Disney’s Pop Century Resort is among the most cost-effective on-site resorts at Walt Disney World, making it a prime choose for saving cash. This evaluation shares pictures of the newly-refurbished rooms, ideas on facilities, compares it to different Worth Resorts, and extra. (Up to date September 14, 2024.)
Pop Century has a popularity amongst frequent Walt Disney World friends as being the favourite ‘funds choose’ for a wide range of causes. It’s at all times been seen as a minimize above the All Star Resorts, however had slipped a bit in recent times. That was primarily as a result of debut of Disney’s Artwork of Animation Resort, which triggered Pop Century’s stature amongst Walt Disney World followers to drop a bit.
Even after the opening of Artwork of Animation, Pop Century has remained a preferred alternative for frugal followers for a few causes. The primary is that the finest rooms at Artwork of Animation are the Automobiles Household Suites, that are bigger and costlier. Should you don’t need or want this, you’re caught with the common rooms. These are all Little Mermaid rooms, and are undesirable for a few causes. Moreover, Pop Century is now seeing renewed curiosity for 2 different causes that make the lodge very interesting–arguably value downgrading to ebook in some situations.
First, a complete room redesign was accomplished at Pop Century just a few years in the past. This modernized the rooms to make them contemporary and purposeful, with a bunch of intelligent space-saving design options added. Whereas the footprint continues to be the identical–Worth Resorts are among the many smallest lodge rooms at Walt Disney World at solely 260 sq. ft in dimension–the rooms really feel a lot bigger. There’s more room for storage, one of many beds converts right into a desk, and rather more–as you’ll see within the under room tour of Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
Whereas this was initially considerably controversial with nostalgic Walt Disney World followers, the outcomes have been a significant crowd-pleaser by way of each model and substance. In actual fact, we’ve spoken with a number of managers on the Worth Resorts, and so they’ve indicated to us that visitor suggestions has been virtually unanimously constructive. (One did share an amusing anecdote that there’s one household of regulars who at all times requests the identical ‘previous model’ room at All Star Sports activities–one of many few rooms that hasn’t obtained the redesign.)
Admittedly, that is solely a minor promoting level for Pop Century now. It was the primary to obtain the room reimagining, however the All Stars (minus one part of Sports activities) have adopted go well with with an virtually an identical overhaul. Many Average and Deluxe Resorts have additionally adopted go well with, albeit with dramatically totally different designs. A few of these designs are extra hit and miss, as followers argue (in some circumstances, appropriately) that theme and a spotlight to element has been sacrificed within the modernization, producing bland outcomes. However that’s a distinct debate for a distinct submit.
The second large factor that has additional elevated the standing of Disney’s Pop Century Resort is the Disney Skyliner gondola station, which the resort shares with Artwork of Animation Resort. This connects Pop Century to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT through Caribbean Seaside, and means entry to 2 parks and several other resorts (together with the character eating at Riviera Resort) with out getting on a bus, which is large.
Since going into operation, now we have used the Skyliner many, many occasions, and are large followers. From our perspective, the added worth to Pop Century of this non-bus transportation can’t be overstated, which is sweet…as a result of Walt Disney World has actually elevated Pop Century’s nightly charges!
The Skyliner makes for simple noon breaks once you’re doing Disney’s Hollywood Studios or EPCOT, and is extraordinarily advantageous for Early Entry at each parks. Knocking out Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Canine Sprint, Frozen Ever After, or Remy’s Ratatouille Journey (particularly simple because you enter EPCOT by way of Worldwide Gateway through the Skyliner) earlier than the park even opens to day friends is large. The advantages of the Skyliner can’t be overstated–we favor it to the monorail.
