Best value resort

[Disney loving Iowan]

My aunt and her friends will be going to WDW next April and plan to stay in a value. We stayed at ASMU back in 2001 and liked it. But since it has been so long I am looking to find out what everyone thinks is the best value resort and why. I don't think they will be spending alot of time at the resort but it still needs to be nice, have good places to eat and have a nice pool. Do any of the values have better bus service than others?
Thanks!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

We stayed at Pop last year and LOVED it. We got a preferred room beside the pool. Had no noise, were 2 seconds from the food court and buses.Great food and tons of variety, very clean. Fun pools for the kids - I could go on and on - but we just loved it there!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Pop has dedicated buses. The food court is great, because it is a newer resort, it seems nicer. I was at Movies last year and it was nice, but I like the feeling at Pop better.

 

[spalady]

If I were staying at a value resort I would have to say POP. We really liked it when we stayeed there 2 years ago.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Pop is definitely a favorite of these boards and will hands down get the most responses. (We have yet to check it out. We tried for it this year but it was booked solid.)
I will add, though, that both Music and Sports have been recently refurbished so they have the newest rooms.
Also, I've never found bus sharing to be a problem at the All-Stars and they seldom share at busy times.
Anyway, I say go with the theme you like the best.

 

[amygirl2727]

I would highly recommend POP. We have stayed there twice and loved it. I've never stayed at the others so I can't comment about them but I know that All Stars, Movies and Music all 3 three buses, which was enough to make us choose Pop.

The decor is fun, the rooms are clean, the food court and arcade are nice and it is newer than the others.

For good pictures of each and descriptions of the property check out allears.net the accomodations section. They have an in depth review of all the resorts including photos of the rooms.

 

[IshallcallhimSquishy]

We have stayed at a few and were pleasantly delighted with our stay at POP. Our travels took us there in September when most families travels with toddlers verses tweens, this made a difference for us. We did have a pool side room and enjoyed the main one each day before heading out to the parks. The best part, besides the fun decor, was the bus system. They pick you up in front, it is that simple; no travel around the entire resort every time, just pick up/drop off in front, easy

The food was just okay, but to your point you said they won't be there much. The rooms are also a bit small, but fine for two people.

Good luck in your choice

 

[stitchlovestink]

I don't think I've stayed at ASMo, but I can't remember for sure. but I have stayed at ASSp (didn't care for due to excessive noise and theming, but was clean and pleasant otherwise) and ASMu (liked it very much). But by far, our fav is POP. Our stay there this fall will be our 4th or maybe 5th? Of the All Stars, I like the layout of Music the best. It is laid out slightly different than the other 2 and the std rooms are not as far from the main bldg in Music.
What I really like about POP is the food court has a much larger selection of items. So if you're going to eat there very much, I liked the larger variety. POP has its own bus all the time. Depending on how busy WDW is, the All Stars do share buses sometimes (not always). If they are bus sharing, you can pretty much be assured that if you're not getting on at Sports, you going to be standing for your ride. However, POP's bus lines are usually much longer and can take a little bit longer to board the bus. I don't think there is an absolute right or wrong choice. It's just really about preferences. I also like that (if you use the refillable mugs) POP has icees as a choice for drink. I like POP's gift shop better because it is considerably larger and has a much larger selection of mds. Look at the pics on the disney website and see which one appeals to your needs/interests more. Good Luck w/ you decision.

 

[TinkerCarol]

I have never stayed at Pop, but do like Movies. The food court and store seems larger than Music. I think a better choice of food also. We like Movies, but I will be glad when they refurbish it. It is very nice, but a refurb is always nice. Then it will be even better. Had great bus service at
ASMovies during the week of 4th of July (last week).

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

We stayed at POP last summer in the 70's building non preferred and loved it! was our very first family WDW vacation and it did not disappoint at all! This year we will be staying at CBR as part of a land/sea package however I would not hesitate to return to POP again!

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

As you can tell from my signature, I love the POP!! I've stayed in the 70s building all three times (preferred room, but the building was luck of the draw) and the location is great! Easy access to the food court and buses, and I've never had difficulty finding a seat in the Food Court, even when I went over Christmas/NY week! I've stayed at all four of the values and would also recommend AS Movies if you had kids, they always love the theming!

