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

[cruislovin]

Pretty sure lukewarm shrimp won't poison anyone, but there ARE microwave ovens for use by the Guests.

Are there BOTH microwaves AND toasters available for guests to use with their OWN food?

 

[calderli]

Are there BOTH microwaves AND toasters available for guests to use with their OWN food?

When I was there in Aug 09 there were both microwaves and Toasters to use. I don't think that there are any rules about using them for your own food, but I am sure someone here will know.

 

[ohnowewontgo]

Are there BOTH microwaves AND toasters available for guests to use with their OWN food?

if you really need a toaster and they won't let you use someone else's bread, they're only about $5 at walmart....microwaves another story ,lol

 

[jenseib]

I've just come from my first stay at Pop and for the most part, I liked the place.

Rooms were a good size and clean. Powerful shower although could have been a little higher up in my opinion.

My tv had the volume set to 50% or loud by default and to one of the Disney ad channels - always had to drop the volume as soon as the tv went on, alhough seeing Stacey all the time wasn't a bad thing

Laundry was fine. $1 in quarters for washing powder or softener, and $2 in quarters for the driers and washers. Few people in there but no problems getting hold of machines. Around $2.75 for a candy bar fom the vending machines that cost around $0.79 on I-DRive!

Talking wise, couldn't clearly hear what people were saying. Sometimes a dull noise but 3/4 of the guests were Spanish speaking anyway (especailly one the marathon weekend was over)
Banging of doors. God knows what some people were doing. One or two occasions had people slamming doors constantly around 11pm even though there aren't that many doors to slam!
Few kids running along the walkways outside the rooms.

Was facing the hippy dippy pool but no real noise to worry about. (maybe being on the 3rd floor?).

Does the music playing around the pool area annoy anyone?

Saw, critter wise,
1 cat
1 rabbit
Squirrels
Ducks
3 deer out on the verge near the entrance on Victory Way.
Few other birds.

Food court can be really busy. Don't know why so many people bother.
Went just before 9am for breakfast and 3/4 of the hotel must have been there. Good 10 min queue for food half the time, then up to 20 mins to pay for it, so by the time you get to a table, it's luke warm or stone cold. Then 5 mins in a queue to rinse out your resort mug and probably longer to get say some hot chocolate as there's always someone in front of you filling up a whole load of mugs (generally 4+ and machine only fills 2/3 of the mug in one go)
10pm+ is very busy too.

Did try some Shrimp lo mein. Luke warm by the time I sat down and wasn't going to risk food poisoning by eating the shrimp.

Actually bought a loaf of bread from Walgreens and toasted that myself instead of paying $0.69 + tax for two small slices of bread. Toasters are very slow and sometimes it took 3 times at the slowest speed to get the bread to actually toast. At least there was plenty of strawberry, blackberry jam and honey + some buttery spread for the toast.

Shame they don't do Fanta Zero anywhere in Pop (or anywhere else from what I saw). Coke Zero far nicer than the diet coke, but did want some sugar free orange sometimes.

Reception are very slow. One family in front of you requires a full reading of War & Peace before they get around to you.

Buses no real problem. Sometimes they would be full, other times empty. Nearly always guaranteed to get someone in a wheelchair or motorised scooter wanting to get on and people with strollers. Had a few occasions where I was first in the queue, bus pulls in and suddenly half the hotel appears out of thin air wanting that bus.
Magic Kingdom had 5 buses in 10 mins returning to Pop one night at 8:20pm due to the volume of people wanting them.
Never sure why they keep taking different routes as well. Sometimes they go through a load of back roads and take twice as long as if they stuck to BV drive and Victory way.

Sounds like you really didn't care for your stay too much.

I think that TV issue is pretty common with all hotels, Disney or not. For some reason they are always on some defualt channle and really loud when you turn them on. I don't like it, but that is pretty much my experience with ALL hotels.

Vending machines always charge an arm and a leg for candy. They know they got you! LOL! But if don't want to pay the price then drive down the road and get some. You are also paying for the convenience. Again nothing new.

I personally love the music playing at Pop. It's fun and I think it's not even loud enough. LOL Sometimes I can barely hear and forget about it.

We are not really big breakfast eaters, and alot of times bring a few things from home to quickly snack on. But it is crazy busy in the mornings. I was surprised how many people eat something each morning. The lines always moved quickly for us though when we did get something. And we NEVER eat there. We have a room that works perfectly fine or eat out by the pool, weather permitting. I actually prefer to eat out there. It's nice and quiet. So I suggest trying that next time and see how you like it.

