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

[anniebabymu]

Hey everyone! We are a family of four... me, DH, DD5 (6 at the time of our trip) and DD2 (turning 3 during our trip!)... that are planning our next trip to WDW for May 2014! We will most likely be traveling with my MIL and FIL. I priced everything out and my DH actually agreed to a 10 day trip! In order for that to happen, we're planning to stay at Pop! It will be our first stay at Pop!

I just had a quick question about standard vs. preferred. We're all able bodied with no health issues, so walking is not a problem for us. What is however is how long we have to walk with a melting down, post-park almost 3 year old! Ha ha! And another thing is that we'd ideally love to be in the 50's section because my FIL loves the 50's and my DD5 loves Lady and the Tramp!

By looking at the maps on here, I know there are standard rooms in the 50's section and we can request to be in that section... but what are the odds of us actually getting that building if we request #1 connecting rooms and #2 50's section? Just trying to decide if paying extra for preferred is worth it for us!

Thanks in advance!

 

[GoofyMB]

Hey everyone! We are a family of four... me, DH, DD5 (6 at the time of our trip) and DD2 (turning 3 during our trip!)... that are planning our next trip to WDW for May 2014! We will most likely be traveling with my MIL and FIL. I priced everything out and my DH actually agreed to a 10 day trip! In order for that to happen, we're planning to stay at Pop! It will be our first stay at Pop!

I just had a quick question about standard vs. preferred. We're all able bodied with no health issues, so walking is not a problem for us. What is however is how long we have to walk with a melting down, post-park almost 3 year old! Ha ha! And another thing is that we'd ideally love to be in the 50's section because my FIL loves the 50's and my DD5 loves Lady and the Tramp!

By looking at the maps on here, I know there are standard rooms in the 50's section and we can request to be in that section... but what are the odds of us actually getting that building if we request #1 connecting rooms and #2 50's section? Just trying to decide if paying extra for preferred is worth it for us!

Thanks in advance!

Request are just that and not guaranteed. I would suggest that when you check in if you do not get your request to ask them if they could meet the request if you upgraded and paid the preferred rate. You may get some pixie dust, they may charge you the upgrade and meet your request or it may simply just be unavailable. It never hurts to ask.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Rapid Fill beverage service at Pop yet?

 

[matalec]

I will be there September 8 through the 13th. I'm going to be proposing, so I'm very excited/nervous at the same time. Any pointers would be great.

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[jpessa]

I will be there September 8 through the 13th. I'm going to be proposing, so I'm very excited/nervous at the same time. Any pointers would be great.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Wow congratulations! Do you have a location in mind? I have read that you can get a photographer to catch the moment.

My advice : don't worry about it too much (I know, easy for me to say) it will be a blur. Get down on one knee, tell her how much you love her and how much she means to you and you're golden!

Good luck!

 

[brockash]

Rapid Fill beverage service at Pop yet?

We just checked in today and got the new mugs...the stations rnt active yet though. I'm pretty sure I read the stations will become "live" this Tuesday.

 

[Tara8595]

Rapid Fill is eminent. They are only selling RF mugs, and the announced pricing for RF is the one that is displayed. While I was there, the little LCD screens on the drink machines turned on that say "Rapid Fill". One of the drink stations had the front panel removed and was showing wires, so I'm guessing they were working on it. BUT - old mugs still worked as of Saturday morning, 8/31. It does look like it will be quite a while before iced tea and coffee will require Rapid Fill, unless they totally remove or replace the current machines.

Our room's refrigerator had a note on it about not using it and 'please don't turn it on' - but it was on when we got there. So we used it for 8 days without incident. It didn't catch on fire thank goodness.

Magic bands worked great - loved them but want a watch 'bandit' so I don't have to wear both my watch and my band. By the end of the trip I realized I could actually put my MB over my watch and it stayed put pretty well and was more comfy that way. Otherwise, sweaty sweaty sweaty. And those little 'bandits' (like Croc jibbets) pop off really easy, so watch what you are doing putting backpacks on and off, etc., if you decide to purchase them.

Interestingly enough, now that I have my band, I can make FP+ reservations for any point through early November even without a reservation - so that answers the question about ability to use offsite. Once you have a band, you can. I imagine once MBs go site-wide, they'll start offering to dayguests at merchandise locations or maybe guest relations.

 

[Tara8595]

I just had a quick question about standard vs. preferred. We're all able bodied with no health issues, so walking is not a problem for us. What is however is how long we have to walk with a melting down, post-park almost 3 year old! Ha ha! And another thing is that we'd ideally love to be in the 50's section because my FIL loves the 50's and my DD5 loves Lady and the Tramp!

By looking at the maps on here, I know there are standard rooms in the 50's section and we can request to be in that section... but what are the odds of us actually getting that building if we request #1 connecting rooms and #2 50's section? Just trying to decide if paying extra for preferred is worth it for us!

