[baloo]

For anyone that has stayed at PC, how is the parking?

We've heard (read) that the spaces are limited and that if you come back to the resort late at night you could be hardpressed to find a place to park. :nervous We're expecting the crowds to be heavy while we're there and were planning to use our van instead of the buses, but I would hate to get back and have nowhere to park. Is this right or am I am being misinformed? Any info or advice would be great.

Kerry

[MerlinMatt]

Kerry, I think that even with lots of crowds, you're better off with the buses.

The coordination for having you're own vehicle can be such a pain. What if you want to do two parks in a day? What if you'd like to relax and have an "extra drink" (or 2.. or 3 ;) ) with dinner?

That said, the parking lots really are well spaced out and even if you have to park at the edge of the lot, it would likely be no longer a walk than getting dropped off by the bus and having to walk back to your room.

[Metalfan]

I would agree. Using the buses are still better than driving. We drove once last November and couldnt find a parking spot when we got back (not at PC). Should you wat o drive though I dont think you'll have a problem. I haven;t heard any bad things about parking, but I would use the bus. At least look at the lines before you go to the park and see.

[WVWISEGUY]

We stayed in the Pop 2 weeks ago. We were in the 70's buildings and they had a cm at the entrance to the 70's lot every day. They were checking to be sure you were staying in the 70's building. Evidently they have had a problem with people parking in the 70'staying in the 80's buildings because this parking lot was closer to their rooms.

As for leaving and returning, we went out a few nights and always found a parking place, but sometimes you could get a close spot and sometimes we were at the end of the lot, but always had a space.

Also, one day we went to AK and drove and wished we had taken the bus due to the parking lot did not open until 7:45 and early entry started at 8:00. We finally got through the gates at 8:10. My parents who were staying at another resort, took buses and were in the AK by 7:55.

The bus service at the Pop was great and probably the best of any resort we have stayed at.

[baloo]

Thanks for all the info!

I really couldn't imagine Disney not having enough parking spaces at any of their resorts. I just wanted to hear it from someome who's stayed at PC to make sure.

I think we will use the buses (at least some) even though we might not utilize the early entry hours too much.

Kerry

[Metalfan]

You should use the buses. Pop Century doesn't share buses with another resort like the other value's do so they shouldnt be that crowded. And if you leave any time after 10 am to go to the parks they shouldnt be all that crowded. :)

[tinkerbell]

Originally posted by Matt McDonnell
Kerry, I think that even with lots of crowds, you're better off with the buses.

The coordination for having you're own vehicle can be such a pain. What if you want to do two parks in a day? What if you'd like to relax and have an "extra drink" (or 2.. or 3 ;) ) with dinner?

That said, the parking lots really are well spaced out and even if you have to park at the edge of the lot, it would likely be no longer a walk than getting dropped off by the bus and having to walk back to your room.

I am in total agreement about using the busses. We drove, parked our van and never moved it so never worried about parking space. we had an excellent one that could be seen from our room. even though we were in the 90's building the walk was not really that bad at all, mostly because we simply cut through the parking lot.

And personally, My family and I are huge fans of the Disney busses :)

[MickeyManic]

:devil Here's the little devil's input (aka baloo's spouse)....

I think Kerry (baloo) likes the bus service a lot more than I do, so it's my fault he even had to ask about parking!!

I'd just rather hop in the old jalopy and get to the park ASAP rather than have to wait and wait for a bus. Plus, when I'm tired from a long day at the parks, the last thing I want to do is stand in yet another line waiting for a bus.

I think the best reason to use the bus system is the Early Entry Magic Hour (whatever it's called now), but the last thing I want to do on vacation is get up early!! :p

Having said all this, you'll have to let Kerry (baloo) tell y'all the mess I got us in one year by parking at AK!!!! So maybe I should give the bus system one more try, eh?

[disneyguy]

When I was there, I didn't really pick up on it too much, because we were using busses, but it looked like there was plenty of parking around the 70's building. It sounds like that is the biggest complaint: That the parking there is, is too far away and that there is too few of that. I would say it depends on the park that you are going to. Take the bus to MGM and MK, but for AK and Epcot I would drive. Both are fairly close to PC and parking is a breeze there. Do keep in mind that MK is about a 20 minute bus ride from PC.

[sydmacsmom]

We stayed at the Pop in Feb. and we drove our car to all the parks. We never had a problem with a parking spot, but there are alot less people in Feb than there will probably be in July.

Just wanted to remind you, though, if you do drive your car, because you are staying at a Disney resort, you get free parking at all the parks. We hopped from one park to another and never had any trouble. Good luck, have a great time.

[dizneeluvr]

We were at the Pop Century last week (3/20-3/26) and the parking was....well, let's just say if you left, good luck getting a space.

A couple of days we left to go to the park that "Pixie dust and fairytales not your thing" and when we returned (which was not late at night mind you) we drove up and down at least 5 aisles before we found a spot.

We stayed in the 70's section of the Pop Century and they had a CM stationed at the 70's entrance asking for your room number when you entered the parking lot. It is a lot closer to the 80's building and can see why people staying there would want to park there.

Of course, this was spring break for a lot of people so the entire area around WDW was extremely busy.

If you're going during high season, you better just find a place to park at the resort and plan on taking the bus.

The bus, whether you stand or not, has got to be better than trying to fight the traffic exiting out of the parks each night.

[QuackAttack]

Busses are your better option. An inside hint: When parks become full there will be times that resort guests on the busses get to enter the park where guests in POVs will be turned away.
During times when the parks are not busy you might enjoy driving your POV but you will save yourself a lot of headaches by taking Disney Transportation. As more busses and drivers are put on the road you should find things get much smoother for the guests. PC, with the new designed Q-lines works much better at the loading point and the other values will soon have the same such Q-lines put into place.

Have a Magical Day!

(This is the old "johnK9" as that account continued to crash and lock up...and yes, Mickey knows....so everyone that knows me, this is my new screen name.)

[Mari annie]

:D

Hi!

We stayed at Pop Century in Feb.
Lots of parking in the 70's area.

We drive from MA-MCO and really don't use the bus service, we like to come/go when we want, and there's alot more parking in the side lot near the 70's bldg late at night.

Have fun!

We were amazed there's a bar* at Pop Century!
Nothing fancy, but for a family resort, it was amazing
since Eisner lost alot of money for Disney, I guess they are trying to recoop some back..
I wonder if the other family resorts will be adding the bar areas?

Have fun on your trip!
The only thing I was really (very) disapointed was we booked the 60's bldg months ago and when we arrived there was NO room for the entire stay (one week) so we had to go to the 80's bldg.
It was nice, but when you anticipate one area, and pay for that before hand....humbug!
The next week we stayed at the Poly so it was a great vacation!

[tinkerbell]

Originally posted by Mari annie


We were amazed there's a bar* at Pop Century!
Nothing fancy, but for a family resort, it was amazing
since Eisner lost alot of money for Disney, I guess they are trying to recoop some back..
I wonder if the other family resorts will be adding the bar areas?

mmm the CBR and other moderates all have a bar ..so do the All Star Resorts, and the Poly, and Contemp. As far I know they have always had Bar's the only difference with the one at Pop Century was it was in doors. At the CBR its out by the pool.

[polyman65]

All stars bars are inside the food court area also,and you can buy beer and wine in the food courts also and gift shops nothing new about that.