The GROOVIER New Pop Century FAQ Thread! ~ Post #1 is a must see!

[mrstomrice]

I'm convinced.
Just booked online for 3 weeks in Pop Nov 3-24.
Can't get the smile off my face.

Congrats! I think you'll love it! Be sure to check out page 1 of this thread...so much great info, including the fax number that you should use to make a room request. You may want to consider buying a small fridge for your room, since rental is around $10 a day...unless there is a new swap for you to get involved in.
You'll also be able to spend Thanksgiving in America this year, unless it is later this year...I haven't looked that far. Have fun planning

 

[Alesia]

I am thinking of next March! Can you fill me in on wether and crowds! It is my birthday month and I wanted to be a solo birthday girl ( Well old lady! )

I'll be there next March!

 

[mousebit]

I'm convinced.
Just booked online for 3 weeks in Pop Nov 3-24.
Can't get the smile off my face.

Congratulations! I have no doubt you will enjoy your stay at POP! In addition to all the benefits of staying on-site that others have mentioned (dining plan, free transportation to parks, extra magic hours) POP just has a fun atmosphere that just seems to enhance the Disney magic even further. I know it sounds a little corny, but it really does.

What I really wanted to mention (since you are staying for 3 weeks and might be interested in other Orlando attractions besides WDW) is how easy it is to get transportation to those off-site places from POP. Renting a car is one option (and Orlando attractions are an easy drive from POP), but the public bus system and shuttle companies are great too. We used to come to Orlando for a non-Disney vacation every year and stay off-site. Then I discovered that I can enjoy POP for the same or less $ and still go to Discovery Cove, Sea World, Aquatica, outlet malls, airboat rides, pick your own orange groves, GatorLand, etc...There are even tour busses to Busch Gardens, Clearwater Beach, Kennedy Space Center - and most of them will either pick you up at or near POP. (We had to take a Disney bus to DTD to catch a couple of tour busses.) So, you can see a lot of Florida with POP as your home base - and you can come "home" every night and enjoy dinner at one of the Disney restaurants if you'd like.

I've met a lot of UK tourists at Discovery Cove & Sea World, so I'm sure that the UK forums folks will be able to give you lots of details. And, of course, the folks on this thread always have the answers to your POP questions!

Happy planning - and welcome to the POP-lovers' club!

 

[englishrose47]

I'll be there next March!

When are you going ?? I'm thinking mid March!!

 

[Picabo]

OK all of you POP fans...I need advice and words of wisdom.

DH really wants to stay at Poly - his first visit to Disney and he's less than enthused but doing it for the kids (and me). If I EVER want him to go back then I need to try to make sure it's a stress and hassle free trip....as much as possible. If we stay at Poly, we can only stay 6nts ($$$$$!!!) but if I do a Pop/Poly spit, we can do a total of 8nts....and still cost less. I was thinking of 3nts POP and 5nts Poly.

The problem is....I want to do the dining plan (I THINK....waiting for 2009 info to come out, but I THINK I want dining unless it goes up a ton!) and I do NOT want to pay extra for the tickets by adding on an extra day for everyone at the 2nd hotel. So ONE booking (POP) needs to be hotel only.

Would it make sense to start out at Poly for 5nts with 8day tickets and meal plan and THEN move to POP for 3 nts and use the remaining tickets and pay out of pocket for meals. (I figure we'll save AK and DHS for while we're at Pop and there's aren't many sit down meals at those places that we care about anyhow....) Will I regret going to Poly first and will Pop then be a huge let down????

THANK YOU!
Melanie

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Personally, I would make it simple and stay at the Poly this time. I see you have two little one. At the Poly, you have two parks just a monorail ride away. The pace a the Poly is a bit slower - less frenetic. There is a nice bar and a couple of nice restaurants at the Ceremonial House.

Most importantly, you can use the DDP much more freely and not have to work around certain days - and, you already said, that is where your husband wants to stay. Humor him this time - it will pay off in the long run LOL!

