POP Century~Unofficially the Grooviest FAQ Thread #9~November 2013

[My2Qtz0205]

Just something to consider. I priced out two rooms at POP vs, a suite at AoA, and there was not much difference in price. This was for Spring Break week.

 

[mickey1968]

Hey, groovy dudes and dudettes! After 3 years going in February, I'm considering late April for a 2015 visit. I've been staying at POFQ the past 2 years and have loved it, but April rates are higher, so I'm taking a serious look at POP for the first time.

My dates would be April 18-24, 2015. (Easter is April 5 next year.)

Are there normally a lot of teen groups (domestic or international) at POP at that time? I've been during cheerleader and "fifteens" times in Feb but not at their resorts. I know some schools will still have Spring Break that late, but I'm thinking more of the huge group trips/competitions.

Also, if you've stayed at POP as a solo lady, how did you feel about it? I've felt fine at POFQ, and I'm sure POP is just as nice. I would probably spring for a preferred location, though, just so I'm not walking all over the place after dark. I'd just appreciate some feedback and encouragement regarding POP for solos.

Thanks!

All of my trips are solo (I have stayed 3 or 4 times at Pop now) and I come dragging myself in after MNSSHP and have felt completely at ease walking from bus or parking lot alone. I never pay for Preferred and usually request rooms facing the lake. Pop is very well lit and there are always plenty of other people coming in late. Think about it, when was the last time you rode a Disney bus back to your resort at the end of the night alone? Yup, you will have plenty of company!

 

[shyjade]

Also, if you've stayed at POP as a solo lady, how did you feel about it? I've felt fine at POFQ, and I'm sure POP is just as nice. I would probably spring for a preferred location, though, just so I'm not walking all over the place after dark. I'd just appreciate some feedback and encouragement regarding POP for solos.

Thanks!

Not as a solo lady but as a single mom with a daughter and I never felt uncomfortable, even after closing down the MK at 2am and walking back to our somewhat isolated room (top floor, backside of the building, off the main path).

 

[shyjade]

Which is easier, booking two rooms or bringing an air mattress. If all three of us go we need 3 beds. For me the cost of checked luggage for the air mattress isn't that far off from the cost of a second room if it made us more comfortable. (When we stayed at CBR we had to get my mom a cot and fitting it into the room was a serious problem. Had there been a fire we would have never made it out. Don't want to repeat that.)

Thanks all you groovy people!

Your room at Pop will be a little smaller than at CBR. Personally, I'd go for the second room (which will also give you an extra bathroom).

 

[katclicks]

Which building is the best to request to be close to the park busses? Thanks!

 

[katclicks]

I switched to Pop, from Art of Animaton, so I could get the Memory Maker free. I wanted to keep the hotel costs as low as possible. Mainly, I wanted to return so I could spend as much time in the Magic Kingdom as possible. Turns out, I didn't know they were redoing the Hub. I have a five day parkhopper, and plan on spending part of each day in the MK. Magic Kingdom is my favorite park.

We are going in October, how did you get mm free?

 

[jenniy122]

Thanks for your help everyone, I'm booked for my first solo trip next week!

 

[KNovacovschi]

We are going in October, how did you get mm free?

There was a promo for September for free memory maker but that ended about a week, I believe, before FD was released.

 

[blackmamba10000]

Thanks for your help everyone, I'm booked for my first solo trip next week!

Oh how fun!!! I was supposed to go to Pop Century for a Solo trip in July...it turned into a plus one though! I'm hoping to do a solo trip in December. Have fun!

 

[SPOERLX3]

Which building is the best to request to be close to the park busses? Thanks!

If you are booked preferred view, building 10 in the 70's section would be the closest to the bus stops and classic hall but if you are booked standard, building 9 (or 7). Here is a map of POP with the room categories highlighted, it also shows the bus stops so hopefully this will help find the perfect area .
http://s962.photobucket.com/user/braverman4/media/POP%20Century%20Thread/PopCenturyMap2012RoomCategoriesFINAL.jpg.html

 

[barbaraann]

We are going in October, how did you get mm free?

I saw the offer on the Disboards, and it fit my dates. The catch was that Art of Animation was excluded, so I had to change my resorts. I chose Pop Century.

 

[karly05]

Thanks for all the feedback! The more I read and look at photos/videos, the more I'd like to stay at POP.

I have looked at the map that has been posted several times here that shows the "preferred" areas. Am I seeing this correctly, that there are preferred (NON-pool view) areas in the 60s (on the sides away from the pool)? I can clearly see the ones in 50s and 70s.

For the record I'm a smallish, 50-something female.

You and me, both, sister; you and me, both.

 

[mickeysmith]

Thanks for all the feedback! The more I read and look at photos/videos, the more I'd like to stay at POP. I have looked at the map that has been posted several times here that shows the "preferred" areas. Am I seeing this correctly, that there are preferred (NON-pool view) areas in the 60s (on the sides away from the pool)? I can clearly see the ones in 50s and 70s.

