If you’ve ever wondered, “How do people afford to take their family to Disney World?” Then GIRRRRL, I’ve had that same thought!
I’m not made of money! And Disney World can seem so overwhelmingly expensive for a Millennial-Mom like me. So I’ve learned how to pinch pennies where I can and maximize value with every Disney trip.
The keyword of the day is *value.*
My family is all about saving money on our stay and putting that money into things that add more value to our vacation – like spending more time in the parks, having a character dining meal, and sharing experiences together because, for us, that’s value! Sure, we stay deluxe and even moderate when we can afford to flex a bit (and when there’s a great discount!), but our trip in 2021 staying at Pop Century Resort was the epitome of balling on a budget!
So if you’re leaning toward booking a Disney World vacation that’s all about value, I’ve got the perfect Disney resort for you! Let me tell you more about Pop Century Resort!
The Theming:
Disney’s Pop Century Resort has a brightly colored exterior, themed to the decades from the 1950s to the 1990s. Have you ever seen a larger-than-life Yo-Yo or a giant foosball table with 12-foot players? HUGE throwback to being a kid for many of us parents!
Inside, the recently renovated standard rooms (max occupancy: 4 adults) have 1 Queen bed and 1 Queen table-bed that can be pulled up and down from the wall. When pulled up, you’ll have a good-sized table that seats 4. Plenty of space to have a quick breakfast and get ready for a day at the parks!
The thing I love most about these contemporary-style rooms is the storage space (moms love storage space, amiright?!) Tons of drawers, cabinets, and cubbies for clothes and accessories, so you can unpack and keep the clutter at bay. And outlets galore so you can charge up at night!
The bathroom is actually pretty spacious, compared to many of the hotels I’ve stayed in elsewhere. A sink with a large counter, more cubbies, and counter space for all your stuff (I am not a light-packer), a big sliding door from the main room, and another sliding door separating the shower/tub (perfect for little ones) and toilet for privacy. Everyone has space to get dressed and ready for the day.
Transportation To and From the Parks:
Here’s the kicker! The main reason I would choose Pop Century for my family of 4, over any other value resort (especially when compared to the All-Star Resorts), is the Skyliner!
For those who don’t know, the Skyliner is a ride-in-the-sky gondola system that takes you to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. From Pop Century, you’ll hop on the station it shares with Art of Animation (another great value resort with suites that sleep 6) to the Caribbean Beach Resort station, which is the hub. Here you’ll transfer to either the EPCOT line or the Hollywood Studios line. This transfer is the only “downside” to staying at Pop Century or Art of Animation over other Skyliner resorts.
My biggest tip is to make sure to give yourself plenty of time for possible lines here. However, since gondolas don’t stop to load passengers, except for those with accessibility needs, lines move quickly, and you’ll still have a quick and fun commute to the park!
On the flip side, if you’re a family with a small child in a stroller, one of the best perks to riding the Skyliner is rolling right on! I’ve even tried this with my two kids in a tandem double stroller and the friendly cast member helped me roll the kids on in the stroller without having to stop. Such a perk if your kids take a snooze in the stroller on your way back to the resort like mine do!
If you’re heading out to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, one of Disney’s water parks, or Disney Springs, you’re just going to hop on a bus at the front of the resort. This resort doesn’t share buses with any other resort, so it’s a quick 10-minute commute with no other stops!
The Pools:
Time at the parks can be DRAINING! I never feel older than when my feet, legs, and back are aching after a long day at a Disney park. The only solution is to factor in some rest time to your Disney plans. If you have the time in your vacation to fit in a whole day, well done! But if not, you will definitely want to break up your day with some time back at the resort – not only for your sake, but for your kids, too! That’s why Disney World resort pools are all AMAZING! And you need to make use of them!
Pop Century Resort’s main pool, the Hippy Dippy Pool, located in the center of the resort features flower-shaped water jets and a fun surfer 60’s vibe. There’s also a kiddie pool area here perfect for your little ones, and lifeguards host dance parties to make this a perfect place to splash around mid-day.
Over in the 1950s area you’ll find the Bowling Pool, and in the 1990s area is a Computer pool. These pools are quieter for some great relaxation time!
Dining at the resort:
Whether you’re craving a late-night munchie or grabbing breakfast before you hit the parks, the Everything POP Shopping & Dining area has a little bit of everything, and at reasonable prices. I tried a Cheddar Cheeseburger that really hit the spot after a long day at Magic Kingdom.
If your family is a breakfast family, like mine, then a quick stop for some Mickey waffles in the morning can brighten your day. You can also grab a great resort refillable mug ($19.99) here and make use of free coffee (YES PLEASE!) and beverages all day!
While your kids splash in the Hippy Dippy Pool, you have to grab an ice-cold drink (alcoholic and non-, whatever your thing!) at the Petals Pool Bar. I need a frozen Banana Cabana in the 90+-degree heat!
The Price:
The final and best reason to stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort during your next Disney World vacation is the price. Are there less-expensive resorts and off-site hotels that will keep you on a budget? Yes, and those are great! But, Pop Century Resort will only cost about $20 – $50 more than a standard room at one of Disney’s 3 All-Star Resorts, and it comes with way more perks!
If you’re comparing it to staying off-site at a nearby hotel, you have the benefit of staying in the Disney bubble which you, and your kids will LOVE and appreciate!
Plus, the free transportation and ease of commuting to and from the parks will guarantee you are maximizing your time in the parks and that, my friend, adds a ton of value to your Disney vacation!
So if you’re a Millennial-Mom like me trying to get the best value out of your Disney World vacation, I get it! We want the most “bang for our buck” when planning the family vacation of our dreams – for us and our kids. I’ve got your back!
If you’re working with an agent from our sister company, Smart Moms Travel, then you are already in such good hands! If not, let’s work together to choose the perfect resort and plan your Disney days to maximize value for your vacation, all at no extra cost to you!
Just click this link here to send me some details about you and your family, and I’ll be in touch!
