POP Century~Unofficially the Grooviest FAQ Thread #7~Sept 2012

[disneyfanbecky]

Hi everyone!

I am thinking of going to the POP for the first time in January (a very last minute trip!!). I would be going alone though and am kind of nervous about that - I am 22 and it would be in the end of January. Will there be a lot of people walking around then? I am mostly concerned about at night, and wondering if I should try to plan my day's to be back early or if I can enjoy the parks until closing. I was also wondering what the walk across to AoA is like at night? I was thinking of eating there one night. If anyone has pictures of walkways at night it also might help to ease my fears!

My other question was about how long does it take to get from POP to the various parks/downtown disney?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[DisneyDanielle85]

Hey Everyone!! Thought i'd stop in and stay Hi as we are FINALLY getting to stay at POP. We've been booked into this hotel for the last 3 trips and upgraded each time to a moderate, this time we've done the exact opposite we've booked a moderate and then switched our reservation to Pop, with the AP Discount it saved us almost $400 dollars. I'm really excited because all the things we liked about the moderate hotels seem to be at Pop. Mini Fridge in rooms, Pool Bar, nightly activities. Can't wait to actually stay here!!!

 

[utkscvol1]

We haven't stayed at pop in 4 years so we are looking forward to seeing the renovations hoping for low crowds when we go in 3 weeks:6

 

[Janet B]

Thanks Janet! I love Mickey with a candy cane, so cute! I hope your family has a fantastic Christmas as well!

You're welcome!! And thank you for asking about our holiday, we had a great Christmas! The best gift I received was being able to visit our son and spend time with him.

Hope you had a great holiday too!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

CuracaoGirl, hoping you had a wonderful holiday!

 

[Janet B]

In your opinion, what is the best standard room location?

I always ask for 70's courtyard view. No parking lot view, in between two pools, somewhat close to bus stops and food court.

utkscvol1!

For us, we like the lakeview rooms (which are considered standard), specifically in bldgs 3, 4, & 5.

One day we will try the 70s, the only area we have yet to stay.

And utkscvol1, hoping you do get low crowds... your trip is right after marathon weekend and before MLK. We never been to WDW in January (although I am going this year!! ) but have to think it is not like summer crowds, which is what we have experienced.)

 

[Janet B]

Hi everyone!

I am thinking of going to the POP for the first time in January (a very last minute trip!!). I would be going alone though and am kind of nervous about that - I am 22 and it would be in the end of January. Will there be a lot of people walking around then? I am mostly concerned about at night, and wondering if I should try to plan my day's to be back early or if I can enjoy the parks until closing. I was also wondering what the walk across to AoA is like at night? I was thinking of eating there one night. If anyone has pictures of walkways at night it also might help to ease my fears!

My other question was about how long does it take to get from POP to the various parks/downtown disney?

Thanks in advance!!

disneyfanbecky! First off, we have never been to Disney in January, but I would think with POP's popularity, that there will always be people about, returning on the buses at park closing, to feel comfortable. Do ask for a room close to Classic Hall (btw... what room category did you book?).

Here is one picture taken with my cell phone in August, from POP looking across to AOA. It's faily well lit. Since you do want to eat at AOA, suggest requesting a room in bldg 4 or 5 (60s) since this area would be the closest to the bridge (and is close to Classic Hall).

Estimated time once on the POP bus to the parks:

20 minutes to Animal Kingdom
15 minutes to Hollywood Studios
15 minutes to Epcot
22 minutes to Magic Kingdom
12 minutes to Downtown Disney

Hope this helps!!

 

[Janet B]

Hey Everyone!! Thought i'd stop in and stay Hi as we are FINALLY getting to stay at POP. We've been booked into this hotel for the last 3 trips and upgraded each time to a moderate, this time we've done the exact opposite we've booked a moderate and then switched our reservation to Pop, with the AP Discount it saved us almost $400 dollars. I'm really excited because all the things we liked about the moderate hotels seem to be at Pop. Mini Fridge in rooms, Pool Bar, nightly activities. Can't wait to actually stay here!!!

DisneyDanielle!! That's a nice chunk of money you are saving. Hope you end up liking POP as much as the rest of us.

 

[jimjenkids]

Just left POP today. Sad that our trip is over, however NOT thrilled with our experience at POP. My expectations were moderate, clean room, food maid service, polite staff. We had so many problems with mousekeeping that I quit leaving tips after the second day. Front desk kept saying it would be better and fix the issues-but did not! Food court was ok, glad it was free dining. Now for the room- the air didn't seem to work well with 4 people in the room, always hot! Tried to get it cooled down but no luck. When we go back in 2014 Xmas, most likely be back at moderate resorts!

 

[HappyGal]

Just left POP today. Sad that our trip is over, however NOT thrilled with our experience at POP. My expectations were moderate, clean room, food maid service, polite staff. We had so many problems with mousekeeping that I quit leaving tips after the second day. Front desk kept saying it would be better and fix the issues-but did not! Food court was ok, glad it was free dining. Now for the room- the air didn't seem to work well with 4 people in the room, always hot! Tried to get it cooled down but no luck. When we go back in 2014 Xmas, most likely be back at moderate resorts!

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience. What happened with housekeeping? What building were you in?

 

[utkscvol1]

Is the 90's a standard location?

 

[SPAM]

Is the 90's a standard location?

I believe the 90s is standard. Here is the map from the front page. http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/...read/PopCenturyMap2012RoomCategoriesFINAL.jpg

 

[jimjenkids]

Had requested a water front view and wanted building 4( I think that's what I said-paper is at home) ended up on 2nd floor building 10.

