The All New Pop Century FAR OUT FAQ Thread!

[castlegazer]

Originally posted by mic_key_mouse
Tyler.

This is a really informative post. Thank you for your efforts. I will be arriving at POP about midnight on June 7th. I have heard the resorts are really starting to get annoyed by all the faxes the room assigner recieves, so I am not certain I want to fax him/her this trip. Disney has been known to overbook resorts, and since I am coming in so late I wated to be sure I am boxed in before I arrive.

What is your recommendation for letting the room assigner know I am a late arrival. Fax, phone, email, or some other means.

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

WELCOME TO THE DIS!

You should definately note to CRO that you will be arriving late - they will make a notation in your reservation that will pop up at the front desk at PoP. Late arrivals during the busy season I don't think have a very good chance of getting your requested room. I didn't get anywhere near what I requested and I checked in at 10 pm. The resort was so booked by the end of my checkin procedure I was lucky to have two rooms in the same era building - let alone connecting.

 

[Poohbear123]

Can anyone tell me what building is near the Bus Stop/Parking Lot/Food Court? Thanks.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Just a little background. In just over the past year we've stayed at the FW cabins. Really nice, but at the end of the week, got a little tired of catching a bus to catch another bus. Plus we really didn't need all the amenities, since we were basically gone all day. Last fall we stayed at CBR, compliments of my wife's employer while she was at the Gartner Conference. From there we could see them building the PC next door. We did the 7 for 5 deal and decided on the Pop b/c all we didn't need the amenities of a Mod or Del resort. I'm about to finalize payment today or tomorrow.

I'm a newbie posting on this forum and rather than dig thru 87 pages, I thought I'd just go ahead and post my questions. So sorry in advance if they've been posted numerous times.

We are arriving on Monday July 12th. If we get there around 1, will we be able to check in early and get our passes? Since it is not a weekend, will there be much of a wait? Do you think the e-ride passes for that Monday will have been sold out?

We will have a rental car. If I can request a room, which "standard view" has the best combination of parking and closeness to the Great Hall?

I read about the themostats have motion sensors. I would like to come back to and ice cold room in the middle of July. Will that be a problem?

The all you can drink cups. Are they only refillable at Pop?

How's the bus service to and from the Parks?

OK, here are a few of non Pop questions:

Waterparks: What day is best? If you do not get there when they open, I hear they fill up quickly. Will that be communicated to the resorts or bus drivers? Is after 2 a good time to go? Is one more kid friendly for a 7 year old than the other?

It's regular season at the Value resorts but value at the mods. How does that translate into park crowds in Mid-July?

The only thing we have scheduled is breakfast at Cinderella's Castle - Yeah! Any other tips would be helpful.

Finally. Tyler seems to be very helpful and informative. Where can I meet you at the Pop?

Thanks again

 

[ChairborneRangr]

We are arriving on Monday July 12th. If we get there around 1, will we be able to check in early and get our passes? Since it is not a weekend, will there be much of a wait? Do you think the e-ride passes for that Monday will have been sold out?

- Yes you can check in early, but you won't get your room till it is clean. You may have to store your luggage. THey will deliver you bags within an hour of your room being ready
- It depends. At 1 pm I haven't had issues, but I haven't been there in July
- no idea on e-ride. Just ask as soon as you get there.


We will have a rental car. If I can request a room, which "standard view" has the best combination of parking and closeness to the Great Hall?

personal opinion... it looks like the 70's building on the parkinglot side will be you best bet. Close to everything including parking. 50's is good to. Be sure to get on the parking side instead of lake side.


I read about the themostats have motion sensors. I would like to come back to and ice cold room in the middle of July. Will that be a problem?

Your room will not be ice cold at any time. It will be close to 70 degrees.

The all you can drink cups. Are they only refillable at Pop?

Technically yes, you may get away with it other places, but not in the parks. I wouldn't want to carry them anyway.

How's the bus service to and from the Parks?

