Disney Pop Century Review: Is This Value Resort Worth It?

Last Updated on May 25, 2026 by Tori Pines

If you’re looking for a Disney hotel that is budget friendly, with good transportation, this is the place for you! We stayed here for eight nights during April, 2026 in a preferred room. Don’t get me wrong I do really like this property, but at the same time it can have some flaws. The room was definitely up to date,  which felt good to come back to every night after running around in the parks.

Pop Century definitely can be a good fit for families and younger children. This resort is meant to be fun and not as quiet. If you are looking for more breathing room inside of your room, I don’t recommend Pop as the rooms are a bit small. This resort definitely would not suit every traveling style, and there are some things to consider before booking your stay here. In this review of Disney’s Pop Century, I will break down everything that surprised me, and why or why not this resort would be right for you.

Overview of Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Pop Century resort is a value resort located on hourglass lake. It has a great location, approximately a 10 minute bus ride to each park that a bus service is provided, or take the Skyliner that has service to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Epcot. This resort has a very interesting and colorful theme to it. The theme here ranges from the 1950’s to the 1990’s, providing a very nostalgic and playful vibe. 

Highlighting the skyliner is very important when considering your stay. It is probably one of the biggest deal breakers. You get to skyline to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT without having to ride a bus. Having this different mode of transportation other than a bus is a huge advantage over most of the value resorts. After a long park day, you definitely start to appreciate not having to wait for a bus and having your own little space in the skyliner pod.

As a value resort, Pop Century is definitely on the lower ends of other hotels at Disney, but it is more popular than some of the others like the All Star Resorts. After all, it is Disney’s largest hotel with 2,880 rooms! WOW!

Each section of the resort has a different decade theme to it, providing three pools throughout the resort going along with those themes. Having these different pools and a smaller amount of area helps spread out the craziness of one pool, giving options for those wanting a more relaxing atmosphere. Having these crazier themes definitely isn’t as relaxing as a more expensive resort, but yet again it’s good for a budget friendly stay.

That being said, this is a value resort, so the rooms are not going to be as spacious. The rooms are smaller and also provide less amenities. This hotel is more of a “fun escape” than an “immersive escape”. You will not find the same level of quietness, or detail as you would a deluxe resort. 

Overall, Pop definitely hits a sweet spot. It is affordable, fun, and efficient. This makes it a great choice for guests who plan on spending most of their days in the parks, while also leaving that special Disney feeling when you come back to your resort. 

Pop Century Resort Room Types & What to Expect

Standard Rooms

Standard Rooms at Pop Century are the most budget friendly rooms. They are typically located further from the main building, dining, and transportation. These rooms can sleep up to four guests, and are included with one queen bed, and one queen sized Murphy bed that pulls down from the wall.

The murphy bed set up is actually a great use of space, and great for a room like this. During the day you can push it back into the wall creating more space and a nice table. This can help the flow of the space in the room feel more open. So, if you don’t mind some walking, these rooms are a great way to save money while also getting the comfort you need.

Looking into a travel credit card? I swear by the Southwest Credit Card for earning free flights around the US and the ability to earn the companion pass where you can take anyone on a flight with you for FREE!

Preferred Rooms

Preferred Rooms are located closer to key areas like the lobby, dining, bus stops, and most importantly, the Skyliner! At a resort like Pop, this convenience makes a huge difference, especially when you are heading out early in the morning, or coming back late from the parks.

Because this resort is pretty spread out, upgrading to a preferred room can save you tons of energy throughout your trip. If being close to transportation is a major selling point for you, I definitely think preferred rooms are worth it. 

Room Layout & Features

All rooms at Pop follow the same basic layout. They have all been recently refurbished (Between 2025 and 2026) with a clean modern look. The design is very simple but very functional, with bright Disney touches that fit the theme of the resort.

The most important thing to know is that these rooms are definitely smaller than what you’d find at a moderate resort (like Port Orleans Riverside – read my review of that amazing hotel too!), but Disney does a great job at maximizing space. The Murphy bed really helps to open things up during the day. There is also a great amount of space under the beds where you can store your luggage.

The bathrooms are very well designed, having a sliding door that separates the sink from the toilet and shower. This is a great way to separate these rooms because it helps multiple people get ready at the same time, which can be a huge plus for families trying to efficiently get ready to rope drop.

