November 25th Part Two: The Arrival
We went straight to Pop Century.
This was our first time staying at a Value. I didnt really know what to expect. There are people who love em and people who hate em. People who think theyre charming and people who think theyre gaudy.
My first impression? Fun.
I mean, I could see the giant bowling pins and Rubik's cube. I dont know how anyone could look at those and not think fun.
We parked in the front lot and headed into Classic Hall.
Look! Its me in pants! In Florida!
I <3 resort welcome mats.
CHRISTMAS!
While Mom checked us in, Dad and I explored. The Shadowboxes of Nostalgia (Feel free to use that, Disney) lining the walls were awesome. The 90s boxes were a walk down memory lane. I pretty much just said MY CHILDHOOD!!! and cried. OK I didnt cry, but the Pink Power Ranger action figure stirred up a lot of emotions. Not so much the Furby. Furbies will never not be terrifying.
I have to say, I was bummed to be missing out on the regular Classic Hall music loop. The Christmas music was fun and got me even more excited about the new-to-me holiday stuff that lay ahead, but still. Id just rather jam out to some ABBA than Jingle Bells while staying at a pop culture themed hotel.
When Mom finished, we moved our car over to the designated parking lot. Our room was in the 70s section. Which meant I had the jingle from VH1's "I Love the 70s" series stuck in my head all trip.
We decided to go find it before we started hauling luggage. I took some pictures along the way.
Thats Art of Animation across the lake.
One of the 80s buildings. I had to take a picture because it's Pacman! So cute.
My birth year!
Our room was in this building (Building 6) on the second floor. There are stairs behind the giant 8-Track.
PALM TREEEEEE!!!
Our room faced the 70s courtyard and was third from the lake end of the building.
I wasnt exactly thorough when it came to taking pictures of the room, but here are the few I did take.
The covers feature the Fab Five doing things iconic to each decade. Pluto is breakdancing. Its awesome. I mean, if youre going to assign Pluto something to do, breakdancing is the ideal choice. I wonder if hell breakdance for me in the parks
There are Hidden Mickeys in the carpet. Then again, when arent there Hidden Mickeys in the carpet at WDW?
The bathroom was clean and functioning. No complaints.
Overall, I thought the room was fine. Its nothing fancy, but it works. It's a little tiny and the beds are only doubles, but it has Stacey and that's really all that matters.
Actuallyand you guys are never going to believe thisI didnt immediately watch three loops of Stacey upon walking into the room. Forgive me, Walt, for I have sinned. The Browns game was on and I kinda really wanted to watch that. So I did. No regrets. I love me some football.
We hauled the luggage in and then went back to watching the game. At halftime, we went over to Everything Pop for lunch. I forgot to bring my camera with me, but I got the Chicken Penne Alfredo and it hit the spot. Thanks for speaking so highly of it, Lia!
Here are a bunch of pictures of the 70s courtyard from our walk back to the room.
Our building had the giant Mickey phone in front of it.
Mickeys the best.
I think the dancing people on the buildings are my favorite. Or the GET DOWN sign. Every time I walked by that thing I got down. Sometimes only in my head, but, trust me, my brain was getting down.
Back in the room, we unpacked and watched the rest of the game. The Browns actually won. Disney magic at work, folks.
Also, during check-in, the Cast Member gave us buttons for my parents' anniversary, a button for Moms birthday, and an Im Celebrating button for me.
Because I never travel without a Sharpie, I did this.
Its a play on 12-0 (as in undefeated) which my Buckeyes were after their win over Michigan the day before. It's what I was celebrating so...
BTW I really do recommend traveling with a Sharpie. You will not believe how many times having one has come in handy over the years.
After that, we changed out of our sit-in-a-car-for-hours clothes, got ready, and headed out for the evening.
The first of many poinsettia sightings. It must be Disneys go-to holiday plant. Not that there are a lot of holiday plants to choose from. Its kind of everyones go-to holiday plant.
If you know me or if youve read my other TRs, then you know that Im a big *NSYNC fan. Theyre my boys. They were my first concert and I had posters of them on my walls and I learned all the dance routines and I was going to marry JC. It doesnt matter that they havent released new music together in over 10 years. They will always have a place in my heart.
Well, whenever I saw the big POP signs, the *NSYNC song Pop would start playing in my head. Specifically the This must be
POP! part. It was the best. Thank you, Pop Century, for that. I still think that, instead of the usual This is Disneys Pop Century Resort spiel Bus Voice Guy gives, they should just play that line of the song.
Anyway...
Where were you going? you ask.
Stay tuned.