Once your kids are a bit older, then move over to Pop as you would have to be paying for their meals and admissions. Enjoy the Poly while you can - it's an amazing resort!! Check out Steve Seifert's website dedicated to all things Poly

 

[jackdis]

I would probably do the POP first,then the POLY. But also to consider is that you might use your non-park days more at the POLY because of the pool, grounds, etc. (Not that we haven't enjoyed our pool days at the POP.)

 

[Brian McGee]

X

 

[jenseib]

Hi,

I was poking around on the fridge swap thread to find out of there were any cancellations or new swaps that woudl be available between 8/12 and 8/20 (yes, it's last minute, but I just found the magic of the Disboard).

Anyway, a veteran of the fridge swap process said I should post something on this site to see if anything new came up. I'll be glad to contribute money to start a new swap.

Thanks.

18 days to go...

Actually you should make a new post on the budget board about it. It is frowned upon to post about swaps on the other boards.

 

[jenseib]

OK all of you POP fans...I need advice and words of wisdom.

DH really wants to stay at Poly - his first visit to Disney and he's less than enthused but doing it for the kids (and me). If I EVER want him to go back then I need to try to make sure it's a stress and hassle free trip....as much as possible. If we stay at Poly, we can only stay 6nts ($$$$$!!!) but if I do a Pop/Poly spit, we can do a total of 8nts....and still cost less. I was thinking of 3nts POP and 5nts Poly.

The problem is....I want to do the dining plan (I THINK....waiting for 2009 info to come out, but I THINK I want dining unless it goes up a ton!) and I do NOT want to pay extra for the tickets by adding on an extra day for everyone at the 2nd hotel. So ONE booking (POP) needs to be hotel only.

Would it make sense to start out at Poly for 5nts with 8day tickets and meal plan and THEN move to POP for 3 nts and use the remaining tickets and pay out of pocket for meals. (I figure we'll save AK and DHS for while we're at Pop and there's aren't many sit down meals at those places that we care about anyhow....) Will I regret going to Poly first and will Pop then be a huge let down????

THANK YOU!
Melanie

If you want to do the dining plan I would do all Poly. Or all Pop, but not make the switch. If you do the switch I would do Pop first, but that still screws up the dining plan, as you will need to have at least a 1 day ticket when you go over to Poly and start the plan. I think since it's your DH's first time, I would just do poly and enjoy yourselves. I love Pop, but if I had a chance to do Poly some day i would. I understand about the less days being there and that is something to consider. But if you really want a split stay, I would do the dining for both and buy that extra ticket.
Are you with AAA. They do offer a discount on th room portion, so that might help a bit.

 

[Alesia]

When are you going ?? I'm thinking mid March!!

March 20th - 28th.

 

[DisneyMom5]

OK all of you POP fans...I need advice and words of wisdom.

DH really wants to stay at Poly - his first visit to Disney and he's less than enthused but doing it for the kids (and me). If I EVER want him to go back then I need to try to make sure it's a stress and hassle free trip....as much as possible. If we stay at Poly, we can only stay 6nts ($$$$$!!!) but if I do a Pop/Poly spit, we can do a total of 8nts....and still cost less. I was thinking of 3nts POP and 5nts Poly.

The problem is....I want to do the dining plan (I THINK....waiting for 2009 info to come out, but I THINK I want dining unless it goes up a ton!) and I do NOT want to pay extra for the tickets by adding on an extra day for everyone at the 2nd hotel. So ONE booking (POP) needs to be hotel only.

Would it make sense to start out at Poly for 5nts with 8day tickets and meal plan and THEN move to POP for 3 nts and use the remaining tickets and pay out of pocket for meals. (I figure we'll save AK and DHS for while we're at Pop and there's aren't many sit down meals at those places that we care about anyhow....) Will I regret going to Poly first and will Pop then be a huge let down????

THANK YOU!
Melanie

Personally, if I wanted to go to WDW AND make my dh happy, I would go to Pop the entire time, around 8 days, and get the DDP.
The Poly experience wouldn't be as significant to little kids, but they would like the themeing at Pop.
My dh prefers to save money, so that would be his preference.
Besides, the monorail isn't as convenient if you have to walk from the outlying bldgs, and then you're just doing buses for two of the parks anyway.
And Pop's buses are very good.
We never drive anywhere at WDW, and we always have a double stroller.

