Pop Century Main Building, Food Court, and Pool

We’ve spent a lot of time at the Animation Resort over the last six weeks or so.  We took a look at the main building and merchandise.  The food court.  We walked around.  The Cars section and the Surf and Surf Burger.  The gelato, pesto bread, and another walk around.  And then the Shrimp Tandoori and ANOTHER walk around.  Like when any new favorite child arrives, we’ve neglected Pop Century in the interim.  Our last official visit was back in August of 2011, when I actually stayed there for a night.  So we’ll return and see what’s changed.

Despite Art of Animation being classified as a “Value Resort,” the fact remains that only 864 rooms are “Standard” size and all 864 are Little Mermaid themed.  The 1,120 suites start at $248/night, which is more expensive than a Moderate Resort.  Heck, you can stay at the Wilderness Lodge starting at $265/night.  Add in additional discounts and you could very well pay less to stay at the Wilderness Lodge.  Beyond that, you may not be able to get your seven and nine year old sons into a “stupid princess room.”  And adults or parties consisting of adults and teens may not care for the bright rooms and extremely themed everythings.  At Pop Century, you’ll find 2,880 Standard Rooms that come with much blander interior decorations.

There isn’t a whole lot to get offended at here at the Pop Century. Expect accommodations in the Little Mermaid rooms to be comparable to the Pop Century when all is said and done.

Like Art of Animation, Pop has dedicated bus service.

Heading inside the main building.

The check-in/concierge area is mighty pleasant.

On the opposite side, you’ll see memorabilia from the various years that are represented:

I like the Disney World stuff.

If I saw this guy in the Park, I’m not sure if I’d laugh or cry.

Something you definitely wouldn’t see in 2k12.

This could definitely turn into a drinking game.

Neat stuff.  Wouldn’t surprise me if DISboards.com broke in here, stole the crock pot cookbook, and rotisserie’d some chickens back in the room.  I’m sure the move to the pod-style coffee pots was a tragic day for all involved.  Never forget.

And appropriate art and photographs behind the registration desk.

The fast forward ARCADE apparently.

It’s about what you could expect from a Disney arcade.

Seating doesn’t look as comfortable as it did at Art of Animation.

But it has the usual assortment of games and prizes.

My face already is a caricature. Available from 6pm – 11pm.

The large Everything Pop shopping/dining complex.

Unfortunately, there’s no resort specific merchandise here.  Hopefully it’s successful at Art of Animation and we start to see some over here and at the Moderates.

But you can get a penny and there’s probably a pin somewhere. Remind me to start a business where you give me money and then I just give you 1.9% of it back.

Pop still enjoys one of the best quick service food courts of any of the resorts.  It’s hard to say whether it’s “better” than the Art of Animation court.  Art of Animation is going to be absolutely slammed when it’s fully open.  And while “real silverware and plates” might seem nice on paper (NO PUN INTENDED LOL), it’s maddeningly loud.

Ice cream and goodies:

Remember that puny little gelato with strawberry sprinkles?  I’ll see you that and raise you hot fudge, whipped cream, and cherries.  And wow.  That cupcake.  You might as well just scratch nine days off your life.

Smorgasbord:

Bad for you:

More hodgepodge:

And another:

The Mom’s Night Out entree changes depending on the day of the week.  I’ve had the meatloaf.  Very good, though not particularly photogenic.

Snacks and cereals.

Beverages:

What they may lack in beer choices, as compared to Art of Animation, they more than make up for in orange juice availability.

Goodies.

“Special Dietary Snacks.”

Pricing.

Soy milk and sushi.

More snacks.

Better snacks.

More. Bigger: http://www.easywdw.com/reports4/popdrink1.jpg.

Cream Cheese, Peanut Butter, and Milk.

More milk.

Fruit. Bigger: http://www.easywdw.com/reports4/popdrink2.jpg.

Pickles.

The popular and somewhat unique Tie Dye Cheesecake.

Candy and such:

Most of it should be a snack credit.

Condiments and beverages:

The difference being some have Sprite Zero, Sprite, and/or Cherry Coke. So you don’t necessarily want to give up if the first machine you encounter doesn’t have your soft drink of choice.

I can’t believe Disney would continue operating the Pop Century Resort with a ketchup dispenser that’s OUT OF ORDER. SHUT IT DOWN.

Jelly.

We’ll step outside to look around the Hippy Dippy Pool. There are two quiet pools we’ll take a look at in Part 2.

The Aeroplane Flies High.

Turns Left.  Looks Right.  A big smooch to anyone that catches that reference.

Petals, the pool bar.

The menu should look familiar:

Party Through The Parks has the recipes for the shared pool bar drinks here and the resort drinks here.  Scarlett would tell you about how good the Eco-tini is.

Possibly more unique choices.  Personally, I’ve given up drinking until about 6pm tonight, so I can’t help you.

Creepy picture of the children’s pool. If I ever die, it’s going to be at the hands of an unhappy father.

From the opposite side. Let me know if you want me to zoom in on anybody.

Rules.

Hair Wraps available from 4pm – 10pm.  $2.00 per inch plus the optional cost of beads.

Let someone steal your laundry while you soak.

That’s that.  Sorry it wasn’t more interesting.