Disney’s Pop Century Resort: An Honest Family Review

Disney’s Pop Century Resort: A Full Review of Our First Time in the Disney Bubble 

After years of dreaming about staying inside the Disney bubble, we finally did it, and honestly, it was everything we hoped it would be (and more). Our 11-night stay at Walt Disney World’s Pop Century Resort was the perfect start to our Disney adventure: colourful, nostalgic, convenient, and filled with those little Disney touches that make you feel like you’re part of the magic 24/7.

Here’s a deep dive into our stay- from check-in and rooms to pools, dining, transportation, and all those fun extra details you might be wondering about before booking.

Pop Century Resort: The Room

We stayed in the 1980’s section, ground floor room #8116 at Pop Century Resort.

Opening the door, that first blast of cool air-con felt amazing after a long day in the Florida August heat. The room was refurbished and modern, with a clean design and subtle Mickey theming above the bed that gave it that perfect Disney touch without being over the top.

Our standard room came with:

• One queen bed and one Murphy-style pull-down bed that doubles as a table when folded up
• A large TV
• Mini fridge and coffee station with tea and coffee supplies
• Bedside tables and a chest of drawers
• Vanity area with sink, mirror, and a slim wardrobe
• Bathroom with shower, toilet, and the classic Disney H2O+ bath products

The addition of the Hey Disney! voice assistant was a fun surprise. You can ask it to tell jokes, play music, or even request extra towels or toiletries. It’s like Alexa, but Disney-style and yes, my kids thought it was hilarious to ask it random questions at all hours.

With four of us sharing the space for 11 nights, things did get a little cramped towards the end of the trip. Packing cubes were a lifesaver — each of us had one drawer for our cubes, which kept things somewhat organised. The wardrobe, while handy, wasn’t large enough for four people’s hanging clothes, so we mostly lived out of our cubes and suitcases.

We never actually folded the Murphy bed back up during our stay since we spent very little time in the room but if you like to have a little extra space in the mornings, it’s an easy way to create a small dining or sitting area.

Housekeeping ran every other day, though ours felt a bit random. You can always request extra towels through Hey Disney or the front desk.

Fantastic pools at Pop Century Resort

Pop Century has three themed pools, each representing a different decade:

1. The Hippy Dippy Pool (1960’s)- The main pool, with giant flower-shaped water jets and a fun kids’ splash area.
2. The Bowling Pool (1950’s)- Shaped like a giant bowling pin, complete with lane markings.
3. The Computer Pool (1990’s)- Decorated with a massive keyboard, floppy disk, and laptop which is a total nostalgia for those who grew up in the early internet era!

Each pool is fenced and requires your Magicband or room key for entry. Towels are provided (you can grab and drop them in towel bins nearby), and lifeguards are always on duty.

During our August 2024 visit, pool hours were 10 a.m. to 11 p.m, which gave us plenty of time for evening dips after the parks.

Fun Around the Resort

There’s also a ton of fun resort activities and honestly, this was one of the things that made Pop feel so lively and family-friendly.

At the Hippy Dippy Pool, we saw:

• Poolside games and trivia
• Mickey tie-dye (extra fee)
• Marble painting on vinyl records (extra fee)
• Movies Under the Stars-an absolute must-do!

And around the resort, there’s even more:

• “Find a Friend” scavenger hunt
• Fast Forward Arcade ($)
• Boombox Bingo
• Nighttime trivia
• Groovy campfire with marshmallow roasting
• Playground and jogging trail

We especially loved the campfire. It felt so wholesome and cosy, roasting marshmallows under the stars. We even splurged on a s’mores kit one evening, and it was totally worth it.

Laundry & Facilities at Pop Century Resort

I actually did two loads of washing during our stay and it was much easier than I expected. The laundry rooms are clean, air-conditioned, and located near the pools.

You’ll need to download two apps-LaundryView (to check which machines are available) and CSC Go (to pay and start the machines). Each wash cost $3, the dryer was $3, and detergent was $1 (available from a vending machine). Next time, I’ll definitely pack detergent pods to save a few dollars.

It was so convenient to pop a load in and head to the pool right next door-very “Disney multitasking.”