The food poisening thing made me laugh! I really doubt it would happen that fast.

I don't know anything about Fanta Zero, but does Coke make it? If not, it won't be there. Disney has a contract with Coke.


Pop is actually rated as the best check in by Unoffical guide.

Buses can be frustrating. I've been there too. But I guess thats just somehting we have to deal with if we want to use them. I don't mind Strollers or ECV's but it is a pain at times when a large family walks up right as the bus comes and they have to load it and then the whole family jumps on first. But you have that everywhere at Disney. I never pay attention to routes ,so not sure if we took any different ones or not...but I can say this, I would rather be on a Slow Disney bus right now that at home.

Hopefully the rest of the trip was nice. And it didn't bring you down too much. Disney is expensive, and any way you look at it, it's hard to find any food there that isn't over priced.

 

[jenseib]

OMG
I think I just talked DH into going begining of March.
Pop again baby.
Can't beat the bus service & prices.
We have done Animal Lodge, French Quarter, Coronado & I think that the bus service at Pop is the best.
Yeah the others had the fancy pools, but get a water park pass for a day or two. Kids like water period.

I have to get sewing. The kids can't wear the same outfits as September.

I NEED you to talk to my DH!!!! LOL! He's given me a FIRM no this year. I was hoping to coax him, but DD told me last night that she asked dad if we could go to Disney and he told her no too. No "we'll see", so that pretty definate. I will now start going through my depression!

 

[Christine9125]

I thought you were going in March? But if not, you can join my depression, I was suppose to be there starting January 31 and had to cancel

I NEED you to talk to my DH!!!! LOL! He's given me a FIRM no this year. I was hoping to coax him, but DD told me last night that she asked dad if we could go to Disney and he told her no too. No "we'll see", so that pretty definate. I will now start going through my depression!

 

[MomBoyd]

I hope this hasn't been asked 50 times already- but I am going at the end of August. What times is the food court the busiest?
We stayed at CSR last year and one morning the counter service place was so busy we went and ate at the maya grill- by the time we came back I think people getting in line when we got there were just sitting down.

So what time should I plan to be through with breakfast to take the ME to a park by 8:45 or so?

Remember the bus lines will be long at that time of day too. I would plan to get to the food court at 7:00 if you want to be at a park by 8:45. Then as soon as you finish breakfast get right in line for the bus you want.

 

[MelanieC]

I NEED you to talk to my DH!!!! LOL! He's given me a FIRM no this year. I was hoping to coax him, but DD told me last night that she asked dad if we could go to Disney and he told her no too. No "we'll see", so that pretty definate. I will now start going through my depression!

Oh no Jen!! We weren't going this year since DD17 (almost DD18 ) is going to college this summer and we have to drive half way across the country to take her twice this summer plus DH's unit is being dismantled and his job is a little up in the air. Their unit has another 6 month extension and he has a lot of offers for other govt positions, so he should be good - but it was making DH not want to go.

Listen to how I sweet talked DH into our Disney vacation. Going from a week to two weeks, lol.

First it was NO vacation at all. Then he started to hint at driving to Mount Rushmore - we talked about this last summer since I didn't think we were getting a vacation at all. He said maybe. Then he said something about Mt. Rushmore last month, and I looked into it as well as Disney. I had just found out that Disney had added a 4 day military pass for most of 2010. I was telling DH that if we could get the price for a 7 night trip to be the same as Mt. Rushmore would he consider it. He didn't say no but didn't say yes either (I think it was - We'll see).

I had a price for 10 days in Mt. Rushmore, but the hotels were more at Disney since there were no discounts out. DH said no to the price of the Disney. So rushmore it was. Then Disney came out with the Military hotel prices, so DD17 and I worked on him. This is her last year at home, so we used that as an angle to say she should get to pick. Him and my DS12 wanted Mt. Rushmore and DD17 and I wanted Disney. He told her that the two of them would do paper rock scissors for the right to decide and DD17 won, lol.

My orders were for it had to be cheap, only the 4 days at Disney (Military passes, free seaworld, and we would hope for military universal passes). So our first pass at the trip was from 7/9-7/20. Friday - Tuesday

Then I kept telling him how if we moved it to start on the 4th of July weekend we could have two weeks of vacation for only taking one more day off work (moved the Friday, Monday & Tuesday to the week of July 5th, we both have off July 5th so we only had to take off one more day). For weeks he wanted nothing to do with this conversation so I put the two scenarios with days needed off on paper. It took me explaining it for him to get it. He said that would be too much time with nothing to do, and I told him all the things we could do and also told him about the $25 pp military water parks and more. He agreed to this so I booked it for 7/3-7/18.

