Is this board ALL POP?

[Charleyann]

Ok, I'm getting concerned I made the wrong choice. I was asked while making reservation with 40% email if I wanted Pop or All Star Movies. I said it didn't matter so CM booked me for All Star Movies.

Here it appears, the majority loves POP over ASMo? What is the difference. We have never stayed onsite. Will I regret my decision?

Charleyann

 

[mirthmaiden]

POP does seem to get a lot more traffic as far as posts, but that could be because it is newer and people haven't tried it yet? I haven't stayed as ASMo, but I did stay at ASMu and that was nice. We're doing POP for this trip for a couple of reasons: it is more centrally located (imho) and newer. Otherwise, for me, I don't think there is much difference.

 

[daisyduck123]

One reason is because it is much newer...it opened in/about Dec. 2003.
My family & I first stayed there in May 2004 (boy was it empty that trip!!!).
We've stayed 3 times.

 

[rhiannonwales]

also people choose pop over the all stars becasue groups often are placed in the AS resorts (cheerleaders,sports teams, etc)
Since the AS all share busses and pop does not it can be a little crowded if youe there at the same time as a large group.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I agree with the previous posters. I believe Pop is more popular because it is the newest value resort and it is very centrally located. When the teenage youth, school and sports groups come to WDW, they usually stay at the All Stars resorts.

 

[boomhauer]

I don't think you made the wrong choice. I've stayed at all of the Values and I still chose ASMovies as my favorite.

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

I wouldn't worry to much, we've stayed at both and liked both. POP is a little bigger and has 3 pools instead of 2, but really I guess it's what you like. Do you like Pop culture with a Disney theme or do you like Fantasia,Toy Story,Dalmations...etc.
The best thing I can tell you is to look at pics of both places, the one that interest you the most, go with it, either way it's onsite and your sure to have a great Disney experience!

Oh and if you don't mind me asking, do you have children?? That could be a factor as well, what are they into and ages, you can show them pics of each!

 

[mousebit]

I don't think you made the wrong choice. I've stayed at all of the Values and I still chose ASMovies as my favorite.

Can you explain specifically what makes you like Movies most? We've only stayed at POP (and love it) but I'm considering trying Movies or Music next trip. Maybe OP would be interested too. TIA

 

[dwaddict]

We like POP because it has it's own bus run. The others share busses, which makes for long rides to and from the Parks!! Unless they have changed it, ASMovies was also the last on the stop. Which makes your wait even longer! Movies is way cool and the little ones love it. Just was not happy with the bus situation. My 2 cents worth though

 

[HM]

I prefer Movies over PopC. I like the set up of the food court and gift shop at Movies much better (doesn't seem as busy and bustling). I also prefered the resort property more. I felt that everything at PopC was too busy and the courtyards too crowded with icons and such. Not a relaxing thing about the place, except the room itself. I think you will be happy with your choice!

The only pluses I give PopC are the bus queue lines and having slurpie-type drinks at the refill station (if they are working....break down a lot).

 

[boomhauer]

Can you explain specifically what makes you like Movies most? We've only stayed at POP (and love it) but I'm considering trying Movies or Music next trip. Maybe OP would be interested too. TIA

Sure.

First, let me get out of the way the HUGE misconception about Movies: The buses.

Yes, the 3 All Star Resorts do share buses, but if anything, it's advantageous. If it's busy, Movies gets it's own bus. Secondly, Movies is the last to be picked up so it's not like you get picked up then have to stop at other resorts. You get picked up and go. Again, if it's busy you have your own bus. Plus, if it is busy and the Movies bus is crowded, you can always take the Music bus. It's closer to some Movies rooms to get off at Music.

I like the theming of Movies. It's pure Disney. The theming of Pop is cool, but doesn't feel as Disney to me.

Food court at Movies is great. It's not as crowded as Pop's is. Plus, the gift shop is seperate so you don't have those people adding to the crowd.

The bar at Movies is much better than the one at Pop. It just has a better set up and not as mobbed.

I like the location of All Stars better as well. It's very close to Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach. Pop is more centrally located, but because of the locations of Epcot and Magic Kingdom, is no closer than the All Stars. MGM and Downtown Disney are closer to Pop, but mot by much.

I also like the Fantasia pool much better than Pop's pool.

