What am I missing about POP?

[lbklyn]

Hi Everyone! I am doing a solo trip this October for the first time (without family). I have not stayed on property in many years. I booked POP for Oct 22nd to the 27th. If with children I can definitely see the appeal but truthfully from the pictures I do not think it is for me. I love the idea of it but the design seems overwhelming. At first I was just looking for a cheaper disney property and my priority was the transportation but after looking at All Star Movies it seems more to my liking. It has the large Disney Characters all over but for some reason does not seem as overwhelming as POP and ASmovies seems to have more plantation and laid back scenery (don't know if I am explaining this right). I am thinking about changing to All Star Movies. Why does it seem so many people Love POP? Am I missing something? Anyone been to both and can give me the pros and cons of each? Thanks in advance!

 

[revdon64]

Been to POP and ASMusic, if that helps. POP is kind of expansive unless you're right near the front. Assuming you're using bus transportation to the parks, they're in the same general vicinity so ride times are similar. POP has dedicated buses. AS shares buses with other AS. Otherwise, not sure what kind of input you're looking for.

 

[disnut8]

Stayed at every single value and Pop stands out for me mainly because of the theme. I love the music which switches depending on where you are on the grounds. Love the disco music in the 70s, the early rock and roll in the 50s, etc. Love the icons placed around the buildings since they relate to those specific decades. Love the walk along the lake with the signs telling about a specific event that happened in each year from 1950 all the way to 1999. Love the shadowboxes in the lobby. Love looking at the giant jukebox in the 50s section and seeing the clever song names (or even on the 8 track tapes).

Now, I like all of the All Stars as well but if you've never been to Pop Century, not sure how you can judge it by pictures. To me, it's more the sounds and the actually seeing of things.

 

[Keegansmommy]

For us the dedicated bus was huge. The lines for the All Star resorts got ridiculous especially at park closing times. I loved the theming of Pop. It is huge though and we always booked a preferred room. I would not want to be way in the back.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

We have stayed at All Star Movies and Pop. I personally liked Movies better. I prefered the theming at Movies. However, the fact that the three all-stars share a bus is a big plus to go to Pop. You can always walk to one all-star to get the main bus.

If I had to decide between the two, I would pick Movies. I love the Dalmation, huge Buzz, the RC car, and the staircases/bucket of soldiers.

Good luck with your decision. Either way, you will be vacationing at a great place!

 

[wdw4rfam]

We have stayed at all the values, and Movies is our fav. I dont care for POP. I dont know if we went at a bad time, but our experience with the buses was aweful- NO better than the All- Stars. The thing I like about the All-star buses is they only share at "off"times, like mid-afternoon. So in the evening we would just hop on whatever bus comes first and walk to our resort (that is if you dont mind walking). I personally would rather walk than stand in line and wait. I think the ony true difference is theme, and Movie is my fav.

 

[Tara8595]

Oh... Pop Century... how do I love thee... let me count the ways..... GREAT food court, outstanding theming, and music music music. Music everywhere and really good music too, even on the buses. Great pools, really comfortable beds (Beautyrest, not the hard Sealy's they're putting in the upgrades). Doing the Hustle in the food court... tie dye cheesecake- just a certain hip, upbeat vibe to the whole place. In all my stays, and there have been many, I've only gotten put in a building I didn't request 1 time. And they moved us the next day. Request 50's, 60's or 70's - there are standard rooms in each, and it's very likely you'll get what you want. We like the back of the 60's building - nice and quiet with a view of the lake.

 

[kgoodb00]

I agree with you on how POP looks overwhelming. Me and my brother stayed at POP one year for 2 nights during spring break. We stayed in a preferred room so we were right by the main pool and food court. We were barely in the room though because we were at parks from opening to close. The food court was awesome. And I would love to go back when I take my step-kids on their first trip.

I recently planned my first solo trip and thought about staying at POP or ASMu since they are value resorts. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to stay at a more relaxing resort. I ended up paying a little more to stay at CBR because it seemed more relaxed and since its my vacation I can to do whatever I want!

So really it is up to you. If you want to stay at a value resort, then I would suggest POP because I think it is the best out of all the values. But if you are worried about the overwhelming theming, then maybe upgrading to a moderate might be best. The moderates definitely have more of a relaxing atmosphere. I have stayed at POFQ and loved it. I would of chose to stay there this time but CBR was cheaper.

I hope my input helped and happy planning!

 

[disneydiva1313]

Love the food court...and the fact that the Pop Century bus doesn't share a bus with any other resorts.

 

[lbklyn]

Thank you all so much for your help. I may still change to All Star Movies but I liked the idea of a standard room at POP with view of the lake. If it is a bit of a walk to the buses I think I can handle that. Going to look at a map now of POP and see if this will work better for me.

 

[missy120]

We love POP and we do not have children so that doesn't even factor in for us. The theming is great, I love the music, the food court has a ton of choices. Even if you are furthest from the food court which we have been, twice...........it still ins't that far. I did however like it better when they put us closer I haven't had a problem with the buses.

