The Groovy New Pop Century FAQ Thread!

[maxsmom]

A little more on room locations:
If you aren't going to be using the buses then the 70's, especially the bigwheel building are just as close to the parking lot if you park in the 90's which is what were we advised to do from the CM that checked us in. I just wanted to add that.

 

[Kristina]

I know I can ask this on the transportation board but I figure since it's in regards to the Pop Century someone here will know right away...so here goes..

Our flight gets in to MCO at 5pm. We will be using Magical Express and carrying on our luggage ourselves. How long should it take for us before we get to the Pop?

 

[CarolB]

We arrived at MCO at 10:00pm and we were in our room by 11:00 pm....however, we let ME bring our luggage, so we didn't have to wait to retrieve it from baggage pick-up. We only had our carry-ons. The bus ride was less than 1/2 hour (I believe driver said about 25 minutes). Pop was the first drop off on our bus. At that time of night, there were 4 resorts on the same bus, so he said it would be about 1 hour to the last drop off spot.
We went out, but our checked luggage was in our room within 2 hours (when we returned).
Really, what will make the difference is how long it takes to pick up your own luggage. On our return trip, we waited almost 1 hour to get our bags at the Phila Airport. We had no issues with ME and would let them handle the luggage again in a heartbeat.

 

[Kristina]

Thank you for the prompt reply . That eases my mind, because I had no idea what to expect. We need to collect our bags ourselves because we are flying with Virgin Atlantic who are not affiliated with the program. It didn't take us too long to get our bags last couple of times we went so hopefully we will have some luck! Although maybe the first batch of travelers will get on the bus, take off, and move though the line at the Pop just before we get there. I'd like that very much as I plan to be good and exhausted by the time we get to the Pop ,

 

[CarolB]

Thank you for the prompt reply . That eases my mind, because I had no idea what to expect. We need to collect our bags ourselves because we are flying with Virgin Atlantic who are not affiliated with the program. It didn't take us too long to get our bags last couple of times we went so hopefully we will have some luck! Although maybe the first batch of travelers will get on the bus, take off, and move though the line at the Pop just before we get there. I'd like that very much as I plan to be good and exhausted by the time we get to the Pop ,

Just so you know.....you do not need to be with an affiliated airline to use ME for the trip to the resort. We flew Airtran, a non-affiliated airline and they still picked up our checked bags. On return, however, you must take your bags to the airport with you. They do not provide express check-in for bags for non-affiliated airlines at the resorts. No big deal, you just take your backs to be checked and stow them under the bus. But coming to Disney, they will bring bags from any airlines - as long as they have the ME tags attached.

 

[Kristina]

I didn't know! Really? I swear, with all the dining and EMH's and Christmas activities to plan for I haven't had time until now to even think about it but that's good to hear. Although I don't know, I mean I've read where people have had to wait ages upon ages for their bags. I'm not sure I can bring myself to let go of the control..I'm a big worrier I guess!

 

[Hasil72]

I am REALLY sorry to be the 100th person to ask this but, can anyone tell me where I can find a list of the non-smoking buildings? I saw on the thread to check out page 108 but I didn't see anything. Friends have convinced us that we will love POP for our January vacation and I want to have an idea what area I should request.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kristina]

Guide books have said to request no more than 3 things when booking a room and for us a no smoking room is #1. No idea which are no smoking rooms but I bet someone will be along shortly who does know. We just ask for a non smoking quiet room and haven't been disappointed yet .

Your friends are right though, you will love the Pop!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

If anyone has been to Pop lately, I was just wondering if there has been any recent progress on the Legendary Years area....I was there in March 04 and will be going in December. It sure was drab then!

I hope they add suites in that section!
-mary

 

[Pixiedust34]

We were there last month and there was no sign of construction going on across the lake. It's a depressing site to see those buildings just sitting there rotting away. If they ever do continue with the Legendary Years, the resort will be a nice colorful view from the Classic Years!

