POP Century~Unofficially the Grooviest FAQ Thread #8~July 2013

[MamaJessie]

Only 5 days till we are "home". Lol. My MB status has finally changed from Act quickly to you can pick up your bands at your resort guest relations. So excited.

I just finished up some door decorations so I should be easy to spot.

So soon!!! I cannot believe we go THIS WEEK

 

[KNovacovschi]

It takes forever for your status to change when you are Canadian and you have to pick up your bands at the resort. Enjoy your trip!

I know & it was annoying but glad to see it changed now.

I just finished up some door decorations so I should be easy to spot. So soon!!! I cannot believe we go THIS WEEK

I know it feels like it's been a lifetime since we booked. We booked at 299 days. Not sure if we will be decorating but I'm sure we will bump into each other.

 

[Disneychica18]

We are staying at pop now. We have new bedding and a fridge. We are in te 60' building. Room 5110.

 

[AuroraRora]

I have a work conference in February in Orlando and to me that's nothing short of a perfect opportunity to use our AP's one last time before they expire in March. I'd booked us for Pop as usual but now with the news that Pop guests will be losing FP- starting this Thursday, I'm so nervous about it. I'm wondering how many other resorts this will have expanded to by February. I'm interested to hear how people at Pop are/aren't affected by it. I was hoping to show two coworkers around WDW for their first times ever, but the thought of having no FP- and having to coordinate other people's FP+ ... ugh!

 

[goofyfigment]

I have a work conference in February in Orlando and to me that's nothing short of a perfect opportunity to use our AP's one last time before they expire in March. I'd booked us for Pop as usual but now with the news that Pop guests will be losing FP- starting this Thursday, I'm so nervous about it. I'm wondering how many other resorts this will have expanded to by February. I'm interested to hear how people at Pop are/aren't affected by it. I was hoping to show two coworkers around WDW for their first times ever, but the thought of having no FP- and having to coordinate other people's FP+ ... ugh!

I haven't heard anything about FP - going away I get there Friday did I miss something

 

[bikerjenn]

Ill b there in 5 hours!!! Yeah. What time does food court open in mornings?

 

[marthachick]

Ill b there in 5 hours!!! Yeah. What time does food court open in mornings?

Woo Hoo! Excited for you. Opens at 6:30. Have fun. I'll be there next month!

 

[AuroraRora]

I haven't heard anything about FP - going away I get there Friday did I miss something

I can't link it because I'm on my phone, but as per a CM post on the main Theme Parks thread, guests at Pop will only be given MB's. If they request a KTTW card they'll receive one, but it specifically won't be eligible for the FP machines.

 

[MickMan]

Is it worth the walk over to Art of Animation's food court?
They have different food correct?

Thanks!

 

[goofyfigment]

I can't link it because I'm on my phone, but as per a CM post on the main Theme Parks thread, guests at Pop will only be given MB's. If they request a KTTW card they'll receive one, but it specifically won't be eligible for the FP machines.

I see thanks

 

[SDTeaGirl]

Hey not bad since I started counting at 215 days! LOL So excited to stay onsite! This is our second trip ever and first time staying Onsite! I know people are worried about MB and FP+/- but hey I am not going to think of those things- I am going to just have fun and be patient for rides and what ever- I am just excited we have a opportunity to go and bring our DD down there- (most people just get to dream of going and never get to)

We have Garden Grocers delivering to us also- (beer and chips ) so I do hope we get a working fridge- but if we don't will just have to fill something up with ice to keep the beer cold!

Oh can't wait to be in Warmer weather for 12 days!

 

[AuroraRora]

Hey not bad since I started counting at 215 days! LOL So excited to stay onsite! This is our second trip ever and first time staying Onsite! I know people are worried about MB and FP+/- but hey I am not going to think of those things- I am going to just have fun and be patient for rides and what ever- I am just excited we have a opportunity to go and bring our DD down there- (most people just get to dream of going and never get to)

We have Garden Grocers delivering to us also- (beer and chips ) so I do hope we get a working fridge- but if we don't will just have to fill something up with ice to keep the beer cold!

Oh can't wait to be in Warmer weather for 12 days!

