All Star Sports vs Pop Century

[cmoliver5]

I'm having a difficult time deciding where to stay for a weekend at the end of September. We have tacked on 2 nights to the front of a 4 night stay at AKL with family who are DVC members. Our plan is just to enjoy some down time before the week of going to the parks at the pool and Disney Springs.

It's just my wife and I and our 2 yo DD sharing the room so honestly the theming is not a big draw for my DD yet. This total difference is only about $30 so I know I'm splitting hairs here but we are budget conscious and that money could be spent on other things.

What do you all recommend? Standard room at All Star Sports or a Standard Room at Pop?

 

[happymommy]

A standard room at Pop may be a bit longer of a walk to transportation and the food court, whereas Sports is a smaller resort, so you would likely be closer to that.

I do prefer the food choices at Pop, since it's a bigger food court. But, Sports last trip (spring break), any time we went to grab food it was never crowded (we never did breakfast, though, and the one morning I walked through to get something from the front desk, it was mobbed).

We loved the fact that at Sports, our first night, we were so exhausted that we ordered from their "pizza delivery". They have a decent selection - I got spaghetti & meatballs, and the girls (my DD and her classmate) got some chicken and pasta dish. I see Pop has added that now too! It was nice, as we had landed early, took ME, dropped off our carry on bags, and spent all afternoon at Epcot. Less than $50 for dinner for 3 including service charge and 18% gratuity.

I would stay at either again, but from now on I'd only do preferred at Pop. We were in preferred at Sports (surf's up building) but it's a smaller resort.

Disney Springs to me is somewhere I don't want to go again. Bus stop to head back to the resort is quite far away, and I'm not into shopping! To me it's just a huge shopping mall. Had lunch (which was pretty tasty) last day there with my sister, party of 7 (two adults, two 18 year olds but my DD ordered from the kids menu, and her 3 kids) 2 glasses of wine for me, 2 sangrias for her, and she treated - $300 for lunch (this was at Bongo's). Food was pricey! Her one daughter ordered shrimp and basically ate 4 bites of rice for a $24 entree! If you love shopping, go for it. I hate shopping, but the girls wanted to browse the huge Disney store. I had to sit outside - it's just sensory overload in there, LOL!

I think you'd be happy with either choice, but also they are doing major renovations at Pop. I heard that although they are taking on one whole wing in a building at a time, the other side of the building can hear noise during the day while they work. That may play into your choice.

Theming - I loved Pop. Sports theme wasn't a draw for us, but we got the room type we needed so that was priority (we need a roll in shower, and it was cheaper at Sports).

 

[Ariel-Rocks]

We like Pop over Sports.

One nice thing about Pop over Sports is it has it own bus system. Sometimes Sport will share the same buses with the other 2 resorts in that area and it can be a long wait. They will drop off and pick up at all three resorts before going to the parks or coming back from the parks.

We enjoy how Pop has the huge lake to take a walk around at night and you can take the bridge over to see AoA.

We like that it has 3 pools with cute theming.

 

[Babsy]

WE generally like POP best, but when budget is a concern, we have stayed at the AS resorts and really enjoyed our stays there. Of the AS we like ASSp best. It has a good layout for the buildings, so none are too far away and it is the first pick up and drop off for times when buses are shared.

I would save the money and go with Sports. Like you said that $30 per day can be used on something else.

Enjoy!!!

 

[kmv]

We prefer Pop.

 

[maxiesmom]

Those are my 2 favorite value resorts! I would go with the Sports as it is smaller, and to me feels less hectic. And I'm an odd one that thinks the Sports has a much better food court than the Pop.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Sports is cool, but like other posters have said, it shares buses with the other two All-Stars. That's the only drawback.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sports is cool, but like other posters have said, it shares buses with the other two All-Stars. That's the only drawback.

It shares on occasion. Very rarely, in my experience. And when they do share, it is basically driving across the parking lot as the all stars are right next to each other. Not a big deal. I think it evens out as the Pop is so much larger that you have more people hopping on that one bus.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

It shares on occasion. Very rarely, in my experience. And when they do share, it is basically driving across the parking lot as the all stars are right next to each other. Not a big deal. I think it evens out as the Pop is so much larger that you have more people hopping on that one bus.

True.

 

[StuckInKS]

If the price is nearly the same, then we go for POP. We like to be able to walk to AoA to enjoy the themeing on off/slow days plus like to choose between the two food courts and, if you are near the back of POP, the walk is pretty much the same to both. There is also the sharing of buses, which seems to happen nearly every time we stay at at an All Stars. For us its not the fact that we have to drive to the other resorts, but that if you are the last for pickup the bus is almost nearly full and if you are on a very full bus and the first to get off, you basically have to climb over people to get out.

 

[dancin Disney style]

If your plan is to basically stay at the resort for those 2 days then you might be better off to stay at POP. You have more food options and it's a little bit more scenic if you are inclined to take some walks. The bus ride to DS is also slightly shorter but that's not really much of a bonus.

You can get a standard room at POP that is the exact same distance to Classic Hall as a preferred room. So the long walk to buses and food only happens if you are staying in the 80/90's. Which you can cut short by walking through the parking lot.

