Any amount of time you can stay is better than none! We stayed 8 nights and felt that was a good amount of time if we had not left WDW at all. Our friends visited Gatorland one morning and we went with them. Ten nights would be our ideal amount of time.
We never had a problem with crowds or waiting in lines. We used FP and planned well. We were always at the park at opening and avoided all EMH's. It worked great!
The heat wasn't too bad because we got a good amount of rain and that kept the temps down. On days when we didn't get any rain it did get kinda warm but it wasn't unbearable. I don't think it ever got above about 90!
December should be perfect weather!
I requested 70's because it seemed closest to the bus stop and Classic Hall. We were in the Lady building, between Lady and the Juke box, room 1169. We had a first floor room. I thought a higher floor would be better for noise but it had its advantages too (not waiting for elevators, easy access, etc.) Our teen boys spent a lot of time at the bowling pin pool so it was nice having them just a few feet away if we needed to check on them or tell them it was time to come in.
I did laundry a few times, just a couple of loads at a time. The convenience of having it so close was great. I don't know that I would have done it as often had it not been so convenient. The posted time for dryers is 30 min. but they always went at least 35-40. Never had anything not be completely dry, even denim.
The 70's section just seemed crowded, closed in and hotter without a pool and with the foosball guys and lots of plant life. The 50's is just more open and seemed cooler (temperature wise).
We did buy the refillable mugs. They are great souvenirs even if you don't drink a ton of pop! Milk isn't included but apple juice is. We even got hot chocolate one night when we were a little wet and cold from the rain!
I walked all over the entire resort checking things out. I especially wanted to see how far the 80's & 90's buildings really were from Classic Hall. It would be kinda far to go to refill a mug but the 80's are pretty close to the bus stops. I walked at a normal pace from the farthest 90's room (bottom floor) to Goofy's Pop Jet area and it took 5 minutes. Goofy's is very close to Classic Hall. I would probably be disappointed to be in the 80's or 90's myself but it wouldn't be the end of the world. The 80's and 90's don't seem as themed as the other areas but they did seem quiet, if that's what someone is looking for.
The rooms facing the lake would be lovely. We saw some huge birds, a bunny and a turtle! There are rooms in the 50's section that just face the parking lot and we were thinking those wouldn't be very fun (but quieter).
All the CMs were nice! We saw them do the hustle in the lobby at 6 PM once and saw the twist in the food court at 8 AM a couple of times! My DH and teen boys twisted with them once!
Our room was ready for us when we checked in at 1 PM on a Sunday. There was just one other person in line in front of us and we were helped almost immediately.
Took the buses almost everywhere. Never waited long except one night when we left Epcot after Illuminations. We had a long wait but that was only because there were a TON of people in line for Pop. Buses came promptly - three, I think - before we were able to get on one. Many other resorts had lines as well.
Prices at the food court were reasonable. If you love ice cream they have a great ice cream sundae for $3.99. That includes 3 scoops of ice cream, a topping like hot fudge, caramel or strawberry (I think), whipped topping, nuts and sprinkles! Compare that to just an ice cream cone with one scoop for something like $2.69!
Any other questions I'd be happy to try and answer them! Love, love, love Pop!!!
I just don't want to have my heart set on a particular area, only to find that it's impossible for the kiddo's!
Since we are not renting a car this time around, I figure we will become very familliar with the buses and are bound to run into him..... perhaps.
