Pop Century

[Angel_Seel]

We are planning on staying at PC for our first trip in June. We will be staying for 3 days. Any good suggestions or advice while we are there? We have a DD-2 and DS-4. This is our first trip as a family

 

[C.Ann]

All I can say is that the kids will probably love it.. Very colorful, whimsical, and kid-oriented.. I think you'll have a blast!

 

[MelanieC]

We have stayed at POP the last 3 times in WDW and plan on doing it the next two. We love POP and so do the kids including my 16 year old who would rather stay there than the Contemporary, lol! She likes the hotels that have the DISNEY feel.

Here are some notes on POP that I haven't personally checked out - we never had enough time lol

Look for secret button (like button on clothing) - 3rd floor (9000's building, 80's/90's section)-its embedded in the cement on the ground.

In the Play Doh figures there are fingerprints in the elephants ear.

In the food court the CM's do the Twist at 8am and the Hustle at 6pm.


There are all sorts of fun stuff to see and do here. Play twister, let the kids run in the goofy sportscar fountains and so much more - have a great time.

 

[DrDeb]

we stayed there this Dec and LOVED it ... we were in the 50's and the memorabilia is a hoot & if you need a bus very convenient...--- go for bfast early-- it does get crowded...and we [me & DH] even spent an entire afternoon in the game room with our DD 23 DD20 DS 29 and DDIL 23 had a blast ENJOY!!!!

 

[MattM]

I would recommend spending the extra 10-15$/night and getting a preferred room. Its gets you closer to the main hub and buses. It may not seem like a big deal, but with kids after a LONG day at the parks, not having to walk as far to the room is very nice.

Its a great hotel, you and especially the kids will love it.

 

[NewMom66]

My DH, DD5 and I just spent 8 days this past April at PC. We absolutely loved it. The theming is great, the colors are so vibrant and it's an all around good feeling. My daughter was content hitting the kiddie pool until she found her way to the big pool. LOL We spent a few hours playing in the arcade which she loved. The CS is great, but it does get really crowded early. Try and purchase the refillable mugs, it's worth the money. We did pay for the preferred rooms and it does make a difference when coming back from the park after a long day. The buses run great, but they do fill up fast and always seemed to be busy. When you arrive your children can play with the hula hoops and chalk they have right outside the hotel. My daughter loved that. Have a great time!!

 

[Reagan&Co.]

We loved it! I would say, though, if you are NOT early risers, to not get a room overlooking the pools. In some areas, they have speakers hidden in the bushes. They started playing the 60's music early (for us). I didn't mind, as it was fun, but if your little kids need to sleep late so they won't get cranky.....

And also, if you are not morning people, skip the food court. It smells like a million diffferent breakfasts, plus it is packed in the mornings. They sell a nice box of 8 donuts for one snack credit- we ate those and the poptarts and cereal we brought from home.

Get in on a POP fridge swap!

 

[winterman]

Walk over to the bridge at the lake. There are lots of large turtles living in the water. The kids might get a kick out of them. I did.

 

[mickeyfan1226]

Boy am I glad I found this thread. We are planning on staying at PC in Aug of 09. Our first trip to WDW we stayed at the all star movies and loved it but we did not spend much time at the resort. We spent most of our time at the parks. Really the only time spent at the resort was to sleep. This trip we will be there for atleast 10days. Maybe will decide to stay for the whole 14 days.

 

[JCornell]

We stayed there a few years ago and really liked it, especially for a value resort. The theming and pool were a lot of fun and transportation was great. About the previous comment on getting a preferred room. If you do that for the convenience, at least make some time to explore. We had a standard room and purposely took different routes to see more of the exterior theming.

FYI, you'll see more info in the Disney Resorts section. Check out this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1629396

 

[Adams1nOnly]

Pop Century Resort is by far one of my most favorite places to stay while visiting WDW. It is recommended for the folks who are traveling with children and family. The large icons will give you the feeling of being inside movies and sports. PC was the first hotel I ever stayed at when we stayed on sight. After that we have been staying at PC, All Star Sports, Music, and Movies. The food court is great, the pools are nicely heated, and the maintenance is excellent. Can't wait to stay there again!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I will "second" the motion to book a "preferred" room. This would be the 50's, 60's and parts of the 70's section. Especially since your children are so little. Some of the standard rooms are really quite a walk to the main lobby and food court. We had a far room in the 80's and an even further one (I honestly think it was about as far as one could get from the food court) in the 90's section. We will always book "preferred" from here on. If you absolutely cannot get a "preferred" room, try and at least request your standard room to be in the 70's section. Out near Hourglass lake is nice.

Your children will love the big Goofy icon water/play area. Have a great trip !

 

[spiceycat]

I would go with 50's building - standard.
a 50's building standard would have a lake view (mostly). a lake view for a standard price is nice!

love Pop - been 5 times - this sept will be the 6th.

the loud toilets - and sometimes bad neighbors - are the only problems.
for the toilets just close the bathroom door at night.
bad neighbors - well you can be asked to move.

one of the best things - frozen cokes with the refillable mug they are FREE!!!

the dancing is fun too.

now there are 2,880 rooms at Pop - multiply that by 4 (maximum occupancy) and you get a bunch of people (of course that will never happen - it is as popular with single and couples too). So recommend breakfast at the parks. Pop starts breakfast at 6:30 am - but this is only the bakery. the eggs, bacon, and other hot items start at 7:00am. closer to 8-9am this place gets packs.

there are alot of wheelchairs and ECV here - Pop is very easy to manage for these people. So expect that too. wheelchairs have to be load first on the bus. but you will get there too - promise!

Pop has, my opinion, some of the best transportation - it is all buses - but never had to wait long for a bus. Yes the lines are long - remember there could be over 11,000 people here - the wait from Pop to a theme park was never longer than 10 minutes.

now getting back - Pop is generally the furthest at the bus stop - but still much closer than parking your car and walking back (my opinion). Now on this side waited once 30 minutes for a MK bus to take us back to Pop. (kept a stop watch - especially here - some people have a big time problem)

just set it each time you are waiting for a bus. It helps to know the exact time wait.

 

[AJKMOM]

There is lots of info about Pop on the Disney Resorts Board, this one is actually for resorts other than Disney.

 

[spiceycat]

There is lots of info about Pop on the Disney Resorts Board, this one is actually for reorts other than Disney.

yea but this has been here since 5/22 - it is not likely to be moved now.