Over the summer, we stayed at Disney’s Pop Century Resort to check out a few recent updates. Rest assured, this was not our first time staying here. To date, we’ve stayed in every section of the resort, and now have a good idea of what each section offers. Not only that, our stays have allowed us to see what Pop Century does well and where it might not be the best fit for every guest.
So, is Pop Century a good resort choice for your next Disney World vacation? For many guests, the answer is yes, especially for those looking to keep costs down while still having access to one of Disney’s most convenient transportation options.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of staying at Pop Century, including rooms, transportation, pools, dining, and overall experience. We’ll also touch on the resort’s unique theming that offers dose after dose of nostalgia for those old enough to remember. By the time we’re finished, you should have a good idea of whether or not Pop Century is a good fit.
Disney’s Pop Century Quick Facts
Before we get into whether Pop Century is a good resort choice, here are a few quick facts about the resort:
- Resort category: Pop Century is a Disney Value Resort, making it one of the more affordable ways to stay at a Disney World resort hotel.
- Room update: The resort’s last room renovation was completed in 2026.
- Transportation: Pop Century has direct access to the Disney Skyliner, with service to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Buses provide transportation to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs.
- Number of rooms: The resort has approximately 2,900 rooms spread across more than 10 buildings.
- Room configuration: Standard guest rooms at Pop Century have the same basic layout and sleep up to four guests. The primary room-location difference is whether you choose a preferred room location.
- Pools: Pop Century has three pools: the Hippy Dippy Pool, Bowling Pool, and Computer Pool. The Hippy Dippy Pool also has a separate kiddie pool area.
- Theme: The resort celebrates popular culture and design from the 1950s through the 1990s, with each section dedicated to a different decade.
- Dining: Everything POP Shopping & Dining serves quick-service meals, snacks, and drinks, while the resort also has a pool bar and several grab-and-go options.
- Resort size: Because Pop Century is a large resort, the location of your room can make a noticeable difference in how convenient it feels to reach the lobby, dining, pools, and Skyliner.
Why Pop Century Can Be a Good Resort Choice
Let’s face it. Pricing is Pop Century’s biggest selling point. The resort offers great value, making it an appealing choice for guests who don’t want to spend as much on accommodations. For others, the lower room rate leaves more room to budget for other experiences. For instance, you might want to splurge on Lightning Lane passes or buy tickets to an extra seasonal party. In those cases, choosing a lower-priced resort can help make up the difference.
The resort’s location adds even more value. This is where Pop Century really shines in comparison to Disney’s All-Star Resorts, which cost slightly less. Pop Century is close to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Disney Skyliner provides convenient transportation to both parks. The Skyliner also makes it easy to visit several nearby resorts without having to rely on a car or wait for a bus. For example, you can board the Skyliner to Disney’s Caribbean Beach, and then transfer to Disney’s Riviera or continue to the Epcot Resorts Area where you’ll find Disney’s Boardwalk and the Beach and Yacht Club. Between the location and Skyliner, you’ll have opportunities to visit nearby resorts for dining, exploring, or simply enjoying a change of scenery.
Pop Century’s rooms are another practical advantage. While they are compact, the layout makes efficient use of the space. The rooms are designed to accommodate up to four guests, with a queen bed and a second queen-size Murphy bed that can be folded away when it is not needed. When the Murphy bed is folded up, it creates additional open space in the room during the day.
We recently stayed at Pop Century again, so we took plenty of photos of our room. Here are a few photos to give you a better idea of the room layout and the amount of space available.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Pop Century
While Pop Century has plenty going for it, you’ll want to consider a few things before making your decision.
- The Skyliner isn’t for everyone. While we love the Skyliner, it’s worth mentioning that if you or someone in your travel party has a fear of heights, this isn’t the resort for you. The Skyliner is the only mode of transportation available for Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Bus transportation is provided when the Skyliner is not operating due to maintenance or inclement weather.)
- The resort is large. Pop Century has approximately 2,900 rooms spread across more than 10 buildings. Depending on where your room is located, you may have a longer walk to Classic Hall, the pools, or the Skyliner station. (If this is a concern, we can talk to you about preferred room options.)
- The rooms are compact. The efficient layout makes good use of the available space, but the rooms are still smaller than those at Disney’s Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. If you prefer having more room to spread out, this is worth considering.
- Dining is limited. Pop Century has a large quick-service restaurant at Classic Hall, along with snacks and poolside options, but it does not have a table-service restaurant. If resort dining is an important part of your vacation, you may want to consider how much that matters to you.
- The theming is bold. Pop Century celebrates popular culture from the 1950s through the 1990s with oversized icons and colorful sections throughout the resort. Some guests will love the playful atmosphere, while others may prefer the more subdued theming found at other Disney Resorts.
- You will use buses for some destinations. The Skyliner is a major advantage, but it does not take you everywhere. You will still use Disney buses for Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs.
- The Skyliner can have long lines at peak times. We love the convenience of the Skyliner, but it is important to know that you can encounter long lines around rope drop and at the end of the night when many guests are returning to the resort. During the rest of the day, lines for the Skyliner are not an issue.
Overall, these things are worth considering if you’re on the fence about Pop Century. However, they by no means make the resort a bad choice. Every resort has its pros and cons, and we want to give you a realistic idea of what to expect before booking. For many guests, the combination of the lower price, updated rooms, and Skyliner access outweighs a few of the potential negatives.
Is Pop Century a Good Resort Choice?
Yes, for most guests, we think Disney’s Pop Century is a good resort choice. We really enjoy staying here, and the combination of pricing, updated rooms, and Skyliner access makes it one of the more appealing value resorts at Disney World.
We think Pop Century is particularly well suited to a park-heavy vacation. If you plan to spend most of your time in the theme parks and don’t need a large room or extensive resort amenities, it can make sense to save on your accommodations while still enjoying the benefits of staying at a Disney Resort.
Of course, the Skyliner and the resort’s location are a major part of the appeal. So make sure to plan plenty of time at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (The park-hopper ticket upgrade can really come in handy here.)
Again, Pop Century isn’t going to be the right choice for everyone. Guests who prioritize larger rooms, table-service dining, or a quieter and more relaxed resort atmosphere may prefer one of Disney’s Moderate or Deluxe Resorts.
For us, though, Pop Century offers a lot for the price. If you’re looking for a fun Disney resort with updated rooms, convenient transportation, and a lower price point, it is certainly one worth considering.
Ready to Stay at Pop Century?
If Pop Century sounds like a good fit for your Walt Disney World vacation, a travel advisor can help you find the best available options for your dates and travel party. From choosing the right room category to finding current offers, having someone help with the details can make the booking process easier.
Ready to start planning your stay at Pop Century? Reach out to Firefly Travels to discuss your Walt Disney World vacation.
More Disney Resort Resources
Still deciding which Disney resort is right for your trip? These recent articles may help:
- Is a Stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort Worth It?: Take a closer look at one of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts, including its rooms, dining, location, and Skyliner access.
- Is a Preferred Room at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Worth It?: Find out whether paying extra for a preferred room location makes sense at this compact Moderate Resort.
- Disney World Resort Categories Explained: Compare the Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa categories to better understand what changes as you move between resort levels.
