GADISNEYGIRL
<font color=red>Maelstromer!<br><font color=purple
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2003
- Messages
- 1,227
Resort Review: Pop Century 9/8-9/11
Girls Shopping/Eating Extravaganza 2005
Me (Rhonda), 30-something
Friend (Michele), 30-something
Let me preface this by saying that this was my third time staying at the Pop (first two times were with DH and DS). The three of us have previously stayed at ASMo 5 times, so Im not a stranger to the values. The only complaints weve had with the values are the noise levels~and the fact that the whooshing toilets are enough to scare the umm well, you know!!...out of you!
We arrived near midnight Thursday night. DH and I have arrived that late many a time, but never have we had to wait to check in before! Michele and I had about a 15 minute wait, I couldnt believe it! Mustve been a late plane coming in or something. It was no big deal, I just thought it was funny that we had to wait at that time of night!
I knew wed be arriving late, and had made no specific room requests for that reason, figuring I wouldnt get what I wanted, then Id be disappointed. But we got a 50s room anyway, which is what I was hoping for! Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the building to get a Spaceship Earth view, but it was a location I was happy with. (Never stayed anywhere but 50s.) The room itself was fine, very clean, just the way I like it! We munched on the M&Ms and other chocolate wed brought, and had a little wine, and watched the progress of Hurricane (or was she a tropical storm then?) Ophelia, wondering how much it would affect our weather. Wed expected rain on the way down, and had none, so we were hopeful for the next day. After an hour or so, we decided it was time to get some sleep. We braved the WHOOSHING toilet, and hopped in bed. I mentioned earlier that DH and I have always noticed the noise levels of the values, largely because of the outside entrances, I assume. But then its like the arrangement of the buildings makes echoes or something, as well. However, it has never kept me from sleeping before. This trip, I didnt sleep! I couldnt get over the noise!! It must depend on where your room is located (not which building, but your actual location IN the building). We were on the third floor, about 3 rooms from the end of the building. We were trying to get to sleep about 1am, so I wouldnt have thought there was that much outside traffic (returning from parks, etc), but I did hear a few doors slamming, that sort of thing. Mostly, it was the toilets. Though it wasnt just the toilets I could actually hear someone ummm relieving themself! It was after 2:30am the last time I checked the clock. Around 5am, I was awake again, listening to more toilets flushing. By 7am, the outside noise picked up again, with doors slamming, people yelling at their kids, etc.
We got up about 9am. Wouldnt you know it! It was quiet then! Got ready for our day, and DH called to check on us. Just out of curiosity, I asked him to please go online and check what the best rate would be for a moderate in February when our family is going with Micheles family for a long weekend. We had already changed our own family vacation (12 days in January) from Pop to Wilderness Lodge, because DH didnt want to listen to the toilets for 11 nights~and we couldnt decide on a moderate. Now, with the noise wed had the night before, I was thinking maybe a moderate would be better for the Feb trip. Michele and I would have time to go check all the mods out while we were there, and we could see which one we liked the best. He found that it would be a difference of $100 for our entire stay. I relayed the info to Michele, who later talked to her DH. They agreed: lets do it. So no more Pop in February, were going moderate!! We started our Disney Shopping Day by going to Everything Pop. I do like the gift shop there. The grounds were very clean, and I always enjoy the walk to the parking lot from the 50s section, next to Hourglass Lake. Well, provided Im not loaded down with heavy luggage!
