Pop Century Room Renovations

[CounselorX]

I never enjoyed or understood playing dead. I was telling a colleague of mine about my upcoming solo trip and he said, "I'll bet you can't wait to relax without the kids." I said, "Relax? No way! I am kid-free for five days! I want adventure! I'll be going going going at the World. Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride. Nobody gonna slow me down. That's my kind of vacation."

That's one reason I chose Pop. It is such a great resort for an active, solo adult trip.

I agree. That's why we haven't stayed anywhere else but Pop. We love how full of life it is.

 

[bluezy]

Approximately two years.

Right. That's why I'm going to enjoy my visit next summer when I know I won't have to worry about it. Chances are that by the time I go again after that visit, it will affect me in some way. I'm not confident at all that they will continue to run buses once the gondola is up and running. And if they do, I suspect it will be some very spaced out schedule -- like once an hour -- and we'll have to plan around that. My husband was in an accident that resulted in him falling over 40 feet onto rocks (he was *very* lucky to survive though not without injuries that will follow him for the rest of his life). He won't ride the gondola. I didn't need a 40 ft. free fall to make me not want to ride it.

 

[bluezy]

My husband and I are 50, and secretly waiting for our first trip without the kids! Most of my family think we're crazy, so it's good to talk with others who know how I feel!

We're the same way. We've told our youngest daughter that when we drop her off for college, we're coming back home, reloading the car, and heading to Disney World....WITH NO KIDS!!!!!

 

[karly05]

What are the chances of getting a non refurbed room the last week of November?

I'm still guessing pretty good. No way to know for sure just yet, but I seriously doubt they've even touched the 50s by then. My current Probably Wrong Totally Made-Up Theoretical Completion Schedule would have them working on the 60s at that point - and I repeat, I'm probably wrong! I can't see them being any farther than that, though.

Loved looking at the WDWNT pictures - and I had to laugh: When I saw the first two pictures (old room) my immediate reaction was, gee, that's a lot of beige and brown. Seeing pics of the old room without the blue accent wall kind of gives you a wake-up call. And the new ones do look nicer/newer/more modern. I would still vote to put a bit of art on the barn door, but eh, now I'm just nitpicking. I really want a new room in February! Now watch me get an old one.

Chiming in on the adult WDW vacation conversation - any time I go on vacation, I want to DO something! If I'm going to take off work just to relax/lay around, I'd much rather do that at home, with my computer and tablet and tv and kitchen and my own bed... I'm another Big Kid who loves the whole atmosphere of WDW, rides, shows, characters, food. This gets said a lot, but it really is my Happy Place.

 

[bluezy]

I'm not afraid of heights but I am afraid of getting stuck on a cable up that high.

This! I'm always worrying about this. The Disney gondola won't be nearly as high as the one in the video -- I've heard rumors that it shouldn't be more than about 40 feet off the ground (still a little high for me). If I knew 100% that the gondola wouldn't stop or break down while I was on it, I could probably tolerate it. My eyes would be closed the entire time and I'd be hanging on for dear life, but I could probably do it. My true fear is having to evacuate from that height. I think about it on roller coasters as well. I think my fear comes from when I *did* get stuck on a typical amusement park Sky Ride as a kid. There was a thunderstorm and they were getting everyone off the ride as quickly as possible. But the ride stopped when we were still a good ways away from the station. For whatever reason, there hadn't been anyone in the 2 "cars" in front of us so the ride operators thought everyone was off. My cousin and I (we were 12 & 15 at the time) were screaming our heads off (hard to hear when it's thundering and raining). Fortunately, our parents noticed we were still on the ride and told the employees who then restarted the ride and got us off.

I like some features of the new rooms but I worry about noise when there is no carpet and the closet area is so tiny. I'm looking forward to lots of reviews.

I don't know if you noticed, but the closet hanging rod actually extends out the side of the closet. It's a telescoping pole so most of the pictures don't show it extended. It's still not the size that the closet used to be, but there is a little more hanging space than just the area inside the closet.

