All Sports & Pop Century questions

[Mick]

We are going to WDW for 2 weeks sometime between Jan 16-Feb14 and would like to make a ressie soon.
Our boys will be 8 and almost 10. We have decided to stay onsite the whole time at All stars or Pop Century. My questions are:

1. Which All Stars would you stay at?

2. Not caring about room view, we do care about being fairly close to food court etc. what room/area should we request?

3. Do we have any chance of swimming in the pool this time of year without freezing?

4. Which resort has the best bus system?

5. Which resort has the best playground?

6. Has anyone heard much about Pop Century for the same questions? Would You take children this age to it?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Michelle

 

[Michelemouse]

Michelle wrote:
>We are going to WDW for 2 weeks sometime between Jan 16->Feb14 and would like to make a ressie soon.
>Our boys will be 8 and almost 10. We have decided to stay >onsite the whole time at All stars or Pop Century. My questions >are:

>1. Which All Stars would you stay at?

I would choose the All-Star Movies, although I have stayed at all of them and like them all. The ASMo just has more of a Disney feeling. Also, it was the last one built and they made improvements to the flow of the food court and in the layout of the resort.

>2. Not caring about room view, we do care about being fairly >close to food court etc. what room/area should we request?

You can either pony up an additional $10 per night for the preferred buildings (Fantasia at ASMo, Surfs Up at ASSp and Calypso at ASMu) or you can request Toy Story or Dalmations at ASMo, Football at ASSp or Jazz at ASMu. Just remember that requests are not guaranteed. They only way to guarantee being close to the main building is to pay the $10 per night for the preferred buildings.

>3. Do we have any chance of swimming in the pool this time of >year without freezing?

Sure. You probably won't have perfect swimming weather every day, but I'd bet you'll have several days when it is warm enough. The pools are heated so the water is fine year round...it's getting out that is tricky in the winter months!

>4. Which resort has the best bus system?

We've stayed in everything from Deluxe to Value accommodations at WDW and truly find the All-Star bus system to be the best of any resorts. There will be times when all 3 All-Stars share buses and times when each has it's own...depending on the time of day and passenger demand.

>5. Which resort has the best playground?

The playgrounds at the All-Stars aren't anything special...they're similar to what you'd find at a playscape at home. All 3 have similar set-ups. I'd give the edge to All-Star Movies again, since it has Andy's Room and the Dalmatians area has a TV the kids can climb into. These are more like "sets" than playrounds though. The playgrounds themselves are pretty basic.

>6. Has anyone heard much about Pop Century for the same >questions? Would You take children this age to it?

Pop Century isn't open yet but I'd bet their facilities are similar to the All-Stars'. I'd definitely take young kids to it.

>Thanks for any help you can give.

No problem.

>Michelle

Great name, btw!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Mick
1. Which All Stars would you stay at?

I would go with Pop Century over the All-Stars... just because it's the latest fad... lol... But for the ASR, I would choose Movies. It's newer, and I like the theming better.

Originally posted by Mick
2. Not caring about room view, we do care about being fairly close to food court etc. what room/area should we request?

The All Stars have "Preferred" buildings set up for an additional $10 per night. Personally, I wouldn't pay for it. The time you'll be coming down won't be too crowded, you very well could get assigned those very same rooms without having to pay. No guarantees though. I will say, though... My mother stayed at Music, in the Rock 'n Roll section, and it wasn't a far walk at all. I beleive Movies has been designed a bit better, and more buildings are closer.

Pop Century has taken it even further, and most buildings are just a short walk from the main area.

Originally posted by Mick
3. Do we have any chance of swimming in the pool this time of year without freezing?

Generally, the last week of Jan and first week of Feb is when it starts to get warm during the daytime. The pools are heated anyways, but getting out will always be no fun

Originally posted by Mick
4. Which resort has the best bus system?

The All-Stars always have the best bus service on property. They get the most amount of buses, and the shortest intervals. During the time you'll be down here, they won't be horribly crowded, but, do expect crowds during peak times.

Originally posted by Mick
6. Has anyone heard much about Pop Century for the same questions?

Pop Century will probably have the same level of bus service. Actually, perhaps a bit better, since its more centrally located. Times to the parks won't be very long at all.

Originally posted by Mick
Would You take children this age to [Pop Century]?

Oh gosh, DEFINETLY!!!! They'd get a big kick out of some of the things going on over there. Lots of Disney characters, lots of things from the past... I'm sure that y'all will even get a kick out of the blast from the past.

 

[Mick]

I appreciate the time you spent helping me out! It is very helpful.

Michelle

 

[Sandiebean]

1. Which All Stars would you stay at?

We've stayed at AS Movies and AS Sports. At the AS Sports, we stayed in the Football building. At AS Movies, we stayed in the Toy Story building. Both were nice. That being said.. I loved swimming in the AS Music pool. They had a real Disney feeling there, and lots of louder music piped in for fun. We were swimming in all the pools there, of course.

2. Not caring about room view, we do care about being fairly close to food court etc. what room/area should we request?

Both of the above rooms were fairly good locations. However.. I was talking to people who paid the premium to be in a section close to the pool, and they weren't happy. Their kids were young, and couldn't nap or sleep early because of the noise level.

3. Do we have any chance of swimming in the pool this time of year without freezing?

Oh! You're Canadian!!! We can swim in anything!!! We've actually been there at that time of the year, and it was great. No problem at all.

4. Which resort has the best bus system?

AS Resorts... hands down. The worst had to be WL. Oy. Gorgeous resort.. but looooooooong bus rides. And boat rides. AS resorts seem to keep adding busses as they need them.

5. Which resort has the best playground?

CBR has the best, in my opinion. We love that resort.

6. Has anyone heard much about Pop Century for the same questions? Would You take children this age to it?

I'm staying there for Christmas, so I'll be able to let you know. I sure would take kids there. My son will be 11 at Christmas, but he's a very young 11. We can't wait.

Sandie