Outstanding

OK, here are a few of non Pop questions:

Waterparks: What day is best? If you do not get there when they open, I hear they fill up quickly. Will that be communicated to the resorts or bus drivers? Is after 2 a good time to go? Is one more kid friendly for a 7 year old than the other?

I always go for opening. 2pm will most likely get you a closed park or a rain storm. My 7 year old loves them both. Typhoon Lagoon has more shade.

It's regular season at the Value resorts but value at the mods. How does that translate into park crowds in Mid-July?

Hot, Humid, Rainy, and Crowded. IMHO

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Thanks CR!

July would not have been my first choice, but we had a limited window for summer vaca. I think we may wait a couple of years for #4. Probably try November.

I hear MK will have e-ride nights m-w-f. We may try those b/c I think they are linited to 5k people. Problem is that it's hard to turn around and do EMH the next day....

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by mic_key_mouse
What is your recommendation for letting the room assigner know I am a late arrival. Fax, phone, email, or some other means.

My recommendation will always be to have it notated on the reservation itself. This can be done at any time.

If you're going to be arriving late, I always recommend giving a call to the resort, to let them know.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by DisneyGal358
I was curious if and where you would be working next week. We're arriving May 30th and staying till June 5th at POP. (Myself, a girlfriend of mine and my boyfriend.)

I was accepted to the WDWCP and was interested in saying hello (to thank you for this awesome website) and asking you for any tips you can share about working in the magical world of Disney. (I'm currently a Disney Store CM leaving Delaware to move down.)

I will mostly be at Disney University during that time. Congratulations on the CP. Drop me a PM.

As for this website, you'll have to thank our webmasters and moderators... I just post a word, every so often.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by CBCit
Will we be able to purchase 1 day park tickets at the resort or will we have to wait on line at the MK gate? Also,if we decide while at the MK that we can stand the June heat and want to go to a park again the next day is it to late to get the 2 day discount?
Thanks

I go to my ticketing class next week... but I'm 99% sure you can get a one day one park at the resort itself. As for upgrading, ask at time of purchase... I can't remember what the deal on that was.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Mark Watson
Tyler, are Smoking and Non Smoking rooms in seperate buildings at POP or mixed together?

My family and I would like non smoking but my parents are travelling with us and want smoking!

Will we be able to have adjoining rooms or even rooms close by?

Is there a list available showing rooms which are smoking & non smoking so we can try to plan in advance (obviously allocation is subject to availability)?

Smoking rooms are done in blocks. (ie: a wing) YOu willn ot be able to get adjoining rooms, but you will be able to get 'close by.'

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by cruise-o-matic
We are arriving on Monday July 12th. If we get there around 1, will we be able to check in early and get our passes?

Yes. And there's also the chance that your room might be ready. But even if it isn't, you can still get your Keys to the World.

Originally posted by cruise-o-matic
I read about the themostats have motion sensors. I would like to come back to and ice cold room in the middle of July. Will that be a problem?

Unfortunetly, we cannot make sub-zero temperatures in the room, and the only ice we can get is from the ice makers. However, the A/C will keep the room cool for you. Don't need to worry about the technicalities of the motion sensors. The system is designed to work for you.

Originally posted by cruise-o-matic
The all you can drink cups. Are they only refillable at Pop?

Pop Century Classic Years only, and for your current stay, only.

Originally posted by cruise-o-matic
How's the bus service to and from the Parks?

Buses run every 15 minutes, usually more often when crowds are present. Most people I've spoken to have said waits are minimal. Expect crowds. Pop buses only service Pop, no other resort.

Originally posted by cruise-o-matic
Waterparks: What day is best? If you do not get there when they open, I hear they fill up quickly. Will that be communicated to the resorts or bus drivers? Is after 2 a good time to go?

The best days to go to a waterpark would be an overcast day. Either get there early, or get there late. Buses start 1hr prior to opening, and the park is usually at capacity within an hour of it opening. The parks will re-open usually around 3pm, which is also a good time to go, since a lot of people will have left by then.

