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

[bgenew1]

We will be in Cocoa Beach for the Space Coast Marathon the Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov 28) and thought about coming over to Disney for two days to catch the Christmas Party on the 30th.

Does any know what the general public discounts were for that time period and when they came out? The standard rate now shows at $82.

And what is the opinion of should I go ahead and book now and apply the discount or wait till they are released?

 

[englishrose47]

We've used it for the last 3 years and have enjoyed the stress free start to the trip. The drivers were funny - one was telling jokes alot of the time. Another was telling s about the impact of the last hurricane as he drove by homes with blue tarps on the roofs.

Are you sure ??? I usually have had purple panted ME drivers and the one time I didn't I asked the driver if Disney had finally changed the pants color .. he laughed and said NO they were Disney employees and he was Mears !!So I think both are drivers !!!

 

[KELLY]

We just called today to indicate our room preferences, and to confirm some other special issues our family has to deal with

The lady on the phone was so sweet and was panicking because they couldnt find our reservation!!! Turns out because of my hyphenated last name, it has to be entered in with an apostrophe... few was breaking into a sweat there!!

She complimented DW on being so patient (cause she couldn't find our reservation!!!)


Connecting rooms, Building 4 or 5, Top Floor Lake view

She told us that that area would be so far away from everything, most people ask to be closer to the pools/Century Hall. We laughed and just said the most important thing is for us to be together.. the rest is just gravy and she asked if it was Brown or White Gravy.

And i think that's it.. we are ready to go... just 7 more sleeps!!! All packed, picking up the Car Decals on Monday.... how will i get though this week!?!??!!

Just make sure you have Lotso straped on the front nice and tight! Have a great trip.

 

[MeMom]

Not sure if you know this, but the ME bus drivers are not Walt Disney World employees - they're employees of Mears.

We've used it for the last 3 years and have enjoyed the stress free start to the trip. The drivers were funny - one was telling jokes alot of the time. Another was telling s about the impact of the last hurricane as he drove by homes with blue tarps on the roofs.

Are you sure ??? I usually have had purple panted ME drivers and the one time I didn't I asked the driver if Disney had finally changed the pants color .. he laughed and said NO they were Disney employees and he was Mears !!So I think both are drivers !!!

We've always had friendly ones, whoever they have been working for. Some are more upbeat than others, as in anything. We were surprised that this one didn't even greet the passengers in any way, shape, or form. We've gone to resorts on different buses - Cruise Line, the ones with Crush, etc. on the side, some that looked like regular tour buses. It is so nice to have that luxury of being picked up and taken to the resort. I'm so used to it that when I think of flying somewhere else, I temporarily forget that we don't have a free ride from the airport to our destination.

I didn't see any purple pants drivers on this trip, Rose. I guess maybe they have changed now for good? Don't know.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Just make sure you have Lotso straped on the front nice and tight! Have a great trip.

Ohh for sure! I will post pics! But first, i am going to have to rescue Lotsp from my Kitty who seems to haev adopted him

 

[KELLY]

Ohh for sure! I will post pics! But first, i am going to have to rescue Lotsp from my Kitty who seems to haev adopted him

Can you check on the refurb's while you are there? I think we need a update. Thanks

 

[Mindy5767]

Hi we are a family of six travelling from Australia. We arrive in Orlando int. airport at about 5am on a Sunday morning. My question is has anyone caught the ME at that time in the morning to POP? I am a little concerned that it will take for ever because there will not be as many buses at that time of the morning. We would of been travelling for over 24hrs by then with three little kids.....!!!!!!! and yes I have booked and paid for an extra day to make sure we can check straight into our rooms. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks my disney lovers.

At least the ME waiting area has comfy chairs arranged in seating groups like a living room. The earliest I've arrived is 8:30am and we didn't have very much of a wait at all. I think we got right on the bus.

What do you mean by you've booked and paid for an extra day to make sure you can check straight into your rooms? Are you saying that you paid for a day ahead of your arrival just so the room will be ready? You shouldn't have to do this at all. And does the resort know this? Because if you don't show up the prior day for your room, they might release it. If you let them know that you have an early arrival and how long you'll be traveling for, I think they'd have yours ready. Did you ask? I've had desk clerks tell me that my room isn't ready yet, but if I wanted to move to room # _______ it is all ready. So its my impression that rooms are always ready, although they may not be in your requested area.

We just called today to indicate our room preferences, and to confirm some other special issues our family has to deal with

The lady on the phone was so sweet and was panicking because they couldnt find our reservation!!! Turns out because of my hyphenated last name, it has to be entered in with an apostrophe... few was breaking into a sweat there!!

