Pop Century Resort at Walt Disney World has always been one of my absolute favourite value resorts. From the price point to the bright and colourful atmosphere, there’s a lot to love about this resort. So let me take you a little tour of the resort.
The resort has 2,800 rooms that pay tribute to 20th-century pop culture. This value resort is built like a nicer motel with buildings and rooms inspired by the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. You’ll find massive icons from each decade all over the resort, like bowling pins that stand more than 65 feet high.
The resort is located near ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The Main Lobby
The main lobby is true to its theming. The walls are adorned with frames filled with photographs and memorabilia from the 1950s to the 1990s. There’s an area for guests to sit and watch some Disney cartoons as they wait. There are also cushioned benches along the lobby in case your room isn’t ready or you’re waiting for the magical express bus or you just want to sit and admire the lobby.
Check-in time is at 3 pm
Check-out time is at 11 am
Walt Disney World now allows you to check-in online and it’s the most convenient thing ever. Just log into your Disney account on the Disney World site and you’ll see an option to check-in. Fill out the information and you’re done. You won’t need to go to the front desk when you arrive, just keep your phone nearby. Disney will text or email you when your room is ready.
Shopping
Everything Pop Shopping is actually a cute little shop. There’s a lot of souvenirs to shop for and even a section for little things you may have forgotten or run out of. This was extremely helpful when we took my daughter to Disney World at 5 weeks old and ran out of diapers and formula. They also sell Advil and other over the counter meds. The Cast Members are really helpful too. Each time I head to Disney World, I ask about Wendy Darling themed items, and each time the Cast Members go above and beyond to help.
If you want tips on bringing your baby to Walt Disney World check out my post called Travelling to Walt Disney World with an infant
Dining Options
Guests can find a variety of foods and drinks at the Everything Pop food court area or Petals Pool Bar.
It’s not the prettiest food court on-property but it gets the job done. There are plenty of options to choose from. Unlike the Moderate and Deluxe Resorts where you’ll find a quick service and one or more table services restaurants, there is only one Quick Service option at Pop and a poolside bar.
There are five food stations to choose from a Bakery, Grab N Go area, Market, Grill, and Pizza and Pasta shop. Not to mention two beverage stations. The food selection is good, nothing to brag about though.
The food court is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also an option to get pizza delivered to your room. I don’t recommend ordering the pizza. I find it overpriced and it isn’t the best-tasting pizza I’ve had.
The prices are decent, especially for the size of the meals you get. You can easily share a meal with a little one or a friend and be happy.
There’s one dessert that Pop Century is known for and that’s the tie-dye cheesecake. It’s changed over the years. I remember back in 2006 when I first stayed at Pop the cheesecake was a full-size slice and now it comes in a small container.
It still tastes great but I miss the classic version. I found that the red velvet cake crust was a lot thicker before. Now there is barely any in the container but the cheesecake portion is still really creamy and satisfying. I recommend you try it at least once.
If you want something more than water or the tea and coffee you can brew in your room, I recommend you get a refillable mug. As of 2019, a refillable mug costs $18.99 and can be used for the length of your stay. You can use it at any of the resorts beverage stations. Fountain drinks, coffees, teas, or hot chocolate, fill that cup up. You can’t use the mug in any of the parks and the water parks have their own refillable mugs.
Finding Your Way Around Pop
The resort is in the ESPN Wide World of Sports area. The resort is divided into decades, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. The theming is on point. The resort is set up like a motel, a Disney motel. A little on the higher end side as far as motels go. There is a preferred section, which are rooms closest to the main building and standard rooms.
Personally, I’ve never found any room to be too far or worse. If you want a room closest to a pool, you can request that just don’t expect Disney to accommodate your requests. They will do their best to help you.
Room Tour
The rooms have recently been renovated. Each room can sleep up to 4 adults and one infant in a crib. You can also have a crib or playpen brought to your room, just ask when you check-in.
The rooms are smaller compared to Moderate and Deluxe rooms but I love how they’re renovated. If you just need one of the queen beds, there is plenty of room to move around. There’s also a table and two chairs. If you need an extra bed, the table is actually a murphy bed. Genius. It’s super cute on the theming too. I love the Mickey and Pluto details.
Transportation Options
The most commonly used transportation to and from this resort is via bus. If you search google you’ll find lots of mixed reviews on Disney busing. I’ve never had a huge issue. I do prefer buses at other non-value resorts because they are less busy, usually. The Value resorts generally have the longest bus waits at the parks, especially at park closing. You could wait for over an hour for a bus on busy night closures, which does suck. However, if you are patient and know this before going this may not be an issue for us.
If it is a problem, there are other methods of transportation to get to and from Pop Century.
A few years ago Disney announced that they would be adding another form of transportation to Walt Disney World, the Skyliner. According to their site “Disney Skyliner will begin carrying guests high above Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Sept. 29, 2019. The state-of-the-art transportation system will feature custom cabins that glide through the air, conveniently transporting guests between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and the new Disney’s Riviera Resort, scheduled to open in December 2019.”
They look super cute, I just hope they aren’t super hot during the summer months, okay any months…it is Florida.
Disney has another service that will cost extra, it’s called the Minnie Van. It’s Disney’s version of Lyft or Uber but all the vans are equipped for car seats that the drivers are trained on installing. The drivers are also vetted by Disney and super friendly. I’ve tried the service twice and love it. The only downfall is the cost.
The service runs on the Lyft app and it used to cost a flat fee of $25 per ride no matter the distance. That changed to a base rate of $15 plus a per-mile fee. That per-mile fee is anywhere from $2.75 to $3.00 per mile, which really adds up. The service is great if you have early morning reservations for breakfast at a Disney Resort or don’t want to wait hours for a bus at park closing. You just have to ask yourself how much your time is worth to you.
Character Sightings
You read that right! Disney World is bringing character meets and sighting to Disney resorts. The last time I stayed at Pop I was sitting in the food court looking out the window at the main pool area and saw this guy walking by. I honestly did a doubletake. I couldn’t believe it. So there’s a good chance you’ll see a character or two at Pop, so keep an eye out.
Pools, Recreation, & Other Fun Stuff
Recreation includes three pools, a kiddie pool, the Pop Jet Playground and the Fast Forward arcade. The great thing about Disney’s Value Resorts is the theming. Pop Century has some great theming. The main pool is located in the 60s area and it’s very hippy-ish. Lots of flower-power. During the day you’ll find that Cast Members host trivia games and a bunch of other activities. They change it up so check the daily pool schedule.
The other pools are also nicely themed but much quieter.
The pool in the 50’s section is probably my favourite at the resort. It usually quieter and I love having HUGE Lady and the Tramp nearby for photo-ops.
There’s actually a lot to do at Disney resorts. There are usually movies under the stars each evening, weather dependent of course. The cast members sometimes hand out popcorn before the movie starts too. There’s even an arcade inside the main building which is a great way to spend a rainy day at your resort.
Should You Stay at Pop Century Resort?
If you want value and fun, Pop Century Resort is a good place to stay. The theming is bright and colourful, the food is good. It’s also walking distance to another Disney resort, Art of Animation. I’ve stayed at that resort, a family suite resort mostly, and it’s a good value as well.
Pop Century is a good choice especially if you don’t spend much of your time in your room or the resort and most of your time at the Parks. You’re still in the middle of the magic but you’re not paying for the price of a Deluxe resort, which can be costly.
RELATED POST: How to travel to Walt Disney World without breaking the bank
Have you stayed at Disney’s Pop Century Resort? Let me know your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
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