POP = Walmart?

[donaldseeyore]

Probably meaningless to some, but to most of you. Does a box of Kellogg cereal truly taste better if it is NOT from Walmart ?

Honestly, no. In my mind, yes I despise walmart with every fiber of my being.

 

[Goofey Drool]

I love the new political correctness culture... dont offend anyone. Dont say anything to make anyone feel bad. You can think something but how rude you are if you voice it. I learned my lesson.... when someone asks me what I think I just smile and say "oh its great". That is what you are suppose to say. Complain about the cast members, your meal, the view of your room etc. but dont insinuate that anyone at any particular place tend to behave in a certain way from your observations. You will be verbally thrashed.

 

[sixisenough]

I should have read your warning first

 

[goofy4tink]

I love the new political correctness culture... dont offend anyone. Dont say anything to make anyone feel bad. You can think something but how rude you are if you voice it. I learned my lesson.... when someone asks me what I think I just smile and say "oh its great". That is what you are suppose to say. Complain about the cast members, your meal, the view of your room etc. but dont insinuate that anyone at any particular place tend to behave in a certain way from your observations. You will be verbally thrashed.

You could be right. But, I feel that it's nice to have a balanced view of something. So, when someone posts of their negative experience, I like to give my experience as well. But, I do try to do it in a pleasant way..no flaming from me. That just annoys everyone and you lose your credibility. Besides, what one person thinks of as a negative, another may think of as a positive. Smokers standing around, outside the entrances? Yes, I think it's annoying. But my dd, 31, who is trying to quit smoking, thinks it's not so bad...she gets to 'inhale' a bit and slowly wean herself off the nasty stuff!!!

 

[MamaCoog]

We were at POP 02/09-02/13 and I will say that it was unusually crowded. We have stayed there several times before and this time was busiest by far. But to be fair... the parks were WAY more crowded than they ever have been when we have been during this time of year. I was almost shocked. Normally we can get AK done by noon but it took us all day to do what we wanted to get done (the same thing with DHS). We didnt have any problems with the buses. We only waited for a short time from and to POP. The longest line was at MK after Wishes, POP had the longest line of any resort. I thought we would be there forever but they started bringing in 2 and 3 buses at a time and we were outta there in no time. Sorry the OP had a bad time at POP. We always love it but I will agree it was outrageously crowded. Maybe they will finally finish the Legendary Years part to alleviate some of this!

 

[chimmie219]

Yes, it does. And I only buy my laundry soap at Macy's... my clothes are sooo much cleaner! [/QUOTE

detergent at macy's--i will have to try it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JB2K]

Nothing like being critical of POP to get folks riled-up!

IMO, you take away the oversized icons and the Mickey wake-up calls, and you basically have a motel with a built-in food court.

The problems were the amount of people. Lines, lines, lines...... Your walk to the bus line will be the longest at every park. Your wait will also be longer.

That's the trade-off for getting the least-expensive rooms on Disney property (unless you're fortunate-enough to get lodging @ SoG) -- dealing with a ga-zillion other visitors from just about every walk of life. And a LOT of waiting, waiting, waiting...

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.

True -- but the Walt Disney Co. has to (legally) walk a fine line with special needs people, which is probably why CM's don't make an effort to split-up a disabled person and their "group of 12", as someone, here put it...

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.

It strikes me odd at how many POP fans go ga-ga over their food court -- when I go on vacation, it is to relax. If I want a food court, I'll go to my local shopping mall. Just my opinion, as I know "one size doesn't fit all"...

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.

This is obviously something Disney needs to re-work! Not to beat the Shades of Green drum, but that resort is 100% non-smoking (as is all government-owned real estate). If SoG does have smoking areas, they're pretty far-away from the mainstream. Disney could do well to emulate the some of the same things on their hotel properties.

The Walmart comment I don't know about everyone else, but Wal-Mart has always given me a fair deal. The OP said "you get what you paid for", which suggests you get very little for your dollar at Wal-Mart, which is a bit misleading.

You have to remember, while it is legendary there are millions in/around the NYC area who have never set foot in a Wal-Mart who still "hate Wal-Mart with every fiber of their being", there are many more of us in the rest of America who thinks they are just fine (and in many places, Wal-Mart is an integral part of the local community).

