The Groovy New Pop Century FAQ Thread!

[Zandy595]

yes, there are rooms in the 50's and 70's that are good, both times I went, they asked us where we wanted to go(and they had us point it out in a map)

Wow, I wish they let us point out on the map where we wanted to stay. That would have been nice.

I've read on a few other threads that it doesn't matter how early in the day you check in because they assign you a room a few days before you get there. This doesn't seem right to me. I don't know if it's a coincidence, but when we check in early we get what we request and when we check in late we don't. Anyone know how they do it?

 

[Tinkerbellz]

Granted we loved POP and will stay there again, but I don't want to stay that far away from the rest of the world on our next trip. It was too far to go to get refills on our drinks. I felt like we had to pack a camel to get to Everything POP. It was pretty far to the bus stops too. Our request for next summer is the 70's bldg.

We could see Epcot fireworks from our room and that was nice. I just felt far removed from everything. I don't remember our room number but we were on the end of the "T" on the top floor closest to the road, in the last room. (Talk about the booth, in the back, in the corner, in the dark!).

All in all our stay was great, our room was clean, and HEY! we were at Disney. (I've been told there are other vacation spots, but I don't believe it! )

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Wow, I wish they let us point out on the map where we wanted to stay. That would have been nice.

I've read on a few other threads that it doesn't matter how early in the day you check in because they assign you a room a few days before you get there. This doesn't seem right to me. I don't know if it's a coincidence, but when we check in early we get what we request and when we check in late we don't. Anyone know how they do it?

It depends. Where I am now, with DME, when you check in at the welcome center, a message gets sent to the resort. They will then search for an available room that comes close to the requests on your reservation. (which is why if it isn't on your reservation, ie: a fax, you might not get it)

 

[Tinkerbellz]

It depends. Where I am now, with DME, when you check in at the welcome center, a message gets sent to the resort. They will then search for an available room that comes close to the requests on your reservation. (which is why if it isn't on your reservation, ie: a fax, you might not get it)

DME? I'm still new enough to have no idea what DME is. I usually call CRO to make my reservations, so when I finally get to make our ressies for next summer, that is when I make my requests?

 

[cbusby]

DME? I'm still new enough to have no idea what DME is. I usually call CRO to make my reservations, so when I finally get to make our ressies for next summer, that is when I make my requests?

I think it is Disney Magic Express (ride from airport)

 

[Tinkerbellz]

I thought that might be it. Thanks!

 

[scm200]

so do you work nights, should we look for you at the airport next week...we are checking into the Polynesian for 2 nights and are using DME...I can't wait - one question - are the staff tipped for delivering already by disney or do they expect a tip when the bags are delivered? anyone know? Tyler?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Although I interviewed with them, I don't work for DME. However, I can tell you that INBOUND gratuities for Bell Services has been taken care of. All other gratuities (sky caps, motor coach drivers, and outbound bell services) are not included, and are at the discresion of the guest.

 

[Lewisc]

Although I interviewed with them, I don't work for DME. However, I can tell you that INBOUND gratuities for Bell Services has been taken care of. All other gratuities (sky caps, motor coach drivers, and outbound bell services) are not included, and are at the discresion of the guest.

Admit it, you'd like to drive a DME bus on your day off.

Do you know if AKL assigns a room when you checkin at the Disney Welcome Center at the airport? Is it a big deal if the guest would rather wait for a better room?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

LOL, you got me there. Potentially, sometime in the future, I might get a part time job at Mears so that I could drive them

As for AKL, my guess is that they assign the rooms when you check in at the airport as well. Remember though, just because its pre-assigned, doesn't mean that it won't be a good room. Just ask the CM that checks you in, and if it doesn't meet your requests, let them know that you don't mind waiting for a better room. Sometimes the CM can change the assignment right there, other times they might have to call the back office. Either way, it's not too hard -- unless the resort is booked to capacity, and you have connects and other requests.

 

[adisneymama]

I just booked our airfare. We were originally going to drive, but just got dinged with a great rate with SW. I know that they don't participate with DME so we can't check in at the hotel. But do we have to get our bags at the airport and take them to the CM? Will they still pull them? I'm confused, can someone please explain this to me?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The only thing you can't do is check your bags at the hotel for your return trip. That is the only limitation to flying a non-participating airline.

 

[Joe Mouse]

Thanks ambulance driver for the info on the 50's buildings.

