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

[englishrose47]

Just booked Pop for August 19th thru 27th!!Anyone else going then!!!

 

[zianha]

163 days til my next WDW trip!

I'm so excited! I've always stayed at Values and have stayed at all of them except Pop! Don't know why I hadn't ever even tried to book Pop before. Some of my family told me about it and loved it! Anyway, me and my kids are super excited and I think we will enjoy it!

 

[Mindy5767]

Just booked Pop for August 19th thru 27th!!Anyone else going then!!!

Maybe possibly perhaps. I will have to wait and see two things 1) will my son need us to drive him back to college (1 hour from Disney) 2) WHEN will my son need us to drive him back.

Our public school will start in August next fall, instead of after labor day for some inexplicable reason. Our county has always started after labor day. Anyway, I will not let that stop me from going to Disney if there is a conflict in times. This past fall, my son had to be at the college a week earlier for Freshman orientation and classes started on Monday the 16th. If the Monday that classes begin is about then, then we could be going back. If so, my DD8 says Pop is where she wants to stay. And the food court is a strong pull for my DH to stay there again.

 

[Mindy5767]

Everyone is different, so not everyone will like Pop. But thats OK. I have read good and bad about all the resorts.
I hope your next stay at Disney, where ever it may be, will be more magical for you.

Yeah, its true. There are even some people who just don't "get" Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa... I have read people not liking the themeing or the location or the decor etc etc. I'm like ... because personally, I could just LIVE there forever, it seems really like my Disney Home Away From Home, as DVC resorts are supposed to be.

Although we are DVC members, and we Saratoga, we don't have enough points to stay there ALL our Disney time. We had 3 Disney trips this year for instance, so our 2nd choice is Pop Century. It might seem silly for a Deluxe DVC person to have a 2nd choice be a value and not a moderate or other deluxe.... but we really love the Pop. We think the food court is great, love the choices at the drink refill stations, and the themeing is like being inside a 'Toon'. Its just plain fun.

 

[jcarwash]

Just booked Pop for August 19th thru 27th!!Anyone else going then!!!

Yes! We're reserved at Pop for that same week too. Did you book the free dining package?

 

[justakrazymom]

We check in the same day the 19th!! Leaving the 19th! Free Dining!!!

 

[JJandN]

If this has been discussed elsewhere, please point me in the right direction. I just left Pop Century on Wednesday and the system was down that morning. No one could tell me before I left what my account balance was for the week nor could I switch my method of payment from a credit card to something else (gift cards). I left with no way of verifying that I agreed with my room charges or not nor what the total amount came to. I used dining credits for breakfast that morning and where it usually said how many credits I had left on my receipt instead it said "AUTHORIZER LINE DOWN" so I ended up guessing how many snack and dining credits I had left and am pretty confident I didn't use them all (looked at a receipt from the day prior and then played it safe when trying to figure out on my own how many credits were left). Had a great trip overall (despite the cold weather, my back going into spasms from carrying the kids around, and my wife and daughter each catching a stomach bug at various points), but this was an annoying hassle the morning of my departure and I can't find any mention of others dealing with this. Front desk basically just told me sorry that there was nothing they could do, took my information to have the charges e-mailed to me once the system came back up (have not received this to date) and gave me some numbers to call once I got home to take care of switching payment from my credit card to something else. I checked what the total charges billed were from my credit card once I got home and it is close to what I estimated it would be but like I said, nothing from Disney yet. Again a great trip, but system upgrades are sure a pain and Disney's handling of this has been a little disappointing. I am optimistic that it will work out eventually, but it means time of mine spent that I shouldn't have to be spending.

 

[mimmiepnp]

Yeah, its true. There are even some people who just don't "get" Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa... I have read people not liking the themeing or the location or the decor etc etc. I'm like ... because personally, I could just LIVE there forever, it seems really like my Disney Home Away From Home, as DVC resorts are supposed to be.

Although we are DVC members, and we Saratoga, we don't have enough points to stay there ALL our Disney time. We had 3 Disney trips this year for instance, so our 2nd choice is Pop Century. It might seem silly for a Deluxe DVC person to have a 2nd choice be a value and not a moderate or other deluxe.... but we really love the Pop. We think the food court is great, love the choices at the drink refill stations, and the themeing is like being inside a 'Toon'. Its just plain fun.

