Pop Century Room Renovations

[happymommy]

Me too! For same reasons. I take 40 wire hangers, they take no space in an outside luggage pocket. Hubby and I hang all our clothes, we use the hanging clothes drawers/bin for the kids and use the dresser (after I wipe it down with Lysol wipes) for swimsuits, undies, pjs and socks. I've learned years ago how to survive at Pop with only 3 drawers!

I wipe down the drawers as well!

The hangars they provide from housekeeping are much more bulky than wire ones, and since I hang almost everything, I couldn't fit as much using just their wooden ones. Wire ones don't take any luggage space.

 

[bluezy]

I'm curious about storage too. It seems every time they renovate rooms, storage space goes. The dedicated dressers had way more room. Then some genius decided to incorporate the fridge into dresser and there goes storage. There was nothing wrong with the seperate cabinet with fridge inside and coffee service on top.
While I was never a fan of the open clothes rack in the bathroom, at least it had that large shelf above for more storage. From the pics I've seen now it's a tiny closet. Wish there were more pics of this. With just my daughter and I we take up all the storage space in the rooms!

Yes, it does seem like every time they renovate a room they take away storage space! It's like they assume that everyone using the rooms is staying there for 2-3 days and won't be unpacking much clothing. Yet the room holds at least 4 adults and I would guess that a large percentage of guests stay for 5+ days. The lack of drawer space is what stops me from staying in a standard room at a Deluxe resort. There's no way 4 or 5 of us will be able to stay in those rooms with all of our "stuff". I guess I would need to bring at least 50 wire hangers and at least 1 hanging sweater storage unit and hang everything in the closet. And I'm still not sure there would be enough dresser drawers for our shorts, socks, undies, etc. if there were 5 of us <sigh> And even with all the storage at AoA, the "closet" in the master bedroom is awkward because the safe is behind it. So if you have stuff hanging there, you have to move it out of the way to get to the safe -- which is ok if you only have a few things hanging there, but otherwise it's a challenge. Plus the iron and ironing board take up some space in that area. There is more "closet" space in a standard value room then there is in the suites.

Where have you seen pics of the "closet" in the mock-up refurbished rooms? I've seen various pictures of the proposed rooms but I don't think any of them showed that specific area. I'm surprised they would cut down that space....what else would they put there????

 

[danielocha30]

I'm another that isn't excited about a gondola. Why not just increase bus freq during peak times. Crammed in cheek to jowl in a gondola isn't much different than bus during peak times.

We'll see each other's at the empty bus stop when everyone else is rushing and doing their first line of the day at the gondolas

 

[sunshine girl]

I agree the Pop rooms needed a sprucing up, I just wish we had more info at this point about what's happening! COME ON DISNEY JUST SHOW US SOME PLANS OR PICTURES ALREADY!!

I'm fine with the gondola idea. The roads on Disney property are jammed with traffic already, I'm glad they're thinking of alternate solutions to transportation. I've traveled via gondola in Europe and it's been a pleasant and fun experience. I hope Disney does a good job with this...

Also, so interesting to hear everyone's in-room storage strategies! I live out of my suitcase and don't really unpack... clothes are organized by outfit, and I use packing cubes for daily items like socks, etc. so it's all organized. I only bring wrinkle-free clothes. I use hangers for jackets or re-wearables, and put dirty clothes in bags in a drawer (so I can just dump the bags into the washing machine at home). At the end of the week, the suitcase it mostly empty and I pile in all the bags for washing. Easy!

 

[FinnsMom7]

I still have a month until I can even make my ADRs and aside from maybe Ohana breakfast nothing will be hard to get so that next planning stage is "uneventful" making the mystery of the POP room my main Disney focus right now. I had to take a standard room for the FD booking so I was thinking to ask for 90's (since you can cut thru parking for buses) or 60's for lake view (if lucky to score one) and based on majority of families not liking the new layout I hope that helps me and the DH score a reno room easier.

 

[meaganmg]

I still have a month until I can even make my ADRs and aside from maybe Ohana breakfast nothing will be hard to get so that next planning stage is "uneventful" making the mystery of the POP room my main Disney focus right now. I had to take a standard room for the FD booking so I was thinking to ask for 90's (since you can cut thru parking for buses) or 60's for lake view (if lucky to score one) and based on majority of families not liking the new layout I hope that helps me and the DH score a reno room easier.

We are in the same boat. Excited/anxious for more details to come out!

