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

[danetter]

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

We stayed in building 3 top floor lake view of the 50's last year and loved it. I have requested that same area this year. Although I would love to have a refurbed room as well, this area was quiet and we were able to go out on the balcony every night to watch the fireworks. Of course my kids are wanting the 90's building since 1 was born in 96 and the youngest 2000.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

How far away would you all say lake view is? Any building...We've never stayed at POP before and from what I've read on the boards I was planning on requesting lake view, haven't decided exactly where just yet. When I told my cousin who normally stay at POP they couldn't believe it. They said its such a long walk and way too far away. From what I've seen on maps and in pics it doesn't seem that bad, plus I don't mind long walks at all. Just for curiousities sake, how long would you say the walks to and from a lakeside area is? I still plan on requesting it anyway!

 

[Mindy5767]

Of course my kids are wanting the 90's building since 1 was born in 96 and the youngest 2000.

I REALLY don't want to stay in the 90's or 80's buildings. Can't look at the laptop pool!!! I see enough of those when not on vacation!!

 

[bdoyledimou]

How far away would you all say lake view is? Any building...We've never stayed at POP before and from what I've read on the boards I was planning on requesting lake view, haven't decided exactly where just yet. When I told my cousin who normally stay at POP they couldn't believe it. They said its such a long walk and way too far away. From what I've seen on maps and in pics it doesn't seem that bad, plus I don't mind long walks at all. Just for curiousities sake, how long would you say the walks to and from a lakeside area is? I still plan on requesting it anyway!

I think the farthest room is 800 feet from Century Hall.

Some people may think this is far, but when you put it into the whole grand "you are going to be walking 10+ miles a day anyway" does 800 vs 450 ft really matter that much?!

For the record, we have requested Building 4 or 5 lake view as well. It's almost like getting a premium view for standard price

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

I think the farthest room is 800 feet from Century Hall.

Some people may think this is far, but when you put it into the whole grand "you are going to be walking 10+ miles a day anyway" does 800 vs 450 ft really matter that much?!

For the record, we have requested Building 4 or 5 lake view as well. It's almost like getting a premium view for standard price

Psh, they made it sound like we'd be walking from Epcot to Animal Kingdom. I thought they were exaggerating! I'm definitely still requesting lake view and I'll keep those buildings in mind that you mentioned. Thanks!

 

[WDisneyMom]

I have read through many of the posts and keep looking at the map but could someone please help me with room location? We will be in a standard room and prefer first floor, near the main building, close to the pool. Thank You!

 

[Mindy5767]

I have read through many of the posts and keep looking at the map but could someone please help me with room location? We will be in a standard room and prefer first floor, near the main building, close to the pool. Thank You!

Standard vs. Preferred has nothing to do with view. Its about being close to the main pool and the main building. So if you have a standard location, you'll be on the side of the building facing away from the main building and pool. But really.... its not far. A few extra steps. I requested 1st floor in the 70's section, standard location. Last time we got room 0125. Nice location. and quite shady.

 

[englishrose47]

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

Hi Stranger !!!!

 

[KELLY]

I have read through many of the posts and keep looking at the map but could someone please help me with room location? We will be in a standard room and prefer first floor, near the main building, close to the pool. Thank You!

You switched from CSR to POP ? Really none of the rooms are far away from any pool. Pop is just set up that really no room is far away.

 

[littlepeppers]

How far away would you all say lake view is? Any building...We've never stayed at POP before and from what I've read on the boards I was planning on requesting lake view, haven't decided exactly where just yet. When I told my cousin who normally stay at POP they couldn't believe it. They said its such a long walk and way too far away. From what I've seen on maps and in pics it doesn't seem that bad, plus I don't mind long walks at all. Just for curiousities sake, how long would you say the walks to and from a lakeside area is? I still plan on requesting it anyway!

I don't get the walk thing. You walk a million miles in the park, so what is another few. It really isnt far at all. Get your lake view & enjoy! We had it last year & loved it.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

I don't get the walk thing. You walk a million miles in the park, so what is another few. It really isnt far at all. Get your lake view & enjoy! We had it last year & loved it.

I hear ya. I'm excited for lake view, it looks so pretty and serene!

My favorite thing is going to/leaving the gym and watching people drive in circles until a spot super close to the gym opens up so they can park and work out. Really? You're going to the gym but you can't possibly park 6 spots away from the door because that's just too much walking?

 

[disneyfreak7]

Does anyone know which buildings used to be smoking rooms? I want to make sure I do not request a building that used to be smoking.

Have buildings 4 and 5 been refurbished in 60's section?

 

[Mindy5767]

Does anyone know which buildings used to be smoking rooms? I want to make sure I do not request a building that used to be smoking.

Have buildings 4 and 5 been refurbished in 60's section?

I don't know about the refurb schedule, but I've stayed at the Pop many times and I've NEVER had a smokey smell in my room. The walls are paper thin... and if you're on the first floor, you can hear conversations from above.... but no smokey smell... and trust me.. I could tell if someone is smoking at CBR from my room at the Pop!!

