Pop Century Room Renovations

[scrappinginontario]

That's a great layout at CS @HopperFan! After speaking with the construction managers, do you think we can even dream that Pop will be like this? Such a great setup!!

 

[mikegood2]

I spoke to one of the construction managers when I was there and specifically asked him if there would be some rooms with the traditional two bed setup it is now and some rooms with the bed/murphy set up and he said ... the plans that he has say all rooms will move to the murphy bed / queen except for the HA rooms. I hear you about the groups but I imagine that is part of the plan .. keep out groups while raising the price. Force them into AllStars or pay for moderates ... which I think we'll see more offsite. The Flamingo Crossing resorts were built to encourage sports teams to move over there. I could see an expansion in that area.

As far as "table top surfaces" I don't think that is our issue. Our issue is a place to sit and use the surface. I can't sit at a dresser or a drawer, beverage center, and not even comfortably hunkered on the bed to work on my computer. I would have rather them put in an extended desk like they are doing at Coronado so I had a space to sit at while DS was in murphy bed asleep. The setup is similar minus the "table top" connecting the dresser and beverage center. Could have been a real problem solver with just a few feet of counter. [See below]

It is what it is and some trips it may work (short and busy) and some trips it won't (long and need to do work). I do know that I'm getting way more for my money offsite these days (next trip is brand new beautiful Hyatt suite style room for less than value plus breakfast).

HopperFan, you have a very valid point. I agree that what the rooms appear to be is far from ideal, especially for anyone who actually need to to work on a laptop. As far as things like breakfast, again its far from ideal, but usable at least.

Thanks for the photos from the Coronado, I agree, something like that woulda worked nicely, but sadly, they just don't have the room. That said, based on lovethemagic's description of the dresser, I coulda imagine some type of compromise being made. Maybe 2/3 of the width of the dresser could be drawers and 1/3 could have been narrow or foldable shelves? That 1/3 could then be used like a desk and/or storage for suitcases or the rooms chairs?

Also, while I appreciate that you posted those photos, I have to admit, I got real excited for a split second and though you were posting room photos

 

[HopperFan]

That's a great layout at CS @HopperFan! After speaking with the construction managers, do you think we can even dream that Pop will be like this? Such a great setup!!

They didn't say anything about the setup like this. I asked him if the murphy table would be our only option, would there be any other table/space to use while bed was down and he said not in his plans ........... but anything can change. Given they were 2/3rds into the first building, I imagine what he has is what it is.

Before this Coronado had a big desk, no table, with a desk chair and then two cool ottomans. I think it's the convention/business guest they have in mind so they have merely enhanced what they offered.

HopperFan, you have a very valid point. I agree that what the rooms appear to be is far from ideal, especially for anyone who actually need to to work on a laptop. As far as things like breakfast, again its far from ideal, but usable at least.

Thanks for the photos from the Coronado, I agree, something like that woulda worked nicely, but sadly, they just don't have the room. That said, based on lovethemagic's description of the dresser, I coulda imagine some type of compromise being made. Maybe 2/3 of the width of the dresser could be drawers and 1/3 could have been narrow or foldable shelves? That 1/3 could then be used like a desk and/or storage for suitcases or the rooms chairs?

Also, while I appreciate that you posted those photos, I have to admit, I got real excited for a split second and though you were posting room photos

SO SORRY to excite. But they actually do have room. They have space between the "dresser" and the beverage center that photos show is where they placed a chair from the table. So they can still have chair there, under a counter. The other chair can sit by window at night.

Oh well, the easiest for me is pack a table.

 

[DisneyDreamers3]

@HopperFan, I LOVE the pic of CS! Do you know if the renovated rooms are standard rooms? I'm considering a one night stay there in July and it would be awesome to score one of those rooms! TIA!

 

[HopperFan]

@HopperFan, I LOVE the pic of CS! Do you know if the renovated rooms are standard rooms? I'm considering a one night stay there in July and it would be awesome to score one of those rooms! TIA!

YES! They actually started in standard Ranchos (my favorite area and the farthest from the "construction" that is coming and one building is done/open.) The next they are working on is in Cabanas, they just started. I would put in as your ONLY request a renovated room.

 

[DisneyDreamers3]

YES! They actually started in standard Ranchos (my favorite area and the farthest from the "construction" that is coming and one building is done/open. The next they are working on is in Cabanas, they just started. I would put in as your ONLY request a renovated room.

Wow, that is awesome!!! Thanks so much for your insights

 

[HopperFan]

Wow, that is awesome!!! Thanks so much for your insights

LOVE Coronado, probably my favorite, enjoy!!

 

[Sue M]

So Pop now has a separate conditioner?? It is dumb how happy that makes me if that is true. I always have to pack my own toiletries because I need conditioner. I ended up buying a $16.95 H20 lotion the last time I was at Pop (forgot the lotion).

