My Favorite Value Resort for Kids

A look at the main pool and "Classic Hall"

When it comes to planning a Disney vacation with young kids the first decision that should be made is where to stay!  There are plenty of offsite options (these may be cheaper but are not always as convenient).  We ALWAYS stay at a Disney property, but there are so many choices.  You can choose from 3 different levels of resorts; value, moderate, or deluxe, and there are 23 on site themed resort hotels.  We have stayed in each of the categories but when traveling with children my favorite resort is Pop Century!  This resort holds a very special place in my heart (it is probably my favorite resort of all), this was the resort that I first visited on my first ever family trip to Disney world, and it was during this trip that I got engaged! 

Bubbles

When it comes to value this resort really lives up to it's name.  The prices can't be beat ranging from $69 a night up to $194 a night during the holiday season.  Our friends over at allears have put together a ton of great information about this hotel and the 2012 rates.  Not only is this resort incredibly affordable, but the theming (spanning the 20th century pop culture) is amazing, and the fun starts literally the second you exit the bus.  On this last trip that we took when we exited the bus there was a man with fun things for kids to do!  There were hula hoops and a man with a bubble gun!  There were bubbles everywhere and my son didn't waste any time trying to pop the bubbles!

When you enter the lobby the "Classic Hall" there is a play/lounge area area with a TV that the kids can climb around in while mom (or dad) checks in.  The walls are lined with mementos from the decades there is so much to see and do you will not be bored.  There are people in the lobby that will draw you up as a caricature, a large gift shop (I can get into trouble here), and the gift shop leads you to a delicious and oversized food court. The food court offers many options and the food has always been fresh and delicious.  There are plenty of healthy options and substitutes to the usual fries and desserts.  

Enjoying some fun in the kids splash area

There are 10 buildings representing the decades 1950's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's.  You can enjoy 3 pools, our favorite is the main Hippy Dippy Pool.  There is even a small baby size splash area that my son loved...we had to drag him away literally kicking and screaming!  We request to stay near the main building, pool, and bus transportation as this resort is quite large.  As you walk throughout the resort you will find a play ground for kids, a twister board, a life size fuze ball play area, and jogging trail, among other fun hidden treasures.


The rooms are spacious enough for a family to fit in comfortably, there is a pull curtain that separates the bedroom from the sink and bathroom area (this is nice if someone is still sleeping in the morning.)  We fit a pack and play in between one of the walls and a bed, and we could have put another one next to the T.V. and still would have been comfortable.  There is even a small table and two chairs in the room, we ate breakfast in the room every morning because my 2 year old is a busy body and can't concentrate at eating in the food court! 

This resort is my favorite because when I have my kids there they can be just kids!  They can run, and jump, and make noise, and even have a melt down, without people even giving it a second thought.  There are kids all around and it is really fun to see them all interacting with each other.  I will also mention that my in laws stayed at the same resort and they are in love with it too!  They even commented that although there were a ton of kids at this resort it still felt like an upscale, calm, and relaxing place to stay!

So if you want to take your kids to a family friendly, serene, fun, and one of the coolest themed resorts on property (that all of us adults can relive our childhoods in), then this is the resort for you!  Check it out!

Jr all tuckered out at Pop!

Up next in this series I will be focusing on how to pack to bring babies with you on your trip!