On-Site Magical Disney Stays: Pop Century
- paigelandrum
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
Contributed By:
Becky Cain, A Mouse and A Beach Travel Advisor
Ready for a budget friendly stay with larger than life theming plus the added bonus of some great transportation options? Then let’s take a deeper look at the magic that can be found at Walt Disney World’s Pop Century Resort!
Resort Theming
Pop Century pays homage to the fashions, toys, and fads that made the second half of last century iconic. With its fun decades theming, you can relive moments from the 1950s to the 1990s including checking out some of the larger than life statues of Lady & the Tramp, Mowgli & Baloo, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, Roger Rabbit, and more!
Room Types
Pop Century rooms can sleep up to 4 adults depending on the layout of either 1 King Bed or a Queen Bed and a Queen sized Table Bed. While all the rooms have the same theming inside, guests who want to be closer to the main amenities and the Skyliner should plan to spend a little extra for a Preferred Room in the 1960’s section of the resort. The resort is divided into clusters of buildings for each decade featured.
1950s - features bowling pins, a Jukebox and Lady & the Tramp
1960s - features Play Doh, flower petals, peace signs and Baloo & Mowgli
1970s - features a Big Wheel tricycle, foosball, twister and Mickey Mouse
1980s - features Roger Rabbit, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head,
1990s - features a giant computer, floppy disk and hip hop dancers
The rooms at Pop Century were refurbished in 2018 with a sleek hardwood floor, queen beds (including 1 Murphy bed, pictured below), sliding barn door dividers for the sink area and new Mickey Mouse & Pluto theming giving the whole space a bright and fun uplift. Being able to fold up the bed during the day is amazing for the additional space.
PRO Tip: Since the resort only sleeps four to a room, if our clients have three or more children under the age of 17 (and only two adults), we can arrange guaranteed connecting rooms. This is a great perk as connecting rooms can be requested, but not guaranteed. The added space (and bathroom) is a game changer as well!
Resort Facts: Dining Options, Pools, Transportation
Dining
Everything Pop Shopping and Dining is your one stop shop for Disney merchandise and boasts a food court offering a large variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Boasting 7 food stations there are options for everyone for each meal. You can also purchase a Disney Rapid Fill Refillable Mug here and fill it with coffee, tea, and/or fountain drinks throughout the length of your stay. I love getting Disney favorites like Mickey Waffles, totchos (IYKYK), Mickey ice cream bars, and themed cupcakes at this super convenient location right after I get off the bus from the parks!
Pools
Pop Century boasts three pools for guests of the resort - including the large, central Hippy Dippy Pool complete with the poolside bar which is home to many of the daily resort activities. Guests who prefer a quieter space will enjoy the two smaller pools shaped like a bowling pin in the 1950s section and a computer in the 1980s/1990s section.
Guests enjoying time at the Hippy Dippy Pool can also grab a light meal, cold treat, and an assortment of specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the Petals Pool Bar! I highly recommend the Pina Colava or its non-alcoholic version, the Lava Smoothie with an iconic Mickey Pretzel!
Transportation
While Pop Century is on the value level (meaning less transportation options), it comes with one very big perk: the Skyliner! Located on a bridge that spans Hourglass Lake and connects Pop Century with its neighbor resort, Art of Animation, is the Skyliner station that serves both resorts. This gondola mode of transportation gives you a beautiful view of the Walt Disney World property while you travel with ease to Hollywood Studios or Epcot. Did you know that the Skyliner is the only form of free Disney transportation that guarantees you a seat while traveling? Not only that, but there is no need to pop down your stroller if you still have a need for this large accessory. ;) This makes it the perfect way to come home after a long and happy day at either Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
Guests staying at Pop Century will utilize the Disney bus system for visits to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Disney Springs.
Resort Amenities
When choosing which resort to stay during your Walt Disney World vacation, it’s important to also think about what amenities you would like to do or what would be fun for your family. Pop Century provides additional entertainment for families including:
Roasting marshmallows by the campfire
Movies under the stars, located near the Hippy Dippy Pool
Jogging Trail, 1 mile loop around the resort
Playground, in the 1970s section
Fast Forward Arcade, located in the Classic Hall building
I love to end an evening with free marshmallow roasting by campfire while chatting with the heart of Disney - the Disney Cast Members! They always have the best insider tips and tricks to share.
This would be the ideal resort for you if:
Budget is one of your top priorities when choosing a resort and you don’t mind traveling to get a table service meal or just prefer quick service dining. This is also a great resort if you plan to visit Epcot and Hollywood Studios often without doing a lot of “down time” at the resort and love the idea of having multiple forms of transportation for getting to and from the parks.
Check out why Becky Cain, our AMAAB travel advisor, loves Pop Century:
Pop Century was the perfect, budget friendly spot to base my 40th Birthday Extravaganza trip since I was not planning on being at the resort very often with my penchant for going park open to park close every day. The quick and peaceful Skyliner trips meant that Epcot and Hollywood Studios were readily accessible plus I was able to visit Topolino’s Terrace, one of my favorite WDW restaurants, with ease! Topolino’s Terrace is located at the top of the Riviera Resort, which has its very own Skyliner station. We also had a blast doing a Skyliner Crawl on a recent trip where we tried snacks at every WDW resort with direct access to the Skyliner.
AMAAB Travel Advisor
You can check out an overview of all Disney resorts here, or connect with one of our travel advisors to find your perfect match!
Want to check out a Disney resort for yourself? Start with our quote request and our crew will send you a proposal of options for your next magical WDW vacation.
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