Once Upon An Aggie: Everything Pop!

Howdy!

Today's post will be on a Disney guest's view of Pop Century Resort. Just like most things at Disney, it is the cast's job to engross the guests into the story, or theme, of the resort. The idea of resort is to let the guests experience the unforgettable fads of the 1950's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. This is done at Pop Century through the display of timeless fashions, catch phrases, toys and dances all over the resort property that were popular during those decades.

I'll begin by sharing a bit about the resort itself. Disney's Pop Century opened it's doors to the decades on December 14th, 2003. Pop is considered to be in the "value" category of Disney resorts. The value resorts are typically the most affordable option for families that would like to stay on Disney property. At 2,880 rooms, Disney's Pop Century is the 7th largest resort in the United States as well as the largest on Disney's property. Pop contains eleven total buildings, one being Classic Hall, three 50's themed buildings, two 60's themed buildings, two 70's themed buildings, two 80's themed buildings and one 90's themed building. There are three pools on property, the Hippy Dippy pool in the 60's, the Bowling Pool in the 50's and the Computer Pool in the 90's as well as one playground. Below is a map of the entire Pop Century property.

Guests that start their journey to Disney via plane, first encounter Disney's accommodations at the Orlando airport. Disney's Magical Express is a complimentary bus system that will transport you, and your luggage, to and from any Disney Resort from the airport. At Pop Century, the Magical Express drops you off right at the red carpet at the doors of Classic Hall. Here is where the story truly begins for guests by vehicle, or by bus, that are staying at Pop Century. Walking down the red carpet, guests are greeted by guests members welcoming them home. They continue to follow the red carpet straight into Classic Hall. Classic Hall features photos, memorabilia, posters and more from the 50's-90's and is also home to the check-in/ out desk, concierge, arcade, and Everything Pop Shopping and Dining.

The Red Carpet walk from the Disney Magical Express into Classic Hall

When the guests continue to check-in, they are greeted by cast members just like me, with a phrase similar to, "Welcome to Pop Century! Where we celebrate POP culture!". From here, the typical check-in process occurs and room assignments are given. Cast members use themed phrases to suite which ever decade the guest is staying in. For example, phrases like "far out", "radical", "stellar", and "totally awesome" are commonly used. Most check-ins are concluded with a phrase such as "Have a groovy stay!"or something comparable. Along the wall opposite of the check-in area, are shadow boxes that showcase items from all the decades. Also in Classic Hall, is Everything Pop Shopping and Dining. Here quick service breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are served to hungry guests all day. In the shopping area, guests are offered a variety of Disney souvenirs, as well as necessity items and sweets.

Check-In Counter inside Classic Hall

Everything Pop inside Classic Hall

A portion of the merchandise in Everything Pop

The Quick Service Food Court in Everything Pop

Dining seating in Everything Pop

The next thing for the guests to experience are the decades they will call home for their remaining length of stay. Below are descriptions and pictures of each decades, their larger than life icons, and their special details:

First up is the 50's section, here guests will find Lady and Trap from Lady and The Tramp listening to a great big juke box. Lady is just outside building one, the juke box is outside building 2, and Tramp is outside building 3. In the center of all three is a bowling pin shaped pool, known as the Bowling Pool. On the ends of the 50's buildings are 65 foot tall Brunswick Bowling pin stairwells.

Lady, outside her building in the 50's

Tramp, outside building 3

The Bowling Pool in the 50's Section

A close up of Lady outside building 1

A portion of building 1 that shoes the rooms outside.

The Bowling Pin Stairwells

Next is the 60's section. This is known to be the "main" area of the resort, due to its close proximity to Classic Hall. It is also home to the biggest pool on property, The Hippy Dippy pool, which is shaped like a flower. Guest can also find a kids pool, a pool bar, recreation activities that happen daily out between the two 60's buildings. The larger than life icons located in the 60's are Baloo and Mowgli from Disney's The Jungle Book outside building 5, and a can of Play-Doh with Play-Doh characters outside building 4. The Play-Doh can icon is 22 feet tall, and large finger prints can be seen on the animals to make them appear to be hand sculpted by a child. On the ends of the 60's buildings are large Yo-Yos that house the stairs for the building.

View of the 60's section walking out of Classic Hall

The Hippy Dippy pool area.

The Hippy Dippy Pool

Petals pool bar in the 60's

The Kids Pool

View of Classic Hall from opposite the Hippy Dippy Pool

The Play-Doh can outside building 4

Jungle Book characters outside building 5

A portion of building 4 in the 60's

Moving on over to the 70's section, we find Mickey on the telephone outside building 6. This 30 foot tall icon includes a base that is 8 feet tall, buttons that are each 1 foot wide, and a handset that is 20 feet long. Just across the way in front of building 10, is a giant Big Wheel tricycle. It has a sticker on it that states that it can accommodate a rider that weighs up to 877 pounds. Also found in the 70's section are two games of outdoor twister, and an oversized foosball table. Huge 8-track tapes are on the ends of each 70's building and display popular songs during that time.

Mickey using a telephone outside building 6

The Big Wheel and portion of the foosball area outside building 10

A portion of building 10

The 8 Track tapes on the stairwells of the 70's

The 80's and 90's section are grouped together in the final portion of the resort. The 1980's area features a 33 foot tall Sony Sports Walkman outside building 9. The headset to the Walkman is 37 feet wide and the earphones are 4 feet in diameter. Across the way outside of building 7 is Roger Rabbit. The 1990's area is home to the third pool on property, the Computer Pool, which is in the shape of a computer...also known as a square. In front of it is a large keyboard that kids can run and play on. Outside of the 90's building, building 8, is a giant laptop. The 90's buildings feature 55 foot tall cell phone stairwells, each that contain an important phone number for guests of Disney.

Sony Walkman outside of building 9

Roger Rabbit outside of building 7

The 80's and 90's area

The Computer Pool

Larger than life Computer Pool keyboard

The 90's building 8

As you have probably already noticed, the Pop Century Resort is ginormous. There are so many things for guests to see and do during their stay here. Disney has done an excellent job of throwing guests back in time while visiting. Here are some other small details around property that add to the experience.