AS or Pop?

[keishashadow]

Need to book a room in June for Sat. before & Fri. after our stay @ BWV.

We've tried the AS & like Mu (seems quieter & luv the pool); but wondering if we should try Pop Cent...any suggestions/comments?

I'm particulary interested in comparisons of:

*Food Courts

*Pools

*Bus Transportation

TIA

 

[boomhauer]

I've stayed at all the All Stars and Pop Century. Hands down, I chose ASMovies. I'll use Movies as the comparison as I've stayed there the most and think it's the best of the All Stars.

Food Courts - Both are very similar. About the same size, maybe Pop is a bit larger. However, the service at Movies seems to be quicker, and the food is better. Pop's gift shop in integrated into a section of the food court. This isn't a plus or minus. The only plus to Pop's over Movies is that they have an indoor bar, which All Star doesn't. It's nothing great, but is worth mentioning.

Pools - No big differences here. Theming is different, but they're pretty much all the same size. Pop has 3 pools, and Movies has 2. However, there are less people at Movies, so crowds are less. I prefer the theming at Movies, but that's all up to the individual.

Buses - This is a BIG key. The bus service at Pop isn't as efficient. Not to say, they don't run alot of buses. Problem is, there are alot more people to serve, therefore, you will find yourself in long lines, waiting for a2nd, or 3rd bus, and standing quite often. I don't recall once standing on a Movie bus my last trip.

The last thing to consider, is the atmosphere. To me, Pop doesn't have a very Disney feel to it. Part of it do, parts of it don't. Movies feels VERY Disney. I always feel like I'm at Disney when I'm there.

Hope this helps you out. Any other questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for your comprehensive reply...we too, think the AS Mo is great...

I was looking @ a map of the World & Pop seems pretty close to Epcot & MGM though. We'll probably just stick with what we know.

On another note though, I don't remember paying close to $100/night w/AAA discount the last time I stayed in June ('03). Not crazy about the new BRP either, not enough wiggle room for me.

 

[nbodyhome]

I'd choose the Pop. It is centrally located, newer, rooms are a bit upgraded, nice food court. There wouldn't be a thought for me to go with the AS.

Denise

 

[boomhauer]

Pop may be more centrally located, but believe it or not, the drive times are about the same (with the exception of DTD.)

Plus, you have to take into consideration the fact that at Pop, many times, you are waiting for a 2nd or 3rd bus and are standing.

 

[keishashadow]

We always seem to be standing on the bus (or we give up our seats to the elderly or small children - I think they can sniff me out LOL)...I'm just soooooo happy to see the bus appear @ the end of the evening, I don't care if I'm holding on to the roof.

 

[mom22boys]

I am trying to decide between Pop and ASMovies too. I think my kids would love the Toy Story buildings, but since that isn't guaranteed, I wouldn't count on that. I am actually leaning towards Pop. I would love to hear more opinions. My reasons for leaning towards Pop are it is more centrally located, it is newer, it has only one bus stop (aren't Movies the third stop after Sports and Music?), and it has Goofy's water play area.

Can't wait to hear more opinions!

 

[boomhauer]

OK - While I have the time, let me clarify the bus situation at BOTH resorts.

All Stars - Yes, there are 3, and the buses stop at all 3. However, in the morning when leaving for the park, ASMovies is the last. You won't be waiting any longer. Also, first thing in the morning when lots of people are going to the parks, Movies has it's OWN bus. At night, when the parks close, Movies ALWAYS has it's own buses. ALSO, when staying at Movies, you can take the Music bus and have a very short walk. Maybe 5 minutes to your room.

Pop - Yes, there is only 1 bus stop. However, Pop is so crowded and so big, in the morning you can always count on waiting for a 2nd or 3rd bus. Plus, you're constantly standing on crowded buses from and to Pop. We stayed at Pop last year, and one night, leaving the Magic Kingdom, there were so many people waiting for the bus at Pop, we waited 45 minutes and finally got on the 4th bus. Same thing happened at Epcot too.

OK, as for the central location - True and false. Yes, it's more centrally located, HOWEVER, that doesn't mean the bus rides are shorter. You're far behind Caribbean Beach Resort. According to the Unoffical Guide, drive times from All Stars are actually shorter, but I'd say it's pretty much the same.

