The GROOVIER New Pop Century FAQ Thread Chapter 4! ~ Posts #1, #2 & #3 are MUST sees!

[ocean134]

Hi, everyone!

Kristen and I always welcome suggestions of info that would be helpful on the first page of our FAQs.

We had considered adding bus times - our concern is that the buses at any Resort are not reliably the same during different times of the year or any given day. We feel the ongoing discussion and POP guests who have recently returned, sharing their experience, provides the most up to date information.

Please do not hesitate to make suggestion for the FAQs and to be sure we see it, pm either of us: Minnie&Nana or Kristineamb.

Thanks so much!

I always always always recommend that people planning on riding the buses add at least an hour to their morning routine just for time to wait for buses. I have found that wait times for buses at the Value Resorts are much shorter than most of the other resorts. I am assuming this is based on resort size. I would have suggested that, for an 8:05 ADR, to be on a bus no later than 7. Seriously! Waiting for buses is my biggest gripe but I live with it since I am usually without a vehicle while on vacation in Disney. It is a convenience to not have to rent a car but I have learned years ago to plan ahead.

On a good note, I did notice that on my visit to ASMovies and Pop, the bus drivers would wait a while at the bus stops to make sure they were filling the bus to capacity before pulling out of the stop. At ASMovies, one bus driver kept his eyes on the rear-view mirror to see if anyone came running around the corner trying to catch his bus. It was the first I had seen a driver do that and I was floored. He was a good guy and he had a bus full of very happy people on their way to the park of choice!!! Disney Magic!

 

[ocean134]

I have not stayed at AS Movies, just AS Music, but we do prefer the Pop. It is our favorite Value resort. There is one advantage that Pop has over all the All Stars. We always get our own bus and don't have to share. Frequently AS buses will stop at each other's resort, making the trip longer. That happened to us when we stayed at the AS Music.

Most of the rooms at the Pop are newly renovated. Some are being renovated now, so its very fresh, clean and the food court is excellent. The management at Pop is very responsive to guests needs. I highly recommend it. I'd switch if I were you. Besides, your kids might enjoy the huge Pop icons such as the giant Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. The giant foosball table courtyard. Its alot of fun.

I stayed at ASMovies in Oct. of 2009. It was beginning to look a little run down but it was still OK. I have to agree that I do prefer Pop. I can't wait to get back there and to see the new rooms. Woo hoo!

If you chose to stay at ASMovies, you will be fine, but, if you can switch to Pop, you might want to. Just a suggestion.

Am I wrong in 'hearing' that ASMovies was being renovated as well? Not sure where I heard that info. Can anyone confirm?

 

[Melissa<3Disney]

Hi all!! Only 9 days til' our POP adventure begins! I just have a question. Did online check-in yesterday, and our connecting rooms, ground floor requests were there. We have two rooms booked and would like refurbished rooms as well, but i was wondering if I should even call and add it since the refurbs are almost complete. We are not booked as preferred so our chances of getting a refurbished rooms are pretty good right?! Should I call and add the request or just see what we are given when we get there and try and change it if it isn't refurbished? We don't really care what building we are in. Noise doesn't really bother us. (We are a family of 8 Italians! We are the noise!) Thanks so much for any opinions!

 

[mommy2mrb]

So I made a couple changes to our ressie!

Now arriving March 29 staying at POP until 4/6 and then heading to AKL 4/6 -4/9!! DD has always wanted to stay at AKL (me too!) and since we won't be back to WDW for at least 3-5 years, wanted to give her a special treat. This also will extend our trip by 2 days, we will have 11 park days! looking forward to being able to go through the parks at a slower pace and experience that much more!!!
We will actually be arriving the morning of the 29th which is my DD 11th bday! hoping to get BBB and CRT to celebrate on her actual bday, keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi all!! Only 9 days til' our POP adventure begins! I just have a question. Did online check-in yesterday, and our connecting rooms, ground floor requests were there. We have two rooms booked and would like refurbished rooms as well, but i was wondering if I should even call and add it since the refurbs are almost complete. We are not booked as preferred so our chances of getting a refurbished rooms are pretty good right?! Should I call and add the request or just see what we are given when we get there and try and change it if it isn't refurbished? We don't really care what building we are in. Noise doesn't really bother us. (We are a family of 8 Italians! We are the noise!) Thanks so much for any opinions!

So you're those loud guests next door? I bet you're just fine...glad you have so much fun together.

It couldn't hurt to add refurbished room to the requests. It would be harder to get connecting rooms if they have to change the rooms - but do be sure your requests are met at check-in...if not, ask the cM to try to find you refurbished connecting rooms. Just be sure to call reservations and not the resort as calls no long go to the resort, but to a call center that answer for the resort. Even calls from the room go to the call center when you call the front desk.

Have a GREAT trip!!

 

[jcarwash]

We have two rooms booked and would like refurbished rooms as well, but i was wondering if I should even call and add it since the refurbs are almost complete. We are not booked as preferred so our chances of getting a refurbished rooms are pretty good right?! Should I call and add the request or just see what we are given when we get there and try and change it if it isn't refurbished?

I would add the request. There's still a chance that in nine days the ground floor of buildings 1 and 2 (50s) may not be done yet. Last week they were working on the top floor of building 1 and if they go floor by floor the ground floors will be last. I did not see them working on building 2 at all last week.

If you request any other building 3 through 10 you should get a refurb on the ground floor.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Just sent the room assigner a fax for my check-in on Sat. I might be too late but just thought of it today. Found an online website where you can send a fax for free from your computer. We have a fax/printer/scanner/copier machine but the fax isn't set up.

I requested ...

