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

[ocean134]

Thanks for the info Trekker93 and I'm glad you enjoyed your recent stay!

I had one more question...and this is probably the first of many! I am thinking of booking Chef Mickey's at seven am for breakfast, but was wondering if the buses start running that early if the MK doesn't open until 8am? What time do the buses start running in the morning from Pop to get to a character breakfast? TIA for your help!

I believe the buses start running about an hour or so before park opening. If you're not sure, I am certain you can ask a CM about this before you book Chef Mickey's. I am sure you're not the first person to need an early morning ride.

 

[Alesia]

I believe the buses start running about an hour or so before park opening. If you're not sure, I am certain you can ask a CM about this before you book Chef Mickey's. I am sure you're not the first person to need an early morning ride.

Buses start running at 6:30. Sometimes earlier during Christmas.

 

[jenseib]

hello, I'm new to the Pop thread and am thinking of staying a few nights here in 2011. I travel alone with my DS and was wondering if there are bell services to help you with your luggage on arrival? Will they bring your luggage to your room, or is there a cart that you can bring the luggage yourself?

If you are using ME, your bags wil lbe delviered to your room, straight from the airport.

i dont believe this is true. if that was the case I should have got at least one of my requests- 60's first floor facing the lake.
We checked in using online check in 10 days before checking in. Our party of 3 rooms were scattered throughout the resort.

We also had a late night check in-- which I believe is why we got what we did- all the rooms we wanted were gone by the time we checked in

Actually the rooms are assigned 3 days prior to your arrival and it is suggested to fax 4-5 days before...per all ears. I have always gotten what I requested, and I have faxed twice. Not sure why some do and some don't. But if I don't get what I want, I'll be sure to ask for something different. In fact our 1dt trip to Pop, I changed my mind about where I wanted to be, and they moved us.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Thanks to everyone for all the great info on this thread! Can't wait to be there in 51 days

We have friends that are staying at POP for 4 nights with us, then moving off site. Their daughter will be hanging out with my daughter on a few occasions, and I was just wondering if our friends drop her off at POP, can she take the magical express with us to the parks, or would we have to use our rental car? Also, I know she can't go in the pool, but is it ok for her to hang out with us at the resort?

Thanks.

 

[Alesia]

Thanks to everyone for all the great info on this thread! Can't wait to be there in 51 days

We have friends that are staying at POP for 4 nights with us, then moving off site. Their daughter will be hanging out with my daughter on a few occasions, and I was just wondering if our friends drop her off at POP, can she take the magical express with us to the parks, or would we have to use our rental car? Also, I know she can't go in the pool, but is it ok for her to hang out with us at the resort?

Thanks.

The Magical Express is different than the regular buses. ME only runs between the resort and the airport and you do need a reservation to use it.

The regular transportation (buses, ferrys, monorails) are open to all guests, regardless whether they're staying on-site or not.

She can definitely hang out at the resort with you. You can also ask if she can use the pool. I'm betting that it won't be a problem.

 

[hammie59]

To add to the mystery of room requests..... I put a room request in when we booked, then called a few days before we arrived. I didn't send a fax... We checked in mid-morning. Our room was on the opposite side from where I had requested. I asked the very nice CM if they had anything available in the section I had originally requested..."No problem!" he said. Not only did he put us in that section, our room was ready @ 11:00am. So I agree..who knows how it works?

Similar thing happened to us at ASMo. I booked preferred and requested Toy Story section when I made ressie. We checked in around 1pm and were assigned Fantasia (which I think technically is closer to main building and pool). But we really wanted Andy's Room area and when I asked if they had anything available, she said yes and moved us. So who knows....

 

[jenseib]

Thanks to everyone for all the great info on this thread! Can't wait to be there in 51 days

We have friends that are staying at POP for 4 nights with us, then moving off site. Their daughter will be hanging out with my daughter on a few occasions, and I was just wondering if our friends drop her off at POP, can she take the magical express with us to the parks, or would we have to use our rental car? Also, I know she can't go in the pool, but is it ok for her to hang out with us at the resort?

Thanks.

Yes, she can ride the Disney transportation....as others said, not the same thing as ME.
I would let her swim. I don't think it will be a problem. Especially since she will be a guest there for part of the time. But you can always ask to be sure, if it makes you feel better.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Yes, she can ride the Disney transportation....as others said, not the same thing as ME.
I would let her swim. I don't think it will be a problem. Especially since she will be a guest there for part of the time. But you can always ask to be sure, if it makes you feel better.

Yeah, that's what I meant - don't know why I called it Magical Express (we're not even using that).

I guess I can ask about the pool, and if they say no I'll tell them two people on the DIS told me it shouldn't be a problem. Will you guys be there at the same time to back me up?

 

[jenseib]

Yeah, that's what I meant - don't know why I called it Magical Express (we're not even using that).

I guess I can ask about the pool, and if they say no I'll tell them two people on the DIS told me it shouldn't be a problem. Will you guys be there at the same time to back me up?

What day are you arriving?

 

[momof2gr8kids]

What day are you arriving?

Nov. 29

 

[jenseib]

Nov. 29

Close, but not the same.Our plan right now is to arrive Dec. 8 if all goes well. My DH is still iffy about going.