 

[kellbelle]

No children for me and I have done trips with others adults as well as a solo trip. POP is my favorite. When I am there for a race I stay at Sports because they are a host hotel and it makes it easier but I always miss POP. The food court is way better and I eat at the resort often. I cant stand the several stops the buses make at the All Stars. I like the size of POP and enjoy walking out by the lake. I have not been in months and am looking forward to my next trip to see the Animation whatever it's called that they built on the other side of the lake. I agree with the others on the music. Plus I am a kid of the 70's and I enjoy the Hussle the staff does as well as all the memorabilia on display in the lobby. I also think they have a better gift shop. Wow I am really missing POP right now and my next trip is not until November. Either place you stay you will have a great time and that is what's most important!!

 

[willowsnn3]

Out of all the resorts we've stayed at POP & CR are our favorites. We have stayed in just about every section at POP & found even the farthest bldg to be only a short walk to pools/main building. Unlike the one time we stayed at ASMU & were put in the farthest room in the farthest building on property, lol. Long way to parking & pools & main building so if staying at one of the All Stars solo, I would absolutely suggest you get a preferred room close to the front.

 

[dmoore718]

We stayed at Movies and Pop. Both are great for theming in my opinion. We went in late January both times and we shared busses at All Stars everytime. Sometimes, the bus would pull up and be full already at ASMovies. We preferred the busses at Pop. We never waited more than 5 minutes and we really appreciated having our own bus stop. You will enjoy either one! Have a great time!!

 

[lbklyn]

With everyone's help I have made the decision to stay at POP. Going to call to request a lakeview standard room. Anyone stay in room with a great close view of lake? And ONE more question. Do I call reservations or the hotel directly?

 

[SpectroMagic*o*]

I'm a Pop girl!! And Ive never even stayed there with my DD yet! (That may change by next month).

Anyways, the food court is fantastic, you can not beat their bus system, the theming isnt overwhelming but actually feels magical (like you know you woulnt see this much detail anywhere but Disney!). And I have stayed in almost every decade and never thought that any of them were too far a walk to the bus. We stayed at one of the farthest buildings and I actuallly really liked it cuz it was nice to be near the lake and there was still an easy path to follow to take you to the bus stop. I like that bus stop stroll!

 

[dclfun]

OP- I'm glad you chose POP and think you'll be really happy staying there. It's such an upbeat place and as others have mentioned, their food court is much better than those at the All-Star resorts. There is more variety and it's laid out better so you don't feel like you're eating in a major cafeteria. I love the lake and you can see fireworks from some of the rooms there. I don't dislike the All-Stars either but if I am travelling solo I prefer Pop.

 

[spiceycat]

With everyone's help I have made the decision to stay at POP. Going to call to request a lakeview standard room. Anyone stay in room with a great close view of lake? And ONE more question. Do I call reservations or the hotel directly?

just be sure to get a standard room - when you get there tell the CM that you would LIKE a lakeview. they can't guaranteed the lakeview - so some of the reservation CM don't even seem to know there is a lake at Pop.

would go for the 50's building 3 - Tramp is in front. some of building 3 will allow you to see the Epcot fireworks. side view of the lake

now building 2 you can see the fireworks from Epcot and MK - you do need a view of the parking lot not the woods. (in the back or front) not side

why I love Pop - the LAKE!!!! only value with a lake. It is very close to Epcot and Studios - you could walk to them if Disney allowed values to walk to their parks (only deluxes get to do this). the food court is excellent. the CM at Pop are some of the best. many were cm's at the deluxe resort and dvc resorts before they came to Pop. the pool bar

the staff here really cares - like the Polyn use too. So it just makes everything better when the staff cares.

you are never far from the food court and buses - no matter where you stayed.

Pop has a better design than the all stars at least it does to me.

 

[lbklyn]

Thanks Spiceycat. After reading a POP information thread on this site I called and asked if I could get a room in building 2 facing the lake. It was noted but not guaranteed which I knew it would not be. You are saying that building faces the parking lot and woods? Does it also have a side facing the lake? I read that building was good for lakeview

 

[Steph2527]

Hi Everyone! I am doing a solo trip this October for the first time (without family). I have not stayed on property in many years. I booked POP for Oct 22nd to the 27th. If with children I can definitely see the appeal but truthfully from the pictures I do not think it is for me. I love the idea of it but the design seems overwhelming. At first I was just looking for a cheaper disney property and my priority was the transportation but after looking at All Star Movies it seems more to my liking. It has the large Disney Characters all over but for some reason does not seem as overwhelming as POP and ASmovies seems to have more plantation and laid back scenery (don't know if I am explaining this right). I am thinking about changing to All Star Movies. Why does it seem so many people Love POP? Am I missing something? Anyone been to both and can give me the pros and cons of each? Thanks in advance!

I'm doing a solo trip as well for the first time oct 21st-26, and am staying at POP too. I've stayed there before and had no complaints. I considered POR, but for the amount of time I'll spend in the room, I really only need a clean room with a bed and a shower! I've also stayed at AsMo, it just seemed a little outdated to me (maybe its been refurbed since then?)but it's been years since I stayed there. Love the pool,food court,and buses better than Asmo too. Good luck deciding!