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

[homeschoolmomof4]

24 hours until we leave for Disney!!! This time tomorrow my two youngest and myself will be headed to the airport.

Does anyone know the upper cash limit for a snack credit? I have a gluten issue and can pretty much only eat eggs for breakfast at Pop so I'll likely buy scrambled eggs every morning. I know oatmeal is only counted as a snack credit and it only costs $2.49. The eggs are $2.59. Do you think they'll let me count them as a snack credit? Thx!!

 

[jcarwash]

Does anyone know the upper cash limit for a snack credit? I have a gluten issue and can pretty much only eat eggs for breakfast at Pop so I'll likely buy scrambled eggs every morning. I know oatmeal is only counted as a snack credit and it only costs $2.49. The eggs are $2.59. Do you think they'll let me count them as a snack credit? Thx!!

Just based on price $2.59 is well within the snack range -- upper limits on some snack credit items can be like $3.99 or even a little over.

But then I don't think it's price alone that determines what is a snack credit and what isn't. I checked the snack thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2381706) and could not find any examples where people identified eggs as a snack credit. If you do find out, that'll be an interesting addition to the list.

 

[mblaesing]

We are just over 3 weeks out! Waiting is the hardest part!!!! Good thing I have so much to read on the DIS!!

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

Just based on price $2.59 is well within the snack range -- upper limits on some snack credit items can be like $3.99 or even a little over.

But then I don't think it's price alone that determines what is a snack credit and what isn't. I checked the snack thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2381706) and could not find any examples where people identified eggs as a snack credit. If you do find out, that'll be an interesting addition to the list.

Thanks for checking it out for me and passing on the link.

I'll let everyone know when I get back.

 

[mommy2mrb]

24 hours until we leave for Disney!!! This time tomorrow my two youngest and myself will be headed to the airport.

Does anyone know the upper cash limit for a snack credit? I have a gluten issue and can pretty much only eat eggs for breakfast at Pop so I'll likely buy scrambled eggs every morning. I know oatmeal is only counted as a snack credit and it only costs $2.49. The eggs are $2.59. Do you think they'll let me count them as a snack credit? Thx!!

Have a great trip!!

Don't have an answer about the eggs, sorry...

 

[buxomlisa]

Just got back tuesday night from a week stay at Pop! It was my first trip to disney, just my cousin and I, and we had alot of fun! We stayed in room 9310, and left a little present for the next guests in the room, hopefully they receive it!

Thank god for the free dining!! I don't know how we would have made out without it!!

btw as we were leaving, one of the workers in the store said they are coming out with new snack items in a week, they just havent put them out yet. My cousin wanted to get a bag of the chocolate pretzels but they were the family size bags and too expensive to be considered a snack credit but they said they were getting smaller bags to be counted as a snack. also all the bags of goofy candy are considered snack, even if they say family size! we got gummys, sour candy, jelly beans,etc!


last week was a perfect time to go, weather was cold but the line ups for rides were mostly walk ons!! they were 5-10 minute waits on everything!! We were able to do and see so much for our first trip to disney!! My cousin was a little disappointed though that we couldn't find stitch! we saw him at the christmas party and at epcot and animal kingdom, but could not find him at magic kingdom! She bought a huge stuffed Stitch at magic kingdom and wanted to show him and we couldn't find him, and the cm's didn't seem very helpful either. they just said to look for him in tommorrowland

 

[WDWisOurHappyPlace]

Glad you had a wonderful trip buxomlisa! To those heading out, have fun!

We will be arriving at Pop on December 20, staying through December 26, can't wait! (with free dining, quick service)

(I've been away from the Dis for quite awhile, time to catch up on what's going on!)

 

[msmith07101]

Glad you had a wonderful trip buxomlisa! To those heading out, have fun!

We will be arriving at Pop on December 20, staying through December 26, can't wait! (with free dining, quick service)

(I've been away from the Dis for quite awhile, time to catch up on what's going on!)

We'll be leaving Pop the day you arrive...going from the 16th - 20th. We are getting excited!

