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

[jenseib]

I'd say an hour too. It could be busy in the AM getting on the buses, and though they will probably run more than usual for awhile, it still may require some wait time just to get on the bus.
I don't know much about in rooom babysitting excpet that I remember reading about it and think it cost alot. I think it was at least 10 an hour (maybe more) and then each additional kid there was a charge as well. I do know the service is not Disney but someone who they hire out to. If your kids are old enough there are kids club type places at some of the resorts as well (for a cost) and htey can play with other kids too. I don't really know alot about it though. Maybe ask on the family board?

 

[denisegold]

What do people think of a car rental vs Disney buses? I know the Disney transportation is free, but I got a rate from Alamo (with a coupon) of $112 for 4 days (includes all taxes, etc) which is a pretty good rate. I am thinking maybe using the rental car some of the time and the buses some of the time. It's just me and my two daughters (age 11 and 13) so waiting for a bus isn't the end of the world, and I have read the Pop buses are pretty good (timely and frequent.) But I like the security of having a car. And we can go where ever we want on our one non Disney day. Anyone have any advice, pro or con? (I booked the Alamo car, but I can cancel it). If there are already threads discussing this exact issue, point me there. TIA!!! (did I mention this is a great board??)

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

What do people think of a car rental vs Disney buses? I know the Disney transportation is free, but I got a rate from Alamo (with a coupon) of $112 for 4 days (includes all taxes, etc) which is a pretty good rate. I am thinking maybe using the rental car some of the time and the buses some of the time. It's just me and my two daughters (age 11 and 13) so waiting for a bus isn't the end of the world, and I have read the Pop buses are pretty good (timely and frequent.) But I like the security of having a car. And we can go where ever we want on our one non Disney day. Anyone have any advice, pro or con? (I booked the Alamo car, but I can cancel it). If there are already threads discussing this exact issue, point me there. TIA!!! (did I mention this is a great board??)

We always have a car and couldn't do without it! We probably only use the buses a couple of times each trip, for DTD in the evenings so we can have a drink!! We love the freedom of leaving the parks and being able to get staright back to the room without waiting for a bus, we love being able to get to resort restaurants without getting two different buses and trebling the journey length, and we even like being able to sneak off site sometimes for meals and shopping!

That said the buses always seem plentiful and most people survive so it can't be all that bad!! But it would be hard for us to go back to relying on them after having a car for so many years!!

 

[bubba]

What do people think of a car rental vs Disney buses? I know the Disney transportation is free, but I got a rate from Alamo (with a coupon) of $112 for 4 days (includes all taxes, etc) which is a pretty good rate. I am thinking maybe using the rental car some of the time and the buses some of the time. It's just me and my two daughters (age 11 and 13) so waiting for a bus isn't the end of the world, and I have read the Pop buses are pretty good (timely and frequent.) But I like the security of having a car. And we can go where ever we want on our one non Disney day. Anyone have any advice, pro or con? (I booked the Alamo car, but I can cancel it). If there are already threads discussing this exact issue, point me there. TIA!!! (did I mention this is a great board??)

There you go ... opposing view points ! We also have always rented a car and have found it very useful for getting from the airport to WalMart and on to Pop. For the most part, they have remained in the POP Century parking lot until time for us to go back to the airport. This May we spent 8 days in the World and used the car twice. Once to get to Ft Wilderness for dinner when we were running a little too late to get there on the bus in time for our ADR, and one morning to get to Animal Kingdom when we had 8 am ADR at Tusker House. Otherwise, we have bussed it ! With a little bit of forethought, you can use the Transportation System to get wherever you want to go, whenever you want to get there ! We're going to try without the car next time !

 

[denisegold]

Thanks for the 2 views. If the rental car was more than , say, $150, I don't think I'd even consider it. But for $112, I think I will. We may not use it a lot, but having the option is nice.

 

[memy26]

What do people think of a car rental vs Disney buses? I know the Disney transportation is free, but I got a rate from Alamo (with a coupon) of $112 for 4 days (includes all taxes, etc) which is a pretty good rate. I am thinking maybe using the rental car some of the time and the buses some of the time. It's just me and my two daughters (age 11 and 13) so waiting for a bus isn't the end of the world, and I have read the Pop buses are pretty good (timely and frequent.) But I like the security of having a car. And we can go where ever we want on our one non Disney day. Anyone have any advice, pro or con? (I booked the Alamo car, but I can cancel it). If there are already threads discussing this exact issue, point me there. TIA!!! (did I mention this is a great board??)

When we drove to Disney our car never left the parking lot from the time we got there until the time we left.

