Pop or Movies???

[have2getaway]

I will be traveling for free dining in September with dh, and ds (4). My son loves BUZZ and Woody so I thought easy decision--Movies, but now I am second guessing myself. My son has high functioning autism and too much sensory for him is not a good thing. A resort where he can escape and decompress is VERY IMPORTANT! He loves playgrounds, pools, and especially spray jets--this is where I am torn. I know he will LOVE the goofy spray jets at Pop and I am considering switching for that reason alone. My main concern is will Pop be too crowded? I have heard positives for both: better food court at the movies versus better buses at Pop. I originally thought I would stick with Movies because if it was too crowded I could always take him to the pool or playground at Music or Sports, which I hear are less crowded, BUT then there is the spray jets. I haven't heard much about spray jets being at Movies. I would love to do a moderate or rent DVC, but it's not in the budget for this trip. Ironically, I was faced with the same decision a year ago when we had to unexpectedly cancel our trip. As you can see, I still can't decide!

All Pop & Movies experts, and families with small children, please give me your advice!!!

 

[Priorityonecb]

We just got back from a split stay at POP and Movies! Go with POP. They have the water jet fountains which were nearly abandoned, so he would be able to spend time there with no crowds for the most part. I would never recommend Movies buses to a family with an autistic child. We were all overstimulated on those buses and mostly it was standing room only...especially at Movies being the last one on the route. It could very well set him off going to and coming from the parks.

He will love POP, and you could ask for a lake view which was as calming as it gets. We never heard neighbor noises or pool noises from our lake view. Even the food court was laid out in a more relaxing way than Movies, IMO. My dd9 has some very mild sensory issues, and she commented several times that Movies felt "closed in and uncomfortable" to her.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Priorityonecb]

One more thing to mention. During free dining, both resorts are going to be just as crowded...if not sold out. So, I'd pick the one with the better layout that accomodated that, which IMO is POP. Movies will feel more crowded just because of the bus situation.

 

[have2getaway]

PriorityoneCB:

Thanks for the feedback--this is exactly what I needed to hear. I will call and change the reservation tomorrow. Do you think they will accomodate the lake view room? That would be perfect!!!

The only reason I was picking Movies was because of Toy Story, but he has not been that into Toy Story lately. He also keeps saying he doesn't want to see any big characters. He scares very easily. I am concerned that the large Buzz and Woody may scare him. Either way, the important thing for the resort is that we can retreat there for peace. If we have a lake view in a quiet section, that will definitely do the trick!

 

[Priorityonecb]

They will tell you it's just a request, they cannot guarentee. But, most people will be wanting the pool view room so your chances are good. Have them put it on the reservation why you are asking, then be really sweet when you check in...and I bet you'll get it! Good luck!

 

[dclfun]

The only reason I don't like Pop is that for someone in a wheelchair there is no parking close to any building. For your son's issues though I would echo that Pop might be preferable. The bus situation was the same for both resorts though- just as crowded with standing room only at Pop at certain times, esp. early morning and of course at park closing. You may want to time your arrival and departures from the parks at less busy times. I always request a non preferred view which to me IS preferred since I like to be at the back of the resort by parking...I'd also think the lake view would be nonpreferred by most people due to the location. You might want to mention that it is for a medical need so that your request can at least receive a priority. Oh...and if you get to the resort and find you've been placed in another area ( once they thought they were doing me a favor by putting me in a preferred location ) just ask if there are any rooms available in a more quiet area and facing the lake. They can and will move you around if something else is available. ---Kathy

 

[phillybeth]

I was in the 80's, building 9, with a parking lot view, and it was VERY quiet. It was also less than a 2 minute walk to the water-jet area and playground. The playground seems to be very quiet and secluded- in 5 days I never saw anyone use it!
Yes, the main pool buses and food court are going to be busy and loud, but the rooms are quiet and the decor is subdued.

 

[have2getaway]

Thank you everyone for responding. I am still really torn. I have received feedback about both Pop and Movies, and even a suggestion to try Music because it might be quieter. I know the food court will be noisy, but I think we will just plan to bring our food back to the room whenever possible. I really don't want to spend more money, but I am honestly considering upgrading to CSR. I have heard great things about the buses and noise level for this resort, but again, the food court does not get good reviews. I like the idea of the lake that would be available at Pop or CSR. I also like that from Pop we might be able to see fireworks of Epcot. My son will never sit through fireworks, but he does enjoy looking at them from a distance. It is so difficult to know which resort to stay in when we don't know how he will react to the atmosphere. He will either love the icons or be terrified of them. I do like the idea the Music would allow us to be central. Is it still close enough to Movies that we could walk there to check things out one day? As you can see, I am thinking as I type, and I really haven't gotten very far in my thought process. Well, thanks again!!

 

[dclfun]

I wouldn't choose Music over Movies although you'd be able to walk to Movies if you wanted to check it out. I still think with your concerns you'd be better at Pop. It just seems more peaceful there out of the other choices. Hopefully you can see the Buzz and Woody characters at MGM. If you were going with a moderate I'd choose POFQ as the grounds aren't as large as the other moderates and you can take the boat to DTD. Has your son seen the planning DVD?---Kathy

 

[Priorityonecb]

It would be a long walk from Music to Movies. But, you could hop on any bus at Music and it will take you to Movies directly to pick them up for wherever the bus was going. Do this on a day that you can do a tour, then hop a bus to whatever park you are going to next.

 

[have2getaway]

Hi Everyone:

Thanks for all the feedback. We called today and upgraded to CSR. We liked the idea of the quietness of the hotel, along with excellent bus service! We are staying one night at Pop when we arrive because CSR didn't have availability our first night.