After some heavy duty shopping at DTD, we were on our quest to find the best moderate resort. First stop was French Quarter. We got out and walked around, and I must admit that the place had a nice feel to it. Better than I was expecting. BUT, DH and I used to live in downtown Savannah, and we were miserable there. The setting reminded me a lot of Savannah, so I wondered if he wouldnt like it for that reason. Of course, I didnt notice any muggers or derelicts urinating on gates, as in Savannah, so maybe it would be okay! (Dont get me wrong, Savannah is a beautiful town, as Im certain New Orleans was/will be again~Ive never been to NO~but it is much nicer to visit Savannah than to live in it.) POFQ was at least a contender, though. Next up was Riverside. We didnt actually get out of the car there, but just driving around on the grounds neither of us were all that impressed. I liked the looks of FQ better. Next was Caribbean Beach. It looked okay, but it is sooooo spread out I just felt like it was too big. Id like to be in the Jamaica section, and that is so far from everything. It felt fine, but I still had FQ as my first choice. Finally we hit Coronado Springs, which totally surprised me. I had not expected to like it at all~and I really did! We did some walking there, as well. I know it is big, also, but it didnt feel so spread out. Michele and I both agreed that we wanted to try CS for our February trip. When I relayed that info to DH later in the evening, he was glad to hear that. Thats the mod hed been leaning towards when wed previously talked about them, and he agreed that hed thought the FQ would feel much like Savannah, and thats why it wasnt high on his list. So: Coronado Springs, here we come! I think we are all happy with the change.
Night #2 at the Pop was just as bad. We went to bed earlier, but it still took me over an hour to shut out the noise and sleep. At one point I even had a pillow over my head! More toilets, doors slamming, and other bathroom activity. Yuck!
Saturday was spent exploring the deluxe resorts. DH and I have previously stayed at Contemporary, Boardwalk Inn and Wilderness Lodge, but Michele had never stayed on property before this trip, and was curious to see these. Theyre all lovely in their own way. Ive determined that I will just have to stay in all of them so I can be sure to know all their good qualities!
Night #3 at the Pop continued to be loud. This time we added a crying baby in the room next to us.
I almost never have trouble sleeping, I dont need absolute silence, and I am not ordinarily bothered by a little noise. But this was unbelievably loud. It HAD to be the location of our room, thats all I can figure. My previous 8 value stays were nothing like this, though there has been some degree of noise each stay. The only REALLY annoying time was when a band was practicing (Magic Music Days) outside our room about 11pm at ASMo.
Michele is now convinced that DH, DS and I will never stay in another value! Well see! I do like them because of the, well, value, but I cant function on so little sleep, especially with the pace we like to keep at WDW. I guess it will depend on how our stay is at Coronado Springs: is the extra money worth it, is the noise level less, that sort of thing.
I do like the Pop very much, if only they would add some soundproofing!!! Anyone else have this kind of experience?
Girls Shopping/Eating Extravaganza 2005
Me (Rhonda), 30-something
Friend (Michele), 30-something
Let me preface this by saying that this was my third time staying at the Pop (first two times were with DH and DS). The three of us have previously stayed at ASMo 5 times, so Im not a stranger to the values. The only complaints weve had with the values are the noise levels~and the fact that the whooshing toilets are enough to scare the umm well, you know!!...out of you!
We arrived near midnight Thursday night. DH and I have arrived that late many a time, but never have we had to wait to check in before! Michele and I had about a 15 minute wait, I couldnt believe it! Mustve been a late plane coming in or something. It was no big deal, I just thought it was funny that we had to wait at that time of night!
I knew wed be arriving late, and had made no specific room requests for that reason, figuring I wouldnt get what I wanted, then Id be disappointed. But we got a 50s room anyway, which is what I was hoping for! Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the building to get a Spaceship Earth view, but it was a location I was happy with. (Never stayed anywhere but 50s.) The room itself was fine, very clean, just the way I like it! We munched on the M&Ms and other chocolate wed brought, and had a little wine, and watched the progress of Hurricane (or was she a tropical storm then?) Ophelia, wondering how much it would affect our weather. Wed expected rain on the way down, and had none, so we were hopeful for the next day. After an hour or so, we decided it was time to get some sleep. We braved the WHOOSHING toilet, and hopped in bed. I mentioned earlier that DH and I have always noticed the noise levels of the values, largely because of the outside entrances, I assume. But then its like the arrangement of the buildings makes echoes or something, as well. However, it has never kept me from sleeping before. This trip, I didnt sleep! I couldnt get over the noise!! It must depend on where your room is located (not which building, but your actual location IN the building). We were on the third floor, about 3 rooms from the end of the building. We were trying to get to sleep about 1am, so I wouldnt have thought there was that much outside traffic (returning from parks, etc), but I did hear a few doors slamming, that sort of thing. Mostly, it was the toilets. Though it wasnt just the toilets I could actually hear someone ummm relieving themself! It was after 2:30am the last time I checked the clock. Around 5am, I was awake again, listening to more toilets flushing. By 7am, the outside noise picked up again, with doors slamming, people yelling at their kids, etc.