 

[Mindy5767]

WOW!!! Where did you eat on Thanksgiving? How many people was it? Food pricing is getting CRAZY!!! Especially this holiday surcharge stuff!!! I hope your meal was good!

We ate at Chef Mickey. It was $39.99 per adult. We had 6 adults (two teenage boys) and one child. I think we paid about $25.00 for the child. She only ate a plate of mac & cheese and was full. We said it was the most expensive mac & cheese ever! She didn't even want to eat dessert even though we tried to explain to her the economics of the situation. My son went up and got her a make-your-own sundae and I took a chocolate chip cookie home in my purse for her. The 18% gratuity is automatically added to the bill. Regular drinks were included, but not beer. I think the two actual adult men each had a beer. It all added up. Not only THAT, but on Thanksgiving day, you can't use Tables in Wonderland or Annual Pass or DVC discounts. Probably because they're too busy gouging you with the extra holiday price! So in all, it came to about $350. AND.... we had to pay an addition $30 for the family photo they take of you in front of the giant plate when you arrive. They don't even do that by photopass, even though they ARE photopass photographers. They bring the photo out, I think it was an 8x10 in a folio, it includes 2 smaller ones, don't recall if those are 5x7 or 3x5. I only bought it because I figured at least that was about the same price as the ones you buy on the Potomac River and Baltimore Harbour dinner cruises.

The food was good, but not FABULOUS! Not $40 good! I can't say I ate $40 worth. I think next year, I'm going to order a family Thanksgiving dinner from our local grocery store, and if we spend Thanksgiving at Disney again in the future, I'll skip the overpriced meal and order one from Winn Dixie and heat it up in my villa kitchen. In fact, I bet you can even order them from Garden Grocer and have them delivered!

 

[DaniB]

AND.... we had to pay an addition $30 for the family photo they take of you in front of the giant plate when you arrive. They don't even do that by photopass, even though they ARE photopass photographers. They bring the photo out, I think it was an 8x10 in a folio, it includes 2 smaller ones, don't recall if those are 5x7 or 3x5.

Just a heads-up about that photo package you paid for. Although they will only give you those photos if you pay for them (seperately from the photopass), you can add them to your photopass later.

Slide the large photo out of the folio and on the top left-hand corner there will be a number you can add to your photopass photos online.

I received a free package at Akershus, and we paid for one at Tusker House and 1900 Park fare. All 3 of these I was able to add to my photopass CD, and edit with borders as I wished!

 

[Mindy5767]

Just a heads-up about that photo package you paid for. Although they will only give you those photos if you pay for them (seperately from the photopass), you can add them to your photopass later.

Slide the large photo out of the folio and on the top left-hand corner there will be a number you can add to your photopass photos online.

I received a free package to Akershus, and we paid for one at Tusker House and 1900 Park fare. All 3 of these I was able to add to my photopass CD, and edit with borders as I wished!

Awww I wish they'd have told us that! I have already ordered and received my photo CD! I can probably still add it to my photopass account, but since I'm not going to place another order, the CD was expensive enough, they'll just expire at the end of the 30 days. Darn! Glad I know now though!! thanks

 

[uncw89]

We ate at Chef Mickey. It was $39.99 per adult. We had 6 adults (two teenage boys) and one child. I think we paid about $25.00 for the child. She only ate a plate of mac & cheese and was full. We said it was the most expensive mac & cheese ever! She didn't even want to eat dessert even though we tried to explain to her the economics of the situation. My son went up and got her a make-your-own sundae and I took a chocolate chip cookie home in my purse for her. The 18% gratuity is automatically added to the bill. Regular drinks were included, but not beer. I think the two actual adult men each had a beer. It all added up. Not only THAT, but on Thanksgiving day, you can't use Tables in Wonderland or Annual Pass or DVC discounts. Probably because they're too busy gouging you with the extra holiday price!:scared1: So in all, it came to about $350. AND.... we had to pay an addition $30 for the family photo they take of you in front of the giant plate when you arrive. They don't even do that by photopass, even though they ARE photopass photographers. They bring the photo out, I think it was an 8x10 in a folio, it includes 2 smaller ones, don't recall if those are 5x7 or 3x5. I only bought it because I figured at least that was about the same price as the ones you buy on the Potomac River and Baltimore Harbour dinner cruises.

