I used to have a saying: “Friends don’t let friends stay at Value Resorts.” Well, Pop Century changed my philosophy on that! While the Pop Century experience is certainly vastly different from the Grand Floridian experience, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this hotel. The addition of the Skyliner transportation system helps boost its ranking as well. Keep reading for more info on staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort!
Disney’s Pop Century Resort Review
Disney’s Pop Century Resort plays tribute to the decades, from the 50’s to the 90’s. All around the property you’ll find murals and sculptures depicting iconic fashion, toys, and catch phrases. The colorful designs make this property stand out from some of the newer, more bland resorts. This is definitely a resort geared more towards kids and families, but as a solo adult traveler I was surprised at how much I enjoyed my stay at Pop Century.
Hotel Details
- Value Resort
- 2880 guest rooms
- Three pools
- 2 dining options
- Skyliner access
- One bus stop
- Check-in time is 3pm
- Check-out time is 11am
Hotel Grounds
The grounds of Pop Century is as if pop culture exploded. There are lots of bright colors and large sculptures depicting retro items. Adults may appreciate the theme, but since the pop culture references stop at the 1990s, young kids may not “get it.”
The Pop Century Resort property covers 177 acres, spread out over several smaller buildings. While the grounds may not feel as posh as a deluxe resort, I found everything to be clean and well-maintained.
Rooms
I stayed in a two queen bed standard room in the ’60s building, which ended up being a fabulous central location – close to the main lobby and restaurant, the bus stop, the pool and pool bar (the only bar on property), and the Skyliner station. This building (rooms in the 4000s and 5000s) are the way to go.
The rooms at Pop Century had been recently renovated in 2018 and felt very modern and spacious. Room layouts are very similar to moderate resorts I’ve stayed in, such as Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
While my room was a two bed room, one was a murphy bed which doubled as a table when not pulled down. Since I was traveling solo and only needed one bed, I only pulled it down for photos. Having it up my entire stay certainly helped make the room feel spacious.
The bathroom is split style, with the sink and closet in the main part of the room, and the toilet and bath/shower behind a separate door. I really like this bathroom layout; makes it so much easier for everyone to get ready for the day. The open shelves under the counter are very handy for storage.
The rooms include most standard hotel amenities including:
- Flatscreen TV (with Netflix and Hulu if you log in with your accounts)
- Free Wi-Fi
- Mini Fridge
- Coffee Maker (Keurig)
- Iron & Ironing Board
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries
Pools and Amenities
There are three pool areas at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. The main pool is the Hippy Dippy Pool shaped like a flower. There are smaller pools in the 1950s section and 1990s section. The 1950s pool is shaped like a bowling pin.
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As far as other amenities and activities, the property also has the following available:
- Skyliner access
- Campfire activities nightly near Surfer Goofy statue
- Movies Under the Stars – Watch Disney movies most nights near the Hippy Dippy Pool
- Jogging path
- Playground
- Arcade
- Laundry facilities
Dining
Food options are slim at Pop Century but if you need something in a pinch, check out the following:
Everything POP Shopping and Dining
Located in the Classic Hall is a combo food court and merchandise store. There are several different food stations serving classic theme park fare, such as pizza, pasta, and hamburgers. There are also some grab and go options.
Petals Pool Bar
This outdoor bar is centrally located and is a great spot to unwind after a day at the parks. Just beware it closes at 10:30pm and food options are pretty limited.
Shopping
There’s a large gift shop in the Classic Hall, right next to the front desk. You can find Park merchandise here, plus Pop Century branded items, snacks, and miscellaneous items.
Parking
Outdoor parking is complimentary for guests of the hotel.
Summary
I was skeptical about staying at a value resort but Disney’s Pop Century Resort changed my view. I very much enjoyed my stay here, and I think my building location and the renovated room had a lot to do with it. The downside, for me, is lack of late night bar options. Plus if you want to go to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios your only complimentary option is the Skyliner. Not ideal for my fear of heights. Still, I would recommend Pop Century for anyone who has a smaller budget but still wants the Disney on-property perks.