So that being said this time we decided to fly down (since our kids have never flew) and not rent a car. We used the buses for everywhere we went and we even had 8 am ADR's at CTR and Donalds Safari Breakfast we got there with time to spare.

Me personally I wouldn't waste my money on a rental, regardless of the price, I would rather spend the money on something I would use.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Even though you are a resort resident, don't you still have to pay parking fees at each park?

 

[Pikester]

Q: Is parking available at the Theme Parks?

A: Yes, parking is available at the Disney Theme Parks for an additional fee. Once the parking fee is paid, this will allow you to park at all the Disney Theme Parks for that entire day. Disney Resort Guests receive complimentary parking at the Disney Theme Parks for the length of their resort stay, with valid resort identification.

Found this on http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/helpFAQ?id=HelpFAQTransportationPage#q9

 

[Alesia]

Even though you are a resort resident, don't you still have to pay parking fees at each park?

nope.

 

[disneyin2008]

Even though you are a resort resident, don't you still have to pay parking fees at each park?

Free parking is available to all resort guests and to Annual Passholders (whether they stay on or off site).

 

[DisGal520]

denisegold -

if you only have one non-Disney day - why not make it a Downtown Disney day? Plenty of places to eat, and its a shopping mecca. Plus lots of photo ops and you still feel like you are at Disney. And............there is a bus from POP to there.


The POP buses are plentiful. So you may not want to bother with a car at all. Take a vacation from driving!

 

[denisegold]

denisegold -

if you only have one non-Disney day - why not make it a Downtown Disney day? Plenty of places to eat, and its a shopping mecca. Plus lots of photo ops and you still feel like you are at Disney. And............there is a bus from POP to there.


The POP buses are plentiful. So you may not want to bother with a car at all. Take a vacation from driving!

I was thinking of Downtown Disney that one day. Thanks for the straight forward answer, now I'm swaying toward canceling the car.

 

[FIREKYMMIE]

I have driven last 2 yrs..... I park my car and don't look at it again till we leave... hope that helps

 

[Goofy41]

We always drove to Disney, to have a car just in case, but it mostly sat in the parking spot. The last few times we flew though, it was great, no problems with the busses. I'll be there for Pop Warner week, so I may need a car because POP does not have direct bussing to WWoS. I have to be there ealry for things and I do not think going to DHS and then getting a shuttle there will get me there on time. I plan on calling this week to see when the 1st bus is for DHS and then to WWoS. That will make my decision easier or getting a cab.

 

[seadd67]

What do people think of a car rental vs Disney buses? I know the Disney transportation is free, but I got a rate from Alamo (with a coupon) of $112 for 4 days (includes all taxes, etc) which is a pretty good rate. I am thinking maybe using the rental car some of the time and the buses some of the time. It's just me and my two daughters (age 11 and 13) so waiting for a bus isn't the end of the world, and I have read the Pop buses are pretty good (timely and frequent.) But I like the security of having a car. And we can go where ever we want on our one non Disney day. Anyone have any advice, pro or con? (I booked the Alamo car, but I can cancel it). If there are already threads discussing this exact issue, point me there. TIA!!! (did I mention this is a great board??)

Ya I thought the car would be a great idea to. We have stay at pop and will do again this March and was really considering it.I asked my DS what he thought?, he suprised me and said "Dad driving would take the WDW feeling away" I laugh but he brought up a good point! When you get on the bus in the morinings, or evenings you get to talk over what your going to do or did that day you get to iteract with felllow Famileys and "Diser's Its something you can only get it seems around the bus and bus stops on and off. I f you have little ones(and it does not sound that way) I could easly see that,but if you are willing walk and wait at the parks its not that more really to go on the buses .

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

What are the must see's at Pop Century?

DD and I are doing a short weekend trip so we'll mostly be at the parks but I wanted to see some fun stuff around the resort on our travel day.

TIA,

Connie

 

[DisGal520]

What are the must see's at Pop Century?

DD and I are doing a short weekend trip so we'll mostly be at the parks but I wanted to see some fun stuff around the resort on our travel day.

TIA,

Connie

Do take in the grounds a bit and go do photos at the giant Mr and Mrs Potato Heads. Everything icon wise is way larger than life. Enjoy!

 

[DizzDoll]

Also in theh 80's section by the Rubics Cubes, if you go up to the 4th floor (in the back) you can see the Welcome to Walt Disney World sign. I got a couple of pictures of it after seeing someone else's picture of it!!!

 

[jackdis]

Walk by the lake and see all the signs for each of the decades with some interesting info. on them.

 

[staticgirl50]

Loving this thread!!!
We loved the POP and are heading back soon!