We completely love the Skyliner and would select considered one of these resorts over their counterparts nearly any time of 12 months…besides when the Skyliner is down for its annual refurbishment or extra more likely to be impacted by downtime resulting from storm season. Even the latter doesn’t make it a non-starter (the monorail additionally isn’t 100% dependable!), it simply makes consciousness of the climate extra vital. The underside line is that the Skyliner is a gamechanger, and we predict it makes Pop Century definitely worth the premium pricing over the All Stars. You’re getting Deluxe-caliber distinctive transportation at a Worth Resort!
Earlier than promoting you on Pop Century, we’d be remiss if we didn’t level out that the Worth Resorts are fairly divisive. Some Walt Disney World followers love them for his or her comfort and price-points, others hate their motel-style design and really feel their larger-than-life icons are excessive and cheesy.
We just like the Worth Resorts for what they’re, however we’ll be the primary to acknowledge that they aren’t a great match for everybody. Then once more, there isn’t a single lodge at Walt Disney World that’s. All have execs & cons, even fan favorites like Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian. (Within the case of each, it’s the excessive value!)
In Are Walt Disney World’s Most cost-effective Accommodations Truly Good? (second spoiler: sure, they’re!), we make the case for selecting Worth Resorts over off-site lodging or higher-tier resorts which can be on-site at Walt Disney World. This isn’t to say that the Worth Resorts are proper for everybody, however a variety of vacationers dismiss them out of hand as a result of “low-cost” and “motel-style” or different budget-friendly buzzwords flip them off.
We’ve stayed at each single Walt Disney World lodge quite a few occasions, from the most affordable to probably the most luxurious. And but, we hold coming again to Pop Century. Not solely is it a sentimental favourite for us, however we additionally assume it affords unparalleled bang for buck. That’s true whether or not you’re evaluating it to shady off-site motels or astronomically-priced on-site lodging. Positive, it’s no 4 Seasons…but it surely’s additionally not priced that approach!
Whether or not the Worth Resorts are best for you comes right down to the character of your go to and the way a lot cash you’re prepared and capable of spend on lodging. Should you’re taking a “the room is just for sleeping” kind journey throughout which you wish to be within the parks as a lot as doable, the Worth Resorts are nice as a result of they are often as little as $100 to $175 per evening with a great Walt Disney World room-only low cost, and permit budget-conscious friends to remain on Walt Disney World property.
Against this, if you’re on an adults-only journey (similar to a honeymoon) and plan on spending a variety of time at your resort, Pop Century (or any of the Worth Resorts) is unquestionably not a great match for you. In that case, it’s value spending the additional cash to improve to a resort with a pleasant pool, higher eating choices, extra subtle widespread areas, and superior facilities.
If all of this nonetheless sounds good, and also you haven’t but encountered any deal-breakers that make you leap off the Pop Century Hype Practice, let’s flip to facilities.
As with all on-site Walt Disney World resorts, Pop Century affords the perks of a Disney lodge, such free transportation round Walt Disney World, Early Entry, and the prolonged Advance Eating Reservation window. Friends at Pop Century also can buy the Disney Eating Plan, however whether or not that’s an actual perk is debatable. (Not everybody loves it.) On-site friends are additionally capable of buy low cost MagicBands pre-arrival. Once more, undecided that is a lot of an actual perk anymore.
One really-for-real on-site benefit is early entry to Lightning Lane Multi-Cross, which changed the Genie+ system in mid-2024. We’re not going to get into the nuts and bolts of it right here–see our Information to Lightning Lane Multi Cross at Walt Disney World for that–however the backside line is that on-site friends have a major head-start on making Lightning Lane experience reservations. It’s just about the one strategy to rating the preferred picks, similar to Slinky Canine Sprint, Tiana’s Bayou Journey, and Remy’s Ratatouille Journey. Not one of the above are distinctive to Pop Century friends, although–these are perks for all on-site friends, from the All Stars to Grand Floridian.
Friends staying at Pop Century will not be eligible for Prolonged Night Hours, as that isn’t provided to Worth and Average Resorts. From a perks perspective, that’s the one actual lack of staying at Pop Century.
