Pop Century - Tell me what you like about it!

[SeaSpray]

I've booked a room in the 60's section, it's a preferred location, supposedly closest to the main building and bus stops. DH is diabetic and we need to be near a restaurant or food court for late night snacks and early breakfast. Can any of you share your experiences of the 60's building?? Anything good or bad I should be aware of??

My DH who swore he'd never stay at a moderate resort again, let alone a value resort, has decided we (just DH and I) should take a long weekend trip to Disney World this fall, so Pop Century resort, here we come!

I am kind of excited about the thought of staying there. When it was being built and then when it was opened, I thought it looked like a fun place. The rooms look adequate for just the two of us. And now I can add my own personal experience of this resort to my vacations web site. Also, we'll be using Disney's Magical Express for the first time, so now I'll have firsthand experience with this too

Ok, all of you Pop Century fans, please tell me how great the resort is, any tips or secrets, and please share your pictures of the resort!

Thanks!

 

[imwithgoofy]

Our first stay at Pop Century and we are hooked! We stayed in the 70's building, it was very nice. The room was large enough for all of us.

The main thing that we like about the Pop Century is the very large food
court. There are five sections to order from, a big variety to choose from and even a dessert area.

We never had a hard time finding a place to sit. We've stayed at the AKL, WL and Contemporary. This is the biggest/best/fastest food court that we've experienced. ...and the rooms are nice decorated.

We'll be back!

 

[bubba73]

I loved staying at the POP. We were there during June and stayed in the 50's section. I can't say a whole lot about the 60's section. I figure it is a lot like the 50's minus the view. If you have a 50's ( in the bowling pin area) hotel with a lake view, you can see the fireworks from Illuminations. They say that you can also see Wishes but I couldn't tell or not. The rooms are small but they do the job. My biggest suggestion is to first understand that the toilets are pretty loud. Second, try to get away from the pool. It will be more quite. Third, Go have fun. And if I ma make a humble request, have some fun for me too.

 

[gobledygook]

I love Pop Century! I've stayed there twice now, in the 50's and 70's. I preferred the 70's cos it seemed the parking was closer. Also, the 70's was right next to the food court and gift shop. Both are really nice. The rooms were very comfortable. I am doing a split stay in October, Pop and Poly (oh man, I wish I was there now!). Their mugs are really cute too

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Pop was our first value resort after staying at Poly, YC, and POR. We wouldn't hesitate to stay here again on a shorter visit to save money. It is a fun resort. We stayed in the 50s building facing hourglass lake. We enjoyed the view of the lake and the creepy unoccupied buildings in the Legendary Years section.

Pop is newer than the All Stars Resorts, it was clean, and we really had no complaints, but only stayed one night as it was an add-on to our stay at another resort.

Tink

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I thought it was very clean and a lot of fun. I loved looking through the Shadow Boxes of memorobilia in the lobby. I loved the music around the resort from the different decades. I loved watching the CMs do the Twist and the Hustle in the food court and even joined in! There were lots of places to explore. We had no problems there at all and will stay again, most likely in the 60's section because we like being where all the action is. If you prefer quiet you could ask for a room away from the pool area. Hope you enjoy it as well.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I've booked a room in the 60's section, it's a preferred location, supposedly closest to the main building and bus stops. DH is diabetic and we need to be near a restaurant or food court for late night snacks and early breakfast. Can any of you share your experiences of the 60's building?? Anything good or bad I should be aware of??

My DH who swore he'd never stay at a moderate resort again, let alone a value resort, has decided we (just DH and I) should take a long weekend trip to Disney World this fall, so Pop Century resort, here we come!

I am kind of excited about the thought of staying there. When it was being built and then when it was opened, I thought it looked like a fun place. The rooms look adequate for just the two of us. And now I can add my own personal experience of this resort to my vacations web site. Also, we'll be using Disney's Magical Express for the first time, so now I'll have firsthand experience with this too

Ok, all of you Pop Century fans, please tell me how great the resort is, any tips or secrets, and please share your pictures of the resort!

Thanks!

Music in the food court! Can you say "Light my fire"?
Cast members who say "have a groovy day"!
Memorabilia in the lobby area!
Fantastic theming for us "older" folks!

