Cyndal BenulloAre you looking for a resort to let loose and get groovy at Walt Disney World? You’re in luck! Disney’s Pop Century Resort is home to all things decades, from the 1950s to the 1990s. This is definitely a resort you’ll want to explore – you never know what you might find. In this guide, we’re sharing everything that really puts the “Pop!” in Pop Century to help you decide if this value resort is the right choice for your next Disney vacation.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort Quick Facts
- Hotel Category: Value Resort
- Resort Area: Wide World of Sports Resort Area
- Price Range: $175 to $300 per night
- Transportation Options: Disney Buses, Disney Skyliner
- Best For: Budget trips, EPCOT & Hollywood Studios heavy trips
Resort at-a-Glance
About Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort transports guests back through the decades in a vibrant way. It’ll have you saying “Neato!” and “Coolio!” in no time. After opening in 2003, Pop Century has become a fan favorite resort, often considered the best value resort on property. Now, of course, that is subject to your own opinion, but it does have its perks.
Not only are guests walking through life-size foosball fields and stepping foot inside giant Rubik’s cubes, but there is also access to the Disney Skyliner. This is a major perk of Pop Century, as value resorts typically offer only one mode of transportation: buses.
Situated on Hourglass Lake, the resort offers views of more than just a parking lot and is just a short walk away from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Accommodations
Room Set Up
Being a value resort, you won’t find multi-bedroom suites or villas at Pop Century. Additionally, all room setups are the same. The only difference between the room types here is the location. Each room is roughly 260 square feet, making them among the smallest at Walt Disney World.
They consist of two queen beds, one of which is a Murphy bed. When the bed is up, a small table with two chairs is available. Bathrooms consist of one sink, limited counter space, and a shower/tub combination.
Value resorts are “motel style” resorts, meaning that your hotel room door opens to the outside. Each building has three floors, and elevators are centrally located. Rooms feature a coffee maker with an assortment of coffees and teas provided, multiple drawers and charging areas, and a small wardrobe for hanging clothes if needed.
Theming
In total, there are five sections within the Pop Century resort: 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. Each building’s exterior is heavily themed to its namesake era, seemingly designed with a more kid-centric approach than resorts in the Moderate and Deluxe categories.
Guests can find giant bowling pins and Lady and the Tramp statues in the 50’s section, see Baloo from The Jungle Book and life-size flowers in the 60’s section, Pac-Man and Rubik’s Cubes in the 80’s, and larger-than-life computers in the 90’s – just to name a few.
Each section consists of two or three buildings with a large decorative area between them. However, the rooms themselves are not themed to each decade; every room is decorated the same regardless of the building or location.
The four room categories offered at Pop Century are:
- Standard Room
- Standard Pool View
- Preferred Room
- Preferred Pool View
Dining Options
Since Pop Century is a value resort, there are no table-service, character, or signature dining restaurants on property. Instead, there is a large food court that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Everything POP Shopping and Dining
Everything POP Shopping and Dining is the dining hall that is open every day from 7 AM – 11 PM. Here, guests can find grab-and-go options such as pre-made sandwiches, salads, yogurts, fresh fruit, pastries, and desserts, along with full meals for purchase. Guests can enjoy pizza by the slice or a whole pie, classic burgers, chicken tenders, stir fries, nachos, and more.
Multiple beverage stations offer coffee, tea, and soft drinks throughout the dining hall.
Petals Pool Bar
Petals Pool Bar is located directly outside the pool gates and is open from 11 AM to 11:30 PM. This is your typical pool bar, serving guests a variety of beers, wines, frozen drinks, and specialty cocktails. Additionally, guests can find a small selection of pre-made pool bites, including salads, sandwiches, fruit, pretzels, and ice cream. A beverage station is available outside of Petals for fountain drinks and refillable resort mugs.
Amenities & Recreation
Classic Hall
Classic Hall is the main hub of the resort, housing the check-in area, Everything POP Shopping and Dining, and a few entertainment options. Here is where you’ll find Fast Forward Arcade, a large arcade open daily from 8 AM to 11 PM. Check the daily activities schedule for arcade competitions with cast members throughout the day.