LOVE this happy attitude!! Have an awesome trip!!

 

[KNovacovschi]

I haven't heard anything about FP - going away I get there Friday did I miss something

I found this posted on the wdwmagic.com website today:

" Disney's Pop Century Resort to provide MagicBands and no Key to the World card from this week
Nov 12, 2013

We reported back at the end of October that Walt Disney World resort hotel guests will soon be issued with only MagicBands and no Key to the World Card. MyMagic+ is now about to take another step forward as MagicBands become the default option at one of Disney's largest hotels.
During the past few weeks this has been tested with cast members and a limited number of guests, but from later this week, all guests at Disney's Pop Century Resort will only be issued with MagicBands.

The MagicBands will give access to all hotel and park functions, including touch-to-enter, FastPass+, and touch-to-pay. Key to the World Cards can be requested, however, the magnetic strip will not be activated, meaning it cannot be used for traditional FASTPASS, only FastPass+.

Expect to see the MagicBand-only program to roll out to all resorts over the coming months."

 

[goofyfigment]

You would think Disney would have let the guests know the only thing I got was an email reminding me to do online check in

 

[Disneychica18]

We checked in yesterday and got both kttw and magic bands

 

[Pikester]

Is it worth the walk over to Art of Animation's food court? They have different food correct? Thanks!

It is worth the walk and the food is different from Pop. Of course it's all a matter of opinion but I liked it.

 

[Disneylover99]

Is it worth the walk over to Art of Animation's food court?
They have different food correct?

Thanks!

Definitely worth it! We preferred the food at AofA.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Is it worth the walk over to Art of Animation's food court? They have different food correct? Thanks!

Yes! The pasta was fantastic and their gift shop is really very nice!

 

[smidgy]

Mmmmm.....I kinda disagree with a super early check in giving you a better choice of rooms. If you do a super early check in and then head off to the parks, more than likely you are going to wait to receive a text from them with your room number. And if you aren't pleased with it, you are going to need to head back to the resort then and depending on what time it is, (like say they assigned you a room at 1pm) they may not know if they will have what you want available and be able to give you a new room number until later since 'official' check in isn't until 3pm. So, it 'can' work against you if you have specific preferences...now that doesn't mean it will!! But it could.

And Personally, I would avoid that Ponderosa on International Drive at ALL costs!!! LOL! We have eaten there previously and did NOT have any positive experiences. We gave it multiple tries because of nostalgic reasons but it just wasn't positive ANY of the times we have tried it! Sigh....

I think if it were me, I would just spend the extra$$$ and check in a day early at POP and be done with it, but that's just me. Too many of the cheaper motels around there are just too dirty and sketchy IMO! Not worth it!!! Good Luck with your decision and hope you have a wonderful trip!

we have OFTEN checked in super early.. granted, we hang by the pool, don't go to a park. you have apoint there. but when we check in they tell us the "general area" of the room.....they usually draw a circle on the map of where it is. so that's enough for us. if we don't like it, we say, "hhmm, what else ya got?"
we also walk over to the area and check out the possibilities. once we have done that, there were a few times we went back and siad, "sorry, do you have something else? we don't like....." we have done this a few times, and it always works.

also there are 2 ponderosas on 192 (have never been to any on International drive) but we thought they were pretty good. of course, not on par with yachtsman's or Le Cellier, but fine for the price. better than McDonalds.

but there are other dining option (not that Ponderosa is "dining"..lol), such as Old Town.

 

[smidgy]

I will be driving up there. I'm working that day so leaving earlier isn't an option as of right now, I'm assuming I'll hit Kissimmee around 10-11pm



Also I only have a FL weekday select pass so going to the parks that day isn't a possibility either way. Although I would have loved to spend that evening at DTD.

We stayed at the super 8 in October so I know it is clean and accommodating, where I'm torn is how staying there will mean I will have to deal with the whole check in process/getting settled on one of my park days. I'm starting to lean towards paying the extra

ah! in your case, I think I would pay the extra $. we almost never go to a park on check in day It would be a hassle probably.

I guess if you really dislike your room, you could change it the next day. but it sounds like your trip will be pretty park intensive anyway, so the room location might not be as important.