And, if that wasn't enough, the Walt Disney Co. obviously thinks Wal-Mart is all right, too (as both just inked a huge contract related to Hannah Montana apparel).

My .02 cents.

 

[chimmie219]

to the poster who was getting scared about her stay at pop:if you are booking a value resort,its probably what you can afford.It was what i could afford and i booked.And just like you,i started worrying because i read bad reviews.Everybody has different experiences .The boards will drive you crazy if you follow everybodies opinion.
you know what they say about opinions,right?

Enjoy your trip and as long as nothing major comes up,you will have a great trip and come back with great memories.I wish I could stay at a moderate or a deluxe(my dream being the poly and WL),and hopefully ,one day,I will be able to take that luxury trip to wdw,but for now,values are fine by me.

use common sense when you plan your trip and everything will be A-OK.

 

[chimmie219]

Nothing like being critical of POP to get folks riled-up!

IMO, you take away the oversized icons and the Mickey wake-up calls, and you basically have a motel with a built-in food court.

The problems were the amount of people. Lines, lines, lines...... Your walk to the bus line will be the longest at every park. Your wait will also be longer.

That's the trade-off for getting the least-expensive rooms on Disney property (unless you're fortunate-enough to get lodging @ SoG) -- dealing with a ga-zillion other visitors from just about every walk of life. And a LOT of waiting, waiting, waiting...

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.

True -- but the Walt Disney Co. has to (legally) walk a fine line with special needs people, which is probably why CM's don't make an effort to split-up a disabled person and their "group of 12", as someone, here put it...

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.

It strikes me odd at how many POP fans go ga-ga over their food court -- when I go on vacation, it is to relax. If I want a food court, I'll go to my local shopping mall. Just my opinion, as I know "one size doesn't fit all"...

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.

This is obviously something Disney needs to re-work! Not to beat the Shades of Green drum, but that resort is 100% non-smoking (as is all government-owned real estate). If SoG does have smoking areas, they're pretty far-away from the mainstream. Disney could do well to emulate the some of the same things on their hotel properties.

The Walmart comment I don't know about everyone else, but Wal-Mart has always given me a fair deal. The OP said "you get what you paid for", which suggests you get very little for your dollar at Wal-Mart, which is a bit misleading.

You have to remember, while it is legendary there are millions in/around the NYC area who have never set foot in a Wal-Mart who still "hate Wal-Mart with every fiber of their being", there are many more of us in the rest of America who thinks they are just fine (and in many places, Wal-Mart is an integral part of the local community).

And, if that wasn't enough, the Walt Disney Co. obviously thinks Wal-Mart is all right, too (as both just inked a huge contract related to Hannah Montana apparel).

My .02 cents.

DITTO,everything you said.

 

[luckytobeme88]

Why compare Walmart to Macy's? I don't like the clothes from Macy's. I only shop at name brand boutique stores(clearance racks) all the way at the back. lol

 

[G8r4evr]

Sounds like a very fair analysis. We stayed at ASM for one night and that was enough for us. I think we would stay offiste before going back to the values. The thing that bothers me the most about them is that they aren't really a value. Remember when they first opened. The big advertising was $59 and $69 a night. That was a value. When I looked at prices there recently it was going to be $129 a night. Not a value in my opinion for what you get.

Sounds like a pretty fair review to me as well. The Walmart comment probably wasnt the best use of an analogy, but I dont think the OP was implying that ALL guests of POP shop at Walmart, just some...as Im sure some GF guests shop at Walmart too.

IMO, as soon as the values rise above $79 a night, they are no longer a value, for the accomodations they provide. I have long believed that the mods are truly the best value for your money.

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

I honestly don't think the OP was saying that only people who like or shop at Wal-Mart are the only ones who would enjoy POP. I think it was meant to be more like a comparison, i.e.

POP= Wal-Mart
POR= Penney's
BWI= Neiman Marcus

Am I right? Cause that's how I took it.

 

[sixisenough]

That is what I was trying to say. Comparison. WalMart is good for some things. Not good for Everything. POP was good for some things, but not everything.

