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

[robinb]

I usually advise saving money, but I like POP an for extra $25 per day. $300 over 12 days is not a lot and like other posters said, it opens up so many other dining options.

 

[Nabas]

We have stayed at all 5 Value Resorts and consider them to be similar experiences.

The line for the Skyliner is incredibly long in the morning and evening, and it is made worse by having to transfer at CBR.

For the experience, I suggest jumping onto the Skyliner mid-day.

Since you have stayed at Pop many times, go for the new experience and stay at the All Stars

 

[AngieInOH]

POP! I see the Skyliner as an added attraction. I love it. I also love having AoA next door, so if a line is long for POP I head on over the AoA line!!!

 

[bioprof]

Does anyone happen to know if buses run to HS and Epcot from Pop (especially around parking opening/closing)? Or is Skyliner the only option? We will not have a car for this trip, and we do like to get to the parks early.

BTW - Thanks everyone! Your experiences have given me a lot of helpful information and made me consider some things beyond transportation. I think the point about dining options is really valid. I absolutely love the Skyliner & Pop. It's just that this is my first on-site trip since COVID and I'm not sure what to expect with transportation to/from the parks. We did go for spring break, but we stayed off-site and drove to the parks each day.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Does anyone happen to know if buses run to HS and Epcot from Pop (especially around parking opening/closing)? Or is Skyliner the only option? We will not have a car for this trip, and we do like to get to the parks early.

BTW - Thanks everyone! Your experiences have given me a lot of helpful information and made me consider some things beyond transportation. I think the point about dining options is really valid. I absolutely love the Skyliner & Pop. It's just that this is my first on-site trip since COVID and I'm not sure what to expect with transportation to/from the parks. We did go for spring break, but we stayed off-site and drove to the parks each day.

Typically no, there will not be buses. Only if the skyliner is down because of weather. Occasionally they will run buses from AoA during busier times. You’ll be fine using the skyliner to rope drop as long as you get there early (90 minutes before scheduled park opening).

 

[mindeola]

I would pick Pop- even before the Skyliner! I just don't care for All Stars- though I have not stayed in a refurbed room yet over there.

I love Pop rooms, the dinner choices of all the places skyliner can get you quickly. I think it well worth 300 dollars over 12 nights.

 

[Jcruise86]

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) ...

I love movies and so the movie theme made me feel at home at All-Star Movies the one time I stayed there.

You began your post with, "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)..."

I know this is getting off continent, but I suggest you spend about the same money and instead spend a week in Paris or Tokyo. If Paris, just spend one day at the original Disneyland Paris park (skip the Studios there--the world's only bad Disney park), then spend the rest of the time in one of the world's most wonderful cities. And if Tokyo, visit both Disney Parks--one day for each--and then explore Tokyo & maybe Kyoto. If Paris, I recommend Disney's Hotel Cheyenne for two nights--a bus from the airport can take you right there. And if Tokyo Disneyland, maybe spend three nights at the Hilton there.

 

[LiveLifeLoud]

I’m in the same boat right now. I’m thinking of doing a long weekend for Halloween. 4 nights. It would be an extra 220 for Pop over ASM. Right now I’m booked at ASM.

It’s going to be a park heavy trip so not much time at the resort. I haven’t been since the skyliner opened so I’m not sure I’ll love it. Even so I may Uber for RD at DHS just to make life easier and use the skyliner when we park hop just to see how it is.

Since we are still going to do a bigger trip next year I keep telling myself to keep costs as low as possible. This trip is mostly for my daughter. She’s always wanted to be at WDW for Halloween and it works this year with it being on a weekend and flowing into Jersey Week. She’ll only have to miss one day of school. So for now I’m keeping ASM.

 

[Magnoliafan]

I’m currently at AKL for resort #2 of a 4 resort split stay. I started with two nights at Pop and I LOVED the Skyliner. I arrived super late Saturday night, so no parks. Sunday, I headed to the Skyliner at 8:30 and hopped right on. I got off at CBR and walked to Riviera (I’m not sure if they would have let me on the Epcot line because it was too early, but I didn’t even ask because I felt like walking). After QS breakfast and soaking up the atmosphere, I lined up at the Skyliner at about 9:45. They started loading about 10 minutes later and the line moved quickly. I left Epcot at about 4 for a room break and there was no line. Around 6, I hopped to HS and again, no line. There was a HUGE line leaving the park just after 8, but it loaded quickly and I only waited maybe 10 minutes. I hadn’t stayed at Pop since 2016 and my least favorite thing was waiting for a bus at HS at park close. With social distancing and limited capacity, I can’t imagine how bad it would have been now. I was super grateful for the Skyliner. Same thing happened the next morning: there was a huge line to board at Pop but it moved very quickly. True, it wasn’t at rope drop, but it was still morning and there were a ton of people heading the same place that I was.

TLDR - the Skyliner was much, much better than the bus.