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

[Alesia]

Sorry... I forgot to check there. I thought I read somewhere else that it was 3 and here it says 4. I just want to make plans for an evening ADR and want to have enough time.

You can check in early and they will hold your bags until your room is ready. They will also give you your park tickets, so there is no need to wait around until official check in time.

 

[lilyfrog73]

You can check in early and they will hold your bags until your room is ready. They will also give you your park tickets, so there is no need to wait around until official check in time.

Thank you! Our flight lands early so we will be there way before check in.

 

[Alesia]

Thank you! Our flight lands early so we will be there way before check in.

I just noticed, but we're leaving on the day that you're arriving.

 

[lilyfrog73]

I just noticed, but we're leaving on the day that you're arriving.

Make sure you leave some "magic" for us, it's our first trip!!!

 

[memy26]

This is from page 1: Check-in Time: 4:00 pm
Check-out Time: 11:00 am

There's lots of great information there! Have a great trip!

This isn't always guaranteed, but we arrived at 10:00 am and our room was already ready.

We were expecting to just have them hold our carry-ons while we went to the park but they said our room was ready when we checked in

 

[lilyfrog73]

This isn't always guaranteed, but we arrived at 10:00 am and our room was already ready.

We were expecting to just have them hold our carry-ons while we went to the park but they said our room was ready when we checked in

This would be great. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

 

[addicted2dizney]

This isn't always guaranteed, but we arrived at 10:00 am and our room was already ready.

We were expecting to just have them hold our carry-ons while we went to the park but they said our room was ready when we checked in

Oh gosh! How lucky have you been?? I was there in July and got lucky around 2pm when we got there early. I was doing the happy dance big time! Two weeks ago we got to POP around 11am and our room was not ready but we did an immediate check-in got our keys to the world, checked our luggage with Luggage services and scooted off to the parks!

To the OP on the check in... If your room is not ready, they will give you a business card and you can call the number on the card to find out when your room is ready and what the exact room number is. Let Luggage services know you are waiting on your room when you leave your luggage and they will bring it up to your room when the room is done. We arrived at 11am and did not get back to POP until 11:30 that evening. When we arrived our luggage was waiting for us.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I agree, and you can also get the Parmesan Crusted Chicken with no sauce, or with tomato sauce. You can get pasta (red or white sauce) or a salad on the side.
Just tell the server what combo you want, as opposed to ordering a number off the sign. They are usually good about customizing.

I also liked the turkey mom's night out dinner. Only available certain nights.
And the nachos supreme, which are made to your specifications. Mmmm...

They are really good about making things the way you want them. One guy wanted double potatoes and no green beans on a Mom's night out dinner, and they did it.

You are making hungry for Pop Cent. food. LOL

Thanks everyone...these sound GREAT!! We're on the dining plan and have most ressies during the day when the kids are a bit more tolerant of sitting for a meal, so just curious to what we could expect at dinnertime. Sounds yummy! Thanks for all the great ideas....yummmmm!!!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Thanks everyone...these sound GREAT!! We're on the dining plan and have most ressies during the day when the kids are a bit more tolerant of sitting for a meal, so just curious to what we could expect at dinnertime. Sounds yummy! Thanks for all the great ideas....yummmmm!!!

That's what we did in '05, our first trip to Pop and Free Dining.
We ate in the parks during lunch hours, and when we were worn out headed back to the resort and ate dinner.

The good news is that the food court is not very busy around 5-6pm. It gets busier when the parks close.

Have a great trip!

 

[Goofy41]

When is it? Hopefully not in January (when we will be coming), seems like it will be very busy.

Pop Warner week is usually the 1st (SUN) week in Dec..This years dates.12/7-12/13. I'll be there.

 

[izzyzoeybear]

I am sure this has been asked before....but what time does the food court open up in the mornings for breakfast? TIA!!

 

[tnkr mom]

On the first post it lists Food Court opens at 6am to 12midnight!! (Breakfast is 6a-11a)

 

[jenseib]

What do you all think about the poolside bar?

Expensive! I had one frutiy type drink and it was very weak! The beer was good, but I think it was like $7 each.

Sorry... I forgot to check there. I thought I read somewhere else that it was 3 and here it says 4. I just want to make plans for an evening ADR and want to have enough time.

It says 4 here and some other sites say 4 and some say 3, my paperwork said 3 last March. We always have arrived later than that though.

