Pop Century

[douglisa]

What can you tell me about this place? Good and bad. Our thought was that we would not be spending that much time in the room so it is not worth paying more for deluxe. What do you think? I always wanted to stay at the Polynesian ever since I was a little kid, but then there is also Wilderness. My husband has never been to WDW and insist that paying more would be a rip off. Thanks, Lisa

 

[DisneyGirlie]

I've stayed at Pop Century three times and feel that for a value resort, it has a lot to offer. I never had a problem with the buses, the food area was nice, and the grounds were so much fun to walk around. Very themed throughout. The rooms are a little on the small side, but that's to be expected and it's certainly not a big deal if you don't plan on spending much time there. Sometimes preferred rooms are really close to the hippy dippy pool and the noise at night can keep someone up, so if you don't like noise the '80s building was really quiet. However, it was sort of a long walk and far away from the main building and bus stops. The back of the '50s building facing the lake is really nice and peaceful. The resort plays a variety of music from varying decades which is always fun to hear Elvis one minute and KC & The Sunshine Band the next. CMs at Pop have always been extremely friendly and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. Actually I think I'm going to miss it a bit when I stay at the Poly this next time. Staying three times in a row at Pop has gotten me into a rut apparently.

 

[mommy2mrb]

we stayed at POP in 05 and again in 3 days! we love all of the icons and the service was great. we would rather spend more days at WDW then on the rooms, this trip will be for 9 days, couldn't do it at a mod or deluxe.

 

[EnnEss]

It is kind of like a clean motel vs a more upscale hotel. Both have various Disney extras, but that's the basic. Many deluxes are quite close to one or more parks and have some type of unique mode of transportation, like the monorail at some, the boat to MK at all the monorail resorts plus Wilderness Lodge (my favorite resort), the boats at some of the epcot deluxes. The theming is generally more elegant at the deluxe resorts, while it is very fun at the values.

I think it comes down to what you can afford. An idea is staying for one night at a deluxe maybe, just for fun, or 2 for the full feel. Do it at the end of your stay so you're not torn away from it if you love it maybe? I try to stay at the resort I want to and keep in mind budget constraints at that time, I don't want to be at a deluxe but have to worry about money while there.

My next trip is to Pop in may hopefully. With increased air and hotel costs, thats the one I selected. I decided last time the mods aren't worth it for what I want, but deluxes are. I can't justify the expenditure atm though for one.

 

[douglisa]

Good idea to visit a deluxe 1 or 2 days!

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

I love staying at Pop! It is very clean, and I actually like the food court/convenience store set up. I stayed at a mod (CSR) my last visit and missed Pop the whole time. Yes, it was quite a bit more upscale, but I like the cheesy huge decorations and kids running around everywhere. Last time we were there (Feb '07) there was a caricature artist in the lobby, and my daughter got a beautiful picture of herself (for a small fee of course). I probably will never stay at a mod or deluxe again, I will just pay an extra 12 bucks a night for a preferred room at Pop. Why pay more if you are there for the parks, and not for a spa weekend?

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I've been at Pop 5 times and really had a great times there. It's great for kids. There are the Goofy water jets that my DGD just loved to run around in. The food court is large and there's a lot to choose from. Our room has always been clean, (maybe we've just been lucky). The rooms are small, but if you aren't going to spend a lot of time in your room, it should be fine. We're hardly in the room, since we're usually in the parks. I think it's a fun resort. We are trying POFQ in August, mainly because we wanted to try something new and I think my DGD (5) would love the water slide. Good luck with your decision.

 

[CheshireVal]

We've stayed at Pop 5 times now. We don't have kids, and we don't spend a lot of time in our room.

I think Pop has superior bus service compared to most other resorts; I've rarely had to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus to show up.

The quality of food at the food court is consistently good quality (my favorite is the shrimp lo mein, but the "Mom's Special" meals they have daily are also quite tasty.)

I like the fact that it has an indoor lounge, so you have somewhere to go other than the pool bar if you want a drink. The other values do not have this.

The rooms are nice and the icons around the resort are fun. DIsney really put a lot of special touches here. For example, the permanent Twister game spot is neat.

While it really can't compare to the deluxes for a more upscale feel and ambience, I would choose Pop over any of the Mods (and I"ve stayed at them all) any day.

 

[aurora23]

I really like Pop...for what it is. If you have kids, there is no real reason to stay at a nicer hotel. If however, you are looking for somewhere more relaxing, or for a romantic hotel...Pop is not it. It is geared more towards children then adults. I stay at Pop when I am really watching my money, but if I have the exta money that year I definitely try to stay at a moderate resort with more atmosphere. On a positive note, POP has some of the best tasting quick service food I have found in WDW. It is a good hotel, but if you have the money and want an atmosphere not directed primarily towards children I would pick moderate or Deluxe accomodations.

 

[CheshireVal]

I really like Pop...for what it is. If you have kids, there is no real reason to stay at a nicer hotel. If however, you are looking for somewhere more relaxing, or for a romantic hotel...Pop is not it. It is geared more towards children then adults. .

See, I think it's actually geared more toward adults than children. Children aren't really going to understand the memorabilia (check out the stuff in the lobby!) and icons from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. But adults certainly get a kick out of it!