The food was good, but not FABULOUS! Not $40 good! I can't say I ate $40 worth. I think next year, I'm going to order a family Thanksgiving dinner from our local grocery store, and if we spend Thanksgiving at Disney again in the future, I'll skip the overpriced meal and order one from Winn Dixie and heat it up in my villa kitchen. In fact, I bet you can even order them from Garden Grocer and have them delivered!

So True! I didn't even think about the no discount stuff!!! UGH!!! The holiday surcharge needs to go! We are going next week and because of the surcharge, I think I''m just going to get the dining plan. I'm going to try the Deluxe one I think![ It will probably be too much food, but at least I shouldn't have an extra food costs! LOL! Chef Mickey's is on our list. I'm glad the food was at least good! I usually end up getting the oictures too!/COLOR]

Just a heads-up about that photo package you paid for. Although they will only give you those photos if you pay for them (seperately from the photopass), you can add them to your photopass later.

Slide the large photo out of the folio and on the top left-hand corner there will be a number you can add to your photopass photos online.

I received a free package to Akershus, and we paid for one at Tusker House and 1900 Park fare. All 3 of these I was able to add to my photopass CD, and edit with borders as I wished!

I was going to tell you this too!

Awww I wish they'd have told us that! I have already ordered and received my photo CD! I can probably still add it to my photopass account, but since I'm not going to place another order, the CD was expensive enough, they'll just expire at the end of the 30 days. Darn! Glad I know now though!! thanks

Sorry you already ordered and received your CD, but at least you know for next time. Hope your trip was good, despite the high cost of food!

 

[Mindy5767]

So True! I didn't even think about the no discount stuff!!! UGH!!! The holiday surcharge needs to go! We are going next week and because of the surcharge, I think I''m just going to get the dining plan. I'm going to try the Deluxe one I think![ It will probably be too much food, but at least I shouldn't have an extra food costs! LOL! Chef Mickey's is on our list. I'm glad the food was at least good! I usually end up getting the oictures too!/COLOR]



I was going to tell you this too!



Sorry you already ordered and received your CD, but at least you know for next time. Hope your trip was good, despite the high cost of food!

Our trip was fun despite the high cost of the food and also despite my getting sick!! The day we arrived, we ate at San Angel Inn for lunch and Via Napoli for dinner (with our TIW discount) and at 2am I woke up throwing up and all the rest...and body and muscle aches... just like the flu. But I had a flu shot in October. Maybe that's why it didn't last more than a day, but all Monday while the family was in the MK, I was sick in my villa. At least if you're going to be sick, it was in luxurious surroundings. But I was so sick I couldn't even go out on the balcony to enjoy the warm sunny day! I don't think anything I ate had anything to do with it. We all ate at SA, although I'm the only one who had the fish tacos. And we shared a big 1/2 meter pizza and pitchers and desserts at Via Napoli, and nobody else got sick. I missed having my coconut almond chicken at Kona Cafe. I dragged myself out of bed and went, but only could have the chicken noodle soup (luckily they have some). My sister had my chicken! Afterwards I was so weak we had to go back to the villa. But the next morning, I was ready for my day at DHS. We stayed all day and did Fantasmic with our dinner package at Mama Melorse. Now THAT was a good meal. And the service was steller! Jean was our waitress. I highly recommend. However, with the Fantasmic package, you can't use TIW, or any other discounts. Its a flat package price that includes your choice of one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. I think drinks were included, but not wine and beer. I felt it was a decent value though. It was less than what we paid at Chef Mickey too!

I think that if you have an annual pass, you're better off getting a 40% discount on the room and buying a TIW card. However, if you're not an AP holder or Florida resident, you can't get a TIW card. Then the meal plan makes sense. But its hard to fit in all those meals. We even had to cancel our Trail End ressie because we were still just too full from Yorkshire County Fish Co. And I was also pretty tired that day because I went full steam ahead on Tuesday with DHS and didn't give myself enough recovery time after whatever I was sick with! But even so, we had a fun trip.