I've stayed at Pop a LOT. I've only once not gotten my request, and that was a trip in mid August several years ago. In May, you should have no problem getting standard in 50s, 60s, or 70s. All are about the same walk, with 60s being closest. Even though standard rooms may be in the back of the building - rooms are equally distant from the centrally located elevators, so it doesn't really matter whether you are standard or preferred for distance, unless you are on the first floor. Be aware though that first floor rooms get more walk-by traffic, and preferred rooms except 70s, border the pool areas and are less quiet, and in 60s are downright noisy during the daytime.

If you don't get your wish, simply don't unpack everything, and call in the morning after your first night, and ask to be moved to your requested location. If it's available (and it usually is first thing any given morning) They will move your stuff for you, and you can just head to the parks, and get to your new room by the time you get back.

 

[wilkeliza]

I will be there September 8 through the 13th. I'm going to be proposing, so I'm very excited/nervous at the same time. Any pointers would be great.

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So advice done out it on the reservation for anything before you actually ask if your S/O is the type of person who needs to be right beside you at all times. If it is already on the reservation make sure only your phone number is on it and tell him/her to go check out the gift shop while you check in. Do the same for all dinning reservations leading up to the proposal as well. I've heard too many stories of the surprise being ruined when it was put directly onto reservations because CMs sometimes go in to auto mode and just go congratulations or let me get you buttons etc.

(Also sorry if I offended with the him/her I never like to assume these days and I don't know you personally)

 

[verlee]

And those little 'bandits' (like Croc jibbets) pop off really easy, so watch what you are doing putting backpacks on and off, etc., if you decide to purchase them.

FYI about this, when my son bought some bandits at the POP gift store the CM told me that if he loses one that we should let them know because they may be able to replace it with an extra one they have in the back. And of course, the first day he wore it the bandit popped off. They are not very secure! We went to the CM on duty and she found a replacement for him!

 

[anniebabymu]

I've stayed at Pop a LOT. I've only once not gotten my request, and that was a trip in mid August several years ago. In May, you should have no problem getting standard in 50s, 60s, or 70s. All are about the same walk, with 60s being closest. Even though standard rooms may be in the back of the building - rooms are equally distant from the centrally located elevators, so it doesn't really matter whether you are standard or preferred for distance, unless you are on the first floor. Be aware though that first floor rooms get more walk-by traffic, and preferred rooms except 70s, border the pool areas and are less quiet, and in 60s are downright noisy during the daytime.

If you don't get your wish, simply don't unpack everything, and call in the morning after your first night, and ask to be moved to your requested location. If it's available (and it usually is first thing any given morning) They will move your stuff for you, and you can just head to the parks, and get to your new room by the time you get back.

Thanks so much for the advice! We'll be seeing my in laws tomorrow, so I plan to run everything by them then and see what they think. I'm kind of thinking of just booking standard and saving a few hundred $. But am worried about getting put over in the 80's or 90's and booking preferred would avoid that. I know you could cut through the parking lot to get to the buses, but by judging from our last trip with them, they MUST stop through the building to grab coffee in the morning on the way to the bus. So I'm guessing if we were over there it would be a longer walk in the morning.

Glad to hear you've had most of your requests granted in August! Great for you! If you don't mind me asking, did you make the requests online or by calling when you did it?

 

[Janet B]

I will be there September 8 through the 13th. I'm going to be proposing, so I'm very excited/nervous at the same time. Any pointers would be great.

Wow! How exciting! Congrats!

Hey everyone! We are a family of four... me, DH, DD5 (6 at the time of our trip) and DD2 (turning 3 during our trip!)... that are planning our next trip to WDW for May 2014! We will most likely be traveling with my MIL and FIL. I priced everything out and my DH actually agreed to a 10 day trip! In order for that to happen, we're planning to stay at Pop! It will be our first stay at Pop!

I just had a quick question about standard vs. preferred. We're all able bodied with no health issues, so walking is not a problem for us. What is however is how long we have to walk with a melting down, post-park almost 3 year old! Ha ha! And another thing is that we'd ideally love to be in the 50's section because my FIL loves the 50's and my DD5 loves Lady and the Tramp!

By looking at the maps on here, I know there are standard rooms in the 50's section and we can request to be in that section... but what are the odds of us actually getting that building if we request #1 connecting rooms and #2 50's section? Just trying to decide if paying extra for preferred is worth it for us!

Thanks in advance!

