Pop Century Resort
Walt Disney World
A Blast From the Past
On spring break 2016, we found ourselves with an extra night at Walt Disney World and decided it was the perfect opportunity to check out one of the few resorts where we hadn’t yet stayed. One phone call later, we were booked at Disney’s Pop Century Resort for a quick visit with the cousins.
It was a rainy, short stay, but we could immediately see why so many Disney guests love Pop Century. The resort is colorful, lively and packed with nostalgic details that celebrate the decades in a fun, larger-than-life way. While it doesn’t have quite the same relaxing atmosphere that our family tends to gravitate toward, there’s no denying the energy and value that make Pop a popular choice for many Disney travelers.
Let’s take a look at what makes Disney’s Pop Century Resort a fan favorite and whether it’s the right fit for your next Walt Disney World vacation.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
1050 Century Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
407-938-4000
Guest Rooms | Shopping | Dining | Recreation | Around the Resort
Rates: $220+/night
Room Occupancy: 4 in a standard room
Transportation: Skyliner to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort; Bus to other Disney guest areas
Skyliner Station
Skyliner
Bus Service
Guest Rooms
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers standard rooms and suites throughout Gran Destino Tower and the resort’s village areas. Guests looking for an upgraded moderate resort experience can also choose club level accommodations and services.
Club guests enjoy access to the Chronos Club lounge, where refreshments are served daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., along with personalized front desk and guest services, Disney Signature Services assistance, complimentary health club access and secured lounge access.
Guest rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi, a beverage cooler, coffee maker, hairdryer, in-room safe, iron and ironing board and a lighted makeup mirror. Suites also include a mini refrigerator.
Room Categories
- Standard Location – Views of the resort or parking area; 1 queen pull-down and 1 queen OR 1 king; mostly 80s, 90s
- Standard Pool View – Views of the Bowling Pin pool or Computer pool; 1 queen pull-down and 1 queen OR 1 king; mostly 80s, 90s
- Preferred Location – Close to Classic Hall lobby, dining, shopping and transportation; views of the resort or parking area; 1 queen pull-down and 1 queen OR 1 king; 50s, 60s, 70s
- Preferred Pool View – Close to Classic Hall lobby, dining, shopping and transportation; views of the Hippy Dippy pool; 1 queen pull-down and 1 queen OR 1 king; 50s, 60s, 70s
Shopping & Sundries
Everything POP Shopping & Dining is the central hub for Disney’s Pop Century Resort, offering a combination of shopping, snacks and quick-service dining. Guests can find Disney merchandise, resort essentials and vacation necessities in the shopping area, while the food court serves a variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Stitchy and Minnie
Headed out after a short but “poppy” stay at Pop Century
Everything Pop
Everything Pop
Everything Pop
Pressed Pennies
Such a fun and affordable souvenir!
Dining
Everything POP is also your place for quick meals throughout the day. It’s a convenient stop for grabbing a meal before heading to the parks, picking up a treat or fueling up after a long Disney day.
Petals Pool Bar is the perfect spot to grab a drink or snack while taking a break from the parks. Located near the Hippy Dippy Pool, this poolside bar offers a relaxing place for adults to unwind while the rest of the crew enjoys some pool time.
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Ice Cream!
Petals Pool Bar
Petals Pool Bar
Recreation & Activities
Pop Century offers three pools for guests looking to cool off during a resort break. The Hippy Dippy Pool in the 1960s section is the feature pool, while the Bowling and Computer pools add extra themed options throughout the resort.
Families can also enjoy a playground, the Fast Forward Arcade and Movies Under the Stars. Guests looking to stay active can take advantage of the jogging trails around the resort.
Movie Under the Stars
At the Hippy Dippy Pool
Hippy Dippy Pool
Hippy Dippy Pool
Hippy Dippy Pool
Hippy Dippy Pool
Around the Resort
Our visit to Pop Century was a little different than most — a lot of our exploring happened after dark, in the rain, so our photos have a bit more of a “Disney after hours” vibe than the bright sunshine you usually see. (Moody resort photography? We’re calling it a creative choice. 😉)
That said, Pop Century is made for wandering. Take your time exploring the decades, giant icons and nostalgic details scattered throughout the resort. From oversized toys to larger-than-life reminders of the past, there are plenty of fun photo stops hiding around every corner.
Just don’t blame us when you end up spending more time taking pictures at the resort than you expected. Pop does that.
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Pop Century from Art of Animation
Pop Century from Art of Animation
Pop Century from Art of Animation
More Magic Tips
A few tips go a long way toward making your stay Pop with magic!
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Try the iconic tie-dye cheesecake. Pop Century’s tie-dye cheesecake is a fan-favorite treat and a fun little piece of Disney resort history. Even if you don’t stay here, it’s worth adding to your Disney snack list for a colorful (and very Instagram-friendly) bite.
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Pack something to help with the noise. Pop Century’s energy is part of the appeal, but that also means it can get lively. If you have light sleepers in your crew, consider packing ear plugs, a white noise machine or a favorite sound app to help everyone get a good night’s rest after busy park days.
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Walk over to Art of Animation. One of Pop Century’s biggest perks is its location right next door to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Take a stroll across the bridge and enjoy even more larger-than-life Disney details and photo opportunities without needing an extra park ticket.
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Let a Disney expert help you choose. Pop Century is a popular resort for a reason, but the “best” Disney resort depends on your family, your priorities and how you like to vacation. When you book your Disney vacation with us, we’ll help you find the resort and room category that fits the way your family actually vacations.
Our Take on Pop Century
Pop Century has a serious fan club, and honestly, we understand why. The bright colors, playful nostalgia and energetic atmosphere make it a fun place to come back to after a day in the parks. Plus, the Disney Skyliner gives Pop a major advantage, offering easy access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios without relying on a bus for every park day.
For our family, Pop doesn’t quite have the same wow factor as some of our favorite Disney resorts. The rooms are on the smaller side, and the amenities are fairly basic, which is to be expected at a value resort. If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing retreat with lots of resort-focused downtime, this probably won’t give you that deluxe resort feeling.
But that’s not really why people choose Pop Century. Guests love it because it delivers a fun Disney experience at a lower price point. The theming is cheerful, the energy is high and the ability to stretch your vacation budget while still staying on Disney property is a huge perk.
Pop Century may not be our personal top pick, but its loyal following is well-earned. For families who want a lively, affordable home base with plenty of Disney magic, it’s easy to see why so many guests come back again and again.
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