Reviews of Pop Century Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by michelle032203 Review Date: 01/08/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed there from December 26-31, Check in was very easy and simple, the lobby was decorated very nicely for the them. The kids found all the objects from the different decades very interesting. Our room was a nice size room for a Value resort. The bathroom shower was the worst part of the room. We only used the pools once during our stay and they were nice. No slides or hot tubs but that is what I expect out of a value resort. The bus service was nice, the stop for the bus was in the front of the resort. We never waited to long for a bus and they weren't to crowded even though the parks were the most crowded I had ever seen them.
The food court wasn't what I expected. We felt like it didn't have enough choices and the kids choices weren't very kid friendly. I thought for a Value resort they would have better selections since a lot of people would be eating there versus a deluxe resort. The food seemed a little fancy and expensive. We walked over to Art of Animation's food court one day to see if it was any better and it was worse on food selection. Overall we loved staying here and it has been our favorite Value Resort we have stayed at. If you are looking for one of the cheaper resorts I would recommend this over the All- Star Resorts.
Pros:
Clean resort Area, Buses weren't crowdedCons:
Bathroom shower was horribleReviewed by bosslady79 Review Date: 01/07/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed 10 nights Nov 11-20. Everything was awesome. For the amount of time spent in the parks, why pay extra for a moderate or deluxe. first time staying at this resort, will definately be back. Only minor issue, AC unit is a bit loud.
Food court good for breakfast and lunch. Short bus line waits. Could use some minor refurbs to paint.
Pros:
everythingCons:
nothingReviewed by annahdean Review Date: 12/24/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed at Pop from 12/14 – 12/20. This was my third stay and the whole experience was great. We waited maybe 2 or 3 minutes to check in (at 3:30 p.m. on a Sat.). The guy was very friendly. They had us booked in the 70s, but I asked if we could move to the 50s near Lady and the Tramp for my 4-year-old’s viewing pleasure. He made a quick call and we were allowed to move to the 50s, 1st floor, building 1, right in front of the bowling pin pool. I felt it was probably a preferred room as it was just steps from the pool and only one building was between us and the food court/main building; however, we paid for a standard room, so I was ecstatic.
He did forget to tell us to set up a pin for our Magic Bands, so when I went to grab our mugs and a snack, I couldn’t purchase them. I had to go back to a lady with an iPad at the check-in area. It took all of 5 minutes, not a huge inconvenience. It’s human error. It could happen at a moderate or deluxe.
Parking was very convenient just outside our building also, not to mention we needed assistance at the end of our stay to jump our car off from leaving the lights on, someone was there within minutes and took care of it.
Our room was clean, and we had plenty of clean towels (and wash cloth animals most days) with new soap and shampoo replenished every day.
As far as the food court goes, there’s a pretty decent selection (the brisket was actually really good). There are never enough cashiers in the food court, but hello, you’re at Disney. There is going to be some waiting in lines.
What I did appreciate was when my 4-year-old said his hamburger tasted like smoke (flame grilled), and he wouldn’t eat it. A girl was restocking the jelly and sauces and overheard him. She asked if he would like an Uncrustable PB&J, and she immediately brought him one (no charge).
We never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus and although at some parks the Pop bus stall is a far walk, that’s not the case for all four parks. I remember it was close at some. You have to appreciate there is no sharing buses with other resorts, whereas some of the Deluxe resorts do share.
I read other reviews complaining of children running around and no embellishments in the room. Well, we brought our own Disney plush toys and embellished it ourselves, and my child was one running around. So whether you will like Pop or not depends on your expectations. If you want a quiet, fancy scene, it isn’t for you. It was perfect for us.
