POP Century~Unofficially the Grooviest FAQ Thread #7~Sept 2012

[smitch425]

Has the menu changed since December 2012? That is the most recent menu allears shows. We plan on eating frequently in the POP food court.

Yes, the new menu debuted in May.

 

[Kat016]

So the concern I had about sleeping in a double bed was squashed this weekend. DH and I slept in one over the weekend at my cousins house....no problem. We were originally booked at POFQ mainly for the queen sized beds. I figured we were going to be so tired after a day at the parks that the bed size won't matter. We'll be so tired we could probably fall asleep on a twin. So I downgraded to POP to save money. Plus POPs atmosphere looks more fun

 

[faithsmth]

So the concern I had about sleeping in a double bed was squashed this weekend. DH and I slept in one over the weekend at my cousins house....no problem. We were originally booked at POFQ mainly for the queen sized beds. I figured we were going to be so tired after a day at the parks that the bed size won't matter. We'll be so tired we could probably fall asleep on a twin. So I downgraded to POP to save money. Plus POPs atmosphere looks more fun

I totally agree. POP looks awesome. I say that we are staying at POP because my 4 year old will love it. However, the truth is that I think that the place looks like some much fun for me. What a big kid, uh?

 

[jcarwash]

Hi everyone! I'm planning my first trip to Disney in Jan! I can't decide if we should stay at POP or not..it looks cool. Why do you all love going thew and keep coming back?? Also, does it have a "cheap" hotel feel??

Pop has a similar feel to all the value resorts at Disney, which to me is a high quality but simple feel. The rooms may appear small but they are generally all really clean with little to no wear and tear. A comfortable room that gets you on property.

What is so dreaded about the Brazilians? I have never been when they are there.

Having just experienced the Brazilian tour groups, I think the "dread" is just that there are so many groups that you may see. Many groups with many members in each group, and they all wear the same shirts of whatever groups they are with. So it can seem a little overwhelming when they tour around or occupy your resort. But really, I did not observe any objectionable behavior by the groups, and the leaders in particular were really polite. Any "bad" behavior I saw was from other non-tour group guests.

 

[Kat016]

I totally agree. POP looks awesome. I say that we are staying at POP because my 4 year old will love it. However, the truth is that I think that the place looks like some much fun for me. What a big kid, uh?

Lol...I totally get it! I have a 10 yr old DD and an 8 yr old DS that I know will love POPs decor over POFQ but....I have to say I LOVE the decor. Its feels more disney-esque.

 

[smidgy]

Having just experienced the Brazilian tour groups, I think the "dread" is just that there are so many groups that you may see. Many groups with many members in each group, and they all wear the same shirts of whatever groups they are with. So it can seem a little overwhelming when they tour around or occupy your resort. But really, I did not observe any objectionable behavior by the groups, and the leaders in particular were really polite. Any "bad" behavior I saw was from other non-tour group guests.

sorry, but I have to disagree. we found these groups to be downright rude and inconsiderate. and I mean the adults, too. cutting in line. chanting so loud on the bus we got headaches. kicking soccer balls against the room windows, loud music, chanting at 1 AM, taking our towels and books off our lounge chairs when we got up to swim and dragging our chairs over to their group to use. adult threatening my husband for not putting out his cigarette in the DSA. adults complaining that they should be able to be as loud as they want at 1 AM. refusing to step asie on the walkway in front of the rooms so we could walk by with our luggage, etc etc etc. (this was at all star sports).
same behaviors in the parks.. never again in July.

 

[smidgy]

usually these groups don't stay at pop. usually the allstars, and CBR, or POR.

 

[stitchlovestink]

sorry, but I have to disagree. we found these groups to be downright rude and inconsiderate. and I mean the adults, too. cutting in line. chanting so loud on the bus we got headaches. kicking soccer balls against the room windows, loud music, chanting at 1 AM, taking our towels and books off our lounge chairs when we got up to swim and dragging our chairs over to their group to use. adult threatening my husband for not putting out his cigarette in the DSA. adults complaining that they should be able to be as loud as they want at 1 AM. refusing to step asie on the walkway in front of the rooms so we could walk by with our luggage, etc etc etc. (this was at all star sports).
same behaviors in the parks.. never again in July.

I was at POP this past Jan when some BTG were staying there (and they have been at POP even prior to that). I have found that POP's mgt tends not to allow excessive bad behavior. It has been my experience that they 'nip it in the bud' before it gets out of hand. They run the resort pretty tightly.
My last trip in June, I saw security paged and moving around at least four times. I was introduced to one of the main securiity gentlemen. He was VERY nice! I think they try very hard to keep POP peaceful, fun and safe for ALL of its guests. I don't get that vibe at the All Stars....the CMs aren't as friendly and don't seem as happy to be doing their jobs, but maybe that's just my interpretation!

 

[stitchlovestink]

usually these groups don't stay at pop. usually the allstars, and CBR, or POR.