 

[uncw89]

Our trip was fun despite the high cost of the food and also despite my getting sick!! The day we arrived, we ate at San Angel Inn for lunch and Via Napoli for dinner (with our TIW discount) and at 2am I woke up throwing up and all the rest...and body and muscle aches... just like the flu. But I had a flu shot in October. Maybe that's why it didn't last more than a day, but all Monday while the family was in the MK, I was sick in my villa. At least if you're going to be sick, it was in luxurious surroundings. But I was so sick I couldn't even go out on the balcony to enjoy the warm sunny day! I don't think anything I ate had anything to do with it. We all ate at SA, although I'm the only one who had the fish tacos. And we shared a big 1/2 meter pizza and pitchers and desserts at Via Napoli, and nobody else got sick. I missed having my coconut almond chicken at Kona Cafe. I dragged myself out of bed and went, but only could have the chicken noodle soup (luckily they have some). My sister had my chicken! Afterwards I was so weak we had to go back to the villa. But the next morning, I was ready for my day at DHS. We stayed all day and did Fantasmic with our dinner package at Mama Melorse. Now THAT was a good meal. And the service was steller! Jean was our waitress. I highly recommend. However, with the Fantasmic package, you can't use TIW, or any other discounts. Its a flat package price that includes your choice of one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. I think drinks were included, but not wine and beer. I felt it was a decent value though. It was less than what we paid at Chef Mickey too!

I think that if you have an annual pass, you're better off getting a 40% discount on the room and buying a TIW card. However, if you're not an AP holder or Florida resident, you can't get a TIW card. Then the meal plan makes sense. But its hard to fit in all those meals. We even had to cancel our Trail End ressie because we were still just too full from Yorkshire County Fish Co. And I was also pretty tired that day because I went full steam ahead on Tuesday with DHS and didn't give myself enough recovery time after whatever I was sick with! But even so, we had a fun trip.

This is a little OT....

Sorry to hear that you got sick! but glad it didn't last too long! Hopefully, it was just a bug and not the food. We are going to try Via Napoli too.
I do have an AP and TIW card. This time we are staying on points at BWV. (We are also going for my b'day weekend and staying at Pop for cash in Jan. Got a great rate!) I just thought it might come out cheaper to do the DP due to the holiday surcharges. We also like TS better than counter service. I'm not sure that we will maximize the DlxDP, but we will certainly try! We will eat some TS, some CS and use some credits for b'fast, etc.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Stayed 11 nights and was a bit worried after reading some of the stuff on the boards about the size, noise, etc. But I have to say we all were pleasantly surprised and glad we didn't spend the extra $$ to upgrade.

Especially for our first trip - we weren't in the room much and there weren't too many days you could go in the pool - especially the last week! Brrr it was cold!

We didn't get our room request at check in, but I asked to change to a top floor facing the lake and they switched it no problem. It was quiet, didn't hear people running or toilets flushing, etc. We had 70s section (Building 6)and it wasn't as far from everything as I anticipated.

The room size was fine for our family. We did bring a single air mattress and the kids fought over who's turn it was to sleep "on the floor" LOL. As for the drawers, dh and I had one each and hung some stuff up. Kids shared one plus I brought a couple of baskets to put into the cubby holes to put more clothes in. We still had a lot of room for more stuff, I thought. The hooks held all our jackets and the privacy curtain was great to have in the morning while kids were still sleeping.

Everyone was friendly and helpful. Didn't encounter one bad CM or notice badly behaved guests. Maybe we were in our own magical happy world. LOL

Food court wasn't too bad, but we didn't eat there too much and never when we were in a rush. The 2 CS credits for the large pizza to go was a great use of credits after a long day at the parks.

Mousekeeping was great - we only had them come in every 2nd day and there were always towel creations.

Maybe we lucked out, but we didn't have one single problem during our stay. Everything was great, and I definately would stay there again and spend the extra $ saved on golfing, shopping and other fun stuff!

