POP - visually unappealing to me

[Brad Bishop]

I'm likely the only one who'll say this and, generally, I like these kinds of things, but after looking at one of the photo-threads of POP I just kept thinking, "I don't want to ever stay there." It was almost like it was "too visually stimulating" for me. It sounds odd and kind of like a crock but that's what I got after looking at the photos.

I'm not absolutely ruling it out as a place I'd stay in the future (I like the budget places). I'm just saying that's the feeling I got. It may be different in person.

 

[motofox4]

we stayed at POP for the first time last year. it's a fun, colorful place to go. with the atmosphere and scenery, you feel as though you're still in the park, still a part of "Disney World", without actually being in one of the parks. if you want to have a more slow-pace when you return to your resort, then i wouldn't think this is the place for you. however, if you want to still feel a part of the "action" and excitement, then i'd say stay here. we were very happy with it and it didn't disappoint us even a little bit!!!

 

[mickeymousemom]

Actually, I never thought I liked the looks of POP either. It just looked so CHEESY in the pictures. Last year we got a chance to see it in person because we were visting a friend that worked there. I have to admit that the pictures don't do it justice. I really liked it once we were there. The oversized icons are really cool in person and it doesn't look cheesy at all. The lobby area is very nice also...and the pictures I've seen of the food from the food court make me want to go there just to eat.
We always stay at POR and love it(and being a family of five, we can't stay at POP)...but if it were just DH and I staying onsite and trying to save a bit of money, I'd have no problem staying at POP. I really do think this is a place that needs to be seen "in real life".

 

[Kaler131]

We LOVE POP! We have stayed there three times and it's soooo much fun! The icons are so endearing. It's great to walk aroung the resort and enjoy the sights. Also kids LOVE it (especially big kids like me!) LOL!

 

[Kuzco-topia]

I love POP because it constantly reminds me I AM IN DISNEY! But I can see that it might get too stimulating for some.

MickeyMouseMom - I love the saying at the bottom of your post!
"Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened"

 

[Figaro]

I love reading the responses people have to the different resorts.

My spouse and I dislike intensely the theming at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge. To us, it they are depressing and dark, while to others they are cozy and warm.

I'm so glad Disney has many different resorts for people so everyone can get a chance to stay at the ones that "speak" to them.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I really enjoy reading all the responses and opinions/experiences about different resorts.

POP is over the top for me too. The first time we stayed there was right after it opened. A friend call from MN and wanted to get out fo the cold for a few days. POP was new and least expensive so it fit the bill for an unexpected 4 ngt trip.

I would look at the photos over and over and just dreaded the stay! Even as we pulled up to the resort I hated it..when we arrived at check-in I asked the CM to try to move us to CBR....well, she asked me to give POP a try...she said if we did not like it after a night, she would get us transferred to CBR. She suggested we enjoy the extra money in our pockets! LOL

She told us we had a room facing Spaceship Earth and that we'd be able to see IllumiNations at night....so, we gave it a try.

As we walked through the resort we decided to be whimsical about it...to our surprise as we walked passed Lady and Tramp we found it nostalgic and the elevator to our room, behind the juklebox, was fun.

We were very pleasantly surprised by the room - of course it was brand new and in great shape. Our room location was quiet, far less icons on the back of the buildings and really do not notice at all from the 4th floor.

Have now stayed at POP 4 times (one of my favs for Christmas decorations)...still not crazy about the over the top icons (except Lady and Tramp!), would not want to be in the 60's, 70's 80's or 90's and enjoy our quiet out of the way room choices. The walk really is not any longer than at a mod or deluxe.

It does seem noiser and crazier than that first visit and rooms are getting run down....so probably will not stay again until rooms have been freshend up and a quieter season (usually stay there early Dec or early Feb). For a quick, less expensive trip will always enjoy POP.

So never say never!
p.s. Also not a fan of the dark WL..but the lobby is gorgeous during the holidays.

 

[antmaril]

We stayed at Pop (our first Value Resort) at the end of August. I wasn't sure I would like it, but we needed two rooms, so ...

Anyway, it felt very nostalgic to me. I am 56 years old (old, I know) and it reminded me of checking into a motel while on vacation with my parents many, many years ago. I had a feeling of deja vu.

Now, I'm not saying I will stay there every time (I'm a deluxe snob), but it was a fun place and we enjoyed it. We felt it was a good value for the money (we had free dining). I could stay there again.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Its a lot...thats for sure. If you're looking for subdued resort atmosphere...this is not the place. Its busy, its big, its loud...that works for some people. The icons are cute, its a nice walk around the property...I think its for a certain type of person or family. The theme-ing at Pop is coherent and pulled together...its in your face and makes no bones about it.

Next year I'm looking forward to a hot tub and a sit down restaurant

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

We stayed at Pop (our first Value Resort) at the end of August. I wasn't sure I would like it, but we needed two rooms, so ...

