Made Ressies For POP But......??????

[Mickeygirl]

We are going in July with 4 adults, 2 19yo's, 5yo, 7yo and I made ressies at POP but now am wondering if I should have gotten ASMo after reading some of the posts I'm so confused now I don't know what to do

Thanks for the help

 

[SnackyStacky]

Would love to offer some advice, but I don't understand your dilemma. Why are you worried about Pop Century and wanting to switch to All Star Movies?

 

[Mickeygirl]

I read that little kids would enjoy ASMo better and that the food court was better at ASMo So now after getting all excited about POP now I'm confused. I want the younger ones to enjoy because this is there first stay at WDW

Thanks for the help

 

[SnackyStacky]

Well....

Personally, I would keep the reservations at Pop Century. I haven't visited the Value Resorts, so take my comments for what they're worth, but I would stay where you are for a couple of reasons. First of all, Pop is a lot newer, so your chances of finding anything wrong with the rooms is almost completely eliminated. You're also at Disney World. While the resort is a great part of the experience, if it's the kids' first visit, I could be way off base since I don't have kids, but I don't think they're going to be too concerned with the hotel. I remember when I was a little kid, I was thrilled to be staying at ANY hotel!

But that's just my $.02 Perhaps someone with kids will be able to give you some better advice.

 

[sue1013]

I've read quite a few posts on these board where people say they stay at a certain hotel because their kids want to. I'm sorry but DH & I pay for the vacation we will pick the hotel. My kids were so happy to be in WDW they could have cared less about the hotel. And this was for many trips we went almost every year and my youngest is 17. Your kids will have a great time no matter where you stay. Don't worry and enjoy your trip!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I have also heard rumors that now that Pop Century has opened Disney is going to try and start renovation over at All Star with Sports being first (just a rumor I don't know 100%) But that would then make the other two All Star Resorts more crowded.

Reports I have read said the children love Pop with the large Icons...Hope they are correct I will find out in March.

FoodCourts aren't my favorite places to eat but looking at the Menu's Pop Century's looks like they have a good selection.

"Everything Pop" Food Court
Lunch and Dinner
http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_popct.htm

World Premiere Food Court
All Star Movies
Lunch and Dinner
http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_asm3.htm

Either way have a great trip....

 

[mom2boys]

We just returned from POP. Our 1st choice was Movies (my kids' favorite) but it wasn't available for the "kids stay & play" for our dates. We never thought twice about it once the ressies were made. Pop has some cool icons including a giant mr & mrs. potato head - my kids got a kick out DH & my recalling things from our past. Our boys (8 & 10) loved the fountains that they could run through - in fact they perferred that to the pools.
The food court was fine. I had the shrimp lo mein the first night - basically the veggie lo mein with a scoop of shrimp on the top. It was good but I did go back for a plate instead of eating it out of the box - I wanted to mix the shrimp in with the noodles. We all had burgers/hot dogs/chicken strips the other nights. DH made a salad of the plated burger fixings - lettuce, tomato & pickle on a plate.
The POP food court did not stand out as any better or worse than any than the Sports or Movies food courts (never stayed at Music)

One plus for POP is that it didn't seem to have the large groups that AllStars seem to attract. We strattled two weekends with dance/cheer competitions & didn't notice any groups at POP. We won't stay at Sports again because of two separate bad experiences with groups at that resort. (Never had a group problem at Movies either.)

 

[twinx4]

HI

I usually visit WDW in December and each time I've stayed at ASMovies. However this past New Years we were at POP Century. My DD (11yrs) enjoyed both, but I think movies provided Icons that she related to a little better.

From an adults point of view I understand your feelings about choosing a place that the entire family will enjoy, especially the little ones. I just turn into a big kid at heart.

B/c Pop Century is divided into different decades, I tried to select a decade that my DD could recognize. It was between the 80's or 90's building. We choose 80's. She found some of the oldies but goodies fun and interesting. But it didn't really hold her attention like it did for an adult taking a walk down memory lane.

