POP Century ~ Unofficially the Grooviest FAQ Thread #6 ~April 2012

[Dixiemom]

Anyone use the hairdryers provided? I was reading on the first page I believe, that they aren't the best. Since I am trying to pack as efficiently as possible (pretty small trunk) if I can get away without taking one I'd be glad. Anyone have any problems with the provided ones?

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

They're ok for short/thin hair. If you want to dry long/thick hair you will want to bring our own.

 

[TinkerbellsMom0923]

Hi, everyone! I am just impatiently awaiting our next POP trip this September and I thought of a great CM memory that happened there a few years ago. I figured we are all here to discuss (and hopefully brag on) POP and I am missing WDW a lot today so I thought I would share

DH and I have been going to WDW at least once a year since we honeymooned there in 2003. We always buy one pin every year and we try to have it "symbolize" that trip somehow (for instance, we got a 'Christmas 2005' pin the first time we went in the month of December). In 2007, we didn't think we could afford to go to WDW but a very kind man from our church owns a timeshare at Bonnet Creek and offered us a week for free as long as we could go on three week's notice. We basically ate PB & J the next three weeks to save the money to go. We took our food to the parks and agreed we would buy no souvenirs so that we could stay on budget. A trip at WDW with no frills is still a trip to WDW, right? Anyway, on our 2008 5th Anniversary trip (and last trip before becoming parents, though we didn't know it at the time), DH commented on how he really wished that we would have bought some kind of pin since we had one for all our other trips. I suggested that he try and pin trade with someone. After a few days of unsuccessfully finding someone to trade with, we were eating in the food court at POP and he asked a CM if he could possibly trade with her and he told her why. She didn't have anything that said 2007 or really seemed to represent that trip but she asked what our names were and what room we were in. We didn't think anything more of it. A few days passed and when we returned to the room, we had a phone message telling us to please come pick up our gift in the Everything Pop Store. DH told them we hadn't bought anything but they insisted we did. When we went to pick it up, it was a 2007 pin with Mickey's head on it. The CM had left us a nice note saying that she "Hoped this would complete our collection and add to the many more to come!" We were so appreciative of her kindness to go above and beyond to make our little pin collection complete!

Thanks for letting me share our pixie dust! We can't wait to be back at POP in 3.5 months!

Aww nice story. My son works at Disney in security and he loves it. It seems that all the CM's really enjoy thier jobs and go out of the way to make trips great. I have been to Disney 20 + times and have never had a bad experience with a CM although I have heard storie from others.

 

[Janet B]

These pics are much better than the one on the news site that I googled after you all mentioned it the day it happened! Thanks for taking the time to upload them!

Haha De8212 Reporting from Disney World

Thanks. I was really bored waiting for a bus so I had time. Even took a video.

Video too? Wow, you are good!! Any interviews?

 

[Janet B]

A few days passed and when we returned to the room, we had a phone message telling us to please come pick up our gift in the Everything Pop Store. DH told them we hadn't bought anything but they insisted we did. When we went to pick it up, it was a 2007 pin with Mickey's head on it. The CM had left us a nice note saying that she "Hoped this would complete our collection and add to the many more to come!" We were so appreciative of her kindness to go above and beyond to make our little pin collection complete!

Thanks for letting me share our pixie dust! We can't wait to be back at POP in 3.5 months!

A nice story - thanks for sharing! We have always found CMs at POP and at Disney in general to be friendly, kind and helpful. My DD and I have caught the bug of pin trading and we have had some pixie dust ourselves in this area (more than once) and here is one story: A few years back we were trying to find a hidden mickey pin to complete a set. The CM at the World of Disney store was doing her best to help us locate the pin, and she offered to continue looking even after our trip. She was going to be attending a cast member pin trading event, and asked for our address. About 2 months later my DD rec'd a package in the mail, with the hidden mickey pin we needed, as well as another with a card and note. My DD was so happy and I was amazed and appreciative that this CM took the time and did this for my DD. CMs are the best!

 

[Janet B]

Would it be best to make requests upon online check-in then? Because you can check-in online 10 days prior to arrival, right? Any chance of the request being honored at that point? I don't know how that works, or even if there is a field to enter requests at online check in.

Whatever your preference is ...if you have additional requests outside of those listed below you may want to add them to your room reservation now and either try the on-line check in system at the 10 mark, and if it won't allow you to complete the check in process, wait and do so at the resort.

The online checkin info:

-Request 70's
-Request lakeview
-Request 80's
-Request ground floor
-Request 60's
-Request 90's
-Request 50's
-Near Transportation

-Pack n Play

Remember whether you choose on-line or resort check in ....if you are unhappy with your room assignment you can always ask to be changed and a CM (at the regular check in line OR the on-line check in line) will be there to assist you.

 

[RalphinSC]

Just found out a potential reason why the online checkin hasn't seemed to work -- there's another thread on this board asking about online checkin, and someone said it didn't work if you had already made room requests with your reservation. I had -- asked for something close to the Classic hall (but not changing from standard) because I was traveling alone. Don't know why it wouldn't change my credit card, but the room selection problem makes sense. Does that sound like a possibility for anyone else who's had problems with the online checkin?

