Why we will NEVER stay at POP again! ~ AKA The Great Icee & Milk Debate

[Disney_1derland]

We loved Pop in May and are returning in September! We never had noise problems and we were right off the main pool area. Yes you could hear the people in the pool but it wasn't so bad that my light sleeper 5 year old couldn't get to sleep.

As to the mugs, I think it's a great service and yes it is aimed at coffee/soda drinkers and I'm okay with that. They do provide juice on the refill bar, which is a nice alternative. Considering that Those products cost almost nothing to Disney, I can see why they can offer refills on them for nothing. But milk, well, I can not see how they could ever do that, milk is very expensive.

When we were there in May it was clearly stated to us that to have our bags checked on the final day we needed to call and make arrangements the day before. We called, made an appointment and bell services retrieved our bags, even checked our room thouroughly (there were some water wings I had forgotten in a drawer and when I got home they were in my bag!!) and we never waited in line. There is also an instruction card near the phone that says the same thing.

I'm sorry you had a bad stay, but glad your trip was good overall!

 

[OhioTony]

Being in a service related industry as a manager, I would have wanted to know about these concerns DURING your stay ,not afterwards so that they could be corrected.Then you would be on the dis talking about how you had some concerns but that the wonderful resort manager straightened them all out.

 

[cricket429]

I too am sorry your stay was so unpleaseant. We were at POP for spring break this year and absolutley loved it. It was filled to capacity and we never heard our neighbors. CM were friendly and helpful. I do not allow my daughter to drink pop either but the mug was never an issue. We bought one for a souvenier but brought our own milk as we researched ahead of time and knew that milk was not included. It was nicer having it in our room anyway.
We took care of our own luggage and used express checkout and everything went smoothly.
I think that bad hotel experiences can happen at $79 or at $379 a night.
I for one would highly recommend POP and will definately stay there again.

 

[3lilprincesses]

Sorry you had such a bad stay. You can call to have your bags picked up by bell services and you just leave them in the room when you check out. We usually do this and have never had a problem.

i didn't think they would do this at Pop? when we spent one night there last january, we were told they wouldn't? has it changed since then? if we ever stay there again, it would sure be nice if we could just call bell services!

anyone know??

 

[Acklander]

When we were there last fall, they pulled the luggage from the room for us. We called the night before and made the arrangements and when we went to pick up the luggage they brought it out to where the bus picked us up.

 

[lbgraves]

OK, first of all there was milk at the ASMo when we were there so I had no reason to think that it wouldn't be at all of the values. Yes, it is more expensive, but we had it as an option and would expect all of the resorts on the same level to offer the same choices. It was more of an annoyance to us.

The icee machine is there for guests to use. If it can't opperate properly whenever the food court is open, it should either be taken out or more machines installed to meet the demand for them.

I called the front desk the night before we left to find out what to do with the luggage since check out was 11 and we were not being picked up until 3:30. I was told that we would need to take our luggage to the front of the main building to check it in. I was never offered an option to have it picked up. I didn't find out that this was possible until we were already in line to do this and it was after 11 so we couldn't return to our room.

If this mess up is the result of the whole ME thing...then that "wonderful" service messed us up even though we didn't fly in & use it.

Honestly during our stay I just hoped that the people on either side of us would leave while we were there so the noise wouldn't be an issue anymore. Being tired in the morning from this it took all my "mommy power" to get the kids ready to go to the park so we would be there for the opening or get them ready to hit the pool with all of our stuff and make sure that they were having a great time. After dealing the luggage check in I just wanted to get to the pool & get the kids ready to swim since their patience was quickly coming to an end. When we passed by the front desk on our way out to the pool there was also a long line waiting for check in. From what I heard out on the patio during the next few hours there were no rooms available for any of the early check ins that day so there were some very upset people in that line as well.

We did use express check out so we didn't need to stand in line at the front desk at all. The problem that I had was at the luggage check at the front of the building.

When we arrived it was just as a ME bus was getting ready to unload. There were several CMs out to assist everyone. One gave DH a cart for our driver to unload the luggage on. We took it to our room ourselves. There was a deposit for the cart but noone ever asked us if we wanted someone else to take the luggage to our room for us.

 

[Zandy595]

Sorry you had such a bad experience.

I did want to say, for future Pop guests, that I was actualy surprised at how quiet it was on our last stay (April 2005). We were in 70's Big Wheel 1st floor and it was the most quiet stay we've ever had at Disney. Never heard anyone on either side or above us. I'm a VERY light sleeper and always worry about the noise, but not on this visit.

