POP Century~Unofficially the Grooviest FAQ Thread #8~July 2013

[GOOFYsince71]

I'm SO glad that you didn't see my post as an argument.
I don't like to argue but do like to share my experience. And from staying at POP so much, 118 days overall and 38 just this year, I think I have some pretty good ideas about the resort. No, I clearly don't know everything, but I have experienced a good bit while staying there so much. Even the CMs comment very few guests spend that amount of time at any of the resorts. Yes, my DD's CM discount made it very doable! I spent less on those 38 nights then many people spend on a week (incl their tickets! I already had an AP from last year.)
My only intention around here is to try and help others out with what I have learned from staying there...nothing else. Cheers!

So, Stitch...with 118 days at Pop...do you have any insight into where to find the most comfy beds in the resort? You must have tried out most of them by now,,Hoping you have some great feedback, Thanks!!

 

[Cloudless Nights]

So, Stitch...with 118 days at Pop...do you have any insight into where to find the most comfy beds in the resort? You must have tried out most of them by now,,Hoping you have some great feedback, Thanks!!

All of the beds were replaced with the same style bed during the recent refurb (in 2010, I believe)? So all of the beds should be equally comfy/worn.

 

[pooh4evr]

Just booked our first stay at Pop! 2 rooms from October 9-18th. Looking forward to having lots of fun, plenty of room and a great rate!

 

[cfriend416]

So who has checked into Pop at a late time and what was your experience with it? We won't arrive until about 10pm and have never checked in that late. Is there anything we should know? We claim our own luggage and bring it on the bus so we won't need to worry about that. If we do online check-in and just take what they give us to get into a room, could we ask to change rooms the next day if we're not happy with what we get? I mean, I know we can always ask, but would we have a worse chance of being moved if we wait?

 

[Simba77]

So who has checked into Pop at a late time and what was your experience with it? We won't arrive until about 10pm and have never checked in that late. Is there anything we should know? We claim our own luggage and bring it on the bus so we won't need to worry about that. If we do online check-in and just take what they give us to get into a room, could we ask to change rooms the next day if we're not happy with what we get? I mean, I know we can always ask, but would we have a worse chance of being moved if we wait?

If you booked with Disney, you can make room requests when you do online check-in (up to 2 requests such as close to transportation or a specific decade - 70s/80s/etc). You can also call these requests in ahead of time.

Rooms are assigned a few days in advance, so it doesn't matter what time you check in - early, late, later, past midnight, etc.

Doing online check-in will only do two things: 1) allow you to pick 2 room preferences online, and 2) save you some time once you arrive at POP by providing some info (credit card # for room charges and things like that) ahead of time.

Whether or not you do online check in won't affect your ability to change rooms if you don't like it, but on the inside all rooms are the same. If you do have specific requests that you need addressed, you can call call those requests in ahead of time.

 

[GinCar]

We are here, now. 60's section- no fridge. I am glad we were prepared to not have a fridge- thanks Disboards!

We have eaten 3 times in the food court, so far. There is a learning curve going on. It does not seem to matter if it is busy or not. Long waits with 2 people or 10.

We are testing the magic bands. We really like them.

Pop has a lot of good memories for our family. Last time I was here I was pregnant with DD7 that is turning 8 this week!

 

[cfriend416]

If you booked with Disney, you can make room requests when you do online check-in (up to 2 requests such as close to transportation or a specific decade - 70s/80s/etc). You can also call these requests in ahead of time.

Rooms are assigned a few days in advance, so it doesn't matter what time you check in - early, late, later, past midnight, etc.

Doing online check-in will only do two things: 1) allow you to pick 2 room preferences online, and 2) save you some time once you arrive at POP by providing some info (credit card # for room charges and things like that) ahead of time.

Whether or not you do online check in won't affect your ability to change rooms if you don't like it, but on the inside all rooms are the same. If you do have specific requests that you need addressed, you can call call those requests in ahead of time.

