When it comes to choosing a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, there are several considerations to think about. Price point, theming, amenities, and resort layout all come to mind. However, there is one resort on the Walt Disney World property that might get overlooked as one of the best resort hotels on the property.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a value-level resort that is conveniently located on the Skyliner route, it has a compact layout, great amenities, and remodeled rooms. Let’s look at four reasons why you should check out Pop Century Resort for your next Walt Disney World visit.
1. Fun Theming for All Ages
Pop Century Resort is themed after the decades of the 1950s-the 1990s. Across the resort, you will find buildings decorated with groovy flowers, 8-track tapes, massive bowling pins, giant Yo-Yo’s, huge Rubix cubes, and even big old-school cell phones. It is a dose of nostalgia for guests over the age of 30.
However, there are many elements that younger guests will love. A huge foosball court sits in the 70’s section next to a large Mickey telephone. By the main pool, you can see Baloo and Mowgli from the Jungle Book, and Lady and the Tramp stand guard over a couple of the 50’s themed buildings. It is truly worth a walk around the resort to see all these fun elements of this decade’s themed resort.
2. Newly Remodeled Rooms
The rooms at Pop Century Resort are newly remodeled. They feature a clean look with updated shower features and lots of storage. The double queen rooms will have one of the beds that function as a murphy bed where you can fold it up (very easily, I might add) to access a small table. There is artwork featuring Mickey Mouse and Friends that children will love.
The best part of the rooms though might have to be all the storage. There is a dresser, a coffee bar, and several shelves in the bathroom area. Additionally, there is ample room under the beds to store suitcases. The rooms also include a beverage fridge, coffee maker, hairdryer, and safe.
What about the amenities and transport options?…
3. Compact Layout and Amenities
Pop Century Resort is a value resort, and as such, it does not have quite as many amenities as some of the moderate or deluxe resorts. However, for the price point, there is a lot that Pop Century Resort has to offer. First, the layout is smaller than most of the other resorts. Pop Century consists of only four main building sections (like the 80s and ’90s buildings are together), and these building groupings are closer together than even Pop Century Resorts’ sister resort Art of Animation. You can get to the bus stops, the Skyliner, or the dining hall in a rather short walk time. After a day of walking miles at the parks, you will be grateful to have a shorter walk back to your room.
Pop Century Resort includes many other amenities as well. First, in Classic Hall you will find the main lobby with the front desk, concierge, and bellhop. You can also find the Everything Pop dining hall and gift shop. The food court offers many different options from chicken tenders to spaghetti and even salmon. You can also find grab-and-go items like muffins, salads, bottled beverages, and desserts. At the gift shop, you can find Pop Century-specific merchandise as well as a selection of home décor, plushies, and clothing for all ages.
Pop Century also offers several fun activities. There is not one, but THREE pools. The main pool is the Hippy Dippy pool, and it has groovy spraying flowers and a splash pad. If you are looking for a pool that is typically less crowded and quieter, you can check out either the Bowling Pool (shaped like a bowling pin) or the square-shaped Computer pool.
You can also choose from several activities offered by resort staff such as a movie under the stars every night, roasting marshmallows, or fun Disney-themed poolside games. For a small additional cost, you can even make a Mickey Mouse tie-dye shirt. Finally, the resort offers an arcade which is quite large. When I visited, they even have a select time when several of the games are free. It is a great way to spend a rainy day.
4. The Disney Skyliner
One of the largest amenities that Pop Century Resort has to offer is the Disney Skyliner transportation system. The Skyliner will travel from Pop Century Resort to Caribbean Beach Resort where you can transfer to the Epcot route or the Hollywood Studios route. In my opinion, the Skyliner is the best form of transportation at Walt Disney World. It is quick.
During a stay at Pop Century, we waited in a line for the Skyliner that wrapped hundreds of feet long, and we were still at Hollywood Studios in under 25 minutes. It moves nearly continuously. Additionally, you will have your own Skyliner gondola most of the time, especially if you are a family. This doesn’t happen every time, of course. However, I noticed that most of the time groups were loaded one at a time. All-in-all, the Skyliner is a relaxing flight to the parks, and kids will find the trip to be a ride all itself.
Will you be giving Pop Century Resort a try on your next Walt Disney World visit? If not, what is your favorite Walt Disney World Resort hotel? Let us know with a comment or on our Facebook page!