I new what to expect from the drink station so I wasn't at all disappointed. I didn't even know that ASMO had milk. We've stayed there a few times and never saw it. DS9 drinks milk with every meal so I would have noticed. Must be something new, at least since we were there a couple years ago. Also, the frozen Coke machines worked everytime we went to get drinks.

 

[C.Ann]

I stayed at Pop in early April of this year - when many of the schools were still on spring break.. This was my first time staying on Disney property and I absolutely LOVED it.. So much so that I'm planning on taking my granddaughter there in late fall..

I was in the 60's building - (Play Doh) - on the second floor.. Noise was never an issue for me and I handled my own luggage, both arriving and departing..

The buses were awesome - no waits at the hotel or the parks - and I was very impressed by how neat and clean the grounds were - not to mention the rooms!

It's such a fun place to be - can't wait to go again!

 

[Aquagirl]

I've stayed at POP 3 times and luckily have not had the noise problem. Even when I stayed in April on the 1st floor facing the pool. I stayed at the All Stars once and it was extremely noisy. I guess it depends on when you stay.

There is a milk spiggot(sp?) near the coffee. At least it was still their in April. It is extremely slow. The milk spiggots are meant for the coffee. The apple juice is new. It was not there last September, but it was there when I went in February. I have noticed that the frozen coke machines are down a lot to refreeze, but at least one of the machines was working everytime that I have wanted it.

I bet the luggage check situation is do to ME. Hopefully it will get better as time goes on!!!

I loved POP, but I hated POFQ due to poor service. I think that all of te resorts have their ups and downs and unfortunately you caught POP on a sown as I caught POFQ.

I hope that your next stay is better!!!

 

[Disney_1derland]

i didn't think they would do this at Pop? when we spent one night there last january, we were told they wouldn't? has it changed since then? if we ever stay there again, it would sure be nice if we could just call bell services!

anyone know??

I was there in may and this is what we did. Called for an appointment the night before and they came and got them while we were out of the room.

 

[dreamflight99]

Just to clarify there is really nothing wrong with icee machine other than those machines were never designed to be used constantly by guests who can fill up for free. The machines never get a chance to actually freeze the mixture. This is why they put up the out of order sign. People stop using it long enough for it to freeze. When it does appear to work it is because they just took down the out of order sign, and the machine has not yet run out.

This is 100% true! If you visit a 7-11/Target or any other type store with a slurpee machine, and try to fill more than one large cup, you will find this to be the truth. Thanks for pointing this out for everyone. The machines are only able to effectively FREEZE a certain amount of mixture for dispensing at any given time. When the mix in the clear visible window appears watery...do not use! Wait until the mix churning in a circle looks FROZEN!!

 

[kandmwedding]

I called the front desk the night before we left to find out what to do with the luggage since check out was 11 and we were not being picked up until 3:30. I was told that we would need to take our luggage to the front of the main building to check it in. I was never offered an option to have it picked up. I didn't find out that this was possible until we were already in line to do this and it was after 11 so we couldn't return to our room.

We weren't offered this option at check-in either, but I did read about it on the brochure near the phone. Very simple to use, and gets rid of a lot of the hassle.

From what I heard out on the patio during the next few hours there were no rooms available for any of the early check ins that day so there were some very upset people in that line as well.

It's my understanding that early check-in is not guaranteed at all, so these people really have no right to be upset.

 

[peter11435]

The icee machine is there for guests to use. If it can't opperate properly whenever the food court is open, it should either be taken out or more machines installed to meet the demand for them.

Now come on. Your basically saying that if everyone can't have some then you think no one should have any. Don't you think that’s going a bit too far? Just be thankful for the two days you were able to have free icee’s.

And just so you know the milk dispenser at the All-Star resorts is not meant for filling up a cup or mug, but for putting in other drinks. This is why both resorts including the All-Stars sell milk in the tiny cartons.

 

[bobcat]

So it sounds like the luggage situation is caused by Magic Express. That's good info to know so that I can be prepared in a couple of weeks. In all the times we have stayed at the various resorts we have never had a problem with waiting for our luggage.

As for the icee machines we had problems with it being frozen last summer. The demand is much higher than the supply. I would rather they add more than take them out as it is a nice addition. As for milk we buy a half gallon from the gift shop so the kids have it to drink. I too think the milk spigot at the All Stars is for coffee.

