Need help picking a hotel

[MeganAnne]

Hello everyone! I have been to WDW for more than 20 trips, but I always went with my family and we never stayed on property. This May, my fiance and I are going to Florida to visit sick family and want to make a short detour to WDW for a few days. We just got back from Disneyland, so money is tight, but it is looking like WDW value resorts may be our best option, since we will only have 2-2.5 days in the park and want to take advantage of the EMH.

This is where you lovely people come in. I need help deciding which value resort to stay at. It looks like the All Star Sports and the Pop Century. I'm leaning towards All Star Sports because it's less expensive and as I said, money is tight, but the price difference in marginal ($20-$30) so we could probably swing the Pop Century.

Which hotel would you recommend? Why?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Missytara]

If I were doing an adults only trip, I would pick POP for my resort.

Good food court, does not share buses, and good location to Epcot for wonderful dinners.

I would request the era I grew up in.

 

[IhrkeFamily]

Pop is an awesome hotel with great features. If you don't think you can swing the extra dollars you will be fine with All Star Sports. It's the least chosen of the All Stars so usually lower occupancies. Sharing a bus isn't great, but we've stayed at All Stars many times and its never been an issue. During peak times they do give each one its own bus. My choice would be to save the money and buy a cute souvenir instead.

 

[reindeer]

I would (and have) chosen Music for adult only trip. It seems to be the least favorite for groups traveling with children. Sports would be my second choice. I found Pop to be very large and crowed. Even though they do not share buses we were still packed in on every bus. Often could not find a place to sit in the food court. I know several people that love Pop, I just didn't think it lived up to the hype. But, wherever you choose you will have a great time. Staying on property doubles the Magic. Cast Members and Mousekeeping are great at all the resort.

 

[jodywgirl]

There is the spring offer going on during that time if you go to special offers it will show you what values and when and what the discounts are. We were able to get all star music at 20% off the May 5-10th We've stayed at pop before it is fun and has a good food court but remember you will probably mainly sleep there especially with only a few days. We are excited to stay at music it seems a little more adult than pop and movies.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

I know you did not say music...but I would say music by far. We stayed at WL-4, OKW-1, BLT-1,movies-1, music-4 and pop-1. I know alot of people like pop but not my family. We found pop to be our least favorite. During busy times the food court is so loud. The gift store and dining room are all one. Lots of noise and kids. We have stayed at WL and music the most those are our two go to. POP is new and the one thing we did not like was it looks like a parking lot. Not many trees and they are small. Music is shaded with lots of trees which just makes it feel a little more like vacation. Things we like about pop...single bus no sharing, frozen coke (me only), and interactive water play areas for small kids. They also have ping pong tables. It is just so much louder. We went to visit sports and it tends to attract school teams. We went once during cheerleader week and if you go that week it will not matter where you stay they will all be loud.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Having stayed at all of them...my favorite is Pop because the busses and also the location. I prefer location of Pop over All stars.

 

[MeganAnne]

When I was looking into reservations, All Star Music seemed to be way more expensive, which is why I did not mention it. I will go back and research it again to see if it was a mistake.

Thank you so much for the feedback thus far! I think the cost may play a large role in where we stay, since we'll be barely affording this trip as is. But at the same time, I want to make sure we pick the right hotel!

 

[bnk1120]

I would stay at POP. Very fun. Good food court , pretty grounds, no shared busses.

Remember that life is short and enjoy your trip!

 

[62win]

My DH & I stayed at the POP a few years ago and were pleasantly surprised. It was clean and we really enjoyed their Food Court. You don't have to share buses and it was relaxing walking around the grounds remembering our childhood.

 

[MeganAnne]

We're still on the fence as to whether we can afford this trip, but if we do go, we've decided on staying at the POP! (unless a family member gets us a killer employee discount at the DTD Hilton or DoubleTree ).

Since we are definitely visiting EPCOT one day, and debating between MGM and MK for the second day, the POP's location seems to make more sense for this game-plan. We probably won't be eating at the food court (to save money) but not having to share a shuttle is a definitely a nice perk.

Thanks again for your help!