All-Stars vs. Pop

[tink_n_pooh]

All-Stars vs. Pop I've seen lots of info on all-stars and pop but most of it seems to be aimed at the kids. We are going to be spending three nights (broken up) at Pop in late August - two nights at Pop -then 5 nights at BCV- then one last night at Pop. I'm wondering if any of the all-stars are better than Pop? I've personally been leaning towards Pop for location and being newer. We will have 2 adults in one room and another room with 2 adults and two boys 10 & 12. We don't really plan on spending much time at Animal Kingdom, with our focus probably being on MK, MGM and Epcot while we are there. The boys like to swim but other than that we will be at the parks most of the day. Any input? Did we make the right decision with Pop?

 

[Zandy595]

I loved All Star Movies, until we stayed at Pop in April. Pop is better! It's newer, you don't have to share buses with other resorts, and there is a bigger and better selection at the foodcourts. And lets not forget the frozen Cokes. I don't think they have them at the All Stars.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Any input? Did we make the right decision with Pop?

I think you'll really like PC. Like you said, it's newer and has a little something for everyone.

I've stayed at ASMu, ASSp and PC (trying ASMo in Sept.) and while the rooms are basically the same layout, it all boils down to your preference in themeing.

You'll have a great time at Pop!!!

 

[CruznLexi]

We stayed at Pop in June and loved it. We staed in the 90's section and we were just around the corner from the pool and ice machine. Everything pop was great. We tried to get Pop for our Oct trip but got all star music I hope it is ok. We are back at POp in Jan before our cruise in Miami.
Lexi

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

What should I request? What is the best room location?

 

[Zandy595]

What should I request? What is the best room location?

Pop Century Resort Map 50's Lady (A on map) or 70's Big Wheel (B) if you don't want to pay $10/night extra for the preferred buildings (60's). Personally, I like the 70's because it is closer to the buses and it doesn't have a pool nearby (noise factor).

 

[WillCAD]

I have stayed at Music about 4 times, Sports twice, and Pop once.

Overall, I like Music best of all the Values.

Comparing Music directly to Pop:

*Pop is newer, cleaner, and has brighter colors and cooler icons on the buildings.
*Pop does not share busses, as Music does.
*Pop is more centrally located, so bus trips to MGM, Epcot, and DD are shorter. Trips to AK and MK are a little longer.
*Pop has real soaps, not dispensers.
*The beds at Pop are bricks. Music's beds are much more comfortable.
*The food court at Pop has a similar menu to Music, but the quality is sub-par. Music has much better food and slightly better service.
*The gift shop at Music is not connnected to the food court, so you don't have to walk through one to get to the other.
*Service in teh Music gift shop is much better than the one at Pop. Also, the storage room for packages delivered to the resort from the parks is behind the counter at Music, but across the building at Pop. At Pop it once took 30 minutes to get my package.
*Parking at Music is world better. The lots are huge and there are more rooms located close to the lots at Music than there are at Pop.
*Even though Music is more remote than Pop, driving yourself wipes out that advantage, because Music is at the end of Buena Vista Blvd, the main east-west road at WDW. Drive times to Epcot, MGM, both water parks, and DD are all 10 minutes or less, because they all have entrances on Buena Vista Blvd; AK is also less than 10 mins because it is so close, and MK is only about 12-15 minutes.
*Music is less crowded than Pop and has more buildings far away from Melody Hall, making it much quieter and more peaceful.

 

[Zandy595]

People have to take into account that everyone has different opinions, likes and dislikes.
I happen to think that the beds at Pop are ok. Of course my bed at home is a lot more comfortable, but I didn't think Pop's were "bricks".
I think the food court at Pop is superior to Music's. You don't have to walk through the giftshop to get to the foodcourt. There are other doors.
We didn't find anything wrong with Pop's parking lots.
I agree, most of the buildings at Music are far away from the foodcourt/buses, but IMO, that's a bad thing.
I have stayed at Music several times, but ever since Movies opened, and now Pop, I will never stay there again. To each his own.

 

[disneydaveb]

I am wondering if I made the right choice with POP for Sept/Oct. We have stayed at ASMo 5 times and loved it every time. We never found it too crowded and we never had any substantial wait times for buses. I have now heard that POP may be sold out for that time period.
I am concerned that this resort will be packed.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Great info and map. I agree with your choices.

 

[MinnieMelanie]

Me personally as a 14 year old I loved both All-Star Music and Pop Century. Because of the larger than life objects. I see it as the All-Star Resorts and Pop Century being as the same thing either way. They both are Value resorts so you can't expect them to be all that just a place to stay. Another thing is it's Disney World so who cares where you stay, you could be staying in a really cheap and junky hotel and still be happy because it's in Disney World. If you're going back again then you stay at the All-Star Resort.

 

[bubba73]

We just got back from the Pop Century last weekend. It was awesome staying there. Just what I have heard from people that have stayed at both, they recommend POP as well. I loved my stay there and would tell everyone to stay there. You don't share buses with any other resorts, it is newer, the rooms are slightly larger, and if you stay in the 50's building on the lakeside you can see the fireworks at night from Illuminations. I wish I could go back right now.