6 SERIOUS Downsides to Staying at Disney's Pop Century Hotel

Okay, where are our value resort fans at? We love the value resorts as much as anyone else, especially if we’re trying to save money on a Disney World trip.

But value resorts can also be a lot of fun, too. They’re about the only hotels left on Disney World property with great over-the-top theming (which we love). They’re still fairly affordable. You still get some perks by staying there (like Early Theme Park Entry and, in 2025, free water park tickets). However, if you plan on staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, we’ve got a few things to warn you about.

So here are the downsides of staying at Pop Century.

Kids might not get the references

So Pop Century is based around pop culture references, but those references end in the 1990s. Okay, so today’s kids might not even know what a yo-yo is, although there’s a giant one at the resort. They might not even get the “groovy” references in the 1960s section or understand how HUGE the Rubik’s Cube was in the 1980s. This nostalgia is for those of us who are…well…old.

That might not be a deal breaker, and it could lead to some interesting conversations with your kids about pop culture history, but the Hippy Dippy Pool just might not be as exciting to them as it is to their grandparents.

Value vs. Moderate vs. Deluxe — Which Disney World Hotel Is Right for You?

You might end up doing a lot of extra walking

So the value resorts are generally HUGE, which means that some buildings and sections are going to be FAR away from the hotel’s lobby, food court, main pool, and transportation. The 90s, in particular, at Pop Century might be fun to stay in, but that long walk back to the room each night after a long park day is ROUGH.

What you can do, though, is pay extra for a preferred room, which is something we often recommend for the bigger hotels if you want to avoid even MORE walking, especially if you plan on visiting your hotel’s lobby, food court, and main pool often.

3 Actually Innocent Things That Will Get You in Trouble at Disney World Hotels

Food is basic

Like other value resorts, Pop Century has a standard food court, Everything Pop, with limited options. Now, if you have picky eaters in your group, this could work out: you can get all the basics like hamburgers, fries, basic sandwiches, etc. If you’re wanting more than just typical food court food, though, you’re out of luck.

However, there is ONE exception. Pop Century has an exclusive dessert: the tie-dye cheesecake. This is something you’ll definitely want to try if you’re staying there. The good news, though, is that because Pop Century is on the Skyliner, you’ll have quick access to dining at the EPCOT area resorts (where there are a LOT of options), as well as Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Riviera Resort.

Everyone Loves Disney’s Pop Century Hotel…But It Has One Glaring Problem

Long lines for the Skyliner

One of the main reasons you might choose Pop Century over the All-Star value resorts is transportation. Pop Century, along with Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, has access to the Skyliner, Disney World’s newest transportation center. This makes getting to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as other resorts on the Skyliner a lot easier.

Skyliner Station between Art of Animation and Pop Century

However, the downside is that you’ll see extremely long lines for the Skyliner at the beginning of the day when everyone is heading to the parks.

If You Love Disney’s Pop Century Hotel, You’ll Love These Loungefly Bags

The rooms

Okay, so the rooms at Pop Century are cute, but basic. However, you’ll find that they are typical of most value resort rooms. First, these rooms have loud toilets. Like you’ll hear your neighbors flushing their toilets, which is just weird. But these rooms are also small. They are the perfect size for around two people, but a family of four will be walking all over each other in these rooms.

That also brings us to another problem. One of the beds in the rooms is a pull-down bed with a table attached. You might just think to pull down the bed and leave it that way for the rest of the stay. However, the only table in the room is attached to the pulldown bed, so when the bed is down, you don’t have a table in the room. Sure, it’s a great space-saving feature, but it can get annoying pulling the bed down every night and putting it back up every morning so you can have your coffee at a table.

I’ve Got One MAJOR Gripe With Disney’s Pop Century Hotel Bathrooms

Now, don’t get us wrong. Depending on your group size and trip priorities, Pop Century could be perfect for your Disney World stay. If you’re looking for a basic room for just a few people that’s close to the Skyliner, it could be your best choice.