Get able to journey again in time and expertise all the good popular culture references of yesteryear at Walt Disney World’s Pop Century Resort. Located just some miles from Disney’s Epcot and Hollywood Studios theme parks, this Disney Worth resort options purposeful visitor rooms, three swimming swimming pools (and one kiddie pool), day and night time family-friendly resort actions, and crowd pleasing design particulars that may transport you again to the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s — relying on which decade-themed constructing you’ve got checked in to.
When planning your journey to go to Mickey Mouse and associates, the Pop Century Resort could also be an awesome budget-friendly various in comparison with Average or Deluxe Disney resort properties. However is the Pop Century probably the most magical Worth lodge you may e-book on Disney property? Here is what that you must find out about this resort — together with if I would select Pop Century over different Worth accommodations, akin to Disney’s All-Star resorts.
What’s Disney’s Pop Century Resort?
Impressed by in style cultural references from iconic a long time, the Pop Century Resort options decade-themed buildings and decor to move visitors to a different time. Once you stroll previous the enormous POP entrance signal and into the foyer of this resort, you will discover period-specific photographs, akin to black-and-white prints from the Fifties, in addition to fashionable cultural artifacts, like a Energy Ranger figurine and a Nintendo Sport Boy from the Nineties, in show circumstances alongside the partitions.
The Pop Century Resort just isn’t meant to be a refined nod to the previous however moderately leans right into a playful and caricature-esque look. Whereas strolling the property, you will see sock-hop dancers because the backdrop for the Fifties-themed buildings.
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For the ’60s- and ’70s-themed buildings, you will see colourful flowers and big Duncan Imperial yo-yos. As for the ’80s and ’90s, Sony’s Walkman and the pc take middle stage as the skin decor.
With visible references to the previous at each flip — and enjoyable popular culture details adorning the walkways — the Pop Century Resort is a time capsule for households and visitors of any age to uncover throughout their keep.
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How one can e-book Disney’s Pop Century Resort
If you happen to’re planning a keep at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, as with different Disney properties, we suggest reserving straight with Disney. You may e-book this lodge on Disney’s web site, over the cellphone or with an licensed Disney trip planner. I booked a two-night keep by Disney’s web site and paid $521.15 (after taxes and costs) for the standard room, which implies the views are of the lodge or parking areas. If you would like a view of the pool or courtyard, or to be nearer to the principle pool, purchasing and eating space, room charges can enhance by $20-$50 per night time.
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The costs of the Pop Century Resort fluctuate relying on the season. For instance, since I booked my keep throughout spring break, which is taken into account peak season, the usual room fee was about $240 per night time. If I booked a typical room on the Pop Century in late January 2025, a typical room can be about $195 per night time (earlier than taxes and costs). Usually, weekend dates (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) will price greater than weekday room charges — about $50 additional per night time.
For these trying to lower the price of a Disney trip, sure Capital One bank cards will mean you can redeem miles to cowl the price of journey bills. With the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card or Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card, you may cowl some (if not all) of the price of your Disney lodge keep by redeeming Capital One miles at a fee of 1 cent per mile within the type of a press release credit score.
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Straightforward check-in and checkout course of
As with every Disney lodge, you may test in and take a look at utilizing the My Disney Expertise app. When pulling as much as the resort, I checked in on my cell machine and was advised that I’d obtain a notification when my room was prepared. If you wish to head to the parks, you may drop your baggage off on the baggage desk at Traditional Corridor (freed from cost).
Although my room was not purported to be prepared till 3 p.m., I used to be notified through textual content at 1:30 p.m. that I might entry it. The app will inform you your room quantity in addition to offer you a digital key. Sure, you not have to fret about carrying round a room key. Nonetheless, when my cellphone battery was nearly useless, I opted to go to the entrance desk to get a key. Notice that you will have to face in line on the foyer counter, and it may be a protracted line. I waited in line for about 10 minutes and was requested to supply my identify and ID earlier than being given my room key.