Pop is newer. Can't argue that. However, I find All Stars to be beautiful and, for the most part, just as clean.

If you request Toy Story, and call again about 3 days before checking in, chances are good you'll get it. I've requested it twice, and got it.

Goofy's water play area is cool for little kids. My step-son of 5 years old, played in it about 10 minutes. I would think the Sorcerror Mickey at the Fantasia Pool would be much more fun for a child.

To me, the bottom line is, when I'm at Disney, I always want to feel like I'm at Disney. I get that feeling at the All Stars. I liked Pop, but didn't get that same feeling.

 

[mom22boys]

Boomhauer, sorry I cut out a lot of your quote, but I had some questions and I don't know how to do multiple quotes on the same page.

First, thanks for all of the great information! Here are my questions:

Pop is so crowded and so big, in the morning you can always count on waiting for a 2nd or 3rd bus. Plus, you're constantly standing on crowded buses from and to Pop.

Are the buses at Pop always that crowded even during slower times? We are considering a quick trip down at the beginning of February.


If you request Toy Story, and call again about 3 days before checking in, chances are good you'll get it. I've requested it twice, and got it.

Thanks for the tip!


I would think the Sorcerror Mickey at the Fantasia Pool would be much more fun for a child.

What is Sorcerror Mickey?

Much thanks!

 

[boomhauer]

No sweat - Glad to help!

I was at Pop the first week of February last year, and in May of last year. Granted, it was still new, so it may have been a bit more corwded. However, I waited several times for buses during both periods.

Sorcerror Mickey is the fountain in the middle of Fantasia Pool at ASMovies. Kids love that.

Another plus to Movies is the walking distances from the building to the food courts and bus stops. With the exception of the Love Bug buildings, the other 4 are a very quick walk away. At Pop, if you're staying in the 50's, 80's or 90's, you've got a long walk ahead of you.

For kids, there's no doubt in my mind, Movies is the way to go. I'm 29, and I like Movies mostly because of the feel to it.

In my last trip report, I told about this. When I stayed at Movies in September, I was at the bar one night by the pool talking to one of the bartenders. I told her, I tried Pop twice, but just didn't like it as much as Movies. She said I was what was known as a "Pop Defector". She said they encounter many of those at All Stars.

 

[Cmbar]

Does ASMovies have a arcade like POP? That was our biggest draw at POP. IT is the kind of arcade that has great games and spits out tickets so the kiddies can pick out things they like. My kids LOVED this and so did my DH!!!!We spent way too much time at the WHeel of Fortune game!

I have not stayed at Movies but I have stayed at POP in February. Thought it was wonderful and the bus situation wasn't anything like it was described above for us. They did have a line, which I liked (I like rules! keeps me from worrying that someone is going to jump on the bus ahead of me when I have been waiting longer than them) I also found that while you might have to wait for a 2nd bus, it was right there within minutes.

Just my experience!

If you have already been to ASMovies and are going back, I would definitely try Pop! It really is a nice resort and I would want to try something new. In fact if we go back to a value, I will try Movies next since it is getting good reviews here!

Happy planning.

 

[smilie]

Does ASMovies have a arcade like POP? That was our biggest draw at POP. IT is the kind of arcade that has great games and spits out tickets so the kiddies can pick out things they like. My kids LOVED this and so did my DH!!!!We spent way too much time at the WHeel of Fortune game!

Yes they do have an arcade. My DH spent quite a lot of time there!!! It's a pretty good size arcade with lots of games, and they do give you tickets.

 

[eblack0409]

I love Pop.....the pools are really cool, as well as the fact that you don't have to share buses with any other resorts.

My vote is for POP!!!

 

[personaltrainerstaug]

I like the all stars and pop, but one thing I dislike about Pop is how some rooms have a view of a main highway.

 

[boomhauer]

I love Pop.....the pools are really cool, as well as the fact that you don't have to share buses with any other resorts.

My vote is for POP!!!

All I can say is, if anyone choses to stay at Pop because of this, and they don't believe what I, and others have said about the bus service at both resorts, well - I can't feel bad for you when you wind up standing half the time or waiting for 30 minutes or more for a bus.

 

[boomhauer]

I like the all stars and pop, but one thing I dislike about Pop is how some rooms have a view of a main highway.

Yup - Like I've said...At Pop, it doesn't even feel like you're staying on property.