Disney4me Posted 13 hours ago Report Posted 13 hours ago For the last eight years, my Disney World hotel routine has been pretty set in stone. Book Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, walk into that towering lobby, and feel instantly at home, but a recent change has me rethinking my plan. Pop Century When I headed down to Disney World for the runDisney Wine & Dine weekend with a friend, I did something I hadn’t done in a long time. I booked a Value resort: Disney’s Pop Century Resort. I’ll be honest, I went in with pretty low expectations. I walked out with a new appreciation for Value resorts after a few things surprised me. Why We Went Value This Time This was a quick race trip, and we knew it. Between the expo, the race itself, and squeezing in some park time, we’d mostly be back in the room to sleep and shower. Paying Deluxe prices for a room we’d barely see just didn’t make sense for us. So we booked Pop Century, saved some money, and figured we’d “rough it” for a few nights. Turns out, it wasn’t rough at all. Disney’s Pop Century Resort The Food Court Was the Biggest Surprise I did not expect to fall for a food court. But Everything POP Shopping & Dining ended up being one of my favorite parts of the whole stay. First, the variety. There were multiple stations to choose from, so my friend and I never had to agree on one thing. Whatever you were in the mood for, there was a good chance you’d find it. Full Spread at Pop Century Then there’s the grab-and-go section, which was perfect for a race weekend. We could grab a quick bite or a snack, and get back to our room or out the door without waiting for anything to be made. And it was always there. Whether we were coming back from the parks or heading out early, food was right in the main building. It was so convenient that we ate there way more than I expected, instead of hunting down meals in the parks or at other resorts. Everything PPOP! at Disney’s POP Century Resort If you need help figuring out which Disney World resort is best for your vacation, our friends at Small World Vacations, Inc., can help. They can talk you through the Disney World hotels and find the right fit for your family based on budget, interests, and more! The Smaller Room (and Walking Outside) Didn’t Bother Me Coming from Wilderness Lodge, I was bracing myself for a cramped room. Yes, it’s smaller. But I genuinely didn’t mind, and the layout is the reason. The room has a regular queen bed and a second queen that folds down Murphy-style from the wall. When it’s up, it turns into a table. That trick frees up a surprising amount of floor space, and the room felt smartly designed rather than squeezed. Our Pop Century room I also expected to hate the exterior hallways. At a Deluxe, most of the time, you’re walking inside to your room. At Pop, you’re walking outside past other rooms to get to yours. It was a non-issue for us, mostly because our building was right next to the bus stop. We’d walk out the door and be at our bus in no time. If you’re staying here, I’d seriously consider requesting a room close to transportation. Check Out One of Disney World’s Pop Century Updated Rooms! Bowling Pool No Bathtub Could Be a Make-or-Break for Families Here’s the big one. Our room had a walk-in shower with a sliding glass door, and no bathtub. For two adults on a race weekend? Not a big deal at all. The shower was all we needed. But I couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like with my little ones. If you have babies or toddlers who need a real bath at the end of a long park day, a shower-only room could be a dealbreaker. If a tub matters to your family, check before you book. Pop Century bathroom The Good, the Loud, and the Mini Fridge The Skyliner was a win. We loved hopping on the Skyliner to head over to the BoardWalk. It’s a fun ride, and it opens up a whole area of dining and strolling that feels a lot fancier than your room rate. We were able to hop on to head to The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant for dinner. Disney Skyliner at Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts The noise was a real problem. This was my biggest complaint. You could hear a lot through the walls, from toilets flushing to babies crying. Not to mention the hall trolls that kept us up at night with slamming doors. If you’re a light sleeper (or have an early race-morning alarm), pack earplugs or a white noise machine. “Hall Trolls” Are Causing Chaos in Disney World Hotels, and We Need To Talk About It Pop Century Room I missed a full refrigerator. The room has a beverage cooler that works for drinks and a few snacks. It is not very deep, though, and can only fit two cans front to back. But I missed having a full refrigerator to stock up on groceries, leftovers, and race-morning fuel. When we travel as a family, having a 1-bedroom villa gives us a full kitchen, and we take advantage of this! Beverage cooler and coffee maker Would I Stay at a Value Resort Again? Yes, and I never thought I’d say that. Pop Century gave us exactly what we needed for a quick trip: a well-designed room, easy transportation, and a food court I’d happily go back to. That said, I’d most likely book it again for adults-only trips. Here’s who I think Pop Century is perfect for, and who should think twice. Great fit for: Adults or friends’ trips where you’ll barely be in the room runDisney weekends and other quick, packed trips Anyone who wants Skyliner access without the Deluxe price tag Think twice if: You have little ones who need a bathtub You’re a light sleeper You like to stock a full fridge with groceries Wilderness Lodge is still my happy place. But after this stay, I’m not writing off Value resorts anymore. Sometimes the cheaper room is the smarter choice. For more real stories of Disney World to help you on your next trip, be sure to follow us at DFB! A Word of Warning About Grabbing Breakfast at Your Disney World Hotel Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you made the switch from Deluxe to Value (or the other way around)? Tell us how it went in the comments! View the full article Quote
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