To sum it up, when I'm at Pop, I almost feel like I'm off site. You DEFINITELY don't get that feeling at Movies.

 

[Disneytwinz]

I read alot about these two resorts as well, but seemed to me it was split down the middle. Everyone has their own preferences, of course. I've never been to Disney. However, the way I look at it, it's really just a place to hang our hats and hit the parks and get some pics in the process!! We chose ASMo, but would also love to try Pop as well. Maybe whatever resort you don't choose, take the time to visit while you are on-site and see how it is before you go the next time if you plan to do so?

 

[minnie61650]

Sure.

First, let me get out of the way the HUGE misconception about Movies: The buses.

Yes, the 3 All Star Resorts do share buses, but if anything, it's advantageous. If it's busy, Movies gets it's own bus. Secondly, Movies is the last to be picked up so it's not like you get picked up then have to stop at other resorts. You get picked up and go. Again, if it's busy you have your own bus. Plus, if it is busy and the Movies bus is crowded, you can always take the Music bus. It's closer to some Movies rooms to get off at Music.

I like the theming of Movies. It's pure Disney. The theming of Pop is cool, but doesn't feel as Disney to me.

Food court at Movies is great. It's not as crowded as Pop's is. Plus, the gift shop is seperate so you don't have those people adding to the crowd.

The bar at Movies is much better than the one at Pop. It just has a better set up and not as mobbed.

I like the location of All Stars better as well. It's very close to Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach. Pop is more centrally located, but because of the locations of Epcot and Magic Kingdom, is no closer than the All Stars. MGM and Downtown Disney are closer to Pop, but mot by much.

I also like the Fantasia pool much better than Pop's pool.

To sum it up, when I'm at Pop, I almost feel like I'm off site. You DEFINITELY don't get that feeling at Movies.

I agree even though Pop is closer to MGM and Epcot than the All Stars the buses usually take longer from Pop to get to those parks because of the routing of the buses. The bus route from the All Stars is more direct.

---------------------------------------------

Bus rides are quite short from the ALL Stars according to PassPorter.com

All Star Buses-CBR buses---POPbuses--PO buses--- Contemporary
MK 20 min---- 20 min-----25 min------10 min---20 min(mono)
Epcot 10 min-- 15 min-----20 min------10 min---15 min
MGM 10 min----12 min-----15 min------15 min---20min
AK 10 min------20min-------15 min----15 min---20 min
DTD 15 min----20 min------20 min-----15 min---35 min

It only takes 10 minutes to get to Epcot, MGM and AK from All Stars.
MK is 20 min away. That's the same amount of time it takes on the monorail from the Contemporary.

A WORD ABOUT BUS SHARING

To me Bus Sharing at the All Stars is really a non issue.

In the mornings during Park opening hours each All Star usually has a dedicated bus.
During mid day it is usually just our stop and maybe one more on the way to the parks. On the way back sometimes it is all 3 but often Sports and Music share and Movies has it's own bus back. Each of the All Stars usually has it's own dedicated bus back from the MK.
That is a big plus. It seems like the Music bus stop usually has the shortest of the three All Star bus lines.

I guess some people who stay at POP see all 3 All Star names on the return sign of our bus stop when they head to the POP bus stop and think All Stars also has 3 stops on the way to the park.
(Even when we stop at another AS resort to load up it has not taken more than 5 minutes and we are on our way!)

Have fun wherever you choose to stay!

 

[MelanieC]

I agree that bus sharing at the Movies is a non-issue.

I have been to both the Movies and POP several times and although I LOVE the theming at the movies, we keep going back to POP.

Either one is great though, and I wouldn't be sad to have either!

 

[pezpam]

We've stayed at Pop, ASMovies, and ASMusic and have had great trips at all 3. Some people post that Pop is sooooo much better than AS, some people post that the various AS resorts are sooooo much better than Pop - frankly, I take that split to mean that there's not a HUGE difference either way. We've had those large cheer/dance/whatever groups at AS and at Pop - timing may be the most important factor in avoiding them. I tend to go for whichever place's theming tickles our fancy at the moment, but know we'll be happy at whichever is available, so no stress.

