Pop Century Stay: The Good and Bad

[Fibbersfan]

Just came home from Pop Century. I was very excited about staying here for a couple of nights. The property has both good and bad points. This is a nice "value" Disney property. I found the outside theming of the hotel to be quite charming. The rooms were also nicely decorated with a Disney feel. The food court was adequate, but of course can get quite busy. The buses operated in a timely manner and we rarely had much of a wait! Overall, we had a nice stay at this hotel.

There were some negatives. Housekeeping was very poor. We checked in very late at night and it was obvious the bedding had not been changed from the previous occupant. There were cracker crumbs in the bed and some dirt stains at the foot of the bed's sheets. A certain type of hair (I think you can figure it out) was in the tub and on the floor of the bathroom. At this point it was 1am and we needed to crash, so I didn't complain. The next day housekeeping again cleaned our room. Same hair in the bathroom and the bed had been made again with the same bedding (from the previous occupants). Might have been the work of just one housekeeper and may not represent the housekeeping as a whole.

Baggage was also a problem. I called at 1am and they stated that they were sending our bags right to the room (because the bags had not been delivered earlier in the day while we were at the park as Magic Express is suppossed to do). We waited an hour and the bags never came. I walked to the baggage area where two baggage guys were goofing off! They were not aware that the bags were suppossed to be coming to our room. I took them myself and made the short trek to my room.

Basically you are getting a "value" resort ....just as Disney calls it. The setting is very nice, but I would not say it is "magical". Young children will enjoy the theming of the buildings/pools. For $82 at a Disney property....it is a good value (even with the problems).

Because the hotel is cheaper....you will see more cigarette smoking on the grounds(at and not at designated locations) and you will see a bit more drinking. It will be a little louder and packed than a moderate level Disney property.

If you are looking for value...you will find it hear. But with value comes some shortcomings!

 

[EMcCool419]

Preach on for I truly agree!!!

Moderate's all the way!!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

Ewww, the whole hair thing would have grossed me out! And the sheets too! Did you actually sleep on them? I woulhave thrown them on the ground, so that housekeeping would take the hint and change them.

FYI: There have been reports that the CMs are instructed to do nothing with regards to smoking outside of the designated areas unless someone complains. So I'm betting this is not a value resort problem, but an every resort problem. I'm not sure why Disney has so many policies and rules, but enforces so few of them.

 

[canron]

i find disney service has gone downhill over the last few years,,,alot of problems with staffing,,not very happy so the service drops off, but thats just what i feel,,,its what iv seen i go 3 to 4 times a yearand i really notice the drop off

 

[MaryD73]

Because the hotel is cheaper....you will see more cigarette smoking on the grounds(at and not at designated locations) and you will see a bit more drinking.

I have to ask. Why does cheaper = more smoking and drinking?

 

[EMcCool419]

I have to ask. Why does cheaper = more smoking and drinking?

Well I would figure that to be self-explanitory!

 

[MaryD73]

Well I would figure that to be self-explanitory!

Ok, I DID have one Captains Mai Tai during my stay at Pop. No smoking but still 'wild and crazy'.

 

[ceroarty]

I just returned from Pop on Sunday and I get to go back on Friday. Yeah. As for the smoking not once were we instructed about certain areas for smokers. It also is no where to be found in the rooms itself. I for one don't smoke but after reading these boards I thought there may be some mention some where while we stayed but there wasn't. My mom who smoke
didn't smoke in the room but did by the pool. There was even an ashtray at the table. I was very surprised by this but really my mom wasn't the only one. I really don't think they are advertising this no smoking rule. Maybe they haven't gotten taround to that resort yet.

Can;t wait to go back in 3 day

 

[caracap]

Just came home from Pop Century. I was very excited about staying here for a couple of nights. The property has both good and bad points. This is a nice "value" Disney property. I found the outside theming of the hotel to be quite charming. The rooms were also nicely decorated with a Disney feel. The food court was adequate, but of course can get quite busy. The buses operated in a timely manner and we rarely had much of a wait! Overall, we had a nice stay at this hotel.

