The Groovy New Pop Century FAQ Thread!

[brooke1]

I was thinking the same thing. I just read it in another thread somewhere in the boards.

I also read the same thing, maybe we were reading the same thread, boy it sure would be nice.....there has got to be a little space because you can rent one so you got to put it somewhere...

LIVERLIPS.........we are neighbors I live in Alabaster....small world

Brooke

 

[HaleyB]

We used an air mattress at the Pop. My son kicks around too much to share a bed with his sister. Anyway we found there were several spots it would fit. My son liked it best over by the little tabel and chairs because then noone had to step over him to get to the bathroom. We didn't have to move the table much just slid it over against the dresser thing and moved the chairs. If you do this leave a note to Mousekeeping asking them not to put it back, otherwise they will. I could still get to the door and open it before he woke up (for my coffee run) when he slept there but it was tight. We leaned it up against the wall before we left the room each day to get it out of the way (over by the closet area). Don't forget to bring bedding (we did and had to run to Walmart).

 

[TWyn]

Any truth to the fact that I heard they are putting Fridges free in Pop like the moderates and deluxe resorts?

Did anyone ever find this out for sure? It would be wonderful if they had refrigerators in the rooms--much more convenient than messing with a cooler.

 

[brooke1]

Ok i need your guys help, I will be arriving at at MCO at 5:30pm can someone give me a idea of how long it will take to get to POP.

has anyone arrived about this time (5:30) and was POP the first stop, reason i am asking is because wonding if we will have time to hit epcot and see Illumations...
thanks
brooke

 

[westcliffemom]

We get in at 4:10, are using ME to POP, and I have dinner reservations at Alfredo's at 7:40 or so, we'll see if I make it but I think it will be okay.

 

[Liverlips]

Cool, Trussville here

I also read the same thing, maybe we were reading the same thread, boy it sure would be nice.....there has got to be a little space because you can rent one so you got to put it somewhere...

LIVERLIPS.........we are neighbors I live in Alabaster....small world

Brooke

 

[GorshGoofy]

Cool, Trussville here

Greetings from near Andalusia. I have family in Springville.

 

[lajones81]

I just read another thread that stated the uncompleted buildings were being torn down.

True?

 

[DisneyMom5]

I just read another thread that stated the uncompleted buildings were being torn down.

True?

No. Not when we were there. Their big numbers are already up. It wouldn't make any sense to tear them down. Maybe they're actually working on them some more.

 

[dbogen]

When I was there in August, they had the numbers on them and if you went over the bridge the decades were there also. I took pictures of them I just don't know how to post them.

Deanna

 

[Jo-Anne]

We are going in early Feb and are thinking of staying at POP - it looks like a lot of fun! Have just realized this is the same time as all the Cheerleading and Dance competitions. When I asked CRO which resorts they stayed in, he said that they don't put the Cheerleaders/Dancers in POP. DOes anyone know if this is true....I kind of thought they'd be at all the Value resorts??

 

[Kris & Steve]

Hi all,

I am new to this board & have a lot of questions . I am planning my DW trip for January 2006. I plan on staying at the POP or a moderate resort depending on the $$$. It is just
me and my husband going & we do not plan on renting a car. So here are my questions, thanks in advance for any help that anyone can provide for me:

1. What is the general consensus about the Extra Hours pass? Is it worth the $$$, do you really get a lot of extra hours?

2. Does POP have buses that run to all the Disney locations or just the 4 major parks? I am looking to go to Downtown Disney & Wide World of Sports. Will buses take us there?

3. Is the dining plan worth getting? It sounds like a good deal but when I was looking at the brochure I noticed that half of the restaurants listed are at other resorts. We are not renting a car so my question is: Is there a way to get to the resorts from POP? I am thinking about not getting the dining plan if I have no way of getting to half the restaurants. I’m pretty sure they are not within walking distance…right?

4. How can I get to Universal & Sea World from POP? I am guessing buses don’t run to those places since they aren’t “Disney”? Can the front desk get me a cab or some other mode of transportation to those places? An idea how much a cab would cost to get to Sea World or Universal?

5. We are going in January & I have read/heard that some of the parks close as early as 5pm. Is this true? Has this caused a problem for anyone?

6. Do the restaurants in the park close when the park closes? I.e.: 5pm?

7. Has anyone had a bad experience with the Magical Express Service? Are they easy to find once you land and get into the airport?

8. What is the weather like in January? Cold? Hot? Do I pack shorts & tank tops or coat & gloves? Or both? Does it rain a lot?

9. I plan on requesting a non-connected, non-smoking, king size bed, top floor of the 50’s or 70’s building? What are the chances I will get what I am asking for?