Additionally, Classic Hall has work stations set up for anyone who may need a quiet spot to work on vacation (ew!), and a small area tucked back with stools and a TV playing shows and movies for the littles.
Pools
The Hippy Dippy Pool is the main pool, located directly outside of Classic Hall. Featuring large flower water sprinklers in every corner and over 230,000 gallons of water, there is plenty of splashin’ fun to be had here. Although being a value resort, there are no water slides or hot tubs here. A small kiddie pool is located behind Hippy Dippy Pool for the little ones who may not be ready for the big pool.
Don’t worry! The fun doesn’t stop with the Hippy Dippy Pool. Guests can head to the 1950’s section to relax in the Bowling Pool, a “quiet” pool shaped like a bowling pin! Additionally, guests can head to the opposite side of the resort for the Computer Pool, a pool shaped like a computer – and they didn’t forget the floppy disk!
Although there are three pools on property at Pop Century, the Hippy Dippy Pool is where recreation cast members play music and organize poolside activities for the kids, such as trivia and pool games.
Recreation Options
Behind the ’70s building is the ’70s Playground, a gated area for the little ones to run loose and burn off some energy.
Back towards the Hippy Dippy Pool is the Groovy Campfire, where the recreation team lights a campfire for 1 hour each night for complimentary roasted marshmallows! The marshmallows are free, though S’mores kits are available for purchase. Plus, don’t miss your photo op with Surfer Goofy while you’re there.
Movies Under the Stars are held on the Hippy Dippy Pool deck on select nights, along with daily crafts like painting and tie-dyeing shirts. Guests can participate in the daily character scavenger hunt for a prize, and even a glow party two nights per week.
Lastly, a jogging trail circles the resort, offering views of Hourglass Lake and fun facts from the decades along the way.
Transportation Options
Complimentary transportation to the parks is worth considering when booking a Disney vacation, as Disney spans over 47 square miles.
One of the best perks of staying at Pop Century is its access to the Disney Skyliner. This gondola system over Hourglass Lake is the transportation option for guests traveling to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, as well as Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Bus transportation is located at the front of Classic Hall and transports guests to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Water Parks, and Disney Springs.
Minnie Van and rideshare services are also available at a cost.
Pricing
Since Pop Century is a value resort, prices will be on the cheaper end of the Disney resort spectrum. Although its location and access to the Skyliner make it a bit more expensive than the baseline value resorts, Disney’s All-Stars.
Standard rooms start at around $200 per night, while preferred rooms are closer to $250-$275 per night. Since Disney World uses dynamic pricing, you can expect prices to fluctuate depending on the season. For example, standard rooms during the week of Christmas are priced at $350 per night.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort is often included in Disney’s special offers and discounts. Be sure to check Disney’s website for the full list of current discounts that may fall during your travel dates. Or, you can contact Mouse Fan Travel, our preferred travel advisor, who will be happy to help you get the best deals.
Guest Benefits
As one of the official Disney World Resort hotels, you’ll be able to access some extra perks that make your vacation a bit more magical (and convenient). This includes:
- Early Theme Park Entry (allowing you to enter any of the four theme parks 30 minutes before)
- Free Disney transportation and theme park parking
- Extended dining reservation window (60 days + the length of your stay)
- Early booking window for Disney’s Lightning Lanes services
- Ability to purchase a Disney Dining Plan
- Free water park admission on check-in day (from May 27 to September 8, 2026)
- Staying in the “Disney Bubble”
Who Should Stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
So, is Pop Century the right resort for your next Disney vacation? Pop Century is a great value resort with access to the Disney Skyliner and larger-than-life theming that nearly everyone will find pretty groovy. However, if you’re looking for a resort with top-notch amenities, elaborate pools, and unlimited entertainment, this may not be the resort for you.
Stay at Pop Century if:
- You are traveling on a budget
- You want access to the Disney Skyliner
- You are okay with quick-service dining
- You plan to visit EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
Skip Pop Century if:
- You prefer table service dining options
- You want access to Disney’s Monorail
- You are looking for multi-bedroom suites or themed rooms
- You plan to spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom
Comments
Have you stayed at Disney’s Pop Century Resort? Let us know in the comments which value resort is your favorite.
