Take a Trip Down Memory Lane at Disney’s Pop Century Resort!

Designed to take guests on a journey from the 50’s through the 90’s, Disney’s Pop Century Resort celebrates the trends and pop culture icons of each of the last five decades of the 20th century. The larger-than-life theming starts at the resort’s entrance, where each decade is represented in a stack of stylized numbers.

As you walk through the lobby, on the left side is a yellow wall adorned with photos of celebrities and memories from each decade. On the right, a collection of shadow boxes is displayed, each filled with pop culture mementos. A timeline along the top lets you follow along with the fads as they change from decade to decade. You can’t help but smile as you browse the memories of pop culture that captivated the world over the decades.

The heart of Disney’s Pop Century is Classic Hall, which contains the lobby, gift shop and food court. Shop the aisles for cute Disney, Pop Century and park merchandise, souvenirs, luggage, clothing, snacks and sundries.

Attached to the gift shop is the Everything POP food court, with several different food stations serving breakfast lunch and dinner. Breakfast fare includes eggs, bacon, waffles, pancakes, omelets, quiche and hash. Lunch and dinner menus feature pizzas, pastas, burgers, sandwiches and salads. Grab and go fruit, yogurt, beverages and deserts, including the signature tie-dye cheesecake, are available throughout the day. (Please note: some stations in the food court may be unavailable at this time.)

Step outside Classic Hall and into the resort grounds. Disney’s Pop Century Resort has five themed sections, housing guest rooms: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Each section features décor and larger-than-life icons representing each of these decades. Young adults, parents and grandparents will all feel nostalgic as they walk through the colorful and animated campus.

The 1950s section features three buildings, situated around the Bowling Pool. This quiet pool is themed like a bowling alley, and the pool is shaped like a bowling pin.

The buildings are flanked by a larger-than-life jukebox, Lady and Tramp from the Disney movie and giant bowling pins. Old 45’s and silhouettes of swing dancers in poodle skirts dot the exteriors. It’s a sock-hop straight out of a 50’s teen-aged dream!

The Hippie Dippy pool is the centerpiece of the 1960’s section. This main resort pool is flower-shaped and vibrantly colored. Accented with flower fountains, it’s easy to cool off. Right across from the pool is a water play area for small children with bubbling fountains. Just outside the gates of the main pool deck is Petals, the pool bar serving up tropical beverages, beers, wines and smoothies.

Statues of Mowgli and Balo from the Jungle Book, yo-yo’s and a giant tub of Play-doh give a not-so-subtle nod to the fads of the 60’s.

As you walk through the 1970s, you’ll encounter a three-story high Mickey Mouse holding an “old-fashion” corded telephone receiver, and a Big Wheel so enormous your entire family could fit on the seat! Instead of a pool, the centerpiece of the area is a life-size foosball table. For the safety of all guests, the foosball players are immovable (but they do provide some great photos!).

Kids will enjoy getting tangled up in the Twister Game Boards tiled into the ground. The guest room buildings are punctuated with mood rings and platform shoes. At the end of each building is a towering 8-track cartridge featuring popular songs from that era. Groovy, man!

When you see the ginormous Rubik’s Cubes, you’ll know you’ve reached the 1980s. I’d like to see someone try to solve that one!

Favorite toys and movie characters from the 80s including a Sony Sports Walkman and Roger Rabbit bring this decade to life. There’s even a giant Pac-Man game in action decorating the building exteriors.

The 1990’s area is adjacent to the 80s, and the two decades are home to the Computer Pool, shaped like, you guessed it – a computer. The pool itself represents the monitor and a keyboard is painted on the ground behind the pool chairs. A giant laptop, as tall as the buildings, shows emails from Mickey Mouse and news articles from that era including the grand opening of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 One building is themed like a computer complete with vents and fans, USB ports, buttons, and a floppy disc inserted. Inside the computer lives one of the three laundry facilities on site. Roller blades and CDs (remember those?) are the icons you’ll find on building exteriors here.

It’s a real treat to walk through the different sections and see how Disney has sensationalized the pop culture of that time. You’ll notice that the music changes as you move around the decades, with pop hits from over the years piping in as background music. The theming really comes alive at night, when all icons and silhouettes are lit up. You’re bound to notice something new every time you leave your room.

In addition to the iconic statues and decor, you’ll find swaying palm trees and picturesque views along a tranquil lake. Take a jog along the beautiful 1.3 mile running trail around the lake, where you’ll pass fun facts about things that happened during the decade of the area you’re passing. Have a day to spend at the resort? There are two small playgrounds, ping pong tables, and an arcade to keep kids of all ages busy.

On the other side of the lake, connected via walking bridge, is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. For a change of pace, you can take a walk over to enjoy their Landscape of Flavors food court or gift shop.

The guest rooms at Pop Century went through a complete refurbishment a few years ago. At approximately 260 square feet, rooms now feature a queen-size bed flanked by nightstands, with a Murphy-style bed (also queen-size) that doubles as a table. More storage space was built into the rooms, with space under the bed for luggage, a dresser, and multiple cubbies. Wood floors, along with a white color scheme and pops of color from the wall artwork give a clean and modern feel. Rooms here, like every value and moderate resort, are situated motel-style, with open-air entry along exterior hallways. Preferred Rooms that are located closer to Classic Hall, and rooms with a Pool View, are offered at a higher nightly rate than Standard Rooms.

Pop Century is a Disney Value Resort and is a great option for guests on a budget. One of the biggest perks of Disney’s Pop Century Resort is that it is home to a Disney Skyliner gondola station, which it shares with Art of Animation Resort. Situated along the walking bridge, the Skyliner connects Pop Century to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot via Caribbean Beach. This allows guests access to two theme parks and several hotels (including the character dining at Riviera Resort) without getting on a bus. In addition, complimentary bus transportation is available to all theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is the perfect headquarters for your next girls’ trip, or for an inexpensive, couple’s getaway. The personality that is evident throughout the property is sure to add a splash of fun and color to your vacation. Grab your best partner and get ready for a travel through time!

Whether it’s your first or fiftieth Disney Vacation, Small World Vacations, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, is your best resource when planning a Disney Vacation. That’s why we’re recommended by MouseSavers, Disney Food Blog and WDW Prep School.

Learn how our experience can help you!
Request your FREE price quote for your Walt Disney World Vacation Today!

(Photos are property of ©Disney and  Small World Vacations)