Not true....they have been staying at POP for a few years now...just not in the large numbers as the All Stars...but they are there.
I have been there at the same time...this past January...they were fine and well behaved at POP. They just made the food court busy in the early A.M. and they had a bus specifically for them. So they had little impact.
And my POP CM friends told me this wasn't the first year for them.

 

[Disneymama5816]

What is so dreaded about the Brazilians? I have never been when they are there.

I was there last year when the Brazilian Tour Groups were there. It was not a pleasant experience. While they were a "happy" group, they did not have the best manners. They love to sing/chant very loudly and to compete against other groups within their tour. Additionally, lines/rules did not seem to be particularly important to them. We were surrounded by two very large groups in line to Rockin' Roller Coaster. They were becoming so competitive with each other dancing/chanting/singing that we had to get a CM to pull us from the line. The CMs then reprimanded the kids and their chaperones. That all being said, I will say that for the most part ALL of these student/kid groups are guilty of these type of behaviors. My daughter cheers and I see the same exact behaviors with them as well. I think why it seems so much worse with this group is because summer is already crazy busy at Disney and it is just one more thing to deal with. The cheer / football groups tend to travel during less busy times therefore impacting the total experience on a smaller level.

 

[neverlandfamily]

Our magic bands were just delivered! We are so excited for our stay at Pop next month and can't wait to try the magic bands!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Our magic bands were just delivered! We are so excited for our stay at Pop next month and can't wait to try the magic bands!

I'm waiting for mine to say shipped! My deadline to personalize them was Saturday. When I check MDE it says "you have 0 Magic Bands to personalize", but my FP+ reservations are still there.

 

[gillenkl]

Our magic bands were just delivered! We are so excited for our stay at Pop next month and can't wait to try the magic bands!

Mine just arrived too!! They are so cute!

 

[neverlandfamily]

I'm waiting for mine to say shipped! My deadline to personalize them was Saturday. When I check MDE it says "you have 0 Magic Bands to personalize", but my FP+ reservations are still there.

It's so exciting! We haven't figured out our fast pass + yet
We have never been big fast pass users except for the safari at AK and TSM at HS so choosing the rides and times is a little overwhelming to us. We definitely want to pick some so we can truly test the new system but we are having a hard time commiting to the times! Any advice would be great!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

It's so exciting! We haven't figured out our fast pass + yet
We have never been big fast pass users except for the safari at AK and TSM at HS so choosing the rides and times is a little overwhelming to us. We definitely want to pick some so we can truly test the new system but we are having a hard time commiting to the times! Any advice would be great!

For us, I know that we will be taking pool breaks after an early lunch (goal is to eat lunch around 11am). I know my kids' favorites at MK, so I made sure to get FP for those for our first MK day. They are back-to-back FP times, all before 1pm.
On our Epcot FW day, I got FPs for the big ones, TT and Soarin', with the character spot in between. Again, these are all done by noon.
On my last MK day, I was able to get FPs for both parades and Wishes, so we will likely not come to the park until 2pm.
This will be a leisurely touring trip for us, so the days we use up our FPs by early afternoon, we will likely not return to the park and do something else in the evening (putt-putt, DTD, Movie Under the Stars, etc.)

If I were commando touring or going at a cooler time of year, I might have chosen differently.

 

[IheartAriel]

Anyone know if they still have the frozen coke machines at Pop?

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

Anyone know if they still have the frozen coke machines at Pop?

Sadly, no. My kids were VERY sad when they were removed. They were replaced with iced tea dispensers.

 

[firstwdw]

Can someone tell me how the Summit Cheerleading impacts Pop Century? We are looking to go April 27th or the following weekend of May 3rd or 4th I believe. I know that first weekend of the 27th is Cheer Worlds and then the following is Summit Cheer. We have never stayed value and am a bit concerned about these dates and having mobs of cheerleaders at Pop!

 

[IheartAriel]

Sadly, no. My kids were VERY sad when they were removed. They were replaced with iced tea dispensers.

Bummer! That was one of the best features. Thanks for the reply!

 

[neverlandfamily]

For us, I know that we will be taking pool breaks after an early lunch (goal is to eat lunch around 11am). I know my kids' favorites at MK, so I made sure to get FP for those for our first MK day. They are back-to-back FP times, all before 1pm.
On our Epcot FW day, I got FPs for the big ones, TT and Soarin', with the character spot in between. Again, these are all done by noon.
On my last MK day, I was able to get FPs for both parades and Wishes, so we will likely not come to the park until 2pm.
This will be a leisurely touring trip for us, so the days we use up our FPs by early afternoon, we will likely not return to the park and do something else in the evening (putt-putt, DTD, Movie Under the Stars, etc.)

If I were commando touring or going at a cooler time of year, I might have chosen differently.

Thanks for sharing your strategy for choosing and planning your fast passes. I need to sit down with our ADR schedule and decide which days will be commando and which days will be slower paced and go from there. Thanks again!