Pop Century Room Renovations

[j2thomason]

Difference between CBR and Pop:

Bigger rooms (260 sq ft. vs 340 sq ft.)
Ceiling fans
Multiple covered bus stops
Table Service restaurant (which after remodel there will be 2. One of which is rumored to be a Signature)
Hot tubs
Pool slides
Lusher grounds

Now, I do not list the above to say that CBR is "better" than Pop. Some of the above might mean diddly to someone else. I was just answering the question of what separates CBR from Pop.




They are moving toward getting rid of the Value, Moderate and Deluxe categories and switching to location based categories. Once this is done, Pop won't be tied to the "Value" category so they will be able to charge much more than the other "Values".

Fro me personally, the multiple bus stops is a HUGE negative. It takes much longer to get to and from a park because you have to make so many stops.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

Agree! Multiple bus stops take up a lot of time for the bus to stop, load/unload people, strollers, scooters, etc. I also like how orderly the queue is at the Values, first come, first served! The only problem with the value buses particularly in the case of Pop is that the bus stops at the theme parks and Disney Springs are a long, long way away!!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

My plane

I don't think there's any harm in asking. If there's a room available, ask them if they could point it out on a map. You aren't giving up your room by asking, and if there's a room available that you aren't comfortable walking to alone at night (which I fully understand. I wouldn't want to do it either) you aren't obligated to take it.

The room you have sounds great, though, and if you don't want to ask about the refurbished rooms, I think you will be happy in your assigned room. That's our favorite place (70s in our favorite followed by 60s). We ask for it mostly every time. It's peaceful, a short walk, and I find it well lit at night. I've walked from the bus stop to the 70s building at night pushing my daughter in a stroller and felt safe (whereas I'm not sure I would have felt as safe walking through a parking lot). You can ask them and decide then. And if you decide to keep your current room, I don't think you'll be unhappy with it at all!

My plane was delayed over two hours and I am just itching to get to AK. I think I'll just take the one assigned. Head to the room, empty my carryon backpack, and get over to AK.

Don't want to miss my fastpass for FOP. At this point, that seems more important than getting a renovated room.

 

[jessiegirl1982]

My plane

My plane was delayed over two hours and I am just itching to get to AK. I think I'll just take the one assigned. Head to the room, empty my carryon backpack, and get over to AK.

Don't want to miss my fastpass for FOP. At this point, that seems more important than getting a renovated room.

Just go to the front desk after the park to switch for tomorrow if you really want a renovated room. We did that last time we didn't get the room we requested.

 

[karly05]

My plane

My plane was delayed over two hours and I am just itching to get to AK. I think I'll just take the one assigned. Head to the room, empty my carryon backpack, and get over to AK.

Don't want to miss my fastpass for FOP. At this point, that seems more important than getting a renovated room.

Sorry about your plane delay. I think I would agree, FOP fastpasses seem to be THE hot commodity; I wouldn't want to miss one. Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

Also - I came on to post today's New Video Alert on YouTube: BourbonCountryMom posted (search for POP Century room and filter for today) - Non-connecting room and I miss the added color of the connecting door and I wish they'd left the coat pegs by the bathroom entrance instead of putting them where the connecting door would otherwise go.

The big deal is, she seems to say the 80s are done and then says they are scheduled to open in July. (She is in the 90s.) Curious for any other reports regarding this.

 

[BelleEileen1113]

The big deal is, she seems to say the 80s are done and then says they are scheduled to open in July. (She is in the 90s.) Curious for any other reports regarding this.

Refresh my memory, have they started tearing the 70s apart, yet? I thought they were still tearing the 2nd 80s building up right now.

 

[karly05]

Refresh my memory, have they started tearing the 70s apart, yet? I thought they were still tearing the 2nd 80s building up right now.

I haven't seen any mention of them starting on the 70s yet. There have been recent reports and video that at least some 80s rooms look very close to being ready. My guess is they will start closing 70s as soon as they get at least one 80s building open.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I completely agree. Which is the reason they want to eliminate the current categories, so they are not tied to "Value" or "Moderate" pricing. Each resort will be it's own entity when it comes to pricing.

You're quite right and in some ways they've already started doing this. Currently with the 'values', the All Star resorts are the least expensive, followed by Pop and then AoA.

Disney truly does seem to be moving in the direction of individual pricing based on resort.

 

[oktxregulators]

I am here at POP since Friday and will be here til the 10th. Not much work at all has been done the last two days due to rain most of the afternoon and early evenings on Friday an yesterday. The buses seem to be more crowded then they were when we stayed at AoA. We drove down an thinking of just taking our own car for the rest of the trip. We waited 45 min for a bus to go to Disney Springs on Friday and 30 minutes for a bus to go to AK. I think the Brazilians tour groups are back, as there are many of them running around chanting.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

Fro me personally, the multiple bus stops is a HUGE negative. It takes much longer to get to and from a park because you have to make so many stops.