On the first post it lists Food Court opens at 6am to 12midnight!! (Breakfast is 6a-11a)

Not all foods are served during these hours though. Different stations will open later and close sooner.

 

[donnajean17]

I was hesitant to book POP, (thinking it was crowded and large like the All Stars) but after reading thread I am sold!! Thanks for all the great info, can't wait for my trip!!!

 

[mousebit]

Hi everybody! Just back from another great trip! POP was wonderful - as always. Thought I'd share a little info.

We decided to change our room request at the last minute (had paid for preferred 60s poolside and decided we'd rather have quiet) and still had no problem getting exactly what I asked for - 70s, lakeside, top floor! Great location if you prefer a little quieter with a nice view. (Altho being able to see those empty, wasted legendary years buildings was a little sad to me. Geez, Disney, do something with them or tear them down! )

Weather was perfect! I've never been in September and had fears of heat and hurricanes. We got low 80s with just a couple of short showers!

The love bugs were starting to come out in force by the week-end. POP did a great job of keeping them power washed off the sidewalks. (Gross, I know, but they get smooshed under foot sometimes. )

I also had feared the free dining crowds. Not a problem at POP - altho I do suggest you get your breakfast before 8:00a. (Yes, it's a zoo by then! ) Lunch was always quiet. Dinner times didn't seem so bad the 2 nights we ate there between 7-8p. Our favorites for lunch or dinner: the Flatbreads, Greek and Chicken Caesar Salads, Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Bacon Cheeseburger w Cheese Fries, Mom's Night Out Fried Chicken Dinner - all delicious! (Avoid the Turkey Ciabatta. I love good crusty bread, but you could break a tooth - or your jaw - on that stuff! ) For breakfast we liked the Western and Cheese Omelets with Bacon, POP waffles, Chocolate Croissant and the Fresh Fruit Cups. (Didn't care for the Cinnamon Rolls - not bad, just not great.) Our favorite snacks were the famous Tie-Dye Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake, Ice Cream Sundaes and the big Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I also enjoyed the Petals Pool Bar drinks. I know some have mentioned that they are pricey, but I find the prices comparable to other Disney restaurants and even the chain restaurants here at home. I love those slushie drinks and allow a little room in my budget to indulge on just a couple. (We love the Hippy Dippy at night!) The Mango Margarita was delish and this time I tried some kind of new Raspberry slush that was yummy! DGD13 loves those frozen sour apple drinks. Oh, BTW, the frozen coke machine at the food court was working every time we were there.

Mousekeeping was great. Our room was spotless (and yes I checked very closely). We asked for privacy one day (wanted to nap before MNSSHP) and they left us a bag of fresh towels. We did get a cute little towel puppy that she kept moving around the room all week.

New mattresses are COMFY! Not too soft, not too hard.

My one complaint: Luggage Services. POP needs to do a lot of work on this one - A LOT! I fully understand that I may not get my luggage for up to 5 hours after check-in so I always bring a carry-on for things we need right away. But this was crazy! Long lines, luggage lost or delivered to the wrong rooms, mass confusion - just a real mess at arrival and departure for us. Such a "less-than-magical" experience for us, that as much as I love the convenience of ME, next time I'm considering just allowing room in the budget for a town car from the airport - and keeping our luggage with us at all times!

Did laundry early one morning and the laundry room by the Hippy Dippy was empty and spotless! Dryers were not so hot that they shrink/burn your clothes like some places.

The custom cake that I preordered thru POP was absolutely delicious! My compliments to Chef Dan! He called our room as soon as we arrived to tell me I didn't have to come down to the food court to pick it up. Instead they delivered it with everything we needed - plates, napkins, knives, forks AND even candles and matches AND an autographed photo of Minnie AND balloons! DGD was thrilled!

Such a great trip for such a great value. Learned so much from this thread to make our stay so magical. Thanx everyone!

 

[lilyfrog73]

It says 4 here and some other sites say 4 and some say 3, my paperwork said 3 last March. We always have arrived later than that though.

Our flight lands at 9:55am so we will be at Pop way before 3 so we should be good. We'll just get our tickets, leave our bags and be on our way!!!

 

[Minnie Lor]

Sounds like a great trip overall, Mousebit. I didn't remember that this was love bug season. I hope it's over in two weeks.

 

[TinkAsh2001]

Hi everybody! Just back from another great trip! POP was wonderful - as always. Thought I'd share a little info.

