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Pop Century Resort is a value resort at Walt Disney World that celebrates 20th-century American pop culture with vibrant colors, iconic imagery, and a healthy dose of Disney magic. Each section of the resort takes you through a different decade, from the 1950s through the 1990s, and the colorful, playful architecture and larger-than-life icons make every corner a photo-worthy moment.
It’s also one of the easier value resorts to recommend, because the Skyliner, three themed pools, and a late-night food court cover most of what a Disney trip calls for. Knowing how the rooms, buildings, and transportation work makes it much simpler to decide whether Disney’s Pop Century Resort fits your group.
Where is Pop Century Resort Located?
Pop Century Resort is in the Wide World of Sports area of Walt Disney World, with Hourglass Lake along its west side. Art of Animation, its sister resort, is across the water and a short walk around the lake, which makes it easy to walk over for a different food court or a change of scenery.
1050 Century Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
Pop Century Resort Map and Layout
The resort has 11 buildings, and each one is themed to a decade on the outside, complete with larger-than-life icons like Rubik’s Cubes and Play-Doh jars. Classic Hall is the main building and holds the lobby, Everything POP, the arcade, and the bus stops. Directly behind it, the Hippy Dippy Pool is in between the two 1960s buildings, with the 1950s buildings and the Bowling Pool to the north. The 1970s buildings are to the south, and the 1980s and 1990s buildings circle the Computer Pool at the far end.
Take a look at the Pop Century Resort map below before your trip, especially if you plan to make a room request. The buildings can look farther from Classic Hall on paper than they feel once you’re walking, but it’s still worth knowing where yours is.
Pop Century Resort Rooms
Standard rooms at Pop Century Resort are designed to make the most of the space, and they sleep up to four. The layout covers the basics well, and a few details are worth knowing before you book.
Bed Setup and Room Layout
Standard rooms offer a comfortable queen bed and a queen-size pull-down bed that cleverly transforms into a second sleeping space, perfect for families or groups of friends. When the second bed is put away, there’s a lot more space available to move around. Expect the room to get snug once it’s down, and use the under-bed space for your luggage.
A few rooms with a single king bed are available, but this isn’t something you can select when booking. Rooms open to the outdoors, with walkways on the upper floors, and there are no balconies.
Bathroom and In-Room Features
The bathroom is split into a sink area and a separate space for the shower and toilet, so two people can get ready at the same time. There’s a dresser under the TV, plus another area with a beverage cooler, coffee maker, and some shelving. Other room amenities include a hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and in-room safe.
Room Types and Preferred Rooms
Pop Century Resort has four different room types, which are Standard Rooms, Preferred Rooms, Pool View Rooms, and Preferred Pool View Rooms. Preferred Rooms are closer to Classic Hall, dining, shopping, and transportation, and they’re located in the 1960s buildings and the front sections of the 1950s and 1970s buildings.
Think of Preferred as a shorter walk rather than a different room. It’s worth the upgrade if you plan to head back to the room midday, and it’s easy to skip if you’ll be in the parks from open to close. There are no suites at Pop Century Resort, so larger groups usually book connecting rooms.
Requesting a Building at Pop Century Resort
If you have a preference for a specific building, you can call in a request ahead of time. While not guaranteed, mentioning your preference during booking or checking in can increase your chances of getting your top choice. The lake-view rooms in the 1960s buildings are a popular ask for both the view and the convenience.
If quiet matters to you, ask for an upper floor or a room facing Hourglass Lake. Doors that face a pool area tend to get louder in the afternoon and evening because of swimmers, and a small white noise machine in your suitcase helps with slamming doors at any Disney resort.
Dining at Pop Century Resort
Dining at Pop Century Resort is quick service, and it’s built around one food court and one pool bar. There is no table service restaurant on site, so plan on another resort or a park for a sit-down dinner.
Everything POP Shopping and Dining
Everything POP Shopping & Dining is in Classic Hall and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast covers the classics like eggs, bacon, pancakes, and waffles, while the rest of the day leans toward pizza, burgers, pasta, sandwiches, and salads. A full pizza can be a budget-friendly dinner for a group. There’s also a counter dedicated to coffee, and grab-and-go options for a quick snack. The food court carries the resort’s theme with its vibrant colors and playful decor, and the shop next door has resort-specific merchandise.
If you want to switch things up, the walk over to Landscape of Flavors at Art of Animation takes about ten minutes and gives you a different menu to try.
Petals Pool Bar
For those looking to unwind with a drink, Petals Pool Bar is a laid-back spot by the Hippy Dippy Pool. It serves cocktails, beer, wine, and frozen drinks, so it’s an easy stop to relax after a day of exploring the parks.
Pop Century Resort Pools and Amenities
As a value resort, Pop Century lets budget-conscious guests stay on Disney property without giving up the Disney feel. The amenities aren’t as extensive as those at deluxe resorts, but the value for the money is hard to argue with.
