Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Here are the 12 Best Reasons to Stay at Pop Century Resort.
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If you’ve been planning a trip to Disney World recently, you’ve probably discovered how expensive it can be. There are transportation costs, park tickets, food, and resort expenses. It can be an overwhelming task trying to decide what works best for you and your family especially if you are trying to stay within a reasonable budget.
In all of our trips to Disney, one of the first things we look at when trying to cut costs is our resort. We love being immersed in the Disney bubble so staying on property has always been important to us. This way it feels like the magic has started the moment we have stepped off the plane and headed to the most magical place on earth.
However, just because we have decided to stay on Disney property doesn’t mean there aren’t deals to be found. By staying at a Value Resort, you can enjoy many perks including early entry, complimentary buses to the parks, and more all at an affordable price.
Here are the 12 best reasons to stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort and why we keep coming back time and time again.
12 Reasons to Stay at Pop Century Resort
1. Everything Pop Shopping and Dining
Pop Century Resort has a food court with a variety of food stations that are sure to please everyone in the family. It includes offerings such as sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, and desserts including their famous tie-dye cheesecake. It also has an abundant amount of tables to accommodate many as well as large televisions for entertainment.
In addition, you can use mobile ordering at this location which is really convenient and saves time.
The gift shop has a wide assortment of Walt Disney World and Pop Century souvenirs such as clothing, toys, and home goods. They also have toiletries and over-the-counter medications in case you forgot to bring some from home.
2. Photo opportunities
One of our favorite things to do while visiting Pop Century is to walk around and look at all the larger-than-life icons scattered around the resort. The kids love pointing out all their favorite Disney characters while the adults enjoy reminiscing about all the pop culture references everywhere.
When my boys were small, we used to do a photo scavenger hunt around the resort because they loved taking pictures. You can print out the Photo Scavenger Hunt Checklist I created below. It’s a great free activity that you can do with your kids when you come back to the resort for an afternoon rest from the parks.
Pop Century Resort Photo Scavenger Hunt
3. Activities
If you are planning to have a resort day or just spend some rest time at the resort in the afternoon or evening. You will find so many things to do.
Including:
- A Playground
- Movies under the Stars near the Hippy Dippy Pool
- Fast-Forward Arcade
- Pool Games
- Trivia Challenges
- Arts & Crafts
You may even find cast members dancing to “The Twist” and doing “The Hustle” in Classic Hall.
4. Theme
Pop Century offers unique theming that focuses on pop culture through the decades ranging from the 1950s-1990s.
You will find a wide assortment of Disney characters that will delight young children. The adults will have just as much fun taking a walk down memory lane.
In the 50’s section of the resort, you will find a giant jukebox and Disney characters such as Lady and the Tramp. In the 60’s you will find tie-dye colors and Playdoh creations and huge brightly colored yo-yo’s. The 70’s section includes a giant Mickey Mouse rotary phone and 8 track tapes. In the 80’s you will find Rubik’s cubes and Sony Walkman icons. Lastly, in the 90’s section, you will find a giant computer.
The Classic Hall, which houses the lobby, arcade, gift shop, food court, and bus stops is centrally located among the different buildings of the resort making it an easy walk from most of the rooms.
A few quick tips:
- Request the 50’s section, top floor, lakeside if you are looking for a more quiet location.
- If you don’t mind the activity and noise then a 60’s building would be for you. A bonus is that you are closest to shopping and dining.
- Although, the ’80s and 90’s sections are a little further than the other sections. A quick shortcut across the parking lot will take you to the bus stop area in no time.
5. Location
Pop Century Resort is located just minutes from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It’s also about 20 minutes to the Magic Kingdom.
Another reason we love staying at Pop is how close it is to the Art of Animation Resort. You can stay at Pop Century and enjoy dinner at Art of Animation or shop in their gift shop. It’s like having the ability to enjoy two amazing resorts for the price of one.
6. Swimming Pools
There are 3 swimming pools at Pop with one being zero-entry, Hippy Dippy Pool. It’s the most popular pool of the three and includes flower-shaped water jets. Located in the 60’s section of the resort, it’s also the closest pool to Classic Hall, directly outside the food court. There is a kiddie pool nearby and for the adults a pool bar. If you love pool games and lots of activities then that is the place you want to be.
If you would prefer something a little quieter after a busy day in the theme parks then you should check out the bowling pool near the 50’s section of the resort or the computer pool in the 80’s section.
7. Buses
We have found the buses at Pop Century to be fast and efficient. We have never waited long for a bus to arrive whether we are waiting at the resort or at a theme park. One of the biggest benefits is that because of the size of Pop Century you don’t have to share a bus with another resort.
There is also only one bus stop which is convenient after a long day at the parks. You don’t have to stop at multiple bus stops throughout the resort until you get to your stop.
A quick tip– A huge bonus is the option of taking an Art of Animation bus if one pulls up at the parks before a Pop Century bus. Then, it’s just a quick walk across the generation gap bridge back to Pop.
8. Renovated Rooms
The recent renovation of the rooms has made them feel larger despite being only 260 square feet. They have a clean and modern look with the addition of new flooring, a new queen size bed, and a murphy bed. It’s a great use of space as it allows families to spread out and enjoy more room. The murphy bed can be closed up during the day and used as a table and turned down in the evening.
They also added additional storage in the bathroom which was greatly needed.
9. Jogging Trail
If you want to get in a run while you are visiting Disney World, Pop Century has a great jogging trail. It’s a little over one mile long looping around Hourglass Lake. It is shared with the Art of Animation Resort.
10. Best Value
When researching our first trip to Disney, I realized how expensive hotels in the area cost. So, when you think about how much it costs to stay at a Disney Resort you should consider all the extra amenities that come with staying at a value resort such as free transportation to the parks and early entry. In addition to clean rooms, friendly service, and being completely immersed in the Disney magic.
A quick tip: The most affordable time of the year is usually January, February, August, and September. Don’t despair if these months don’t work for you as Disney does release room discounts and promotions throughout the year.
11. Close to Art of Animation
Art of Animation is just a short walk over the generation gap bridge from Pop Century Resort. It has amazing icons from popular movies such as Finding Nemo, Cars, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King. It also has one of the best counter-service restaurants on property, Landscape of Flavors.
12. Part of the New Skyliner System
Pop Century is one of the few resorts that are part of the new Skyliner System, sharing a station with the Art of Animation Resort. The colorful gondolas travel over Hourglass Lake and take you to either Hollywood Studios or Epcot International Gateway.
Overall, Pop Century Resort is an excellent option for families visiting Walt Disney World on a budget. We have loved all our stays and are looking forward to making many more memories there in the future.
If you are looking for more ways to save on a Walt Disney World Vacation:
- 15 Easy Ways to Save on a Disney Vacation
- 20 Best Free Things at Disney World
- How to Eat Disney World on a Budget
Don’t forget to sign up for my FREE Resource Library filled with planner printables including a Disney Travel Planning Sheet. Also, check out my Pinterest Disney boards for more ways to plan and save for a Walt Disney World Vacation on a budget.
