POP = Walmart?

[lustergirl]

A reply to doing my research, I did plenty, and most were from the disboards. My intention to post was that I wish someone would have had comments like mine before I went. I probably would have changed. It seems that most only post the great things. Thanks

Dig deeper, you will find lots of comments about everything "bad" in disney including the resorts people stay at, the dining, the dining plan, Disney's Magical Express, aahh the list can go on forever. I take people's complaints with a grain of salt. If I want to try a different restaurant or stay at a different resort then I let my family be the judge.

 

[sixisenough]

I shop at WalMart 2/week. I just don't want to vacation there.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

Then the scooters..........

Handicap vs. Lazy you decide for yourself. Please wait to see for yourself before you judge the comment. Handicapped individuals deserve all the special treatment they get, lazy people do not. I found it bothersome that a
person on a scooter would drive to the front of the line and take about ten people travel with them all the way to the front. First of all, why cant they wait in line and get the special treatment when it is their turn? Why do all of their party go to the front with them? And them see over half of them get off the scooter and walk on the bus pretty normally. Granted I had been carrying my daughters for about a half hour at least by this point but I still think I could see things pretty rationally.

This is a growing problem at every Disney resort, not just the values. Certain people are abusing the "system" Disney has in place and I only forsee it only getting worse as riders/rentals increase. Not only does this affect non-ECV guests but also those that truly need the service. We hit "rock bottom" last trip with this topic... but what can you do?

The Walmart comment: You typically get what you pay for... Some love Walmart, they will probably love the pop. Good for somethings not good for everything....I realize now that I didn't pay for convenience. With toddlers the convenience is worth more than what i paid.

Maybe it's just me, but I didn't see that as calling Pop Century guests Walmart shoppers; but rather those who shop at Walmart, may enjoy Pop Century. We like Walmart for a variety of reasons but mainly because it's cheap, simple, and easy. We're not big on the whole quality thing, so I don't mind buying 4 graphic tees for $35 instead of one at Macy's for $30. Just like I prefer staying 10 nights at a value with the dinning plan instead of 5 at a deluxe. Sure we can get more "quality" at a deluxe (or Macy's) but a tee is a tee in my book!

The value's aren't for everyone... but there's no need to come back and be bitter about it.

 

[girt25]

I question peoples' motives! I have never been to disney and regardless of what resort that I have stayed at without doing some research. If the original poster would of did their homework they would of found out that pop century is more geared towards families with children who probably don't want to spend alot of money on their hotel costs. The value resorts are always hustling and bustling with people and lots of activity. You should of known this going into your trip. This time of year is extremely busy especialy around president's day- again if you would of did your homework you would of know this. I just came back from a stay at the Coronado Springs Resorts and found out that this resort wasn't for me. Did I bad mouth it? NO WAY!! My father (may he rest in peace) always said "If you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything!".

As far as the Wal Mart comment, where did that come from? You might be surprised to find pop century "vacationers" who shop at Macy's or Bloomingdales, etc. Don't judge a book by its cover.

Agreed.. however, threads like these are part of the "homework". Perhaps if the OP didn't get bashed, and the thread doesn't get closed in 10 minutes, It'll help some other family with their resort research.

There's plenty of people who may read this thread and say...

"You know what? Since I think i'm too good for walmart, I probably won't like Pop." They'll stay somewhere else, and a month from now, there won't be another thread just like this for you to get upset over.

everybody wins.

You can read any post and choose to get offended by it..

I shop at WalMart 2/week. I just don't want to vacation there.

You go shopping twice a week?
as a once a week shopper, i'm offended by your comments and big spending ways. you must be saying Pop is only for those who can't afford to shop twice a week.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We stayed at POP and ASMu but not at super crowded times of the year and it was ok for the price we paid ($49 a night). Love the themeing, we did not use the pools, the food court was fine but we went at off times to eat so the place was never too out of control. The rooms were fine. The buses were only a problem when we were leaving the parks at night, the line was super long.

