The GROOVIER New Pop Century FAQ Thread Chapter 3! ~ Posts #1 & #2 are MUST sees!

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Just had to post so I could see my ticker at the end! Leaving for Pop in 11 hours!!

 

[Buckeye Lurker]

Just a heads up - we are Disney visa members and last night we got our first offer for free dining for travel through the end of the year. The travel dates are 10/3–11/23/10 and 11/28–12/16/10. Like some of the offers last year, the free dining plan for the value resorts is the quick service dining, need to book moderate or deluxe for the full service dining. Last year, by playing it smart, we got the full service dining for free when the next offer came in. Also like last year, free dining requires booking of 5 days/nights non-discounted hotel.

You need to juggle the math to figure if you do better off with free dining versus discounted hotel offers then paying for dining. For us with all kids now counting as "adults" for dining purposes, free dining adds up quick.

Also, we've done the math (kept receipts etc) and the dining plans only make sense if you go regularly to sit down dining, and even then you are going to need to book things like character breakfasts or dinner and a show to get the full value of the dining plans.

 

[englishrose47]

Just a heads up - we are Disney visa members and last night we got our first offer for free dining for travel through the end of the year. The travel dates are 10/3–11/23/10 and 11/28–12/16/10. Like some of the offers last year, the free dining plan for the value resorts is the quick service dining, need to book moderate or deluxe for the full service dining. Last year, by playing it smart, we got the full service dining for free when the next offer came in. Also like last year, free dining requires booking of 5 days/nights non-discounted hotel.

You need to juggle the math to figure if you do better off with free dining versus discounted hotel offers then paying for dining. For us with all kids now counting as "adults" for dining purposes, free dining adds up quick.

Also, we've done the math (kept receipts etc) and the dining plans only make sense if you go regularly to sit down dining, and even then you are going to need to book things like character breakfasts or dinner and a show to get the full value of the dining plans.

So they added in that week in October that was blacked out for free dining ????

 

[KELLY]

Just a heads up - we are Disney visa members and last night we got our first offer for free dining for travel through the end of the year. The travel dates are 10/3–11/23/10 and 11/28–12/16/10. Like some of the offers last year, the free dining plan for the value resorts is the quick service dining, need to book moderate or deluxe for the full service dining. Last year, by playing it smart, we got the full service dining for free when the next offer came in. Also like last year, free dining requires booking of 5 days/nights non-discounted hotel.

You need to juggle the math to figure if you do better off with free dining versus discounted hotel offers then paying for dining. For us with all kids now counting as "adults" for dining purposes, free dining adds up quick.

Also, we've done the math (kept receipts etc) and the dining plans only make sense if you go regularly to sit down dining, and even then you are going to need to book things like character breakfasts or dinner and a show to get the full value of the dining plans.

Is there any blackout dates with this offer like the gp offer?

I'm already booked with free dining for the last week of September sticking with the QSDP. My girls want to eat at Rainforest and T-rex so paying op for those and garden grill. The extra 200.00 to pay for the regular dining plan just wasn't worth it for us. Plus 10 days of adr's is just to much for us.

Good Luck for those wanting to book. Pop is sold out for my dates. Last year I think I booked at the end of July with plenty of availbilty at all resorts. This year pop and all the mods are so for my dates. Glad I booked early.

 

[katybugsmom]

Just had to post so I could see my ticker at the end! Leaving for Pop in 11 hours!!

Hope you guys have a great time!!!!! I'm so jealous!!!! 5 months to go!!!!

 

[momsavealot]

Just had to post so I could see my ticker at the end! Leaving for Pop in 11 hours!!

Have fun and please report back if you can!!!

 

[jcarwash]

Just had to post so I could see my ticker at the end! Leaving for Pop in 11 hours!!

Please let us know what building/floor you get and if it has been renovated (flat screen tv, privacy curtain, etc.) or if you notice what buildings are currently being renovated!

