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

[tjbjrjaj]

That's good news about the cooler. But I wanted to chime in about the coffee maker thing. Last August, I was in a swap for a coffee maker and it was a huge mistake. It was filthy when I got it and ended up being a bigger mess/job than it was worth. By the 3rd day, I bought a refillable mug and starting getting coffee from the Classic Hall every morning while the rest of the fam was waking up. Much easier to deal with and good coffee. And I actually enjoyed my coffee walk in the morning to wake myself up (I was the leader of my pack) and collect my thoughts. I was in the 70's bldg near the Mickey Phone so it wasn't a long walk at all. If you are planning to be near the food court, I highly recommend the refillable mug rather than packing and cleaning a coffee maker every day. You could also just clip the mug to your stuff and hit the food court on the way out to the parks if you don't want to make a separate trip for coffee. Just get a carabiner clip for your mug.

Let's start with refillable mugs. They are great. The carabineer works great. My husband and I each have one and we fill it each morning and when it is empty we clip it onto the stroller and when we get back to the resort at the end of the day we swing through the food court and refill again. It saves a trip back to the room. We are not heavy soda drinkers and we rarely allow the kids to drink it. Therefore we only buy 2 for 5 people. My husband and I mostly drink the tea. The coffee is Nescafe so if you are OK with that great. I can usually drink it for the first 2-3 days before I am tired of the swill. I am not a coffee snob but the Nescafe wears on me. I have been known to have a few of the Starbucks Via packets in the backpack.

Coffee makers - Last year I bought a hot pot from Target for $10. It was in with the going back to college stuff. It was the best $ ever spent. I also purchased a plastic filter like the kind you can put into a teacup. I put 2 scoops of coffee into the filter and pour water over the top. It tastes great. I am the only one who drinks coffee so this might not work for you. I also bring disposable coffee cups so I can just toss it later and not carry it around. So far I have used the hot pot to make coffee, hard boil eggs, Raman Noodles, boil pasta for my 9m old, instant oatmeal, sterilize pacifiers and bottle tops and to give the kids water bottles a good cleaning when we were all getting the sniffles. I am sure there are many more ideas out there.

I just added it up and I have been at WDW for 47 days since August 2009!!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Let's start with refillable mugs. They are great. The carabineer works great. My husband and I each have one and we fill it each morning and when it is empty we clip it onto the stroller and when we get back to the resort at the end of the day we swing through the food court and refill again. It saves a trip back to the room. We are not heavy soda drinkers and we rarely allow the kids to drink it. Therefore we only buy 2 for 5 people. My husband and I mostly drink the tea. The coffee is Nescafe so if you are OK with that great. I can usually drink it for the first 2-3 days before I am tired of the swill. I am not a coffee snob but the Nescafe wears on me. I have been known to have a few of the Starbucks Via packets in the backpack.

Coffee makers - Last year I bought a hot pot from Target for $10. It was in with the going back to college stuff. It was the best $ ever spent. I also purchased a plastic filter like the kind you can put into a teacup. I put 2 scoops of coffee into the filter and pour water over the top. It tastes great. I am the only one who drinks coffee so this might not work for you. I also bring disposable coffee cups so I can just toss it later and not carry it around. So far I have used the hot pot to make coffee, hard boil eggs, Raman Noodles, boil pasta for my 9m old, instant oatmeal, sterilize pacifiers and bottle tops and to give the kids water bottles a good cleaning when we were all getting the sniffles. I am sure there are many more ideas out there.

I just added it up and I have been at WDW for 47 days since August 2009!!

Wow, my hats off to you. It's taken since December 2007 to get 53 days!

I agree with just getting the $10 one from Target. DH and I have one for our trips to DL. I do not trust that pots that are provided by the hotels, I don't know what they're being used for or when the last time they were cleaned.

This trip, I'm being a coffee snob and bringing a Mini Keurig I got for $50 on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond.

 

[tjbjrjaj]

Wow, my hats off to you. It's taken since December 2007 to get 53 days!

My husband travels to Orlando a lot for work so we ended up getting AP's for this year. The next year is still under negotiation!!!

It does tend to wear on you after awhile. When I was packing for our June trip I realized that I had never completely unpacked from our March Trip. I finally decided to just unpack the clothes and put everything else into another suitcase and leave it packed!!

 

[grandmadebby]

When you want a lakeview room at Pop what do you request. I am helping a friend book her trip and we requested lakeview when making the reservations and the Cast member said there is no lakeview at Pop. So I am confused when and what should I request for her? Thanks, the disboard is so helpful.

