Disney’s Pop Century Resort is our “home base” resort whenever we visit Walt Disney World. We’ve chosen this resort for nearly every visit (8 out of 10 times), and a trip to WDW just doesn’t feel the same without staying there. Why? Well, for many reasons…
First, it’s a value resort, and for us, a couple that stays at the parks from rope drop to fireworks, all we really need is a comfy bed and shower.
Second, we love the theme. Based on decades from the 1950s -1990s, each decade’s building is full of fun and nostalgia. With larger-than-life replicas of games, characters and fads from each era, you are really fully immersed. At night is when I feel the resort comes alive. It’s so fun and whimsical and makes for great photo ops.
Third, it feels like a party staying there. It’s the largest resort on property with approximately 3,000 rooms, so no matter what time of day or night (within reason), there’s always something going on or people moving about. But even with all that activity, it’s also very quiet (unless you’re right near the main pool). Being from New York, we’re used to hustle and bustle, and if you like to be around people and action, it’s perfect!
Fourth, staying at Pop Century is like staying at two resorts for the price of one. Being connected to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort through a short walk over Hourglass Lake, gives you lots of options. If you want to go for an evening stroll, or check out a new food court for dinner, or shop at a different gift shop, or resort hop, it’s easy to do. The only thing you cannot do is swim in their pools, which is fine for us because the pools at Pop Century are perfect.
But, these four reasons just skim the surface. If you are thinking of staying at Pop Century, here is a bit more information to help you with your decision.
Like I mentioned before, Pop Century is a value resort, so if you are on a tight budget, this may be a great option for you. There are plenty of rooms to go around, and unlike the other value resorts, such as Disney’s All-Star Resorts, you do not usually have to worry about a school group or competition staying at the hotel. In addition, rooms are currently undergoing an update refurbishment. We were lucky enough to stay in a newly refurbished room, and it was awesome! Hardwood floors, two beds – one of which is a murphy bed – plenty of storage, wall outlets that have USB ports in them, walk-in showers with a detachable shower head and large dispensers for soap, shampoo and conditioner in the shower, so you don’t have to bring your own or worry about asking for more of the little bottles. It was very modern, yet, very comfortable at the same time.
Another cool thing happening at Pop Century, aside from refurbished rooms, is the construction of the Disney Skyliner Transportation System, of which both Pop Century and Art of Animation will share a station. This is so exciting and may ease some of the bus lines (see below).
The Everything POP Shopping and Dining gift shop and food court offers an amazing variety of foods and gifts. The food court has seven different stations to choose from including grab ‘n go, grilled items, pizza, pasta, healthy choices, home-cooked comfort food, sandwiches and house-made desserts, there’s something there for everyone. But, as I mentioned before, if you want to shop or eat somewhere else, you can take a quick walk over to Art of Animation to check out their offerings.
Pop Century is also in close proximity to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which with the opening of Toy Story Land and the soon-to-open Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, is super convenient. It is also nearby Disney Springs and the abundance of shopping and food that has to offer.
As I mentioned, Pop Century has the largest number of rooms of any resort on property, so, that being said, the bus lines are usually always the longest, especially at the end of the night. Being connected to Art of Animation, however, gives you the option to wait for their bus instead – which is usually shorter – and walk back to Pop Century…if you have enough energy to do that at the end of a long night. Take note though, if you leave the parks before the fireworks, or stay longer during Extra Magic Hours, the bus line is not usually a problem.
The only other con with regard to Pop Century, besides long bus lines, is that the bus stations are usually the furthest away at each park. It’s a long walk, especially at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The station at Disney Springs is also a long way down the line. If that is an issue for you, I would recommend staying at a different resort, because, that is the biggest downfall.
So, there you have it. Our comprehensive take on Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Have you stayed at Pop Century? What do you love about it?
(Photos from the author’s personal collection.)
To learn more about Felicia and read her recent posts for WDW Radio, visit her author page by clicking the link on her name at the top of this post.