There were some negatives. Housekeeping was very poor. We checked in very late at night and it was obvious the bedding had not been changed from the previous occupant. There were cracker crumbs in the bed and some dirt stains at the foot of the bed's sheets. A certain type of hair (I think you can figure it out) was in the tub and on the floor of the bathroom. At this point it was 1am and we needed to crash, so I didn't complain. The next day housekeeping again cleaned our room. Same hair in the bathroom and the bed had been made again with the same bedding (from the previous occupants). Might have been the work of just one housekeeper and may not represent the housekeeping as a whole.

Baggage was also a problem. I called at 1am and they stated that they were sending our bags right to the room (because the bags had not been delivered earlier in the day while we were at the park as Magic Express is suppossed to do). We waited an hour and the bags never came. I walked to the baggage area where two baggage guys were goofing off! They were not aware that the bags were suppossed to be coming to our room. I took them myself and made the short trek to my room.

Basically you are getting a "value" resort ....just as Disney calls it. The setting is very nice, but I would not say it is "magical". Young children will enjoy the theming of the buildings/pools. For $82 at a Disney property....it is a good value (even with the problems).

Because the hotel is cheaper....you will see more cigarette smoking on the grounds(at and not at designated locations) and you will see a bit more drinking. It will be a little louder and packed than a moderate level Disney property.

If you are looking for value...you will find it hear. But with value comes some shortcomings!

You slept in the sheets that had not been changed???????? Please tell me they came & changed them for you??

I am starting to dread my trip to POP...

 

[darlak]

Well, let me start by owning up to all my shortcomings. I'm pretty much a value gal all the way these days, since staying at a value allows me to go twice a year rather than once. However, I have stayed at both moderate and deluxe resorts and can't argue that they most certainly DO have more amenities. I smoke, (with the usual disclaimer of only in designated smoking areas), and I drink.

HOWEVER….

There is NO WAY I would have slept on those sheets, even if it meant I would have had to stay awake until after dawn!

 

[lauraf]

I just got back from Pop yesterday, and people were smoking everywhere. There was a lot of drinking but I saw that even in the parks and restaurants. People did not even stick to smoking in designated areas in the parks. I saw only one person who told someone they had to smoke in designated areas. When someone walked by me and my 6mo old granddaughter I told them there were designated smoking areas. Smoking triggers migraines for me and I get respiratory issues, which all started by the 4th day of my stay. I stayed at Pop last year in aug. and did not see it nearly as bad as this year, but there where more people from other countries than americans, so maybe they didn't understand the rules and when I checked in it was not mentioned. I did have great housekeeping though and I believe these problems are at all the hotels so I will stay at pop again.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

OK-sounds like I'm gonna have to be on my toes when we go to POP in a few weeks. I'll be checking that bed the minute we get in a room because I can't stand used bed sheets or "surprises" left in the bed!! I'm hoping that since free dining will be over maybe things will have calmed down a bit.

Mickey here we come.....................

 

[diseverestfan]

I have been to both the All Stars and Pop, and I can tell you that for whatever reason, smoking seemed to be much more prevalent at Pop. It is a great resort in it's own right, but I honestly felt that with the kiddos, All Star Movies seemed to have a better atmosphere for our family.

 

[mickaholic4077]

I found the OP offensive when he/she equated cheaper with more cigarrette smoking and drinking.

