Pop Century updates and Legendary years info!

[dpmfloyd]

hello folks, so i just got back from my trip friday - on my last day i wandered over to the 70s building, with the mickey phone icon - i was taking pictures of the legendary years, and more shots of the mickey phone when i noticed guys in hard hats walking around the 70s building, i was getting some looks, but no one said anything. as i walked along i noticed all the doors to all the rooms were wide open. i'm not sure if this has been posted, but - they've been updated!! i was asked to leave by one of the workers, and as i waited for the elevator, the site foreman came by and questioned me, then looked at my camera to make sure i didnt take any pictures. he also asked what building and what room i was staying in...after more of his questioning, he decided to let me into one of the newly completed rooms...and this is what i saw.

the rooms have some new features: a curved shower curtain, a privacy curtain seperating the sink and bed area, a coat rack on the wall (6 pegs i believe), 27" lcd tv, new dresser (now with 3 drawers and 3 shelves - the shelves will eventually be removed and replaced with refrigerators in every room), the boarder wall paper has been removed and there is now an accent wall, new carpets and a newly designed bed spread.

he also told me about the plans for the legendary years... disney intended to start it back up this spring, but due to the financial problems in the country - they've decided to scrap it. he said the main buidling will be flattened, but they will keep the completed room buildings for a future project (also because they're currently using them for storage). he said they are tearing down the main building for two reasons - the first was because of the questioning, disney is getting a little tired of people always asking about it. the second was because they want to step away from the visa-versa approach (legendary years vs classic). they want to come up with something that will have a major "wow" factor, while keeping it a value resort. he doesnt think this will be done anytime soon - but they will eventually be doing something to that space.

thought i'd like to share, this was my first stay at pop - and i loved every moment of it!

 

[mom2d&b]

very cool. Thanx for sharing, The accent wall sounds like how All Star Sports looks now.

 

[memster]

Oh this sounds so exciting ! I'm going in may, I will have to check this out. I've tried the other values and enjoyed them numerous times. This is my first at pop century. I'm soo looking forard to it!!!

 

[dpmfloyd]

Oh this sounds so exciting ! I'm going in may, I will have to check this out. I've tried the other values and enjoyed them numerous times. This is my first at pop century. I'm soo looking forard to it!!!

you'll love it! it was my first trip there. it was just me and my girlfriend, the rooms were perfect for two people, a small family might get cramped. but the busses were perfect, never waited more than 5 minutes. the bus to MK was the longest ride, and the bus to HS is the shortest - a great little hotel for the price! we walked around other hotels - aside from having really amazing lobbies (and hot tubs) i dont know why people would pay over $300/night... then again, i'm by no means rich - but still! Pop century is the place for me

 

[crusoe2]

Thanks for the information. We're booked to stay at Pop for the first time in June. Was the dresser the only new piece of furniture in the room or did they do something new with the other stuff too?

 

[dpmfloyd]

Thanks for the information. We're booked to stay at Pop for the first time in June. Was the dresser the only new piece of furniture in the room or did they do something new with the other stuff too?

the dresser was it, and honestly - i think the change was a huge mistake. the drawers are not very big at all. the shelves are nice, but - if you get one of the new rooms that may have a fridge - forget that extra shelf space, you'll be living out of a suit case.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks for the information. I had read somewhere that Disney was doing an update to the Pop rooms. Neat information about the legendary years.

 

[crusoe2]

That's good to know about the drawers. We usually unpack and put everything in the drawers and the closet. Four of us living out of suitcases would not be good.

 

[doconeill]

I kinda doubt they'd tear down the main building for the stated reasons - one, Disney doesn't tear anything down until they absolutely have to, and guest questions don't matter in that regard - River Country is still there in as sad as ever shape in plain view and they haven't done anything with it - and they could easily reused and re-themed the building if they are not moving forward with the Pop theme (which of course would leave the existing part as the Pop Half-Century).

I actually though the main building was where the bulk of the storage was...

It also seems like NOW would be the BEST time to start building, if the recovery is to be believed. You need to have the rooms BEFORE the demand reaches the point you need them.

