A Walt Disney World vacation can be the most amazing week of your life! Whether you go alone, with a loved one or with your children or grandchildren, Disney promises you a wonderful time by inviting you to the "Happiest Place on Earth".
Many people think that taking a trip to Walt Disney World will put them onto a mountain of debt and cause them to borrow from the kids college funds just to make it home from Orlando. Between park tickets, food and the coveted Mickey ears, the bottom line can rise pretty quickly.
One way I've found to keep costs down is to stay on Disney property at a Value resort. And my new favorite value resort is the Pop Century resort!
Have you ever dreamed of standing next to a Mr. Potato Head that is twice your size? Or what about running around on a life-size Fooseball table? If returning to your childhood and reminiscing on decades past sounds like a fun time, Pop Century is the resort for you!
When you arrive at Pop Century resort, you enter into a shiny lobby where the walls are covered with authentic memorabilia from the 50's through the 90's. Take a stroll back in time to your favorite childhood toys or dream of what it was like before your birth! Check in at the front desk and await instructions for which neon colored building you will be staying in. The 50's building has gigantic bowling pins that double as staircases. An 8-track player flanks the sides of the 70's buildings. And in the 90's section, stare up at a cellphone that is about 500 times the size of the one you have!
Each room in a value resort has two full-sized beds, a table and chairs, TV, sink area and bathroom. The amenities are basic, but for most people they are more than sufficient. The rooms are comfortable enough for a family of four, even with a travel crib which is provided free of charge. There isn't room to do cartwheels but, when you're in Walt Disney World, who really spends all that much time in their resort room anyway?
Once you check out your room, take a stroll around the resort. There are plenty of photo opportunities, so don't leave the camera in your room! The property is decorated with larger than life replicas of a Playdoh can, a Big Wheel, a Fooseball table, a Mickey phone, Walkman, tons more! Pose simply or go crazy for some really fun shots!
When you have down time, take a dip in one of Pop Century's three pools. The main pool is the Hippie Dippy Pool, a groovy flower-shaped pool. Near the 50's buildings is a bowling pin-shaped pool and near the 80's building a computer-shaped pool. Something Disney does better than anyone else is theming. Nothing is ever plain and boring!
When it's time for a bite to eat, visit Pop Century's food court, the nicest and largest food court of all the value resorts. Each counter has several selections ranging from traditional American cuisine like pizza and hambugers to international fair like Italian pastas and Asian dishes. seating is aplenty, inside and out. take your meal out by the pool on a gorgeous Florida day!
Now it's time to head to the parks! All Disney resorts include free transportation to and from all parks. simply walk to the front fo the resort and find the sign for the park you'd like to go to. Enter the line and wait for your bus, which should arrive no later than twenty minutes. The buses run continuously every twenty minutes starting an hour before park opening and ending an hour after park closing. Most Disney resorts have their own buses, but the All star value resorts sometimes share. Pop Century is unique in that it has it's own set of buses like the moderate and deluxe resorts. For its guests, that means you get to the park faster and back to the resort faster without extra stops in between.
If you're looking for a fun nostalgic place to stay that won't break your budget, think Pop Century Resort!