Pros:
clean room, friendly staff, convenient parking, etc.Cons:
noneReviewed by memakwed Review Date: 12/22/2013
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
We have never stayed at a value usually a moderate occasionally a deluxe. this trip we knew we would arrive in the evening before our ressies at POR so we thought we would try a value for one night. Originally I wanted All Start Movie but they couldn't accommodate so we opted for POP. The grounds were manicured and the rooms were clean. If that was all that I was evaluating I would return. It is basic, no embellishments in the room but fine if you aren't using the room a lot. My problem stems with check in and out. We checked in at 7pm and the woman who helped us kept us there for 45 minutes wheile she was on hold with mouse keeping to find out if our room was ready because we had a special VIP cleaning due to my son's health issue. We also had requested a handicap room for a wheel chair. We were a party of 2 adults and 1 child for 1 room and my parents had a separate ressie for a room as well. 45 minutes later we were sent to our room. When we arrived on the 3rd floor there were two rooms with the same number. WHAT? so we went to my parent's room and I called the front desk to find out which was ours. Turned out both. I was the handicap room with a King and 1 was 2 doubles not handicapped, the rooms connected. Didn't make sense at all. At the front desk the woman said since we were switching resorts in the morning we should come down and check out in person. So in the morning we did just that or so we thought. The woman at the desk took our names punched it in the computer and said we were all set. But we weren't. At POR we went to check in and found out that we weren't checked out at the other hotel at all. The woman at POR made it easy and took care of it. She checked us out and then checked us in.
Oh and the running screaming kids were too much in the lobby just ridiculous. We all agreed we will not go back if there is a choice and we always have a choice. I would try a different value though based on the room and the room only. Glad we were only there for 1 night.
Pros:
cleanCons:
check in/outReviewed by wdwfan6 Review Date: 12/13/2013
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
Just returned from staying at Pop Century. Wanted to give Pop another try, but should have just spent the extra $$ and stayed somewhere else.
Pros: My housekeeper was very good and the room was cleaned well each day. The other pro was that it is not too far from EPCOT & the Studios.
Cons: Check-in/out is bad. Long lines, managers just standing there with clipboards reviewing the few cast members at the desk. If you see lines that long, put down the clipboard and take care of a customer. Had continuous problems getting into my room with the new Magic Band. This resort needs some serious maintenance. There was a gap along the length of the door to where you could see light coming through, as well as a draft and bugs. The towels are thin and there are none at the pools. Did not know that until I got to the pool and had to ask a cast member. The food was just ok in the foodcourt. Very little options for grab & go (2 kinds of sandwiches?). Transportation to/from this resort is the worst. This resort's bus stop is the furthest away at every park. 35 minute wait for a bus to EPCOT???? Pop Warner overflow from the All Stars were at this resort. Kids running around, screaming, etc with little to no adult supervision. Wanted to like this resort, but will stick to the French Quarter.
Pros:
Close to EPCOT & Studios, HousekeepingCons:
Front desk, room, foodcourt, transportation, out of control Pop Warner kidsReviewed by wattage Review Date: 11/20/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed at Pop Century 11/1 – 11/5/2013. We stayed in a double room (two double beds) in the 80’s sections, building 7, on the second floor facing the pool area. Right near Roger Rabbit’s rear end!! We had a rental car for the entirety of this trip so I cannot speak to the bus situation. Our room was clean and the beds were very comfortable. We had a roll-a-way for our 14yo daughter that was brought to our room within ten minutes of our arrival.
On our first night, my wife found a shoe print on her flat sheet. We called to have the bed remade. Housekeeping came within five minutes and removed all the bed clothes down to the bare mattress, and replaced them all in less than ten minutes – including the bed spread. This all happened after 10PM. The housekeepers apologized several times for our inconvenience – even though it was not their fault.
The rest of our hotel related stay was great. Housekeeping helped us with our daughter when she got sick all over my bedspread and brought us extra towels to help with her illness. She was sick for two days. I can’t say enough nice things about housekeeping. I left them a big tip when we checked out!!
Due to my daughter’s illness, we had to reschedule our FastPass + rides for two days. The front desk concierge was very helpful in getting all of them re-scheduled.
Food court can become a real zoo, go early, or late.
We are DCV members, and the rooms were much smaller than we are used to. If we run out of points again, all-in-all, I would stay at Pop Century again, but only if I had a rental car!!