Room Amenities

In the rooms, you’ll find the most basic needs for your stay at a value resort. There’s a small beverage cooler, a coffee maker, and a mounted TV.

There are no microwaves in the rooms, but if you need a microwave you can use the ones available in the food court as needed. The room also includes a hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and basic toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

Like other resorts, Pop also includes the “Hey Disney” device which is meant to help with things like room requests and park info. It is a very fun idea, and kids really love it, but also easier to just use your phone for most things. 

Rooms Overview

Overall, the rooms at Pop are simple, clean, and very functional. They are not overly spacious, but they are thoughtfully designed and recently updated.

I think these rooms are the most practical for guests staying for a shorter visit. Staying here would be better if you were planning to spend a lot of time in the parks. But if you’re looking for more space, I recommend a more moderate or deluxe resort.

Pop Century Dining Options

The main dining location for Pop Century is Everything POP shopping and dining. This is where you will be eating for most of your stay. This is the only dining option in Pop Century. It is a large food court style, with different serving stations, such as American food with many different options, even kid friendly options. 

We found it really convenient to grab a quick breakfast before the parks, or for a quick snack before heading to the pool. The menu is pretty standard for a value resort, but there are many different options and you can definitely find something you like. They also have lighter meal options, like yogurt, salad, and fruit, not just heavy theme park foods.

They have a very solid grab and go section with snacks and drinks. This is great for when you are in a rush and don’t have time to wait for a meal. It is not overly special, but it is very practical.

Overall, the dining at Pop is all about convenience. It’s not a resort you stay at because of the food, but it checks off everything you need for an efficient stay, quick, easy, kid friendly meals that fit perfectly into a park packed Disney stay.

Pop Century Transportation Options

Transportation is one of the biggest reasons people book their stay here. It definitely is what sets this resort apart from almost every other value resort option.

The standout feature at this resort is the Disney Skyliner, which can give you direct access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This was easily my favorite part about this resort, a nice relaxing ride to two of the four Parks when you don’t feel like taking a bus. It’s fast and consistent, and way more enjoyable than waiting in a bus line when you don’t even know if you will get a seat. It also adds to the Disney experience, not just another mode of transportation. It’s basically another theme park ride in the kids eyes!

That being said, it is important to set expectations. The skyliner can get very busy during rope drop hours and closing hours of the parks. Weather can also impact operations, which means you will be directed to buses if the Skyliner stops running. This will cut a decent amount of time into your plans if you have to use a bus instead.

For the other two parks, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you have to rely on the Disney bus transportation system. The buses typically run every 10-20 minutes, and overall, they are pretty reliable. Like any Disney resort, you might wait a little while depending on timing. You can check when the buses are running through the “My Disney Experience” app.

One thing I really like about Pop is that it only shares transportation with Disney’s Art of Animation resort with the Skyliner, which keeps things very efficient compared to other resorts that share multiple bus routes.

Another plus is that the resort is very easy to navigate. It is spread out, but it’s not nearly as complicated as some moderate resorts, so getting to transportation does not feel like a huge effort, especially if you are in a Preferred Room. Although it is Disney’s largest hotel, the buildings have 4 stories so it keeps everything slightly more condensed.

Overall, the transportation at Pop is a huge win. Between being able to use the Skyliner and reliable buses, it is one of the easiest value resorts to get around from. If quick and convenient park access is a priority, then this is a great resort for you.

Pop Century Amenities & Activities

Pop Century has a solid line up of amenities, especially for a value resort. It does a great job leaning into its fun, energetic theme. While it doesn’t have the same level of offerings as Moderate or Deluxe resorts, there is still plenty here to enjoy.

The main pool, The Hippy Dippy pool, is the center of the activity at this resort. It’s very large, colorful, and brings high energy vibes. There is also a kiddy pool area right next to it, which is a better option for younger kids. In addition to the main pool, there are two similar “quiet” pools, The Bowling Pool and Computer Pool. They are located in different sections of the resort if you’re looking for something more relaxed. No matter where you room is, there is good access to any of these pools.

The resort also has a playground, an arcade, and a variety of scheduled activities throughout the day. They do poolside games, trivia, and crafts. At night, they typically show movies under the stars which is always a very fun, lowkey way to wind down after a long park day.