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

Every person is different, and we all like different things.
Read these threads!!! One poster will say how LeCellier is the biggest disappointment ever, while other will say it is the best ever. Am I going to cancel my ADR at LeCellier because some people don't like it? NO! I am going to go there and try it for myself.

IMHO People take what other peoples opinions are of things like resorts, restaurants, etc... and put too much stock in them.

I missed the noise, busy food court and queue area for buses my last trip because I was at Coronado Springs. I missed POP because I like the feeling of pop. It is simple and loud and fun. CSR was quiet and serene and I hated the Pepper Market. It just wasn't for me.

Different people= Different opinions

I love Pop Century and I love Walmart and I am not afraid to admit it!!!

 

[mousebit]

That is what I was trying to say. Comparison. WalMart is good for some things. Not good for Everything. POP was good for some things, but not everything.

Okay, then, that says it all. No point in going on & on like this in several different threads if that's a true statement. Sounds to me like there was nothing awfully wrong with your stay at POP; it just wasn't your cup of tea. Better luck on your next trip - hopefully at a resort more to your liking.

 

[Tinkerbell63]

wow...I am a little scared now about my upcoming stay at POP. However that being said. I am basically just going to be sleeping there. I wanted to stay on Disney because of the Magical Express Service. I don't drive so I figured it would be cheaper that taking cabs and city buses everywhere. I am a smoker so I can't comment on that issue. I am just looking to have a great time. As long as the bed is clean and the water runs in the shower I will be happy lol. I am basically going for baseball and Disney........
Maybe I will have happier things to report lol

I don't think you'll be disappointed. We stayed at POR this past summer and have stayed at CBR, but we are returning to POP because we think it's a fun place for our family.

 

[kaysmommie]

I'm also a bit scared of our upcoming stay at Pop for DD's Birthday trip. I'm not offended by the OP because she has a right to her opinion. That said we usually stay at Poly or WL and we like quiet relaxing resorts and yes we like a bit of luxury on vacation. But since we are only going to be there for a long weekend we won't be using the resort other than to sleep and shower so I don't really see the need to spend $300-$400 on a resort. We will mostly be at the parks and waterparks. I'm just not into noise, long lines and tons of smokers, those are the things I'm worried about. Also I can't stand Walmart . I will certainly do a review when I get back if I thought Pop was adequate or not.

 

[luckytobeme88]

Comparison to what? Is the OP only comparing clothing or what? Where will I stay then?
Pop=Walmart
Moderate=Penneys
Deluxe=Neiman Marcus

I wear socks bought from Walmart, a tee shirt from Banana Republic, a pair of jean from Ann Taylor, Ugg boots and $10,000 diamond wedding band from Tiffany's. I went to Walmart for my weekly grocery too.
I stayed and enjoyed all of Disney's value resorts.

 

[marivaid]

Some things you complain about happen in all kinds of resorts.

We've stayed at BWI, WL, BC and the Polynesian. Bus service at POP was 10 times better than ANY of those Deluxes. The only Deluxe we've had great bus service at was AKL. Yes, the POP bus stops are the farthest ones at every park, because POP was built last. But we've never had to wait more than 15mns for a bus, and POP doesn't share. You could be paying more at a Moderate and wait 40mns for a bus, just like we did when we were staying at POFQ. You could be paying a LOT more at the BC, and have to make stops at the Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk and Yacht Club before you get back to your resort (that's coming from Downtown Disney).

Food court .... show up at any of the resort CS at peak times and they will be crowded. Captain Cook's at breakfast time was a zoo. The Boardwalk doesn't have a CS; if you want to refill your mug, you have to go queue at the Boardwalk Bakery. Not a fun thing to do when it's 8am and you want to get to a park.

Smoking areas : they are at odd locations at other resorts as well. At AKL, it's right outside the door, on the way to the bus stop. You can't get to the bus stop without going through the smoking area. I don't know how Disney selects smoking areas, but in some cases you've got to wonder what went through their heads.

 

[fires_grumpy]

DW and I have stayed at POP, AS MOVIE and love both. This May we are staying at AS Music. It not because we are poor or shop at Walmart. It because we only want a place to sleep and shower. We love to save a buck like all of the Disers. We can afford a Mod or a delux but we love to spend our money on items in the parks and down town Disney.