Favorite Value Resort

[ktrask]

So in starting to plan, my husband has decided we want to stay at a value resort for our Dec 2013 trip. We have stayed at a value before when it was just us, and liked it. This time we will have our daughter with us (she will be 5 when we go).

What is your favorite value resort to stay at..and why. I'm looking at pictures, and pricing out, but it's hard to truly know which one might be best for us.

Thanks a bunch...I'm loving being able to hear what everyone thinks.

 

[ocean134]

I adore Pop Century. It is clean, fun and it suits us.

I love its bus system to/from the parks. Very organized and first come, first served. No mad rushes for the open bus door like some of the other resorts.

I enjoy the food court and there are offerings for everyone. Lots of fun goes on there too.

The pools are lovely and not overly crowded. Lots of room to have fun without running into other swimmers.

Also, love that it is right near Art of Animation. You can walk across the Generation Gap Bridge and check our the resort. Get your camera ready!

And of course, who can deny the yumminess of Tye-dye cheesecake. OMG! I have stayed at Pop several times and may be returning in Feb. 13 for a weekend trip.

 

[disney516]

When I was in Disney two weeks ago, I went to visit the art of animation resort and if it had the regular rooms open when I was there, I definitely would've stayed there. The rooms seem really nice in pictures, although I have never seen them in person. The one thing I have noticed though is that because a lot of people haven't stayed there yet being that it's new, it seems like the buses were usually empty and there was always a bus at the bus stop leaving the parks. It would be a good experience to stay at a newly opened resort. The theme there is also fun: little mermaid, lion king, cars, and nemo.

 

[BearcatsFan]

It was my first stay on WDW property so I have nothing to compare it to, but we really enjoyed POP. Very clean room (as in climbed on the bed and wiped the picture frame with my finger kind of clean), great Mousekeeping, food court was good, never waited long for a bus (though we did have to stand every time). Friendly CMs, fun theming ... I could go on.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Disneyact82]

I love POP Century!! Have stayed there 25+ times so far. It is Clean, Cheap and Fun. My granddaughter loves it. The bus only services that resort so it is easy to get a seat. Unlike the All star resorts that share a bus. THe food court is wonderful...Love the Salmon and green bean dinner. If you go to the bridge in the morning you can see fish and turtles in the lake. I like the bowling pin pool. Usually not as crowded. All in All a very peacefull resort. Take a walk around the path. They have signs up that tell you important events that happened in the different years. I will be staying in Art of Animation in Sept. in the Nemo room. Really like the idea of 2 bathrooms while traveling with children

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I love POP! It's just so fun. I like the food court. I like that it doesn't share busses and the busses are usually not a long wait, however they can be crowded. My boys also love the kiddie pool and fountains.

 

[CastlesandDreams]

Of the ones I have stayed at so far, Pop Century is my favorite. I like the theme.

I am excited to stay at the Art of Animation. Your daughter may like that- the standard rooms are the Little Mermaid theme.

 

[mbrown027]

I agree, POP is by far the best value resort in my opinion, so clean, awesome food court and gift shop and we never had to wait long for the buses! All the rooms were renovated in 2009-2010!

 

[spiceycat]

love pop too.

all stars is generally cheaper.

Pop has a lake - all star does not.

all stars is 3 resorts in one. they are all right next to each other. It does have a MacDonald's in walking distance to it. You can walk to BB and CSR from AS.


Pop and now AoA don't have any restuarants close enough to walk too. they both have excellent food courts. you can walk (but don't it is dangerous no sidewalk) to WWoS from them.

here some pictures
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/disney-world-resort-hotels/index903.html

 

[ktrask]

Wow...overwhelming support of the Pop. I'll have to check it out. We are thinking AOA as well. Right now I'm just saving packages and mulling it over.

This is a big help!

 

[pixidust77]

Hands down Pop Century. Just a nice resort to go home to. Cheap with a great food court- you must try the tie dye cheesecake! My family loves the theme and we really enjoy the pools and bus service should we decide to use them. Hope that helps you out!

 

[Alabama Minnie]

If I had a 5 yr. old DD or DGD I would have to stay in one of the LM rooms at AoA. The room looks really detailed, as well as the grounds. The rates may be down by next year maybe.

My second choice with a DD would be ASMovies. IMO the theme is better there for kids.

We like POP but the theme is older IMO. We didn't care for Music (found the theme kinda dull) and have never stayed at Sports.

The room-size/layout are the same at all though.

 

[franluvsbubba]

We've been to WDW 19+ xs and ALWYS stay at ASM! My youngest is obsessed w/ Buzz & Woody so we always stay in those bldngs. We go so often tht we know the cleaning people & the managers & chefs which is great since we have food allergies. The make your own salads are to die for!!!! The decor is great too! Def 3 thumbs up! They have 2 pools, and most often have their own bus in the evenings whn the parks are closing.

 

[nansmama]

We are huge Pop fans too. Never had a less than awesome experience there.