The Three Themed Pools
Pop Century Resort has three themed pools, each tied to its own decade. The Hippy Dippy Pool, in the 1960s area, has flower-shaped water jets and is the main pool. It hosts family-friendly activities each day, like themed pool games, relays, and trivia, and families with little ones will appreciate the kiddie pool behind it.
The Bowling Pool in the 1950s section is shaped like a bowling pin and tends to be smaller and quieter. The Computer Pool, near the 1980s and 1990s buildings, is adorned with a gigantic floppy disk and a stylized computer keyboard. You don’t need to bring your own towels, since complimentary towels are set up near each pool area.
Trails, Laundry, and Everything Else
Hourglass Lake has a walking and jogging loop around it, with signs along the way that share fun facts about the different decades. There’s also a playground, an arcade in Classic Hall, and 24-hour self-service laundry rooms, and most of the machines accept credit and debit cards. Pop Century doesn’t have a fitness center, so the lake loop is your best bet for staying active.
Getting Around From Pop Century Resort
Getting around from Pop Century Resort is easy, with complimentary Disney transportation to all four theme parks, both water parks, and Disney Springs. Buses cover Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, the water parks, and Disney Springs, and the Skyliner covers EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Riding the Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
You can take the Skyliner to both Hollywood Studios and EPCOT from the station between Pop Century and Art of Animation. You’ll have to get off at the Caribbean Beach stop and then select the gondolas for whichever park you’re headed to. Plan on roughly 20 minutes to EPCOT and about 12 minutes to Hollywood Studios, including the transfer.
When the Skyliner is running, bus service to those two parks is limited and can be cut back entirely, so the gondolas are your main route. If there is inclement weather, alternate bus transportation will be provided to and from these theme parks. For the very first minutes of rope drop at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, build in a little extra time for the transfer.
Bus Rides to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom
Buses to Magic Kingdom take roughly 15 to 20 minutes, and Animal Kingdom is closer to 10. Approximate bus wait times for your resort show up in the My Disney Experience app, which makes it easy to decide when to leave.
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Tips for Staying at Pop Century Resort
A handful of small choices make a stay at Pop Century Resort run more smoothly, and most of them take about a minute to set up before you arrive.
Book Early for the Room You Want
Pop Century is a popular resort, especially during peak seasons and holidays. Booking your stay well in advance helps you get your preferred room and avoids missing out altogether. Staying on property also brings perks like Early Theme Park Entry, and you can book Lightning Lanes seven days before your trip instead of three.
Lean on the Skyliner
The Skyliner is a gondola system that connects Pop Century to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and it’s a great way to avoid the crowds on the buses and get some amazing views of the parks. It also links to other resorts on the route, like Caribbean Beach and Riviera, so an evening ride for a change of scenery or a bite to eat is easy to fit in.
Buy a Refillable Mug
You can purchase a resort refillable mug at Everything POP and use it for free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and juice throughout your stay. If you plan to drink those regularly, it can save you money over the course of a vacation.
Use Mobile Order at Everything POP
To save time, use the My Disney Experience app for mobile ordering at Everything POP Shopping & Dining. You place your food order in advance and pick it up at a designated time. During the busiest breakfast hours, glance at the line first, because walking up to the counter can sometimes be faster than waiting for your pickup window.
Is Pop Century Resort the Right Value Resort for You?
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Disney experience that’s bursting with personality and nostalgia, Pop Century is definitely worth considering. It’s my go-to value resort for myself and my clients. Compared with the other Disney World resort categories, a value resort asks you to trade some space and polish for the price, and Pop Century does that trade well.
If you crave luxury accommodations or prefer a quieter atmosphere, you might want to look at other options. The resort can get crowded, especially during peak seasons, and the amenities are basic. Families with younger kids who want big character theming may also prefer Art of Animation next door, which has family suites, though the rooms typically cost more.
Common Questions About Pop Century Resort
- Does Pop Century Resort have a Skyliner station?
- Yes. The Skyliner station is between Pop Century and Art of Animation, and it connects to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios with a transfer at Caribbean Beach.
- Is there a table service restaurant at Pop Century Resort?
- No. Dining is quick service at Everything POP, plus drinks and light bites at Petals Pool Bar.
- How many pools does Pop Century Resort have?
- Three themed pools, which are the Hippy Dippy Pool, the Bowling Pool, and the Computer Pool, along with a kiddie pool behind the Hippy Dippy Pool.
- Can I request a specific building at Pop Century Resort?
- You can, but requests are not guaranteed. Mention your preference when you book and again at check-in.
Plan a Budget-Friendly Stay at Pop Century Resort
From the colorful theming to the comfortable rooms and easy transportation, Pop Century Resort gives you a Disney stay that still feels connected to everything else at Walt Disney World. Pick your building, plan your Skyliner days, and let the nostalgia do some of the work. It’s a fun fit for families on a budget and for anyone ready for a trip down memory lane.
If you’d rather not sort through room categories and resort comparisons on your own, I’m happy to help you choose where to stay and book it for you, so your Pop Century Resort stay matches the trip you have in mind.
