Pop Century Room Renovations

[jessiegirl1982]

The issue (at least for me -- can't speak for others) is that there's not enough drawers/clothing storage. There's plenty of space in the bathroom cubbies for toiletries and other odds and ends but I really don't want my clothing stacked in a cubby and falling on the floor every time I (or more likely the kids) try to get something out. I wish they would have put six drawers in the dresser and put the safe in one of the bathroom cubbies. I don't do laundry on vacation, so unless we're only staying 2-3 days, I'd never be able to pack in a backpack. We're there in June and usually go through 2 shirts a day and one pair of shorts a day so we're looking at having at least 15 shirts and 8-10 pair of shorts per person...not to mention underwear, socks, bras, pajamas, swimming suits, cover-ups, 2 or 3 pair of shoes per person, etc. times 4 people in the room. Plus we drive to Disney (2 days each way) so we have even more clothing. But it's all good. We'll just stay at AoA until all of the kids are off on their own and it's just my husband and I traveling to Disney.

Wow, I own like 3 pairs of shorts haha. Laundry mid trip is super easy. I bring my own Gain Pods, and do 2 loads simultaneously (lights and darks) while we are swimming. The machines are huge so everything will fit. The hubby helps with the folding. Only takes a few minutes really. They even have a website (maybe even an app?!) that tells you if machines are open/your load is ready.

 

[mickey1968]

For those that haven't tried packing cubes, I highly recommend them. Not just as a solution in the room, but they make packing so much easier and actually keep your luggage much more organized and allow you to fit more stuff. Also, after reading the Joy of Tidying Up book earlier this year I have become a fan of rolling my tshirts, shorts, undies and pjs. Also takes up much less room and eliminates the digging through a stack to find what you want. You can even roll a shirt and shorts together to make it easy to grab in the morning.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe. I wonder how many there will be? Supply and demand, they could have fewer and charge more. OR they could just make it a non-guaranteed request, forcing guests to other resorts if it's a must have.

But what other resorts offer showers-only in non-accessible rooms? As for charging a premium, I can't see that either.

 

[DisneyMom93]

Okay, then, choose a different resort Odds are no drastic changes are going to be made to the current design of furnishings. Or like I suggested above, roll your clothes. Or buy (yeah, I know) luggage that doubles as a bureau - HSN.com, search for Joy Mangano Luggage. Or visit before the renovations are done.

Personally, if Pop is the cheapest resort I'll make the room work. I go to Disney for the parks, not the hotel rooms.

 

[fla4fun]

But what other resorts offer showers-only in non-accessible rooms? As for charging a premium, I can't see that either.

The new Copper Creek studios split their listings between tub and shower rooms. There isn't a difference in price, but it is a different booking category.

I'm kind of hoping Pop goes the same way. As a party that never has children in the group, the adults would much prefer a walk in shower to taking a shower in a tub.

 

[ShyMiss]

Personally, if Pop is the cheapest resort I'll make the room work. I go to Disney for the parks, not the hotel rooms.

Actually, I think Allstars are usually cheaper right?

 

[DisneyMom93]

Wow, I own like 3 pairs of shorts haha. Laundry mid trip is super easy. I bring my own Gain Pods, and do 2 loads simultaneously (lights and darks) while we are swimming. The machines are huge so everything will fit. The hubby helps with the folding. Only takes a few minutes really. They even have a website (maybe even an app?!) that tells you if machines are open/your load is ready.

We did laundry once. We stayed for over three weeks so we kind of had to.
I'm pretty much against doing laundry and cooking on vacation. To me vacation means no chores.

 

[danielocha30]

Maybe. I wonder how many there will be? Supply and demand, they could have fewer and charge more. OR they could just make it a non-guaranteed request, forcing guests to other resorts if it's a must have.[/QUOTE]
Disney disclaim state they will try to fulfill your request but not guaranteed so the policy will stay the same

 

[danielocha30]

Actually, I think Allstars are usually cheaper right?

and they are next on the refurbishment schedule!

 

[DisneyMom93]

For those that haven't tried packing cubes, I highly recommend them. Not just as a solution in the room, but they make packing so much easier and actually keep your luggage much more organized and allow you to fit more stuff. Also, after reading the Joy of Tidying Up book earlier this year I have become a fan of rolling my tshirts, shorts, undies and pjs. Also takes up much less room and eliminates the digging through a stack to find what you want. You can even roll a shirt and shorts together to make it easy to grab in the morning.

I looked at them online but I felt they would prevent getting clothes into all the nooks and crannies of a suitcase.
I'll look into them again.
I don't mind the extra expense to make the room work because you can use them more than once.

 

[married2mm]

Ive just posted on the csr thread stating I was trying to decide between pop and csr for our trip next Apr/may.

Pros and cons:

Obviously, budgetary wise we'd be better off at pop.
I don't like the idea of being amongst construction.
Rooms are larger at csr.
Dh would be able to swim & gym at csr.
Rooms look fab at pop.

Please help us decide....

I'm thinking maube Ive posted on the incorrect pop thread-however I'm sure you guys are still able to assist an undecided Brit.. Please...

 

[DisneyMom93]

Have stayed at POP around 12 nights with just DS and I, so I know we can survive it. But I would guess that the number of folks who decide to stay in a Value for 16 nights is very low. The room is likely not designed with your group in mind.

Very true. I do realize that.
I just think a 6 drawer dresser would have been useful to everyone.
I can't believe they couldn't find another spot for the safe. Oh well.