At ASMovies she was able to recall the different characters, b/c she has seen alot of Disney's movies. So she had more of an input of which section she wanted to stay in, based on the Disney movie characters that she knew.

I think your children would enjoy both hotels, the younger ones would get a kick out of the movies b/c of the different disney characters. For example: one year we stayed at the Toy Story Building, as you enter the court yard you walk into Andy's Room (a three story replica), another year we stayed at the Dalmatian's building, where running Dalmatians were seen along the balconys railing.

As far as the food, both food courts carry just about the same thing. But lets face it your not going to get to exotic at a food court. Pop Centurys food court extends into their Gift shop, where The Movies is separate, but just a few feet away.

I pretty much tried Pop b/c it was the new values resort, but eventually I would like to try them all. I'm not in a rush b/c my DD is still young and although the other resorts may be closer to the parks or offer restaurants, the don't have the fun and playful icons. And to me that makes a difference, I wanted her to enjoy HER VACATION TOO

Oh another difference between the two. Pop Century has its own shuttle bus stop. Where I believe the ALL Stars share, b/c they are all of the same lot.

WOW I didn't know that I had written so much, you know once you get started its hard to stop But if you have any questions, just feel free to let me know.

 

[Imagineering or Bust]

The Value Resorts all have the same basic foundation, that offer minimal expense for minimal amenities. But that doesn't determine the quality of your stay. Personally the only thing that I have heard is that the 'Everything PoP Food Court' is a little more preferrably than ASM's. Honestly though you should have no dounts about staying at PoP, as a member of the Front Office I'd like to say that we look forward to your visit and that if you require anything just ask, we'd be more than happie to assist you. :0)

Joshua

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

Your kids wont miss what they dont have. If they've never seen ASMo then dont worry about it. Theres always next time!
I think they'll love POP ('specially the 19yo), but dont you think ANY resort will pale in comparison to the parks anyway?

If this is their first experience at WDW, it will be fabulous regardless of where you stay.
Trust me-Im still trying to recapture that "first time" look on my kids faces everytime we go! We stayed at the cabins (no disney theming whatsoever) and its still very dear in our hearts just for that reason.
Relax and enjoy it.

 

[njb1148]

I can relate to your dilemma Mickeygirl. I had the same one. My 6 year old and I have stayed at ASMo for the past two years. This year I actually made reservations at CBR, but changed it to POP after reading quite a bit of negative information on various boards, I got nervous. Even after I made the change, I was still nervous about POP.
The thing is that we were very comfortable at ASMo because we know the layout and the routine. There are always folks who have different expectations and experiences while on vacation and they write posts that reflect THIER perception. What may have not been great for them, may be just terrific for me, so I am going to bite the bullet and try out a new resort. I am also hoping to go again at the end of this year and will try yet another resort.
Hang in there, no matter where we go, it will be Disney!!! Therefore it will get terrific!!

 

[DMRick]

I was one of those who had written that I thought very young kids would enjoy Movies more. We stayed at POP last week, and while I thought it was fine for us, I am trying to move my bil and family over to movies, but we can't get three rooms (so far) near each other. He's traveling with kids 3, 4, 8, 9, and I just think the kids will get a bigger kick out of movies, for their first time at Disney. However, it won't be bad if they end up at POP. I don't see much difference between the cafeteria's, except movies is more open, and POP has all these sections we went in and out of to find a seat. It was a little harder to see where hubby sat down, without going into each section. Both seemed to have the same food. Pop of course is newer, but still ended up with food all over the floor and sticky tables ..same kids with the same parents who don't pick up after them LOL. I only used the bus service to go to DTD, so bus service didn't matter for me. I think the bus service would be better for my bil at POP. We did more walking at POP for parking and to the main building, but that could happen if you are further away at movies (at least from the main building). The walking seemed a bit much for parking, but it didn't kill us...and was prob good for us.
The only real faults we found with Pop were the new pillows, were way too fat for us, and the AC was too high, which Tyler said they would have fixed if we had called. Housekeeping was the same (just OK), as was the size of the room.
I think you will be happy at either, and you can always go over to movies to visit.