 

[bdoyledimou]

Does anyone know which buildings used to be smoking rooms? I want to make sure I do not request a building that used to be smoking.

Have buildings 4 and 5 been refurbished in 60's section?

They all had smoking rooms at one point, but its been over 2 years since they allowed smoking in the rooms at all.

One thing to keep in mind, is that the DSAs are all around the lake, so if smoke bothers you, i would specifically ask NOT to have a lake view.

 

[WDisneyMom]

Standard vs. Preferred has nothing to do with view. Its about being close to the main pool and the main building. So if you have a standard location, you'll be on the side of the building facing away from the main building and pool. But really.... its not far. A few extra steps. I requested 1st floor in the 70's section, standard location. Last time we got room 0125. Nice location. and quite shady.

Thank you!

You switched from CSR to POP ? Really none of the rooms are far away from any pool. Pop is just set up that really no room is far away.

No, we stayed at CSR in Nov 09...this year I have had several reservatiom changes between resorts and now with FD extended, it's the best deal to stay value with this promotion for us.

 

[Halbleib1]

Standard vs. Preferred has nothing to do with view. Its about being close to the main pool and the main building. So if you have a standard location, you'll be on the side of the building facing away from the main building and pool. But really.... its not far. A few extra steps. I requested 1st floor in the 70's section, standard location. Last time we got room 0125. Nice location. and quite shady.

Last time we were at Pop I paid for a standard room and requested a 50's room overlooking the pool and we got it. I was not charged any extra for the room either. They do have rooms overlooking the pool that are not prefered. Usually the prefered rooms are on the first floor or near the elevators. We were not right on top of the elevators but at the same time it was only a short walk to it. We were also only a short walk to the main hall and pool.

All of our trips we have always overlooked the pool or courtyard without paying for a prefered room. I had only ever requested a particular room/view that one time.

 

[jenseib]

Even so, did you know that you can get bell services to haul your luggage for you? I am going out on a limb assuming (and we know what happens when we assume) but at the DVC resorts bell services will come and collect your luggage and YOU in one of their golf carts and take you to the main building. Since Pop HAS golf carts and there is one that looks like a 56 Chevy at the front, it looks to me that they offer this service.

No Pop doesn't have Bell services. None of the Values do. But if worse comes to worse, they usually will get someone to help you.

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.

Thats not a Visa offer, thats pin code just randomly sent out to people.

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

The official answer is a big no. People get really nasty on some threads when someone even hints they may reuse one. But many people still do. I do know that the ones we got in March of 2009 are not the same as the current ones. They changed about mid 2009. They are almsot the same, but not exactly. Ours have the picture on the top half and the bottom is white, the new ones are a complet full picture on the whole cup.

Does anyone know which buildings used to be smoking rooms? I want to make sure I do not request a building that used to be smoking.

Have buildings 4 and 5 been refurbished in 60's section?

I beleive the 80's and 90's were the smoking rooms right before they put the ban on smoking. I have read though, they they wreally went in and totally defumed the rooms.

 

[KELLY]

Thank you!



No, we stayed at CSR in Nov 09...this year I have had several reservatiom changes between resorts and now with FD extended, it's the best deal to stay value with this promotion for us.

After I wrote that I thought about it. I think I read your trip report and that is why I thought that.

 

[EpcotBill]

Last time we were at Pop I paid for a standard room and requested a 50's room overlooking the pool and we got it. I was not charged any extra for the room either. They do have rooms overlooking the pool that are not prefered. Usually the prefered rooms are on the first floor or near the elevators. We were not right on top of the elevators but at the same time it was only a short walk to it. We were also only a short walk to the main hall and pool.

All of our trips we have always overlooked the pool or courtyard without paying for a prefered room. I had only ever requested a particular room/view that one time.

None of the rooms directly facing the pool in the 50's are preferred. Floor or proximity to the elevators have nothing to do with whether a room is standard or preferred. It's all about distance to Classic Hall.

Check out the map. Preferred locations are highlighted in yellow. This map can be found in post #1 of this thread.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I am curious about what to expect early September (2-12) in terms of crowds at POP. Some people make it sound like POP has lines miles long at the food court. Aslo, if you were to select any building, which would it be?

Thanks!

I can answer this one! We were there last year about that time. It was very low crowds, with a couple of exceptions:
1) MGM on Sunset strip on the two nights a week that Fantasmic was presented (we skipped it even though we wanted to see it because you had to be in line an hour or more a head of time and it was CHAOS! No thanks!)

2) Sat. and Sun. before Labor day. Busy busy busy. But Labor Day itself was dead.

Honestly, for attendance it was our best ever. We walked right on Everest several times. We used Unofficial Guides best days and parkhopped to get the most out of our free dining, but otherwise kind of just winged it.
Happy to answer any other questions!

Have a GREAT trip!