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

[Goofy22]

Ok, So we leave in 11 days and arrive in 12 days! I thought I had my room request all figured out I thought we wanted 90's poolview but just realized looking at the map that the only 90's building is the cellphones I thought rubiks were to until I looked at the map and seen that the section my son really wants is 80's building #9, pool view , ground floor.

So my question is anyone stayed in the 8o's section facing the computer pool? I would like to be able to look at the pool from my room as he likes to swim . So that we could take turns as we do not like to swim as much as him and it would make our lives alot easier to get drinks do switch offs etc.. Didn't want to give the impression by the way I worded that wrong that I meant leaving him and watching from the room guess one shouldnt rush while typing!! LOL
Anyone have any good room number suugestions for me????

 

[jenseib]

I think it's required that parents be with their children while swimming. How old is your son? I would say at under the age of 13 for sure you should at least be right there. Not in the pool but at least there watching.

 

[Goofy22]

I think it's required that parents be with their children while swimming. How old is your son? I would say at under the age of 13 for sure you should at least be right there. Not in the pool but at least there watching.

Oh, No I didnt mean I wasnt gonna be right there. I meant just to be able to get a quick soda or something while roasting watching him in the pool and switching watch would be alot easier also. Sorry if I worded that wrong as I was typing fast on my way out . Just a convience thing i'd never leave him there alone heck i dont think i'd leave my 15yr old out there alone Lol

 

[Mindy5767]

Just hours away from check-in!!

 

[Buckeye Lurker]

If I wanted to get the kid's vegetable lo-mein (for myself) from the foodcourt would they let me?

The checkout people at the food court don't care. i will assume for the moment that you are on the dining plan. Last 3 trips on the dining plan, the cashiers don't even check to make sure your dining plan with 3 adults and 1 kid is checking out with 4 adult combo meals. A combo meal is a combo meal. Literally we would go the first three days and make the kid get a kid combo, and then just give up and get 4 adult combo meals after the cashiers said no one checks.

Assuming you aren't on the dining plan, the typical scenario is the grownups put he kids at a clear table then the big people go into food court for all the meals. The cashiers will never make you take your tray to the table with kids present to check out with kids meals on the tray.

There is absolutely no chance, zero, that they will bust you for taking a kid meal as an adult.

 

[maxsmom]

Ok someone had their door open in the other 60's building and I spotted a flat screen. I also so bright sheets on windows on the 50's back side by the lake. My experience wasn't so bad I wouldn't want to go back. This was our 1st trip as a family of 4 and the rooms are so small as are the beds. This was also our 1st time staying there when we drove. Since you cannot pull up for them to unload our luggage we figured we had to figure out how to get it to the room. No one mentioned that someone would help. At the other Disney resorts you pull up and there's a place to unload and they put it on the cart. It was raining when we arrived so we parked grabbed the big suitecase and went on jaunt to find our room. We really did debate asking to switch b/c there were lots of empty rooms. At the time we chose not to b/c dh is also dealing w/ a broken ankle. In hindsight we should have asked b/c that was a long walk to the car everyday. Like I said before. I like a lot of what the pop has to offer but the room size and beds has really b/c an issue as our family has grown.

 

[Buckeye Lurker]

I would strongly suggest you download Google Earth and spend some time poking and prodding on the overhead image for Pop. If you are honest with yourself, I think you will find that some of the "preferred" locations are pretty close to even with the non-preferred locations. And even when they aren't close, you are talking 150 feet max, and in a non-linear fashion. If you play with the path tool, it is even less of a distance. The furthest north buildings are further than the furtherest south buildings. And if you are measuring to the bus stop, many of the southern buildings are closer to transportation than the "preferred" rooms are.

We got real into Google earth this trip, because we could afford to upgrade to moderate. When we started tracing distance to bus from hotel room, shared bus routes versus dedicated bus route at Pop etc, it became very easy to book a standard room at Pop with no requests, knowing we were as close to transportation, and from transportation to parks, as most any room on Disney property.

 

[cuches]

Last year I stayed at CSR and it was beautiful but way to big. They wanted to put us in the Ranchos which is like the furthest possible point to the main building (they did have several bus stops located in each area with about a 5 minute walk..not too bad) but looking at this section on Google Earth seemed like I would be closer to the main building if I was in EPCOT (JK) I politely requested at check in if we could be in a closer section. They were very accomadating and granted the request. Our new room was so close to the main pool and food court. I did have it as a request when I booked the reservation but you know that requests are not always granted. I find that most Disney resorts will go out of their way to make you happy. I am hoping for pool side, ground floor 60's but we will see what we get. Seems like the entire hotel is much smaller the CSR so hopefully wherever we are it won't be too far from the action. I did pay for a preferred room so it shouldn't be too bad.

