POP Century: A Walk Through Time!
POP Century continually ranks as one of Disney World’s unique and popular hotel options. A big reason for this is because it is a value resort and Disney hotel options definitely tend to run on the higher end of things. Another reason we like POP Century is because for so many of us, it takes us on a nostalgic trip down memory lane. This is the aspect we will focus on mainly in our review.
What makes POP Century a great option? It’s not the rooms. Expect your room to be a place to sleep and not much more. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely not a JW Marriott. Clean… yes, luxurious… no. It is designated to be just a room. The magic of this hotel happens on the outside.
Here are two other things that make POP Century a practical & fun option for many Disney guests. The first is that it is on property, and there is something to be said about being in the “Disney bubble.” Second is the theming. Like the other value resorts (Art of Animation and the All Star rooms) you get the best immersion outside of your sleeping area. Larger than life options are found all around and often spending a day exploring the hotel can be just as fun as a park day to kids, parents, & grandparents alike! It’s an easy choice for budget conscience people and for the child at heart kind of grownups too.
The hotel’s theming is divided into centuries - hence the name POP Century. The range of time represented is the 50s through the 90s. I personally was an 80s baby. I would be hard pressed to find a better 10 years in human history than 1986-1996. I might acquiesce a little in saying that this time was great because it was my own memorable childhood, or…. it may have been that good. It was a time before cellphone distractions, instagram notifications, facebook alerts and etc. This is why I feel a rushing sweep of nostalgia when I see PAC-Man on the 80’s buildings. Remember boom boxes and breakdancing (the latter of which if I ever tried… I would just do the break part)? Remember neon and the rubik’s cube? What else represented the 80’s better to a child? The sight of seeing a giant Walkman (remember those?) sends me soaring back to another time. The 90s were my older childhood. All of the obsolete things of today that we were so fond of just years ago are presented in all their POP century glory! Who remembers playing twister with friends or when children used yo-yo’s to be entertained instead of tablets? You will at POP Century! For those who grew up in the 50s, 60s or 70s, you are represented also. And even if you weren’t alive during this time I promise you will never find a more fun history lesson. School day anyone?
I love the wall cases in the lobby and theming throughout. Of course my son and I stopped to see the Star Wars items, from the 70s. I remember some of the 70’s toys my uncle had and saw them in that case. Nostalgia ranged from board games of times past to popular music of the day - it’s all represented. Toys, or T.V. - it is here.
All of the expected amenities are at POP as well. Several pools are available for swimming on the “off” days. It should be noted that the food court has a decent selection. I recommend trying the Tie-Dye cheesecake. This POP exclusive may look as good as it tastes!
Each decade hotel has a stairwell that is hidden in a giant iconic item from that decade. For instance the yo-yo you see at top of the article is a staircase. My favorite (I bet you already knew) is the Rubik’s cube in the 80’s building. It adds another touch that hands out a lifetime of memories to guests. Having four children, I can say they had as much fun going up and down the stairs as they did swimming in the pool. Only Disney magic could do that. Thus the 80s building reminded me of two things that are scarcely found - the Rubik’s cube and the energy necessary to run up and down all the steps continuously.
Lastly, I should mention that you can request a “decade” to stay in. It cannot be guaranteed that you will get the decade you want, but Disney does their best to make that happen. Last time we stayed, because of little to no vacancy, we had to “settle” for the 60s. If you don’t get the decade you want you can still freely visit around without any issues. As always, when dealing with Disney the sooner you plan and make firm your reservations the better the chance to get what you want.