We didn't make any request with the initial check-in so I'm not sure why it didn't work for us. I'm glad we were able to get it sorted though.

Is it better to call in room requests rather than do online check-in?? We will be getting to the resort super early in the morning (prolly around 10 am) and I'm fairly sure they won't have our room ready, so I don't think online check-in will help us much. Whadda yall think?

We are getting in at around 6am on our arrival day at the resort (staying off-site a night first). I'm not sure on-line check-in really has much to do with availability. I do think they consider those request first when assigning rooms and then try to accomodate what is left with walk-in requests. I only ended up callin when my online check-in failed to register my room request.

One advantage of calling in a room request is that you can make multiple request; up to and including a specific room number if you desire to be that specific.

 

[RalphinSC]

And for the countdown update.................(drumroll please.....)

2804 minutes as of 9:16am EST

That's only 168,240 seconds~~!!!!!!!!



I cannot wait to surprise my little guy here in less than two days!

 

[englishrose47]

And for the countdown update.................(drumroll please.....)

2804 minutes as of 9:16am EST

That's only 168,240 seconds~~!!!!!!!!



I cannot wait to surprise my little guy here in less than two days!

Now that is planning at it's finest !!!

 

[jdcthree]

The online checkin info:


-Refrigerator (fee due at check-in)

So, you have to request a refrigerator? They aren't in all of the rooms now?

 

[erincon23]

3 days to lift-off! Still have a couple little things to pick up (went through all my summer clothes yesterday -- 7-year old shorts with no elastic left will NOT come on my vacation).

I've checked weather.com, and it shows that the rain should slow down by the end of the week (showing 50% or less chance of rain) -- I'm not concerned by the regular daily Florida showers, but is anybody hearing anything different about the weather?

 

[EpcotBill]

So, you have to request a refrigerator? They aren't in all of the rooms now?

Refrigerators are in all the rooms and they are free. Disney is awful at updating anything online. The info about requesting a fridge for a fee is old. I figure they should have that removed in about 6 years or so.

 

[jdcthree]

Refrigerators are in all the rooms and they are free. Disney is awful at updating anything online. The info about requesting a fridge for a fee is old. I figure they should have that removed in about 6 years or so.

Thanks! I thought that sounded weird!

 

[donaldandpirates]

How long is the walk from the '90s section to Classic Hall? We'd rather not walk through the parking lot. I'd prefer the '50s, but most of the people in our party would really enjoy the '80s or '90s section. I'm having flashbacks to our stay in the pirate rooms at CBR, and don't want to be walking that far again!!! Please tell me it won't be that bad!!!

 

[erincon23]

How long is the walk from the '90s section to Classic Hall? We'd rather not walk through the parking lot. I'd prefer the '50s, but most of the people in our party would really enjoy the '80s or '90s section. I'm having flashbacks to our stay in the pirate rooms at CBR, and don't want to be walking that far again!!! Please tell me it won't be that bad!!!

I stayed in the 90s on my first trip to Pop -- yes, it's through the parking lot, and can be quite a hike (it felt like miles when I would come back after a long day at the park).

 

[davids68girl]

I looked through here for an answer to these questions but didn't see anything posted.

Can you walk from Pop to Art of Animation over the bridge? We're staying in June and I'd like to check out the new digs.

 

[JavArmy]

I looked through here for an answer to these questions but didn't see anything posted.

Can you walk from Pop to Art of Animation over the bridge? We're staying in June and I'd like to check out the new digs.

I don't have an answer for you, but I saw you edited this question, and I love the reason why That cracks me up and I don't blame you for editing it!!

 

[RalphinSC]

3 days to lift-off! Still have a couple little things to pick up (went through all my summer clothes yesterday -- 7-year old shorts with no elastic left will NOT come on my vacation).

I've checked weather.com, and it shows that the rain should slow down by the end of the week (showing 50% or less chance of rain) -- I'm not concerned by the regular daily Florida showers, but is anybody hearing anything different about the weather?

Right in that same boat! I'm stuck at work and the DW is at home packing as I type. Love the weather forecast so far. A daily chance for rain but nothing really big pushing through. I can live with that!

 

[TinkerbellsMom0923]

3 days to lift-off! Still have a couple little things to pick up (went through all my summer clothes yesterday -- 7-year old shorts with no elastic left will NOT come on my vacation).

I've checked weather.com, and it shows that the rain should slow down by the end of the week (showing 50% or less chance of rain) -- I'm not concerned by the regular daily Florida showers, but is anybody hearing anything different about the weather?

I am checking too, will be there at the same time, can't wait! It looks like sunny and hot. I think the rain is over, the tropical storm is going north.

Building in lots of pool time...

 

[maxaroni]

We are staying at Pop for the first time in September with free dining When we first started planning we had wanted to stay at Pop this time. First time at a value. We've previously stayed at deluxe or moderate. Then we looked and AoA is opening the LM rooms in September and free dining was available. However, we didn't book and by the time we were ready to book (only several days later) free dining was filled for the LM rooms. Just being the 2 of us we don't need a suite. I was bummed about not staying at AoA but we wanted the convenience of the dining. However after reading this thread I'm excited about staying at Pop.