We decided to change our room request at the last minute (had paid for preferred 60s poolside and decided we'd rather have quiet) and still had no problem getting exactly what I asked for - 70s, lakeside, top floor! Great location if you prefer a little quieter with a nice view. (Altho being able to see those empty, wasted legendary years buildings was a little sad to me. Geez, Disney, do something with them or tear them down! )

Weather was perfect! I've never been in September and had fears of heat and hurricanes. We got low 80s with just a couple of short showers!

The love bugs were starting to come out in force by the week-end. POP did a great job of keeping them power washed off the sidewalks. (Gross, I know, but they get smooshed under foot sometimes. )

I also had feared the free dining crowds. Not a problem at POP - altho I do suggest you get your breakfast before 8:00a. (Yes, it's a zoo by then! ) Lunch was always quiet. Dinner times didn't seem so bad the 2 nights we ate there between 7-8p. Our favorites for lunch or dinner: the Flatbreads, Greek and Chicken Caesar Salads, Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Bacon Cheeseburger w Cheese Fries, Mom's Night Out Fried Chicken Dinner - all delicious! (Avoid the Turkey Ciabatta. I love good crusty bread, but you could break a tooth - or your jaw - on that stuff! ) For breakfast we liked the Western and Cheese Omelets with Bacon, POP waffles, Chocolate Croissant and the Fresh Fruit Cups. (Didn't care for the Cinnamon Rolls - not bad, just not great.) Our favorite snacks were the famous Tie-Dye Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake, Ice Cream Sundaes and the big Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I also enjoyed the Petals Pool Bar drinks. I know some have mentioned that they are pricey, but I find the prices comparable to other Disney restaurants and even the chain restaurants here at home. I love those slushie drinks and allow a little room in my budget to indulge on just a couple. (We love the Hippy Dippy at night!) The Mango Margarita was delish and this time I tried some kind of new Raspberry slush that was yummy! DGD13 loves those frozen sour apple drinks. Oh, BTW, the frozen coke machine at the food court was working every time we were there.

Mousekeeping was great. Our room was spotless (and yes I checked very closely). We asked for privacy one day (wanted to nap before MNSSHP) and they left us a bag of fresh towels. We did get a cute little towel puppy that she kept moving around the room all week.

New mattresses are COMFY! Not too soft, not too hard.

My one complaint: Luggage Services. POP needs to do a lot of work on this one - A LOT! I fully understand that I may not get my luggage for up to 5 hours after check-in so I always bring a carry-on for things we need right away. But this was crazy! Long lines, luggage lost or delivered to the wrong rooms, mass confusion - just a real mess at arrival and departure for us. Such a "less-than-magical" experience for us, that as much as I love the convenience of ME, next time I'm considering just allowing room in the budget for a town car from the airport - and keeping our luggage with us at all times!

Did laundry early one morning and the laundry room by the Hippy Dippy was empty and spotless! Dryers were not so hot that they shrink/burn your clothes like some places.

The custom cake that I preordered thru POP was absolutely delicious! My compliments to Chef Dan! He called our room as soon as we arrived to tell me I didn't have to come down to the food court to pick it up. Instead they delivered it with everything we needed - plates, napkins, knives, forks AND even candles and matches AND an autographed photo of Minnie AND balloons! DGD was thrilled!

Such a great trip for such a great value. Learned so much from this thread to make our stay so magical. Thanx everyone!

I was just wondering if you had a picture of the cake you had made?! I am trying to decide to get on at the place we eat or POp and how early did you call to order it?!

 

[FIREKYMMIE]

Hey all...., We went to POP during Sept and had such a great time hubby just had me book POP again for 4 days right before xmas and had no problem getting a room... I can't wait to go back... Last time we were first floor building 3 20 ft from the pool... This time i want to try the 80's or 90's pool side any suggestions before i put my request in... Also this time we want a king size bed do they have any over in the 80's and 90's?

 

[lilyfrog73]

We decided to change our room request at the last minute (had paid for preferred 60s poolside and decided we'd rather have quiet) and still had no problem getting exactly what I asked for - 70s, lakeside, top floor! Great location if you prefer a little quieter with a nice view. (Altho being able to see those empty, wasted legendary years buildings was a little sad to me. Geez, Disney, do something with them or tear them down! )

Did you do this at Pop or before you arrived and did they credit you the difference?