Will I be miserable at POP?

[AdventurerKat]

O.k. I know maybe you can't answer that question for me but here is the situation.

I am going to WDW in October with my friend, her daughter, my son, and her mom. Their budget dictates that they can only afford to stay at a value resort. I am a moderate kind of gal, hoping some day to stay at a few more of the deluxes (AKL in May is my start) I don't want to split the kids up by going and staying elsewhere (seems a bit snotty to do so as well like "I can afford it so...") and I expect my son will probably enjoy the POP scenery. BUT I am worried about the theming and the room size.

I would love to hear stories from people who are normally moderate or deluxe stayers who enjoyed their stay at POP. And if you didn't like something for some reason, tell me that too I guess.

I don't think I really have any other choice than to stay there or pay for them to stay at a nicer resort which I just can't afford. So I am looking for some reassurance.

 

[floridafam]

I have not stayed at Pop but....

I have heard nothing but good things about it.

It's brand new, clean, the rooms look nice. The theming and pools look wonderful.

The food court sounds like they have a nice variety of food and they even have a little lounge.

I normally stay in a deluxe but I want to stay at Pop sometime soon. We have to stay at WL for our next trip. If we didn't have to stay at WL, we would probably go to Pop.

I think you'll have a great time!

 

[JKanownik]

How could you possibly ever be miserable at WDW?

 

[AdventurerKat]

Oh, it can happen.

I just read on Deb's site that the air conditioners do not stay on all the time and that there must be movement in the room? Is that true? I like to come back to a nice, cool room at the end of the day.

 

[zurgswife]

Originally posted by AdventurerKat
Oh, it can happen.

I just read on Deb's site that the air conditioners do not stay on all the time and that there must be movement in the room? Is that true? I like to come back to a nice, cool room at the end of the day.

First then don't think of going to the deluxes as most of the deluxe resorts have begun to switch over to this type of system and my guess is that as time passes more and more will also have this...

But I digress...

We stayed at POP in Dec for a few nights....the only thing I found fault with was the bed size and this is the same at the Moderates....my kids loved the themeing ( I did too )...we are DVC members and i thought it was just fine..

did you also consider that there might be discount in Oct. that might make a moderate possible for your friend...I think I'd book 2 rooms at each hotel and then wait for codes and if it works out you both could stay at a moderate...

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

AdventurerKat,

Hi, I just spent a week at Pop Century due to peak season and my sister not being able to afford any other resort. She usually stays with me on points at a DVC Villa but I'm saving my points for another up coming trip so I suggested the Pop.

Our group was five adults and five children, all but three have stayed with me at the Deluxe Resorts. The other three, it was their first trip to Disney...they where really impressed with the new Resort as where the rest of us. True the Pop isn't a deluxe but it was fun, new, and the Cast Members where great.

Had no trouble with the air conditioners(room was alway cooled when we returned) nor anything in the room, Mousekeeping left cute little creations made out of the wash cloths and room was always clean when we returned from Parks.

We only had two meals while staying there and I enjoyed both, plus the price was great. (I belive the food court was nicer then any other I have eaten in)

Don't worry you'll be able to enjoy your moderates again just relax and enjoy the fun of staying at Pop.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by AdventurerKat
Oh, it can happen.

I just read on Deb's site that the air conditioners do not stay on all the time and that there must be movement in the room? Is that true? I like to come back to a nice, cool room at the end of the day.

This is a very common misconception. If the room is occupied, the climate control will be active. But if the room is not occupied, the climate control will still be active, but not as much.

For example, if it's set for 68 degrees, and the door opens/closes, it then checks for movement. If there is movement, the room is occupied, and it keeps going. If there is no movement, the room is not occupied, and it might only cool to 75 degrees. Then, when the guests return, and open the door, it starts to cool down to 68 again.

 

[Kim&Chris]

We just returned from a great week of Pop Century, then Old Key West.

After staying at the AS Movies, I was expecting POP to be similar, if not exactly the same, as the AS resorts. Not so! It is totally unique and lots of fun.

