All Stars or Pop?

[robertsfam5]

Trying to decide whether to stay at one of the Allstars or Pop. I have two boys, 7 and 8, and this will be their first visit. Any pros, cons?
Any feedback much appreciated!

 

[disd55]

POP has good bus service. Doesn't share buses with any other resorts. Heard All-Star bus service is a bit sluggish and they all share during busy park times. Don't know when you're going but All Star Sports food court will be closed and will have to use one of the other All Star Food courts. Pop is more of the upper class values And is a tad closer to the parks. I would pick Pop.

 

[MHSweb79]

It probably will all come down to the theme. We stayed at POP for the first time last month and it was fine. We usually stay at a mod but this time we needed two rooms, so budget was an issue.

The pools were nice and there was only one bus stop. Bus service was pretty good.

 

[robertsfam5]

I agree on coming down to theme. I think I might just have my boys pick which one they like the best and go from there. Of course, they'll probably each have their own favorite. lol

 

[KELLY]

IMO they are all values. JUst pick the theme that suits you best and go from there. We like pop the best but everyone has a favorite.

 

[melissafox18]

Having stayed in both, I feel like Pop is a step up from the All Star resorts. I greatly appreciate not having to share bus service. The theming of the All Stars may be a little more appealing for younger kids, but the size and other benefits of Pop are worth it to me! Shorter walks to the main building/food and bus.

 

[kirrrby]

During busy times All Stars (at least Sports) does not share buses with the other resorts. We have gone in January, April, July, October and December usually during the big holidays NYE, Easter, 4th, Columbus Day, and week before and after xmas. The only time we have shared a bus with the other resorts was during the day when they limited the amount of buses travelling to and from parks. So don't let the bus situation scare you from All Stars.

All Stars Sports however is getting a refurb on their food court from Early august to mid December. If you plan on going after that then you might be able to experience a new food court.

The All Stars are smaller in size, and it is easier to navigate the grounds. Pop is gigantic and to be convenient to the buses and food court you'll have to pay for the preferred rooms or get lucky and get placed into a nearby building. Paying for a preferred room on top of the prices that Pop has over All stars you'll be paying an extra $50-75 a night depending on the time you go.

 

[maxiesmom]

POP has good bus service. Doesn't share buses with any other resorts. Heard All-Star bus service is a bit sluggish and they all share during busy park times. Don't know when you're going but All Star Sports food court will be closed and will have to use one of the other All Star Food courts. Pop is more of the upper class values And is a tad closer to the parks. I would pick Pop.

Well you have heard wrong! Each All Star has its own bus way more often than they share! And there is nothing about Pop that would make it an "upper class" value resort. I actually can't believe you even posted that. As if only low lifes stay at the All Stars. Sheesh.

The value resorts are very similar. The decor is a bit different, and that is the main difference. Why not show your sons pictures of all of them and let them pick?

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Pop is more expensive. Rates are here. Scroll down for Pop. 2014 rates are not out yet, and it looks like that is when you are going by your ticker, but this will give you an idea.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-2013.htm#all

All Star Sports is first to pick up and first to drop off when buses do share.
Also the layout of the resort is such that all the buildings are actually closer to the main bldg., food court, and buses, so no need to ever pay for a "preferred room". (Preferred room in Value Resorts only means closer to the main building.) And as mentioned, the food court should be newly renovated when you go.
With the ages of your boys, they might enjoy the sports theme.
All Star Movies are frequently not included in discounts, or the discounts are less--5% vs. 15%.
If budget is an issue, as it always is for me, these are good things to know in planning.

Photo tour of Music: http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2013/05/29/photo-tour-of-disneys-all-star-music-resort/
Photo tour of Sports: http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2013/05/29/photo-tour-of-disneys-all-star-sports-resort-2/

Edit to add, with the popularity of Movies, I would not be surprised if they have a higher pricing structure in 2014, as Pop does.

 

[susanktz]

Personally I would opt for POP. I know they've all had some refurbishments, but I still prefer POP.

Plus, as previous posters mentioned.... dedicated buses, package delivery, across the lake to AoA. Just a few extras that aren't offered at All Stars.

 

[kirrrby]

Personally I would opt for POP. I know they've all had some refurbishments, but I still prefer POP.