 

[HopperFan]

POP is our go to value (24+ stays) but our Sports are double digit as well. I would not make a decision based on size because it really depends on where your room ends up located. I love 50's Lake View at POP, standard and it was a quick walk and way better than my walk from the tennis section of Sports standard. Food courts are similar, both with good options but POP does serve more people .... but my service experiences at each has been the same. Now at POP you can walk over bridge to eat at AoA and that food court has lots of good options not at other values. If no parks, then buses don't matter.

Your pool time might be the place to focus, and maybe look at pictures. Sports main pool in the Surf area is great and even when busy it seems as though there is still room. POP's main Hippy Dippy pool seems smaller and more crowded. Sports has one secondary pool but not a fan, while POP has two secondary and LOVE the bowling pin pool. It's big with LOTS of lounges, chairs etc and never terribly crowded.

I know your DD is young but since you are doing resort days, staying at POP means you can walk to AoA and wander the resort. The imagineering is over the top and great opportunity to take photos and explore.

 

[karly05]

I have not stayed at Sports, but I stayed at POP this year and plan to be back there next year. To me, one big selling point for POP is the proximity to AOA. I'd like to hear some reports on how crowded Sports' food court is during breakfast time (like 7-8 am). Pop's was crowded, but AOA's was not busy at all and just a short walk away.

And to chime in with a PP, AOA is super cute and well worth a visit to take pictures.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I'm going to WDW for the first time in June, so I don't know if I'll be any help. I narrowed my resort choice down to Pop or All Star Sports. I ended up choosing Sports because it has almost 1,000 less rooms than Pop. And if the resorts are going to be filled and booked to capacity, it means I'll be around almost 4,000 less people. All Star Sports does sometimes share buses with the other All Stars, but they're always the first to be picked up. Good luck on your decision.

 

[cmoliver5]

Thanks everyone! We've decided to go with Pop for the weekend. I think the proximity to AoA will be a lot of fun for us. Also hoping we might get lucky and get one of the new refurbished rooms since we're about 6 months out.

 

[GrumpyDudeByChoice]

Rooms are about the same but POP and AoA have their own dedicated bus to the parks.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Those are my 2 favorite value resorts! I would go with the Sports as it is smaller, and to me feels less hectic. And I'm an odd one that thinks the Sports has a much better food court than the Pop.

I agree with you. I like the fact that sports is smaller, not a far walk even from the furthest building. And i too like the food court at sports. Pop use to be good...but they have changed and quite honestly, they're not that great anymore.

POP is our go to value (24+ stays) but our Sports are double digit as well. I would not make a decision based on size because it really depends on where your room ends up located. I love 50's Lake View at POP, standard and it was a quick walk and way better than my walk from the tennis section of Sports standard. Food courts are similar, both with good options but POP does serve more people .... but my service experiences at each has been the same. Now at POP you can walk over bridge to eat at AoA and that food court has lots of good options not at other values. If no parks, then buses don't matter.

I know your DD is young but since you are doing resort days, staying at POP means you can walk to AoA and wander the resort. The imagineering is over the top and great opportunity to take photos and explore.

I agree! Staying at pop lakeview is gorgeous....and it means you can walk over and explore AoA. So much fun exploring the grounds, eating at their awesome food court, and even checking out the gift shop.

People say the buses are better at pop cause the all stars share....but honestly, i find the buses quicker and more frequent at the all stars. I stayed at sports last year and we rarely shared buses with the other all stars. Buses seem to come more quick than at pop. I also appreciated the fact that the resort is smaller...after a long day, its nice to be able to get to your room quickly. Although if your just going to relax at the resort as you had mentioned, then none of this should really matter. If budget is an issue, i'd go with Sports. its a wonderful resort. Food courts are pretty much the same at both. No major difference at all.

The only perk i can see with Pop is the gorgeous lakeview and the walk over to AoA. So that'll give you more to do. Although keep in mind that even if you do stay at sports and decide that you want to explore pop/AoA, you can still do that. I guess your best bet would be to take the bus to the nearest "park" which would be blizzard beach. Then take the pop or AoA from there. At the same time while at All Star Sports, youre free to explore neighbouring All Star Music & Movies resorts....try out their food court, take pics, etc.

 

[strmtroopr96]

Rooms are about the same but POP and AoA have their own dedicated bus to the parks.

While not a common occurrence, Pop and AoA do share buses at times. One trip we stayed at Pop and went on to pick up at AoA a few times when headed to a park. We were headed to Magic Kingdom one morning and Epcot on another.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Thanks everyone! We've decided to go with Pop for the weekend. I think the proximity to AoA will be a lot of fun for us. Also hoping we might get lucky and get one of the new refurbished rooms since we're about 6 months out.

I know you said you have already decided, but I just want to chip in my two cents, also. Because that's what I do.

Normally I would say Pop for sure. Have stayed at both and like both very much, but really prefer Pop.

However, if you are just hanging out at the resort, you might consider the refurb that is underway. It will be going on from 10-4, and if you are trying to enjoy your resort and relax, the refurb could be a slight annoyance. Also, I don't know where the refurb will be in September or whether it will affect the enjoyment of the pool. I know they are not working on the pool, but I wonder if the noise and the work could affect it.

The pool at Sports is great. Fun themeing and music, and seemed to be more shady areas around it than at Hippy Dippy.


Just a thought.

 

[Brazen Wench]

I've stayed a POP a few years back with my Mom and it was awesome. The Food Court was great and the buses ran really smooth. I also enjoyed the pool a lot at POP.