For most of our stays, we too have rec'd our requests (and our stays are typically during August Free dining and we book standard only). Booking preferred will definitely rule out the 80/90s but won't guarantee you the 50s. Remember, from most room locations it's within a 4-8 minute walk to Classic Hall. At check-in, guests not happy with their room placement can ask the CM for other room options and the CMs will do their best to be accommodating. As Tara8595 suggested, an option is to try the next morning if nothing pans out at check in. Keep in mind that as you are requesting connecting rooms, it adds another element for finding room availability and of course how busy the resort is. Other than memorial day weekend, would surmise it is less crowded than August.

Don't overlook Bldg 9 in the 80s/90s area section -- it can be closer to busing than some other areas. .

Heres hoping you get all your room requests! btw, our requests are made by telephone.

 

[Janet B]

we check in on 10/22 for our third stay at pop! I enjoy the resort and the food court. it's been a few years since we stayed at pop 2009 or 2010 was our last time at pop. I hope not too much has changed since then!!

Welcome back! Rooms were refurbished in 2010, so depending if you rec'd a refurbed one or not if you were last there in 2010, there will be some changes... an entertainment center, flat screen TV, decor, new beds, etc. New menus of this May, keeping some old and introducing new dishes. The jury is out on this one... A constant is that Pop always deliver lots of fun and good times.

I'm taking my cooler. If we have a fridge fine. If not, fine. This is what I used to do before and we got the fridge.

What I was getting at is, they are wrapped up in the cost of the room now, not an extra charge as before. But as I said, if I get one ok, if I don't I am fine. Doesn't change my trip

This^ We are checking in on 10/4 and we'll be fine either way. Of course I would prefer a fridge but we'll make do. The fridges are being replaced because of a possible safety hazard. Not to stick it to us.

While the fridge issue is frustrating, its good to read you all are taking it in stride. The sooner Disney completes the removal/replacement, the better.

 

[Janet B]

Pop Century Movie Schedule for September: 8:30 pm By the Hippy Dippy Pool

Sunday - Toy Story
Monday - Tinker Bell
Tuesday - Brave
Wednesday - Wreck-It Ralph
Thursday - Winnie the Pooh
Friday - The Great Mouse Detective
Saturday - Hercules

 

[winnieatepooh]

23 more days, ahhh! Time has been flying by! I've been waiting so long for this trip that now that time is going by so quickly, I'm trying to make it slow down. A lot of the fun of going for me is the planning and researching. This will be my first stay at POP (hopefully 50's section) and we are testing the MagicBands. So much excitement and so much to get done in three weeks...ahhhh!

 

[Simba77]

Pop Century Movie Schedule for September: 8:30 pm By the Hippy Dippy Pool

Sunday - Toy Story
Monday - Tinker Bell
Tuesday - Brave
Wednesday - Wreck-It Ralph
Thursday - Winnie the Pooh
Friday - The Great Mouse Detective
Saturday - Hercules

Oooh... we'll be arriving at POP late on a Tuesday evening (hopefully by around 7:30). We might be able to grab a meal at the food court and catch Brave!

 

[Simba77]

23 more days, ahhh! Time has been flying by! I've been waiting so long for this trip that now that time is going by so quickly, I'm trying to make it slow down. A lot of the fun of going for me is the planning and researching. This will be my first stay at POP (hopefully 50's section) and we are testing the MagicBands. So much excitement and so much to get done in three weeks...ahhhh!

We're 22 days out and requested 50s section, too. Maybe we'll be neighbors

 

[Disneylover99]

I will be there September 8 through the 13th. I'm going to be proposing, so I'm very excited/nervous at the same time. Any pointers would be great.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Congrats!!!! Are you proposing at Pop or somewhere in the parks? I was just thinking if you proposed at Pop, it's so pretty and quiet on the bridge between Pop and AofA, especially in the early evening when the sun is setting.

 

[SuperDan523]

Thanks so much for the advice! We'll be seeing my in laws tomorrow, so I plan to run everything by them then and see what they think. I'm kind of thinking of just booking standard and saving a few hundred $. But am worried about getting put over in the 80's or 90's and booking preferred would avoid that. I know you could cut through the parking lot to get to the buses, but by judging from our last trip with them, they MUST stop through the building to grab coffee in the morning on the way to the bus. So I'm guessing if we were over there it would be a longer walk in the morning.

Building 9 still isn't too bad for this. I was in the corner room on the 4th floor in the wing facing the parking lot last fall, and I found it to be a short and pleasant walk past the playground to the back door of the food court.

 

[dismom22]

Pop Century Movie Schedule for September: 8:30 pm By the Hippy Dippy Pool

Sunday - Toy Story
Monday - Tinker Bell
Tuesday - Brave
Wednesday - Wreck-It Ralph
Thursday - Winnie the Pooh
Friday - The Great Mouse Detective
Saturday - Hercules

Thank you for posting! Ten Days!!! I hope DD3 likes The Great Mouse Detective as we've planned to spend that evening watching the movie...might catch Winnie the Pooh on arrival day if we're not too tired from travel!