I'm pretty happy about it too! I didn't like the all in one and had to pack my own stuff. Now at least I know I don't have to pack this.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

They didn't say anything about the setup like this. I asked him if the murphy table would be our only option, would there be any other table/space to use while bed was down and he said not in his plans ........... but anything can change. Given they were 2/3rds into the first building, I imagine what he has is what it is.

Before this Coronado had a big desk, no table, with a desk chair and then two cool ottomans. I think it's the convention/business guest they have in mind so they have merely enhanced what they offered.



SO SORRY to excite. But they actually do have room. They have space between the "dresser" and the beverage center that photos show is where they placed a chair from the table. So they can still have chair there, under a counter. The other chair can sit by window at night.

Oh well, the easiest for me is pack a table.

Since they are 2/3 through with the first building, would you say it is time to go ahead and put in a request for the 90's section for July? Since there is only one building in the 90's section, then I should get a renovated room if I can get in that section, correct?

Also torn between whether I should request top floor and 90's or just 90's. I really like being on the top floor, but would also love a renovated room. Decisions, decisions . . .

 

[dansdad]

Since they are 2/3 through with the first building, would you say it is time to go ahead and put in a request for the 90's section for July? Since there is only one building in the 90's section, then I should get a renovated room if I can get in that section, correct?

Also torn between whether I should request top floor and 90's or just 90's. I really like being on the top floor, but would also love a renovated room. Decisions, decisions . . .

I would word your request as "renovated room" and "upper floor". That lets the room assignors know your 1st priority is a refurbished room but would also like one on an upper floor if possible.

 

[woody5]

If we check in June 15, do you think we should request 90's building? Usually I ask for top floor facing the lake as I like a quiet location.

 

[scrappinginontario]

If we check in June 15, do you think we should request 90's building? Usually I ask for top floor facing the lake as I like a quiet location.

It's worth a try. We don't know when rooms will be available but hopefully by the time you get there they will be available.

 

[MonaMN]

I am so excited about this refurb. The double bed issue has always been a dealbreaker for us - I just need more space for sleeping, especially for a longer trip. But we are planning a short trip to WDW prior to a DCL cruise, and I think this new configuration will work splendidly for the three of us - DD will love the murphy bed (she loved the one in our CBR room) and DH and I can sleep better in a queen.

I've been wanting to try that tie-dye cheesecake for years... hoping I get a chance to do that in March!

 

[JK World]

I am also excited about the reno and hoping for a new room (in October, so I feel odds are decent). It's just my 2 yr old son and I. He regularly sneaks into my queen bed at home, so we'll probably just share the queen and keep the Murphy bed up all the time. It will feel so roomy!

If we like it as much as I think we will, we'll do Pop again in 2018 when my parents join us and aim for adjoining rooms!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I would word your request as "renovated room" and "upper floor". That lets the room assignors know your 1st priority is a refurbished room but would also like one on an upper floor if possible.

So is that done by phone? What requests for online check-in? Just 90's?

 

[dansdad]

So is that done by phone?

Yup. Call the Main Reservation line and add any requests to your reservation. This can be done anytime from the day you book up until 4-5 days out.

What requests for online check-in? Just 90's?

I would skip the request section during Online Check In. It may backfire if you choose 90's and they are not done, you may end up with a non refurbished room.

 

[lovethemagic]

Had the chance to walk by the construction one last time tonight on way back from MK and I have two new observations. Room 8103 is a King. In King room there is no Murphy bed. Instead, the beverage center is next to the King bed. On opposite wall where the beverage center would normally be, there is a stand-alone square table. Looked slightly larger than table in unrenovated rooms, but still only two chairs. Also noted this time that the floors are in fact some kind of faux wood with no carpeting.

They've also now closed the section of Building 9 that directly faces the pool. Previously only the two wings that face the parking lot were closed for construction. There are still guests in the wing of Building 9 further down on the pool side where rooms face the courtyard. I also noticed that this pool was nearly empty every time I passed, with chairs and umbrellas plentiful.

Although Building 7 is currently a good choice if you like to check out the construction, and be near an uncrowded pool, you might want to avoid it if you don't want to be near construction. Some of the cut through paths from Building 7 to parking lot and busses are also blocked which could slightly increase walks. I think some of the construction could also be seen and heard from certain sections of Building 10 so also one to potentially avoid if your goal is to be away from the construction.

 

[jcarwash]

New Tom Bricker article (some reporting, more commentary) on the renovations:
http://www.disneytouristblog.com/pop-century-room-refurbishment/

 

[karly05]

@lovethemagic thanks for the reports! Encouraging to hear they've closed another wing of the next bldg - this may start moving faster!

 

[LieutLaww]

From what i was told by my Travel company room renovations are expected to be completed by May 2018, they said this info came directly from Disney.