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

[Jonesloonybin]

Thank you!! This is our first trip to WDW and I am new to DIS. But, never fear, I am making up for lost time.

We moved to NC a couple years ago from Oregon. We grew up going to Disneyland, so WDW seems alittle overwhelming. Our youngest has not been to DLR or WDW, so this trip will be extra special for her.

I am loving the DIS boards and all the people have been so helpful.

Thank you all!!

Terri

 

[englishrose47]

Thank you!! This is our first trip to WDW and I am new to DIS. But, never fear, I am making up for lost time.

We moved to NC a couple years ago from Oregon. We grew up going to Disneyland, so WDW seems alittle overwhelming. Our youngest has not been to DLR or WDW, so this trip will be extra special for her.

I am loving the DIS boards and all the people have been so helpful.

Thank you all!!

Terri

You are so welcome !!!I remember being such a newbie I was clueless!!But DD was so impressed when she listened to other people talking about the waits and not getting many rides etc in and she would tell them all we had done !!Thankyou Dissers !! Now 3 years later I still find more new and great tips on these boards !!I have met in person may Dissers and they are all GREAT people !!!!

 

[szvers]

We picked the POP for our first WDW visit! May 2-9, 2011!! We are very excited. We reserved a preferred room (requesting top floor & 60's) Are the preferred rooms very noisy?? We don't mind if we are not right in front of the pool. And with top floor we are hoping that will help with the noise alittle!

Thanks!!
Terri

We just stayed in 4466 and 4467, which are 60's top floor poolside, and the noise was fine. I was amazed when we'd get back at midnite from the parks and the pool was still packed, but the door and walls drowned out most of the noise and we were so beat it didn't matter.

 

[Mindy5767]

Thank you!! This is our first trip to WDW and I am new to DIS. But, never fear, I am making up for lost time.

We moved to NC a couple years ago from Oregon. We grew up going to Disneyland, so WDW seems alittle overwhelming. Our youngest has not been to DLR or WDW, so this trip will be extra special for her.

I am loving the DIS boards and all the people have been so helpful.

Thank you all!!

Terri

I have made a lot of friend on the disboard too.. and got to meet a bunch of them. Will meet some more in just a few weeks at the Pop...
casual Disboard meet... Pop Century Food court.. August 16th at 4:00pm!

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

We just returned tonight from a week at Pop. I'll report more tomorrow but I wanted to comment on refurbishment.

I requested:
Upper floor, Building 3 (50's), Lake View.

I got:
2nd floor, Building 7 (80's), tree view.

I inquired about switching to something closer to my requests and was told nothing was available. One day we swam in the bowling pin pool and I could see all the workers painting and working on Building 3 in the 50's. This could be why I wasn't placed there! I'm not 100% certain my TA even added my requests though so I can't say for sure.

I do have to say I preferred the theme in the 70's or 50's more so than 80's. Also the walk was a bit much to everything. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal but I was traveling alone with 3 kids under 10 and when coming back after EMH it was longer than I wanted! Close to the computer pool so we enjoyed that most nights. Did the Hippy Pool during the days.

So to answer the refurbishment questions they are working on Building 3 (50's) as of 7/28/10!

 

[DisneyJonesGirl]

We just returned tonight from a week at Pop. I'll report more tomorrow but I wanted to comment on refurbishment.

I requested:
Upper floor, Building 3 (50's), Lake View.

I got:
2nd floor, Building 7 (80's), tree view.

I inquired about switching to something closer to my requests and was told nothing was available. One day we swam in the bowling pin pool and I could see all the workers painting and working on Building 3 in the 50's. This could be why I wasn't placed there! I'm not 100% certain my TA even added my requests though so I can't say for sure.

I do have to say I preferred the theme in the 70's or 50's more so than 80's. Also the walk was a bit much to everything. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal but I was traveling alone with 3 kids under 10 and when coming back after EMH it was longer than I wanted! Close to the computer pool so we enjoyed that most nights. Did the Hippy Pool during the days.

So to answer the refurbishment questions they are working on Building 3 (50's) as of 7/28/10!

READY TO HEAR HOW YOUR TRIP WENT!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jonesloonybin]

We just stayed in 4466 and 4467, which are 60's top floor poolside, and the noise was fine. I was amazed when we'd get back at midnite from the parks and the pool was still packed, but the door and walls drowned out most of the noise and we were so beat it didn't matter.

Thanks! I am glad to hear that! We did not request pool-side, so they may put us somewhere else, but I am fine with whatever. We are driving and we always bring a fan that we use to drown out any noises. I know that will help a lot. The last time we went to DLR, our room was right next to a corridor that went to the pool and kids would ride their skateboards up and down that all day and well into the night!.