 

[mama_disney]

Ok, I currently have a room request for 50's, Bldg #3, lake side. As far as I can tell 50's has NOT yet been refurbed. I'm not really sure if I care or not, to be honest. While the idea of a newly refurbished room sounds nice (with updated beds, curved shower curtain, new *everything*), I also like the dressers in the not-refurbed rooms better, and I've read that the not-refurbed rooms are still very nice. Plus we probably won't be spending a ton of time there. So, my question for anyone who's has the luxury of comparing... should I try for a request in 70's bldg w/ a refurbed room, or just stick with 50's non-refurb??? Are the refurbished rooms a TON nicer than the others, or not too much to be worth it??? Any thoughts/opinions are welcome.

 

[trekker93]

The views in the 50's overlooking the lake is very nice. Also, you can see both MK or Epcot's fireworks at night from there. And, it's fun looking for the alligator in the lake!!!ENJOY IT! By the way, when I called last week to Pop they told me that all rooms will be refurbished by September.

 

[jgraney106]

The views in the 50's overlooking the lake is very nice. Also, you can see both MK or Epcot's fireworks at night from there. And, it's fun looking for the alligator in the lake!!!ENJOY IT! By the way, when I called last week to Pop they told me that all rooms will be refurbished by September.

By any chance do you know if Blg# 9 was completed yet? We are going August 21st - 28th and have requested that building. I can't seem to find a refurb schedule anywhere for Pop! I am grateful that they finally installed a privacy curtain near the sinks! Don't want to pack hooks and a curtain anymore.

 

[Mindy5767]

Just a heads up - we are Disney visa members and last night we got our first offer for free dining for travel through the end of the year. The travel dates are 10/3–11/23/10 and 11/28–12/16/10. Like some of the offers last year, the free dining plan for the value resorts is the quick service dining, need to book moderate or deluxe for the full service dining. Last year, by playing it smart, we got the full service dining for free when the next offer came in. Also like last year, free dining requires booking of 5 days/nights non-discounted hotel.

You need to juggle the math to figure if you do better off with free dining versus discounted hotel offers then paying for dining. For us with all kids now counting as "adults" for dining purposes, free dining adds up quick.

Also, we've done the math (kept receipts etc) and the dining plans only make sense if you go regularly to sit down dining, and even then you are going to need to book things like character breakfasts or dinner and a show to get the full value of the dining plans.

You are exactly right. When we took the whole family down for Thanksgiving in 2007, we did not have the dining plan. We had several TS meals (a family style dinner at Whispering Canyon for Thanksgiving dinner and we did the Luau at the Poly). We then computed how much the dining plan would have added to our cost and found it was a wash. Yes, we would have eaten a whole lot more food on the dining plan..... but we certainly didn't go hungry... and do we really NEED all that extra food? I think not! If you're not actually going to eat at one TS per day, the regular dining plan is not going to save you money. In fact, I recall one meal during another trip, when DH and I ordered 2 salads and a child's pizza at Pinnochio's Village Haus and the three of us (DH, me, DD6) shared the pizza and us adults had salad with it. That wasn't even 3 full QS meals (which always include dessert). So you really have to ask yourself before you select a meal plan, how you normally would choose to eat. It might not be a value. Another discount may be more suitable.

Ok, I currently have a room request for 50's, Bldg #3, lake side. As far as I can tell 50's has NOT yet been refurbed. I'm not really sure if I care or not, to be honest. While the idea of a newly refurbished room sounds nice (with updated beds, curved shower curtain, new *everything*), I also like the dressers in the not-refurbed rooms better, and I've read that the not-refurbed rooms are still very nice. Plus we probably won't be spending a ton of time there. So, my question for anyone who's has the luxury of comparing... should I try for a request in 70's bldg w/ a refurbed room, or just stick with 50's non-refurb??? Are the refurbished rooms a TON nicer than the others, or not too much to be worth it??? Any thoughts/opinions are welcome.