 

[Marty Joe]

We spent 3 days at Pop and loved - loved - loved-it! Normally, I'm a Poly fan, but this little side trip was great.

 

[fall08CP]

I thought POP was horrendous- never again! I'd choose Music or Movies.

 

[snykymom]

I haven't stayed at the All-Stars for at least 10 years, so I don't feel qualified to talk about them now. We did stay at POP and enjoyed it. However, if you get a room near the pool, be aware that they start some music around the pool at about 8 AM. Made it a little tough to sleep late if you're a light sleeper like me.

We also always rent a car, but we don't take it to Magic Kingdom (that parking lot is a mess). The only problem we had with the MK bus is that the stop to get back on is the furthest from the gate. That was difficult when we were all tired from a 10 hour day at the park, and we have no physical problems. Don't know if that will matter for your aunt & her friends.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I've stayed at each of the values. Whie the All Stars are not bad, Pop Century is the best value IMO. More central location; nice walk around the grounds; slightly better food court; better bus service

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Wow almost everyone is recommending Pop! I will tell my aunt about it and check it out for sure. I really appreciate everyone's input. Thanks!!!!!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

PAY FOR PREFERRED!! We've stayed at Movies (it was good but the busses were awful! Stood all the time with a sleeping toddler). We've stayed at Pop twice. The first year in the 90's by the computer pool and I swear it was another 15 minute walk to the food court! HORRIBLE! This year we paid for preferred...will never do non-preferred again. We were pool side and LOVED it. A little loud some late nights, but we usually slept with the TV on to drown out the outside noise. We'll go back!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

One nice thing about POP for adults traveling without young children is that you can request a view of the lake (would recommend 4th floor, 60's or
50's buildgs...or 1st floor, same buildings). Or request a fireworks view and will be able to see the top of IllumiNations from the room - very nice

The lake adds a nice touch and the lakeside icons are not as large - far more tame! Our first visit, I was not thrilled when we pulled up to the front of the building, but after checking-in, walking past Lady and Tramp to our room, we could not help but smile.

We especially like it in December - the decorations are festive and bit old fashioned in a warm homey way.For a value we enjoyed POP. Would not want to try any of the All Stars.

If your Aunt and friends do some homework on the Resort,look at photos, read Deb's site (www.allears.net) she will know what to expect and look forward to the fun and memories POP evokes.

Here a link to some great photos by DIS moderator:

http://www.fricknfrack.net/pop/pop1.html

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

PAY FOR PREFERRED!! We've stayed at Movies (it was good but the busses were awful! Stood all the time with a sleeping toddler). We've stayed at Pop twice. The first year in the 90's by the computer pool and I swear it was another 15 minute walk to the food court! HORRIBLE! This year we paid for preferred...will never do non-preferred again. We were pool side and LOVED it. A little loud some late nights, but we usually slept with the TV on to drown out the outside noise. We'll go back!

What is the difference between preferred and standard?

One nice thing about POP for adults traveling without young children is that you can request a view of the lake (would recommend 4th floor, 60's or
50's buildgs...or 1st floor, same buildings). Or request a fireworks view and will be able to see the top of IllumiNations from the room - very nice

The lake adds a nice touch and the lakeside icons are not as large - far more tame! Our first visit, I was not thrilled when we pulled up to the front of the building, but after checking-in, walking past Lady and Tramp to our room, we could not help but smile.

We especially like it in December - the decorations are festive and bit old fashioned in a warm homey way.For a value we enjoyed POP. Would not want to try any of the All Stars.

If your Aunt and friends do some homework on the Resort,look at photos, read Deb's site (www.allears.net) she will know what to expect and look forward to the fun and memories POP evokes.

Here a link to some great photos by DIS moderator:

http://www.fricknfrack.net/pop/pop1.html

Thanks for the links! Great pictures! I will have her check them out.

 

[RoseRoni2]

the POP and enjoyed ourselfs. We have stayed there twice our next trip
DD10 wants to try ASMu due to the piano pool. Its always good to try new things at Disney!!! Where ever you end up have a MAGICAL TIME!!!!