 

[MinnieMSue]

This! I'm always worrying about this. The Disney gondola won't be nearly as high as the one in the video -- I've heard rumors that it shouldn't be more than about 40 feet off the ground (still a little high for me). If I knew 100% that the gondola wouldn't stop or break down while I was on it, I could probably tolerate it. My eyes would be closed the entire time and I'd be hanging on for dear life, but I could probably do it. My true fear is having to evacuate from that height. I think about it on roller coasters as well. I think my fear comes from when I *did* get stuck on a typical amusement park Sky Ride as a kid. There was a thunderstorm and they were getting everyone off the ride as quickly as possible. But the ride stopped when we were still a good ways away from the station. For whatever reason, there hadn't been anyone in the 2 "cars" in front of us so the ride operators thought everyone was off. My cousin and I (we were 12 & 15 at the time) were screaming our heads off (hard to hear when it's thundering and raining). Fortunately, our parents noticed we were still on the ride and told the employees who then restarted the ride and got us off.

OMG that is terrifying! I ride that type of thing all the time but being forgotten up there in a thunderstorm?!? No way!

I wonder how wind affects the modern gondolas they will be building at Disney? The typical cable cars at our amusement park close with wind. I would assume these would be better able to handle it.

 

[bluezy]

The Gondolas are going to take years to build (it took them months to finish a single building for the refurb). To the people who are up in arms regarding this project, you will have years to get used to it. The buses will be here for a while!

Not trying to derail this thread, but I thought I'd mention that someone is reporting on another message board that construction for the gondola system has started. They've cleared trees in the parking lot area between the Little Mermaid rooms and the 50's section of Pop Century. Parking lot is now roped off and filled with construction equipment.

 

[JakAHearts]

I just returned from a stay at POP and LOVE the new rooms. The fold away bed is perfect for allowing the kiddos a table to play and eat while being super comfy at the same time. The TV is perfect and the bathroom/shower is spectacular. The only "issue" is that one isnt able to give their children an actual bath. The rain shower is nice but my little ones (6 and 3) arent too fond of showers so getting them under the rain head was a bit of a challenge. Overall though, we really enjoyed them over the old "brown" rooms!

 

[Kaytie]

My SIL is booked in Sept and is trying to add 2 days to her reservation (and quite willing to pay rack rate) and there is zero availability.

Try Orbits, Travelocity, etc. No guarantees but they generally get blocks of rooms to sell.

Wal-Mart has the same ones for $3.88 set of 2. I just bought some yesterday to throw in our suitcases for next year. We just got back from pop a couple of weeks ago. The renovations look so exciting! Normally I take a shoe bag to hang up but I will just take some collapsible bins instead. Both big and half size. I like to stay organized even while on vacation.

Awesome, thanks! Wal-Mart website is so slow for me that I rarely even think to check it.

What are the chances of getting a non refurbed room the last week of November?

About 50/50.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I just returned from a stay at POP and LOVE the new rooms. The fold away bed is perfect for allowing the kiddos a table to play and eat while being super comfy at the same time. The TV is perfect and the bathroom/shower is spectacular. The only "issue" is that one isnt able to give their children an actual bath. The rain shower is nice but my little ones (6 and 3) arent too fond of showers so getting them under the rain head was a bit of a challenge. Overall though, we really enjoyed them over the old "brown" rooms!

So glad you enjoyed your new room!!

Just curious as to why you could not give your children a bath. Were you in a room with only a shower and not a bathtub? If so, do you have any pictures of your bathroom? Thanks!

 

[mayshamp]

There are several very reliable sources/insiders on another message board who have said the gondola is happening - they said it even before permits were filed. I'll be shocked if it doesn't happen. I'm guessing you haven't seen the high tech gondolas used as mass transit in European and Asian countries. That is the style of gondola Disney will be getting. It's not like the old Sky Ride at MK. Also, it's not unusual for Disney to actually begin the early stages of a project before officially announcing it. I wouldn't assume something's not happening just because Disney hasn't made an official announcement. They like to wait for special events like the D23 Expo coming up in July where they'll make several announcements.

Personally, I have no desire to ride a gondola but I also have no desire to drive our car from our resort to DHS & EP so I'm not sure what we're going to do when this system is in place. I may just need to take a lot of my anti-anxiety meds on our DHS & EP days. Or we wont be staying at AoA anymore.