But so long as they do SOMETHING.

 

[PACVII]

I would hard press to believe the main building is coming down anytime soon. Also some of the features mentioned are questionable. Refrigerators in each room are in the moderates but the values never had them prior, unless you pay, so not so sure they are going to give you anything for free? A curved shower curtain in a value resort? Privacy curtain separating the sink and bed area, again I maybe wrong but I don’t remember this in a value.

If this is all correct, great! Otherwise maybe the bus driver can get us an real update.

 

[Disney Doll]

I thought I read somewhere that they were going to do an Animation theme...with their different animated features. It seems to me that wherever I read this (and no, I have no idea where) they said the problem was that kids don't have any point of reference to the big icons on the building (ie-the Rubik's cube or the jukebox).

 

[CanadianGuy]

Op:

Is this what you mean by curved shower?

I have no reason to doubt the OP's personal report of witnessing the room.

Tearing down the Legendary Hall - while it might seem unlikely is possibly but I suspect they'd look for reasons involving structural integrity rather than appearances.. They could easily reface or create an extreme facade around the existing for far less than tearing it down.

Plus - under the ground there already are the 'pads' for all the new buildings and tearing down LH would require building a new pad for it with electrical, water etc all being re routed.

AGAIN - it could happen - but that piece I'm dubious about. The rest all sounds about right.

 

[doconeill]

I thought I read somewhere that they were going to do an Animation theme...with their different animated features. It seems to me that wherever I read this (and no, I have no idea where) they said the problem was that kids don't have any point of reference to the big icons on the building (ie-the Rubik's cube or the jukebox).

Yes, you read it - I believe the origin of that story was Jim Hill. He seems to have some connections inside, but often it seems the things he reports on are "blue sky" ideas that don't necessarily get far down the line towards reality. It may still come to pass, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I thought I read somewhere that they were going to do an Animation theme...with their different animated features. It seems to me that wherever I read this (and no, I have no idea where) they said the problem was that kids don't have any point of reference to the big icons on the building (ie-the Rubik's cube or the jukebox).

That information came from the infamous Jim Hill. While the info he spreads may be correct when he spreads it.. almost none of it ever comes to pass.. his track record is pretty rotten.

 

[dpmfloyd]

Op:

Is this what you mean by curved shower?

yes, that exactly what i saw. but the room i saw was blue.

 

[dpmfloyd]

If this is all correct, great! Otherwise maybe the bus driver can get us an real update.

i knew when i posted this i'd see at least one 'bus driver' remark. i simply wanted to relay the information i was provided by the foreman. personally, i dont care to see a fridge in these rooms, i think its foolish. these hotels are generally used by families of 4 and they can use the drawer space. shelves are a bad idea, but then removing them to add a fridge just doesnt make any sense to me - is the percentage of people renting fridges that high?

 

[Pixiedust34]

I wonder if fridges will go only in the rooms where you pay for a preferred location unless a fridge is rented?

The privacy curtain would be great and not too expensive for Disney to put into all of the value rooms. The Jazz buildings at AS Music does have privacy curtains but for some reason the other buildings do not.

I'm looking forward to seeing some photos of rehabbed rooms.

 

[monnolan]

Do you know if the 70s buildings are considered preferred? We are going for the first time in April, would be nice tostay in a newly renovated room!!

M

 

[dpmfloyd]

Do you know if the 70s buildings are considered preferred? We are going for the first time in April, would be nice tostay in a newly renovated room!!

M

i dont know if they are, i think preferred rooms are just rooms closer to the main building (less walking) - honestly, just call disney and ask them to make note that you'd prefer to stay in the 70s building. i think the mickey phone building might be building 2 (can anyone correct me on this?) - but you could call and say you'd really like to stay in that room, they'll note the request and likely arrange it when you check in.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Op:

Is this what you mean by curved shower?

yes, that exactly what i saw. but the room i saw was blue.

That curved showed bar and curtain is the new 'value standard' in rehabs at All Star Sports / Music.

So that jives quite nicely with what we know to be true. Thanks for all the great info.