Thanks, we always do online check-in so I know how making the requests works and how rooms are assigned in advance. But as we all know, requests aren't always honored! Of course all the rooms are the same inside, it's the location outside that makes a difference! What I was asking is if it is more difficult to change rooms if you wait until the next day. Because we probably won't want to be doing that at 10pm.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Thanks, we always do online check-in so I know how making the requests works and how rooms are assigned in advance. But as we all know, requests aren't always honored! Of course all the rooms are the same inside, it's the location outside that makes a difference! What I was asking is if it is more difficult to change rooms if you wait until the next day. Because we probably won't want to be doing that at 10pm.

Cfriend,
I think I get exactly what you are asking! In as many times as I have checked into POP, I have checked in at all times of the day...as early as 9:30am to as late as 11pm!! And yes, the later you check in, the bigger disadvantage it puts you at if you are unhappy with the location of your room esp if they were unable to honor your requests.
Now, here is my advice... if your want to move the next day...accept the room that night and the next morning, go back to the front desk and ask to be moved. Now, keep in mind... you get more flies with honey than vinegar! I have always gotten great results by being polite and telling them that I just wasn't happy and asking what could they do to fix my situation? Their solution was always BETTER than what I was hoping for! I Never went in demanding anything or raising my voice, but I also wasn't afraid to speak to mgt if the CM said they couldn't help me. Mgt has so many more powers!! Again politely & respectfully, but they were great and I got a wonderful resolution! So if you are really unhappy with where they put you that first night and they cannot move you to and acceptable location that night...let it go until the next morning. Then go back to the desk and talk to a mgr about moving you then...you'll lose a little bit of your morning, but you have to decide is the trade off worth it? To me, it would be! Good Luck!!

 

[Disneylover99]

We are testing the magic bands. We really like them.

So are you able to use regular fast pass as well?

 

[witchesbrew]

People currently staying at Pop, please give us a review of the food court! I've been reading lots of negative reviews lately.
We used to love Pop's food court. I want to know if it really has gone down hill.

 

[Simba77]

Thanks, we always do online check-in so I know how making the requests works and how rooms are assigned in advance. But as we all know, requests aren't always honored! Of course all the rooms are the same inside, it's the location outside that makes a difference! What I was asking is if it is more difficult to change rooms if you wait until the next day. Because we probably won't want to be doing that at 10pm.

You can ask for them to try and find you a different room right away when they tell you where your room is. As long as you have an idea ahead of time of the layout of POP, as well as what your idea location is, you can see if there are any openings in a different area/building.

What type of room are you interesting in?

 

[My2Qtz0205]

We are here, now. 60's section- no fridge. I am glad we were prepared to not have a fridge- thanks Disboards!

We have eaten 3 times in the food court, so far. There is a learning curve going on. It does not seem to matter if it is busy or not. Long waits with 2 people or 10.

We are testing the magic bands. We really like them.

Pop has a lot of good memories for our family. Last time I was here I was pregnant with DD7 that is turning 8 this week!

Thanks for the update! We will be there in 2 weeks and 1 day! That stinks about the fridge. Have you been able to get ice out of the ice machine?
Re: the food court: So you're saying service is slow? Would it be best to pack things for breakfast in the room if we want to hit the parks early?

 

[GinCar]

So are you able to use regular fast pass as well?

Yes, during the testing phase only, much to my DH's delight. He is drunk with FP power.

 

[GinCar]

Thanks for the update! We will be there in 2 weeks and 1 day! That stinks about the fridge. Have you been able to get ice out of the ice machine?
Re: the food court: So you're saying service is slow? Would it be best to pack things for breakfast in the room if we want to hit the parks early?

The ice machine has been just fine. (We have used it 3 times.)
Sitting in food court now. It seems slow because the sweet CM's are constantly asking for help to fill their items they are serving.
Upside to last night's dinner- I was able to watch my Everything Rice being made, then served to me nice and hot.