One thing I really liked about Pop is the walking path around Hourglass Lake, it connects the two resorts, Pop and Animation. It’s a nice easy walk and gives access to the other resort’s food court and theme, which is a bonus if you want to switch things up without going far.

Overall, the amenities at Pop are simple but well done. This isn’t a resort you choose for luxury or relaxation, but it’s very fun and family friendly. It has just enough going on to make it feel like a Disney vacation instead of just a place to sleep.

Pop Century vs Art of Animation

Before you book your room at Pop, you should take a look at Disney’s Art of Animation resort. These two resorts are right next to each other and connect with a bridge, also where the Skyliner is. They are both in the Value category but they feel pretty different depending on your travel style.

The biggest difference at these resorts comes down to the room types and the theming. Art of Animation is known for its highly immersive theming, with sections dedicated to different Disney movies such as The Little Mermaid, Cars, and Finding Nemo. It offers family suites, which gives you significantly more space and are great for larger groups. Pop on the other hand, sticks to standard hotel rooms with a more subtle pop culture theme.

Another major factor is the pricing. Pop is almost always the cheaper option, sometimes by a pretty noticeable amount. If you don’t need the extra space of a family suite or don’t care as much about the theming, Pop gives you a very similar overall experience for less money.

When it comes to transportation, both resorts are equal. They both have the Skyliner access, as well as the reliable buses. This is a huge perk for both of the resorts, and one of the main reasons people choose to stay at these resorts.

Art of Animation does have a slight difference in amenities, particularly with the themed pools and overly Disney “wow factor”. Pop feels a bit more straight forward and easier to navigate, which is a big plus after a long day.

Overall, if you want the most immersive Disney theming or need extra space, Art of Animation is the better fit. But if you are looking to save money, keep things simple, and take full advantage of the Skyliner, Pop is hard to beat.

Pros & Cons of Staying at Pop Century

Pros

• Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
• Affordable
• Recently renovated rooms
• Fun, colorful theming
• Efficient layout
• Solid quick service dining

Cons

• Smaller rooms
• No table service restaurants on property
• Noisy at times
• Limited amenities
• Reliant on buses for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom

Who Should Stay at Pop?

• Best for families with kids
• Best for park focused trips
• Budget conscious travelers

Is Disney’s Pop Century Worth It? My Honest Review

Overall, I truly loved our stay at Disney’s Pop Century resort. I would definitely stay here again, especially for more park focused trips. The rooms were very clean and functional, the skyliner made it so easy to get around, and overall the vibes were so fun and very “Disney”.

That said, if you’re looking for more of a relaxing resort, I don’t recommend it here. The rooms are smaller and the dining is basic. But, when you’re spending most of your hours at the parks, this is still a great place to stay, especially for budget conscious guests.

Where Pop really shines is the value. You’re getting one of the lowest price points on Disney property, combined with some of the best transportation access thanks to the Skyliner. That combination is hard to beat and makes a very noticeable difference in the overall Disney experience.

If you’re traveling on a budget, planning longer park days, or just want a clean, fun place to stay, Pop is a fantastic choice. But for a quieter stay, you might have to pay more, like for a Deluxe resort instead.

For the right kind of trip, Pop can really deliver, and I think it’s one of the best value stays at Walt Disney World right now.

Pop Century FAQs

• Is Pop Century on the Skyliner?

Yes! Pop has direct access to the Skyliner, which also connects you to EPOCT and Hollywood Studios. This is one of the biggest perks for staying here.

• How long does it take to get to the parks from Pop Century?

It depends where you are going. For EPCOT and Hollywood studios, the Skyliner usually takes about 10-20 minutes depending on wait times and transfers. For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you will use the buses, which usually take about 20-30 mins including wait times.

• Are the rooms at Pop Century too small?

The rooms are definitely smaller than what you’d find at a moderate or deluxe resort, but they are very functional. The murphy bed setup helps create extra space during the day, and there’s some smart storage throughout the room. For most families of four or less, it works really well.

• Is Pop Century a good resort for families?

Yes, It’s a great option for families. The bright, playful theming, kid-friendly pools, and easy transportation make it a really fun and convenient place to stay, especially if you have younger kids.

• Is Pop Century worth it over Value Resorts?

In my opinion, yes. The Skyliner access alone gives Pop a huge advantage over other value resorts. It makes the experience so much more enjoyable so you don’t have to ride a bus the whole trip.