The rooms were bright and clean, and we especially liked the pocket-style doors leading to the bathroom (not sure if these are in all the rooms, because we had an accessible room). Nonetheless, it was a great feature and made the bathroom appear much larger.

Although the line for check-in was super long, it moved pretty fast and we were checked in within a few minutes. A breeze! After checking in, we headed into "Everything Pop" for some shopping....this is an awesome place to grab some souveniers.

I loved the constant music that played throughout the day near the pool (50's, 60's, and 70's music). Being a child of the 70's, it was a blast to hear that music non-stop.

I think that anyone will like this resort, no matter if they're used to Moderates or Deluxe resorts.

 

[mommie2angels]

We loved the POP century. We usually stay at AKL or WL. We loved the theming at POP. Everything POP is a great store. The food court was great with lots of different selections. We didn't have any problem with the air. The only problem we had was with Mousekeeping. It didn't seem up to par for Disney. I think this was just a fluke because from what I have heard and read from everyone they haven't had problems.

We have already scheduled our next trip to stay there. We checked prices between there, WL and AKL and we cannot justify the cost when we really enjoyed POP so much.

Hope you have a magical time no matter what you decide.

 

[DVC California]

We've been fortunate enough to stay at a wide variety of resorts, especially on WDW property. As my screen name indicates, we are DVC owners at the Boardwalk. We have also stayed prior to DVC at high end resorts such as the Grand Floridian, Y&B, etc, to moderates such as Port Orleans (Riverside and French Quarter).

We finished a short trip not long ago to Pop Century and found it quite acceptable. The rooms are not large but we never felt cramped. The beds were clean and comfortable, an the Pop culture theming was very cute. The walk from the room to the bus stop was short (Classic 50's Bldg) and bus service in general was efficient.

We didn't eat in the food court but it looked popular and had a good selection of choices. Lots of families and lots of refillable mugs.

Things I did not care for were the cheap plastic cups that were set up in the bathroom. They were very flimsy and would fall over if yoiu tried to keep your toothbrush in it. The bath towels seemed smaller and of lower quality than other Disney resorts. Parking was also challenging, especially in the evening after the parks closed. Very few spaces left.

All in all, a vary good resort for the money. We liked it so much that we are planning another stay there this July. ($54.00/night AP rate!!!)

HTH, Steve

 

[iwannabeminnie]

We have stayed at the Beach Club on a regular basis and also a few times at the Caribbean Beach Resort. On our last visit we stayed at the All Star Movies Resort, because like you we were in a larger party and it was the most cost effective way to go. We were delightfully surprised! We loved it! Yes, the rooms were smaller, but we were only there to sleep so what's the big deal? We LOVED the food court! At the deluxe and moderates (except the CBR-and their food court sucked when we were there in 1999) you have to eat breakfast in a full service restaurant or in the parks. It totally ruins early entry for you. At the All Stars we could get up and grab a bite and be gone by 7:00am. The funny thing is, it is a value resort and we would have PAID to be able to do that at the other resorts we have stayed at! You will have a great time at POP!

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

What do you expect when your paying maybe $80-$90 a night???? Be happy that you can afford to go to Disney World! You make it seem that your going and staying at a dump. I dont mean to sound like a snob at all... but when you paying so cheap what do u expect??

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by DVC California
Things I did not care for were the cheap plastic cups that were set up in the bathroom. They were very flimsy and would fall over if yoiu tried to keep your toothbrush in it. The bath towels seemed smaller and of lower quality than other Disney resorts. Parking was also challenging, especially in the evening after the parks closed. Very few spaces left.

All in all, a vary good resort for the money. We liked it so much that we are planning another stay there this July. ($54.00/night AP rate!!!)

Indeed, the level of amenities will vary depending on the resort level that you choose. Value resorts are designed to provide a lower cost room with fewer amenities than the deluxes which cost more, but of course come with many more amenities. As such, they make great choices for those who just want a Disney resort to sleep in, or a first time on property family, or those on a budget, or even those who don't feel the need to spend deluxe prices for a resort.