Originally posted by cruise-o-matic
Finally. Tyler seems to be very helpful and informative. Where can I meet you at the Pop?

During the month of July, I will be scheduled on the front desk.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Thanks Tyler. Will look forward to meeting you and my DD may want to trade a pin or too...Plus whe'll love the unlimited Icee refills.

BTW, e-ride nights. Do they sell out fairly quickly? Can I get one even before I check in?

 

[mic_key_mouse]

cruise-o-matic

E-ride nights RARELY sell out, but you should have an itinerary planned before you go and purchase tix for the night you want to go as soon as you can (they are available 4 days before the event), as you cannot buy them outside WDW. Keep in mind that this ticket is considered an extension of park media, so you will have to use a day from your park hopper. Because of this, it is best to plan your e-ride night on a day you are planning to attend a park anyways. Even though they rarely sell out, Wednesday is usually less crowded than Monday, and Monday is usually less crowded than Friday. Hope this helps

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[kazza25]

I've been searchin online to try to book tickets to swim with the dolphins. The website is saying that there is no room for 2 adults and 1 child during the dates of my stay July 15th-Aug 5th. Would this be accurate or can I book another way?

I'm gettin more and more excited now, less than 7 weeks to go

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Unofficial Guide lists Friday and Saturday the best days to visit MK in the summer.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Got the UPH with the 5+2 DM, so the ticket part is not a problem. Will probably try to do it either Monday or Wednesday.

Thanks.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

ChairbornRanger.

Since e-ride tix are currently being shown as Mon, Wed, and Fri- you can expect an influx of locals getting 'bang for the buck' on Fridays, arriving at the park in the late afternoon and staying 'till 1 AM. Got that information from a friendly CM when I did an e-ride night on a Friday the last time I was there and was amazed how many people showed up. I won't make that mistake again. You won't find me in the MK on a Saturday ever again- regardless of what Bob Sehlinger says. He writes a great book and I have used it for my last few trips, but this is one of those recommendations where EMH on Sunday makes more sense to me than fighting the masses on Saturday. Hope this is helpful

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

Addendum: Just got an email from TourGuideMike, and he tells me that e-ride tix rules are currently that you have to be staying at a WDW resort or approved 'partner' hotel to get admission media. This would seem to suggest that Fridays aren't as bad as they used to be.

This is the second time I have used TGM in addition to the Unofficial Gude and Passporter- and I highly recommend him because the information is updated every few days and takes into account current anticipated crowds

 

[ChairborneRangr]

We only went to the MK once on a Saturday. It was off season. It was a madhouse. I was only relating what lentesta has passed on.

We have avoided MK on Saturday since then. Next time we go I was going to check out MK on a Saturday on my planned extra day for hitting favorites. The computer model is focused on line waits, not the rest of the experience. Even if they run at full bore on the rides, if the park is packed, it is not very much fun for me.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Once you have been there as much as you and I have, the rides take a back seat to the magic anyways. I was an Orlando resident in 1978 and '79 (back when Kissimee was farms and cowfields), and I practically 'lived' at the MK.

I think the MK on Saturday is one of those 'avoid at all costs' kind of things- but in all the years I have used the UG it has never steered me wrong. I know they are giving good advice, but for me it just doesn't compute. I guess the worst case scenario if you go on a Sat and it is packed is that you can just FP your favorites and enjoy just being immersed in the magic. We are leaving in 2 weeks, and are planning to see Wishes/2nd spectro during the week one night, do e-ride one or two Wednesdays, and do one or two EMH's. We are there for 10 days and have been there lots, so for us we are happier at a water park than we are in a crowded theme park.

We usually get in early for EMH, get out around lunch (for a swim and a nap), and hop to the park which was EMH the day before for the evening. Seems to work most of the time. Even EMH days are less important these days. I get up for MK and AK, but for us the other parks can be toured without getting up at the crack of dawn

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[pmcpmc]

this link
disney geek

 

[twoksmom]

Those pictures are fantastic!! I can't wait to get there and see POP myself!!!! Thank you for posting them. April