 

[cattrix]

I would have to agree with the OP on some respects, I was not a big fan of POP and probably won't try another Value Resort anytime soon. I thought the beds were really uncomfortable and had back aches every morning before I even started out in the parks. It seemed like it was a single mattress sitting on a card board box or something like that. The rooms are tiny and the walls are pretty thin, when I'm on vacation I have to sleep with ear plugs in as I am a light sleeper but during the day you could hear toilets flush and people all the time. Now I did do some research before I left and was expecting most of it so it wasn't a shock, it's just not for us.

 

[lustergirl]

I would have to agree with the OP on some respects, I was not a big fan of POP and probably won't try another Value Resort anytime soon. I thought the beds were really uncomfortable and had back aches every morning before I even started out in the parks. It seemed like it was a single mattress sitting on a card board box or something like that. The rooms are tiny and the walls are pretty thin, when I'm on vacation I have to sleep with ear plugs in as I am a light sleeper but during the day you could hear toilets flush and people all the time. Now I did do some research before I left and was expecting most of it so it wasn't a shock, it's just not for us.

The thing is the walls are no thinner than any other resort, including moderate of deluxe. The construction crews don't use any cheaper material when they built pop century. Cheaper resort doesn't mean cheaper material.

 

[ntsammy5]

 

[sl_underwood]

This is a very sore spot for me. Those of you who have never dealt with a disability or an illness couldnt possibly understand what it is like for families who do. My daughter is a survivor of aplastic anemia and my son as ASD. Both have needs that Disney meets and if they couldnt meet these, we couldnt enjoy our vacation. Though some abuse the system I think the majority are good people with disabilities, invisible or not. My dd finished chemo in September and though she no longer needs oxygen she probably should use a wheelchair. She is adamant she will not use one because she doesnt want to be stared at, asked rude questions, or treated as though she is faking an illness to get special treatment. In fact, she doesnt want special treatment, she just wants to be treated like everyone else.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

As a former travel professional - my comment about the Value Resorts is......"they allow people who could not otherwise, afford to stay on property. However, you may find the accommodations and amenities of a Moderate Resort worth the additional cost".

With my castmember husband, we can afford to stay at the Boardwalk - but we have also enjoyed fabulous nights at Riverside.

Everyone must make their own choices that work best for their families - but the Values are just "too much" for our quiet lifestyle.


This year, for the first time, I am dealing with the prospect of having an ECV at WDW - trouble with a knee. It's not something I would ever CHOOSE - the loss of that freedom to walk anywhere is daunting for me.

If someone is traveling in an EVC - I would think there is a good reason and I don't mind giving them the time to board comfortably.

In January I struggled on a cane (the knee) at a trade show in Atlanta. Hotel reservations were made long before the problem became apparent...and the hotel was a walk and subway ride to the tradeshow. There were mornings I cried (pretty serious pain) just walking to the subway - struggled to get on a subway car AND NO ONE GAVE ME A SEAT. I had a cane, I was obviously in pain.....and would have to step off the car and wait for the next train to hope for an empty seat.

I felt invisible.

It gave me an entirely new perspective.

 

[maryliz]

While I think the OP could have used a different analogy, I do agree that POP is crazy with the lines and the food court. Give me my All Star Music anyday over POP! Although, the lineups for busses and food court do somewhat remind me of lineups at Wal-Mart checkouts ... long and slow!

The time we left MK at 10:15 after Wishes, and got back to POP at 12:05AM so food court was closed so I couldn't have my nightly cup of tea, coupled with the food court busy-ness all the time was enough for me to make the decision to not stay there again.

We had similar experiences at POR in August ... brutal! But these resorts are HUGE, so you have to expect it.

But hey ... you're at Disney! Go with the flow!

