Is Disney's Pop Century Resort worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Disney's Pop Century Resort is worth it for travelers who prioritize low cost, Disney-themed decor, and easy Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. If you want table-service dining, large rooms, or on-site fitness/spa facilities, a different Disney resort may suit you better.
In this guide
Location & transportation
Pop Century sits at 1050 Century Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL, inside Walt Disney World property and near ESPN Wide World of Sports. It shares a Skyliner station (with Disney's Art of Animation) that gives direct gondola access to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios when the Skyliner is operating.
Complimentary Disney buses serve Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and the water parks. If the Skyliner is down, buses route to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios; paid Minnie Van and rideshare options are also available for other destinations.
- Address: 1050 Century Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
- Skyliner: direct connection to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios (subject to service status)
- Complimentary buses: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, water parks
- Paid options: Minnie Van (Lyft), Uber/Lyft/taxis for trips off-property
| Park | Typical transport option |
|---|---|
| EPCOT | Disney Skyliner (direct) or bus if Skyliner unavailable |
| Disney's Hollywood Studios | Disney Skyliner (direct) or bus if Skyliner unavailable |
| Magic Kingdom | Complimentary Disney bus |
Pools, family facilities, and evening entertainment
Pop Century has three heated outdoor pools — Hippy Dippy (feature pool), Bowling Pool, and Computer Pool — plus a separate children's pool. Pools are generally kept around 82°F year-round and may have lifeguards only at the main feature pool.
Family-friendly extras include an arcade/game room, Movies Under the Stars shown most evenings near the Hippy Dippy Pool (weather permitting), and supervised childcare/activities available for a surcharge.
- Three heated pools; children's pool available
- Pool depths generally range from about 3' to 4'9"
- Life vests available poolside; diaper-age children must use swim diapers/plastic pants
- Pool towels are generally not provided at value resorts — bring room towels
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hippy Dippy Pool | Main feature pool; Petals Pool Bar located poolside |
| Bowling Pool | Themed pool in 1950s area |
| Computer Pool | Themed pool in 1990s area |
Rooms: what to expect
Rooms are themed and compact, typical of Disney Value resorts. The property lists many specific room types including Standard Room, Standard Pool View, Preferred Room, and Preferred Pool View, plus accessible/ wheelchair options — room configurations vary (king, queen, sofa bed, double beds).
Rooms do not include in-room microwaves; microwaves are available in Everything POP for guest use. Rooms include space-saving murphy beds and an interactive 'Hey Disney' voice device. Complimentary Wi‑Fi is available in rooms.
- Room names you can book include Standard Room, Standard Pool View, Preferred Room, Preferred Pool View
- Accessible rooms and visual/ hearing options are available
- No in-room microwaves; food court microwaves available
| Typical bedding options | Examples from room list |
|---|---|
| 1 King Bed | Standard Room; Preferred Room; Preferred Pool View (varies) |
| 1 Queen Bed + 1 Queen Sofa Bed | Many Standard Pool View and Preferred Pool View types |
| 2 Double Beds | Several Preferred and Standard Room types |
Dining and bars
Pop Century is a quick-service–focused resort. Everything POP Shopping & Dining (food court and gift shop) serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and operates daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Petals Pool Bar at the Hippy Dippy Pool is the resort's poolside bar (11:00 AM–11:00 PM on Disney's published hours).
There are no table-service restaurants on property. Everything POP accepts Disney Dining Plan quick-service credits and offers mobile ordering when available; both dining venues are walk-up (no reservations).
- Everything POP: multi-station food court (American fare, grab-and-go, refillable mugs)
- Petals Pool Bar: cocktails, beer, wine, light snacks
- No table-service restaurant on site; no advance dining reservations at resort venues
| Venue | Hours / Notes |
|---|---|
| Everything POP Shopping & Dining | 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM; quick-service food court and gift shop |
| Petals Pool Bar | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; poolside drinks and snacks |
Value trade-offs — pros and cons
Pop Century is aimed at value-minded visitors: lower nightly rates than moderate/deluxe Disney resorts, Disney-theme decor, and strong park transport options (Skyliner). That makes it a good pick for families who plan to spend most of their time in the parks.
Expect smaller rooms and limited on-site amenities compared with higher-tier Disney resorts — no spa, no fitness center, and only quick-service dining. If those amenities matter, consider upgrading to a moderate or deluxe property.
- Good for: families, budget-conscious Disney travelers, easy Skyliner access
- Not ideal for: travelers wanting full-service dining, larger rooms, or on-site fitness/spa facilities
- Accessible rooms and family services are available, but rooms remain compact
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low-cost Disney resort with strong theme and family focus | Smaller rooms and fewer amenities than higher-tier resorts |
| Direct Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios | No table-service restaurant or on-site spa/fitness center |
| Multiple heated pools and evening activities | Pool towels generally not provided; lifeguards may be limited to main pool |
Practical tips and who should stay here
Bring your own pool towels if you prefer not to use room towels at the pool, and plan to use Everything POP for most meals. If you need a microwave for baby food or special diet needs, note there are no in-room microwaves but food-court microwaves are available.
Recommended for: families with children, first-time Disney visitors on a budget, guests prioritizing park time over resort amenities. Not recommended if you require a spa, gym, or full-service dining on-site.
- Check Skyliner status on travel days — if it's closed, buses will be the alternate transport
- Request Preferred Room or Preferred Pool View if you want shorter walks to Classic Hall
- Plan laundry or drying needs around the on-site coin laundry locations
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Families and budget travelers | Lower rates, kid-friendly pools and activities |
| Park-focused visitors | Convenient Skyliner and bus access to major parks |
| Visitors who don't need on-site luxury amenities | No spa or gym, dining limited to quick service and pool bar |