10. Is there a huge difference between the POP (I seem to think its better the All-Star hotels) & moderate hotels? I do not plan on spending a lot of time in the room, only sleeping, showering, etc. I plan on being gone a large majority of the time. Is POP right for me?

My last question is, there might not be anyone that can help me with this one but:
How are the restaurants at dealing with special dietary need? My husband suffers from Celiac Sprue (he’s allergic to gluten, wheat, oats , barley, rye & a lot more) & I want to know how difficult it will be for him to eat well while we are there.

Thanks so much to all who provide me with any help. I greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,
Kris & Steve

 

[HaleyB]

We are going in early Feb and are thinking of staying at POP - it looks like a lot of fun! Have just realized this is the same time as all the Cheerleading and Dance competitions. When I asked CRO which resorts they stayed in, he said that they don't put the Cheerleaders/Dancers in POP. DOes anyone know if this is true....I kind of thought they'd be at all the Value resorts??

This is true. They book all the youth groups (Pop warner football, ice skating, so on) into the All Stars. Pop may get over flow, but for the most part these groups are at the All Stars.

 

[HaleyB]

Hi all,

I am new to this board & have a lot of questions . I am planning my DW trip for January 2006. I plan on staying at the POP or a moderate resort depending on the $$$. It is just
me and my husband going & we do not plan on renting a car. So here are my questions, thanks in advance for any help that anyone can provide for me:

1. What is the general consensus about the Extra Hours pass? Is it worth the $$$, do you really get a lot of extra hours?

EMH is a free perk for staying onsite

2. Does POP have buses that run to all the Disney locations or just the 4 major parks? I am looking to go to Downtown Disney & Wide World of Sports. Will buses take us there?

Yes...I think. I am sure about DTD and they also go to the water parks. Not entirely sure about the World of Sports, but if not a Taxi wouldn't be much as it is really close to Pop

3. Is the dining plan worth getting? It sounds like a good deal but when I was looking at the brochure I noticed that half of the restaurants listed are at other resorts. We are not renting a car so my question is: Is there a way to get to the resorts from POP? I am thinking about not getting the dining plan if I have no way of getting to half the restaurants. I’m pretty sure they are not within walking distance…right?

The dining plan is great. You can get to all the resorts on Disney transportation. Sometimes you need to transfer but it is not hard at all. There are some really great places to eat and you will spend more than the cost of the dining plan if you do sit down meals. If I had to pick I would much sooner stay at a Value and be able to eat at the great Disney restaurants than at a Mod and have to eat counter service all the time.

4. How can I get to Universal & Sea World from POP? I am guessing buses don’t run to those places since they aren’t “Disney”? Can the front desk get me a cab or some other mode of transportation to those places? An idea how much a cab would cost to get to Sea World or Universal?

I have no ideas here. Why would you leave WDW? Ok, yes they can get you a cab. It might be cheaper to rent a car. IMHO neither US nor SW is worth how much it costs to go to (because you have to rent a car and pay admission... two extra Disney days are much cheaper, and I like the Disney parks much more).

5. We are going in January & I have read/heard that some of the parks close as early as 5pm. Is this true? Has this caused a problem for anyone?

Yes, AK will close at 5 and other parks may close early, but only if it is very slow. So if the parks close early it means you will be able to see more in less time... also it frees up the nights for Pleasure Island or a nice relaxed meal somewhere nice (like the California Grill).

6. Do the restaurants in the park close when the park closes? I.e.: 5pm?

Yes, no, well... are you thinking of the Rainforest Cafe at the AK? that stays open past the park. Epcot never closes very early. MGM and MK the restaurants will close when they do. I would check last years park hours.

7. Has anyone had a bad experience with the Magical Express Service? Are they easy to find once you land and get into the airport?

Yes and Yes. Even if Disney was perfect 99.99% of the time someone would have a bad experiance- right. But they have a very good track record now that the opening day kinks have been worked out. I have not heard of anyone not finding them easily (the greaters wear the big white Mickey gloves )

8. What is the weather like in January? Cold? Hot? Do I pack shorts & tank tops or coat & gloves? Or both? Does it rain a lot?

Not sure. See if you can find that out here: www.allearsnet.com Also all the menus with prices are there and I think historical data on park hours too.

9. I plan on requesting a non-connected, non-smoking, king size bed, top floor of the 50’s or 70’s building? What are the chances I will get what I am asking for?

I think the 50's is the preferred building, so it is $10 more a night. I dunno what the odds are. They don't have a ton of King rooms. I think somewhere on this thread someone posted a LO of all the buildings and which ones were kings.