Other handy facilities include:

• Free Wi-Fi throughout the resort
• Free parking for resort guests
• ATM and currency exchange
• A well-stocked merchandise shop inside Classic Hall

Food and Drink at Pop Century Resort

Food-wise, Pop Century definitely delivers for a value resort.

We bought the refillable resort mugs ($22.99 each), which you can use for unlimited refills of soft drinks, coffee, tea, Minute Maid lemonade, Powerade, and hot chocolate at any Disney resort for up to 14 days. Total lifesaver-especially in that Florida heat! These mugs are also included if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan.

The main food court, Everything Pop Shopping & Dining, was being refurbished during our visit, but we still used it regularly. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and offers mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app.

Breakfast (7–11 a.m.) included:

• Mickey waffles and pancakes 
• Omelettes and breakfast sandwiches
• Loaded Totchos bowl (my personal fave)
• Oatmeal, fruit, and pastries

Lunch & Dinner (11 a.m.–11 p.m.) options were great too (these were our favourites):

• Citrus basil salmon with rice – $17.99
• Sesame chicken with rice – $12.99
• Bacon cheeseburger and fries – $14.19
• Caesar chicken salad – $11.99
• Kids’ chicken strips meal – $8.99
• Large cheese pizza – $20.99 (perfect for sharing)

All prices are before tax and gratuity, and while the food isn’t “fine dining,” it’s tasty, fast, and ideal after a long day in the parks.

Allergies & Special Diets:
Disney handles allergies impressively well. While we didn’t have any dietary restrictions this time, we’ll be testing out the dairy-free options next visit. Menus list all major allergens (gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, etc.), and Cast Members are trained to help guests with food sensitivities find safe and tasty options.

Petals Pool Bar (open 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.) is perfect for a lazy pool day. They serve sandwiches, pretzels, and ice cream bars plus cocktails, beer, and wine. Sitting by the pool with a cold drink and background Disney music? Absolute bliss.

Theming and Nostalgia Overload

Pop Century Resort’s theming is what makes it so unique with each section representing a decade from the 1950’s through the 1990’s, and the details are spectacular.

Here’s a quick rundown:

• 1950’s: Giant Lady and the Tramp statues, a jukebox, and the bowling pin pool.
• 1960’s: Baloo and Mowgli, Play-Doh tubs, peace signs, yo-yos, and the Hippy Dippy Pool.
• 1970’s: A giant Mickey phone, mood rings, a huge foosball pitch, and an oversized Twister board you can actually play on.
• 1980’s: Roger Rabbit, Rubik’s cubes, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, and a retro Walkman.
• 1990’s: The computer pool, giant floppy disks, CDs, and an old-school cell phone.

Each section feels like its own mini-world. Even if you’re not staying in that decade, take time to wander around because it’s a nostalgic walk down memory lane and makes for some fantastic photo ops.

Inside Classic Hall, you’ll find displays of real memorabilia from each era- think vintage toys, records, and old advertisements. It’s fun for kids but maybe even more fun for adults who remember owning some of these things!

Final Thoughts: Would We Stay at Pop Century Resort Again?

In short – absolutely!

Pop Century Resort gave us everything we wanted for our first stay on Disney property: cheerful theming, solid food options, friendly Cast Members, great pools, and unbeatable access to the Skyliner.

Yes, the rooms are compact and housekeeping could’ve been a bit more consistent, but those are small trade-offs for the overall experience and value. I also found the mobile-only food ordering system a bit frustrating at times, though I suspect that may have been temporary during the refurbishment.

By the end of our 11 nights, we felt completely immersed in Disney magic. Every time we walked through the resort, Cast Members greeted us with smiles. When I had issues with my prepaid card, they went above and beyond to help.

It truly felt like home for those 11 nights and leaving was harder than I expected but thankfully we had 2 nights at Animal kingdom Lodge to fully end our holiday.

We’re already planning our next visit and can’t wait to see the newly refurbished Everything Pop food court. While we’re tempted to try other resorts, Pop Century will always hold a special place in our hearts as our first Disney home.

If you’re considering staying here, I’d say go for it. Whether it’s your first Disney trip or your tenth, Pop Century is fun, nostalgic, and full of that extra sprinkle of pixie dust that makes Disney stays unforgettable.

Travel Mum rating: 5/5

Check out our guide on visitingDisneyland Paris here

Also check out my review of our stay at Universal Endless Summer: Surfside Resort

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