All Star Movies or Pop Century? Any advice?

[uckd1995]

Hi...

We're planning a Disney trip this November and are wondering if one hotel is better than the other for small children (our boys will be 3 1/2 and 1 1/2).

We're on a budget and definitely want to stay at a value resort. My husband and I stayed at All Star Movies a few years ago and liked it just fine, but we're wondering what the Pop Century is like. Our youngest won't care which hotel he's at, obviously, but would one hotel be "more appropriate" for a 3 year old?

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[undertheradar]

I would post this on the Disney Resorts board. You will get more feedback this way.

 

[undertheradar]

 

[DaddyDon]

I will let u know after this weekend!!!!POP 16-19-2004!!!

 

[cleo]

I'll move you over to Resorts.

Keep in mind that the All Stars has a tax of 12% and Pop Century has a tax of 11.5%, so depending on how long you're staying, you could find yourself with a bit of a savings at Pop Century.

 

[castlegazer]

I would totally go with Pop for two simple reasons - one, you don't share buses with any other resort, not even the AS - two, its brand spanking new and they have made some changes to address complaints from the AS resorts such as real soap in the bathrooms rather than dispensers and distance from the main building to the rooms. The Pop icons and stuff around the resort appeal to both adults and children (your three year old will love the Potato Head Family and the Mickey Mouse Phone plus they have a brand new children's splash area and playground) making it fun for everyone to see all the memorabilia and the larger than life statues.

 

[phorsenuf]

Originally posted by cleo
I'll move you over to Resorts.

Keep in mind that the All Stars has a tax of 12% and Pop Century has a tax of 11.5%, so depending on how long you're staying, you could find yourself with a bit of a savings at Pop Century.

Really? Why is that?

 

[BeckWhy]

It's a really tough choice. I just got back from Pop Century yesterday. We stayed in the 60s, we were really close to the food court, lobby, etc. We also had a pool view, and a partial lake view. And if you just turned the corner you could see Spaceship Earth and Tower of Terror. From what I noticed, there were a LOT more people staying at the Pop than all three of the All-Stars put together. The food court was always really busy. The Drink Islands had a lot of machines for soda, coffee, and tea. There were some hot chocolate ones too (but one broke). Also we had a Frozen Coke machine, which also broke. I wasn't particularlly crazy about the food choices there (I like the choices at the Movies better). The Pop has its own buses everywhere. Movies has its own bus to the Magic Kingdom, I think thats it. The Pop also comes with soaps and shampoos, which you don't get at the Movies (last time I knew). Pop also has 4 floors, we of course were on the 4th, and it sucks if you decide to walk up the stairs. Our elevators were having problems too later on in our trip. We'd wait about 5 to 10 minutes for an elevator to come. I didn't explore the Pop Century though. I basically only went to the food court and my room. So I don't know much about the other buildings or what they look like. Even though it's new, it's not much different than the movies. I mean, our table in our room was REALLY wabbly (however you spelly it).

Basically, there was a long line for everything at the Pop, when you check in, if you want guest services, check-out desks (at the food court and store). Also, they don't do room deliveries at the Pop (I'm not sure if they do it at the Movies or not). YOu have to go to the store to get your purchases.

Now don't get me wrong with what I say. I loved the hotel... but it was also a VALUE resort. I'ms ure there are the same problems at all of them, so I'm not complaining. I'm just letting you know what I saw on my trip.

I can't remember much about the movies from my last time there, so I can't really comment on that. Maybe someone else can comment and you can compare and contrast.

Well good luck.

 

[cyndibelle]

i say research them both and then make your decision....we had our ressies at movies and i moved em to pop...its me..hubby..daughter 6 and son will have just turned 4 jan 25th.....i like the idea of the newness...their own bus system....the pools...the kids play areas...the large pop icons..it just seems like a fun place....good luck in your decision and have a great trip!!