 

[minnie61650]

I agree with the previous posters. I believe Pop is more popular because it is the newest value resort and it is very centrally located. When the teenage youth, school and sports groups come to WDW, they usually stay at the All Stars resorts.

FYI

The Pop Warner cheerleaders also stayed at Pop in December 2004 so large school groups do stay at Pop also.

They certainly didn't take over the resort, but Pop definitely took some "spill over". So to say they won't at all effect Pop I think is false. We didn't use the Food Court in the AM, so that wasn't an issue. They were at the pool late night (being a little wild...I agree just kids being kids), after my kids were in bed, (I only saw them when I was doing laundry). Since their schedules keep them very busy at WWofS during the day, they were not a problem then. The only time they impacted my vacation was leaving the parks at night. If I can be truthful, the kids were fine; it was the chaperones...and I use that term very loosely. On 2 evenings, once at MK and once at Ep, we were waiting in line for the bus back. If there were a few of their group in line ahead they'd all cut and join them. One time the cheerleader basically said, "Mom, we can't stay up here. These people have been waiting." The mom ignored her. I am not talking about 2 or 3 people popping up to their family after a bathroom break. I am talking about groups of 10 or 12 just strolling ahead of 100 people in line. It was infuriating! Not only because it wasn't a fair thing to do, but because of the example it set for every single kid witnessing it. Mind you, I was with my DH and 3 princesses, plus 6 months pregnant at the time...

Sorry for the long story. However, I thought I should share my firsthand experience. Of course that was in 2004 and a lot could change. And I should say, I loved everything about Pop and probably would change when I go versus where I stay.

Good luck deciding.

we were at the POP for the pop warner/cheerleading week in 2004. the place was over run. you heard cheers until well past midnight. the food court was impossible to use. they were practicing their pyramids in the pool until late in the evening. i would opt for another hotel.

From this thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12120909#post12120909

I stayed at PC in December 2004. The Pop Warner kids were definitely there. I specifically chose PC since I had read in multiple places that PC was not equipped for large groups and that the Pop Warner kids would be at the All Stars only. That turned out to be untrue. For one night, it shouldn't be a problem, but if you want to avoid the Pop Warner kids, stay at CSR or a deluxe. Pop Warner has yet to announce what resorts are available this year, but in years past they have been at CBR, POR, and POFQ as well as the value resorts.

Here is a good thread Are the values as bad as they say?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1102308&page=3&pp=15&highlight=cheerleaders

Here is another good thread:

are value resorts THE most UNROMANTIC you can get??



Take a look :

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1134039&highlight=cheerleaders

 

[Princessbaby]

We stayed at ASMo last time and we loved it! We had it booked for this trip, but my family wanted to try POP. The fact that it is newer and the buses are not shared were big reasons. But, I think the selling point was the fact that everyone on the boards seem to really have no complaints about POP. We booked preferred for this trip. We'll see how much we like it!

 

[Charleyann]

Thank you everyone! I do have a 10 year old son who would probably be more inclined to enjoy All Star Movies because he loves Disney movies. I think the All Star are all Disney!

My son doesn't know what a big wheel is, rubic cube...those things from The "Olden days" as he sometimes refers me too! He just ask me the other day if we had colored TV's in the olden days when I was a kid....Geez, I was born in the 70's!

Many thanks again for all your opinions..........I'm no further ahead, just a little wiser!

Charleyann

 

[bigbabyblues]

We've stayed at both, and there isn't much difference. We stayed at Pop earlier this month, and I tried to change our May ressie to ASMo, but there isn't availability. It's just a difference in personal preference. The food courts have a little bit different selections (we liked ASMo better, that's just us tho), and our bus service at ASMo was a little bit better (not a lot, but a little). Yes, sometimes the AS Resorts share buses, but not always. At park closing when we were at WDW this month, the AS had their own bus, at least most nights that we paid attention. As far as the sharing, Pop is about the same # of rooms as all 3 AS together, so it works out about the same. Sometimes the Pop buses came 2 at a time at closing.

It's pretty much 6 of one, a half dozen of the other. I think you'll be happy with either!

 

[kennylaf]

May be a dumb question, but does ASM have a bar I can get a beer at night when I get back from the parks. I see they only have a pool bar, but is that open late at night...say midnight. Almost feel bad asking that question going on a family vacation, but I am on vacation. Thanks