Our family’s first on-property stay at the Walt Disney World Resort was in 2009. At the recommendation of a friend, we chose to spend our vacation that year at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed everything the resort had to offer, so much so that we have returned several times since!
Disney’s Pop Century Resort celebrates the defining moments and crazes of the last five decades of the 20th century. When guests arrive at the resort they are immediately immersed in the past and are given a truly fascinating opportunity to relive delightful memories of the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. The resort is organized into four main areas. Three of the sections focus on one specific decade, while the fourth section is dedicated to showcasing both the ’80s and the ’90s.
Pop Century is one of five Value Resorts on Walt Disney World property. The accommodations are among some of the most affordable, but fewer frills and amenities are provided here than at resorts in the Moderate or Deluxe categories. The theming and attention to detail at this resort, however, are incredible! We were never concerned about the absence of luxuries, like pool slides and table-service restaurants. It was effortless to simply enjoy the outstanding glimpse into the past, and indulge in the resort’s wonderfully unique celebration of 20th-century pop culture.
Let’s take a look first at the REAL HIP ’50s!!!
The stars of the 1955 Disney animated classic Lady and the Tramp welcome guests to the ’50s section of the resort.
Just past Lady and Tramp is the Bowling Pool, one of three pools at Pop Century.
The exteriors of all of the buildings in this section are decorated with transistor radios, records, and silhouettes of sock-hoppers. All of the staircases are cleverly hidden by giant bowling pins, and popular sayings of the time complete the theming of each structure.
Moving on to the GROOVY ’60s!!!
Massive Duncan Imperial Yo-Yos surround the staircases of all of the ’60s buildings and, once again, catch phrases of the decade border all of the rooftops. Images of brightly colored flowers, peace signs, and dancers having a “far out” time doing the Twist effectively convey the spirit of “Peace, Love, and Happiness” that dominated this time period!
Now, let’s BOOGIE DOWN to the ’70s!!!
Mood rings, platform shoes, and dancers doing the hustle are the embellishments of choice for the buildings of the Disco Decade. All staircases are enclosed in huge 8-track tapes, and fun phrases significant to the ’70s are prominently displayed.
Enormous replicas of a Big Wheel tricycle and a Mickey Mouse rotary dial telephone tower over guests in this area. A Foosball table sits in the courtyard between these two icons.
Although there is no pool in this section of the resort, guests can still relax and have a good time with a game of Twister that is always available and ready to be played at a moment’s notice!
And last, but certainly not least, get ready for the TOTALLY AWESOME ’80s and the NETWORKING ’90s!!!
Welcoming guests to Pop Century’s salute to the 1980s and 1990s are none other than Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head! Just beyond their friendly faces is a colorful and inviting space that commemorates the final two decades of the 20th century. Break dancers and a game of Pac-Man artfully grace the bright red ’80s structures, while rollerblades, CDs, and hip-hop dancers reign supreme on the sky blue ’90s buildings. Trendy buzzwords of the day complete the design of the entire area. My husband and I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s so it was, indeed, an enjoyable trip down memory lane for us while spending time here!
The amount of history and memorabilia presented at this whimsical resort is CRAAAZY, MAN! CAN YOU DIG IT? If you think you are up for a captivating journey back in time, then SMILE! You can definitely take your Walt Disney World vacation TO THE MAX! Just SURF THE NET, make a reservation, and you will soon discover all of the fun and nostalgia that awaits you at Disney’s Pop Century Resort!