When leaving the resort, you will routinely be checked out at 11 a.m.; you can even check in to the app and manually test your self out. I actually like the convenience of the check-in and checkout course of that Disney affords; nonetheless, if you happen to do want to speak to somebody on the entrance desk, it might take a bit if the road is lengthy.
Resort rooms emphasize performance
Although the communal areas on the Pop Century Resort characteristic a heavy dose of nostalgia, the rooms are something however dated. In 2018, Disney’s Pop Century underwent a large renovation of its rooms, including a queen-size Murphy mattress, hardwood flooring and tons of cupboard space.
Throughout my keep at Pop Century, I used to be pleasantly stunned by the performance and effectivity of the room design. I booked a room that had two queen beds; I might have opted for a room with one king mattress.
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Once you stroll in, you will instantly discover a extra modern and minimalist fashion — a departure from the flashy decor simply outdoors — with wooden flooring, a small picket desk and two chairs, and a espresso bar space, which options an in-room fridge and Cuisinart. Different notable in-room facilities embrace an Amazon Echo machine, a secure, an iron and ironing board, an open closet with hangers, and Disney toiletries (shampoo, conditioner and physique wash).
Whereas the rooms could also be on the smaller aspect at lower than 300 sq. toes, the addition of a Murphy mattress is a superb possibility for these with a number of individuals of their celebration, particularly households with children. Now not do visitors should eat breakfast or late-night snacks in mattress or fear about cleansing up unintentional spills; the Murphy mattress simply collapses down right into a mattress, or you may push it as much as be a desk. It is light-weight and tremendous straightforward to make use of; due to this fact, you do not have to fret about younger children grabbing on the bars and getting damage when the mattress folds down.
Except for the 2 queen beds, the room options 16 electrical shops and 10 USB shops, plus two electrical plugs within the rest room, which is, once more, particularly good for these touring in teams (simply be aware that there’s a most of 4 individuals allowed per room), as there are greater than sufficient shops to plug in everybody’s units.
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The toilet options a big vainness shelf and quite a few storage cubbies for visitors to simply hold observe of their toiletries. I additionally appreciated that there was a door that separated the bathroom and bathe from the vainness space. Once more, this creates a extra purposeful house for a number of individuals occupying the small room.
Nonetheless, one house that did appear just a little cramped was the bathe. For these on the taller aspect, chances are you’ll really feel just like the bathe nozzle is true at your face. For instance, I am 5-foot-3 and even I felt just like the bathe might have been a bit wider and taller to comfortably accommodate visitors of all sizes.
The purposeful design of Pop Century’s room made it straightforward to retailer my private gadgets, making the room really feel greater. I believe it is a strong possibility for these eager to spend much less on a Disney lodge room and extra on their park expertise.
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Take the bus or Skyliner to Disney parks
As with planning any Disney trip, one of the essential issues to think about is how effectively I can get to the parks. If you happen to keep at a Disney resort, the properties supply a bus transportation system, which may take you to all 4 parks, the water parks and Disney Springs. Whereas Epcot and Hollywood Studios are lower than 5 miles from the Pop Century Resort, Magic Kingdom is the furthest park from the lodge. Fortunately, when taking the bus, every bus took lower than 10 minutes to reach on the lodge, and it solely took 17 minutes to get to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Subsequently, if you happen to’re fearful about staying at a resort that is not inside strolling distance of Magic Kingdom, I would not be.
Except for the bus system, what makes Pop Century actually stand out is the Disney Skyliner, which connects you to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Skip the same old automobile visitors and soar above Disney’s Caribbean Seaside Resort — no pixie mud required — as you’re taking to the skies in a gondola. Not like the same old “rides” at Disney, I solely needed to wait (at most) 5 minutes to board the carry, and it took me roughly 20 minutes to get from the resort to the again entrance gate at Epcot.