 

[jimjenkids]

As for housekeeping-we are pretty clean people-I even have the kids make the beds a bit and bring calapsable hamper... They didn't leave soaps, wipe anything down, sweep...even left some scraps on the floor to see if they would pick up and. They didn't ....had to request after 5 days to have linens changed-they didn't after 4 lime they are to do. Again went to front desk, this is now the 3rd time, they assured me they wood fix it AND have added touch done.- had to go down again -fuming mad when we returned- we found dirty rags with cleaner left on the bed and the bed wet with cleaner!, I then requested the beddin be changed on that bed, I was angry and told them I hadn't left a tip-they said they would have it changed in 20 min- I looked and said I would hope so and that I was leaving and going to a park cuz I couldn't deal with this anymore. We never had probs at CBR..... Going to call and complain once we get home. Long drive ahead of us!

 

[EpcotBill]

Is the 90's a standard location?

Yes they're mostly Standard rooms but there are some Standard Pool View.

 

[jsmla]

Hi everyone!

I am thinking of going to the POP for the first time in January (a very last minute trip!!). I would be going alone though and am kind of nervous about that - I am 22 and it would be in the end of January. Will there be a lot of people walking around then? I am mostly concerned about at night, and wondering if I should try to plan my day's to be back early or if I can enjoy the parks until closing. I was also wondering what the walk across to AoA is like at night? I was thinking of eating there one night. If anyone has pictures of walkways at night it also might help to ease my fears!

My other question was about how long does it take to get from POP to the various parks/downtown disney?

Thanks in advance!!

I'm in my early 50s and have been traveling to WDW solo in late January for several years now. (DH refuses to go more than once each year.). Pop is my usual resort if I stay on-site and I have always felt very safe there, even when returning in the late evenings. I'll be there again this upcoming January 26-February 2

 

[dtstampz]

I'm in my early 50s and have been traveling to WDW solo in late January for several years now. (DH refuses to go more than once each year.). Pop is my usual resort if I stay on-site and I have always felt very safe there, even when returning in the late evenings. I'll be there again this upcoming January 26-February 2

I am so happy to hear this! My first solo trip is coming right up, and I'm
also staying at Pop. Thanks for sharing--I'm sure getting excited about
about my trip, thanks to all of you POPers!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Hi everyone!

I am thinking of going to the POP for the first time in January (a very last minute trip!!). I would be going alone though and am kind of nervous about that - I am 22 and it would be in the end of January. Will there be a lot of people walking around then? I am mostly concerned about at night, and wondering if I should try to plan my day's to be back early or if I can enjoy the parks until closing. I was also wondering what the walk across to AoA is like at night? I was thinking of eating there one night. If anyone has pictures of walkways at night it also might help to ease my fears!

My other question was about how long does it take to get from POP to the various parks/downtown disney?

Thanks in advance!!

I've done 2 solo trips this year and stayed at POP both times. I never felt anything but completely safe. I'm a 28 year old woman. And I stayed out to the parks til past midnight more than once each trip. The walkways are wide and well lit, so don't worry at all!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

As for housekeeping-we are pretty clean people-I even have the kids make the beds a bit and bring calapsable hamper... They didn't leave soaps, wipe anything down, sweep...even left some scraps on the floor to see if they would pick up and. They didn't ....had to request after 5 days to have linens changed-they didn't after 4 lime they are to do. Again went to front desk, this is now the 3rd time, they assured me they wood fix it AND have added touch done.- had to go down again -fuming mad when we returned- we found dirty rags with cleaner left on the bed and the bed wet with cleaner!, I then requested the beddin be changed on that bed, I was angry and told them I hadn't left a tip-they said they would have it changed in 20 min- I looked and said I would hope so and that I was leaving and going to a park cuz I couldn't deal with this anymore. We never had probs at CBR..... Going to call and complain once we get home. Long drive ahead of us!

We had quite a few issues with POP when we were there the first part of December. I wrote a pretty scathing email to customer service & received a personal email reply and a phone number to contact & discuss my issues. My biggest issue was with the front desk and the managers there. We were actually staying at POP because of "free" things given to us the last time we stayed there 5 years ago and the horrible service, etc. we received. Housekeeping was ok, not good. Room location for a preferred pool view room that I paid extra for stunk & I let the front desk know that I wouldn't accept the room first assigned. I also told them I would never use online check in again if this was what I would receive at a resort.

Hope you got some results when you got home. I'm planning to call the Guest Services Rep & talk to her today. She'd been on vacation.

 

[Scottiesmommy08]

I have a question that I know has been asked a billion times.

WHERE SHOULD I REQUEST A ROOM??

This will be our first time at pop, and it's really had to judge from pictures of the map.I would like to be as close as possible to buses/classic hall, but also Lady or the Tramp. Here's my dilemma.. I don't want my daughter to see the pool if possible! JUDGE ME NOT! But she loves to swim and I KNOW she will want to and we just simply don't have time for that (only 4 days) plus my in laws have a pool we swim in all summer. Is this at all possible? Plus being somewhat near a smoking area for DH?

 

[jimjenkids]

I didn't even mention the problems with the CM, lots to think on and write down for a long letter. We decided to use POP first off because the kids wanted it, free dining-QS( with a family if 6, QS works better) I wanted POF, either way, we have to get 2 rooms. I even asked the CM if we are treated this way because it was a cheaper resort-ya that didn't help-just made them roll their eyes at us!