I understand that the Disney gondola rumor has many reliable sources. But still, Disney will be paying SO much to move SO few people SO slowly! And they are going to give Pop Century gondola access??? The stupidity is mind-blowing! I must say, I adore technology and would love to see a gondola system at Disney anywhere. I wouldn't go on it, though. I estimate that it will take an hour to go from Pop Century or AofA to Epcot. In a plastic bubble in the hot Florida sun that if it stops for any reason, you are stuck inside. You can't pay me to do that.

I stand by what I said: I don't believe Disney would do such a thing. But I'm looking forward to being wrong, though.

 

[mayshamp]

Construction projects for the gondola have already begun. It is happening.

Don't expect buses to continue running routes serviced by the gondola.

You have a point: there will be no bus with the gondola going to Epcot/DHS. Hm. I did not think of that. Thanks for mentioning it. I am also finding myself more and more believing in this gondola theory. I guess I will just have to take a taxi. No way am I taking the gondola to Epcot. I've ridden the gondola many times in the past as a kid. I couldn't breathe in the thing.

 

[TeamEvansGo]

You have a point: there will be no bus with the gondola going to Epcot/DHS. Hm. I did not think of that. Thanks for mentioning it. I am also finding myself more and more believing in this gondola theory. I guess I will just have to take a taxi. No way am I taking the gondola to Epcot. I've ridden the gondola many times in the past as a kid. I couldn't breathe in the thing.

And that's why there is no way Disney would take bus service away and make people take the gondolas as the only form of transportation to DHS and Epcot. Why would Disney set themselves up for complaints from angry park guests who can't take the gondolas due to phobias or other personal reasons?

They will most likely reduce the number of buses making those trips, but they will have to provide some other form of transportation.

 

[peter11435]

And that's why there is no way Disney would take bus service away and make people take the gondolas as the only form of transportation to DHS and Epcot. Why would Disney set themselves up for complaints from angry park guests who can't take the gondolas due to phobias or other personal reasons?

They will most likely reduce the number of buses making those trips, but they will have to provide some other form of transportation.

There are people with phobias of heights that won't ride the monorail, there are people with phobias of water that won't ride boats. There are still still resorts that have destinations with no option but those. If you won't ride the monorail you have no transportation from GF to Epcot.

If you can't or won't take the gondolas you'll have to drive or take a bus to another destination and transfer to a bus to your desired destination there.

Why would disney spend millions on a new transformation system if it's operating cost were going to be in addition to those that already exist.

Reducing the number of buses could only be done if you vastly increased the time between buses. Guests would not be happy if they had to wait over an hour for a bus.

The primary goals of this project is to reduce traffic on the Buena Vista Drive corridor, reduce transportation operating costs, and add a desirable amenity for a new resort project.

 

[TeamEvansGo]

...

Huh?

 

[danielocha30]

You have a point: there will be no bus with the gondola going to Epcot/DHS. Hm. I did not think of that. Thanks for mentioning it. I am also finding myself more and more believing in this gondola theory. I guess I will just have to take a taxi. No way am I taking the gondola to Epcot. I've ridden the gondola many times in the past as a kid. I couldn't breathe in the thing.

with all the thunderstorms at Disney, there will be busses, gondolas won't be working 100% of the time, especially in the beginning.
Can anyone tell me if I'm wrong, but the gondolas won't be traveling to all parks, isn't only for EPCOT and HS?

 

[peter11435]

with all the thunderstorms at Disney, there will be busses, gondolas won't be working 100% of the time, especially in the beginning.
Can anyone tell me if I'm wrong, but the gondolas won't be traveling to all parks, isn't only for EPCOT and HS?

Epcot and studios from four resorts. Buses will still be available for use if the gondolas are not operational. Just like buses are used for mk resorts when monorails go down.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Port Orleans has the slow boats to Disney Springs and also runs buses unless they've changed it.

 

[FinnsMom7]

In case people aren't aware there is a thread for the gondola discussion

https://www.disboards.com/threads/skyway-on-steroids-gondolas-confirmed.3578988/

 

[JakAHearts]

So glad you enjoyed your new room!!

Just curious as to why you could not give your children a bath. Were you in a room with only a shower and not a bathtub? If so, do you have any pictures of your bathroom? Thanks!

Our room had only a rain shower. Ill see if I can dig up a picture.

Here ya go!

Pop

• JakAHearts
• Jun 15, 2017

New bathroom at Pop Century.