I’ll be honest—when people raved about Disney’s Pop Century Resort, I didn’t quite get the hype. To me, it always looked like a basic value resort with oversized, cheeky décor, but carrying a not-so-basic price tag. With rooms sometimes running close to $300 a night, I always thought: why not just bump up to a moderate, where you’ll get more space and waterslides at the pool?

But I recently stayed at Pop Century for a girlfriends’ trip, and you know what? I walked away with a new appreciation. I still think it’s not the right fit for every group, but I totally understand now why this resort is so popular.

First Impressions: Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Pop Century is part of Disney’s Value Resort category, but it’s consistently in high demand because of one big perk: the Skyliner. More on that in a minute.

The resort is themed to the 1950s through 1990s, and each section has larger-than-life icons from those decades. Think Lady and the Tramp, Mowgli and Baloo, giant bowling pins, and neon colors galore. To me, it felt a little in your face at first—cheeky, bold, and far from subtle—but it does make for some very fun photo backdrops. It’s extremely Instagrammable, whether you’re with kids, girlfriends, or on a solo trip.

The Pools

There are several pools scattered around Pop Century. The biggest, most central one is the Hippy Dippy Pool in the 60s section, with flower-shaped jets and lots of splashy energy. Smaller pools are tucked into the other areas and tend to be calmer.

But here’s where my earlier hesitation came in: at nearly $300 a night during peak seasons, I couldn’t help but think you could stay at a moderate resort with pools that feature waterslides and more elaborate theming. Pop’s pools are fun, but simple.

The Rooms: Small but Functional

Pop Century rooms are compact and simple, but surprisingly functional. The highlight is the Murphy bed—by day, it folds up into the wall, creating a table and more floor space. By night, it pulls down into a second bed. The bed is actually comfortable, too.

Bathrooms are bright with big mirrors and good lighting, which made it easy for my girlfriends and me to get ready at the same time. The design is clean and modern, but don’t expect anything luxurious.

Dining and Shopping

The resort’s main dining is at Everything POP Shopping & Dining, a food court with classic Disney resort fare: Mickey waffles, burgers, flatbreads, pasta, and grab-and-go snacks. It’s convenient and quick, but it’s not going to be a dining highlight of your trip.

Attached to the food court is a large shop, great for last-minute souvenirs, snacks, or anything you forgot to pack.

Transportation: The Skyliner Perk

This is the real reason Pop Century has such a loyal following: Skyliner access.

The Skyliner gondolas take you straight to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and honestly, they feel like a ride in themselves. No long waits for buses, no folding single strollers—it’s efficient and fun. My girlfriends and I loved hopping on the Skyliner in the evenings to catch dinner at EPCOT or even Disney’s Riviera Resort.

For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you’ll still need to take buses. Peak times (like rope drop) can be busy, but Disney often sends multiple buses back-to-back to help keep lines moving.

Who Will Love Pop Century

After my stay, here’s my honest take:

• Perfect for solo travelers or girlfriends’ trips. The rooms are functional, the Skyliner is a huge perk, and the resort has plenty of fun energy.
• Great for families who are all about park time. If you just need a clean, convenient place to sleep, Pop Century works.
• A dream for Instagram lovers. The bold theming and giant statues make for awesome photo ops.

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere

Pop Century isn’t for everyone. If you’ve got a big group or you like hanging out at your resort for downtime, you may want to consider other options.

Personally, for trips with my whole family, I’d still choose to rent DVC points so I can stay at a deluxe resort with more space, a kitchen, and better pool options. For the same—or sometimes less—than what Pop Century costs at peak times, you can get a lot more value that way.

Final Thoughts: Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Pop Century Resort surprised me. It’s not luxurious, and it can feel pricey for what it is, but it’s fun, functional, and full of energy. For a solo trip or a girlfriends’ weekend, I loved it. For a big family trip, I’d still lean toward a moderate or deluxe.

Do I finally get the hype? Yes—I do. Between the Skyliner access and the playful theming, Pop Century delivers on convenience and Disney magic in a way that makes it easy to see why so many families return year after year.

Check out a full room tour and review of Disney’s Pop Century Resort on my YouTube Channel here.

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