My Wife and I just booked a trip for late October and will be staying at Pop Century for the first time. We will be using DME and will not have a car on this trip. For those of you who have stayed at Pop, how have you found the bus service, and do you have any advice for using the busses?
Pop's buses are usually pretty good since they dont share buses with other resorts.
The general rule is to allow an hour to get to anywhere via Disney transportation. This will include any time waiting for a bus, etc, and getting to your destination. In most cases, actual time will be less.
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
I don't mind the bus rides in general, and never had any issues in particular with Pop Century buses. They do actually have queue chains up at the resort (the moderates and deluxes don't) and in the morning it's nice to have things nice and organized. (Though I really don't normally have issues at the moderates, maybe it's the number of people waiting at any one time?) Also, Pop doesn't share, so that's nice. I heard it reported back that it's NOT sharing with AA -- if that isn't what you experience, please let us know!
Cathy
DME from the airport was easy, I think only 1 stop before POP. Took about an hour and they have a video to watch along the way. I picked up my own bags.
Park buses were great in the mornings, you are closer to Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios. If you are staying until park closing, chances are greater to wait thru 2 or 3 cycles before boarding. A cab back to the hotel would be alot faster.
I went in late February, another non-peak visit.
I LOVE the chains! I have had trouble at some of the other moderates (POFQ, because they only have one bus stop, so it is always really packed and people cut). I LOVE Pop Century. Frankly, we've talked about what we'd do if we had more money, and for some of use the the family, they'd STILL rather stay at Pop. The one bus for Pop is excellent. You will have to walk a little farther at the parks, as the Pop bus stops are a bit farther out at most parks.Originally Posted by Drince88
Working hard for that next WDW trip! December 2013
TinaMouse is right the POP stops are usually the last stand or next to last, not that it's a problem, kind of easier to remember. As far as the ride itself, it's around 25-30 minutes to get from POP to any park. The ride goes quicker than you think because there is so much to see out of the windows. It's all Disney property. If you "don't do so well in crowds" like our friend Pumba, you may want to que up for the bus EARLY or LATE depending on where you're going. This will do two things for you 1. Much less crowded on the bus, you're likely to get a seat. If neccessary they do run the busses with SRO. 2. Less crowd means less cranky/tired people to interact with. Nothing spoils the Disney glow after a great evening in the parks like someone complaining about xyz. The bus for me, also serves as a decompression device. The parks are all energy and stimulation, the bus gives me a chance to wind down a little before finally getting to my room to rest. Conversly it will help me amp up for early park raid, especially if I get a good driver who likes to interact with the passengers. I've had drivers run trivia games, sing a little, chat with us. A friendly driver will point out little details you might otherwise miss. They used to have transportation cards they handed out, they were kinda like baseball cards, all the transport had them to give out to kids (of all ages).
TulaBelle
Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.
I'm with TinaMouse, I really like the queue for the Pop buses. It is my favorite thing about bus service there. Much more orderly than everyone just going for it at the moderate or deluxe stops. But, the queue is in the full sun, which can make for a very warm morning. I don't remember ever having an issue at Pop with the buses. I think traditionally the Pop buses are rated the highest out of the value resorts.
A lot of times at night at the parks, they will pull up two are three buses at a time.
~Nancy~
Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like the busses at Pop will be just fine. I think I just may need to take a cab on the day we have breakfast at the Poly. I have to have my Tonga Toast!
It depends on how early your ADRs are. You can take the bus to the MK and then monorail/ferry (ferry would be less walking) to the Poly.Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like the busses at Pop will be just fine. I think I just may need to take a cab on the day we have breakfast at the Poly. I have to have my Tonga Toast!
Cathy
Im with Drince on this one... In most cases, you wont need to get a cab for a morning ADR unless it is rather early. Even then, there is some service available because they know that guests from one resort will have ADR's for meals at another resort early as well - and not all of them will think to get a cab.
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
And don't forget that Thursday mornings in October (however double-check the schedule for exact days) - the MK has early EMH. The MK will be open at 8 and buses start running from the resorts 1 hour before (7 am).
So Thursday might be the best day to have a date with Tonga Toast.
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
Thanks to all for your replies!
Hi all. I just wanted to report that the busses to and from POP were great. We never had to wait more than 5 or 10 minutes for a bus. We got everywhere we wanted to go without any problems or issues.
Just be prepared for standing room only on most busses, along with some rude people, strollers sticking out in the asle or banging against you, not to mention the EVC taking up 4 seats each. All in All the busses are great, have a good time.
Happy to hear the Pop buses were great during your trip last month.
I've always found the Pop bus service very good as well.
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney
You are lucky that you are able to stand and wait. Sorry that the ECV's take room. I'd much rather be standing and waiting, then have to use an ECV... Thanks for the info everyone, on the busses from Pop Century, as I may be staying there in December.
Siggy aka Jill
I can certainly understand your sentiment, but I think that while most of us completely understand that there are some of us who truly need assistance in getting around, there are also those who because of their lifestyle choices are too unhealthy to walk or, well, to put it bluntly, too lazy to want to walk, and it is this group of people who make me a bit grumpy. In the end, who knows which group an ECV user belongs to; I suppose we shouldn't judge, not knowing the details of each case. I guess it's best to just try to be understanding and patient and realize that especially at Disney, we are all really just one, big, happy family, and we should try to get along as best we can.
1999 - Coronado Springs (1 night); 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier (5 nights); 2005 - All Star Music (7 nights); 2007 - POP Century (10 nights); 2008 - DL's Paradise Pier (5 nights); 2009 - POP Century (10 nights); 2010 - Dolphin (2 nights); 2011 - POP Century (7 nights); June 8-18, 2012 - POFQ (10 nights); next trip,June 18-22, 2013 - POFQ (5 nights). If I'm not at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, I'm not really happy.
Very well said, Pete. Yes, it is not wise to judge. I am obese, and I am sure there are people who do not know my situation who might judge me.But until we walk a mile in someone else's footsteps, we should not judge them.
Siggy aka Jill
I insist that Mom uses an ECV on our upcoming trip because she is in her 80's and can't walk fast or for long periods. I hate to say it, but I am dreading any looks or comments from people who cannot be compassionate of other people's hardships. I know I should just ignore any comments, and I just hope Mom doesn't hear anything or she will be so embarrassed. Dad, on the other hand, is very hard of hearing...so it won't bother him!
Next Trip: Yacht Club ~ May 14-22, 2013
Moderators Note:
Respectfully, lets keep this thread on topic: Regarding buses to/from Pop.
Lets not make this into an ECV discussion. But you are more than welcome to start a thread regarding the topic if desired.
Thank you.
The search function is like the Force. It may take practice, but the more you use it, the more control you will have over it!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks