Guests often expect the unexpected at Walt Disney World, though usually in the form of ride breakdowns or sudden storms. For one group staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the surprise arrived inside their room and quickly shifted their entire stay.
The Value Resort, known for its oversized icons and Skyliner access, draws thousands of budget-minded travelers daily. Its exterior-entry buildings, high occupancy, and constant turnover often make it one of the most talked-about hotels at Walt Disney World, both positively and critically.
Social platforms have amplified those conversations. Many travelers now document their stays in real time, offering unfiltered glimpses into what unfolds behind the resort’s bright façades. A recent TikTok captured one such moment that quickly gained traction among Disney fans.
A Late-Night Exit at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The clip, posted by TikTok user @janaelaird4, shows her group standing beside a Pop Century pool at night, shaking out luggage under floodlights. According to her caption, the frantic scene followed an unwelcome discovery inside their room shortly before.
“We stayed at Pop Century Sports Resort in Orlando Florida and found roaches crawling across the bed,” she wrote. Her video shows bags being emptied outdoors rather than inside the room.
@janaelaird4 We stayed at Pop Century Sports Resort in Orlando Florida and found roaches crawling across the bed. They initially said they couldn’t give me a refund me and stated that they can only move me to another room. Eventually they gave me the refund and we found another hotel. All this happened around 11pm. #disney #disneyworld #popcenturyresort #roach #disgusting @Disney @Disney Parks @DISNEY WORLD🐭🥰
She added that the situation escalated when she requested a refund. “They initially said they couldn’t give me a refund me and stated that they can only move me to another room,” she wrote. “Eventually they gave me the refund and we found another hotel. All this happened around 11pm.”
Inside the TikTok, she also told viewers, “I’m ready to go, we’re going to stay at the airport.”
Commenters chimed in immediately, with several mentioning Florida’s persistent insect presence, especially at resorts with outdoor walkways. One user wrote, “The doors into the rooms are on the outside, it’s Florida… There’s going to be bugs.”
Other Guest Reports Add to the Conversation
The comments quickly widened beyond the original post. One viewer wrote, “Stayed there last year. We had ants invade after 1 day and fruit flies everywhere.” Pop Century’s layout, spread across multiple buildings with exterior corridors, is frequently mentioned by guests who share similar stories.
Earlier this year, another Pop Century visitor documented multiple dead bugs stuck to the ceiling of their room. The incident was discussed across several fan forums, adding to ongoing conversations about occasional pest sightings at Walt Disney World hotels.
Concerns at other properties have appeared online over the years as well. Guests have previously alleged bed bug issues at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Resort. One of the most widely cited cases occurred in 2022, when Disney paid $100,000 to a guest who suffered bedbug bites during a stay at the Disneyland Hotel.
Some travelers have also reported spotting dogs trained to detect bed bugs at the Anaheim property. Disneyland Paris has taken a more formal approach: in 2024, the resort publicly advertised a Bedbug Detector Dog Master position to perform “regular inspection of rooms, common areas, luggage storage in hotels or any other premises where the presence of bedbugs could be confirmed.”
On the water, Disney Cruise Line passengers recently shared a wave of bed bug concerns on Reddit, particularly focused on the Disney Magic. These posts fueled broader discussions about how quickly isolated incidents can spread online.
For guests preparing to check in at any Disney Resort hotel, a few simple steps can help. Luggage should be placed in the bathroom first, since bed bugs are less likely to hide there. Mattress seams, bed frames, and bedside drawers can be inspected using a phone flashlight.
If anything looks off, the safest move is requesting a different room — ideally on another floor — and unpacking only after the new room appears clear.
Have you ever had to deal with bugs during a Disney hotel stay?
DISGUSTING…ROACHES????? yes i understand flies ..bees.. gnats even a bird but NOT ROACHES !!! These people should of been given a Moderate or Deluxe IMMEDIATELY !!!!…Another reason why i am done with Disney……