Worried about pop

[maddyandjoey]

We are going to disney july5-july11,2008. We will be taking our 4yr old and our 14month old. We have decided to stay at pop because we are on a budget, but is that really going to work? Obvioulsy the baby will sleep in the pack'n'play and our daughter will sleep with one of us. We are used to staying at a dvc resort because my mom and step-dad have the timeshare. But they took a big trip this year and can't offer it to us. I am afraid of hating pop! We stayed one night last trip in all star movies and it was awful. The main pool was shut down and the food court was very tiny and packed(we went the last week in september) and there were little bugs in our room everywhere. We had the worst night ever there! Not to mention the buses were packed!

 

[M2DD's]

IMHO-We stayed at pop in 2006 at the end of september and were misserable(sp?) The food court was packed beyond belief. The buses were so packed we never got a seat once on our 13 day trip.Our kids were 2 1/2 and 5. My DH thought the beds were awful and the rooms were small. As for the bugs, if they were love bugs they were all over the resorts in september. Last yr we were able to stay at OKW and loved it and had no problems at all. with all that said were going back this yr and were staying at the Allstarsports to try it out.All the rooms have been remodeled and my extended family stayed their last yr and said thay did not have the problems that we encountered the yr prior at POP(they were with us). The all star sports is the first bus stop so we thought we may get seats.They have also replaced all the beds so were hoping they will be more comfortable. Plus there are 3 food court for each of the resorts so hopefully it won't be so packed. Hope some of this info helps out.There are alot of fellow disers who love the POP it all just depends on your resort needs. I'll report back and let you know how the all star sports was will be there in 51 days.
BTW-the wk of the fourth of July is going to be packed were ever you stay being the holiday week. We were there over the july 4th wk in 2003 and the parks were packed and it was soooo hot.When walking through the parks you were shoulder to shoulder. Never again

 

[brergnat]

Honestly, save up until you can afford at least a moderate. I'd NOT go at that time of year with such young kids. Can you say HOT??? Crowded? Miserable? Seriously, wait until the fall or something, and they offer free dining or some other promotion and it's value season. There is NO reason to go to WDW during the middle of the summer with such young kids.

I hated Pop when I stayed there without my kids. I would never imagine going back to Pop WITH my kids (they are 3.5 and 2). We are waiting until next May to go so we can save up for the Poly. Yes, I am bummed that I don't get to go to WDW this year, but I am ecstatic that we will get to stay at the Poly next time!

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

True, EVERYTHING will be packed the time of year you are going. I have stayed at the POP twice in September and it is really great. The food court is awesome, so are the pools. The rooms are smaller than at the Mod and Delux resorts of course, but we don't spend much time in our room anyway. All in all, the POP is my fav Value resort and it works well for our family.

 

[G's mommy]

You are traveling at a very busy time and Pop is a very large resort which adds up to a crowded food court and packed buses. As far as I know, the pools will be open, but expect much of the same atmosphere as ASMovies. I would never go in July with pre-school children, too hot and way too crowded.

 

[DVCJEN]

We are going to disney july5-july11,2008. We will be taking our 4yr old and our 14month old. We have decided to stay at pop because we are on a budget, but is that really going to work? Obvioulsy the baby will sleep in the pack'n'play and our daughter will sleep with one of us. We are used to staying at a dvc resort because my mom and step-dad have the timeshare. But they took a big trip this year and can't offer it to us. I am afraid of hating pop! We stayed one night last trip in all star movies and it was awful. The main pool was shut down and the food court was very tiny and packed(we went the last week in september) and there were little bugs in our room everywhere. We had the worst night ever there! Not to mention the buses were packed!

You will have very heavy crowds no matter where you stay going at that time.