Anyway, it felt very nostalgic to me. I am 56 years old (old, I know) and it reminded me of checking into a motel while on vacation with my parents many, many years ago. I had a feeling of deja vu.

Now, I'm not saying I will stay there every time (I'm a deluxe snob), but it was a fun place and we enjoyed it. We felt it was a good value for the money (we had free dining). I could stay there again.

Same with my mom...and my mom is a hotel snob too and pushed for the deluxe next year...but she got a big kick out of the icons, the music, etc...and she's 56 as well..and we stayed in the 50's section...

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Guess the 50's section really does appeal to those of us over 50!

 

[spiceycat]

Same with my mom...and my mom is a hotel snob too and pushed for the deluxe next year...but she got a big kick out of the icons, the music, etc...and she's 56 as well..and we stayed in the 50's section...

hey my mom is 85 and she loves the Pop.

for years and years she refused to even consider a value. So told her one trip I was staying at Pop Century, she could stay home if she wanted too.

well mother is not one to stay home (I pay for everything).

she loved it!

I am in my 50's and definitely love the Tramp building - been 5 times and only (so far) stayed in that building.

the food court in the morning is a MAD house. so we go on the bus to the MK and then either eat at the MK or one of the monrail resorts. She has to have a wheelchair - but she still loves Pop almost as much as I do.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

We are going to Pop in January and I have to say I find the whole thing very cheesey to look at. Its way over the top for me. Even my daughter (11) finds the whole thing visually unappealing, but we need to save $$ and are going to deal with it. We also figure once we get there, and are submersed in the Disney magic we won't care! I think deep down we are deluxe girls on a value budget! Our dream is the GF or Poly, but its not doable for me!
I am hoping we find it 'fun' to look at once we are there in person!

 

[antmaril]

Same with my mom...and my mom is a hotel snob too and pushed for the deluxe next year...but she got a big kick out of the icons, the music, etc...and she's 56 as well..and we stayed in the 50's section...

We were in the 50's Section too -- my favorite decade, of course

 

[dydo2424]

and had a great time. The rooms were pretty good especially for the amount of time that we were there and the $79 rate, the food in the food court was awesome, and the bus service was great. The decor is very Disney and the kids (age 7 - 10) thought it was pretty cool also. I was on a ground floor and was afraid we would hear everyone coming back to their rooms at night, but we didn't hear anything! We were in room 3144 which was on the backside of a building that faced a courtyard (almost the lake). Super quiet!
The only other WDW hotel that I've stayed at was POR and it was pretty sweet. But it was $60 more per night! I would definitely go back to POP if I was needing to save some cash!

 

[WillCAD]

I don't think you're the only one who feels that way. I love all the Values, but they're certainly not everyone's cup of tea. I've heard lots of people complain that the Values are too "tacky" or "cheesy" or even "gauche."

Personally, I think the Values are the most Disney-esque of all the WDW resorts, with their bright colors, giant icons, and energetic atmospheres.

 

[Tink_with_Attitude]

This will be mine and my daughter's first trip to WDW and we are staying at POP. DD is 16, but she fell in love with the resort when we were browsing online to decide where to stay. She wants to pose on the giant keyboard on the letters that spell her name.

I love the fact that Disney makes even the value resorts have the Disney feel. With the decor and large icons, we won't feel like we are staying at a Travel Lodge even though we are staying value.

 

[KimWDW]

It's definitely bright, colorful, with music everywhere. We think it's a lot of fun (we've stayed there 3 times). The place is just happy, happy, happy to us. But if you are more of a subdued kind of person, you may want to choose something like Port Orleans that's less colorful and more quiet.

 

[Brad Bishop]

I'm going to check it out before we head back. We leave on a Monday to head back and I was going to pop-in to some of the other resorts just to get a feel for them.

Like I said: I normally think this kind of stuff is cool but, from the pics, it just seems so far over the top and it kind of repels me. It's like there's too much input into my eyes and it makes my brain hurt to try to piece it altogether. Kind of hard to explain. Almost too chaotic.

 

[goofy4tink]

I own DVC at BWV, but if I'm not staying on points, you will find me at POP. I love it there. I, too, thought it would 'do' for a few nights when I couldn't book anything else at the last minute. My dd and I fell in love with the place. My dh, not so much...he didn't like it at all when we took him several years after I first stayed there.
I really think POP's foodcourt is one of the best onsite. Yes, it gets crowded, but if you can eat at off times, you'll most likely be very happy with it. The pools are fun, even without the slides. The bus service is good...actually better than most other resorts because it doesn't go anyplace other than to POP. The rooms are not all that large, but they are just a bit smaller than the moderates.
The theming? Well, yeah, it is a bit over the top and 'in your face'. But, the walk around the lake area, behind the bldgs is wonderful, with those icons in the background. You actually come to like those big things!! Of course, a Mr/Mrs Potato Head that is larger than me is a bit scary!!!