Although taking the Skyliner might take a number of additional minutes in comparison with hopping on the bus, I most well-liked to take the extra scenic route. Plus, with Disney recognized for its huge crowds, it is comforting to know that I did not should rely simply on the bus system as my solely mode of transportation to and from the parks.
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Household-friendly actions
When staying on Disney property, there isn’t a scarcity of each day actions which can be nice for visitors of all ages. Like different Disney resorts, Pop Century options leisure actions akin to a nightly campfire to construct s’mores (kits can be found to buy at about $6) and “Films Underneath the Stars,” which exhibits a traditional Disney film each night time at 8:30 p.m. by the principle pool space.
And that is not all — listed here are another notable leisure highlights whereas staying on the Pop Century Resort.
Get pleasure from 3 swimming pools (plus a kiddie pool) and poolside actions
Whether or not you select to slide again into the Sixties on the groovy Hippy Dippy Pool (the principle pool on the resort), hearken to in style songs from the ’90s on the Laptop Pool or strike a pose in entrance of the ’50s-inspired Bowling Pool (formed like a bowling pin), the Pop Century has three glimmering swimming pools which can be open to its visitors — regardless of which decade you’ve got checked in to.
Throughout my keep, my room was within the ’90s constructing, so I spent my time on the Laptop Pool, which I most well-liked over the opposite two. The Laptop Pool was much less crowded in comparison with the Hippy Dippy Pool, which is in entrance of Traditional Corridor, the principle constructing on the Pop Century Resort that has the check-in desk, arcade and eating and purchasing areas. Since Disney loves to remain on theme, the Laptop Pool performed traditional songs from the ’90s, which created enjoyable throwback moments to take pleasure in whereas poolside.
Nonetheless, if you wish to take part in poolside actions, you will have to go to the Hippy Dippy Pool. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., a solid member orchestrates video games, akin to a hula hoop competitors, bingo and extra. This can be a notable perk as a result of if you happen to resolve to skip the park and spend the day on the pool, your children can nonetheless expertise a little bit of Disney magic and be entertained with poolside video games.
Throughout my keep, the swimming pools had been open from 10 a.m. till 11 p.m. each day, although understand that pool hours can differ relying on the season.
Arcade and decade-themed video games
Talking of video games, contained in the Traditional Corridor, you will discover the Quick Ahead Arcade, which, after all, options video video games from completely different eras. To play the video games, you will need to buy an arcade card and factors; nonetheless, the price of the factors was affordable: $1 will purchase you 50 factors. This arcade is a superb possibility as a post-park exercise or if there’s inclement climate stopping you from having fun with the pool.
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Whereas of us can benefit from the arcade, there are additionally decade-themed video games you may play within the courtyards and by the swimming pools of every constructing. Once you stroll previous the ’70s constructing, you will see Tornado, whereas the ’50s pool space has life-size checkers.
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Good meals for an honest value
Not like at Average or Deluxe Disney properties, you will not discover table-service eating places on the Pop Century. Worth accommodations have a meals court-style eating space that basically seems and seems like a cafeteria, and tray tables are included. At Every part Pop Eating, you will discover seven service stations with meals gadgets starting from pizza and burgers to salmon on a mattress of orzo. Plus, there’s a grab-and-go part that features gadgets like salads, sandwiches, fruit, pretzels with hummus, ice cream bars, wine and extra.
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Whereas there are undoubtedly some hit-or-miss meals gadgets, for probably the most half, the meals was fairly good, particularly for the costs and parts. My favourite menu merchandise was a candy and tangy barbecue pork sandwich with a aspect of fries ($10.79 earlier than tax). Although you’ll discover comparable menu gadgets at different Worth accommodations (i.e., All-Star resorts and Artwork of Animation), the Pop Century has a number of notable desserts that may solely be discovered at this resort.