For a lot of households, the swimming pools are of paramount concern. The characteristic pool at Pop Century is the Hippy Dippy Pool, which is situated straight behind the Traditional Corridor foyer and meals court docket.
Devoted to the ‘Flower Kids’ from the Summer season of Love, the Hippy Dippy Pool is flower-shaped and vibrantly coloured. There’s additionally a water play space for young children with effervescent fountains.
This characteristic pool is nothing particular. It’s akin to the opposite Worth Resorts, however would rank under virtually the entire Average and Deluxe Resorts. Merely put, in the event you’re selecting the place to remain on the idea of the pool, choose one other lodge.
Whereas the Hippy Dippy Pool is bigger than Pop Century’s different two swimming pools, it’s additionally considerably busier.
Because of this, we favor the opposite two swimming pools at Pop Century: the Bowling Pool and the Pc Pool. The previous is designed to appear like a bowling alley, that includes bowling ball racks and different enjoyable particulars. The Pc Pool is formed like a huge laptop computer PC from the heyday of Nineteen Nineties AOL dial-up. (You may virtually hear the ‘You’ve received mail’ and AIM sounds as you lounge there.)
None of those swimming pools have scorching tubs or jacuzzis, that are solely discovered at Average Resorts and above. You’ll find a pool bar, known as Petals Pool Bar on the Hippy Dippy Pool. At these swimming pools, you’ll additionally discover self-service laundry amenities.
After on-site perks, transportation, location, swimming pools, and room high quality, eating is the following most vital side of a resort for many friends.
We contemplate Pop Century’s All the pieces Pop meals court docket to be superior to the meals courts on the All Stars, with the Tie-Dyed Cheesecake having a little bit of a cult following.
In addition they serve a wide range of extra formidable entrees than you’ll discover at many different meals courts round Walt Disney World. Talking of meals, Pop Century can be considered one of our prime suggestions for the Free Eating promotion at Walt Disney World, when that’s out there.
By way of different facilities, there are a few small playgrounds, none of that are significantly noteworthy. One that’s considerably neat is the Goofy Pop Jet Playground. Realistically, your children will most likely find yourself enjoying across the varied garden areas of the resort. There’s additionally Quick Ahead Arcade and a jogging path that connects to Artwork of Animation.
Talking of which, the jogging path–and Era Hole Bridge–that connects the 2 resorts is a pleasant amenity. It primarily opens up your space to discover…or eat…to Artwork of Animation, too. Whereas it’s doable to maneuver between the All Star Resorts, it’s not almost as handy, and requires trekking by way of parking tons or alongside the street.
Lastly, Pop Century affords Walt Disney World’s free Motion pictures Below the Stars program. This can be a fairly neat providing for households who don’t keep late within the parks; the resort performs a distinct (family-friendly) Disney movie each evening of the week on an out of doors display. You’ll find the film schedule within the lodge’s foyer–it’s often animated movies.
Up till Artwork of Animation opened, Pop Century was the favored choose among the many Values as a result of it was the latest, nicest, and solely Worth Resort with a full-time devoted bus service.
Pop Century does cost a premium (~$20 to $50/evening earlier than reductions) over the All Star Resorts, however I feel most regulars of Pop Century would agree that this premium is effectively value it for devoted bus service, nicer resort, and Skyliner transportation. Once more, the Skyliner is the differentiator. It’s a game-changer, in our view.
Pop Century continues to be nicer than the All Star Resorts, however in the event you don’t thoughts paying a bit further to remain at Artwork of Animation, that’s arguably a good higher choose–particularly for households of 4-6 folks. Not solely that, however the Disney animation icons will resonate with children rather more than random pop icons that they most likely won’t acknowledge (there are some Disney icons scattered concerning the grounds of Pop Century, however Artwork of Animation is ALL Disney icons).