Here's another option. We stayed in room 0125 (non-preferred side of building 10 70's). We had a refurbed bathroom (had the curved shower etc sage tiles) but the dresser was the older 6 drawer one with a regular old TV, and the older busy bedspread. So the room was actually partly done. I guess they decided to put the room back into service for the week of spring break before the refurb. was completed. It was fine. Still nice and clean and Disneyesque. I have requested the 70's first floor for my August trip.. but I didn't specify building 10. If I wanted to be really picky, I could have said... give me room 0125 again!!

 

[labsrus1]

we have a question about the reusable cups. Has anyone been there recently and noticed which cups are being allowed. We have pop cups from 06 and a generic cups from 09 and would like to take cups if that will save some money. :cheer2

 

[Mindy5767]

we have a question about the reusable cups. Has anyone been there recently and noticed which cups are being allowed. We have pop cups from 06 and a generic cups from 09 and would like to take cups if that will save some money. :cheer2

Well, the cups are only supposed to be used for the trip you buy them on.... but of course, if you have the SAME current style cup from a previous trip... how would they ever know? I got 3 trips out of my Year of A Million Dreams cup set. The cups that I saw in March/April were the generic primary colored cups with Mickey, Donald, Goofy etc. They looked very red to me.

I have seen people refill their previous trip (different style) cups. In fact, I did refill my All Star Music 2005 cup at the Pop in 2010... once... because I'd brought them with me. I actually use them every day for my coffee, bed side water, and to bring beer and wine to the pool (no glass allowed).

This (August) trip we're planning on buying a new set, and I'm hoping the same set will be in use in November when we return.

If anybody noticed... they used to have resort specific cups.. which made it fun to collect... but since the Year of A Million Dreams, they've all been the same. IMHO that's less fun.

 

[jcarwash]

we have a question about the reusable cups. Has anyone been there recently and noticed which cups are being allowed. We have pop cups from 06 and a generic cups from 09 and would like to take cups if that will save some money. :cheer2

There's a sticky thread on refillable mugs that provides help on your question:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447967

 

[KELLY]

The views in the 50's overlooking the lake is very nice. Also, you can see both MK or Epcot's fireworks at night from there. And, it's fun looking for the alligator in the lake!!!ENJOY IT! By the way, when I called last week to Pop they told me that all rooms will be refurbished by September.

In case you miss your friend. Since so many have asked to see him or her. I probably should add it to the pop picture thread.

 

[MBKELmom]

shuttergirl,

check out ourlaughingplace. they have a transportation calculator. There's even an app for your iphone if you have one!

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.aspx

awesome! thanks so much...i didn't know about this.

 

[MBKELmom]

I would definitely prefer to give the cooler a try. I think $10 a day for a fridge is a little expensive over 11 days. I could buy alot of cold drinks with that.

Agreed. If we end up going the fridge route over the cooler, I will purchase one of the 1.7 c feet from Walmart for around $60 bucks, lol.

I did attempt to get in on a swap but it looks like a lot of the fridges are lost.

 

[wildcatfan]

We have always used a cooler and it works fine. There are many ice bins and they are located close to the rooms.

 

[MBKELmom]

I was going to put the whole outfit in a ziplock with socks and underwear. We are going for 10 days and brining a outfit for each day. We will probably do laundry but mostly just to re-pack it in the suitcase. So I'm going to try it once. Wish me lucK!!

I do this with my 9 year old when she goes to summer camp. Works great. If you are going to do laundry why not pack less? My olders pack themselves so I can see a nightmare happening with the lack of space (but we have an xtra room) thank goodness... they can keep their mess to theirselves.

 

[marymal99]

We had the same dilema and decided to stick with 50's refurbed or not.
We will be ther 08-28-2010 so hope the refurbishment is done but if not we still love the 50's





We like the view of epcot
We like the less crowded pool
Laundry is handy