Transportation at POP

[GoofySon'sMom]

We have always had a rental car when in WDW but have decided against it this year. We are staying at POP. I have read about the buses and the lines leaving the resorts and will be Ok with whatever the wait is most times. But if we are running late for a morning ADR or something, are their cabs at POP? Or if we go back to the resort during the day and possibly want to take a cab for an evening ADR?

We will also be using Magical Express for the first time. Our flight doesn't leave until 3:30 on our last day so I want to head to the Magic Kingdom for the morning. It is my understanding that we can check our luggage and receive our boarding passes in the morning, is that correct? (We are flying Jet Blue). Does anyone know how early the resort check in opens?

Finally, has anyone picked up their own luggage and taken it to the ME bus? Our flight doesn't land until later in the afternoon and I am concerned about a timely luggage delivery. When I made my reservation I was told that it wouldn't be a problem to retrieve our own luggage and bring it to the bus, but I wanted to see if anyone has done this.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Anyone?

 

[firsttimerw2]

We went in May of 2007 and our bus waits were quite annoying. It was hot, there was long lines and it seemed like everyone always was in the same line for the same park----sometimes we had to wait for 2 or 3 buses to come and go before we could get on---that was the worst part of our trip.......as for the luggage question we did the same thing. We used the magical express but claimed our own luggage and took it to the hotel with us---not a problem at all----

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Thank you for letting me know that claiming our luggage will be Ok. One less thing to worry about!

Any idea on cabs being at Pop?

 

[karemore]

Yes to the cabs. My friend stayed there last trip and with the money they saved from not staying at a mod they used cabs whenever they were hot/tired/or dining at another resort.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Yes to the cabs. My friend stayed there last trip and with the money they saved from not staying at a mod they used cabs whenever they were hot/tired/or dining at another resort.

Thank you! That may be our plan of attack as well!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I haven't stayed at Pop, so correct me if I'm wrong, but when we stayed at POR they called a cab for us. They weren't just waiting outside. It didn't take long though. I thought this was true at the values and mods.

 

[cdrn1]

I think resort airline checkin desks open at 0530. You have to check in a certain length of time before your flight.

 

[cgcruz]

I love how speedy the buses at Pop are most of the time... Except at park closing! When we know we're going to be in a park until closing or close to it we always take our car, even at the magic kingdom. The amount of people waiting in line for the Pop Century buses is just insane, even compared the the other Value hotels. But I would'nt stress about not having a car though. Most of the time, the Pop Century buses are quick to come. If you are going to be at a theme park at closing I would suggest to you to walk around the stores or find a bench at people watch while the crowds lighten up. Everyone wants to be the first in line for the buses.

 

[goofy4tink]

The RAC checkin desk opens at 5 am. At least that has been what signage has told me. You have to have your bags checked no less than 3 hrs before your flight time. Be aware though...the lines in the morning can get long. When it's time to head back and get the bus back to the airport, be sure to leave a bit of extra time to get any carryon bags out of luggage storage.
And yes, you can get your own bags and bring them to the bus with you. They will be stowed undeneath your bus. The driver will expect a tip though for loading and unloading the bags.

Buses, with long lines, at POP? Well, sure. The thing is...if you are heading to a particular park on a particular day, there is probably some reasoning behind your choice. You will find that others will have the same reasoning. Unless you are tied to a particular park due to EMHs or an ADR, then you can always hop on a different park bus if you see huge lines.
At park closing, everyone wants to board the bus at the same time. Believe it or not, all the resorts have long lines. POP 'seems' longer because it has so many people waiting for one bus...the buses for POP do come more often than most resort buses. That has been my experience. Try waiting for a Boardwalk bus at MK, at park closing. Man, those puppies take forever!!