Tina

 

[nonsmom]

Ok someone had their door open in the other 60's building and I spotted a flat screen. I also so bright sheets on windows on the 50's back side by the lake. My experience wasn't so bad I wouldn't want to go back. This was our 1st trip as a family of 4 and the rooms are so small as are the beds. This was also our 1st time staying there when we drove. Since you cannot pull up for them to unload our luggage we figured we had to figure out how to get it to the room. No one mentioned that someone would help. At the other Disney resorts you pull up and there's a place to unload and they put it on the cart. It was raining when we arrived so we parked grabbed the big suitecase and went on jaunt to find our room. We really did debate asking to switch b/c there were lots of empty rooms. At the time we chose not to b/c dh is also dealing w/ a broken ankle. In hindsight we should have asked b/c that was a long walk to the car everyday. Like I said before. I like a lot of what the pop has to offer but the room size and beds has really b/c an issue as our family has grown.

Look at it this way, with the $ you save on staying at POP vs. a Deluxe, you can go on another vacation. We used to stay in the other resorts, but now that DS's are older we are not in the room except to sleep and shower. We are so tired when we get back to Pop we could sleep on a board and not notice. This is both my DS's favorite place, they have not stopped talking about it since. So, DH and I will be going to Sandals in Jamaica in March to celebrate 10 yrs. DS's get 9 days at POP and we get and adult only rest later.

 

[KELLY]

Look at it this way, with the $ you save on staying at POP vs. a Deluxe, you can go on another vacation. We used to stay in the other resorts, but now that DS's are older we are not in the room except to sleep and shower. We are so tired when we get back to Pop we could sleep on a board and not notice. This is both my DS's favorite place, they have not stopped talking about it since. So, DH and I will be going to Sandals in Jamaica in March to celebrate 10 yrs. DS's get 9 days at POP and we get and adult only rest later.

We were really a moderate family But after staying last year at pop. Dh was like why are we spending a extra 750.00 on a room. We are a family of 4 but my girls are still under 5 so we didn't notice the extra space. Dh even made a comment last night. He said to him it only seemed like 2 feet extra of space. We do use are room more than a shower and sleep but we aren't commando type people since we have done it all. At least I think. We go for 10 days and 2 of those are water park days and we are always back at the resort early.

 

[KELLY]

Last year I stayed at CSR and it was beautiful but way to big. They wanted to put us in the Ranchos which is like the furthest possible point to the main building (they did have several bus stops located in each area with about a 5 minute walk..not too bad) but looking at this section on Google Earth seemed like I would be closer to the main building if I was in EPCOT (JK) I politely requested at check in if we could be in a closer section. They were very accomadating and granted the request. Our new room was so close to the main pool and food court. I did have it as a request when I booked the reservation but you know that requests are not always granted. I find that most Disney resorts will go out of their way to make you happy. I am hoping for pool side, ground floor 60's but we will see what we get. Seems like the entire hotel is much smaller the CSR so hopefully wherever we are it won't be too far from the action. I did pay for a preferred room so it shouldn't be too bad.

Tina

POP imo is very compact. But then again I have stayed at SSR twice it makes CSR look tiny.

 

[mnmhouston]

The checkout people at the food court don't care. i will assume for the moment that you are on the dining plan. Last 3 trips on the dining plan, the cashiers don't even check to make sure your dining plan with 3 adults and 1 kid is checking out with 4 adult combo meals. A combo meal is a combo meal. Literally we would go the first three days and make the kid get a kid combo, and then just give up and get 4 adult combo meals after the cashiers said no one checks.

Assuming you aren't on the dining plan, the typical scenario is the grownups put he kids at a clear table then the big people go into food court for all the meals. The cashiers will never make you take your tray to the table with kids present to check out with kids meals on the tray.

There is absolutely no chance, zero, that they will bust you for taking a kid meal as an adult.

Peaked my interest...so me, DH, and DD7 are on the regular dining plan. We can order 3 "adult" combo meals at the counter service and it doesn't count any differently toward our CS credits? If I understand this correctly this may be a jackpot moment since then DD7 and DD3 (not on the dining plan) can share lunches. Please confirm or clarify.

 

[KELLY]

Peaked my interest...so me, DH, and DD7 are on the regular dining plan. We can order 3 "adult" combo meals at the counter service and it doesn't count any differently toward our CS credits? If I understand this correctly this may be a jackpot moment since then DD7 and DD3 (not on the dining plan) can share lunches. Please confirm or clarify.

No you are suppose to order a child's meal for your child AT CS Places. But they don't really care if you are a adult and order a kids meal. I have heard of people paying for a adult ticket so there child could eat of the adult menu and cs places.

 

[nonsmom]

We were really a moderate family But after staying last year at pop. Dh was like why are we spending a extra 750.00 on a room. We are a family of 4 but my girls are still under 5 so we didn't notice the extra space. Dh even made a comment last night. He said to him it only seemed like 2 feet extra of space. We do use are room more than a shower and sleep but we aren't commando type people since we have done it all. At least I think. We go for 10 days and 2 of those are water park days and we are always back at the resort early.