 

[ncbyrne]

We were just at POP for a week, Aug 22-28. I totally agree that it is a "value" resort and as everyone knows, you get what you pay for! That being said, only once did I see a woman smoking outside of the designated areas (on the walkway). We were stuck way back in the 50's building, and I never saw anyone smoking at the pool in that section. And I have never seen accessive drinking anywhere....at any WDW resort.
We actually had GREAT mousekeeping at POP. (Unlike the atrocious cleaning we got at ASMu). The room was very clean every day AND, we had animal towels. (BTW....my DD called the front desk to ask if we could take one of the animals and they said YES!) Lax cleaning personnel can be found anywhere, WDW or otherwise. It doesn't have anything to do with the resort per se, but the people doing the job, it begins with the manager and trickles on down.
I still don't care for the scaled down value resorts in general. We much prefer moderates, but when $ vacation $ is an issue, we do what we have to do.

 

[spiceycat]

okay same problem different resort.

disney does not change the room lock until YOU check in. So the last guest can definitely go back to the room AFTER the maid has cleaned it.

that say - hopefully most people won't. when they get back to their room on check out day and find it has been cleaned up for the next guest. hopefully they would leave.

some guests thought think it is their RIGHT to mess it up until Disney comes and kicks them out - or they go to their flight.

everyone knows when check out time is - but the maids can and do clean the rooms (even with luggage still there) before 11 am.

also since disney is not locking these guests out - they can get back in the room after the maid has cleaned it.

everytime a maid cleans a room, disney should lock out the last guest. the only exception is if the maid cleans the room before 11 am and their luggage is in the room. then it is a different matter.

so alot of your problems might not be the maids - but guests who take advantage.

I also would have demanded clean sheets!!!

that say there is a maid in the 90 and 80's section who seems to have some problems.
if you got her - well sorry!!!

 

[Tomader]

We just came back from SSR. I also noticed our room was not that clean. There were cobwebs on both ceiling fans. The tub was dirty. The floor in the bathroom had hair on it. Not from us since we had just arrived. As far as the sheets on the bed go we always bring our own along with pillowcases. My girls also bring their own blankets. I really see that the housekeeping has gone down. As far as a value verses a moderate or deluxe I do see a big difference in the behavior that goes on. Our visit to SSR has changed my mind on staying at the Pop. We were given a free upgrade and let me say you could tell the people who were given it. My girls and I would watch at the pool and would guess who were the upgrades. I have never been thrilled with the values but since I like to go every year this is one way I can. Next year I decided to save a little more and stay at the Animal Kingdom.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, let’s see – exhausted or not, I would NOT have stayed in that room. I’d have gone back to the Front Desk and gotten a new room.
Luggage Assistance closes at 10 PM at the Value Resorts which is probably why, unless you spoke to that department directly, the CMs were not aware you were expecting your bags delivered. Yes, it’s staffed, but they’re not generally leaving the area after ‘closing’.

Because the hotel is cheaper....you will see more cigarette smoking on the grounds(at and not at designated locations) and you will see a bit more drinking.

I think that remark is a bit um, judgmental? Only relatively “poor” people smoke wherever they want? And drink in public? Okay…

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I found the OP offensive when he/she equated cheaper with more cigarrette smoking and drinking.

From the American Heart Association
Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those who had earned a GED diploma (39.6 percent) and among those with 9-11 years of education (34.0 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (8.0 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (29.1 percent).

Pretty obvious that the less educated you are .... the more likely you are to smoke.

And generally, the less educated one is the less money one makes.

 

[mickaholic4077]

We just came back from SSR. I also noticed our room was not that clean. There were cobwebs on both ceiling fans. The tub was dirty. The floor in the bathroom had hair on it. Not from us since we had just arrived. As far as the sheets on the bed go we always bring our own along with pillowcases. My girls also bring their own blankets. I really see that the housekeeping has gone down. As far as a value verses a moderate or deluxe I do see a big difference in the behavior that goes on. Our visit to SSR has changed my mind on staying at the Pop. We were given a free upgrade and let me say you could tell the people who were given it. My girls and I would watch at the pool and would guess who were the upgrades. I have never been thrilled with the values but since I like to go every year this is one way I can. Next year I decided to save a little more and stay at the Animal Kingdom.

I don't know,maybe I'm on an offended kick,but I found this post offensive too(the behavior references).