She complimented DW on being so patient (cause she couldn't find our reservation!!!)


Connecting rooms, Building 4 or 5, Top Floor Lake view

She told us that that area would be so far away from everything, most people ask to be closer to the pools/Century Hall. We laughed and just said the most important thing is for us to be together.. the rest is just gravy and she asked if it was Brown or White Gravy.

And i think that's it.. we are ready to go... just 7 more sleeps!!! All packed, picking up the Car Decals on Monday.... how will i get though this week!?!??!!

What car decals?

 

[bdoyledimou]

What car decals?

My family has a tradition where we decorate our van for the 24 hour drive down to the World. We used store bought decals last year, but since this year the only ones we could find were Princess and Tink, (and we are mostly boys) we got busy and had some custom DISigns made and printed.

This year's theme is Mischief makers -- Donald, Pluto, Stitch, and Lotso!
The Lotso in the above picture is going to hold a special place of honor.. Attached to our grill!!!


Here are pics from out Last trip. We got lots of honks, and thumbs ups, lots of pictures taken of our car, met a whole bunch of people at the rest stops and restaurants along the way. It was so cool!

 

[Mindy5767]

My family has a tradition where we decorate our van for the 24 hour drive down to the World. We used store bought decals last year, but since this year the only ones we could find were Princess and Tink, (and we are mostly boys) we got busy and had some custom DISigns made and printed.

This year's theme is Mischief makers -- Donald, Pluto, Stitch, and Lotso!
The Lotso in the above picture is going to hold a special place of honor.. Attached to our grill!!!


Here are pics from out Last trip. We got lots of honks, and thumbs ups, lots of pictures taken of our car, met a whole bunch of people at the rest stops and restaurants along the way. It was so cool!

ooh I love it! Are these magnetic decals? Are they reusable? I've never seen anything like that. We just write on the windows. Your van looks like a newer version of my 2001 Chevy Venture.

 

[englishrose47]

The van decorations are COOL !! Unfortunately I fly and I don't think SWA would let me decorate

 

[kyl]

At least the ME waiting area has comfy chairs arranged in seating groups like a living room. The earliest I've arrived is 8:30am and we didn't have very much of a wait at all. I think we got right on the bus.

What do you mean by you've booked and paid for an extra day to make sure you can check straight into your rooms? Are you saying that you paid for a day ahead of your arrival just so the room will be ready? You shouldn't have to do this at all. And does the resort know this? Because if you don't show up the prior day for your room, they might release it. If you let them know that you have an early arrival and how long you'll be traveling for, I think they'd have yours ready. Did you ask? I've had desk clerks tell me that my room isn't ready yet, but if I wanted to move to room # _______ it is all ready. So its my impression that rooms are always ready, although they may not be in your requested area.



What car decals?

Hi Mindy,
Thanks for your reply, yes Disney said I wouldn't be able to check in until 3pm. As we arrive so early (our flight lands at 5am) after travelling for over 24hrs I thought it best to pay for an extra night so that when we arrive we can check straight in. Do you think I should call the front desk the week before and let them know this is what I have done. I only paid an extra night for one of our rooms as I have me fingers crossed because they will be joined the other will be ready at the same time. Thanks so much for all your advice its great to know the ME has lounges at the airport

 

[JerseyJanice]

Hi Mindy,
Thanks for your reply, yes Disney said I wouldn't be able to check in until 3pm. As we arrive so early (our flight lands at 5am) after travelling for over 24hrs I thought it best to pay for an extra night so that when we arrive we can check straight in. Do you think I should call the front desk the week before and let them know this is what I have done. I only paid an extra night for one of our rooms as I have me fingers crossed because they will be joined the other will be ready at the same time. Thanks so much for all your advice its great to know the ME has lounges at the airport

I would totally call them if I were you. Like Mindy said, if you don't show up by midnight of the night you paid for, they may consider you a no-show.

 

[carly chloe]

My family has a tradition where we decorate our van for the 24 hour drive down to the World. We used store bought decals last year, but since this year the only ones we could find were Princess and Tink, (and we are mostly boys) we got busy and had some custom DISigns made and printed.

This year's theme is Mischief makers -- Donald, Pluto, Stitch, and Lotso!
The Lotso in the above picture is going to hold a special place of honor.. Attached to our grill!!!


Here are pics from out Last trip. We got lots of honks, and thumbs ups, lots of pictures taken of our car, met a whole bunch of people at the rest stops and restaurants along the way. It was so cool!

We drive from Minnesota. They look really neat!! Happy driving (LOL) Long drive but it's so much cheaper than flying!

