Reviews of Pop Century Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by bjpatton Review Date: 07/23/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed 1 night this time at Pop Century on 7/14, and as usual we were quite happy! We got to the resort at about 7:45a that morning so that we can park there at the resort and just hop on the bus up to the Magic Kingdom, so I went to check in to get the parking pass for my car, and the CM at the front desk told me my room was already ready, and we can take our stuff up to the room, and we did exactly that! We were in the 60's section (went with the preferred room), and we were on the 4th floor facing the pool. That night after we got back from the Magic Kingdom, it was nice with the quick walk to our room, but well past 10p it was still fairly noisy outside around the pool, which I didn't like a lot. The next morning it was quiet, and we checked out, but still kept the car there and got on the bus to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs to do some shopping before we left. We'll be staying there again, just not with the pool view.
Pros:
Own bus route between parks and resortCons:
Can be a bit noisy at nightReviewed by Cyrnanc Review Date: 07/21/2015
Rating: (7) Recommended
We had stayed at Pop century when the kids were 5 & 7 and loved it so we knew we should stay here again. Kids are now 12 & 15. We stayed 7/7-7/14. We like the theme it seems like you are in disney. We visited the Plonesian and yes it was nice but didn't seem like you are at Disney. We reserved a preferred room and were in room 437 in the 70s section. At first I thought it was not close to the busses but you could go around by the parking lot and the busses were right there. We could even see DHS fireworks on the walkway outside of our room. The room had a mini fridge (able to fit 2 half gallons of milk, 8 waters, grapes and a box of breakfast sandwiches). It also had a full size hair dryer with high/low setting, An ironing board and iron, flat screen tv with remote & alarm clock.there is a small table with 2 chairs. There is not enough drawer space for 4 people but we made due. The sink/mirror is outside of the bathroom which was nice. Also a curtain separated the sink area from the bed area. You don't even go to the front desk to check in. If you completed the online info before, they just text you when your room is ready with your room number and you use your magic bands to get in. Same with check out-no need to go to the desk. The kids can get in with their magic bands too which is nice.
They gave 3 pools, no slides but good size. We used the 90's area computer pool since it was close to our room and less busy. I did use washer & dryers one day while we were at the pool. It's right near the pool area.$2.50 each for wash & dry. You need your magic band to get in.
You could also walk over to the Art of animation across the bridge. We used their bus one night coming back after fireworks since it was a shorter line and came quicker than ours. It was a short walk.
I stil loved it but this time the food court was horrible. It was slow, food was cold, small portions and expensive. I wasn't expecting a gourmet meal. It wasn't that bad the first time we stayed there but this time we did not want to eat there. I hope they try to make it better.
I would love to stay here again; price, bus service, theming are all great but they need to fix the food court.
Pros:
Price, dedicated bus, & themeCons:
Food court this tripReviewed by Oneanne Review Date: 05/29/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
Just returned from my 05.16 - 23 trip and 5th stay at POP. Had requested upper level lake view (my favorite) and this is the first time that request wasn't fulfilled... they didn't even get close as the assigned room was on the ground floor/pool view. As a single traveler ground floor is not desirable, so I asked if they could at least change this and they did give me an upper level/pool view. This is the first time I've done advance on-line check-in, and I don't know if that made a difference or not: I take a red eye from the west coast and always arrive early. If I check in at the front desk they do try to see if they can assign at room at that time but trip I got lumped in to the mass room assignments at 3pm, and I don't think they even saw the special request. Pool view is definately louder - the happy voices are enjoyable but the cleaning and maintenance noises in early morning not so much. I was also in the 70's building for the first time, somehow in the past I have always been in 50's or 60's. Cutting thru the parking lot makes the walk to the bus stop pretty quick, but I would much rather walk thru the resort... just a personal preference.
Only got a few things at the food court... can't say I loved any of the food items but the Brownie Sundae was devine - and huge. Food court cast members seemed friendlier and more up beat than in the past.
Room was fine, in good shape and clean. The bus service was great, even though the POP buses are always at the very last bus stop - at every park :).
For the price this is a great option due to location and dedicated bus service - and only one bus stop for the resort.
Pros:
Location, Bus Service, PriceCons:
—Reviewed by caltex Review Date: 05/24/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
A family with small kids, adults only, or those folks on a budget should give the POP serious consideration. It is a Value resort so expectations should not be high. However, if you want a clean, relatively comfy bed, and pools then this is for you. Keep in mind it only has twin (not queen) size beds so a family of four with older kids may want to upgrade to a Moderate or check out the suites at AoA.
