How do you choose?

[maxiesmom]

Ugh. I feel like I am banging my head against the wall, because I can't settle on a resort. I'm planning a trip for this December, and have been left to pick the resort. Usually I am a decisive person, but I keep going back and forth between the Sports and the Pop. I'm making myself crazy!

How do you decide between taking the chance on a resort you have never stayed at (the Pop) and one you have (the Sports) and like?

I'm worried the Pop will be too big. And too busy. And that the buses will be horrible and we will have to wait multiple buses before we get on one. The set up with the gift shop and food court seems strange to me too. Is it really that bad?

The Sports is a bit cheaper. I know that on the occasions when they share with the other All Stars they are the first stop, so we should always be able to get on a bus. However, it is a bit less centrally located than the Pop. And I kind of like the idea of a new resort.

Can anyone help me decide?

 

[Kim1964]

We've stayed at Music and Pop for values and prefer Pop. The food court/gift shop setup isn't at all odd. I think there's more selection at the Pop food court. We like the icons and the pools better at Pop, too.

As for taking a chance on a new resort....we usually book split stays so we book one we know we love and one we want to try. Of all the times we've done this, we've only come across one resort we didn't like (well, I didn't like...my kids are happy anywhere at Disney).

 

[Julie711]

Our first 4 trips to Disney we stayed @ the same resort ( CBR) because it was farmiliar to us and we love it. This past Feb DH and myself went on a kid free trip and def wanted a different resort so we choose AKL and we were nervous, even though it was a deluxe it wasnt what we knew and we loved it! This next trip in Nov we are trying another place (BWV) and our excited to explore new resorts, so I say go for it!!

 

[Jacks2583]

If anything, the buses at POP should be BETTER since they are only for one resort.

We have stayed at a new resort for the past two years and for our next two visits (only 3 more days until POP!!!) While I would return to AKL in a heartbeat if we could afford it, it is kind of fun to explore new resorts and be able to compare them with others.

 

[Lemke2Tink]

We just stayed at POP during our last trip in 2011. We have tried many resorts(deluxe,mods and values) but always kept going back to All Star Sports due to the fact that we go 3-4 times a year and like to spend a lot of time in the parks. With that being said we really liked POP and would not hestitate to go back instead of All Star Sports. Since it is newer everything was more updated and the food court was very similiar...if not better IMO than All Star Sports. We didnt have any problems with buses. We did have a car but we didn't use it when going to the parks.

 

[Kae]

Do Pop. It is a great resort we never thought it felt big. We thought it was an Easy walk to everything. If I had a car I would be more picky about room location, so that I could park close to the room.

kae

 

[Mousemommy1]

Of the two, I prefer Pop. It has dedicated busses. It did not feel too big (and I've stayed at CBR, I know big )
The food court had an excellent selection and I really liked the gift shop.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at either resort so I can't compare or comment on them, but I would try something new . We have our favorites, but we also like trying different resorts from time to time. There are some we thought were ok while others we just loved, but we have had great stays at all of the ones we've tried and wouldn't hesitate to stay at any of them again. I say go with something new as you might find a new favorite .

 

[sleeperclan]

I always look at price, what kind of trip it is (laid back or commando), where we want to spend most of our time, and how we will be eating. We have our favorite resort, but do like to branch out. There was only one time I was less than happy with the resort (OKW), but it wasn't enough to ruin the trip. We just seemed to have one problem after another with the CMs at the desk, dining credits, changing rooms, etc. But, we gave OKW another try last year and really had a wonderful time! While DH is not a value resort guy, the rest of the family did enjoy POP! We really didn't find it any busier than ASMu and DS liked the food court better at POP. I'd love to be able to try ALL the resorts that Disney has to offer

 

[WizardLarz]

In the Morning the Food Court can seem a bit crazy with people but it is easy to figure out. The buses are a continual flow in the morning I've never had to wait for more than one bus to fill and then get on the next one. Coming back from the Parks is when I've waited the longest for a bus back to Pop.

You might want to look into the new Art of Animation as an option also.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I have a reservation for ASMu. I've considered changing it to ASSp, so I can try something new. Then, I could check off another Disney resort I've stayed at.

 

[lmillercrew]

I think that you are going to find those that love POP and those that love Sports. I will be staying at Sports for the 3rd time in June, simply because of cost. I have no comparison to POP as I haven't stayed there. If I had financial choice, it would be POR. I like ASSP buses because we are the first dropped off and first to be picked up. Thanfully all of the Disney resorts now have refrigerators in all of the rooms. Ultimately, it will be up to you to make the decision as we all have our favorite resorts. Good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

Pop - on those nights where you want to rest at your resort - you can still see the Epcot and in the distance MK fireworks.

no other value (besides AoA) has this.

Pop also has a lake (it shares with AoA) - since again it is the only value resort w/lake - that is all I need.

Pop has some of the best CM's on property - yes I know a value - but trust me it does. they will go out of their way to help you. Been at Polyn and believe me prefer Pop for the Cm's. got much better service at Pop then the Polyn.

 

[cerberus]

We are having the same problem. The last 2 rips we stayed at Movies because the deal we got. This trip June 2012 I orginally booked at the POP because it was cheaper, but ended up changing back to the Movies. If we were going during a slower time we probably would have stayed at the POP just to try it.

We have had a great experience with the Movies. For us we liked the food choices at the Movies better than the POP (looked at their menus online) so that is what changed are minds.

GOOD LUCK with your choice!

 

[TxMickeyLover]

We just returned from a week at Pop, and the buses were great. There was only one night we had to wait for multiple buses, and that was Magic Kingdom at closing time. Almost every other time, the wait for a bus (both at Pop and at the parks) was less than 5 minutes.

 

[dontthrowsand]

I personally pick what ever is cheapest for my party that meets our needs best, if I can try something new, I will. This goes for any trip I ever take.