 

[Straitlover]

I didn't know! Really? I swear, with all the dining and EMH's and Christmas activities to plan for I haven't had time until now to even think about it but that's good to hear. Although I don't know, I mean I've read where people have had to wait ages upon ages for their bags. I'm not sure I can bring myself to let go of the control..I'm a big worrier I guess!

If you're coming in or leaving out on an international flight, then you will have to get your own luggage, no matter what airline. International flights can't use the luggage part of DME.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

We were there last month and there was no sign of construction going on across the lake. It's a depressing site to see those buildings just sitting there rotting away. If they ever do continue with the Legendary Years, the resort will be a nice colorful view from the Classic Years!

Oh well !! Hopefully some day! Thanks for letting me know,
mary

 

[Coreena]

Doesn anyone know why the progress is halted? I agree - we stayed there last year and I hated the sight of the 1/2 finished construction

 

[annieh6]

Doesn anyone know why the progress is halted? I agree - we stayed there last year and I hated the sight of the 1/2 finished construction

What I have heard from friends on the inside is that they over planned without really figuring out the budget, if you can believe that. Now I hear that they may turn that into suites So who knows.

 

[geetey]

I have heard that when tourism slowed down significantly post 9/11, they halted production. The hurricanes then came through, building codes were changed and those under-construction buildings are no longer at 'code' so they must be redone, at considerable expense, to meet the new building standards. With occupancy rates not high enough to warrant the $$, they sit there.

I have also heard the rumor of that area becoming suites. I guess, if Disney basically has to start over, why not put in suites?

All just hearsay, of course.

 

[#1DizGal]

Just got back from my sixth stay at Pop a couple of weeks ago, and no change to the 'other side of Hourglass Lake'.

 

[michellelovesthemous]

My daughter found out theres a arcade at the Pop and I was wondering what you could tell us about it? She is really into the games with tickets for prizes as she is only 8 and answers would be great a we leavin in 3 WEEKS!!!!! Not that anybodys excited or anything.

 

[candeeapril]

My daughter found out theres a arcade at the Pop and I was wondering what you could tell us about it? She is really into the games with tickets for prizes as she is only 8 and answers would be great a we leavin in 3 WEEKS!!!!! Not that anybodys excited or anything.

They hahave a nice sized arcade that gives tickets for games. you can get an arcade card to swipe at the machines. The fishing video game(kids games) gives a lot of tickets. Have fun!!

 

[Zandy595]

My daughter found out theres a arcade at the Pop and I was wondering what you could tell us about it? She is really into the games with tickets for prizes as she is only 8 and answers would be great a we leavin in 3 WEEKS!!!!! Not that anybodys excited or anything.

We just got back yesterday and DS10 spent quite a bit of time in the arcade. He liked playing Feeding Frenzy (is that the game you were talking about candeeapril?) and got lots of tickets. He's saving his ticket receipts so he can get something big the next time we go. The card thing is new since we were there last. There are 2 machines at the entrance where you can use your Key to the World card or a credit card to buy an arcade card. If you run out you can go back and add money to it. With the card, the games work on a point system. I don't remember the exact amounts, but if you put $5 on the card you get something like 275 pts. When you go to a game it will show you how many points that game takes, you swipe your card and those points are deducted. I think Feeding Frenzy was 25 pts.

 

[candeeapril]

We just got back yesterday and DS10 spent quite a bit of time in the arcade. He liked playing Feeding Frenzy (is that the game you were talking about candeeapril?) and got lots of tickets. He's saving his ticket receipts so he can get something big the next time we go. The card thing is new since we were there last. There are 2 machines at the entrance where you can use your Key to the World card or a credit card to buy an arcade card. If you run out you can go back and add money to it. With the card, the games work on a point system. I don't remember the exact amounts, but if you put $5 on the card you get something like 275 pts. When you go to a game it will show you how many points that game takes, you swipe your card and those points are deducted. I think Feeding Frenzy was 25 pts.

That's the game. We saw one dad play and get 500 tickets. He just kept playing. It's great.