 

[KELLY]

I'm so jelous. We went for 14 days last year and stayted at POFQ. Then stayed at POP for 8 nights for free dining. We liked pop so we are returning with our bounceback offer for 10 days. Dh started a new job this year so no 14 days again this year. He gets a week and he took the Friday before and the Monday after.

 

[DisneyMom5]

From this very helpful board, I know that folks recommend limiting your room requests to three. I was wondering if that was for room location only or if a pack&play or bed rails, for example, would count as one of our three requests.

I was planning to request close to main building, quiet room/lakeside, and upper floor.

Thanks!

I don't think so. I said we had a baby and they asked if I needed a pack n play and I said yes. We also needed a medical fridge at the time and that didn't really count against our requests either.
I usually say "Connecting Rooms, Close to Classic Hall, Close to the parking lot (we drive.)" The pack n play is a separate question. I think.

When you want a lakeview room at Pop what do you request. I am helping a friend book her trip and we requested lakeview when making the reservations and the Cast member said there is no lakeview at Pop. So I am confused when and what should I request for her? Thanks, the disboard is so helpful.

Call back, and ask them to put "View of the lake" in your requests.
There is no "lake view" in terms of reserving, like at the Poly or other Deluxes.
The reservationist didn't understand the request. [You didn't do it wrong, they just weren't familiar with what you were asking.]

 

[twoplustwins]

I was showing DD5 the pictures of Pop this morning. Fast forward to 2 minutes ago . . . she brings to me the small Baloo and Mowgli figures and says "these look just like the ones at Pop! awwwww!!

 

[jenseib]

I wish that method worked for us. I tried it once but we usually stay for 14 days or so and do laundry halfway through. We also rewear our shorts more than 1x before washing. The kids also wear their crocs with no socks but sometimes choose to wear their gym shoes (with socks). It was a nightmare of bags with partial days in them. I ended up dumping the bags and just choosing outfits the night before.

It doesn't work for us either. We usually stay less than a week, but to cut down on packing we only bring a few clothes for DH and I and I wash once or twice. And mix and match our clothes then. And with DD she wears a Princess outfit everyday, so they really can't go in a ziplock either. We still take 3 suitcases, and it seems to be pretty packed, but we usually have enough room for our souveigners to take home as well.

When you want a lakeview room at Pop what do you request. I am helping a friend book her trip and we requested lakeview when making the reservations and the Cast member said there is no lakeview at Pop. So I am confused when and what should I request for her? Thanks, the disboard is so helpful.

That CM probably misunderstood you, but call back and tell them you would like a lakeside room, if they question you, tell them it's a standard room on the lake side of the resort.

 

[englishrose47]

It doesn't work for us either. We usually stay less than a week, but to cut down on packing we only bring a few clothes for DH and I and I wash once or twice. And mix and match our clothes then. And with DD she wears a Princess outfit everyday, so they really can't go in a ziplock either. We still take 3 suitcases, and it seems to be pretty packed, but we usually have enough room for our souveigners to take home as well.



That CM probably misunderstood you, but call back and tell them you would like a lakeside room, if they question you, tell them it's a standard room on the lake side of the resort.

I agree I have often requested LAKESIDE!! I would have thought the CM knew what was meant!!!

 

[katybugsmom]

Hey everyone! We will be at POP December 16-21! I have used zip-loc bags for our last two trips to WDW and it has worked well for us! I keep saying I'm not going to pack as much each time, but that never happens! I do wash clothes usually while we are there-it's my "get away" time!
We will have FD/QSM so we will have the refillable mugs for free! We usually buy at least two each trip because I have to have coffee in the morning to wake up and my DH has to have Coke first thing! I actually love the walk up to the food court first thing in the morning! We get up early to hit a park during EMH's so it's a nice and quiet walk for me!

 

[MelanieC]

I don't do the laundry dh does it. I don't do laundry on vacation. If he wants it done he better be the one doing it. LOL

Me either - DH always does the laundry at Disney because me and the kids end up going to the parks usually. He said this year, you know I'm not the only one who has to do laundry. I told him.......what you don't love doing it??????? I have enough clothes to make it the whole two weeks......so maybe we can get buy this year without doing it!!

When you want a lakeview room at Pop what do you request. I am helping a friend book her trip and we requested lakeview when making the reservations and the Cast member said there is no lakeview at Pop. So I am confused when and what should I request for her? Thanks, the disboard is so helpful.

I request
High Floor
Lake View
Give building numbers and rooms within the building number I want. I do this for 60's, 70's & 50's and then put an asteric by the section we want the most and list it first.