 

[Jennasis]

Just wanted to say...will be at Pop in 5 days and a wake up!!!

 

[serene56]

I But if I don't get what I want, I'll be sure to ask for something different. .

Yes, we had to make changes- no way would I be happy being all over the place with our family. That is why it took almost 45 minutes for us to check in.I didnt care if we were next to each other--but the same building was a must

 

[ocean134]

Just wanted to say...will be at Pop in 5 days and a wake up!!!

Please don't take this the wrong way, but, you sound like my mom! She counts the days 'and a wake up' too. I thought that was really funny that someone else counts this way. I thought it was just her! LOL Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Gina]

Hi all! Quick question. The last time DS and I were at Pop was this past December, and they still had those horrid thermostats with the sensors. I tried the balloon trick but never could get it just right -- if I tied it to a chair it was too far away, and if I moved the chair closer, we kept cracking our shins on it. Did they, by some miracle, replace the t-stats when they did the refurb??

Also, I need help tweaking my room requests... I have a preferred room, and I'd like to be in bldg. 10 (the 70's bldg) as close to the food court and bus stops as possible. I know you should list requests in order of importance -- which should I put first? Thanks! Can't wait to be back at Pop!!

 

[jcarwash]

Also, I need help tweaking my room requests... I have a preferred room, and I'd like to be in bldg. 10 (the 70's bldg) as close to the food court and bus stops as possible. I know you should list requests in order of importance -- which should I put first? Thanks!

Do you have other requests besides the building? If you already have reserved a preferred room, I think just asking for building 10 should do it for specific room location requests. If your building request is honored, any of those preferred rooms should be very convenient for both Classic Hall and the buses.

If you need to see the preferred room map, look here:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36219213&postcount=5

 

[Gina]

Do you have other requests besides the building? If you already have reserved a preferred room, I think just asking for building 10 should do it for specific room location requests. If your building request is honored, any of those preferred rooms should be very convenient for both Classic Hall and the buses.

If you need to see the preferred room map, look here:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36219213&postcount=5

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, pictures are blocked here at work and I keep forgetting to look once I get home. I don't have any other requests, but I would much, much rather be in that preferred wing that aims right at Classic Hall, rather than the wing that points towards the 90's parking lot. How would I best word that in a request?

 

[jcarwash]

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, pictures are blocked here at work and I keep forgetting to look once I get home. I don't have any other requests, but I would much, much rather be in that preferred wing that aims right at Classic Hall, rather than the wing that points towards the 90's parking lot. How would I best word that in a request?

I've never tried this level of room request specificity -- although I've thought about doing it -- and that would be requesting specific rooms or blocks of rooms.

According to this room layout map (http://disneyworldlinks.com/tools/PopCenturyRoomLayoutLarge.jpg) you'd want to request rooms in the block 49-72 (rooms ending in those numbers). For example a ground floor room in that block/wing closest to Classic Hall would be 0161.

 

[littlepeppers]

Booked Mom & Dad at POP lastnight. We asked them at the 180 day mark to come & we are at the 32 day mark & they decide to come.

Have to completely change those ADRs made at the 180 day mark. We had everything we wanted, but we are now a grand gathering & have to rebook everything.

But POP baby, here we come.

 

[mousebit]

POP is as clean and colorful as always. The refurbed rooms look great! We stayed in 50's building 3, 2nd floor - and everything was brand new. At first I was disappointed in this location. I had requested 60s or 70s, 4th floor, lakeside. First time I've ever faxed a request and first time none of my preferences were met! But sticking with the belief that there's really no bad location at POP, we gave it a try and were pleasantly surprised. DGD15 loved the bowling pin pool but also that we were really close to the hippy dippy and Everything POP as well.

BTW, the room size does not bother me at all. I'm am empty nester so I have plenty of room at home. When at POP, it's nice to cozy up with my girls. We're only there to shower, watch a little TV (love the new flat screens!) and sleep. We find plenty of room for all our stuff without feeling crowded or cluttered. I'm home now with all my "space" and wish I was still back in that little room at POP!

My only criticism of the rooms is the new comforter/bedspreads. They are huge, thick and heavy. We always remove them anyway (not just at POP, but any hotel) but these things are like trying to fold foam rubber! We finally asked mousekeeping to just come get the darn things and bring us extra blankets. We were perfectly comfortable after that.

I will admit that we said Boo! to the food court more than once. It was crazy crowded in there at meal times - well, even at 9:00pm! We had deluxe dining this time so we didn't have to face the mobs too often but when we did want to grab a snack or refill our mugs, it was madness I tell you!

The rest of the resort didn't seem crowded at all. Pools were nearly empty late afternoons and evenings, arcade and gift shop uncrowded, no long lines that I saw at check-in or concierge.

Pizza delivery and luggage assistance were great! Resort airline check-in went perfectly smooth. There was very little wait for busses to the parks. The only park that seemed to have long lines at the bus stop was Magic Kingdom, but it didn't even seem too bad. In fact, our biggest transportation hold-up was the monorail. We were late to our breakfast at 1900 Park Fare because we were stuck on the monorail for over 40 minutes while they had to perform "routine maintenance". (Someone said it was a flat tire.)

Anyway, we had a great time and once again loved staying at our Disney "home." (But those bedspreads really have to go!)