 

[goofy4tink]

I own DVC at BWV. If I'm not staying at a DVC resort, usually BWV, you will almost always find me at POP! I'm booked there in Sept as well as Dec this year. I love POP. The food court is large..yes, it gets crowded, but if you can eat at slightly off hours or just take your food back to the room, it isn't an issue.
The buses are wonderful...they don't share with any other resorts. Yes, the stops at the parks can be a bit of a walk, but the moderates can be a hike as well.
Room size? The rooms at POP are just a smidge smaller than the rooms at POR..I've stayed at POR and really didn't feel as though I had all that much more room..perhaps a foot longer and a few inches wider, but that's all.
You are going to find everywhere crowded for your time frame. With your aged kids, I would think they would love the wading pool area at POP as well as the Goofy water jets...so much fun for the little ones.
Nope, we love POP...well dd, 14, and I do...dh, not so much. I love my BWV but sometimes I just want to stay at POP!

 

[BabyPiglet]

We love POP. ALL the resorts are Disney, that means they're going to be clean and full of friendly CM's. If you go in with the attitude that you're going to hate it and that you're 'better' than the resort, then you're going to hate it. So just go in with a happy and excited attitude and you'll have a great time.

 

[SAKPEG99OKW]

We are also DVC members, BWV & BC. We like to take 2-3 trips a year and when we are not at a DVC resort you can find us at POP. We were just there in feb. 08 and everything was great. We have never had any problems at POP, we have stayed there at least once a year since '04. We have actually been there during July 4th week and had no issues. We hope if you decide to stay there you enjoy your trip. Try not to worry so much and just go and enjoy yourself.

 

[zeroed]

Stayed at Pop in January when the crowds were light and even then the buses were so crowded we had to stand every single trip. Don't even try it in July.

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

Be thankful you can go, expect crowds because of the holiday, and open your mind and heart to loud, colorful, fun theming.

POP is designed to handle crowds well. The food court is huge, lots of seating, if you get a preferred room, your room is a 2 minute walk away to eat there. The pools will not be closed during your dates, and there are three pools that can handle a lot of people. They are huge. POP is the best of the Values, IMO, and I love it there. Open your mind to loving it before you go. Show your kids the POP pictures from the POP Picture thread, and read page 1 of the Grooviest New POP thread. It is a great resort.

As for the busses, yes they can get crowded, but if you try to take them when other people aren't you will get a seat every time. If you like to sleep in and get to the park at 10:30 like every one else at the resort, it will be crowded. If you go earlier or later than everyone else, it will not be. Do some research and try to get some hints to make your trip easier on yourself.


Don't get it in your mind that you will hate it, because you will then find fault in everything and ruin your trip for not only you but for your family.

Either that or try to get flexible with your dates and don't go during the busy hot season.

 

[bebelle]

I found that it is hard to stay at the Pop after you have stayed at the deluxe resorts. I was constantly compared the Pop to the deluxes we have stayed at. The hotel itself is fine, with the exception of having small rooms that can be noisy at times. After all, you are in Disney and you probably will not be in your room much anyway. Your kids will love the theming and the food court! Go enjoy and don't stress over where you lay your head at night!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

As a rule, my husband and I stay away from Value Resorts. However....my personal feelings aside, I have one worry about the time of year.

It's going to be busy and HOT - sticky, humid, sultry hot. You may find yourselves escaping to your room with the little ones in the heat of the day.....and your room is going to be much smaller - without a balcony - than you are used to.

Heat is hard on adults and the children are going to run out of steam fast.

You may need an oasis more this time of year and it's going to be....cozy.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Ok, this may not be a solution for many - but perhaps it would work this one time for you.

How about off property - just off property? It's two lights down from Goodings.

I always default to Staybridge Suites because it was fabulous when I stayed there a couple of years ago.

For your dates - July 5 - 13 - $136 + tax p/night AAA discount

* 1 BR suite - Little bigger than a 1 BR Villa
* 2 rooms
* Bedroom with 1 king or 2 queens
* LR-dining- with table and chairs
* Full kitchen

* FULL - and I mean full hot and cold breakfast buffet - complimentary
* just across a small street from a Winn Dixie - easy walk
* FREE shuttle service to and from Disney Parks
* Landscaped grounds and very nice pool

This would give you TONS of room for your $$$....you will have a complete breakfast to begin your day....kitchen facilities to help your budget, no car needed.

Additional expense would be a Mears shuttle to and from the hotel.