Yes! We stayed in one of these preferred rooms in October. We walked to the right of the pool, turned right and went down the walkway. We have always had 70's (my favorite) or 50's, so when she said 60's, I worried about the noise. It was not a problem at all!! The parking was a bit far, but we never need our car anyway except for Universal days.

 

[BelleBarb]

We are taking our first trip to WDW in Sept. staying at Pop Century. We've made our hotel reservations already. Will we have to wait till we check in to find out where our room is or is there a way to find out in advance?

 

[dansdad]

We are taking our first trip to WDW in Sept. staying at Pop Century. We've made our hotel reservations already. Will we have to wait till we check in to find out where our room is or is there a way to find out in advance?

You'll find out at check in.

 

[BelleBarb]

You'll find out at check in.

Thank you.

 

[Mickeysangel49]

Thanks for your help everyone, I'm booked for my first solo trip next week!

That's so exciting! I'm planning a trip for next May to attend a dear friend's wedding, and it will be my first solo trip! I'm happy to see so many others saying that they felt safe around the resort, b/c at times I have been anxious about this!

I'm trying to decide on dates - I want it to be a 10 day trip, and I have to be there May 24 - 26. Not sure whether to split the extra days on both ends, or go a week early or stay a week after. Unfortunately, it is over Memorial Day weekend - are the crowds really horrible then? (I've heard mixed reviews) Are they better/worse the week before vs week after?

I need to be close to food court & buses, and do not want to be looking out over the main pool (too noisy!) I'm not too picky, huh? LOL! Any suggestions for room location?!

Haven't been on here in a while - it's good to be back!
TIA!

 

[SPOERLX3]

We are taking our first trip to WDW in Sept. staying at Pop Century. We've made our hotel reservations already. Will we have to wait till we check in to find out where our room is or is there a way to find out in advance?

Disney is testing "Direct check in" at some of their resorts right now (June 16-June 28). And if they decide to keep it, you will get your room number in advance through an email or text.
It will allow the guests to go straight to the room and bypass check in all together. It is only a trial right now but if Disney decides to keep it as long as you have your My Disney Experience all set up, a credit card associated, you do your online check-in, and the you just wait for an email or text message that will have your room number on it. Your magic band will be activated as your room key and you can go straight to your room when you get there or you could go on to a park and your room would be accessible when you get back.
Sounds pretty cool

 

[dansdad]

Disney is testing "Direct check in" at some of their resorts right now (June 16-June 28). And if they decide to keep it, you will get your room number in advance through an email or text.
It will allow the guests to go straight to the room and bypass check in all together. It is only a trial right now but if Disney decides to keep it as long as you have your My Disney Experience all set up, a credit card associated, you do your online check-in, and the you just wait for an email or text message that will have your room number on it. Your magic band will be activated as your room key and you can go straight to your room when you get there or you could go on to a park and your room would be accessible when you get back.
Sounds pretty cool

Correct. You have to do online check in for this function to work. And you have to tell them about when you will be arriving on Site. You will receive the notification around the time you specified to arrive.

 

[SPOERLX3]

That's so exciting! I'm planning a trip for next May to attend a dear friend's wedding, and it will be my first solo trip! I'm happy to see so many others saying that they felt safe around the resort, b/c at times I have been anxious about this!

I'm trying to decide on dates - I want it to be a 10 day trip, and I have to be there May 24 - 26. Not sure whether to split the extra days on both ends, or go a week early or stay a week after. Unfortunately, it is over Memorial Day weekend - are the crowds really horrible then? (I've heard mixed reviews) Are they better/worse the week before vs week after?

I need to be close to food court & buses, and do not want to be looking out over the main pool (too noisy!) I'm not too picky, huh? LOL! Any suggestions for room location?!

Haven't been on here in a while - it's good to be back!
TIA!

Sounds fun!!!
Not sure exactly what dates you are looking at but looking at TP at the week before and the week after your dates in May, it looks like the week before is better when you look at crowd levels
May 18-21 are all 4's (below normal)
May 22 is a 6 (little above normal)
May 23 is a 7
May 24-26 (wedding)
May 27 is a 5
May 28-30 are all 6's
May 31 is a 7

As far as the room goes, looking at the map,
http://s962.photobucket.com/user/braverman4/media/POP%20Century%20Thread/PopCenturyMap2012RoomCategoriesFINAL.jpg.html
to be closest to the food court and buses I would request preferred view (not preferred pool view) in 70's section. Add your requests when you book your room and you can also add 2 requests when/if you do online check in.

We LOVE POP!! My DH and DGS would often come back to the room, letting me and DGD's stay at the parks and even coming in late we have never felt scared or uneasy. It is a great resort, well lit and lots of staff and guests.

Have fun!!!