Is Pop Century better than ASM?

[leeserw]

Or is it a theming preference? I hear alot about Pop and just wondered what made it different from the other Values. We've never stayed at ASM or Pop. Thanks!

 

[leeserw]

I forgot to mention that we'll have a car so we won't be using the buses.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Are you talking about AS Movies or Music?? You didnt say.

I love both pop and movies. They're both similar. But my home resort will always be pop. I love the theme, the pool, the view of the lake and AoA. So beautiful. If you go over to the bridge you can actually see turtles in the lake. So neat!

 

[rteetz]

I have stayed at both and like both i guess the biggest difference would be the busses but you won't need to worry about that so I don't see a huge problem. The pop is unique and is very close to the new AoA where you could go check out the hotel. I always have loved the values and don't see a huge problem. The all stars are beginning to show some she but not enough yet to make me not stay there i think you will like either which ever you do end up choosing.

 

[leeserw]

I didn't even realize that. Sorry. Music. We usually stay at POR but they were full. We were booked at ASMusic. When I called to make sure we would have a fridge the CM said that ASSports Food Court would be under renovation during our stay which means those people will share a food court with Music. He suggested I switch to Pop. He said it would be $107 difference but I would also get a Magic band. When I asked why Pop was more he said it was because Pop was more popular and booked up faster.

 

[maddiebee]

I didn't even realize that. Sorry. Music. We usually stay at POR but they were full. We were booked at ASMusic. When I called to make sure we would have a fridge the CM said that ASSports Food Court would be under renovation during our stay which means those people will share a food court with Music. He suggested I switch to Pop. He said it would be $107 difference but I would also get a Magic band. When I asked why Pop was more he said it was because Pop was more popular and booked up faster.

We were just at ASMu and had the Sports folks sharing the food court, and while it was busy (but we were also only ever there at breakfast time), it wasn't unmanageable.

 

[willowsnn3]

POP is our 'home' resort, lol.
We stayed ASMU once in December a couple years ago cause POP was booked up. The room was nice & very clean. Really no problems except.......we had the farthest room in the farthest building in the whole complex, lol. We had our car also so didn't have to ride the buses thank goodness, cause truthfully we had no idea how to find the main building from where we were. And even tho we had our car, we were still a long way from the parking lot so it was a long walk to and from. I would only stay there again if I had a preferred room close to the front.
That being said.....We love POP so much. We've stayed deluxe and moderate before also but like my adult dd said last time..."can't we just stay at POP?"

 

[NicolaFred]

POP century is by far the better resort. Doesn't share a bus route (not that it's needed) and the food court is much better. Plus the rooms are nicer and its a newer resort. Love pop and I've stayed at all resort levels.

 

[Dsnyfireman]

Another vote for POP!!! Our favorite, we stayed at all star sports and was nice but POP is way better. Closer to the parks, except AK. Better buses and food!

 

[AndiSlamberg]

POP is seriously the best! We love the food court and how close it is to AOA, even though you aren't taking the buses it's nice to have them as a back up. I don't think I've ever gone to the World and not had a stay at POP even if it was just one night. There is something about that resort that just makes it feel like home.

 

[MADnNOLA]

I have stayed at ASMu twice and loved it. Both times I was in the Broadway section. It was quiet and not far from the main building or buses.

I think the bus sharing issue is way overstated, and not an issue. I have only had the occasion to share buses twice during my stays. That was in the middle of the day when the buses were not full. I did not find that sharing those buses were any different than a bus making several stops in the mod resorts.

I have stayed at Pop, and enjoyed it, but also found the food court very busy. Posters make note that it does not share buses. But, when I was there, the buses were extremely full, and many times I had to wait for a 2nd bus because of this.

 

[lazer]

Or is it a theming preference? I hear alot about Pop and just wondered what made it different from the other Values. We've never stayed at ASM or Pop. Thanks!

I'd also say it depends on the time of year as far as crowds go at the food court. We've been to pop and the food court has been dead (like last year even during free dining)!

We've only stayed at Pop and loved it. Another plus is you can walk to Art of Animation and check out the large figures and their food court (which we love)!

 

[Babsy]

POP: like the lake and proximity to AoA. The food court is better IMO. The buses are dedicated.

AS: are often a little cheaper. I like the quiet of ASMu, especially love the theming and atmosphere around Jazz.

Bottom line: Pop wins by a nose. In the case of shared food court, I'd probably go with POP.

 

[JennyDrake]

The All Stars are very similar to each other except w/ different theming. I like them all!

Pop has a better food court (love the grilled flatbreads) and a lovely walk around the lake--but it also has 1,000 more rooms. I find the chaos and noise at the food court overwhelming at times and I dislike "having" to walk through the gift shop to get to the food court.

I've stayed at each value multiple times (except AoA where once was enough). ASMusic is my favorite for theming and it seems a bit more quiet than the others.

Bus service at WDW can be ANYTHING at ANY TIME for ANY resort. I think the bus sharing at All Stars is WAY overstated. I stay at the AS at least 2-3 times per year and I would guess that we share buses 25% of the time or less. Even when we do, I see no difference in that and a moderate with multiple stops within the resort.

The pools are all basically the same--one main pool and 1-2 smaller "quiet" pools. None have slides or deep ends.

 

[POOHsie]

Besides the other reasons stated above, All Stars Resorts have tiny gift shops and food courts that can't compare to Pop's and AoA's. Deal killer for me was, All Stars didn't have espresso machines.

 

[dpswift]

When I stayed at the All Stars I loved the fact that it was not as crazy busy as POP. My kids love POP and always requested to stay there until AoA was completed and now they want to stay there.

I did not notice any big differences in rooms between the 3. DH and I are going for a couples weekend in Sept. for FD and choose Movies because it was a little less and he has never stayed there.

Yes the food court and gift shop was smaller at the All Stars but I liked that.

The check in area at POP was busier than at the All Stars however this may have changed because when we stayed at AoA they had cast members checking guests out on tablets. It cut the line size by a great amount.

 

[melissafox18]

I feel like the All Stars are just too busy and have too many "groups" of people there. Since they are the least expensive, it's the cheapest option for them (obvious statement, I know). We LOVED Pop and would stay there again with or without kids!

 

[willowsnn3]

The All Stars are very similar to each other except w/ different theming. I like them all!

Pop has a better food court (love the grilled flatbreads) and a lovely walk around the lake--but it also has 1,000 more rooms. I find the chaos and noise at the food court overwhelming at times and I dislike "having" to walk through the gift shop to get to the food court.

I've stayed at each value multiple times (except AoA where once was enough). ASMusic is my favorite for theming and it seems a bit more quiet than the others.

Bus service at WDW can be ANYTHING at ANY TIME for ANY resort. I think the bus sharing at All Stars is WAY overstated. I stay at the AS at least 2-3 times per year and I would guess that we share buses 25% of the time or less. Even when we do, I see no difference in that and a moderate with multiple stops within the resort.

The pools are all basically the same--one main pool and 1-2 smaller "quiet" pools. None have slides or deep ends.

There is another entrance to the food court at POP if coming in from the pool area. It is just to the right of the doors going into the lobby. Where the outside tables are.