All-Star Movies or Pop? Is Pop worth the extra $300? Concerned about long lines for Skyliner...

[bioprof]

We have stayed at Pop many, many times (and are fans!), but we are going in June (just my son and I - staying 12 nights) and are able to save $250-300 by staying at All-Star Movies instead. Which would you stay at? In normal circumstances, I would spring for Pop because of the Skyliner, but I have heard horror stories about the long lines. Thoughts??

PS - AoA is also an option and we have never stayed there. However it's an extra $500-600 over ASM.

 

[VandVsmama]

Save your $300 and stay at ASMovies.

 

[Makmak]

I agree with the above poster as we are doing ASM because it minimizes my disappointment worries. We have seen what OP states (long skyliner lines even last July and August) and also people at more pricey resorts being locked out of the pool bc capacity limits. Therefore I decided to stay the cheapest way so I’m not mad if there are issues!

 

[WEDWDW]

Unless someone absolutely LOVES having a beautiful Lake at their Resort and/or LOVES Disney Skyliner,I always say save the Skyliner Tax and stay at the All-Stars.

 

[Linkura]

I agree with the above poster as we are doing ASM because it minimizes my disappointment worries. We have seen what OP states (long skyliner lines even last July and August) and also people at more pricey resorts being locked out of the pool bc capacity limits. Therefore I decided to stay the cheapest way so I’m not mad if there are issues!

Same!!!!

 

[brockash]

We're doing movies. If going during nonrainy season and especially if you have a stroller, I feel relatively confident that we'd be able to be at dhs in the first handful of ppl getting using the skyliner, but I know that wouldn't happen for Epcot.

If you throw in being there during the rainy season I really think that throws any skyliner convenience out the window.

Like a pp we're saving our money and possible disappointment and staying at Movies.

 

[bioprof]

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate your comments and suggestions. I would have sworn everyone would say "stay at Pop" but your logic totally makes sense to me. ASM it is (plus we actually have never stayed there!).

 

[HopperFan]

POP is our favorite and would always be our first choice, especially for 12 days.


Question as I haven't kept up - has ALL of Movies renovations been complete?

Are buses running at full capacity or at an increased rate to make up for spacing? At least the Skyliner line should move steadily and you can use instead of buses to two parks.

 

[starry_solo]

POP is our favorite and would always be our first choice, especially for 12 days.


Question as I haven't kept up - has ALL of Movies renovations been complete?

Are buses running at full capacity or at an increased rate to make up for spacing? At least the Skyliner line should move steadily and you can use instead of buses to two parks.

all of All Star Movies is renovated. Just waiting for the other All Stars...

 

[Octoberbaby]

It would be Pop for me. The skyliner is so convenient!

 

[bioprof]

POP is our favorite and would always be our first choice, especially for 12 days.


Question as I haven't kept up - has ALL of Movies renovations been complete?

Are buses running at full capacity or at an increased rate to make up for spacing? At least the Skyliner line should move steadily and you can use instead of buses to two parks.

Yes, the ASM renos have been completed, and I would definitely stay at Pop if ASM had not already been renovated...we really like the renovated rooms!

The transportation questions are really good ones. From what others have said (here + the Disney World Junkies FB group), I *think* the buses are running more frequently (or at least, they are sending out more buses) because they have to do distancing on the bus. I have seen a lot of reports of 30-45 minute waits at the Skyliner stations (especially the CBR one). I don't know if that's a commonplace occurrence or if some have had bad luck, but I'm concerned that we will pay the extra money to stay at Pop for the Skyliner and it will not be worth it to us in the end.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Pop
The skyliner is so much more convenient than buses.

 

[kclark9830]

What others mentioned about saving $ to minimize disappointment is exactly where I'm at. We're staying at Movies because I'm not willing to spend more and be upset by diminished experience. It wasn't an easy choice because values aren't my favorite, but I feel like the trade off is worth it in this instance, for my family.

 

[heresabe]

I have a fondness for Pop. Strolling Hourglass Lake is one of my favorite things to do. But...with current pricing, I would stay at ASM for the savings.
Never stayed at AofA but I don't understand the rationale for its higher rates- I don't even think AofA rooms have been renovated. Am I correct?

 

[scrappinginontario]

For us it would be Pop 100%. I'm going to throw in something that hasn't been discussed yet...

Dining. Staying at ASMo gives you access to 1 dining location right now. Pop opens your world to Pop, AoA, CBR, Riviera, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club....not to mention Epcot or even DHS if you have park hoppers.

That alone would make it an easy choice for us. With DS consistently being down played due to being extremely busy and less mask compliance, it will decrease the number of times we visit.

OP, you mentioned you are staying for 12 nights. We're booked for 9 nights in August and food choices definitely have been part of our decision to stay at Pop!

 

[jimmymc]

I stayed at Caribbean Beach recently and the Skyliner lines were 10 to 15 minutes if you got there an hour before opening. It's also way faster than busses if you're park hopping or taking a mid-day break.

If you have a car, save the money and stay at ASM.

If you don't, I would spend the extra for Pop.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

For us it would be Pop 100%. I'm going to throw in something that hasn't been discussed yet...

Dining. Staying at ASMo gives you access to 1 dining location right now. Pop opens your world to Pop, AoA, CBR, Riviera, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club....not to mention Epcot or even DHS if you have park hoppers.

That alone would make it an easy choice for us. With DS consistently being down played due to being extremely busy and less mask compliance, it will decrease the number of times we visit.

OP, you mentioned you are staying for 12 nights. We're booked for 9 nights in August and food choices definitely have been part of our decision to stay at Pop!

Great point!

 

[tbssenterprises]

Just came back from a stay at CBR. Yes, there are still long lines for HS at their opening time, and also for Epcot at their opening time. I didn't think there would be long lines for HS since you can now try for ROR from your room, but I was mistaken. Also, for the 11:00 opening for Epcot, I was knocked off my feet by the long lines for that! It took me almost 45 minutes online to GO TO EPCOT in the morning. Go figure!!! Oh well, you live and you learn.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Just came back from a stay at CBR. Yes, there are still long lines for HS at their opening time, and also for Epcot at their opening time. I didn't think there would be long lines for HS since you can now try for ROR from your room, but I was mistaken. Also, for the 11:00 opening for Epcot, I was knocked off my feet by the long lines for that! It took me almost 45 minutes online to GO TO EPCOT in the morning. Go figure!!! Oh well, you live and you learn.

Yes - the lines at park opening and close are long. But they move quickly. And there is typically no line or a very short line throughout the rest of the day.

 

[HopperFan]

For us it would be Pop 100%. I'm going to throw in something that hasn't been discussed yet...

Dining. Staying at ASMo gives you access to 1 dining location right now. Pop opens your world to Pop, AoA, CBR, Riviera, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club....not to mention Epcot or even DHS if you have park hoppers.

That alone would make it an easy choice for us. With DS consistently being down played due to being extremely busy and less mask compliance, it will decrease the number of times we visit.

OP, you mentioned you are staying for 12 nights. We're booked for 9 nights in August and food choices definitely have been part of our decision to stay at Pop!

Very much this. I've stayed for 12 days and eating/dining options becomes a critical part of the stay. Especially now that some places are not open or limited.