 

[Sue M]

Yes, it does seem like every time they renovate a room they take away storage space! It's like they assume that everyone using the rooms is staying there for 2-3 days and won't be unpacking much clothing. Yet the room holds at least 4 adults and I would guess that a large percentage of guests stay for 5+ days. The lack of drawer space is what stops me from staying in a standard room at a Deluxe resort. There's no way 4 or 5 of us will be able to stay in those rooms with all of our "stuff". I guess I would need to bring at least 50 wire hangers and at least 1 hanging sweater storage unit and hang everything in the closet. And I'm still not sure there would be enough dresser drawers for our shorts, socks, undies, etc. if there were 5 of us <sigh> And even with all the storage at AoA, the "closet" in the master bedroom is awkward because the safe is behind it. So if you have stuff hanging there, you have to move it out of the way to get to the safe -- which is ok if you only have a few things hanging there, but otherwise it's a challenge. Plus the iron and ironing board take up some space in that area. There is more "closet" space in a standard value room then there is in the suites.

Where have you seen pics of the "closet" in the mock-up refurbished rooms? I've seen various pictures of the proposed rooms but I don't think any of them showed that specific area. I'm surprised they would cut down that space....what else would they put there????

It was in one of the mock up pics. It wasn't a great photo but it looked like a small closet instead of the open rack.
I don't know how families of 4+ find room for storage. Even at GF, myself and 2 daughters in 20's took up all the storage. Asked for extra hangers, and shelf in closet was helpful. I couldn't imagine 3 of us in a Pop room. It will just be me in Nov trip. I'm traveling with a friend and we have our own rooms.

 

[bluezy]

It was in one of the mock up pics. It wasn't a great photo but it looked like a small closet instead of the open rack.
I don't know how families of 4+ find room for storage. Even at GF, myself and 2 daughters in 20's took up all the storage. Asked for extra hangers, and shelf in closet was helpful. I couldn't imagine 3 of us in a Pop room. It will just be me in Nov trip. I'm traveling with a friend and we have our own rooms.

Hmmm...I haven't seen any pictures of the vanity/bathroom area of the refurb mock-ups yet. I guess I'll have to keep searching -- I've only seen pictures that show the queen bed, the innova/table bed, and the beverage center. And I always thought it was a little odd that there were never pictures of the dresser/tv area and the vanity area. Unless they're putting a double sink in the vanity area, I'm not sure why they would make a significant change to the "closet" area (but I know it's futile to try and figure out what Disney is thinking. )

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I fee like I've had my head under a rock - can someone direct to me info re this "potential gondola"?

I know others have mentioned and linked up some info. If you're bored one day lol here is also the link to the thread:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/skyway-on-steroids-gondolas-confirmed.3578988/

Up to you if you want to read it or not just putting the thread out there. As far as the confirmed part not going into that part of the discussion just giving you the information should you want it.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

From what I saw, as I went by, there was only one sink. It's in the same spot.

 

[tinkerbell615]

I am so glad that I just took the time to read through this entire thread. My family has reservations for POP at the end of July, beginning of August. I received an e-mail two weeks ago that states their will be refurbishment projects across the resort during our stay, but it doesn't say specifically the rooms. I figured things were just being spruced up, rooms, landscaping, etc... Little did I know that the entire room was going to be different. I had no idea that the beds were changing. While I think my family will be fine with it, I think it would have been nice for them to mention room changes. I do realize, that we may end up in an old style room, but it would still be nice to know. I am planning on requesting the 80's section on my online check in, and hoping for connecting/adjoining rooms. We have stayed in that section a couple of other times, and have been able to go through the parking lot to get to the buses, and food court pretty quickly. Do you think there is a possibility that the 80's section might be done by the end of July? I am actually excited to see the changes.

 

[MImommy]

Well in your favor, it hasn't been discussed too long and mostly in RUMOR forums. And the sources that claim it has been "confirmed" and is "official" ......... are using their journalistic craft to presume. DISNEY has not confirmed or made official, and Reedy Creek IS Disney and I don't think they have either. The sources are all looking at permits for structures and not official wording or info that it's a gondola. Gotta love they know someone who shared everything but they aren't willing to show proof. Yes I am holding up hope they are something else from a visual and financial perspective, so I'll wait to be totally disappointed until there is something written from Disney .............

This will ruin views in Epcot, Boardwalk, Caribbean Beach Resort, the roads and boost POP/AoA/CBR rates. All for a few folks and some publicity.

I hope it is a rumor and is completely wrong. It sounds awful to me!

