AS Sports VS POP

[brandy1126]

Hello! We are planning a January 2017 trip, staying 8 nights - 4 days in Disney, 2 in Universal. Our last Disney visit (and first staying on Disney property) was over three years ago. We stayed at Pop. We didn't have any major complaints. We're deciding where to stay this visit. While reading reviews, I'm finding a lot of negative reviews for AS Sports. While we'd love to stay at a moderate resort, we don't think that will be in our budget. It's quite a jump in cost for the amount of nights we're staying. The cheapest we have found is Sports which is why we were considering that one. One of my boys love sports, so I know he'd enjoy the theme. Overall, we don't plan on spending a lot of time at the resort - I'm assuming it will be too chilly for the pools. We have our own vehicle, but are open to using the buses too, depending on which is faster. We do have some food allergies, so I will be preparing a lot of meals in the room to pack with us for our days at the park. I'm thinking of bringing a folding 4 foot table to set up in the room to give us counter space. Do you think I'll have room for this anywhere? I believe it's 4'x2'. Is there any difference in bed or room space in Pop vs Sports (or other AS resorts)? Are there any other perks or downfalls you can think of?

 

[JennyDrake]

While I enjoy both Pop and Sports (multiple stays at each) I give the edge to Sports--smaller resort = fewer guests. I prefer the layout of the food court. Hands down, I would go with WDW buses and I would not bring the folding table. There simply isn't the floor space. The beds and room space are the same.

Just curious, how do you plan to prepare the meals?

 

[Pkltm]

We have done both resorts and we really do prefer Sports. We never had a bus issue, love the layout and the theming. We would stay there again without hesitation!!

 

[brandy1126]

Just curious, how do you plan to prepare the meals?

We'll be doing a lot of cut up fruit & veggies, sandwiches, wraps, salads, a lot of snack items.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

We love Sports. The size is great and we love the theming. I'd throw in your swimming suits. You never know what the weather will be and the pools are heated. My kids have been in the pool after dinner in December. I agree with PP about the table, I don't think you'll have room for it.

 

[brandy1126]

Ahh, but the CBR looks so nice!!! Hmm....

 

[brandy1126]

You never know what the weather will be and the pools are heated.

I didn't realize they were heated! I figured even if we lucked out with warm days, the water would be too chilly. Thanks for the tip!

 

[loves to dive]

I've stayed at both and am another one who would go with Sports over Pop. The rooms are the same size and I agree you probably wouldn't have room for the table.

 

[mdejesusjr85]

ive stayed at both numerous times an would have chosen POP back in the day, but now i would say go with the cheaper option to fit your budget. they are the same resort. there are times in the day where all the all stars share one bus (mid-day) but if stay at sports you are the first stop. only difference in them is the theme. Pop used to be less crowded but now i think its the same with all value resorts.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ahh, but the CBR looks so nice!!! Hmm....

CBR also has 7 bus stops compared to the 1 at Sports or the 1 at Pop. Unless you plan on spending a lot time hanging out at the resort, by the pool, or unless you can upgrade to preferred, I would stick with either Sports or Pop. I've stayed at all 3 and CBR is my least favorite from them.

 

[HopperFan]

See below, lots of time at both. Rooms are same layout.

I prefer POP over the Allstars. I find the resort is much better landscaped, quieter, has the lake view rooms that are super quiet, walk over to AoA for some of the best imagineering on property and great food court ..... but I'm at point where if I am at a value I do zero resort time (sleep and shower) so I book the cheapest = Sports. Heading to Sports in couple weeks, the price was a good bit less than POP = more food $. Short trip so taking no food.

Sports rooms still look fresh, food court is newer, transportation never been issue except for returns from parks where we had to share.

I would not spend extra money to stay at CBR if budget is an issue unless it were not much more. The plus is more floor space for your table.

All Stars or POP you should be able to fit table between TV and bathroom wall. We take lots of eats for longer trips for sandwiches, breakfast, etc.

All pools heated year round so swimming is def possible.

 

[biondagirl]

We prefer All Star Sports over POP. My husband likes that it's smaller. I like the decor better. My kids like the football field.

I do not think a table would fit in Sports or POP. We stayed at CBR last year and I'm not even sure you'd find space there. But, maybe we just had too much stuff!

I love CBR. The theme, the pool. . I just love it. My husband hated it because it was too sprawling. We went the third week of August and I did not have one issue with the buses. However, I will say for the amount of time we spend at the hotel, we'll be back at value next year. Unless there is free dining, then I am upgrading.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Normally I'd pick pop over sports....but I just came back from a trip to Disney, originally started out at music, that was a nightmare, so I was switched over to Sports. This was my 2nd time at sports btw. I forgot how gorgeous the place is. And yes, its smaller than pop...making it easier to get around. The buses, they seem to be quicker (A LOT quicker) than Pop. I guess because its a smaller resort than pop? (2880 vs 1800-ish). Huge difference.

Because of the size, I'd pick sports over pop. Plus as i said, its gorgeous! Such a lovely theme. The food court is just as busy as pop, and the layout is similar except for the soda machine section. Thats a bit different. Sports is my new fave resort. I do love the pretty lakeview at pop, and the close proximity to AoA. I always book a standard room, the proximity to a standard at sports and a standard at pop is a huge difference.

I love the boardwalk, such a nice touch. Makes it look as though you're really at a beach!

So lush! Behind the building with the tennis rackets (center court)

Yes there's a small lake behind center court!!

 

[goofyintoronto]

We'll be doing a lot of cut up fruit & veggies, sandwiches, wraps, salads, a lot of snack items.

Each room already has a small round table with two chairs. Wont that be enough space for you to prepare your food? It would be a tight fit with a table that size.

 

[lustergirl]

Having stayed at both POP and Sports I prefer Sports. Smaller resort and less people. Enjoying my 7th stay there in 14 days

 

[Anniefrances]

I like Sports a little more than POP as well - the main reason being it's smaller size means less walking (we usually don't book preferred). Also, the lower price helps offset what we spend on all those yummy snacks.