 

[milmore104]

Stayed 11 nights and was a bit worried after reading some of the stuff on the boards about the size, noise, etc. But I have to say we all were pleasantly surprised and glad we didn't spend the extra $$ to upgrade.

Especially for our first trip - we weren't in the room much and there weren't too many days you could go in the pool - especially the last week! Brrr it was cold!

We didn't get our room request at check in, but I asked to change to a top floor facing the lake and they switched it no problem. It was quiet, didn't hear people running or toilets flushing, etc. We had 70s section (Building 6)and it wasn't as far from everything as I anticipated.

The room size was fine for our family. We did bring a single air mattress and the kids fought over who's turn it was to sleep "on the floor" LOL. As for the drawers, dh and I had one each and hung some stuff up. Kids shared one plus I brought a couple of baskets to put into the cubby holes to put more clothes in. We still had a lot of room for more stuff, I thought. The hooks held all our jackets and the privacy curtain was great to have in the morning while kids were still sleeping.

Everyone was friendly and helpful. Didn't encounter one bad CM or notice badly behaved guests. Maybe we were in our own magical happy world. LOL

Food court wasn't too bad, but we didn't eat there too much and never when we were in a rush. The 2 CS credits for the large pizza to go was a great use of credits after a long day at the parks.

Mousekeeping was great - we only had them come in every 2nd day and there were always towel creations.

Maybe we lucked out, but we didn't have one single problem during our stay. Everything was great, and I definately would stay there again and spend the extra $ saved on golfing, shopping and other fun stuff!

Sound like you have a Magical trip.Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to get there ourselves!

 

[mommy2mrb]

happy to hear you had a fun time, despite the cold weather!!!

 

[msmith07101]

Stayed 11 nights and was a bit worried after reading some of the stuff on the boards about the size, noise, etc. But I have to say we all were pleasantly surprised and glad we didn't spend the extra $$ to upgrade.

Especially for our first trip - we weren't in the room much and there weren't too many days you could go in the pool - especially the last week! Brrr it was cold!

We didn't get our room request at check in, but I asked to change to a top floor facing the lake and they switched it no problem. It was quiet, didn't hear people running or toilets flushing, etc. We had 70s section (Building 6)and it wasn't as far from everything as I anticipated.

The room size was fine for our family. We did bring a single air mattress and the kids fought over who's turn it was to sleep "on the floor" LOL. As for the drawers, dh and I had one each and hung some stuff up. Kids shared one plus I brought a couple of baskets to put into the cubby holes to put more clothes in. We still had a lot of room for more stuff, I thought. The hooks held all our jackets and the privacy curtain was great to have in the morning while kids were still sleeping.

Everyone was friendly and helpful. Didn't encounter one bad CM or notice badly behaved guests. Maybe we were in our own magical happy world. LOL

Food court wasn't too bad, but we didn't eat there too much and never when we were in a rush. The 2 CS credits for the large pizza to go was a great use of credits after a long day at the parks.

Mousekeeping was great - we only had them come in every 2nd day and there were always towel creations.

Maybe we lucked out, but we didn't have one single problem during our stay. Everything was great, and I definately would stay there again and spend the extra $ saved on golfing, shopping and other fun stuff!

This is great news to me...leaving for Pop in a few days and it'll by my first stay there, so I hope it's as good as yours. I just got off the phone with Disney to put in my room request...asked for top floor (I can't stand hearing people above me), bldg 3 or 4. I am not too concerned about the bldg, more concerned I get top floor. We'll see what they give me!

 

[Mindy5767]

This is a little OT....

Sorry to hear that you got sick! but glad it didn't last too long! Hopefully, it was just a bug and not the food. We are going to try Via Napoli too.
I do have an AP and TIW card. This time we are staying on points at BWV. (We are also going for my b'day weekend and staying at Pop for cash in Jan. Got a great rate!) I just thought it might come out cheaper to do the DP due to the holiday surcharges. We also like TS better than counter service. I'm not sure that we will maximize the DlxDP, but we will certainly try! We will eat some TS, some CS and use some credits for b'fast, etc.

