which value resort??

[gskywalker]

We are going in Sept for 13 nights, renting a van for the trip, so we are not concerned about the buses(we are renting the van because we hated the buses last time, especially after the fireworks). We went last year to all star music and really like the layout of the two pools. Pop will cost us $300 more, A of A $500 more. Which value resort would you choose given that transportation won't be an issue(that is often given as the top reasons for one resort vs the other)? As well if you know what room areas we should select so we can be closest to the parking lot that would be good too.

I am apt to choose all star music because the all stars are the cheapest and we like the pool layout(3 adults, 4 kids 8 and under) for our kids, but I am definitely open to a different resort if it makes sense. thx all.

[pieface]

Music is my favorite value resort.

[emilyindisney]

Do you mind spending the extra money? If not, I'd got for AoA. I just stayed there in January and it was awesome! POP is also great too and newer than the all-stars.

[cab0ad]

I have stayed at ASMU, ASMO, and POP. The theming of ASSP is not for us and we have not stayed there. Of the 3 we really prefer POP. Plus you can walk over to AoA from POP and use their food court, which looks the best of all of them. I definitely think POP's food court was way better than the Allstars though.

[gskywalker]

Originally Posted by cab0ad

I have stayed at ASMU, ASMO, and POP. The theming of ASSP is not for us and we have not stayed there. Of the 3 we really prefer POP. Plus you can walk over to AoA from POP and use their food court, which looks the best of all of them. I definitely think POP's food court was way better than the Allstars though.

To answer whether spending the extra is ok, well yes and no. We could do it if it made a big difference(which is part of the reason I am asking), I guess I am looking it trying to compare as closely as possible apples to apples, ie which is better 2 more days at Disney all stars and being able to drive to pop or AOA for a food court if we wanted or staying at POP for 2 less days? Or in the case of A of A, 4 less days there? I am guessing the difference is not significant enough to make up the difference, in which case it would be a decision between the all stars. To me $500 for a couple of statues and better food options seems like a lot, or $300 for better food at POP? yes/no/maybe so?

[gskywalker]

Originally Posted by emilyindisney

Do you mind spending the extra money? If not, I'd got for AoA. I just stayed there in January and it was awesome! POP is also great too and newer than the all-stars.

Guessing you haven't stayed at the all stars, so trying to use the closest comparison you have what was so much more awesome than POP? (you are probably right, just trying to understand the reasoning because what one person cares about the next person might not, like when I go to the carribbean I won't go to a resort that doesn't have a swim up bar wheras my wife could care less if it has one)

[Anniefrances]

Although I prefer the theming at POP and think the food court is slightly better than ASMo, for the money saved I would choose ASMo (or another AS). Also, at ASMo it felt like we did less walking to/from the room because it's smaller--this also made it feel a lot less chaotic than POP. Either way, I think the differences are minor and you will be happy whichever you end up at.

[gskywalker]

Originally Posted by Anniefrances

Although I prefer the theming at POP and think the food court is slightly better than ASMo, for the money saved I would choose ASMo (or another AS). Also, at ASMo it felt like we did less walking to/from the room because it's smaller--this also made it feel a lot less chaotic than POP. Either way, I think the differences are minor and you will be happy whichever you end up at.

Thx, do you have knowledge/an opinion on which of the all stars may be best given bus issues don't matter? I guess I should mention as well what we liked about ASMu to see if it is the same or better at the other all stars. We liked the pools because the main one had a shallow pool as part of it, plus a toddler pool. Then as well that it had the second pool near the laundry. Aside from that there seemed to be some vegetation which was nice. I think the theme would be better at movies even though many of the movies would be before my kids time, but theme is lower on our priority list.

[VillianDiva]

We've stayed at Music and POP. I say go with one of the All-Star resorts. My main complaint with them was transportation and everything else we loved about it!

I'm all about saving money and if you are anything like us we are rarely in our room unless we are sleeping or showering so the extra cost just isn't worth it.

[RobDugan]

Sometimes staying at the All Star Music you have a bunch of school choirs and bands there. It can make breakfast a hassle.

[Anniefrances]

I'm sorry--I don't yet know how the AS resorts compare to one another--we've only stayed at ASMo and will try AS Sp this summer. I really liked ASMo and the only reason for not returning is that we also like to try new things. In fact, one of the larger items on my bucket list (I'm in remission for breast cancer) is to take my children to Disney each year and stay in a different resort. I'm hoping this will help them retain memories a little more, e.g. they can talk about "do you remember the year we were at WL and...." or "the year we were at AS Sp and..." Anyway, like I said in the other post, I think you will be happy at whichever one you end up at. After all, it's all Disney, and Disney does things pretty well

[BlueStarryHat]

I've stayed at all three All-Star resorts. My personal favorite was Sports, but that was because of the transportation which you say is not an issue because of your van. My favorite All-Star resort in terms of theme is Movies-just more Disney-fied. Other than that, there's not much difference between the three. And I loved all three. The food courts are sometimes chaotic in the mornings, and of course people are always running by the room and slamming doors, but it's a small price to pay for the convenience of staying on property, and usually quiets down by the time you're ready to go to sleep.

[gskywalker]

no one else with an opinion on this?? I see a difference between the pools, but I am just judging by pics and layouts of the resorts not experience.

[JeannieKY]

I have stayed at all the values except AoA which we visited in January. My daughter wanted to go back to the Pop last year, so we did and I like it just fine. However, I also like all 3 of the All Stars. IMO, Sports has the best layout and was just refurbished, so you may want to look at it. I like the Music's food court a little better and it seems calmer, but I think staying at different resorts each trip is fun. The Movies is visually appealing IMO, but my least favorite.(We encountered a large cheer group there that was a nightmare.) The Pop is bigger and a little higher in cost. AoA is a lot higher with no discounts on LM rooms and a hike to the main building. We've gone with a preferred room at ASMU this Summer to be close to the pool and food after running the numbers, but that is because we just did a standard room at ASSP in January and Pop last July. I love the tour videos on Allears.net when picking a resort! Good-luck. If is Disney, so you can't make a bad pick!

[KELLY]

Originally Posted by gskywalker

We are going in Sept for 13 nights, renting a van for the trip, so we are not concerned about the buses(we are renting the van because we hated the buses last time, especially after the fireworks). We went last year to all star music and really like the layout of the two pools. Pop will cost us $300 more, A of A $500 more. Which value resort would you choose given that transportation won't be an issue(that is often given as the top reasons for one resort vs the other)? As well if you know what room areas we should select so we can be closest to the parking lot that would be good too.

I am apt to choose all star music because the all stars are the cheapest and we like the pool layout(3 adults, 4 kids 8 and under) for our kids, but I am definitely open to a different resort if it makes sense. thx all.

Not sure but if you are booking for FD chances are the LM rooms won't be included. We go for 17 days and glady pay the extra to stay at pop. The only other value we have stayed at was the ASMO. But we like pop and seem to return there.