Joe Mouse

 

[3Aumillers]

Since I didn't get a reply on the transportation board I thought I would try here .. We will be staying at POP 10/1 - 10/8. Our plan is to rent a car at the airport to have for the duration of our stay. That's great except there will be 3 Adults + 1 Child. We are bringing our own stroller from home so no way will our luggage and stroller fit in the trunk of anything less than a minivan. To save $$ is it possible to use DME just to transport our luggage or would that not be an option ... We would of course tip the bellman for his/her hassle .. we just don't want to upgrade to a minivan just to have room for our luggage.

Thanks

 

[scrapperjill]

Since I didn't get a reply on the transportation board I thought I would try here .. We will be staying at POP 10/1 - 10/8. Our plan is to rent a car at the airport to have for the duration of our stay. That's great except there will be 3 Adults + 1 Child. We are bringing our own stroller from home so no way will our luggage and stroller fit in the trunk of anything less than a minivan. To save $$ is it possible to use DME just to transport our luggage or would that not be an option ... We would of course tip the bellman for his/her hassle .. we just don't want to upgrade to a minivan just to have room for our luggage.

Thanks

Just some thoughts...but you could split your group up and have either just one person or two get the rental and have the others take the ME transportation with the luggage. Or some rental car compaines will bring you the car...you could see what rental companies are around and which ones would drop off your rental at the POP then have eveyone ride together in the ME bus. To know for sure about the ME and them taking your luggage..I'd call and ask them.

 

[3Aumillers]

Thanks ScrapperJill --- I had thought about seeing if MIL would mind to take our luggage and the ME bus to the resort while we get the rental car and then meet her there. Looks like we should do a test pack and see if everything will fit in the trunk / backseat of her intermediate size car and then we will know for sure what will and won't fit in our potential rental car. Traveling with a toddler is going to be an exciting adventure.

Sarah

 

[geetey]

To save $$ is it possible to use DME just to transport our luggage or would that not be an option ... We would of course tip the bellman for his/her hassle .. we just don't want to upgrade to a minivan just to have room for our luggage.

Thanks

It is my understanding that DME will not transport your luggage without someone using DME as well. There is a limit of 2 bags per person, unless you call and arrange for extra tags to be sent. Our tags never arrived so we went with our backup plan of a rental car. We used National's Emerald Aisle and were able to select a full sized car.

Another thought is to use a towncar service, which will provide a car seat for you. Good luck with your decision.

 

[adisneymama]

Thanks Tyler. I was confused because my TA was told that we had to get our luggage and carry it with us on the bus both arriving and departing. I thought that was wrong and knew I would get the right answer here!
Thanks again!

 

[Kala]

I have another Pop Transportation question. I have asked a similar one in the past and you, of course, had the correct answer.

We just booked a Chef Mickey's for 7am breakfast

Will we be able to get there from Pop in time? I know I asked for a first am breakfast, but didn't realize that they started so early. I have a family member who said she booked the same time for her Chef Mickey last time she was at the Poly, and the Monorail didn't run that early. They were late and she says they were turned away. I know park hours and EMH times aren't scheduled, but I don't think anything else is scheduled that early in September. I know when we had an 8am Segway tour at EPCOT and the bus was running, but this is an hour earlier. We should have no problem getting to the stop by 6:15 - 6:30 as we are early risers and this will be our first full day at the parks, but...

I only trust transportation advise from those with purple pants, especially those named Tyler...

Thanks,
Kelli

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I have another Pop Transportation question. I have asked a similar one in the past and you, of course, had the correct answer.

We just booked a Chef Mickey's for 7am breakfast

Will we be able to get there from Pop in time? I know I asked for a first am breakfast, but didn't realize that they started so early. I have a family member who said she booked the same time for her Chef Mickey last time she was at the Poly, and the Monorail didn't run that early. They were late and she says they were turned away. I know park hours and EMH times aren't scheduled, but I don't think anything else is scheduled that early in September. I know when we had an 8am Segway tour at EPCOT and the bus was running, but this is an hour earlier. We should have no problem getting to the stop by 6:15 - 6:30 as we are early risers and this will be our first full day at the parks, but...

I only trust transportation advise from those with purple pants, especially those named Tyler...

Thanks,
Kelli

I no longer wear purple pants, so my information is unofficial, and subject to change without notice. We recently had a discussion about this information, because my work location stated that the buses were discontinued. However, this is not the case.

BUSES WILL RUN 45 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FIRST BREAKFAST SEATING TIME.

Be out at the bus stop between 6:15-6:30, and let the driver know you are going to Chef Mickey's.