And always remember: "Be nice to everyone you meet ... they may be fighting a battle you know nothing about." While the 20 people who board the bus without waiting in line because they have someone in a wheelchair or ECV sometimes seem annoying, especially when you're tired from a long day at the parks, always just be grateful that you're not the one in that situation. I'll take able-bodied and tired anyday over someone else's health problems.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

This is a very sore spot for me. Those of you who have never dealt with a disability or an illness couldnt possibly understand what it is like for families who do. My daughter is a survivor of aplastic anemia and my son as ASD. Both have needs that Disney meets and if they couldnt meet these, we couldnt enjoy our vacation. Though some abuse the system I think the majority are good people with disabilities, invisible or not. My dd finished chemo in September and though she no longer needs oxygen she probably should use a wheelchair. She is adamant she will not use one because she doesnt want to be stared at, asked rude questions, or treated as though she is faking an illness to get special treatment. In fact, she doesnt want special treatment, she just wants to be treated like everyone else.

My daughter (4) uses a wheelchair. I am sure she wishes she didn't have to either. You are correct, those who have mever dealt with a disablitly can't understand what we go through on a daily basis.

Once when we were leaving a park, the bus driver didn't see us and started loading the bus. Once he saw us, he has to have everyone who loaded get off the bus so we could go on. People were NOT happy.

Do some people break the rules, yes...but there are plenty of people who don't.

 

[heatherlynn444]

I def. feel very sorry for ppl with disabilities, who need wheechairs, etc. and have no problem with ppl using them or waiting to load a bus because of them.

with that being said, I agree with the OP on this point. it seems every time i go to disney i see more and more ppl on those electric scooters. is american slowly becoming more disabled? I don't think so, I think more and more people are abusing them. i feel sorry for the ppl who really need them, b/c it gives them bad looks etc. if someone thinks they dont, etc. (did that make sense?) anyway, i dont judge a particualr person, b/c i dont know what they are going through, but i am SURE there are tons of ppl who use them who are just lazy, and then use them as battering rams. I wish this would stop! get up and exercise america!!!!

 

[snugglepeas]

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Pop=Walmart, you get what you pay for

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Just returned from trip 2/3-2/9. Stayed at Pop and wouldn't do it again. Now, I must admit, we had toddlers which ups the difficulty but, nothing was convenient about the pop for us. Rooms were fine, service was fine. The problems were the amount of people. Lines, lines, lines...... Before you say that is just Disney, we visited other Resorts: BC, WL, CONT. none were having the same problems. Your walk to the bus line will be the longest at every park. Your wait will also be longer. Then the scooters..........

Handicap vs. Lazy you decide for yourself. Please wait to see for yourself before you judge the comment. Handicapped individuals deserve all the special treatment they get, lazy people do not. I found it bothersome that a
person on a scooter would drive to the front of the line and take about ten people travel with them all the way to the front. First of all, why cant they wait in line and get the special treatment when it is their turn? Why do all of their party go to the front with them? And them see over half of them get off the scooter and walk on the bus pretty normally. Granted I had been carrying my daughters for about a half hour at least by this point but I still think I could see things pretty rationally.

Just look at the turnstiles, deeper rows than any other. Look at the lines when parks are closing at night. They are the worst. Food court was the same way. Much like a college cafe at lunch time. Everyone for themselves. Someone used the word vultures, kind of fitting. If you children or you can fend for themselves, this might not bother you that much. But don't plan on going anywhere in a hurry.

Smoking areas are also located just outside the doors so you will walk by it everytime if you are in the 50s or 60s building. That is a little unnecessary. Or located on a walking path to the rooms. Get them out of the way. I don't want to have to smell someone's smoke.

The Walmart comment: You typically get what you pay for... Some love Walmart, they will probably love the pop. Good for somethings not good for everything....I realize now that I didn't pay for convenience. With toddlers the convenience is worth more than what i paid.

