Updated December 19, 2003 -- If you like togetherness, you'll fall in love with Walt Disney World Resort's newest hotel, all 2,880 rooms of it. Called the Pop Century Resort, this "value hotel" opened on December 14, 2003, with rooms starting at just $77 to $124 per night. If you're counting, the hotel will bring the total number of Disney-owned and -operated "value-category" rooms across the 47-square mile resort to more than 8,500. And if you add pricier hotels, there's a total of nearly 25,000 guest rooms owned and operated by the Mouse, including the All-Star Sports, Music and Movies.
The Pop Century Resort celebrates the 20th Century, with "larger-than-life" icons, such as four-story Rubik's Cubes and Duncan Yo-Yos, a 65-foot-tall Brunswick bowling pin and a four-story Big Wheel. The hotel also has three themed swimming pools, one shaped like a bowling pin, another a flower, a third a computer. Go figure.
For more information or to make reservations, phone 407/W-DISNEY (same as 407/934-7639) or visit www.disneyworld.com.
Orlando, meanwhile, has its own specials, including three nights at selected hotels, tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando for each family member; area maps and theme park brochures. You can order these packages as gifts, and they will arrive via FedEx, the Orlando Visitors Bureau says.
The package includes the three-night hotel room, a four-day WDW Park Hopper Plus ticket for each family member, a one day SeaWorld ticket, a one day Universal ticket, a T-shirt and the map, pin and brochures already mentioned. The package is available for purchase through December 29, 2003, and prices start at just $749. Visit www.orlandoinfo.com for more details. You can also speak with an Orlando/Orange County Visitors Bureau counselor by phoning 407/363-5872 from 8 to 5 EST daily except on Christmas Day.
Have a tip for visiting Disney? Share the wealth on our Florida Message Boards today.