We got up about 9am. Wouldnt you know it! It was quiet then! Got ready for our day, and DH called to check on us. Just out of curiosity, I asked him to please go online and check what the best rate would be for a moderate in February when our family is going with Micheles family for a long weekend. We had already changed our own family vacation (12 days in January) from Pop to Wilderness Lodge, because DH didnt want to listen to the toilets for 11 nights~and we couldnt decide on a moderate. Now, with the noise wed had the night before, I was thinking maybe a moderate would be better for the Feb trip. Michele and I would have time to go check all the mods out while we were there, and we could see which one we liked the best. He found that it would be a difference of $100 for our entire stay. I relayed the info to Michele, who later talked to her DH. They agreed: lets do it. So no more Pop in February, were going moderate!! We started our Disney Shopping Day by going to Everything Pop. I do like the gift shop there. The grounds were very clean, and I always enjoy the walk to the parking lot from the 50s section, next to Hourglass Lake. Well, provided Im not loaded down with heavy luggage!
After some heavy duty shopping at DTD, we were on our quest to find the best moderate resort. First stop was French Quarter. We got out and walked around, and I must admit that the place had a nice feel to it. Better than I was expecting. BUT, DH and I used to live in downtown Savannah, and we were miserable there. The setting reminded me a lot of Savannah, so I wondered if he wouldnt like it for that reason. Of course, I didnt notice any muggers or derelicts urinating on gates, as in Savannah, so maybe it would be okay! (Dont get me wrong, Savannah is a beautiful town, as Im certain New Orleans was/will be again~Ive never been to NO~but it is much nicer to visit Savannah than to live in it.) POFQ was at least a contender, though. Next up was Riverside. We didnt actually get out of the car there, but just driving around on the grounds neither of us were all that impressed. I liked the looks of FQ better. Next was Caribbean Beach. It looked okay, but it is sooooo spread out I just felt like it was too big. Id like to be in the Jamaica section, and that is so far from everything. It felt fine, but I still had FQ as my first choice. Finally we hit Coronado Springs, which totally surprised me. I had not expected to like it at all~and I really did! We did some walking there, as well. I know it is big, also, but it didnt feel so spread out. Michele and I both agreed that we wanted to try CS for our February trip. When I relayed that info to DH later in the evening, he was glad to hear that. Thats the mod hed been leaning towards when wed previously talked about them, and he agreed that hed thought the FQ would feel much like Savannah, and thats why it wasnt high on his list. So: Coronado Springs, here we come! I think we are all happy with the change.
Night #2 at the Pop was just as bad. We went to bed earlier, but it still took me over an hour to shut out the noise and sleep. At one point I even had a pillow over my head! More toilets, doors slamming, and other bathroom activity. Yuck!
Saturday was spent exploring the deluxe resorts. DH and I have previously stayed at Contemporary, Boardwalk Inn and Wilderness Lodge, but Michele had never stayed on property before this trip, and was curious to see these. Theyre all lovely in their own way. Ive determined that I will just have to stay in all of them so I can be sure to know all their good qualities!
Night #3 at the Pop continued to be loud. This time we added a crying baby in the room next to us.
I almost never have trouble sleeping, I dont need absolute silence, and I am not ordinarily bothered by a little noise. But this was unbelievably loud. It HAD to be the location of our room, thats all I can figure. My previous 8 value stays were nothing like this, though there has been some degree of noise each stay. The only REALLY annoying time was when a band was practicing (Magic Music Days) outside our room about 11pm at ASMo.
Michele is now convinced that DH, DS and I will never stay in another value! Well see! I do like them because of the, well, value, but I cant function on so little sleep, especially with the pace we like to keep at WDW. I guess it will depend on how our stay is at Coronado Springs: is the extra money worth it, is the noise level less, that sort of thing.
I do like the Pop very much, if only they would add some soundproofing!!! Anyone else have this kind of experience?
