Pop Century -- Things I learned

[kristenhh]

Pop Century: January 4 - 13, 2008

Things I learned:

1. It was worth paying for a preferred room. We were in the 60's building with Mowgli and Bagheera facing the main pool. It was very close to the food court and bus stop and looking at some of the other buildings, they seemed really far away. After walking all day, I appreciated not having a super long walk to my room.

2. The food court was very handy! They had a lot of variety, and even some mornings when the lines were long, it moved pretty fast. It was also a good place for a late night snack. It was also cool that they had a microwave we could use, and hot water on tap. We used these to make our own instant oatmeal, and the microwave to heat up our syrup.

3. The quickest bus ride from here is Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The longest was Magic Kingdom.

4. There were only 2 of us in the room, and we had plenty of room. It would be tighter with 4 people, but not undoable. (Is that a word?)

5. The pool was a nice temperature, even in the winter, and was big enough, that even with a lot of kids in there, it wasn’t too crowded.

6. Their gift shop was quite large and had a good variety of items.

7. We never had to wait too long for buses — it was nice! Almost every bus was very crowded, though.

8. Our reservation was a grand gathering, and they did put our rooms very close together.

I would be happy to answer any questions, if I know the answer!

 

[dreamin in pa]

We are going in November as a Grand Gathering. When you said your rooms were close together, just how close were they? Were they all in a row or were they in the same section of Pop? Just want some idea of what could happen.

Thanks.

 

[kristenhh]

2 of the rooms were right next door--they even had a connecting door, but they didn't use it. The other 2 rooms would have been on the same floor, about 4-6 rooms down and adjacent to each other, but my husband and I wanted a little distance, so they gave us a room on the opposite side, one floor up. Otherwise, they did a good job of keeping them together.

 

[PeggyPup]

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at Pop, we loved it there! The atmosphere was absolutely magical, and the late night snacks(and coca cola slushies!) were one of my favorite parts! I'm inclined to agree about the preferred room thing...we'll definitely be doing it next time!

Again, glad your stay at Pop was magical!!

 

[gottalluvmickey]

Can you use resort mug refills for the frozen cokes?

 

[episode]

Can you use resort mug refills for the frozen cokes?

Yup.

 

[JennyRMouse]

Thanks for sharing the great review!

 

[iluvdizknee]

We love POP. Going back for 2 weeks in July. This time we did pay for the preferred room. Glad to here it is something worth doing.

 

[alaskanmommy]

I have never stayed at POP but we are going next year after Turkey Day, before our cruise! Got any tips for POP virgins??

 

[KNovacovschi]

I have only been to WDW once but I must say that I loved Pop Century. My family and I are going again in April 2009 and will definitely be staying at Pop again. My daughter loved it there. She enjoyed the different pools, her favorite though was the bowling pin, and all the different statues around. We stayed in the '50's era building 1 on the 1st floor so we were close to everything. The refillable mugs were great. POP CENTURY rules!!!!!!!

 

[angwill]

Could someone please post the grand gathering phone number.

Thank you,
Angela

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Thanks for the review,

 

[kristenhh]

Could someone please post the grand gathering phone number.

Thank you,
Angela

Here it is:

407-939-7526

 

[Tissa]

I always have ideas of staying somewhere else but we always end up back at the POP. Always had a good stay and I'm too cheap to spend the $$$ on a mod or Deluxe. I have paid extra the first time to stay in preferred but the last 3 times I've gotten standard in the 50's and it was just as close.
We can't wait to go back in June.

 

[angwill]

Thanks for the GG number.

Angela

 

[BeckWhy]

A lot of people like paying extra for the preferred rooms. (I am not trying to be argumentative, I am just stating how I feel.) I personally don't find it neccesary for me. I totally understand the thought of being closer. My first time at POP we had 60's on the Play-Doh side and we were on the 4th floor all the way towards the lake. It was a really far walk, not to mention, you either had to climb the stairs or wait for the elevator. And not all preferred rooms are facing the pool. All of the 60's is preferred.

This last trip we stayed in the 50's. We were in Tramp and on the second floor facing the lake. This was a very nice location. Even after a long day, it wasn't murder to climb the stairs and it wasn't that much farther from the lobby as the 60's.

As I always comment, I don't really know how far a walk is from the 80's or 90's (which are the farthest away) from the food court but I do know they are closer to the bus stops, which makes a shorter walk back to the room if you go straight there from the bus.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

To the OP:

We were there Jan 5-15th and had the same type of room - we were ground floor at the very tip of the pool (5169) closest to the food court and LOVED our location.
Where were you guys? Did you walk by a room that had a build a bear cat in a disneyland t-shirt hanging from the curtains in the window? That was us!

I agree with everything you said!

 

[kristenhh]

To the OP:

We were there Jan 5-15th and had the same type of room - we were ground floor at the very tip of the pool (5169) closest to the food court and LOVED our location.
Where were you guys? Did you walk by a room that had a build a bear cat in a disneyland t-shirt hanging from the curtains in the window? That was us!

I agree with everything you said!

We were in 5366 -- 2 floors above you guys! I did notice your window, we did nothing creative. I hope you had a great time like we did. I have been home 1 week now and I feel a little sad.

 

[jngwright]

Hi
Trying POP this spring, never stayed at a Value before, but I read such good things about it!
Are the refillable mugs specific to POP, or are they the YOAMD mugs? The last time we got mugs was our Disneymoon in 2000 at WL and they said WL.
TIA

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

They wer YOAMD mugs. I saw people using old mugs from other resorts, using their 'own' travel mugs,etc... and no one seemed to care or notice. We bought the YOAMD mugs and used them a LOT.