POP is our favorite place to stay so I am a bit biased but each resort has it's challenges.

 

[C.Ann]

And just so you know the milk dispenser at the All-Star resorts is not meant for filling up a cup or mug, but for putting in other drinks. This is why both resorts including the All-Stars sell milk in the tiny cartons.

-------------------------------

That's what many have been told..

 

[lbgraves]

Now come on. Your basically saying that if everyone can't have some then you think no one should have any. Don't you think that’s going a bit too far? Just be thankful for the two days you were able to have free icee’s.

Give me a break! Why should I not expect something to work when it should? That is like false advertising. BTW, we paid for the mugs so they weren't free icees. We were not able to get what we paid for. Big whoop! We were able to get two mugs of icee after we came back from MGM. We were at the resort on & off the entire next day, breakfast lunch & dinner & the machines were not working at all during that time. The nozzles were wrapped in plastic wrap & tied on. That wrapping didn't come off before we left on Saturday. I don't think that it is unreasonable to expect something to work. If TOT only worked for a couple days a week arbitrarily I know that people would be upset. They paid admission and weren't able to go on the ride they wanted to.

 

[cricket429]

I guess I'm just the type of person that checks out all the details of our trip and make sure I have all the informaton I need so there are no unpleasant suprises. I did so much planning and research for our trip and learned everything I needed to know and I do this even if we are just going somewhere for a couple days but especially when we are spending the kind of money it takes for Disney. I guess I'm just dont understand getting so upset over a frozen coke in such a magical happy place. POP is the best

 

[robinb]

And just so you know the milk dispenser at the All-Star resorts is not meant for filling up a cup or mug, but for putting in other drinks. This is why both resorts including the All-Stars sell milk in the tiny cartons.

That's what I thought ... which was why I asked about the OP mistaking it for creamer. But ... if the spiggot is there you really can't stop people from filling their mugs with milk, even though it is intended as an additive. And, you really can't blame people for doing just that unless there is a sign that says something like "For coffee and tea only". I can also understand that OP would be expect the same set up in another Value resort once she was used to it at the All Stars.

FWIW, I think every single one of her complaints is valid. I happen to love Pop Century but even I would be annoyed by heathen children, non-functional icee machines (for whatever reason) and long lines.

 

[lbgraves]

I did a ton of research on these boards and in the Passporter. DH thinks that I spend too much time on the DIS, especially since I had to add the park boards to my routine. I know all about DCL but had only been to MK in December during slow times so I had to learn about all the rides, which were appropriate for each of my kids and how to use the FPs. The knowledge that I gained here is what saved our vacation. Since we had been to ASMo twice I figured that the resort aspects itself were already something that we were use to & knew enough about to get around. No, the major reasons that I was upset were not the icees but that seems to be the thing that people have commented about the most. I simply suggested that they install more of them so that they would be available more often. The luggage check and poorly built/insulated buildings were much more of an annoyance than the icee or milk. Worse than any of this was having our camera stolen and being delayed on a train that didn't seem to move very often. I didn't let these things ruin our vacation either. We just kept on going and took what pictures we could with the cheap back up camera...which I was greatful to have packed. We were lucky enough to be with our kids in WDW on a trip that wasn't even considered until 8 weeks ago. I would have like to have stayed at ASMo again, but POP was the only value open for the dates that we needed so we tried it out. I simply posted what our experience was because that is what the boards are for...sharing experiences.

 

[lbgraves]

That's what I thought ... which was why I asked about the OP mistaking it for creamer. But ... if the spiggot is there you really can't stop people from filling their mugs with milk, even though it is intended as an additive. And, you really can't blame people for doing just that unless there is a sign that says something like "For coffee and tea only". I can also understand that OP would be expect the same set up in another Value resort once she was used to it at the All Stars.

FWIW, I think every single one of her complaints is valid. I happen to love Pop Century but even I would be annoyed by heathen children, non-functional icee machines (for whatever reason) and long lines.

I asked DH about a sign since I always stayed with the kids in the line for the food while he got our drinks before this trip & he said that he didn't see one when he used it. He didn't try to sneak anything, just used what was right there out in the open. There are always CMs walking around wiping up the counters. I'm sure someone saw him filling the mug at some point and if anyone had told him that he wasn't suppose to, he wouldn't have. I don't think that it was creamer though since I doubt that DS would have liked it when he was expecting milk.