We are also DVC members and stayed at POP for the first time the week after Thanksgiving since we had no more points. I definately was a little concerned going to POP just because it is labelled as a "value" resort but I must tell you we really enjoyed our stay!!

We we in the 50's building facing the lake. Yes, the rooms are a little smaller and I did miss my coffeemake and balcony but every morning I would get up and just take a stroll to the food court to get my coffee and then sit by the pool and enjoy.

Our November/December trips are definately a little more commando style as opposed to our 2 weeks in May where we do alot of lounging at the resort and by the pool. BUT I would definately stay at POP again when we plan our next December vacation and have no more points.

My DS who is 24 also liked it and would stay again. He really liked the choices at the food court.

Prior to buying at DVC we would stay at Port Orleans Frech Quarter (which I love) but when we are out of our DVC points (which will always happen for our December trip ) I definately see a POP stay in our future.

 

[L-Harper]

I just booked our very first vacation to Disney for 9/7-14 and we're staying at POP!!! It will be the boys' and my first time ever to go to Disney. We are beyond excited and cannot wait for the next 263 days to FLY by!

 

[RachaelA]

If this has been discussed elsewhere, please point me in the right direction. I just left Pop Century on Wednesday and the system was down that morning. No one could tell me before I left what my account balance was for the week nor could I switch my method of payment from a credit card to something else (gift cards). I left with no way of verifying that I agreed with my room charges or not nor what the total amount came to. I used dining credits for breakfast that morning and where it usually said how many credits I had left on my receipt instead it said "AUTHORIZER LINE DOWN" so I ended up guessing how many snack and dining credits I had left and am pretty confident I didn't use them all (looked at a receipt from the day prior and then played it safe when trying to figure out on my own how many credits were left). Had a great trip overall (despite the cold weather, my back going into spasms from carrying the kids around, and my wife and daughter each catching a stomach bug at various points), but this was an annoying hassle the morning of my departure and I can't find any mention of others dealing with this. Front desk basically just told me sorry that there was nothing they could do, took my information to have the charges e-mailed to me once the system came back up (have not received this to date) and gave me some numbers to call once I got home to take care of switching payment from my credit card to something else. I checked what the total charges billed were from my credit card once I got home and it is close to what I estimated it would be but like I said, nothing from Disney yet. Again a great trip, but system upgrades are sure a pain and Disney's handling of this has been a little disappointing. I am optimistic that it will work out eventually, but it means time of mine spent that I shouldn't have to be spending.

I'm peeved about the system being down as well because we couldn't use our rewards card to pay off our room. I need to call today and them credit our credit card the amount that we have left on our rewards card and then use the rewards card (they did this previously for us at AKL).

The system was only down until noon because our dining credits at 11am on Wednesday didn't go through but our snacks at 12:30pm did.

 

[RachaelA]

I got back last Thursday from my trip.

I have to say that I really, disliked Pop and will never, ever stay there again.

Hated the theming (I thought it was tacky). Really disliked the layout (too spread out). The food court was madhouse and the place was crawling with smokers.

I was originally placed in room 3438 in the 50's section. The walk from the parking lot (I rented a car) to the upper level room was way too long. I asked to have my room changed and I was placed in room 8401 in the 90's section. Though this room had a much better location to the parking area I felt it was a long walk (especially in the cold weather we encountered last week) to the main building and food court.

To put it best, it had a motel type feel to it, not a resort feel at all. I'm a huge lover of the resorts. I like to spend time hanging out in the resort and enjoying where I am staying. At the Pop I did all I could to avoid being there as much as possible. It was basically a place to just sleep.

Never again. I will only stay at the Beach Club in the future. At least there I can hang out in the lobby and people watch, or hang out by the pool or the Boardwalk area and enjoy my surroundings.

I told my wife that I couldn't imagine how anyone could like the Pop and enjoy staying there.