10. Is there a huge difference between the POP (I seem to think its better the All-Star hotels) & moderate hotels? I do not plan on spending a lot of time in the room, only sleeping, showering, etc. I plan on being gone a large majority of the time. Is POP right for me?

I am not sure if it is better, I like it more and it is newer than the AS. I don't like the Mods so I am the wrong person to ask. I think they are over priced (If I want a slide I will go to a water park) and too spread out. For my family it is Value or Deluxe. You will have to decide this one but based on what you said, yes I think you sound like the type of guest that likes Pop.

My last question is, there might not be anyone that can help me with this one but:
How are the restaurants at dealing with special dietary need? My husband suffers from Celiac Sprue (he’s allergic to gluten, wheat, oats , barley, rye & a lot more) & I want to know how difficult it will be for him to eat well while we are there.

Happy news! He will be able to eat and eat well. Disney is the best place I have ever been for special dietary needs. You may find that you need to eat at full service (sit down) places more than most people. There are dining plans that cover even more than one sit down meal a day, so you may want to think about them (they are expensive). When you make your ADR (Advance Dining Reservations) they can note on the resservation any special needs. They should give you a phone number to call the week before you go. You can also get the number to the people in charge of dining at the food court at Pop. Call and ask, but I know they will e able to feed your DH My son has multiple food allergies and they have always been wonderful. Check out the DISabilities board for lots of dining advice/reports form people with special needs.

Thanks so much to all who provide me with any help. I greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,
Kris & Steve

Youe more than welcome

Haley

 

[ChairborneRangr]

We are going in early Feb and are thinking of staying at POP - it looks like a lot of fun! Have just realized this is the same time as all the Cheerleading and Dance competitions. When I asked CRO which resorts they stayed in, he said that they don't put the Cheerleaders/Dancers in POP. DOes anyone know if this is true....I kind of thought they'd be at all the Value resorts??

I know they do AVOID placing groups in Pop Century. It is not a hard and fast rule, but I checked when I was taking a group to WDW. Ours was small enough that they were going to allow it, but Pop doesn't have the facility for group luggage etc that All Star Sports does.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

9. I plan on requesting a non-connected, non-smoking, king size bed, top floor of the 50’s or 70’s building? What are the chances I will get what I am asking for?

60's is the preferred. 50's and 70's are fine. You can not get a king non-connecting (ref the drawing below). Your request seems reasonable except for the non-connecting.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Quote:
9. I plan on requesting a non-connected, non-smoking, king size bed, top floor of the 50’s or 70’s building? What are the chances I will get what I am asking for?



I think the 50's is the preferred building, so it is $10 more a night. I dunno what the odds are. They don't have a ton of King rooms. I think somewhere on this thread someone posted a LO of all the buildings and which ones were kings.



Actually the 60s is the preferred section. We had 3 requests when we went, and only got 1 of them, so keep in mind that your requests are just that, requests. Make your most important one first and go from there. The likelihood that your first one will be met is high, but after that, who can say.

 

[miss missy]

Hi all,

I am new to this board & have a lot of questions . I am planning my DW trip for January 2006. I plan on staying at the POP or a moderate resort depending on the $$$. It is just
me and my husband going & we do not plan on renting a car. So here are my questions, thanks in advance for any help that anyone can provide for me:

1. What is the general consensus about the Extra Hours pass? Is it worth the $$$, do you really get a lot of extra hours?


2. Does POP have buses that run to all the Disney locations or just the 4 major parks? I am looking to go to Downtown Disney & Wide World of Sports. Will buses take us there?

3. Is the dining plan worth getting? It sounds like a good deal but when I was looking at the brochure I noticed that half of the restaurants listed are at other resorts. We are not renting a car so my question is: Is there a way to get to the resorts from POP? I am thinking about not getting the dining plan if I have no way of getting to half the restaurants. I’m pretty sure they are not within walking distance…right?

4. How can I get to Universal & Sea World from POP? I am guessing buses don’t run to those places since they aren’t “Disney”? Can the front desk get me a cab or some other mode of transportation to those places? An idea how much a cab would cost to get to Sea World or Universal?

5. We are going in January & I have read/heard that some of the parks close as early as 5pm. Is this true? Has this caused a problem for anyone?

6. Do the restaurants in the park close when the park closes? I.e.: 5pm?

7. Has anyone had a bad experience with the Magical Express Service? Are they easy to find once you land and get into the airport?

8. What is the weather like in January? Cold? Hot? Do I pack shorts & tank tops or coat & gloves? Or both? Does it rain a lot?

9. I plan on requesting a non-connected, non-smoking, king size bed, top floor of the 50’s or 70’s building? What are the chances I will get what I am asking for?