 

[laurabelle]

You guys are getting me so pschyed about my 1st Groovy Pop Century stay in Oct! I can't wait! It was just going to be me and the kids, but as of today, hubby's worked it out in his schedule (hopefully that won't change later!) and the whole family is going!

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We stayed at Pop in April, and really enjoyed it. A fun, bright resort. I was suprised how close things were to one another. We were in the 50's section. Bldg 3, on a corner, close to the food court, and choice of 2 pools. We could be any place within a 1 1/2 minute walk.

As others have mentioned- It is newer, so cleaner, and not run down at all. We truely will not stay a a moderate again, unless a fantastic deal. We did not see that much of a difference- really only the pool slide.

Have a great trip.

 

[Magalex]

Loved POP Too. We stayed in April. Our room was in the 50's bldg facing landscape/parking area. Quiet! Like someone else pointed out be careful staying right near the 60's pool. I remember seeing alot people especially at night.

Enjoy your trip
Magalex
POP 4/22-4/30 2005

 

[RussH]

My 4th stay at POP will be this Dec.
I drive to WDW but once I am unpacked I use Disney transportation the rest of my trip. The bus service is fine I think the most I have ever waited was 12-15 minutes.
The food court is where I eat most breakfast meals and have no problem with choices or crowds but I get there at opening. They have gone out of their way to make a Pizza exactly as I like it prepared.
My favorite is having 2 bars Classic concoctions and Petals. CC being inside is very nice if it is a hot or very bright day nice to sit at the bar and wind down.
Petals the pool bar has great bartenders and you are not staring at a window screen like the other values.
You can get away from everyone a little in the late evenings by going to the bridge and just sit a while.
POP is my home resort.

 

[goofydad621]

My wife and I are going in Sept. for a three day weekend. Our first trip alone anywhere in 11 years and can't wait. We are stayoing at the POP and were wondering how we would like it. Last stay was last year at the Poly. If we like it we are going back in Jan. for 9 nights and we will get 2 rooms for us and the kids.

Thanks again Dave Goofydad Dionne

 

[Kevboo]

went last year to pop..loved it...going again this year...we think the 50's building is the best ...60's is too close to the action...very loud ...50's is only a short walk to the food courts,buses...16 days away baby...

 

[pjathome]

I loved pop in July. We were in 60s and it was close to the pool and classic hall. I'd make sure that they know its a medical reason why you chose preferred and they'll make more effort to have you close. It's so much fun at pop you really experience all the magic of disney. Great gift shop and the food was really good. Awesome cheeseburgers.

 

[goofy4tink]

Stayed at Pop the week before last and loved it!! It was just dd, almost 12, and myself. The rooms were on the small side but we had no issue with the size. Not that much smaller than the moderate rooms. We were in bldg 2 of the 50's section, on the third floor, last room on the side at the back of the bldg. We just stepped out of the door, walked 3 ft. around the corner and watched IllumiNations once or twice. It was incredibly quiet. And we only noticed those noisy toilets once or twice the whole time we were there.

The food court area was nice and big. The one time we ate at 8:30 it got a bit crowded at the food ordering areas, but we didn't have any trouble finding a spot to sit. The food was good and we ate there at least once a day, sometimes twice!!! The frozen Coke machine was working for us also.

Loved the theming. My dd and I had a nice quiet walk around the resort one afternoon. It was unexpectedly beautiful. With the lake and the nice subdued landscaping it made for a nice walk. The Generation Gap bridge was nice and there is a quiet sitting area just below the bridge.

We did find that the buses tended to be a bit crowded. There were usually people standing coming and going from the parks if you traveled in the morning and evenings. And the bus stops at the parks tended to be the furthest away, but such is life.

I would also request a room far away from any of the pools! I know that the pools are supposed to close at midnight but we saw many people in the bowling pin pool way past midnight. At least they were somewhat quiet. During the daytime hours it was really rowdy out there!!!

All in all, we loved Pop way more than we thought we would. It was just a last minute, quickie trip due to great airfare and we got Pop cheaply with our AP. But, lo and behold, it is one of our favorites now!! Have fun and enjoy...I'm still singing.."come on baby light my fire, try to set the night on fiyahhh!!"

