Last updated April 2025
We have just returned from our fourth trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. We were nervous for this holiday as it was our first time staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort. Pop Century Resort is a value resort at Walt Disney World making it a perfect hotel for families. However, we have only ever stayed at Disney's Art of Animation Resort so we had no idea what to expect. There was actually no need for our nervousness as Pop Century Resort quickly became our favourite.
If you’re looking for a fun, affordable, and nostalgic place to stay during your Walt Disney World holiday, Disney’s Pop Century Resort could be the perfect fit. I’ll share everything you need to know about staying at Pop Century Resort including the rooms, dining options, transport links (we love the Skyliner!), pools, and why it’s a great choice for families visiting Disney on a budget.
Resort - Bright, Bold, and Bursting with Nostalgia
If, like us you have stayed in Art of Animation you will instantly see the similarities as soon as you pull up to Pop Century Resort. They are almost identical except for the theming. Pop Century greets you with bold colours and décor that celebrates American pop culture from the 1950s to the 1990s where as Art of Animation focuses on Disney characters such as The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid. Having said that each section of Pop Century Resort is themed to a specific decade, with larger-than-life characters from Disney movies such as Mowgli and Baloo and Lady and the Tramp. It also includes fads of that decade such as Rubik’s Cubes and Yo-Yo.
We were allocated a room in the 60s section. These rooms are in the 'preferred section' of the resort due to their proximity to the amenities such as the main resort hall including dining and shop, the Hippy Dippy Pool and the Skyliner.
The resort grounds are beautifully maintained and considering how many guests were onsite when we visited the resort was spotless.
Rooms - Clean, Comfortable, and Recently Refurbished
Pop Century is currently under refurbishment, and the updated rooms are said to be a big improvement. They're now bright, modern, and cleverly designed for families.
We stayed in a Standard Room with a Queen Bed and a Murphy Bed. Honestly I wouldn't say this was the perfect option for our family of four as we are 3 adults however during the day, the Murphy bed folds up to create a table, giving us extra space to move around. At night, it pulls down easily to become a second bed with a surprisingly comfy mattress.
Room features include
- Two queen beds (one is a pull-down Murphy bed)
- A mini-fridge
- Coffee maker
- Large flat-screen TV
- Lots of USB charging ports
- A sliding door separating the bathroom area from the main space
- A spacious vanity with good lighting and storage
There’s also a safe, ironing board, and hairdryer. Our housekeeping schedule was on the desk so we knew exactly when to expect it. It was every other day.
Storage was great with space under the beds for suitcases and shelves by the sink for toiletries and essentials.
While the rooms aren't huge, they’re practical and well-designed, and we appreciated the Disney touches like Mickey-themed artwork and colourful wall decor.
Dining - Quick and Convenient
The Everything POP Food Court is the main dining location at Pop Century Resort and offers a variety of quick-service meals, snacks, and drinks from 7am till 11pm everyday. As it's open from breakfast right through till late evening it's ideal for families who want flexibility. We ate at the hotel quite a few times over the two weeks after a long day at the park and it was great it was open so late.
Menu options range from classic American food such as burgers, pizzas, and chicken tenders. They also offer sesame chicken and vegetables or parmesan chicken and pasta.
For breakfast, we tried the Mickey waffles, scrambled eggs and bacon. The breakfast bagel was tasty as was the totcho bowl. Everything was fresh, hot, and served quickly, perfect for grabbing a bite before hitting the parks.
We did use the mobile ordering service which is available via the My Disney Experience app. It was really easy to order, pick up was simple and it helped us avoid queues.
There’s also a Grab-and-Go section for snacks, fruit, cereal, and cold drinks.
You can choose to buy a refill mug if you are staying at Pop Century Resort. It's currently priced at $22.99 for the duration of your stay and gives you access to the refill soda stations within the resort and other hotels. You can't use them in the parks just hotels and resorts.
The Pools - Family Fun
I will be totally honest and say that we only used the pools once during our stay. We had planned more downtime around the pool however it didn't work out that way.
Pop Century has three pools — the Hippy Dippy Pool (the main pool), the Bowling Pin Pool in the 50s section, and the Computer Pool in the 90s area.
The Hippy Dippy Pool is centrally located near the main building. There’s a children’s splash pad and plenty of sun loungers for parents. Lifeguards are always present and they will walk around the pool rather than just sitting in the chairs. Towels are provided free of charge and once finished with them you can return them in the towel return box.
The pools never looked overly busy and they are a great way to wind down after a long day at the park especially as they are open till 11pm. We have always spent a lot of time in the pools but unfortunately we just didn't get the chance this time.
Transport - Skyliner is a Must!
One of the biggest perks of staying at Pop Century is having access to the Skyliner. The Disney Skyliner is a gondola system that connects Pop Century with Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
We have stayed onsite before the Skyliner was installed and honestly I don't think we would stay anywhere else that wasn't connected to the Skyliner. It’s fast, scenic, and much more enjoyable than waiting for buses especially during busy times.
Getting to Epcot or Hollywood Studios is so easy all you need to do is take the Skyliner from Pop Century to the Caribbean Beach hub, then transfer. It really is simple and much more fun. When heading to Epcot the Skyliner will take you to the International Gateway which is located at the back of Epcot between UK and France in the World Showcase. Personally we think this is a much quieter and attractive entrance.
For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, complimentary Disney buses are available and ran frequently during our stay. If for any reason the Skyliner is out of service, buses will be available to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Entertainment - Lots to Keep the Kids Busy
Pop Century may be a value resort but you wouldn't think so based on the amount of activities they do daily for the kids. Trivia games, movie nights under the stars, and lots of poolside fun. You can check the activity board near the lobby or the app for the daily schedule.
In the lobby, the Fast Forward Arcade features classic and modern arcade games. It's open daily till 11pm. All games are chargeable and easy to use. Just preload an amount on a card and you're ready to play.
Characters can be seen in and around the lobby and there is a timetable available so you don't miss out.
Who is Pop Century Best For?
This was our first visit to Pop Century Resort and we really enjoyed staying at the resort and I would say that Pop Century is ideal for...
- Families looking for a budget-friendly Disney hotel with great amenities
- First-time Disney visitors wanting to stay onsite without the high price tag
- Those who plan to visit Epcot and Hollywood Studios often as the Skyliner makes it so easy.
- Guests who love bright, fun theming and a nostalgic touch
While it doesn’t have the luxury or spaciousness of Disney’s Moderate or Deluxe Resorts, Pop Century holds its own with charm, convenience, and excellent value for money.
Would We Stay Again?
Absolutely! We genuinely enjoyed our stay at Pop Century. The fact that it was so similar in almost every way to Art of Animation without the cost was amazing. The resort was clean and the room was spacious and comfortable. The Skyliner access is a huge bonus.
If you're planning a Disney trip and want a vibrant, family-friendly place to rest your head at night, Disney’s Pop Century Resort is definitely worth considering. Also if you are looking for some Walt Disney World hints and tips we have picked a few up over the years so check them out.
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