Compare Pop to Movies, which is better?

[sleepyone]

We're thinking of going to either Pop or ASM. There will be 7 of us, my parents, dh, myslef, & 3 kids. We'll get 2 rooms, of course but, which resort would be best for us? We won't use the busses so that's not an issue for us. We would like to stay at the one that has the best food choices, the better main pool. The nicer rooms, etc. What's your opinion? Which do you prefer?

 

[Stacy's a freak]

We're thinking of going to either Pop or ASM. There will be 7 of us, my parents, dh, myslef, & 3 kids. We'll get 2 rooms, of course but, which resort would be best for us? We won't use the busses so that's not an issue for us. We would like to stay at the one that has the best food choices, the better main pool. The nicer rooms, etc. What's your opinion? Which do you prefer?

I have heard that the rooms at POP are a bit smaller than the rooms at the All Stars. Since you will have 4 or 5 people in one room, the additional room space might be important to you.

 

[sleepyone]

I have heard that the rooms at POP are a bit smaller than the rooms at the All Stars. Since you will have 4 or 5 people in one room, the additional room space might be important to you.

Thanks for your reply. I'd hope for connecting rooms but, if not, I know Grandma would have some of the kiddos in the room with her. They would probably take turns staying in her room. But, you're right! Size does matter when it comes to a hotel room!

 

[matt&jakesmom]

I have been to both. In fact just came back from the POP on the 1st. I prefer the POP. I love the theming. The lobby has shadow boxes of things from each decade. It is a great way to look back and even show the kids the changes in things.

As for room size, we stayed at the ASM when my DS's were 3 and 1. We had to get a crib and there was enough room and we did not feel cramped. But then again we never came back to the room during the day.Thinking back to our room at the POP it is possible to get a crib in there as well. If you think you will be spending more time at the room, you may want to get a moderate resort where the rooms are a bit larger.

 

[pongoperdigirl]

I have stayed at both, I also just got back from Pop (left early on the 2nd) and I would pick Pop over movies (but would stay at Movies again) because of the bus service. Pop has it's own bus service and doesn not share with any other resort. (As a side note, Pop is actually located in another county and tax will be slightly less than movies because the tax rate is a little less where Pop is )

 

[sleepyone]

I have stayed at both, I also just got back from Pop (left early on the 2nd) and I would pick Pop over movies (but would stay at Movies again) because of the bus service. Pop has it's own bus service and doesn not share with any other resort. (As a side note, Pop is actually located in another county and tax will be slightly less than movies because the tax rate is a little less where Pop is )

Wow! Good to know about the tax, thanks for sharing! The busses aren't an issue for us... we don't plan on using them, thanks for helping, though.

 

[WillCAD]

I have not stayed at Movies, but 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.

 

[MickeyMousesGal]

I have stayed at both ASM and POP. I personally would pick POP, because the atmosphere is much better and POP is newer than ASM. I liked how there is old sayings from different decades, the different themes, the food court is delicious, and the pools are heated to either 82,84,or 86 degrees, I can't remember. The rooms, I think are the same size in both POP and ASM. The only difference, I think, is the T.V. sizes. Where ever you stay, you are very close to the food court. We stayed in the 50s section and had the 4th floor, with a view of Wishes fireworks in MK and Illuminations over in EP. They both were very beautiful. All three pools are very nice, and relaxing. I hope this helps on your decision!


Jessica

 

[Zandy595]

We have stayed at both and I can't tell that one room is bigger than the other. I love the icons at Movies, but I think there are more advantages to staying at Pop. It's newer. The last time we were at ASMO the rooms were looking a little worn. I like the main pool, foodcourt and buses better at Pop.

Pop's Hippy Dippy Pool (Tyler's picture)

You should check out the menus at both foodcourts. I liked Pop's better, but it really all depends on what kind of food you like.ASMO Breakfast Menu
ASMO Lunch/Dinner Menu
Pop Breakfast Menu
Pop Lunch/Dinner Menu

 

[sleepyone]

I have stayed at both ASM and POP. I personally would pick POP, because the atmosphere is much better and POP is newer than ASM. I liked how there is old sayings from different decades, the different themes, the food court is delicious, and the pools are heated to either 82,84,or 86 degrees, I can't remember. The rooms, I think are the same size in both POP and ASM. The only difference, I think, is the T.V. sizes. Where ever you stay, you are very close to the food court. We stayed in the 50s section and had the 4th floor, with a view of Wishes fireworks in MK and Illuminations over in EP. They both were very beautiful. All three pools are very nice, and relaxing. I hope this helps on your decision!


Jessica

I didn't even think about fireworks views, thanks!

 

[sleepyone]

We have stayed at both and I can't tell that one room is bigger than the other. I love the icons at Movies, but I think there are more advantages to staying at Pop. It's newer. The last time we were at ASMO the rooms were looking a little worn. I like the main pool, foodcourt and buses better at Pop.

Pop's Hippy Dippy Pool (Tyler's picture)

You should check out the menus at both foodcourts. I liked Pop's better, but it really all depends on what kind of food you like.ASMO Breakfast Menu
ASMO Lunch/Dinner Menu
Pop Breakfast Menu
Pop Lunch/Dinner Menu

Thanks for all the links!

 

[Brendita]

I pefer the Movies.
Smaller hotel.
To me they're about the same otherwise.

 

[720L]

POP. The buses are better.

 

[psumomluvswdw]

we are also arriving the 12th and staying at POP!! Hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[H&Hmommy]

We have stayed at both and would have to pick Movies. It just seems to have such a Disney feel to it!!
Kim

 

[Madi100]

To me, I could see good points in both. Movies has better Disney theming, I think. the Toy Story icons are very neat. Pop has good theming, it just doesn't scream Disney like Movies. My DH did not like Pop. He didn't like the set-up of the gift shop. I think Movies seems smaller. And, we liked the foodcourt at Movies much better. If I had to choose, I'd pick Movies, but I would be thrilled with either one. DH would pick Movies, and so would DD 7.

 

[jarw00]

What other buildings have a fireworks view?

 

[Madi100]

Keep in mind, the fireworks views are nothing spectacular. Honestly, don't plan on staying at Pop with this as a deciding factor.

As for the buses, personally, I think ASM has just as many buses pickinh up as Pop, maybe even more so. I found myself waiting for 15-20 minutes at a time at Pop, on a regular basis. This happened very infrequently at ASM. Also, leaving the parks, the buses going back to AS are much easier to get onto. They all get crowded, but trust me when I say, nothing is as bad as trying to catch a bus back to Pop after Magic Kingdom closing. It's awful.

I know that the OP doesn't care about buses, but for anyone else reading this, I agree. Pop is a bigger resort. Movies a lot of times had their own bus. When we were at Movies there was never much of a wait. At Pop we waited for a bus quite a bit. For bus service, I'd pick Movies over Pop any day. And, I will add that I didn't think that it was bad at either place, just much better at Movies.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I have stayed at Movies 3 or 4 times and Pop once. I REALLY like Movies better. I personally just like the feel of it better. Now....we have a trip in September at Movies and at Pop in December. Movies is and always will be my first pick though - I like the food court better - I think it had a much better selection. And just the overall atmosphere is better in my opinion.....but Pop isn't bad