Pros:
Price, housekeeping, front desk staffCons:
Location, food courtReviewed by WDWAndy Review Date: 11/18/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Just got home from staying 6 nights at POP. It was wonderful for our 2 young daughters (7&5). They loved the pools and activities they had each afternoon (crafts, bingo etc). The biggest surprise for my wife and I were the food selections at the food court area. Flatbreads, juicy burgers, big salads, curry shrimp, and healthier options were abundant.
The best part for me was the convenient parking. We stayed in the 50's section and parked just outside our building. All sections have this convenient feature.
Check-in for us was easy, we did the pre-check-in option and when we arrived the entire process took less than 10 mins.
Drinks at the pool bar were wonderful, pricey but what to you expect? Kids enjoyed the pools staying open until 12am.
Mousekeeping was amazing the entire trip. Rooms were cleaned very well, towel animals were made for us each day and the rooms were always done by the time we returned from the parks. Left a note asking for more towels and we had a pile of fresh towels that night when we returned and each night after as well. Rented a car so only used bus a few times, but the entire process seemed to be an efficient operation. Nice options at the gift shop as well including diapers, etc.
Pros:
Pool, Improved Food Court, Very Close Parking, MousekeepingCons:
A bit noisyReviewed by mishawnam Review Date: 11/11/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed at the Pop Century Sept. 28-Oct 5, 2013. Our check in was very quick and helpful. We received our magic bands and told that our room was not ready yet. We head over to grab some lunch and within 20 minutes we received a texted message with our room number. Within an hour of arriving we had eaten lunch, unpacked and heading to the pool. Great start to a great trip. We were in the 50's buildig on the back side. We were fortunate to have a fridge in our room even though we did not request it, We requested bedrails for our 2 year old. They only had 1 available, which was fine, we just pushed the bed against the wall. Our room was cleaned daily and we were given plenty of soap, shampoo,towels, etc. We visited the food court several times. I will agree that there are better places in Disney to eat but it is great if you don't want to leave the resort. Love the ice cream sundae. The only negative I will say is that is was somewhat loud at our room. Outside our room was where the mousekeepers restocked and that could be noisy and the gas carts that were driven by the staff were noisy. But it wasn't enough that it was overly bothersome. It was mostly early morning and we were early risers so not a huge deal. This was our 2nd stay at pop and I would highly recommend for the price. Especialy recommend for those who are visiting to spend their time mostly at the parks. Pop has everything you need without the extra expense.
Pros:
Clean and Helpful StaffCons:
A little noisyReviewed by powpow1971 Review Date: 10/31/2013
Rating: (1) Recommended
I stayed at Pop Century Oct 21-Oct 29 2013. I had a preferred room in the 60s section. I was saddened on how the resort went down hill in just a year. Our maid was never there until 4-5 PM I have never experienced that before. Usually my room has always been cleaned by 1 pm at the latest. I was shocked at how dirty band aids were in my bed when I first turned it down on the day of check in. The white blanket on day 3 was swapped out and replace by a dingy dirty looking blankets. I had 3 people in the room and only 2 towels were left. No shampoo or soap either. I had to call everyday for things and waited until as late as 10 PM to receive room basics. Upon check in I made sure my room had NO charging privileges. My express checkout was declined the day before we left and when I went down to the front desk to see what was going on I was told I had a bill to pay..HELLO my room had no charging. My lat name is Powell. I'm assuming it was another error because I received another Powell's grocery items at the beginning of the trip. A big chunk of my last evening there was spent arguing over a bill rather than being at the park. I love Disney but will never return to POP
Pros:
my room was ready at 815AMCons:
everything elseReviewed by Tiggary Review Date: 10/27/2013
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
It took almost 7 hours to get checked in and they never did get the room right the entire time we were there. Never an apology or any comment from Disney. The first entire day we could always find our room by the dirty towel on the balcony a couple of doors down. Towels were not changed out every day. 20+ visits to Disney and this was by far the worst. It was so bad my wife and I probably won't return. Couldn't wait to leave and get home!