 

[AdventurerKat]

Thanks for your responses. I am glad to see that alot of you have tried both and were fine.

I AM glad I can afford to go to WDW. And no, I don't think it will be a dump. I didn't say that. I just wasn't sure if it was for me. I mean it certainly wouldn't be my first choice but due to the circumstances, I am going to stay there and I just wanted to hear what others thought going from a mod or deluxe to a value. I do think the kids will like it quite a bit and I expect there will be lots of children to play with.


Thank you. I feel better.

 

[TDC Nala]

Need I say more?

 

[bridgettesmom]

I have stayed at all three levels (deluxe,moderate and value) and I had sworn I would never stayed at a value again. We stayed a POP a month ago and I have to confess that I really enjoyed my stay.I believe POP is different ,because, it has a lot of different things that appeal to all ages.Great-Grandma enjoyed looking at their vast collection of the different decades which brought back many, many wonderful memories for her.She could even relate to the songs they were playing.While DN could not get enough of the pools and the different play areas and I loved to take a walk along the lake in the morning. Also, their foodcourt has something for everyone and they have things that I had not seen anywhere else.. Tye-dye cheesecake, Beehive salad and the Icee machine. As a matter of fact, Great grandma is telling all her 80 yr and 70 yr old friends that they have to go to Disney and stay at POP . She has decided that she wants to spend her b-day at Disney with all her grandkids and I have not made the reservation yet ,because, I wanted to stay at POR ,but, we had such a great time at POP I am actually considering staying there again. When I told DH about this he almost It was hard for him to believe that I actually want to stay at a value again.


Remember, you are going to a value resort don't expect the deluxe feel. If I could just describe POP in one word that word would be FUN !!

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Originally posted by TnKrBeLlA012
What do you expect when your paying maybe $80-$90 a night???? Be happy that you can afford to go to Disney World! You make it seem that your going and staying at a dump. I dont mean to sound like a snob at all... but when you paying so cheap what do u expect??

This is helpful

Originally posted by TnKrBeLlA012
You make it seem that your going and staying at a dump.

How so?

 

[ValerieK]

AdventurerKat

I feel the same way. I am looking at a trip in June with DS, DD, and my mother. Since we are going in May and probably again in November or December I don't want to spend that much money. We have always stayed at a Deluxe, and I too am concerned about staying at a value. The things I have heard about POP have been wonderful though. I have a room at CSR on hold now, but I am thinking of switching to POP, if I can get an AP rate.

TDC Nala - The twister looks cool, it might be worth it just for that!

 

[Disney Fool]

May I add a little observation here also? I'm one of those moderate/deluxe folks too. (I prefer more space!) And, I never wanted to stay at a value because of this. But, I too was traveling with friends who could only afford the value resorts. We stayed at Pop in February--and I honestly enjoyed it. The beds were comfortable, the rooms were clean, (yes, they were small, but it honestly didn't feel claustrophobic) the TV was big, everything was very convenient. My observation was that the older Disney tourists were having a ball at this resort, reminiscing about the past, checking out memorabilia, listening to the music of the 60' and 70's. At times, you'd see people walking ahead of you break out into dancing; some were singing along with the tunes. The little kids were fascinated by the over-the-top icons. I must say Disney did all it could to make your stay at a value resort fun and interesting. Yes, parking was an issue, and carrying luggage to your room was "...fun" I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. And for all you lurkers out there who are used to deluxes and moderates and wondering if Pop Century is for you---go ahead, take the plunge. Have a fun weekend over there. Isn't that what Disney is about?

 

[TWOOD]

I concur - after 21 trips to deluxe & moderates, we tried POP & loved it! It was just fun - the shadow boxes, music, icons, etc... were great to look at/ enjoy, and the food court more than met our needs. The room was plenty big enough for the 2 of us; it was quiet, clean, & well kept up. Our view looked out over the lake & we could see Illuminations from our breezeway. We thoroughly enjoyed our POP experience. Try it!