My DS's are 8 & 5, and make us go like commando's. I have done it all too. I have gone almost every year since 1974. You will see that the older they get, the longer they like to stay at the parks. We do WPFM and go to the water parks at least 2 days as well as Disney Quest. We go for 9 full days and at first,when DS's were younger, they were in bed by 8 p.m. that was why we stayed at the Deluxes, DH & I could go out on the balcony and relax while they slept. The last time we stayed at AKL, we paid $2700. w/out airfare. We never sat on the balcony and were either in the pool or at the parks. We felt like it was a waste of $ for us. The rooms are definitely smaller, and not as elegant, but adequate for what we need.

 

[mnmhouston]

Last 3 trips on the dining plan, the cashiers don't even check to make sure your dining plan with 3 adults and 1 kid is checking out with 4 adult combo meals. A combo meal is a combo meal. Literally we would go the first three days and make the kid get a kid combo, and then just give up and get 4 adult combo meals after the cashiers said no one checks.

No you are suppose to order a child's meal for your child AT CS Places. But they don't really care if you are a adult and order a kids meal. I have heard of people paying for a adult ticket so there child could eat of the adult menu and cs places.

Kelly, thanks for the replay. While I understand that's what you are supposed to do, that doesn't seem to be what Buckeye Lurker is describing above as their "closely guarded secret". I admit, It sounds too good to be true, but want to be clear on what the poster is explaining.

 

[annmarieda]

Peaked my interest...so me, DH, and DD7 are on the regular dining plan. We can order 3 "adult" combo meals at the counter service and it doesn't count any differently toward our CS credits? If I understand this correctly this may be a jackpot moment since then DD7 and DD3 (not on the dining plan) can share lunches. Please confirm or clarify.

You will be using 3 adult credits...leaving your child's credit for later, but yes. In the end though, you would have a bunch of child credits to use on kids meals. If you want to get an adult meal using a child credit you have to go somewhere that does not offer a child's meal. (Golden Outpost in MK) I am not sure there are really that many though. My suggestion if your dd3 is not a big eater is to share with her off your plates or if she is, to pay for her to be on the dp. (upside to that is you would have another snack credit to use each day..and that doesn't have child/adult attachments to it.)

 

[EpcotBill]

Peaked my interest...so me, DH, and DD7 are on the regular dining plan. We can order 3 "adult" combo meals at the counter service and it doesn't count any differently toward our CS credits? If I understand this correctly this may be a jackpot moment since then DD7 and DD3 (not on the dining plan) can share lunches. Please confirm or clarify.

How is it that one of your daughters is not on the dining plan? Everyone on the reservation has to have the same plan.

 

[mnmhouston]

You will be using 3 adult credits...leaving your child's credit for later, but yes. In the end though, you would have a bunch of child credits to use on kids meals. If you want to get an adult meal using a child credit you have to go somewhere that does not offer a child's meal. (Golden Outpost in MK) I am not sure there are really that many though. My suggestion if your dd3 is not a big eater is to share with her off your plates or if she is, to pay for her to be on the dp. (upside to that is you would have another snack credit to use each day..and that doesn't have child/adult attachments to it.)

Makes sense. Actually I mistyped DD is 2 not 3 (guess I'm fast-tracking the terrible 2's in my head), so she cannot be on the DP. We are planning to have her eat of our meals since she is not a big eater.

Thanks guys. Now back to the regularly scheduled program...POP Talk!

 

[mnmhouston]

Makes sense. Actually I mistyped DD is 2 not 3 (guess I'm fast-tracking the terrible 2's in my head), so she cannot be on the DP. We are planning to have her eat of our meals since she is not a big eater.

Thanks guys. Now back to the regularly scheduled program...POP Talk!

How is it that one of your daughters is not on the dining plan? Everyone on the reservation has to have the same plan.

See above

 

[annmarieda]

Kelly, thanks for the replay. While I understand that's what you are supposed to do, that doesn't seem to be what Buckeye Lurker is describing above as their "closely guarded secret". I admit, It sounds too good to be true, but want to be clear on what the poster is explaining.

I think what the op is saying is at the food court and when you are about to use your last credits. I think at the food courts in the resorts they can get pretty creative when helping you to use them up. I know we had ts, cs and snack last time and they all were used on getting a bunch of snacks to take with us on DME.

The other thing I think the op was trying to say was that if you wanted to save money while NOT on the dp..you could go to the counter and order more kids meals than you need in order to feed the adults because they cost less.

As for getting more food at a cs for your child credit on the plan...really the "closely guarded secret" on that one is to really go where there are no kids meal options. As I mentioned, the only one I know of off hand is golden oak outpost in MK. Last trip, I knew that there was this trick...but didn't really care. The only reason I ended up using it was because we were all eating in that area..and dd4 had to have chicken nuggets. Golden Oak has them..but no kids meal. So she got an adult chicken nugget meal that had a LOT more nuggets in them. It only used one child cs credit. There was a huge line at this place tough...and I wonder if being able to use child's credits for adults meals is why.