Then DH came home and told me his military trip is the weekend of 7/10. Now I was really sad because if I want to use all weekends on our time off I won't be there for my birthday which is 7/14. I'd rather have more time, so finally I was ok with switching to 7/17-8/1. Still two weeks.

Then I got to looking at SOG ticket prices and showed him how if we got an 8 day pass instead of the 4 day military and waterpark and more it would only be $100 more per person. He said no at first, because I think I had really talked up the waterparks but he eventually said yes.

I did lose one day the other day when he saw that I had a 9th day at a DIsney park scheduled for the last full day Satuday. He then made me look to see if he had Monday off and since he didn't he wants to drive home Saturday. So now we are coming home a day earlier. I'm ok with this though, because it's still 14 nights and we will have a night on the road each way (so 16 nights away from home).

Since this trip had to be cheap I had to promise that we would only do 1 TS meal the entire time, but I also was able to talk him into the QSDP during our Disney portion of the trip. I'm sad about not doing all the TS, but considering I thought we weren't getting any vacation at all, I'm ok with this.

I did have to promise that we would go to South Dakota next summer and not do Disney next year

I always look at it as one trip at a time Plus this is really our last time as a regular family. Once she goes to college it will never be the same. Sorry I rambled, but thought maybe you could try the little at a time strategy. DH knows he was bamboozled into a two week trip, lol! But - he is going to have fun and the memories will last a lifetime and he knows it!

 

[jenseib]

I thought you were going in March? But if not, you can join my depression, I was suppose to be there starting January 31 and had to cancel

No sadly I was hoping we would, as we have the last 3 months. I even tried for Universal, and staying offsite, and maybe hitting one day at Disney, but he just won't budge at this point. I have 3 old park passes to Disney from years past, so it would only cost us to buy DD one (since they are adult passes)
And I found a hotel near Universal for really cheap. But then we have to pay for food, but we could eat cheap. And then Universal passes, which were $99 for a week, but just went up, but still not a bad deal. But he just says, we still have to get there, which means of course a flight and rental car. So the price goes up with that, of course. I don't think he's gonna budge on it this year.
Melanie, I love your scheming! LOL! I try to slip stuff in all the time. He doesn't want to go anywhere though. And DD has been doing good on her own asking about vacation, but I guess he is just not going to do it this year. Of course, I'll never give up, but I really think he's serious this year.

 

[Christine9125]

No sadly I was hoping we would, as we have the last 3 months. I even tried for Universal, and staying offsite, and maybe hitting one day at Disney, but he just won't budge at this point. I have 3 old park passes to Disney from years past, so it would only cost us to buy DD one (since they are adult passes)
And I found a hotel near Universal for really cheap. But then we have to pay for food, but we could eat cheap. And then Universal passes, which were $99 for a week, but just went up, but still not a bad deal. But he just says, we still have to get there, which means of course a flight and rental car. So the price goes up with that, of course. I don't think he's gonna budge on it this year.
Melanie, I love your scheming! LOL! I try to slip stuff in all the time. He doesn't want to go anywhere though. And DD has been doing good on her own asking about vacation, but I guess he is just not going to do it this year. Of course, I'll never give up, but I really think he's serious this year.

I would say if he can say no to that beautiful little girl, there is something wrong with him LOL. We are in the same boat then.

 

[heartsy77]

OK so I study the map at POP request the DU TA to request rooms 30 &31 and 28&29 in building 10- 70's. She sends me an email saying that Disney said this is the preferred section? Then she tells me that Cm eluded that it was sometimes preferred some times not. So they can't guarentee room request cause we didn't pay for preferred; but if it is available it is ours? First of all I thought all room requests were not guaranteed? Second how can they be used as preferred sometimes and sometimes not? Lastly what do I do now leave it?

 

[Christine9125]

OK so I study the map at POP request the DU TA to request rooms 30 &31 and 28&29 in building 10- 70's. She sends me an email saying that Disney said this is the preferred section? Then she tells me that Cm eluded that it was sometimes preferred some times not. So they can't guarentee room request cause we didn't pay for preferred; but if it is available it is ours? First of all I thought all room requests were not guaranteed? Second how can they be used as preferred sometimes and sometimes not? Lastly what do I do now leave it?

