The best value resort at Walt Disney World is Disney’s Pop Century Resort. With updated rooms and the addition of a Disney Skyliner station, it’s hard to beat the value of this resort. Check out why we loveDisney’s Pop Century Resort.
5 Reasons We Love Disney’s Pop Century Resort
1. Prices at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Pop Century is considered a value resort at Walt Disney World. A few years ago we could easily pay under $100 a night. At this point, I am still seeing rooms for $200 which is much cheaper than moderate or deluxe resorts at WDW.
Staying at a Disney resort gives you great extra perks including transportation to all the parks, and Extra Magic Hours. I think Disney’s Pop Century is the best of the value resorts, much more fun than the all-star resorts.
2. Theming at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The Pop Century theming very kid friendly. It’s big and in your face, at least on the outside with larger than life statues of Mickey Mouse, Mr & Mrs Potato, Baloo, Roger Rabbit, and more.
Naturally music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s is played at the resort. You might even catch a fun dance session in the main hall, it’s usually “The Twist” or “The Hustle.”
3. Disney Skyliner at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Pop Century (along with the Art of Animation Resort) share access to Disney’s newest park transportation option, Disney Skyliner. Disney Skyliner are aerial gondolas that will take guests to Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot. This fun transportation reminds me of Disneyland’s skyway from my childhood.
4. Updated Rooms at Pop Century
We stayed in the updated Pop Century Resort rooms a few years ago and I was really impressed. The rooms used to be very Motel 6 feeling but they are much more modern now, both in style and function.
Pop Century now offers either a Queen bed with Queen pull-down bed or 1 King bed in all rooms. Plus there is a little table you can use before pulling down the 2nd Queen. There is also lots of storage and outlets for charing devices.
5. Pop Century Proximity to Art of Animation Resort
It’s an easy 5-minute walk to the Art of Animation Resort from most rooms at Pop Century. It’s always fun to check out other Disney Properties and Art of Animation is exceptionally themed for little kids.
Art of Animation also offers a super fun water-themed playground and their food court has different food options. A change of scenery and more food choices is always appreciated.
3 Reasons We Don’t Love Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Of course it’s not all peaches and cream, there are some things we don’t love about Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
1. No Waterslide or Spa at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
My oldest loves water slides and my husband enjoys a good spa. Neither is available at Pop Century which is a bummer. The main pool does have water jets for added fun and there’s a small splash pad for little kids.
2. Bus Transportation
To travel to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom you must take a bus. I am not a fan of bus transportation at Walt Disney World and prefer hotels near Epcot/Disney Hollywood Studios like Disney’s Yacht Club for this very reason. Some WDW resorts ONLY offer bus transportation.
Now that Pop Century offers Disney Skyliner transportation to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios, the transportation options are better overall. However, I still don’t like riding a bus to get to any parks.
The good news is that Pop Century doesn’t share buses with other resorts so if you HAVE to ride a bus to a park, this is one of the resorts with better bus options. Once you get on the bus at Pop Century there are no stops to other resorts, they will take you straight to the parks.
3. Limited Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The only dining option at Pop Century is at Everything POP Dining. The Pop Food Court made it very easy to grab a quick meal or snack at just about any time during our stay.
We prefer a food court to table service when at Disney. Mostly it’s a budgeting thing but it’s also a timing thing, it’s so much easier to just pop in and grab something quick rather than wait for a table, wait to be served, wait for our check, etc.
However, a sit-down place would be a nice option when you want to take a longer break.I don’t think food courts offer amazing dining opportunities but I do appreciate their variety, pricing and quickness.
Want a sneak peek at Pop Century? Check out my video tour below!
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Anna says
Thank you so much for the video of Pop century resort!!! We have stayed at deluxe hotels before when our kids were young but now that they are teens, they don’t want to sleep in the same bed as mom and dad. So I said you can have your own room but we have to stay at a Disney value hotel or we can all share a room and you have to sleep with us in bed! They picked the Pop! I hope they like it but we are coming for the parks.
Karen says
That’s an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing and I hope you enjoy Pop century!!
renee says
My husband booked our rooms today for this resort–your video was very informative, so thanks for sharing. I am only bummed about how tiny those beds look; everything else makes me excited!!!