Thank you and everyone for the welcome. The Dis boards are perfect for a super-planner like me. I am the one that plans all our trips..and everything else for that matter.

Terri

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Thanks! I am glad to hear that! We did not request pool-side, so they may put us somewhere else, but I am fine with whatever. We are driving and we always bring a fan that we use to drown out any noises. I know that will help a lot. The last time we went to DLR, our room was right next to a corridor that went to the pool and kids would ride their skateboards up and down that all day and well into the night!.

Thank you and everyone for the welcome. The Dis boards are perfect for a super-planner like me. I am the one that plans all our trips..and everything else for that matter.

Terri

We have always had rooms facing the lake and the only noise we've ever heard was mousekeeping going in and out of the rooms.

 

[KELLY]

Thanks! I am glad to hear that! We did not request pool-side, so they may put us somewhere else, but I am fine with whatever. We are driving and we always bring a fan that we use to drown out any noises. I know that will help a lot. The last time we went to DLR, our room was right next to a corridor that went to the pool and kids would ride their skateboards up and down that all day and well into the night!.

Thank you and everyone for the welcome. The Dis boards are perfect for a super-planner like me. I am the one that plans all our trips..and everything else for that matter.

Terri

I think as long as you don't request pool side you should be good. Welcome to the boards.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

I am reading, reading, reading as much as I can and I stumbled across the bedbug/snake threads! Has anyone had either of these things at POP? I know all about how to check for them now. And after feeling itchy , I am reassuring myself that we can have a great vacation and not be bit by a cottonmouth/water moccasin or bring home a bed bug infestation that will cost us thousands of dollars.

Thanks!

 

[englishrose47]

I am reading, reading, reading as much as I can and I stumbled across the bedbug/snake threads! Has anyone had either of these things at POP? I know all about how to check for them now. And after feeling itchy , I am reassuring myself that we can have a great vacation and not be bit by a cottonmouth/water moccasin or bring home a bed bug infestation that will cost us thousands of dollars.

Thanks!

Never had a problem with bed bugs or snakes !!See lots od little lizards that the kids love to try to catchPop is an great Family resort and the foodcourt there is AWESOME!!!
Check out some Trip Report threads and Dining reviews will help immensely with ideas and planning !!Use Fastpasses whenever possible they save a LOT of line waiting !!!

 

[cuches]

I am sure this has been asked before but I haven't seen anything recent on this topic....what are the positives and negatives of these 2 value resorts. We priced out a moderate and we can swing it but I would rather save the 500+ dollars and stay at a value . Our attitude is that we are only sleeping, showering and changing in the room and the rest of the time we are in the pool or parks. We are not picky at all! My DD is 11 and speical needs (autism) and we prefer a place with a pool with no slides (she tends to hang out at the end of the slide where the water comes shooting out and half my time is spent getting her away from there). From what I see both places have decent pools (yay no slides ) and the rooms are about the same sized. I guess what I really want to know is:

*Bus service, which place is better (if either)
*which has the better food court
*which is the most crowded (going in the end of Oct 2010)

Also, anyone know if the free dining has been extended this year like last year?

Thanks in advance,
Tina

 

[Kristineamb]

I am sure this has been asked before but I haven't seen anything recent on this topic....what are the positives and negatives of these 2 value resorts. We priced out a moderate and we can swing it but I would rather save the 500+ dollars and stay at a value . Our attitude is that we are only sleeping, showering and changing in the room and the rest of the time we are in the pool or parks. We are not picky at all! My DD is 11 and speical needs (autism) and we prefer a place with a pool with no slides (she tends to hang out at the end of the slide where the water comes shooting out and half my time is spent getting her away from there). From what I see both places have decent pools (yay no slides ) and the rooms are about the same sized. I guess what I really want to know is:

*Bus service, which place is better (if either)*which has the better food court
*which is the most crowded (going in the end of Oct 2010)Also, anyone know if the free dining has been extended this year like last year?

Thanks in advance,
Tina

What other value resort are you considering?
Pop has its own busses so thats a big plus for us over the All Star resorts.

 

[cuches]

What other value resort are you considering?
Pop has its own busses so thats a big plus for us over the All Star resorts.

Sorry, ASMo vs POP

 

[trekker93]

This will be our 4th straight year staying at POP. The dining/food court is alot of fun and the food has a wide variety and quite good. I think they actually have the best breakfasts of any of the dining courts (we've stayed at POR and it was not as good). We do not rent a car there - we use the buses to save $$$$. The bus stop at Pop is right outside the food court which is very convenient for when you come back at night because you can get something to eat and refill your mug before you head to your room. All buses only have 1 stop - no others. The time to get to/from Epcot or MK is about 20 minutes door to door. The rooms are good for sleeping and relaxing in - many days we go back after lunch for R&R due to the heat. We oftne go to the pools (bowling ball pool is great). Overall, even though we can afford to stay at a moderate, none of them is as fun and relaxing as Pop. It is a fun place for everyone in the family - the arcade is quite large. We do not want to stay anywhere else.