This year I also added that we wanted a refurbished room (I Put this first). I figure I make it easier by giving exact room numbers.

I'm so jelous. We went for 14 days last year and stayted at POFQ. Then stayed at POP for 8 nights for free dining. We liked pop so we are returning with our bounceback offer for 10 days. Dh started a new job this year so no 14 days again this year. He gets a week and he took the Friday before and the Monday after.

We went for 18 nights last year. The last 9 nights were during free dining. I bet we were re-checking into POP around the same time last year on free dining day. It was a mad-house at POP that morning.

That CM probably misunderstood you, but call back and tell them you would like a lakeside room, if they question you, tell them it's a standard room on the lake side of the resort.

Yep call back. Just tell them you want one facing the lake!!


We leave this afternoon around 12pm............I'm so excited. POP here we come!

 

[mama_disney]

I really like the suggestion about packing outfits in ziplock bags, and I bet that would be really good for most people. Unfortunately I don't think it would work for me though because my kids would probably want to rearrange and switch around outfits, and when to wear socks/sneakers vs. sandles w/o socks, etc., not to mention wanting to wear new shirts that we bought... So I would probably be one of those people that would end up with several partially filled bags that would ultimately need to be all dumped out.

We plan to do laundry while there only because I am only going to pack enough clothes for about 1/2 the trip to save on luggage space. With having a 6yo and 4yo and the heat of late August, I expect that most mid-days we will be at the hotel swimming and napping, so that will provide plenty of opportunities for me or DH to take a trip to the laundry room once during our trip.

 

[katybugsmom]

I really like the suggestion about packing outfits in ziplock bags, and I bet that would be really good for most people. Unfortunately I don't think it would work for me though because my kids would probably want to rearrange and switch around outfits, and when to wear socks/sneakers vs. sandles w/o socks, etc., not to mention wanting to wear new shirts that we bought... So I would probably be one of those people that would end up with several partially filled bags that would ultimately need to be all dumped out.

We plan to do laundry while there only because I am only going to pack enough clothes for about 1/2 the trip to save on luggage space. With having a 6yo and 4yo and the heat of late August, I expect that most mid-days we will be at the hotel swimming and napping, so that will provide plenty of opportunities for me or DH to take a trip to the laundry room once during our trip.

My children are 11 and 5. If you wanted to use the zip-loc bags let your children choose the outfits they want to pack(within reason of course!). This may cut down on some of the switching. I like the bags because you can pack more in a suitcase. We always drive down since we are in SC so the weight of the suitcase is not an issue for us, but space in the car is.

 

[CarolAnnB]

Can you buy one-day water park tickets at Pop or do you have to wait and buy them at the park? I am guessing at the concierge desk but wanted to be sure. Thanks.

 

[Buckeye Lurker]

Hey everyone! We will be at POP December 16-21! I have used zip-loc bags for our last two trips to WDW and it has worked well for us! I keep saying I'm not going to pack as much each time, but that never happens! I do wash clothes usually while we are there-it's my "get away" time!
We will have FD/QSM so we will have the refillable mugs for free! We usually buy at least two each trip because I have to have coffee in the morning to wake up and my DH has to have Coke first thing! I actually love the walk up to the food court first thing in the morning! We get up early to hit a park during EMH's so it's a nice and quiet walk for me!

Congrats on discovering the best kept secret at Disney, the week before Christmas week. Low crowds, still get all holiday activities etc. We've been 3 times in 4 years now in that week, won't do it any other way again.

If you are ready for your counter-intuitive post of the day, try to avoid the parks offering the extra magical hours. I know it sounds crazy, but we read it in the Unofficial guide and have experimented both ways. Here is the reasoning - almost everyone on Disney property is going to the parks offering magical hours, and given how much Disney has expanded their housing, the number of people now on property versus off property is staggering. All stars and Pop is like 9,000 rooms combined for just those properties, versus "back in the day" when the early admission program started and there weren't that many rooms on Disney property combined.

So we found it hard to believe, but tried it. And it is true. The first hour (golden hour) on a extra hours day is pretty much the same crowd as the first hour at a park not offering extra hours. But the problem with an extra hours park is you now get the second influx when the general public gets in. So we have started going contrarian and going to the parks that are not offering magical hours, and the mid morning through mid afternoon crowds are much lower. We have literally, without exaggeration, ridden the E ticket rides until we were bored with them by lunch time. Rock and Roller coaster 5+ times by noon, Expedition Everest same, Soarin 3-4 times and then a lovely brunch in the Land's food court etc etc. There is something weird about walking off space mountain and then walking back to the front of the line. With smart Fast Pass planning you can hit all major rides before noon in any park but Epcot by avoiding the extra hours parks.