 

[DisneyMom93]

Actually, I think Allstars are usually cheaper right?

True! I guess I meant cheapest and doesn't share a bus. Lol.

 

[HopperFan]

But what other resorts offer showers-only in non-accessible rooms? As for charging a premium, I can't see that either.

That is my point, guests who must have a tub and can't be guaranteed it at POP, can go to other resorts where tubs are the norm. I imagine over time this will change but for now a guest can get the tub based on resort choice.

The new Copper Creek studios split their listings between tub and shower rooms. There isn't a difference in price, but it is a different booking category.

I'm kind of hoping Pop goes the same way. As a party that never has children in the group, the adults would much prefer a walk in shower to taking a shower in a tub.

This may be a nod to how they will go.

Actually, I think Allstars are usually cheaper right?

Yes. We have stayed mostly at POP (@25 stays) but last few years the price difference between it and Allstars has been substantial enough that I have stayed at Sports just as often. If I stay at a Value, it is because I'm not going to be hanging around there. Rooms until now are the same, amenities the same and the buses are not a problem for us since they rarely share, if they do I am on first.

Very true. I do realize that.
I just think a 6 drawer dresser would have been useful to everyone.
I can't believe they couldn't find another spot for the safe. Oh well.

They didn't have 6 dresser drawers in there before, they were only three. I'm sure they found guests wanted more storage options than drawer options. I think all the cubbies are great, even the little shelves by the beverage center are great. We normal bring food stuffs and I pile them on top of the dresser, so the shelves are a plus. That closet is plenty big for the few things we hang. We bring mostly shorts and tshirts, those can be folded and piled in a cubby.

I have stayed at a few brand new hotels lately and they all had the safes inside just like this. I imagine it's the way to go these days, you rarely see a safe in the wall anymore unless it's old. Way easier on maintenance if it needs replacing.

 

[DaisyJ]

For those that haven't tried packing cubes, I highly recommend them. Not just as a solution in the room, but they make packing so much easier and actually keep your luggage much more organized and allow you to fit more stuff. Also, after reading the Joy of Tidying Up book earlier this year I have become a fan of rolling my tshirts, shorts, undies and pjs. Also takes up much less room and eliminates the digging through a stack to find what you want. You can even roll a shirt and shorts together to make it easy to grab in the morning.

I own and use packing cubes. My point was if I have to buy special items in order for this resort to work for me, that's a deal breaker. YMMV.

 

[avic77]

Since our trip is in September there should be quite a few of both Refurbished rooms and old rooms. Between now and then I have to decide which to request. So i guess will just continue to stalk every update and photo i can find

 

[kaytieeldr]

I looked at them online but I felt they would prevent getting clothes into all the nooks and crannies of a suitcase.
I'll look into them again.
I don't mind the extra expense to make the room work because you can use them more than once.

Ah, but you can stuff other things in the books and crannies - sanals, socks, toiletries...

 

[bluezy]

Wow, I own like 3 pairs of shorts haha. Laundry mid trip is super easy. I bring my own Gain Pods, and do 2 loads simultaneously (lights and darks) while we are swimming. The machines are huge so everything will fit. The hubby helps with the folding. Only takes a few minutes really. They even have a website (maybe even an app?!) that tells you if machines are open/your load is ready.

Oh, I *used* to do laundry mid-way through our stay but I didn't enjoy it. With 5 kids, we didn't always have the space in the van to be able to pack enough clothes for 10 days for 7 people. I *hated* doing laundry during our stay. I did not enjoy lugging our laundry to a different building. I could sometimes fit everything in one washer but usually needed to use 2 or 3 dryers for each washer load. We don't spend a lot of time in the pool, so if there were no washers immediately available I'd have to wait for the washer to finish up while DH & the kids would go off and do something else...and then I'd wait for dryers...it usually ended up being a 2-3+ hour project for me. Now that the kids are older (teens and adults) and we don't all travel in one car, we have space to pack more clothes. If the washer and dryer were in our room (or even possibly in our building), I'd probably do a few loads of laundry during the week. But it doesn't really feel like vacation to me if I'm still doing laundry or cooking. And my husband is pretty adamant that he wants me to feel like I'm on vacation and not just "working" in a different location. So I don't do laundry while we're at Disney (or anywhere else we go on vacation).

 

[karly05]

Whoa, that must be a huge tv! I knew it looked bigger than the old one but didn't think about it being that big!

On the tub/shower thing: I'm anxious to see how this is going to affect booking categories. If you make me choose, I only need a shower, but I'm fine either way. Building request is more important to me. I don't want not to get in the 70s because I booked shower not tub, or vice versa.

To me, the next big question now is when will the next building open, so we'll get a better idea of how often new rooms will be coming online.

 

[mikegood2]

For those that haven't tried packing cubes, I highly recommend them. Not just as a solution in the room, but they make packing so much easier and actually keep your luggage much more organized and allow you to fit more stuff. Also, after reading the Joy of Tidying Up book earlier this year I have become a fan of rolling my tshirts, shorts, undies and pjs. Also takes up much less room and eliminates the digging through a stack to find what you want. You can even roll a shirt and shorts together to make it easy to grab in the morning.

I agree and do the same thing. I'll actually be rolling my shirts tomorrow for our WDW vacation that begins Tuesday. In a medium cube I can fit one or two shorts, 6 shirts (rolled) on top and a few pairs of socks/undies on the side. A length of a medium cube perfectly fits the width of a carry on. 2 also stack nicely on top of each other.