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Social media appears to rave in regards to the Tie-Dye Cheesecake. Sadly, if you happen to’re envisioning a New York Metropolis-style cheesecake, chances are you’ll want to regulate your expectations. This dessert was undoubtedly colourful, however it was a bit dense and lacked a creamy and flavorful consistency. At finest, it was a mean dessert; due to this fact, I would not attain for it once more. For me, the Flashback Oatmeal Creme Pie took middle stage because the must-get dessert at Pop Century.
Although I appreciated the comfort of getting a plethora of meals and snack gadgets to select from, lunch and dinner menu gadgets didn’t change day-to-day, and the specials didn’t rotate each day both. Throughout my subsequent keep on the Pop Century, I’d skip breakfast and as a substitute go for a fast grab-and-go yogurt and fruit or simply eat on the parks. The hefty breakfast platters, which characteristic a restricted menu of things like Mickey-shaped waffles or pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and tater tots, had been a bit bland and expensive (round $13 earlier than tax). I would a lot moderately seize a cinnamon roll at Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom.
The eating space is open from 7 a.m. till 11 p.m. each day, so even if you happen to return from the parks hungry, you may all the time decide to seize a late-night snack or ice cream sundae. Subsequently, the cafeteria-style eating space is all about comfort; it isn’t an elevated eating expertise by any means, however it will get the job executed.
Accessibility
As with all Disney resorts, Pop Century has accessible rooms that visitors can request when reserving; be sure you click on on “Accessible Rooms” when reserving your lodge keep on Disney’s web site.
Accessible rooms characteristic seize bars at the bathroom, an open mattress body, decrease rest room top and an accessible transportable raised rest room seat. A wheelchair-accessible room additionally comes with seize bars within the bathe. All accessible rooms have optionally available communication options for visitors with listening to disabilities, together with a visible alarm, visible door knock/doorbell alert and phone with quantity management.
Except for the rooms, Pop Century’s strolling paths and public areas are wheelchair-accessible, and wheelchair-friendly elevators can be found across the property. There are additionally self-service lifts at every of the three swimming pools.
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Why Disney’s Pop Century Resort might not be for you
Whereas Disney’s Pop Century Resort might emphasize performance, the resort is very large, which implies it might require you to do a little bit of strolling to get out of your room to the eating space and different services. Since I paid for the standard room, my room within the ’90s-themed constructing ignored the parking space. I used to be at one of many furthest factors from Traditional Corridor; it was a few 10- to 12-minute stroll from my room to the eating space and Hippy Dippy Pool.
If you wish to be near Skyliner or amenity areas, as I discussed, you are going to should pay extra money for a “most well-liked” room. When reserving your lodge keep, do not forget that the prime decade — on the middle of the motion — is the ’60s-themed buildings.
The Pop Century Resort undoubtedly appears to prioritize enjoyable and kid-friendly actions; due to this fact, quite a lot of households and children keep at this lodge. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a extra stress-free and quiet Disney expertise, a spot to flee the crowded parks, staying at this resort might not be for you. Plus, this resort (in addition to the All-Star resorts) is a well-liked lodge possibility for highschool area journeys and sports activities competitions (on account of its proximity to ESPN’s Huge World of Sports activities).
If you would like extra facilities and larger rooms, in addition to table-service eating places and lounges — and do not thoughts spending about $40 additional per night time — Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a superb Average various.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort vs. All-Star Resorts
After Pop Century underwent its 2018 renovation, this Worth resort was favored closely over the All-Star resorts (i.e., Sports activities, Music and Films). Nonetheless, the All-Star resorts went by a refurbishment previously couple of years and have an identical in-room design fashion. When evaluating the costs of the All-Star resorts with Pop Century, the latter is about $50 costlier per night time for the standard room. If you wish to get monetary savings in your Disney lodge room, chances are you’ll favor the All-Star resorts.
I favor the Pop Century over the All-Star resorts due to the a number of modes of transportation (bus and Disney Skyliner) to the parks, in addition to the truth that I haven’t got to share a bus and make stops in any respect three All-Star properties. Total, I proceed to worth the effectivity of Pop Century greater than the All-Star resorts.
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