I think that eating in the room is always faster, not matter what/where you stay. You could always send the early riser to grab breakfast from the food court. My family must sit and eat breakfast or the day will not start off right! My DH raised them that way-not me. I only have coffee to go.

Heading to EPCOT today. If anyone has questions- I do not mind finding out the answer, it will just take me a while to respond since I am in the Happiest Place on Earth.

 

[ChrisParker]

The ice machine has been just fine. (We have used it 3 times.)
Sitting in food court now. It seems slow because the sweet CM's are constantly asking for help to fill their items they are serving.
Upside to last night's dinner- I was able to watch my Everything Rice being made, then served to me nice and hot.

I think that eating in the room is always faster, not matter what/where you stay. You could always send the early riser to grab breakfast from the food court. My family must sit and eat breakfast or the day will not start off right! My DH raised them that way-not me. I only have coffee to go.

Heading to EPCOT today. If anyone has questions- I do not mind finding out the answer, it will just take me a while to respond since I am in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Has anyone requested a fridge and got one? I called two days ago to request and they said that requests are being filled and I should have no problem. She said to go ahead with my garden grocer. Can't wait! Two days till the mouse!!

 

[LittleFlounder]

For anyone at Pop right now, are the regular refillable mugs being used, or have the drinks machines changed over to accommodate the RIFD mugs? 13 days until we go to WDW!!!

 

[cfriend416]

Cfriend,
I think I get exactly what you are asking! In as many times as I have checked into POP, I have checked in at all times of the day...as early as 9:30am to as late as 11pm!! And yes, the later you check in, the bigger disadvantage it puts you at if you are unhappy with the location of your room esp if they were unable to honor your requests.
Now, here is my advice... if your want to move the next day...accept the room that night and the next morning, go back to the front desk and ask to be moved. Now, keep in mind... you get more flies with honey than vinegar! I have always gotten great results by being polite and telling them that I just wasn't happy and asking what could they do to fix my situation? Their solution was always BETTER than what I was hoping for! I Never went in demanding anything or raising my voice, but I also wasn't afraid to speak to mgt if the CM said they couldn't help me. Mgt has so many more powers!! Again politely & respectfully, but they were great and I got a wonderful resolution! So if you are really unhappy with where they put you that first night and they cannot move you to and acceptable location that night...let it go until the next morning. Then go back to the desk and talk to a mgr about moving you then...you'll lose a little bit of your morning, but you have to decide is the trade off worth it? To me, it would be! Good Luck!!

Thank you for the advice!

You can ask for them to try and find you a different room right away when they tell you where your room is. As long as you have an idea ahead of time of the layout of POP, as well as what your idea location is, you can see if there are any openings in a different area/building.

What type of room are you interesting in?

I know we can ask for a different room right away... The point is we won't want to do that at 10pm with a tired 2 year old.

At the very least we'd like the 70's section. At the very most we'd like lakeside, not ground floor, and close to Everything Pop.

 

[purplepixiedust]

We're heading back to POP 11/17-11/23 We are going to have a preferred room. We stayed in 50's last time which was a pretty nice area. I am excited to explore AOA

Our trip dates are very similar~ we will be staying at POP from 11/15 - 11/22 and I just noticed our ticker designs match! Too funny!

 

[Minnesota!]

For those of you that have not been impressed by the food court changes - was it because of the different menu not suiting your tastes or because of poor execution of the actual food (meaning, it tasted bad)?

I think the menu looks great - so much more variety. But a varied menu does no good if the end result is slop, you know?

Thanks!

6 days till Pop - 4 till VACAY!

Oh - and we have arrived late at the resort - never have had an issue getting a room to our liking (but we only ask for upper floor and close to laundry - nothing building or room specific, really.)

 

[GinCar]

For anyone at Pop right now, are the regular refillable mugs being used, or have the drinks machines changed over to accommodate the RIFD mugs? 13 days until we go to WDW!!!

Regular drink station as of this morning.