10. Is there a huge difference between the POP (I seem to think its better the All-Star hotels) & moderate hotels? I do not plan on spending a lot of time in the room, only sleeping, showering, etc. I plan on being gone a large majority of the time. Is POP right for me?

My last question is, there might not be anyone that can help me with this one but:
How are the restaurants at dealing with special dietary need? My husband suffers from Celiac Sprue (he’s allergic to gluten, wheat, oats , barley, rye & a lot more) & I want to know how difficult it will be for him to eat well while we are there.

Thanks so much to all who provide me with any help. I greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,
Kris & Steve

Hi and Welcome!

I can tell you a couple things... I went with DD, so it is sort of like you, going with two people and going to have a BLAST!

We stayed at POP for 10 days. We went end of Dec till beginning of Jan. The weather was PERFECT! We didn't see 1 drop of rain. You could do shorts or pants! We were cold only 1 night and that was becuz we got wet from Splash mountain LOL.

I would go that time again any day! We were there the busiest day, new years eve, but we had the best time! On NYE we went to DTD which was a free fun night. We didn't fight any crowds and stayed out late even though parks closed early, one is open each night pretty much!

We are the type of people stay out till closing! We hop to the park open the latest. Extra magic hours had just started the week we went. It worked fine, a hint to you is get a fast pass to a ride RIGHT WAY when they open them up. They go fast and you may only get two during the EMH time.

So we stay out till closing, usually get to POP at 12-1am ish. We have a snack, food court closes at 12am I think, so we either brought something home with us, or had something in the room. Then we would hang a while more, the pools still had a couple people in them and it was sooo nice and quiet at night. Anyway, we'd sleep in, LOVE SLEEP, and we would be up and out around 12 noonish. We would go to a park, and usually hop to the next EMH park at supper time. That plan worked great becuz there was only us two, we could get around easy and fast. We were always out late. Even, if no parks were open, DTD is always open late! FUN!

We only were at POP to sleep. One day we did laundry and swam. Some nights DD swam when we got back. The whole pool to herself sometimes!

I am not picky about hotels, as long as they are SAFE and CLEAN!! POP was great! SO Disney and fun!

Ok back to your questions... Oh we stayed in BLDG 5, Perferred, 4th floor facing the lil pool. Was great spot. This time, we want a change so we are not doing preferred. I don't think there is a bad spot in that place anyway!
Yes POP buses go there and they are great. The times the bus lines were long, they always called for more buses and took care of us. I thought they were awesome! I rented a car and didnt use it but once! Don't waste your money... but you mentined Universal, you could rent a car for 1 day and you can pick it up in Disney by taking a bus from POP. Look into that. Alamo is cheapest I think.

Dining plan isn't worth it for us two. Get rate with and without it.

Check mousesavers for dining.

I think POP is a great choice and if you are not staying at the room much anyway, it'll be perfect for the price!

Best of luck!

 

[SRUAlmn]

So we stay out till closing, usually get to POP at 12-1am ish. We have a snack, food court closes at 12am I think, so we either brought something home with us, or had something in the room. Then we would hang a while more, the pools still had a couple people in them and it was sooo nice and quiet at night. Anyway, we'd sleep in, LOVE SLEEP, and we would be up and out around 12 noonish. We would go to a park, and usually hop to the next EMH park at supper time. That plan worked great becuz there was only us two, we could get around easy and fast. We were always out late. Even, if no parks were open, DTD is always open late! FUN!

I'm sooo glad to see this! I was beginning to think that we were really the only ones out there who did this. Everyone always posts trip reports about how they got up at 7:00am and stuff, but we always set up our days just like you did. We sleep in and get to the parks around 11 or 12, and then we just stay out all day and don't come back until really late. Or we stop back for a quick snack or dip in the pool or something.

 

[Planner999]

Just back home from a week at Disney/Pop so I'm sorry if anything has been said about this in the last week while I was gone. There were 3 things I thought I'd heard weren't available that we had:
1 - They gave us connecting rooms in the 50s building - one was a King and the other one was 2 doubles. We didn't ask for this....they just gave it to us. Kids in the 2nd room worked great. Having 2 bathrooms was great. I thought I'd heard that you couldn't get that combination of connecting rooms but we did.
2 - I thought I'd heard that the value hotels (POP) didn't have hair dryers in them, but ours did.
3 - I thought I'd heard that they didn't have the Disney soaps and shampoos in the rooms, but ours did.
It was a bad view (but we didn't care). It was LONG way to the food court and bus lines which was hard.
Bus lines were long at times going and returning. The bus stop at MK was the farthest one from the gate..........lots of walking.