Value Virgin... Am I going to Love Pop Century?

[Ktharee]

I've only stayed Deluxe and Moderate, but in late September we are only staying one night before transferring over to a time share in Celebration and visiting Universal Studios for a few days. I have a goal in mind to stay at all the resorts in my lifetime and figured this was a great way to test the Value Resorts. We are not visiting a park, just hanging at the resort and maybe eating somewhere in Downtown Disney or going to Winter/Summerland.

So...will I like it/loveit/hate it? All opinions welcome!

 

[spiceycat]

your attitude is the key.

if you go expecting a deluxe resort - you will hate it
moderate resort - you will be disappointed.

if you with the attitude I am at WDW and being there is wonderful no matter where I stay - Pop can be pretty wonderfully.

it has a great food court, pool bar, arcade, plus all the memories. It is the only value resort with a lake. Now I like lakes so that is a plus to me. walking around it - is like a trip back in time. appreciate all the giant icons and read the signs - think you can find something to love at Pop

 

[smitch425]

your attitude is the key.

if you go expecting a deluxe resort - you will hate it
moderate resort - you will be disappointed.

if you with the attitude I am at WDW and being there is wonderful no matter where I stay - Pop can be pretty wonderfully.

it has a great food court, pool bar, arcade, plus all the memories. It is the only value resort with a lake. Now I like lakes so that is a plus to me. walking around it - is like a trip back in time. appreciate all the giant icons and read the signs - think you can find something to love at Pop

Not anymore. AoA also has a lake. Well...it is the SAME lake, but it is a lake nonetheless.

OP, POP is a great resort. Take some time to look at the shadowboxes in the lobby. Lots of cool toys in them that may bring back memories of your childhood that you had forgotten about.

 

[Ktharee]

It looks like a museum of pop culture which I think I am going to love about it. I'm 40, so I've lived through quite a few of those decades! We just got back from 9 days at Coronado Springs so I am going through Disney withdrawal. Just being there will be enough for me and also the fact that I'll be satisfying my desire to stay at all resorts is a plus. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Lori77]

I love POP! We have stayed there a four times, and each time has been great. The fun toys in the lobby, fun pools, and good food court (comparatively speaking), plus nice staff, all make it a nice place to stay!
They also usually have staff by the pool and music, so it is also a fun atmosphere.

I am also going to try to stay at all resorts, next I will try AsMo.

 

[EpcotFan1]

I just got back from PoP and I loved it. I stayed at POR and CB but PoP is my fave. It has great atmosphere, a great food court and great pools. The rooms have everything need. The only bad thing is some of the rooms are far from the bus stops.

 

[heidilee2003]

I've stayed at POP twice and I love it The different decades are super fun! But it's all in your mindset. Have a great time!

 

[gopfans]

I think you have a good plan of staying for a quick visit. That way if you don't like it, you are only there one night and you never have to come back. If you love it, then you know you have another option of where to stay the next time you visit. We are DVC but we stayed at AofA a few weeks ago when they first opened for 2 nights before our cruise when we didnt want to use points.

 

[BigKid45]

We did WL CL..the next year was ASMu FS, felt a little less Disney but that was a bargain year....the next year was POP with 2 connecting rooms and loved it!! Stopped at CS and got roped into a DVC sales pitch about how great CS was, but POP beat CS hands down IMHO. My first love is always WL, but POP was great!! I think OP is right...it's all in the attitude. Go with the flow; enjoy your nite at POP!

 

[dvcwannabe]

We stayed at Pop a few years ago and really enjoyed it. We had no issues at all. Of course, we are just thrilled to be at Disney.

 

[charliesmom86]

We stayed at Pop this May and it was our first time going to Disney World. Whenever we do travel, we usually stay at pretty nice hotels and I honestly thought I was going to be disappointed in Pop. We loved it though! We loved all the icons around the resort and the shadow boxes in the lobby..And the bridge where the lake is...is beautiful at night. I think you will love it..if you go in with the expectation that while it isn't a deluxe or mod..it IS still Disney World.

 

[Ktharee]

Thanks everybody!!

 

[EpcotBill]

Well it sure isn't the Contemporary or the Polynesian but for one night you'll survive.

 

[DisneyLady56]

I loved POP! I have always stayed at deluxes and moderates. Last year since I was going with my daughter and her family we were more on a budget. I was hesitant to stay at a value. I absolutely loved it there. Had the best bus service ever!! Everything was clean. And you can't beat the price. I absolutely would recommend POP and absolutely book it again.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Prior to our stays at the Poly, we always stayed at Pop. I actually prefer the Pop food court over Captain Cooks at the Poly - there are so many different options to choose from. The buildings are broken up into decades and if you walk around the grounds, you'll see year markers with trivia for each year.

I agree with the others - if you go in expecting a moderate or deluxe resort, you'll be disappointed. However if you go in expecting a basic clean room you'll be fine.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I really enjoyed Pop the 3 times we stayed there. It's very Disney, and we found the staff wonderful. Really, housekeepers there are beyond excellent.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Every resort has pros and cons. We've stayed at nearly every resort on property except DVC (and ASSp to get particular). Pop is among my top picks! Although one of the things I like at Pop is the transportation to the parks.

I agree attitude is much to do with it. And all of WDW, your experience depends on the particular CM's you happen to get. We've stayed at some resorts more than once; one time we get all great CM's, another time we get a bad one- and that tempers the experience.

I always love just exploring a new resort, and you'll have the option of checking out TWO resorts should you desire.

One thing about the lake at Pop- unlike the mods- the lake is off to one side. You don't have to walk across the lake every time you come and go from your room. (big plus!) If you have a car, you might want to request to be near the parking lot. I prefer the 90's section, based on location.

I agree the food court at Pop is great. Lots of choices, great set up. Kept very clean.

There are no big downsides to Pop. I only wish there was pool slide, coffeemakers, and a nice TS option. The rooms aren't huge or elaborately decorated, but they are fine for a quick stay. Also the beds are not queens.

 

[Karabee]

I was the same as you last year and nervous about my POP stay after Deluxe and a couple Moderates, but we had a blast. We were 4 nights at WL and then 2 at POP for a last minute add on, and absolutely loved it. In fact, my sister and I decided to fly down a day early for our trip this year and since she heard me talking about POP she asked if we could just book that arrival night there. I think you will be fine!

 

[DsnyMama]

We stayed at POP for our last trip and we LOVED it! After staying at a Deluxe and then a Mod (and being very unhappy with the mod), we were nervous! BUT - we were so happy at POP! It was wonderful.

 

[Ktharee]

Thanks everyone, we are REALLY looking forward to it!