Agree 120%

That's the reason I won't stay Mod again. Well, that and the price difference. Depending on what stop you're at it can take 10+ min just to get off property - but it felt longer.

And I prefer a queue rather than a free for all when the busses do arrive.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I am here at POP since Friday and will be here til the 10th. I think the Brazilians tour groups are back, as there are many of them running around chanting.

We stayed at Pop in early February of this year, and there were some large tour groups, particularly teenage girls from Argentina celebrating "quincinera". For the most part it was OK, but there was some chanting and girls running up and down outside the doors at night. I was concerned about the effect on the food court in the morning, but Pop had seating areas roped off for the groups and they had a separate buffet line for the groups in these roped off areas. They also appeared to have their own buses and from the signs in the windows the girls rooms were along the same hallways. I thought Pop handled it well.

 

[karly05]

We stayed at Pop in early February of this year, and there were some large tour groups, particularly teenage girls from Argentina celebrating "quincinera". For the most part it was OK, but there was some chanting and girls running up and down outside the doors at night. I was concerned about the effect on the food court in the morning, but Pop had seating areas roped off for the groups and they had a separate buffet line for the groups in these roped off areas. They also appeared to have their own buses and from the signs in the windows the girls rooms were along the same hallways. I thought Pop handled it well.

I was also there in early Feb this year and saw lots of the "15s" but really had no problem with them. I was in Preferred in the 70s; what area were you in? I've assumed they put groups in the Standard room areas.

 

[kaytieeldr]

One of the concerns I have with the refurbished rooms is that they are the most remote. I'm solo and might be better off a bit closer to the Main Hall and the busses. Don't love the idea of cutting across the parking lot alone after midnight. Decisions decisions.

I've stayed solo in the 80s before, no issues. YMMV, but you could always ask for a CM to escort you.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

I am here at POP since Friday and will be here til the 10th. Not much work at all has been done the last two days due to rain most of the afternoon and early evenings on Friday an yesterday. The buses seem to be more crowded then they were when we stayed at AoA. We drove down an thinking of just taking our own car for the rest of the trip. We waited 45 min for a bus to go to Disney Springs on Friday and 30 minutes for a bus to go to AK. I think the Brazilians tour groups are back, as there are many of them running around chanting.

Can I ask you a couple of questions since you are there now? When you checked in at POP, did they offer you a gift card incentive for declining housekeeping? And, have they started work on the gondola system (and if so, is the bridge to AoA closed)? I don't mean to hijack the renovation thread, but am curious to ask these questions of someone at POP right now as we are going there in August. Thank you!

 

[scrappinginontario]

One of the concerns I have with the refurbished rooms is that they are the most remote. I'm solo and might be better off a bit closer to the Main Hall and the busses. Don't love the idea of cutting across the parking lot alone after midnight. Decisions decisions.

If you are concerned I would recommend sticking to the main paths rather than cutting across a parking lot. The paths are well lit and I have felt safe even when on my own.

 

[karly05]

Can I ask you a couple of questions since you are there now? When you checked in at POP, did they offer you a gift card incentive for declining housekeeping? And, have they started work on the gondola system (and if so, is the bridge to AoA closed)? I don't mean to hijack the renovation thread, but am curious to ask these questions of someone at POP right now as we are going there in August. Thank you!

I'm also curious about the open/closed status of the bridge to AOA, now and going forward. Also, I know we keep asking this, but please update us on building construction progress if you get a chance. Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Gondola questions might get better responses on the Theme Parks or Transportation forums. Might not, but...

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Can I ask you a couple of questions since you are there now? When you checked in at POP, did they offer you a gift card incentive for declining housekeeping? And, have they started work on the gondola system (and if so, is the bridge to AoA closed)? I don't mean to hijack the renovation thread, but am curious to ask these questions of someone at POP right now as we are going there in August. Thank you!

I stayed last night in the 70's section facing the lake and I have seen no construction and it has been totally quiet. I wasn't really looking for anything particular though. I can take a walk around the lake tonight. Doesn't look like any work has begun in the 70's room, and I don't think the bridge is closed. I can confirm tonight.

 

[oktxregulators]

I have not checked out the bridge to AoA yet. So, I cannot answer that question. The only construction I have seen going on is in the 90's and 80's but there isn't much work going on. In fact, with all the construction going on we have seen little to nothing in regards to work being done in 3 days. I will check out the bridge later tonight when I get back from dinner at BoG.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

If you are concerned I would recommend sticking to the main paths rather than cutting across a parking lot. The paths are well lit and I have felt safe even when on my own.

I just went straight to the room I was assigned. I had not a second to spare to get to the park to make all of my fastpasses. I am very happy where I am. It is a standard, but it is super convenient, quiet, and has a beautiful view of the lake. Came in after 12:30 last night and felt perfectly safe. Still lots of people milling about. The bus back from AK at that time was standing room only.

I'm sure I would have been fine in a 90's room, but I really love the room I have.