The meals court docket and general “newness” of Pop Century as in comparison with the All Star Resorts, plus the devoted bus and Skyliner transportation, are the place the benefits lie. Plus, Artwork of Animation is simply a brief stroll away, which means that you’ve the Panorama of Flavors meals court docket and its bus system at your disposal, too.
On a latest keep at Pop Century, after we have been at Magic Kingdom ready for a bus, Artwork of Animation confirmed up earlier than Pop Century, so we simply took that and walked throughout the Era Hole Bridge; the 2 resorts are so shut collectively that strolling didn’t take any further time.
Now let’s have a look contained in the visitor rooms, beginning with the redesigned ones…
The most important change you may anticipate to see is a brand new configuration with an everyday mattress flanked by nightstands, and Murphy mattress that doubles as a desk. Each of those beds are queen-sized, versus the double beds beforehand in these rooms.
There’s a lighter coloration scheme, dominated by white with hints of orange and lime, Mickey Mouse pop artwork above the queen mattress, and Pluto pop artwork above the Murphy mattress.
There’s additionally extra cupboard space, together with a dresser underneath the tv, room for baggage underneath the mattress, and a wide range of random cubbies across the room.
You’ll additionally discover tons of USB-charging ports and shops across the room. Should you’re in considered one of these rooms, there’s no must carry these USB-charging strips that we suggest in our Packing Checklist for Walt Disney World.
Within the nook, there’s a kiosk with drawers, mini-fridge, and a espresso maker! That is someway a Walt Disney World Worth Resort first.
Within the toilet, you’ve a vessel sink, illuminated toilet mirror, and make-up mirror. There’s additionally an precise sliding door separating the toilet space from the principle room (as an alternative of a skinny curtain), glass door within the bathe, and rainfall bathe fixture along with the usual one.
All of this stuff, to us, are upgrades to the Pop Century visitor rooms with zero draw back. Every individually may be a minor factor, however collectively, they make for a room that’s considerably “plussed” over the Worth Resort defaults.
Now, let’s check out the previous visitor rooms. All renovations at the moment are completed and these rooms are full gone–we’re merely sharing for the sake of comparability:
Word that this was shortly earlier than the removing of the comforter, which was changed by an identical runner on the backside of the mattress. Other than that, the one thematic contact is the portray on the far wall.
The previous rooms at Pop Century aren’t actually something particular. They’re your primary low-cost lodge/motel rooms that may fetch considerably much less within the “actual” world. It also needs to be famous that these rooms are fairly small (having the choice to fold-up the mattress makes a world of distinction).
General, Pop Century is a superb choice for friends who MUST keep on-site and wish one thing nicer than the All Star Resorts, however nonetheless contemplate the place they’re staying “only a room.” It’s one of many resorts the place we’ve stayed probably the most, and we actually prefer it. For fast, weekend journeys after we gained’t be in our rooms a lot, Worth Resorts are nice. For longer or extra relaxed journeys, we favor the ambiance and high quality of a Average or Deluxe Resort.
With that stated, it’s robust to argue with the re-imagined visitor rooms and Skyliner gondola entry provided by Disney’s Pop Century. From a practicality and bang-for-buck perspective, it ought to be simple to see why Pop Century is as soon as once more our #1 Worth Resort. These rooms are extremely spacious, and Pop Century is ideal for our journey model. Whereas we nonetheless favor the ambiance of Artwork of Animation, the general bundle and worth for cash provided by Disney’s Pop Century Resort pushes it excessive.
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Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Should you’re curious about studying extra about resorts, our Walt Disney World Accommodations Critiques web page is an efficient place to start out. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind it’s best to get, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at unconventional issues it’s best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Trip Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the very best place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to take advantage of your expertise!
Your Ideas
Are you a fan of Pop Century? Do you favor it or Artwork of Animation Little Mermaid? Do you not take care of the Worth Resorts in any respect? Ideas on the theme right here, or the very best part in Pop Century to decide on? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