• Bldg #3 or a refurbed room in the 50's
• 4th floor
• Facing a pool

and then gave my reasons...Love the 50's and like the 4th floor for quietness. Would like facing a pool because I'm traveling solo and would feel more comfortable entering my room from a more public location instead of the backside of a building.

 

[Melissa<3Disney]

So you're those loud guests next door? I bet you're just fine...glad you have so much fun together.

It couldn't hurt to add refurbished room to the requests. It would be harder to get connecting rooms if they have to change the rooms - but do be sure your requests are met at check-in...if not, ask the cM to try to find you refurbished connecting rooms. Just be sure to call reservations and not the resort as calls no long go to the resort, but to a call center that answer for the resort. Even calls from the room go to the call center when you call the front desk.

Have a GREAT trip!!

That's us!! I should request to be put far away from others so we don't disturb anyone! No we aren't that bad!

Thanks for the advice.. I think i'll just call and ask to add refurbed to our ressie request! Better safe than sorry right?!

 

[Melissa<3Disney]

To add to a request do we just call the basic reservations line and ask to add something, or do I need to fax something?! Just a little confused!

 

[Melissa<3Disney]

Also can anyone tell me their experiences with ground floor rooms?! Just want to see what to expect! As you can see I like to plan out every detail!!

 

[jcarwash]

To add to a request do we just call the basic reservations line and ask to add something, or do I need to fax something?! Just a little confused!

Yes, you just call the reservations line and ask to add room requests to your existing ressie. You may want to confirm the ones that are on there already, and that you are adding to those existing ones.

Also can anyone tell me their experiences with ground floor rooms?! Just want to see what to expect! As you can see I like to plan out every detail!!

I enjoy the ground floor rooms because you spend so much less time using stairs and elevators -- comes in handy for running back to the room, or going back and forth to Everything Pop. My child is still using a stroller and so having a stroller on the ground floor is a lot more convenient than waiting for the elevator. I just like that convenience so much more, and the two ground floor rooms I've had at Pop have been fantastic. Both times I was placed in an "end" room with no room on one side.

 

[Melissa<3Disney]

Yes, you just call the reservations line and ask to add room requests to your existing ressie. You may want to confirm the ones that are on there already, and that you are adding to those existing ones.



I enjoy the ground floor rooms because you spend so much less time using stairs and elevators -- comes in handy for running back to the room, or going back and forth to Everything Pop. My child is still using a stroller and so having a stroller on the ground floor is a lot more convenient than waiting for the elevator. I just like that convenience so much more, and the two ground floor rooms I've had at Pop have been fantastic. Both times I was placed in an "end" room with no room on one side.

Awesome thanks.. just wanted to be reassured! My sister is in a wheelchair, using elevators is really no problem, but it's good to hear that it makes it much easier for ground floor with her wheelchair! I'm excited!! Thanks again!!

 

[littlepeppers]

Piad off the balance yesterday & put in a doozy of a request.

Connecting rooms w/ DSIS (reservations were already linked), crip for DSIS, buliding 2 or 3, 4th floor, facing lake. (Go to see the fireworks if we turn in early or can't go to MK b/c of a party!)

Think it will work? We will see in 47days.

 

[GoofyWife]

this is such a great thread - I used so much info I found on it last summer on my first stay at POP!

My DH and I are going to be at POP (only two nights though - which is better than no nights!). I didn't put in a room request when I called to make my reservation this morning - the agent I had was nice, but I felt like I was being rushed, so going to call back - Last year I stayed in the 50's building so my DSs and I could watch fireworks - I'd like to get something closer to buses and food court - for a standard room, would Building 5 (in the 60's section) fourth floor, lakeview - be too much info on my reservation request?

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Okay, here is a dumb question...what is the current selection of soda available at the dispensers? Is Cherry Coke still there? Any of the Zeros? The Light lemonade? thanks...

 

[jcarwash]

Okay, here is a dumb question...what is the current selection of soda available at the dispensers? Is Cherry Coke still there? Any of the Zeros? The Light lemonade? thanks...

I already forgot the full selection, but here's the ones I remember from week of 9/12/10:

Coke Zero
Sprite Zero
Sprite
Coke
Diet Coke
Minute Maid Light Lemonade
blue PowerAde
Orange Fanta (I think)

I don't recall Cherry Coke being available, but that's only because I didn't look for it

Also there are the Gold Peak iced tea dispensers with sweeted tea, unsweeted tea, citrus tea, and I think green tea

 

[alaskanmommy]

Help!! Here's a question from a POP virgin.......We're staying there for 16 nights in January, we don't want to be right in front of the pool but wouldn't mind an Epcot view and would like to be fairly close to the pool, laundry and the food court/bus stop. That's not asking too much is it?

Where would you recommend I request???

 

[KELLY]

Help!! Here's a question from a POP virgin.......We're staying there for 16 nights in January, we don't want to be right in front of the pool but wouldn't mind an Epcot view and would like to be fairly close to the pool, laundry and the food court/bus stop. That's not asking too much is it?

Where would you recommend I request???

I think if you want a epcot view. Request 50's section building 3. But if you want to be close to the food court it would be building 1.

I leave my house in 12 hours for the airprot. I'm not excited or anything!!

 

[mauigal]

Help!! Here's a question from a POP virgin.......We're staying there for 16 nights in January, we don't want to be right in front of the pool but wouldn't mind an Epcot view and would like to be fairly close to the pool, laundry and the food court/bus stop. That's not asking too much is it?

Where would you recommend I request???

BUilding 2 or 3, top floor you will be able to see the fireworks! It's close to the bowling pin pool..and the laundry...it's decently close to the food court/buses!! Love bld 3!!
Nice and quiet and close to it all!

 

[mauigal]

I leave my house in 12 hours for the airprot. I'm not excited or anything!![/QUOTE]

Kelly......have sooooo much fun!!