Plus, as previous posters mentioned.... dedicated buses, package delivery, across the lake to AoA. Just a few extras that aren't offered at All Stars.

Package delivery is available at the All Stars, just as it is at Pop. Where you get your packages delivered to the gift shop and you pick them up. And the only thing I can see as an extra for being across the lake from AoA is the use of their food court. It's not like you're able to use their pools or anything else.

 

[disd55]

Well you have heard wrong! Each All Star has its own bus way more often than they share! And there is nothing about Pop that would make it an "upper class" value resort. I actually can't believe you even posted that. As if only low lifes stay at the All Stars. Sheesh.

I never said it was as if low-lifes stay there. We have stayed at mostly Deluxe's but we're no where near comfortable in this economy. And if there's nothing about Pop that makes it an "upper class" or lets just say a better Value, then why is it priced higher? Sam with AoA? There is a reason behind Disney's pricing.

 

[Dis nerd]

I have stayed at both resorts, All star movies and pop. To me they were the same, just different themes like others stated. We spend most our time at the parks really only sleep,shower and mid day pool break. I think letting the kids pick is your best bet. Enjoy your trip!

 

[goofyintoronto]

Personally I would opt for POP. I know they've all had some refurbishments, but I still prefer POP.

Plus, as previous posters mentioned.... dedicated buses, package delivery, across the lake to AoA. Just a few extras that aren't offered at All Stars.

x2!!! I agree with this. I love Pop! Movies is also a fave of ours but pop will always be our "go-to" value resort.

 

[Willows909]

POP without a doubt! I believe that POP is a step up from All Stars/Movies & the Music resorts. We have enjoyed staying there.

 

[carly chloe]

We've stayed at AsMu, AsMo, and POP. My whole family did NOT like POP. We will never stay there again. Wall to wall people. 1,000 more people at the resort. Buses were terrible. Beds were terrible. We had backaches when we woke up. Could hear conversation in next room. For values- pick which theme you like the best and go with that.

 

[JennyDrake]

The All Stars are very similar to each other except w/ different theming. I like them all!
Pop has a better food court and a lovely walk around the lake--but it also has 1,000 more rooms. I find the chaos and noise at the food court overwhelming at times and I dislike "having" to walk through the gift shop to get to the food court.
I've stayed at each value multiple times (except AoA where once was enough). ASMusic is my favorite for theming and it seems a bit more quiet than the others.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We've stayed at all of the value resorts at least once.

POP for us was too large and chaotic. I don't mean people were running around screaming it just seemed like there were a lot of people everywhere - food court, pool etc.

Loved AoA the food court has unique food but it's layout somehow doesn't work very well.

The most Disney Feel award has to go to AoA and AS Movies!

Our overall favorite place to stay is AS Music - as at least one PP mentioned it seems to be a quieter resort. We've always had great stays there with wonderful CMs.

Sports can become flooded with cheerleaders, band groups and other athletic type teenagers You do not want to have a room by the pool when there are large groups there - trust me. Thankfully they arrived on our last night....

One wonderful thing about staying at the All Stars is that you CAN pool hop between them - they are sister resorts. Last I heard you could NOT pool hop between POP and AoA.

If you're driving the All Stars are very easy to find - just follow the signs for AK and at the last minute you'll see a sign for the All Stars. If you're leaving Kali River Rapids soaking wet - time from getting into the car to getting to the All Stars is literally 2 minutes

 

[robertsfam5]

Thanks all for the great input!!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We've stayed at ASMo, ASSp, and POP and there's really not a lot of difference. The rooms are exactly the same size, same amenities.

POP is MUCH bigger---translated meaning many more people. And the grounds are huge. It's fine if you're in one of the close buildings, but if you get stuck way in back, you'll have to pack a lunch just to head to the snack bar! We were lucky and got a close room in the 70s building and loved it. But I watched some of the other people hiking back and it didn't look fun.

Despite what some have said here, the *** do often have their own transportation, especially at busy times like early morning and park closing times. We found the wait and crowds with the buses about the same all around.

Pools are about the same at any of them, nice but basic. If you stay at AS, you can go check out the pools at the other two AS resorts as well.

It really is all about the theme. Talk to your kids and see what interests them. My guys loved being in the Toy Story area t ASMo, but then also liked the football bldg at sports. They didn't so much "get" some of the themes at POP--we had to explain what some of the things were!