 

[wickey's friend]

I've never stayed at the All Stars, so I can't give you a comparison. But, we did stay at Pop in December, and my whole family enjoyed it!

My 4-year-old loved the big Mickey, big Big Wheel, big Mowgli and Baloo, etc. He would have loved to have played in Goofy's jet fountain area (can't remember exact name), but it was too cold. He had a BLAST!

My 16-year-old liked to walk around and see all of the icons -- and checked out the pools. He loved the car next to Goofy's jet fountain area -- wanted to drive it home, lol!

We ate several times at the food court -- mostly breakfast, which we really liked. You can't beat Mickey waffles, and the biscuits are great! We ate two nights -- the veggie lasagna, meatball sandwiches and pizzas are very good. The mac and cheese is to die for! So are the cheesecake and the cookie/ice cream sandwiches.

We never waited very long for buses either -- even after Wishes at MK or Illuminations at Epcot. While there were a lot of folks waiting, they had plenty of buses coming to pick us all up.

So, this family really liked Pop -- I think you would be very happy with it.

 

[HuggaBaloo]

We just returned from 6 nights at Pop about a week ago and I have to agree with many of the posters above, especially twinx4. Below are some of my observations and/or suggestions. But, keep in mind that we are two adults so this is from an adult perspective. Also, in the past we have stayed at ASMovies (Toy Story) and ASSports. At PC we stayed in one of the 50s buildings.

* Because it just opened, PC is incredibly clean and everything seems brand new.
* It does have some minor improvements over the AS resorts (bigger safe, separate soap and shampoo instead of the dispenser, curtains overlap, etc.)
* We found the transportation to be, for the most part, better than at the AS resorts.
* I think the adults and older kids would prefer PC. The interior of the rooms is much more tasteful and subdued IMO than the AS resorts (which we found fun, but a little over the top), but there is still that Disney touch. Plus, I agree that you would have a blast taking the trip down memory lane at PC. It would probably encourage discussion among the adults and the kids (even the younger ones) that might not come up during your daily lives.
* ASMovies does have more character icons in the rooms and on its property, but PC does have characters in many areas (pools, courtyards).
* If you choose PC but are still concerned about the younger kids, I would recommend trying to get a room in one of the more recent decades (maybe 80s or 90s).
* If you haven't already, check out thePop Century FAQ Thread. I don't think you need to read every post. Tyler's first post pretty much sums up everything very well, including which icons are at each building and what the major difference are versus the AS resorts.
* Regardless of which building you stay in at PC, I would encourage you to walk around to some of the other buildings to take in the sights.
* We found the Food Court to be at least as good as the AS resorts, but sometimes better. The "TV Dinner" idea was very cute and the one night we tried it it was much better than I expected (Turkey, dressing, mashed potatos, green beans and a dinner roll...the meal changes based on the day of the week). We also liked the themed desserts like the Tie-Dyed Cheesecake. To be honest, we didn't want to eat dinner there every night but there's enough variety if you did. Also, for the kids (and some adults!) there is a frozen Coke machine in the Food Court and you can use your refillable mugs with it.

But, as someone else mentioned, what's good (or not good) for one person is not necessarily the same for another person. Just use your best judgment. You know your kids' personalities, likes, dislikes, etc. better than anyone on here. But, whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[westjones]

We stayed at the ASM a couple years ago, and last month we stayed at PC. I just asked my daughter which she liked the best and she said, "Pop Century, for sure!" Then I asked her which she liked better, Beach Club (our home resort for DVC) or Pop Century. She said, "Well, I like them both the same."

So from my 10 year old's review, PC is as good as a Deluxe Resort . NOW, from 'my' review, I loved PC and of all the value resorts I would choose it again in a heart beat! BUT I must admit, I like Beach Club better than PC.

BTW, we LOVED the tie-dyed cheese cake at PC. I do hope we get to go back again sometime!

DJ