I know, I know....it's not on property but it would be a very roomy oasis in the middle of a hot day to escape for you AND the children.

Just a thought.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

ok, yes...me again.......Tilly the Typo Lady.

Mears to and from the AIRPORT.

You will MORE than pay for that with the savings on breakfast a couple of days!

Ok, no more typos for the day!

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

As others have said, rooms are small, beds are smaller than the mods and deluxes. And you are going at a very busy/crowded time of year. It will be crowded and hot regardless of where you stay and teh bugs are all over the place in Orlando.

But I have stayed at Pop (just two adults) before and the rooms are clean and quiet, but I've always gone in the off seasons.

You might want to switch to a slightly larger room or go at a less busy time of year.

 

[crusoe2]

Just throwing in another vote to consider changing the time of year you go. Last year we went the last week of May and it was unusually cool. Even so, everytime we got into big crowds it got uncomfortably hot in a hurry. Crowds really do make the heat much worse. I would be worried about taking such young children at such a hot and busy time. Add to that having to deal with accommodations that aren't nearly as roomy and nice as what you're used to and you really do have a recipe for disaster. If you can swing the cost of a moderate you will get a tiny bit more space but if you can spend that much, I would recommend looking into the family suites at All Star Music. It's still a value resort but you get 2 rooms - one with a queen bed (I think) and the other a living room with sleeper sofa and armchair. There are 2 televisions, 2 bathrooms, a kitchenette with microwave and fridge, and a good bit more space. They are a little more expensive than a moderate but not by much and I would think would definitely be worth it in your case. Hope this helps.

 

[MommyBuzz909]

Do whatever you think is right. I would say if you want quiet, stay at Music. I think that's the least "kid" one, right? If you budget can only afford a Value, than fine, make the best of your trip!! I'm on a budget to and I'm doing a split stay between ASMo & POR. I'm a single mom and I make $15 an hour and I live in Southern California - where's it expensive to live!!! If I can do it, ANYBODY can. Also, think about how much time you're going to be in your room. Why pay a bunch of money for a hotel room that you're never going to be in. Yes, I'm sure Pop is going to be crowded, but it's a whole bunch of people who are on a budget as well.

However, like I stated before, from it seems to me, Music is the quietest - it seems that less families stay there and it's more older people.....maybe you should look into that and see about switching....

 

[Taja]

We are going to disney july5-july11,2008. We will be taking our 4yr old and our 14month old. We have decided to stay at pop because we are on a budget, but is that really going to work? Obvioulsy the baby will sleep in the pack'n'play and our daughter will sleep with one of us. We are used to staying at a dvc resort because my mom and step-dad have the timeshare. But they took a big trip this year and can't offer it to us. I am afraid of hating pop! We stayed one night last trip in all star movies and it was awful. The main pool was shut down and the food court was very tiny and packed(we went the last week in september) and there were little bugs in our room everywhere. We had the worst night ever there! Not to mention the buses were packed!

Well, if you are locked into those dates, just accept that everything is going to be packed. The resorts, the buses, the parks. It's going to be hot and humid.

If you're still determined to go at that time of year (work schedules, etc.,), just plan to relax and take things as they come. You'll have a smaller room with two full-sized beds. The food court is good sized, but if you eat at a popular time, it's going to be crazy busy. That's one of the few benefits of coming from a different time zone--my stomach is on a different schedule! *LOL*

If you're determined to hate Pop Century Resort, you're going to hate it and make everyone around you miserable. If you're willing to go with the flow and be grateful you're taking a vacation, you'll be fine. Otherwise, I strongly recommend canceling your holiday and booking when your finances are in better shape.

Seriously, we stayed at PC in December 2007 with two WDW newbies. We had planned a split stay between PC and YC Club Level. Our newbies--who are accustomed to five-star international resorts--enjoyed PC so much they wanted to stay there. And we did! *LOL*

 

[TSMAMI]

We go to Disney in July too. We have always stayed at the POP. We love the cast members and its just a great atmosphere. Take advantage of the EMH at night not as hot.