I'm sure it was a bug and not the food too. We all pretty much ate the same food prepared in the same kitchen, and nobody else got sick. Due to the aches and such, I think it was a short flu.

I am not sure how dining plan works out with the surcharge. If the dining plan is still free with no additional surcharge or at the same price with no surcharge, then it comes out ahead over paying OOP. I just can't eat that many full table services meals in one day. I guess I'm not really a big eater. But I could snack around EPCOT all day! lol There are so many good counter service places these days (not at MK) that you really have much more choice than in the past. My favorite TS meals are the buffet character breakfasts at 1900 Park Fare and at Cape May Cafe. Wonderful choices, great character interaction and just a great way to start the day. Lucky for you going back to Pop in January. I don't know when we're getting back. DH said we have to cut back on so many trips.

 

[bear_mom]

Our trip was fun despite the high cost of the food and also despite my getting sick!! The day we arrived, we ate at San Angel Inn for lunch and Via Napoli for dinner (with our TIW discount) and at 2am I woke up throwing up and all the rest...and body and muscle aches... just like the flu. But I had a flu shot in October. Maybe that's why it didn't last more than a day, but all Monday while the family was in the MK, I was sick in my villa. At least if you're going to be sick, it was in luxurious surroundings. But I was so sick I couldn't even go out on the balcony to enjoy the warm sunny day! I don't think anything I ate had anything to do with it. We all ate at SA, although I'm the only one who had the fish tacos. And we shared a big 1/2 meter pizza and pitchers and desserts at Via Napoli, and nobody else got sick. I missed having my coconut almond chicken at Kona Cafe. I dragged myself out of bed and went, but only could have the chicken noodle soup (luckily they have some). My sister had my chicken! Afterwards I was so weak we had to go back to the villa. But the next morning, I was ready for my day at DHS. We stayed all day and did Fantasmic with our dinner package at Mama Melorse. Now THAT was a good meal. And the service was steller! Jean was our waitress. I highly recommend. However, with the Fantasmic package, you can't use TIW, or any other discounts. Its a flat package price that includes your choice of one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. I think drinks were included, but not wine and beer. I felt it was a decent value though. It was less than what we paid at Chef Mickey too!

I think that if you have an annual pass, you're better off getting a 40% discount on the room and buying a TIW card. However, if you're not an AP holder or Florida resident, you can't get a TIW card. Then the meal plan makes sense. But its hard to fit in all those meals. We even had to cancel our Trail End ressie because we were still just too full from Yorkshire County Fish Co. And I was also pretty tired that day because I went full steam ahead on Tuesday with DHS and didn't give myself enough recovery time after whatever I was sick with! But even so, we had a fun trip.

I think it was a stomach bug (which the flu shot doesn't help against). We were there last week too and both dds got sick with something similiar. Older dd had it worse and didn't feel good for a few days, younger dd had it pretty mild and was only out for one day. After the major sickness day, we had a day with no rides (Epcot works well for this). The next day she did manage a few rides, but still didn't feel right.

We had another great stay at Pop, we were in room 1136 which is all the way at the end near the parking lot. Worked well for us, there was a cut off path and we were a quick walk to the main building and bus stop. Pretty quiet, heard some toilets flushing but not bad. It was our first time getting the mugs, worked well for getting Sprite (see above), coffee and hot cocco.

Bus service was pretty good, we only had one bad experience and that was leaving MK on Thursday night. We waited for over 30 minutes for bus to get us back. All the other resorts had 3 or more buses come through and several empty buses went by. This was doubly frustrating becuase this was the night older dd got sick and she wasn't feeling well and just wanted to get back to the room and rest.

First time I did laundry on a trip. I had packed such a variety of clothes for varying weather and didn't have enough room to pack enough of each. I don't know if I over packed the washer or what, but the washer didn't do a good job on some of the clothes.

We spent our last afternoon visiting other resorts to see where we might want to stay on our next trip. That was fun just see them all.

Emily