Knox

 

[karibritt01]

Until someone sees bulldozers and construction staff.. then it's all just rumor.

There were bulldozers and construction equipment there. But it was all in the back corner and did not appear as if they were planning to use it. It was pretty obvious looking at it that it had been sitting there for awhile.

 

[CanadianGuy]

There were bulldozers and construction equipment there. But it was all in the back corner and did not appear as if they were planning to use it. It was pretty obvious looking at it that it had been sitting there for awhile.

Yeah.. some of the construction equipment used at other projects on Disney property was frequently stored there.

On my last trip, I was positively lathering at the mouth because of that and because of dumpsters which clearly had been filled with stuff gutted from the insides of the partially completed buildings.

But .. no new work yet. Frustrating.