 

[Keri]

The weather is usually pretty nice. When I say nice I'm talking temps anywhere from 70 to 80 and with little rain. I did wear a lightweight jacket in the evenings if I got chilly. We went the week after Thanksgiving so not exactly the week you're going but close.

We have been the week after T'giving the last two years & the following week the year before that. You might have 55, you might have 88 & blazing sun. Pack layers & jackets, as well as short sleeves for all. This past year we were usually in a jacket in the am, took it off by 9 or 10, then back on around 5 or 6. One day was windy & rainy & plain old cold -- like 55 -- and we were all in long pants, long sleeves & sweatshirts. The first year we went most days were 80-85* though!!

We will be in Cocoa Beach for the Space Coast Marathon the Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov 28) and thought about coming over to Disney for two days to catch the Christmas Party on the 30th.

Does any know what the general public discounts were for that time period and when they came out? The standard rate now shows at $82.

And what is the opinion of should I go ahead and book now and apply the discount or wait till they are released?

I don't know if there is a minimum stay requirement, but there's free (QS) dining right now for those dates. I don't know if there was also a room discount offered last year, but the previous 2 years it was released in late August. Last year we did free dining as well, so if they did offer a room discount it wouldn't have been a better deal, so we never checked.
eta - make sure you click through "special offers" -- they give you rack rate if you don't!

 

[serene56]

Hi Mindy,
Thanks for your reply, yes Disney said I wouldn't be able to check in until 3pm. As we arrive so early (our flight lands at 5am) after travelling for over 24hrs I thought it best to pay for an extra night so that when we arrive we can check straight in. Do you think I should call the front desk the week before and let them know this is what I have done. I only paid an extra night for one of our rooms as I have me fingers crossed because they will be joined the other will be ready at the same time. Thanks so much for all your advice its great to know the ME has lounges at the airport

I would mark on my reservation LATE arrival. That is what we did for our stay since we are not arriving til midnight

 

[KELLY]

I tried to ask this ? on the cake chatter thread but it doesn't seem to get answered. Has anyone ever ordered a cake to be picked up at the pop food court?

I don't want a sara lee cake. I was thinking of a Mickey head cake and also having something small delivered to our room for dd. I saw a cute birthday ballon bouquet with a mickey attached for around 50.00 threw disney florist. I think the Mickey head cakes are around 48.00 but not sure on this.

 

[kyl]

Kelly that is a great question, I was looking at getting gift baskets for my 3 children and my mother in law. I want them to be in the room when we arrive. I emailed betsy gift baskets and she said she would check with the resort. But I haven't heard back from her for quite a few days now so I am guessing she couldn't have them delivered to our room prior to check in. I wanted the "wow" factor so that when we opened the door there would be the baskets. Just a little extra magic. Anyone have any suggestions. I know disney florist do something like this but they seem very expensive?

 

[KELLY]

Kelly that is a great question, I was looking at getting gift baskets for my 3 children and my mother in law. I want them to be in the room when we arrive. I emailed betsy gift baskets and she said she would check with the resort. But I haven't heard back from her for quite a few days now so I am guessing she couldn't have them delivered to our room prior to check in. I wanted the "wow" factor so that when we opened the door there would be the baskets. Just a little extra magic. Anyone have any suggestions. I know disney florist do something like this but they seem very expensive?

My dd is having a small party here at home princess tiana theme. Just a few family members. But dh thinks she deserves a little something extra special.

 

[Halbleib1]

I tried to ask this ? on the cake chatter thread but it doesn't seem to get answered. Has anyone ever ordered a cake to be picked up at the pop food court?

I don't want a sara lee cake. I was thinking of a Mickey head cake and also having something small delivered to our room for dd. I saw a cute birthday ballon bouquet with a mickey attached for around 50.00 threw disney florist. I think the Mickey head cakes are around 48.00 but not sure on this.

I tried a couple of years ago and was told that they do not deliver to Pop. The only cakes available there are the pre-made ones. If you want a custom cake and you are either not eating at a restaurant they deliver to or you do not want it delivered you can order to pick up at either Main St. Bakery in MK or at the Boardwalk bakery.

 

[Halbleib1]

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.

Oh ok. Was just a little confused when I saw posts saying that if you get a standard room in 50's you would have a lake side view.

I read somewhere awhile back that prefered rooms are also those closest to the elevators. Also the bus stops and classic hall. Not a big deal to us as we never pay for a prefered room and we have never had too bad of a walk.

However according to the map above we would have been in a prefered room when we stayed in the 70's section and I know for a fact we did not pay for prefered.