I would say someone is confused, as long as it is on your reservation I would leave it, but know these requests are not guaranteed

 

[jenseib]

OK so I study the map at POP request the DU TA to request rooms 30 &31 and 28&29 in building 10- 70's. She sends me an email saying that Disney said this is the preferred section? Then she tells me that Cm eluded that it was sometimes preferred some times not. So they can't guarentee room request cause we didn't pay for preferred; but if it is available it is ours? First of all I thought all room requests were not guaranteed? Second how can they be used as preferred sometimes and sometimes not? Lastly what do I do now leave it?

Don't request actual room numbers. You have a less chance of getting it. Request a building and floor. If they are preferred, you most likely won't get it.

 

[jenseib]

Looking at the map, those rooms are NOT preferred.

 

[seadd67]

We just booked our next trip July the 4th to the 10th. I got a peffered room and requested the 60's building. Is there a genreal place the place you for peffered room In the 60's?.It really does not matter to me but jut to give me a genreal Idea.

 

[xenole]

Sounds like you really didn't care for your stay too much.

I think that TV issue is pretty common with all hotels, Disney or not. For some reason they are always on some defualt channle and really loud when you turn them on. I don't like it, but that is pretty much my experience with ALL hotels.

Vending machines always charge an arm and a leg for candy. They know they got you! LOL! But if don't want to pay the price then drive down the road and get some. You are also paying for the convenience. Again nothing new.

I personally love the music playing at Pop. It's fun and I think it's not even loud enough. LOL Sometimes I can barely hear and forget about it.

We are not really big breakfast eaters, and alot of times bring a few things from home to quickly snack on. But it is crazy busy in the mornings. I was surprised how many people eat something each morning. The lines always moved quickly for us though when we did get something. And we NEVER eat there. We have a room that works perfectly fine or eat out by the pool, weather permitting. I actually prefer to eat out there. It's nice and quiet. So I suggest trying that next time and see how you like it.

The food poisening thing made me laugh! I really doubt it would happen that fast.

I don't know anything about Fanta Zero, but does Coke make it? If not, it won't be there. Disney has a contract with Coke.


Pop is actually rated as the best check in by Unoffical guide.

Buses can be frustrating. I've been there too. But I guess thats just somehting we have to deal with if we want to use them. I don't mind Strollers or ECV's but it is a pain at times when a large family walks up right as the bus comes and they have to load it and then the whole family jumps on first. But you have that everywhere at Disney. I never pay attention to routes ,so not sure if we took any different ones or not...but I can say this, I would rather be on a Slow Disney bus right now that at home.

Hopefully the rest of the trip was nice. And it didn't bring you down too much. Disney is expensive, and any way you look at it, it's hard to find any food there that isn't over priced.

Did enjoy my stay. Far better than I expected for the price as well.
I see the tv volume as a courtesy to others. If I come in late at night or get up early, last thing I want is to wake everyone up by switching on a tv everyone in the building can hear!
Some channels are far louder than others anyway and even with the volume close to zero, are very audible.

Never noticed the microwaves until about day 4!

Coke do make Fanta Zero as they have Fanta on tap. Maybe Americans prefer the high sugar orange drinks?

Never got the vending machines to work anyway. Just kept rejecting notes and coins I tried to put in. Walgreens provided an ample selection of chocolate bars, peanut butter etc

Didn't realise there were so many rooms at Pop. Then again, if there are 4 people in a room, I suppose the amount of people staying there does build up quite a lot.

Why is it tax is never added until checkout? I know it varies from state to state, but can't see why it can't be included unless some people don't have to pay it?

 

[heartsy77]

Looking at the map, those rooms are NOT preferred.

That's what I thought. I didn't request any specific floor just the rooms we want on any floor in building 10. I guess we will have to see!

 

[MelanieC]

Just read on another thread that Disney put in a request to start refurbishment of guest rooms in 2010.

 

[jenseib]

We just booked our next trip July the 4th to the 10th. I got a peffered room and requested the 60's building. Is there a genreal place the place you for peffered room In the 60's?.It really does not matter to me but jut to give me a genreal Idea.

The maps on the first page will show you preferred. But part of the 60's 70's and 50's have preferred rooms.

 

[seadd67]

The maps on the first page will show you preferred. But part of the 60's 70's and 50's have preferred rooms.

should of look there frist,I dont know why I did not thanks that gave me the exact Info I needed.