Disney’s Pop Century resort is one of Disney’s five resorts that fit in the value resort category. You can stay in a building that is themed around one of five decades (1950’s, 1960’s 1970’s 1980’s and 1990’s). Each decade is surrounded by big icons, statues, and quotes from each respective decade. This also includes Disney icons that are from, or themed to, the decade it represents. Some of the non-Disney icons include: Jukebox (50’s), Peace symbol (60’s), Mood ring (70’s), Walkman (80’s), and Rollerblades (90’s). One of the most fun parts are the staircases. The stairs are outdoors, but they are all enclosed in objects that represent each decade. In the 50’s, you will be walking up and down bowling pins, in the 60’s, it’s Yo’yo’s, 70’s is 8-track tapes, the stairs in the 80’s are inside of rubik’s cubes, and the 90’s are enclosed in cell phones.
Yo-yo staircase in 60’s building
The central building of this resort is called “Classic Hall.” Classic Hall contains the lobby, front desk, gift shop, food court, arcade, and bathrooms. Pop Century has 2,880 guest rooms that are contained in ten buildings. Each building has four floors, and all of the rooms open to the outside. There are stairs and elevators in every building. All of the rooms have been newly refurbished within the past few years. They now have hardwood floors and two queen size beds (instead of the double size bed that were there before). There are also a limited number of rooms with one King size bed. These are available by request and cannot be guaranteed (though, more likely than not, you will be accommodated). The rooms with two queen size beds are unique, because one of the beds is a Murphy-style bed that folds up into the wall, which then creates a table underneath. These beds are at the same height, and the same comfort level, as the other bed in the room. Don’t be surprised if you walk in with a family of four, and only see one bed. The 2nd bed is usually folded into the wall the first time you walk in.
When booking this resort, you will have a choice between standard room, preferred room, pool view room, and preferred pool view room. The preferred room options are a little bit more expensive, but they will guarantee you a location near Classic Hall, which is also closer to transportation, as well as the main pool.
Pools and Pool Activities
Pop Century has three pools. The main pool, located by the 60’s building and outside Classic Hall, is the “Hippy Dippy Pool.” This pool is shaped like a flower, and there are tall flowers around the pool that have jets of water that spray out on you. Cast members will regularly play games with the kids throughout the busier parts of the day. If you get thirsty, “Petals Pool Bar” is located right outside of this pool. It serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (but mostly alcoholic). Another activity that is located by the Hippy Dippy Pool is “Movies Under the Stars.” This is a fun activity for a lazy evening where a random Disney movie will be played on the big screen. Finally, if your room isn’t near the main area, there are also two smaller pools that may be closer to you. One that is shaped like a bowling pin outside of the 50’s buildings, and the other one is shaped like a computer, and it is located outside of the 90’s buildings.
Shopping and Dining
Everything POP Shopping & Dining, located in Classic Hall, is a large gift shop and a large cafeteria that has a variety of stations that will kind of remind you of a food court in a mall. The dining hall serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All mealtimes have vegetarian options. The drinks are all self-serve, and, if you bought a refillable mug (or it came with your dining plan), this is where you come to get your free refills. Pro Tip: If you have 2nd thoughts about a souvenir you bought in the parks, rather than wasting time going back to the park to return it, you can easily return it in the resort gift shop.
Other options for resort dining is in room delivery for select items such as pizza, chicken strips, and salad. Of course, there is also the drink bar by the Hippy Dippy Pool, as mentioned above.
Transportation
There are buses that go to every theme park, water park, and Disney Springs. One benefit to the buses here is that there is only one stop, and you will never have to share a bus with another resort. For a more fun and unique ride, you can also ride the skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Fun Historic Fact
Originally, there were plans for the full century. The current area was to be called the “classic years,” and the other half was to be called the “legendary years.” The legendary years would have included the 1900’s, 1910’s, 1920’s, 1930’s, and 1940’s. These two areas were going to be connected by generation gap bridge, which goes over Hourglass Lake. However, construction on the legendary years was abandoned, due to a downturn in tourism, after the terror attacks of 9/11. A number of years later, what was to be the legendary years of Pop Century, was replaced by Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. You can still walk to and from Pop Century, and Art of Animation, using the bridge over Hourglass Lake.
Final Thoughts
Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a fun, and whimsical, resort. It is a great option for someone that is on a budget, but who also wants the experience of staying on property. It is usually priced slightly higher than the All Star resorts, but some of the small amenities make it worth it (such as having access to the skyliner and never having to share a bus with another resort). It also has updated, refurbished rooms, which not all of the All Star resorts have. Some say that the rooms are on the small side, but, between the parks and the resort activities, you most likely won’t be spending a whole lot of time in your room anyway. The only downside is that the rooms only fit four people. Therefore, a family of five or more will need two rooms. However, many people find that two separate rooms here is a cheaper option than getting one family suite at Art of Animation. Personally, I have stayed at this resort many times, and I have never been disappointed!
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