Can you tell us something about the budget resort that opened a few years back at Disney World? We stayed at All Star Music last year and thought it was a great deal. Will rooms be as cheap at the new resort as they are at the All Star Resorts?
Yes. Disney's Pop Century Resort began opening in stages in March 2002, and, at least in the value season, rooms will be as low as $79 a night.
Disney's budget mega-resorts--All Star Sports, All Star Music and All Star Movies--have been immensely popular with families who want to stay on Disney property but can't afford or don't want to pay the luxury resort prices. The key thing to remember is that the major perks of staying on Disney property such as 1) free transportation to all the theme parks, 2) early entry into one theme park every day and 3) the ability to buy advance tickets and make arrange priority seating for dining from your hotel room are offered to guests staying in any Disney resort, from the top-of-the-line Grand Floridian to the inexpensively-priced All Stars. Plus all the Disney resorts are clean, safe, family-oriented, and have great proximity to the theme parks.
Since the All Star Resorts are often completely full during busy seasons Disney made the decision to add more budget rooms. At its completion in 2003, the Pop Century Resort, which will be located near the Wide World of Sports complex, will add 5,760 budget rooms to the Disney World total.
Different sections of the resort will be themed to different decades of the 20th century, highlighting the fads, music, and catchphrases of each era. Imagineers describe it as being "like a fun-filled time capsule." Larger-than-life pop icons like Play-Doh, Yo-Yos, cellular phones and Rubik's Cubes will tower near the buildings. Pools will be shaped like bowling pins, computers, soda bottles, and highway signs. The bright colors and oversized props appeal to kids, so expect Pop Century to have the same zany sense of fun as the All Star Resorts.
My feeling is you should always try to stay on Disney property if possible --the advantages are significant. Granted, the budget resorts are pretty low-frill compared to the more expensive Disney resorts. You only have food courts, with no sit-down dining. You only have swimming, with no other sports offered. Buses (or driving your own car) are your only transportation option. The cast member to guest ratio is higher, meaning you'll likely end up lugging your suitcase to your room and room service options are minimal. Check in and check out take longer, and the rooms are smaller. But these are minor points when you compare the pricetag of a budget resort to the expense of staying in one of the luxury resorts.
I predict that if you're traveling at a summer or holiday time, you'll need to make reservations early for Pop Century, just as you do for the All Stars. Prices in the busy season will be closer to $125 a night, but it's still a steal.
To make reservations for Pop Century or any other Disney resort call (407) W-DISNEY or go online at disneyworld.com.
Updated June 2006.
