Review for Disney's Pop Century Resort

Anniversary Vacation - No kids this time. Yay :~)

Disney's Pop Century Resort in Walt Disney World

by bs201v September 23, 2008 | Son: Age 12, Daughters: Ages 10 & 4

What we loved:
The bus was much better than @ All Star Resorts (Less crowded/more busses).

What we didn't love:
No Tub. We got stuck w/ a standing shower for the disabled. Ask @ checkin.

We spent most of our waking hours in the parks seeing all those things we couldn't see with the kids...because they didn't want to, or were too tired, or needed a nap, or wanted to ride a ride, or wanted to wait the ENTIRE DAY to get selected for Jedi Training academy. True.

Anyway, because we felt like we missed out on so much when we came with the kids, we wanted to come back and take our time doing the things we wanted to do. We paid for the preferred room and it was sooooo worth it. This place is huge!!! We stayed in the 60's building facing the pool (right next to Baloo on the third floor)and we were very close to the food court, poolside bar, and busses.

The food at the food court was so-so. It was standard food court stuff like pizza, nachos, hamburgers, etc. Some of the stations close relatively early too. I couldn't get nachos after illuminations one night to have with our beer by the side of the pool. However, I loved the Ms. Pac Man machine in the seating area nearest to the dessert station. My wife loved the unlimited refill cups and the poolside bar. We mainly only got coffee, soda, beer, or a late night snack there as we spent most of our time elsewhere. TIP - the fruit and cheese tray is $0.50 cheaper there than in the parks. You can buy it before you go and take it with you.

The concierge is also not around at night but the gift shop is dedicated!!! We ordered a coffee cup sent to our hotel from Rainforest Cafe and it was due to arrive the night before we were to leave. When I went down to the gift shop to pick it up, it was broken. The lady in charge there took the broken mug back over to Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom, but the store was closed. Did she give up, no. She got the manager's home number, called him up, made him come all the way back in and open the store so she could get another mug just like it. Then she wrapped it super snug for our trip home and I am happy to report the mug is now safe in my cupboard at home (at least until the kids break it). What service!!! And this is at a 'value' resort! I have stayed off property before and I can guarantee that Holiday Inn would not have done as well.

The busses were almost always crowded, but here is a TIP - Don't go to the park with extra magic hours. Everyone from every Disney hotel goes to that park on that day. On a Magic Kingdom early entry day, we had to wait for three busses to fill before we finally got on the fourth one. Meanwhile, the Animal Kingdom, Epcot, DHS busses were almost completely empty.

The pool is open late, like till 11 pm or midnight depending on day of the week. However, even though we were overlooking the pool, we were not bothered by any noise at night.

The decor was fine. A little kitschy, but overall fine. Our maid never made us a single towel animal other than the one that was there when we arrived. :~( And I was really looking forward to them. Other people had scores of little towel animals in their windows waiting for them to come home. Maybe she knew we had not kids with us.

The room was also for disabled people as there was a wheelchair type "roll in" shower. I really need a hot bath after a long day of walking and had to settle for putting my feet in the lukewarm pool (no hot tub at Pop Century). TIP - Make sure to ask for a bath tub if this is important to you!

And the Magical Transportation definately made it worth the money, though if we were going with the kids, it would probably be cheaper to stay off property and have a rental car. As it was, we didn't need one as were did not plan to go anywhere else but Disney.

Overall I would give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

See All Disney's Pop Century Resort Reviews

Add Your Review for Disney's Pop Century Resort