I have stayed at the POP before and it is consistently good. The cast members are helpful and during this stay some of the cast members danced to "Do the Hustle" which immediately told us we were on vacation! The dedicated bus service is a big plus, but if you opt to visit Downtown Disney in the morning know that the bus service is probably a 20-30 min wait. The food is typical food court offerings - not bad, but not great either. Depending on which building you have been assigned it can be a "long" walk to the lobby, bus, food court. By long I mean a few minutes, but in the Orlando heat it can make a difference. In addition, during this stay it was just my wife and me. If you have little ones, disabled folks, or elderly folks the walking distance can be prohibitive.
Bottom line, if you view a resort as a place to sleep and you spend most of your time elsewhere, then the POP is the resort of choice.
Pros:
Cost, Dedicated bus, ThemingCons:
Limited food selection, Motel feelReviewed by LLSS Review Date: 01/30/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
For the money, I think this is the best of the Value hotels. You have easy access to the Art of Animation to go look around/eat at if you want to be a little adventurous, nice grounds, and a decent food court. The pools are a bit of a bore, but no more so than the other Values (need to go moderate if you are planning on spending days at the hotel swimming). Overall if your main goal is strictly parks/downtown with just very little time looking for things to do around the hotel, this a great hotel for you.
Pros:
price, amentitiesCons:
Pool is a bit boringReviewed by hello12345 Review Date: 01/20/2015
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
What a difference one year can make! First, we had to book our rooms through a travel provider due to staying for a sports event at ESPN WWS. Disney would not let us book directly. The travel provider messed up who was in each room, which screwed up some of the magic bands. One family in our party spent 45 min at check-in fixing the problem. Second, we wanted the 70's building, but we were forced into the 50's since we were there on a group reservation for a sporting event.
The bus service was the one bright spot on this stay. The bus to and from the MK and Downtown Disney were quick with a very small wait time.
The main pool in the 60's building did not have heat. It was ice cold! That is unacceptable in January. Everyone crammed into the other pool areas at the 50's and 90's buildings. Only a handful of people were at the main pool (resort was packed) and they were still doing the pool activities there instead of moving to where all the kids were. If you wanted a drink from the pool bar you had to walk from one of the other pools.
The food court was crazy busy in the morning, but I expected that and warned the rest of our party. Some chose to find out for themselves on Day 2 and were almost late for the sports event at the WWS.
I remembered the beds in the 70's building were very comfortable last year. All the beds in our group section in the 50's building were sagging in the middle and you could feel the springs. One television did not work either.
My rating for Pop Century went down from a 7 to a 4 this time.
Pros:
AfforableCons:
A fewReviewed by Disney_Dreamz Review Date: 01/01/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
My mom and I have been staying at Pop Century since 2007 and we LOVE it.
We love the layout of the hotel. There are not LONG walks from any of the buildings to the main building, in my opinion.
The food is great at Pop Century, although we have only eaten breakfast there. I would recommend it for first timers on a budget.
Pros:
Everything...Cons:
NothingReviewed by kelhalmom Review Date: 12/23/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was our first stay at Pop. We had a wonderful time here.
Check in was a breeze, only took a few minutes. We were super early and room wasn't ready, but I got a text by 9am saying it was ready. We were already in Down Town Disney by then!
Our room was comfortable and clean. Mousekeeping was sufficient, but didn't go above and beyond. We asked for extra soap and tipped but none were left. It didn't bother us too much, though!
The kids enjoyed the activities and the arcade. The shopping and food court were great as well. We ate there many times. The pizza was surprisingly good. We came in late one night and got delivery. We are a family of 5 with the 5th being a baby and we were comfortable in the room. We didn't spend a great deal of time in there though!
The theming was great. My one year old son loved the Mickey phone and the potato heads.
While my husband was loading our car to leave I took the kids to the small children's area. What a great treasure that little area was! There were Disney shows playing, video games, little comfy chairs, and best of all the most wonderful CM we have ever met. She sat in the floor and played potato heads with my son (his favorite). She was silly and he instantly loved her. After they played she played a board game with my 7 yo daughter. She was wonderful!
I would not hesitate to stay at Pop again!
Pros:
CMs, theming, kids areaCons:
noneReviewed by Disney_Dreamz Review Date: 11/26/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We LOVE Pop Century. Love EVERYTHING about it. We usually get a great room in a great section, without paying the $11.00 extra.
This trip (nov 15-20th) we loved most cast members, except a few who didn't do their jobs right. One cast member in food court only took 1 side when she was supposed to work both sides.
Other than that, normal expectations from friendly cast members.
Pros:
EVERYTHING.Cons:
Some Cast Members...Reviewed by echambers Review Date: 11/22/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
1 hour wait to get to a bus to get to a park in the AM. Need more buses!!! Besides that it was great!