 

[imiss]

If your children are Toy Story fans like my 3 yr old nephew I might go with All-Star movies. Like a former poster said Pop Century will be busy. PC has 2,880 currently with the 2nd half still be constructed. All-movies has 1,920. Quite a difference when it comes to check-in and the food court. We were at All-Star Movies in mid Sept and didn't share busses with any of the other All-stars. There is an another website that shows pics and tells you all about the resorts that might be helpful. allearsnet.com Hope it helps. Oh and the savings by staying at PC compared to AS is 1/2% which is a 50 cents per hundred savings. Not much. Good Luck

Shirley

 

[imiss]

OOPS thats 2,880 rooms at PC and 1,920 rooms at All-Star Movies. Sorry I didn't make that clear.


Shirley

 

[diswisher]

HI,

We just got back from a amazing stay at the POP Century! We were there 8 days and loved it. There was never a wait longer than 5 minutes for food and we never waited longer than 15 minutes for a bus. The Resort itself is really nice, and the staff are Wonderful. My son is not quite 3 years old and thought it was great. This was our first time to Disney, and when we go back we'll stay there again. Great value!

Have a great trip,

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by uckd1995
Hi...

We're planning a Disney trip this November and are wondering if one hotel is better than the other for small children (our boys will be 3 1/2 and 1 1/2).

We're on a budget and definitely want to stay at a value resort. My husband and I stayed at All Star Movies a few years ago and liked it just fine, but we're wondering what the Pop Century is like. Our youngest won't care which hotel he's at, obviously, but would one hotel be "more appropriate" for a 3 year old?

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks!

You can't go wrong with either resort. But my recommendation would be for Pop Century. (Not that I'm biased or anything... LOL)

Pop Century appeals to guests of all ages. For the lil kids, we have something that no other resort has -- a pop jet pool! Those are those fountain jets that little kids LOVE to run through at Epcot.

Another reason would be for the transportation. Pop Century doesn't share buses with any other resort, resulting in better service, and shorter travel times.

Pop Century rooms have a bunch of improvements over All-Stars. (Overlapping curtains, bar soap, bigger TV, and a bunch of other things too)


As for crowds... yes, Pop Century has 2,880 rooms, and each All-Star has 1,920 (for a total of 5760). Remember though, we are designed to handle the capacities. Yes, the check-in line can get long, but it does move along. We have the largest front desk on property, with 30 stations, and we're working our butts off making sure its staffed.


Tomorrow marks our one month anniversary... We've had a few challenges, and opportunities for improvement, but overall, things have gone better than we has hoped. We're working hard to make sure everything stays groovy, man...

 

[mplsmom1]

I'd pick Pop - but we're going to be at the All Stars. At least we are changing from Movies to Sports. My family likes "familiarity"! Ah well - it's DISNEY amd I can't wait to go back

 

[LisaJD]

this is an excellent website ...
Just wanted to let you gals know ... We may not be travelling for 2 years, but, I'm gonna study this Site and get all my info, so i'm ready, incase, we are off end of this year..

SO far, i'm liking Pop Century, Wilderness Logde looked okay as well.

 

[Madi100]

We had that decision to make also. We started out at the Movies. The icons were awesome at Movies. However, after seeing some pictures, I think my kids will love Pop also. Besides, we really didn't stay in our room that much. I ended up picking Pop because of the excitement of the new resort. And, because of the improvements over the others.

 

[arielfan]

We've stayed at All Star Movies and loved it...Our daughter loved as well...

 

[legs22]

I stayed at PC on Dec. 19 in the 80's section. I thought it was a great resort and it was exciting that it was brand new. I really prefer the icon's in the 60's and 70's buildings. They're more fun than the 80's.
We will be trying All Star Movies Jan. 16-19 for the very first time. I'm excited just to get into Movies!!! I think this resort's theming would be most fun for kids. I've never stayed at an All Stars- the theming at Sports and Music just doesn't appeal to me.

Here's something to consider that I heard about PC and ASMo- large groups (like the cheerleaders) will never be at PC. They are only putting large groups at the All Stars.