 

[lovethemagic]

At Pop now and was just able to walk around the construction. They are working on both Building 8 and at least part of Building 9. Building 9 appeared to still be in the demo and painting/construction phase. Building 8 is much further along. They have the sidewalk right in front of the building blocked off, but you can catch some glimpses from the walkway near the pool. One section no longer has the paper covering the windows. Hard to see much standing in direct sunlight looking into a fairly dark room, but I had two clear observations. It's still one sink but it's a vessel style (where the bowl sits on top of the countertop). There was also a make-up mirror! One of those that attaches to the wall that you often see in hotels. Hard to tell from the distance how high the sink was but possibly a challenge for little kids without a stool. On the bright side, I see my make-up and eyebrows looking much better on my next trip!

 

[lovethemagic]

At Pop now and was just able to walk around the construction. They are working on both Building 8 and at least part of Building 9. Building 9 appeared to still be in the demo and painting/construction phase. Building 8 is much further along. They have the sidewalk right in front of the building blocked off, but you can catch some glimpses from the walkway near the pool. One section no longer has the paper covering the windows. Hard to see much standing in direct sunlight looking into a fairly dark room, but I had two clear observations. It's still one sink but it's a vessel style (where the bowl sits on top of the countertop). There was also a make-up mirror! One of those that attaches to the wall that you often see in hotels. Hard to tell from the distance how high the sink was but possibly a challenge for little kids without a stool. On the bright side, I see my make-up and eyebrows looking much better on my next trip!

Forgot to add that you could see from the backside hem of the curtains that they are orange!

 

[mikegood2]

PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!

Just kidding (sorta). Seriously though, thanks for the update, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks for the update @lovethemagic !

 

[danielocha30]

ugh!!! I just talked with someone at reservations and they completely denied any rooms refurbishment
The lady told me they where ONLY changing the landscape. I know cast members over the phone are famous for giving out inaccurate info, I wanted to put in my reservation a request for a new refurbished room, my trip will be the last week of August I still have plenty of time and I know the rooms might not be ready but it won't hurt.

 

[happymommy]

A Makeup Mirror? OMG finally! I have travel ones I have to bring (at 50 I can't do eyeliner or mascara at ALL without one). That gets my vote!

I won't likely be back to Disney for a while, but it's fun to keep up with this!

I do hope they keep rooms for folks who can't share a bed with a roll in shower though! That is make or break for us. We need this but need room for more than 2 people or at least can't share a bed!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Thanks for the update. Keep them coming. It really isn't hard to walk by and see something. That's all I did. I saw the sink and the curtains. When I was there it was hard to tell if that was orange or red on them. The plastic still covered the windows. Now that you mention it, that's true the sink may be high for children. My DH and I were told by a manager, they are trying for as much livable space as possible.

 

[lovethemagic]

Success! I just strolled by again on my way back to my room. Curtains still partially open and lights on in the rooms. Without the bright sunshine I could see pretty much everything you can see through the window from a distance of about 10 feet back.

Rooms 8101 - 8112 are nearly complete and very true to the pictures posted earlier on this thread and elsewhere. A few highlights:
- Main room is white with some orange accents around sliding door to sink area.
- Sink area is a soft/light blue. Much lighter than the blue accent wall in unrenovated rooms and I wouldn't really call it teal.
- As mentioned before, sink is vessel style and there appear to be a lot of cubbies in the sink area in addition to the wall mounted makeup mirror. Couldn't get a good angle to see where closet would be or toilet/shower area.
- Beverage center is located where table and chairs are currently. Hutch style with some shelves above and glass door refrigerator in cubby below.
- Next to beverage center (where tv and dresser are currently) is a wall mounted tv. I could be wrong but it looked slightly larger and different than current model.
- Under tv is a low dresser. Three drawers on the right that looked similar in size or slightly smaller than current drawers. Two cabinet style doors are to the left of the three drawers.
- No mattresses yet, but there is a queen size platform. It's higher than current beds and sits on four feet rather than being a solid base, creating storage underneath.
- Murphy bed/tables have been installed and all were in table position with two chairs.
- At least one night stand between the two beds. Couldn't see clearly if there was a second one on the far side of the queen bed by wall.
- Artwork over queen bed is the Mickey heads shown in test photos.

Just realized I didn't really look at the floor so I think that's everything. As I mentioned, couldn't see the toilet/shower area, but from what was visible, it appeared these rooms only really needed mattresses to be ready to rent. I think we're getting close!