I figure, whatever $ you save on your hotel you can spend on souvineirs!

Anyway, just wanted to say that Pop can be the full WDW experience, AND save you some $.

 

[jenseib]

I was thinkingthat too, but I think her DH wants to stay at the Poly.

 

[kaffinito]

I would go to Poly for the six days and do the DDP. That way your hubby gets a taste of the best that WDW has to offer, and he will get spoiled. You might have a better chance then of going longer next time! Good luck!

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Two little girls (2 1/2 and 1) = more time at the MK - you won't likely be spending nearly as much time at AK or DHS. At the end of a long day, the monorail ride back to the Poly will much easier than a bus to Pop AND, you don't have to fold up the strollers or disturb sleeping children). Just think of how convient this will be for naps.

I personally love Pop (have stayed there the past 7 trips in a row with two more this year). But in this instance, the Poly makes much more sense. Request a room in Tokelau or Hawaii. Close to both the Ceremonial Hall and the TTC (plus, there is a very nice childrens play area just steps away). The busses to AK and DHS are easier to catch and much less crowded from the TTC than the Ceremonial House. Get the DDP for your entire stay and 8 day Park Hoppers. You'll have a wonderful time!

 

[kaffinito]

Oh, I'm lurking by the way!

 

[englishrose47]

March 20th - 28th.

Have you gone March before ? I know the weather will be ok for me(don't really like it hot) but I;m worried about the crowds with it being Spring Break time!!I wanted to be there for the 13th my birthday ! I went Feb this year and it was a little to cool!!

 

[Alesia]

Have you gone March before ? I know the weather will be ok for me(don't really like it hot) but I;m worried about the crowds with it being Spring Break time!!I wanted to be there for the 13th my birthday ! I went Feb this year and it was a little to cool!!

I've only been once and that was in July of 1998. I'm hoping that March won't be ridiculously crowded since easter is in April next year.

 

[Minnie Lor]

OK all of you POP fans...I need advice and words of wisdom.

DH really wants to stay at Poly - his first visit to Disney and he's less than enthused but doing it for the kids (and me). If I EVER want him to go back then I need to try to make sure it's a stress and hassle free trip....as much as possible. If we stay at Poly, we can only stay 6nts ($$$$$!!!) but if I do a Pop/Poly spit, we can do a total of 8nts....and still cost less. I was thinking of 3nts POP and 5nts Poly.

The problem is....I want to do the dining plan (I THINK....waiting for 2009 info to come out, but I THINK I want dining unless it goes up a ton!) and I do NOT want to pay extra for the tickets by adding on an extra day for everyone at the 2nd hotel. So ONE booking (POP) needs to be hotel only.

Would it make sense to start out at Poly for 5nts with 8day tickets and meal plan and THEN move to POP for 3 nts and use the remaining tickets and pay out of pocket for meals. (I figure we'll save AK and DHS for while we're at Pop and there's aren't many sit down meals at those places that we care about anyhow....) Will I regret going to Poly first and will Pop then be a huge let down????

THANK YOU!
Melanie

I wouldn't do the split stay with dining plan. Too much hassle. If you decide to do split stay w/o dining plan ~ do Pop first and then move up to Poly.

If DH really wants Poly then I say go for it. It's a fabulous resort. If you're trying to save $$ and who isn't then go during value season. Maybe even sign up for the Disney Visa (use it once and put it away) You can get special rates with your Disney Visa. I'd also sign up with Dreams Unlimited Travel Agency (the DIS sponsor) They are FABULOUS and they will get you the special rates when they're released. (Very rare that you can snag one on your own)

If you can get DH to compromise, you could try a moderate instead of the value (Pop) and the luxury (Poly).

Good luck deciding but definitely go thru Dreams. They are amazing!!!!!

 

[Minnie Lor]

double post