Written by DH
__________________
Me DH
DS(9) DD(7) DD (3) DD (2)

I find it very funny that you are trying to compare the bus service at a value resort to that of a deluxe, it's like comparing apples and oranges. I have stayed at values, Mods, and Deluxe and from what I have seen most of the people that stay at the values use the buses, at the Mods fewer poeple use the buses and at the deluxe resorts even fewer people use the buses. so if you want deluxe treatment stay at a deluxe.

as for people using scooters that you feel did not need them, just because you can't see there reason does not mean they dont have one, I have a sister with MS that does not look like she needs a Scooter but sometimes she does, because she is having a "bad day" or it's hot and with MS heat makes everything worse.and remember they may be the first on the bus but they are also the very last off the bus.

I have stayed at Pop twice and yes the lines are long but it is also the only resort I have stayed at, that at closing time at the MK they are known to bring 3 buses at a time to help with the amount of people.

as for the smokers, they are everywhere if you don't want to breath in smoke walk a different way to your room, im sure there is a way to get to your room without having to go past the smokers, just because they smoke does not mean they loose there rights

 

[Matt'sMom]

Those of you who have never dealt with a disability or an illness couldnt possibly understand what it is like for families who do. ...she doesnt want to be stared at, asked rude questions, or treated as though she is faking an illness to get special treatment. In fact, she doesnt want special treatment, she just wants to be treated like everyone else.

I empathize with you & your daughter. We will be making our first WDW trip with a wheelchair this year... and I am dreading the judgemental attitudes.

Being disabled--whether that disability is obvious or 'hidden'--is most definitely NOT some sort of an advantage. My DF is not using a wheelchair because he is lazy or hopes that it will get him special treatment while at WDW. He is using one because he genuinely needs it--without the wc, he would be unable to travel at all. It makes me sad to hear able bodied people complain about how the disabled guests at WDW create such an inconvenience.

 

[Rylee]

I have a child with a "hidden" condition... I will not offer anyone an explanation and therefor, I will pardon the ignorant.

I have stayed at the Beach Club and the All-Stars. I shop at Macy's and Wal-mart. Depends on what I want and and need.

The OP's comments about the resorts do not offend me.

The comments about disabilities and handicaps, well... see my first sentence.

 

[ssawka]

This is a very sore spot for me. Those of you who have never dealt with a disability or an illness couldnt possibly understand what it is like for families who do. My daughter is a survivor of aplastic anemia and my son as ASD. Both have needs that Disney meets and if they couldnt meet these, we couldnt enjoy our vacation. Though some abuse the system I think the majority are good people with disabilities, invisible or not. My dd finished chemo in September and though she no longer needs oxygen she probably should use a wheelchair. She is adamant she will not use one because she doesnt want to be stared at, asked rude questions, or treated as though she is faking an illness to get special treatment. In fact, she doesnt want special treatment, she just wants to be treated like everyone else.

I was going to make similar comments, but now I don't have to. To anyone that thinks that people with disabilities are receiving special privleges at WDW, try to walk a mile in there shoes. Don't they have as much right to enjoy their vacation, with their families, too?

 

[Rylee]

And always remember: "Be nice to everyone you meet ... they may be fighting a battle you know nothing about." While the 20 people who board the bus without waiting in line because they have someone in a wheelchair or ECV sometimes seem annoying, especially when you're tired from a long day at the parks, always just be grateful that you're not the one in that situation. I'll take able-bodied and tired anyday over someone else's health problems.

 

[sixisenough]

Ignorant, well, Read the entire comment. I can't imagine someone being offended. But some people feel victimized by any comment. Don't jump to conclusions. I have heard people comment on their own abuse of the system. They are the ignorant ones. Nobody wants to address the real issues. Good luck

 

[lps1176]

See, it just goes to show how different peoples prospectives can be. We were there last week and I have 2 toddlers as well. We LOVED it and wouldn't hesitate to go back. I didnt find the food court that crowded but we got up early and were at the busses by 8. I am not sure how it was after that.

We have stayed at many other resorts, moderate, value and deluxe. I found the POP to be the best with 2 small kids because of the theming. I also found the buses to be pretty quick as well.

I give the POP 2 thumbs up. (and I am NOT a Walmart fan at all!!)