Just something to think about. I am so jealous you are going in "my week" but I am very happy for you, have fun.

 

[momsavealot]

Congrats on discovering the best kept secret at Disney, the week before Christmas week. Low crowds, still get all holiday activities etc. We've been 3 times in 4 years now in that week, won't do it any other way again.

If you are ready for your counter-intuitive post of the day, try to avoid the parks offering the extra magical hours. I know it sounds crazy, but we read it in the Unofficial guide and have experimented both ways. Here is the reasoning - almost everyone on Disney property is going to the parks offering magical hours, and given how much Disney has expanded their housing, the number of people now on property versus off property is staggering. All stars and Pop is like 9,000 rooms combined for just those properties, versus "back in the day" when the early admission program started and there weren't that many rooms on Disney property combined.

So we found it hard to believe, but tried it. And it is true. The first hour (golden hour) on a extra hours day is pretty much the same crowd as the first hour at a park not offering extra hours. But the problem with an extra hours park is you now get the second influx when the general public gets in. So we have started going contrarian and going to the parks that are not offering magical hours, and the mid morning through mid afternoon crowds are much lower. We have literally, without exaggeration, ridden the E ticket rides until we were bored with them by lunch time. Rock and Roller coaster 5+ times by noon, Expedition Everest same, Soarin 3-4 times and then a lovely brunch in the Land's food court etc etc. There is something weird about walking off space mountain and then walking back to the front of the line. With smart Fast Pass planning you can hit all major rides before noon in any park but Epcot by avoiding the extra hours parks.

Just something to think about. I am so jealous you are going in "my week" but I am very happy for you, have fun.

I have to agree with this! We've done it both ways and we are planning this August to go opposite the EMH's. It also helps for in park dining ressies b/c most people are going to the EMH park. We still do rope drop but we get to sleep an extra hour which is worth its weight in gold! The one day we violate this rule is when we go to MK for evening EMH's. There is just something magical about being in MK at midnight and the kids like staying up crazy late one night! We make this a pool day so we miss most of the crowds and just come in for dinner and the late EMH.

 

[englishrose47]

I agree usually I do DHS am emh!!! just for TSM but there is not much else of interest to me open !! MK evening emh is however awesome and next year when we all go I plan on doing just that.

 

[katybugsmom]

Congrats on discovering the best kept secret at Disney, the week before Christmas week. Low crowds, still get all holiday activities etc. We've been 3 times in 4 years now in that week, won't do it any other way again.

If you are ready for your counter-intuitive post of the day, try to avoid the parks offering the extra magical hours. I know it sounds crazy, but we read it in the Unofficial guide and have experimented both ways. Here is the reasoning - almost everyone on Disney property is going to the parks offering magical hours, and given how much Disney has expanded their housing, the number of people now on property versus off property is staggering. All stars and Pop is like 9,000 rooms combined for just those properties, versus "back in the day" when the early admission program started and there weren't that many rooms on Disney property combined.

So we found it hard to believe, but tried it. And it is true. The first hour (golden hour) on a extra hours day is pretty much the same crowd as the first hour at a park not offering extra hours. But the problem with an extra hours park is you now get the second influx when the general public gets in. So we have started going contrarian and going to the parks that are not offering magical hours, and the mid morning through mid afternoon crowds are much lower. We have literally, without exaggeration, ridden the E ticket rides until we were bored with them by lunch time. Rock and Roller coaster 5+ times by noon, Expedition Everest same, Soarin 3-4 times and then a lovely brunch in the Land's food court etc etc. There is something weird about walking off space mountain and then walking back to the front of the line. With smart Fast Pass planning you can hit all major rides before noon in any park but Epcot by avoiding the extra hours parks.

Just something to think about. I am so jealous you are going in "my week" but I am very happy for you, have fun.

Thanks for the tips!!! We just might have to try it "your way" this time!

 

[g3pak]

We go in a couple of months. Are they done or almost done, or do they have several buildings left?

 

[Rekenna]

I agree with you which is why I took the photos this time. When we were there prior to June. I was blindsided with the lack of storage. My husband likes to "hit the ground running" so to be scrambling to find everything and get things organized was really annoying. The room never got "organized" hence the reason I bought the fabric cubes etc. If I was organized I would have brought a ruler to measure the open spaces for everyone. Anyone going soon who could do that?

Thanks

Yes, shame on you for not being more organized! Everyone-from now on add a tape measure to your "over packing, I'm a freak, Disney trip list". But, seriously if anyone get the measurements please share!