Booked at ASMu during free dining...

[GirlfromTN]

I have booked ASMusic for 4 nights during free dining. Couple questions:
1) I didn't book a premium room. Is it really necessary, or are the regular rooms in ok locations? I don't mind walking a bit to get to the bus stop/cafeteria/etc. but don't want to hike toooo far.
2) All Star Sports is also available; was Music the better choice or is Sports better??
3) I would really prefer to stay at POP b/c of the single bus stop and it looks more fun/better theming/better food court, but POP isn't available right now. What are the chances that rooms might become available at the 45 day mark (when people might cancel reservations?) If so, can I just call Disney and switch over to POP? Is it worth it to do this or should I stay at Music?
Thanks!
Never stayed at a value before, so kind of confused about what to do...

 

[DISNEYNY]

I stayed at ASMU last year during FDP and we loved it there. We stayed in the Broadway section and didn't find the walk to be bad at all. I wouldn't pay for preferred, but that is just me. ASMU also has fun games and movies by the pool. Sports and Music have both been renovated so I think either would be nice. The rooms at Music were very nice last year, everything was fresh and new. The bus was never a problem for us as there was always a dedicated bus in the morning and evening. If you think you really want Pop you can keep trying, but I don't think you will be disappointed if you stay at ASMU.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Stayed in ASMu (post renovation) last August and found that I REALLY enjoyed it. I didn't mind walking to the main area. . .we were really far back because I asked for a "quiet area". But the walk was NOTHING compared to my walk from 80s to Everything Pop this past May. . .and I didn't mind that. ASMu is quite a bit smaller than Pop so the walks are not as bad. . .plus, you can visit all three values and their pools and food courts anytime. . .no restrictions (wish the Epcot resorts would do this as my fave is Boardwalk, but my fave pool is Stormalong Bay)

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have stayed in Rock Inn and Calypso at ASMu.
Rock Inn was maybe a 5 minute longer walk.
If you got the back building, Country Fair I think, it would be a longer hike, maybe an additional 5 minutes.
ASMu layout reminds me of a bowling alley -- long and straight back.
The other two AS resorts are more spread out sideways.
None are a terrible walk. However after a long day in the parks it could seem that way.
The worse preferred view could be just as long of a walk as the best standard.

 

[GirlfromTN]

Thanks for the info everyone! Sounds like Music isn't so bad; I'm excited to try it out now. We were going to book either POFQ or WL/AKL, but then I started looking at prices and for the same price as 3 nights/2 park days at POFQ, I could have 4 nights/3 park days at ASMu so I decided to give it a try. We're upgrading to deluxe dining so I figure we'll spend a lot more time in restaurants than we will in the hotel room anyway

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think you made a good choice!

 

[RutgersAlum]

We'll be there too for the first time (at ASMu, first value experience) and I'm encouraged by these responses