Think twice about Pop Century if you'll have a car

[dj2]

Just back from a 5 day/4 night stay at Pop Century. It is becoming a well known fact that there is simply not enough parking for the number of rooms.

I have handicap tags and the only time I was able to park in a handicap spot was at 1:00 p.m. on the day we checked in. Every other time there were no spots available. Not only that, there were usually no "regular" spots anywhere in the vicinity either. I frequently had to park in very far away areas, espceially the later we stayed out.

When I spoke with a CM at the front desk about it, she said that the person who designed the parking was a "moron" and that cast members must park at the neighboring resort and walk from there.

It might be a fine resort if you're planning on using their busses, but I don't recommend it if you have a car. To make the rooms so concentrated together means that sufficient parking cannot be close to each room.

 

[dj2]

i forgot to mention that it was not uncommon to see several cars circling the parking lot at a time. it reminded me of vultures, eyeing guests as they walked towards the parking lot, ready to pounce on a spot as it became available.

not fun after a long day at the parks.

 

[dandave]

dj2, I hope you had a good trip despite the lousy parking (or lack thereof) situation.

That comment about the circling vultures reminded me of when we stayed at the BWV a couple of years ago. We were those vultures- circling, circling, circling until we saw someone moving. Then it was a race to get that spot before one of the other vultures got it. One time DH overshot the spot that I was frantically pointing out. He tried to back up, but the car following us has already snagged it first! It was insane, and definitely wasn't the best start to our vacation.

 

[Armadillo4]

Yes parking could certainly be improved at POP. I was lucky enough to be assigned a room in the 50s building nearest the expanded parking lot. There was no shortage of spaces in this additional lot, but you could see it was probably designed as a parking lot for one of the still-under-construction Legendary Years buildings. It meant for a slightly longer walk to the building, BUT I would guess the walk was no longer than many of my parking experiences at AKL and the Boardwalk. I guess you could say that POP at least matches some of the deluxes in this aspect. I didn't look at the lots around the 70s, 80s or 90s buildings to see how full those were, but the 50s was okay due to the expanded lot.

 

[mom-2greatkids]

That's funny . . . We got back last weekend from PC and had no trouble with parking at all. We were in the 80's building (which was a bit of a hike from everything), and never saw the parking lot more than 1/2 full. In fact, I commented to DH that I had heard parking was horrible at PC. We chalked it up to being extra busy during the Christmas season. Also, there were plenty of spots to park while checking in.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I had requested a room in the 70's building. Should I request the 50's so that I'll be close to the extended lot? I'll be there Feb 6-13 so it shouldn't be a real busy time.

T&B

 

[tigger2on]

We too have had this dilemma at a few resorts. I am hoping that CBR isn't too bad as it has seperate parking lots for each "island".
We did however experience this at AKL and at a number of resorts and the parks. Infact at MK , we got stuck at MK because a disabled person had made their own spot and blocked us into ours!!!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
I had requested a room in the 70's building. Should I request the 50's so that I'll be close to the extended lot? I'll be there Feb 6-13 so it shouldn't be a real busy time.

T&B

Not sure when the transition will be happening, but the 70's lot will soon be the HUGE 80s/90s lot (And the 90's will take over the current smaller 70s lot)

So, once that is all done, assuming everyone parks where they should be parking, all will be well.

Of course, as always, some spaces will be closer than others.

 

[plutojudy]

Hi Tyler,
We enjoyed meeting you last week in the luggage area. Thanks again for being so helpful.
In regards to parking....they need to put some numbers or letters on the poles (besides 50s, 60s, etc) in each section. It was difficult finding our rental car especially when it was parked behind the vans and SUVs.

PS NEED ROOT BEER Where do I write?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by plutojudy
Hi Tyler,
We enjoyed meeting you last week in the luggage area. Thanks again for being so helpful.
In regards to parking....they need to put some numbers or letters on the poles (besides 50s, 60s, etc) in each section. It was difficult finding our rental car especially when it was parked behind the vans and SUVs.

PS NEED ROOT BEER Where do I write?

That is a good suggestion, I will pass it onto the higher ups.

As for the root beer, I wish I could give you a name of a manager at Everything POP to address it to, but I don't know anyone over there. Guest Services at Pop Century should be able to forward it, though.

 

[RescueRanger]

Wow, I can't get over how many people drive their car around at WDW. We drive to Disney on our trips, but once we get there that car stays parked. We always use Disney transportation and have never had problems. I know that alot of people complain about the transportation and its schedules but I feel it is far better than having to drive myself around. I don't have to worry about findind a parking spot if my vehicle never moves. To each his own, but as for me and mine, it's Disney transportation all the way.

 

[dandave]

RescueRanger, We do the same thing- get there and park the car. I enjoy WDW transportation.
The "one time" referred to in my above post was in referrence to one time out of multiple times... around the lot. It seemed to go on forever. I was really looking forward to our first stay in a villa, and I was not in the mood to have to scavenge a spot.

 

[Nebsky]

Aww man.....now you you have me concerned...

We will be there Mar14-19. Driving in from TX.

Plan was to use Disney Transportation upon arrival for everything except Downtown Disney. Last year Busses were always packed. One broke down and didnt call a replacement. Next bus comes along and its already full, but somehow they manage to get about 10-15 more sardines in...Another bus comes along and they too are packed.

Finally 4 busses (and 30 some odd minutes later) we finally get on a full bus. Hated it..

I am planning on playing some golf, so I might be driving to that too. Disney still does the pick ups for golf right. I dont need to worry about some one spilling thier coke down the inside of my bag, while riding the bus do I?

 

[plutojudy]

We take the buses while on the property but it doesn't take long for us to tire of Disney food. So we use the rental car to go to Logan's Roadhouse for some of our favorite meals.
We always found a parking space and we were in the 50s section which is what we wanted. Even got a first floor room.

 

[fangritter]

We were at POP last week, and we never had a problem parking. In fact, we always saw empty spots. And I thought it was crowded - MLK weekend! We were in the 80s building, so I am guessing the parking problems are more in the 50s side. We used our car a lot, and I always wondered when we returned would we lose our "good spot", but it was never a problem.

 

[Shells9]

We are like RescueRanger and Dandave -- we drive there and then park the car. Don't get in it until it is time to go. If in deed this continues to become problematic, or is problematic at other places as well, perhaps Disney should give consideration to a centralized parking option, with shuttles to the resorts. Our airport started a similar program (Park 'n Fly) for the holidays, when the parking lot reaches capacity.

Just a though. But, it sounds like Tyler tells us it will soon all be under control.