J

DH and I felt the same way about our stay last Friday through Wednesday. We will never stay anywhere other than a deluxe again. I guess we are just spoiled. We loved Pop when we stayed there in 08, but we hated it this trip. We hated the beds, pillows, towels, crowded dining hall, long walks, loud toilets, motel feel, etc. We've realized once you go deluxe you never go back (at least for us!)

I can see why people would like Pop, but its just not for us anymore. We did have a view of Illuminations from our room which was super nice, but that was really it.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

We will be at POP May 1-10! This is our first trip to WDW and we are super excited!

 

[jakeybake]

I'm peeved about the system being down as well because we couldn't use our rewards card to pay off our room. I need to call today and them credit our credit card the amount that we have left on our rewards card and then use the rewards card (they did this previously for us at AKL).

The system was only down until noon because our dining credits at 11am on Wednesday didn't go through but our snacks at 12:30pm did.

The system was down when I was there as well, yet it took me 3 trips down to the front desk for someone to finally let me know why. I wanted my paper tickets to be put on my room card, since I was forced to pick up my park passes at one of the theme parks.

The first two times I waited in line and went to the desk they told me that I needed to go to the concierge desk a few hours later, and then again the next day to have it done. Someone finally told me that they upgraded the system and that they would be unable to do it for the remainder of my trip.

My Pop experience was horrible like I have posted previously. Sad because I had the opportunity to stay at the Coronado Springs for a lousy $100 more but decided to go the less expensive route and save my company some $$$.

Never again.

J

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

We are headed to Pop for the first time in February with our two little ones-

I read on the front page that they have large blocks outside to play with, twister, ping pong table, etc. I am wondering if these things are always outside and available- even in the colder weather.

Oh- and what temp does it have to be for the goofy jets to be on- is the water heated too-?

Thanks!

 

[mommy2mrb]

just made my FINAL PAYMENT

airline tickets paid
dp paid
resort's paid
PH paid
tours paid

saving $$ for extra spending $$$ now - we are at 99 DAYS, double digit

 

[boys27]

What would you suggest is the best way to get to the Hoop Dee Doo Review using the bus system from Pop resort? We are planning to see the 5pm show on our arrival day, January 29th. Also, how much time do you think we'll need to get there? We arrive in the Orlando airport at 1:40pm, hopefully that will allow us enough time to get to the dinner show! Thanks for your help

 

[Minnie Lor]

What would you suggest is the best way to get to the Hoop Dee Doo Review using the bus system from Pop resort? We are planning to see the 5pm show on our arrival day, January 29th. Also, how much time do you think we'll need to get there? We arrive in the Orlando airport at 1:40pm, hopefully that will allow us enough time to get to the dinner show! Thanks for your help

I would take a bus to MK followed by a boat the Ft. Wilderness. I believe you will have to take an internal bus to get to HDDR. So I'd plan for 90 minutes.

You'll probably be in your room by 3:15 or 3:30. So you're cutting it close. In that case, I'd take a cab. It shouldn't cost more than $15 plus tip.

 

[holliedd]

What would you suggest is the best way to get to the Hoop Dee Doo Review using the bus system from Pop resort? We are planning to see the 5pm show on our arrival day, January 29th. Also, how much time do you think we'll need to get there? We arrive in the Orlando airport at 1:40pm, hopefully that will allow us enough time to get to the dinner show! Thanks for your help

We arrive on the same day and at the same time...so see you on the bus to Pop!!

 

[boys27]

We arrive on the same day and at the same time...so see you on the bus to Pop!!

Holliedd...we are coming in from Philly. We won't be on the ME bus since we have a private pick-up (we wanted to make a special trip to grocery store.) Hopefully we will see each other throughout the week. I will be with DH and three DS 13, 11, 5. If you see us say HI!

 

[holliedd]

Holliedd...we are coming in from Philly. We won't be on the ME bus since we have a private pick-up (we wanted to make a special trip to grocery store.) Hopefully we will see each other throughout the week. I will be with DH and three DS 13, 11, 5. If you see us say HI!

Any chance you are flying Southwest?? If so we are too from Philly so maybe we'll see you on the flight. It is myself, dh, and dd 3...our first trip to Disney. I am so excited!!!!!!