 

[pigletto]

Hi All
Love this thread! We just changed our ressies from December to the first week of September and we are suprising the kids with this earlier trip! We'll tell them as we get ready to leave for the airport.
I just have a few questions.
1. When and how do I make a request for a room? Can you do it during the online check in process?

and
2. I am hoping for a quiet room..perhaps facing the lake, on a top floor. Does anyone know where to request a room?
Thank you!

 

[littlepeppers]

So to answer the refurbishment questions they are working on Building 3 (50's) as of 7/28/10!

Hope they finish by 11/10/2010. I will be requesting joining rooms in 50's Building #2 4th floor facing the lake.

 

[Mindy5767]

I am sure this has been asked before but I haven't seen anything recent on this topic....what are the positives and negatives of these 2 value resorts. We priced out a moderate and we can swing it but I would rather save the 500+ dollars and stay at a value . Our attitude is that we are only sleeping, showering and changing in the room and the rest of the time we are in the pool or parks. We are not picky at all! My DD is 11 and speical needs (autism) and we prefer a place with a pool with no slides (she tends to hang out at the end of the slide where the water comes shooting out and half my time is spent getting her away from there). From what I see both places have decent pools (yay no slides ) and the rooms are about the same sized. I guess what I really want to know is:

*Bus service, which place is better (if either)
*which has the better food court
*which is the most crowded (going in the end of Oct 2010)

Also, anyone know if the free dining has been extended this year like last year?

Thanks in advance,
Tina

We are deluxe people. (now that I typed that... it sounds like we're huge!!) What I mean is, we are DVC owners and stay mostly at DVC resorts which are in the deluxe category. However, whenever we have a bonus trip and don't have any extra points left for DVC or if we book an extra night here or there, we always choose Pop. I've stayed at All Star Music in 2005, but this is why I choose Pop. My DD8 LOVES the themeing. She loves the giant Mr. and Mrs. Potato Heads and all the big stuff. The Pop has its own buses. And although, Music does have its own bus, on the return trip to the parks, sometimes the bus will stop at Sports or Movies. Pop doesn't stop anyplace else, ever. Now, that said. There was recently a review of the All Star Music done by Pete Werner on the Disunplugged podcast. He couldn't say enough about the Music's food court. He said it was superior. The food was, fresh and home made. Pop's food court is very good in terms of selection. They have just about everything. As far as taste goes. It is good. I am a very choosey eater, and I typically buy very special foods like high fiber, low carb, low fat, sugar free, lactose free.. and many specialty food items can be found at the Pop. Probably the Music too, but I just don't remember. I love the extensive selection of refillable drinks at the Pop. The only thing they no longer have is the frozen Coke machine. Apparently maintenance was an issue on that.

I don't think either resort will be more crowded than the other. I did notice however, that when you work up a quote on the Disney World website, for some reason, the AllStars are usually less expensive than Pop. Not a lot. Just some. I have no idea why. I know they have family suites at the All Star Music. Pop has none. However, they're building the Animator's Palette in the other half of the Pop resort that was never finished. That will be mostly family suites. Note to the future though. Won't be done til 2012 I think.

Free dining has been extended through the end of the first week of Dec. Don't recall the date but check the main page for wdwinfo and click on discounts. It should be there.

Oh, and one other thing. Did you know that if you get a note from your DD's doctor, you can get a special pass at guest services for your family, so you do not have to subject your DD to extensive line waiting which can be a real problem for some autistic children. Check the disabilites board for more information, but my friend did this as her autistic daughter has a real problem with crowds (lines) and it was a big help.

 

[Mindy5767]

Never had a problem with bed bugs or snakes !!See lots od little lizards that the kids love to try to catchPop is an great Family resort and the foodcourt there is AWESOME!!!
Check out some Trip Report threads and Dining reviews will help immensely with ideas and planning !!Use Fastpasses whenever possible they save a LOT of line waiting !!!

We never had a problem either. When we stayed at Old Key West there were so many geckos. We wondered if that is why we rarely encounter too many mosquitoes. (knock on wood).

By the way Englishrose... I LOVE your line..
Lady Dole Duchess of Whippington

I Dole Whip!!

 

[free2div]

we stayed at Pop the first trip then All Star Sports and vowed never to return there and stick with POP...we LOVE it there...we are only there ot sleep and shower and the pools are great there too. Always has been nice and clean and has a great food court.