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks everyone!

I love the pictures I've found online. I am actually very surprised to see how nice the lake looks, and the bridge and sitting areas. It looks like they made some definite improvements when they designed Pop Century, as compared to the All Stars. Not knocking the All Stars, just making observations!

 

[Pooh93]

We stayed there 6/17/04-6/25/04. Here was my report from that time:


Back from Pop Century and here is my review. Warning: Long Post

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We had a great time at Pop Century! Stayed in room 1133 of the 50’s section towards the parking lot. All CM’s from check-in to luggage assistance to housekeeping to cashiers were extremely pleasant and helpful. Here are the highlights:

Check in went extremely smooth. A+

Luggage assistance brought our luggage to our room about a half hour after we checked in and they kept our groceries refrigerated A+.

Housekeeping who hung dd’s old Pooh in the curtains and made towel figures for the window and sink area. A+

Lifeguards who had smiley beach balls and let all the kids use them in the pool. A+

Cast Members doing the “Hustle and Twist” in the Food Court A+

Luggage Assistance CM’s having a Rubik’s Cube contest and entertaining our dd’s. A+
(I did ask the girl if there was a Tyler that worked in luggage assistance, but she kind of looked at me like I might be a mass murderer, so I never pushed it, although I kept looking for a Tyler name tag) I met another girl in luggage assistance that is from Granite City, Illinois which is not far from me and that was neat.

Loved the Music playing in the food court and on the way to the bus stops. A+

Magic Moment: I was in charge of our 4 hopper passes for the week so NO ONE would lose them. Now having said that let me share my best magic moment at Pop Century. I went to buy our E-Night Tickets at Guest Services for 6/25 on the evening of 6/24. I pulled out my hopper passes to show CM Brian and guess what? I am missing ONE! You can imagine the panic that set in. I was trying to remain calm and dignified, but was between crying and screaming on the inside. Brian says I don’t want your trip to be ruined so I am going to authorize you a two-day pass for Friday and Saturday. Then I did about cry! Although I told him let me go check back at the room. I ran (literally) back to the room and started tearing things apart. Well, lo and behold my youngest dd (6) goes to her fanny pack and starts digging around. My dh taps me on the shoulder and points to her digging around. Guess what she pulls out? Her hopper pass!!!!! (I never did ask her how/when she got it) The phone rings and its Brian saying he’s got my pass ready and I was able to happily tell him that we’d found ours. So I am here to tell you the MAGIC LIVES at Pop Century!! A+++++++++++++ to Brian. (Tyler, if you read this and can pass this story onto management there, please do)

The noise levels did not bother me, dh or youngest dd. However, youngest dd (almost9) was ready to give the people next door that were moving in or out one afternoon a piece of her mind, because they woke her from a nap!!! I told her no way was she opening that door! I will agree the rooms probably could have been better insulated for sound. B

Food Court – I did feel they could have more entrée choices. DD’s ate a lot of hot dogs, chicken strips. Dh and I were tired of the hamburger and pizza scene. I did purchase salads a couple of times. Best breakfast bargain is a box of donuts for $1.99. Even the cashier agreed the price might be cheaper than Sam’s. B-

However, we took a lot of cereal boxes and did a grocery stop for lunch meat. So that helped a lot.

If you are still with me I would rate Pop Century an A -overall. We would probably stay there again if the price was right! Although there are other resorts I would like to try.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks Pooh, excellent review!

 

[Bit Bucket]

I have a question about refillable mugs at Pop Century.
Is the hot chocolate available like in ASM?

 

[jiminyfan]

for our choices for Value, if Pop is available we are there. Great food court with a wide selection of good foods for adults especially. Bus transportation was fair compared to All-Stars, but it is soooo close to MGM & Epcot. All three pools are of good size, LARGE TV, bigger than the one in our Boardwalk room a few years ago. We love the place.

Desk Guest services look up BARB M, she is the best. I have stayed at Y&B, AKL on down to the values and no one can match her performance at Lobby Concierge, she called us on our anniversary, my son on his b-day, reminded us of the 72 hour cancel period for a special dinner series at Jiko (which got us inthe meal). she is wonderful.