POP vs. All-Star Movies

[tomkatgirl]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and I am so happy that I found it! This is awesome! I am planning a trip for the first week of August for my family - we have 3 children ages 1 1/2, 3 1/2, and 14 yrs. I was debating between the All Star Movies Resort and the POP Century. I've read some great things about POP, but not much about All Stars. What do you guys recommend?

I was also considering staying offsite - any thoughts on that?

Just getting a little overwhelmed with all the info out there. ALso, not really sure which parks to visit - we were thinking 4 days of parks and the others to just relax. What do you recommend considering the ages of my children?

Any guidance is so much appreciated!!

Kathy

 

[2timer]

We have stayed at ASMo when it was newly open and we loved it but now POP is newly open so we are staying there. I have read several post comparing both and here is a link to one you may like to read...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=763333&highlight=love+pop

OR SEARCH POP VS MOVIES...

we al,so staying at Wilderness Lodge and liked ASMO better except for the pool slide...that was it! yes Wl was beautiful to look at, but room was nothing special and food court, was a one room cafeteria....really...and not anywhere the food selections....soooo why pay more! LOL

HAVE FUN!

 

[tomkatgirl]

Thanks 2timer!

Looks like POP has it - that was what I was leaning toward anyway. I have read through the POP thread and there's a lot of good info out there. I am soooo excited about going! Looks like a great place! Thanks again!

Kathy

 

[ktink]

Another vote for Pop, I think you and the kids will love it!

 

[tomkatgirl]

Great! Any room recommendations? I'd like a great view for the kids (4 yo and 14 yo) and quiet for the baby's naps. But, also convenient so there's not such a hike. I read that the rooms are quiet for the most part.

I was also considering getting adjoining rooms - I can't imagine all of us in one room, I think it would be disruptive for the baby (20 mos).

Thanks for the advice!

Kathy

 

[ktink]

Kathy, the 60's are the premiere location, but the 50's is a wonderful location as well and I like the 50's theme. You should have no problem with either of the 2, but stay away from the 80's and 90's, we stayed in the 80's and it was a long walk at the end of the day.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I LOVED Pop (and dd did too!). In fact, I'm staying there again!

 

[maroonmom07]

I think you will be happy at either the All Star or Pop. My guess is that your children would prefer the All Star...the icons and decorations would be more familiar to them than the stuff at Pop.

Even if you have to stretch the budget, don't stay off site . With little children, having the ability to get on the bus at any time to get back to the hotel for a nap is priceless. Our family has been to Disney many times, and I cannot tell you how often our group breaks up...one parent staying in the park and the other going with one or more children back to take a break. If you have to use your own transportation, this is so much more difficult to do...and I think it leads to those incredibly cranky families you see who have stayed in the park WAY too long.

 

[pongoperdigirl]

I stayed in ASMovies last May and I LOVED it!!!!!!!!! I would stay there again, but I am giving Pop a try this time. The food court was great...you can split the double cheeseburgers they are so big. I would not stay off-site again. I was spoiled by all the benefits of staying on site....the transportation, extra hours (although I never went early..I'm too lazy ) it's worth it...plus you can have purchases sent to your resort

 

[klwdisney]

We've stayed at the ASMo and loved it and are trying POP this time too.

As for your 4-day plan, I think you might be pushing it to get all 4 parks done in 4 days with 3 kids. You may want to just plan on 5 days so you can go back on the 5th day to see things you missed or go back and do your favorites if you want. It's a long day at the parks to try and see everything in that one day at each park, in our experience anyway. Just MHO.

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[tomkatgirl]

Keep it coming! I appreciate all of your input.

As for parks - I am thinking Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and maybe Epcot. We are also going to do Sea World. I just wanted a day or to to relax. We'll have 7 days, so we may have to spread it out some. I've only done Magic Kingdom so I don't know what to expect from the others.

I was also wondering if you guys recommend booking separate or doing some sort of package deal. I'm a AAA member and was going to go through them.

One last question.....what do you guys all do for meals? I've never stayed anywhere without a kitchenette.

Thanks again to everyone!

Kathy

 

[DMRick]

My grands prefer Movies, but had a great time at Pop. I prefer Pop, because their seems to be less kids, and it's newer. Any of the values is great.
We eat, when around the resort, in the food court, and often bring our own oatmeal) they have hot water down there along with our bowls and utensils. If we order food, we (adults) get the kids breakfast without the roll, and always have along bagel bread from home (travels well..and they have a toaster for our use). When we have the grands, we bring bread and P&J, the simple packets of mac and cheese (yup, they have a micro you can use too)and eat that in the food court as well. We usually throw in some micro popcorn. We buy the mugs, so the kids can have all the refills of pop, apple juice and lemonade, as well as hot chocolate.

 

[DisneyGirl928]

I have stayed at all the all stars and in may i am staying at the Movies for the first time.. i have never stayed at the POP .. but i believe that all stars are definately more for your children! they are perfect and great! i loved them!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If you're thinking of doing 2 value rooms you might want to consider a room at WL or AKL. For the same price you would get a queen bed, and you could get either bunk beds or a second queen bed and a pack and play. YOu would get more amenities and WL has a boat that goes to MK and FW.

 

[tomkatgirl]

Thanks to everyone! DisneyMomx7 - I went out and checked at WL and AKL and it would cost too much - I just want the little ones to have a separate room so that me and DH don't bother them. I just know that by the time we get back to the room, they will be ready to crash and we will be ready for a little TV or whatever in the room.

I am soooo....excited about this trip. My mom has a time share that would cost us $500 for the week and this is going to be about $1500 (Yikes!) - So, now we're wondering if it's worth the extra $1,000. These resorts look like so much fun though! And the pools will be perfect for all three children. Do they also have some activities for the children on the resort as well?

Thanks again for all the great tips!

Kathy

 

[Crazy Kanga]

My mother in law has a timeshare, and we used it for a trip once, and it was the worst trip we have had to WDW. Staying on site is SO worth it to me!

 

[linfin]

stayed at movies twice enjoyed it both times, good food court, tons of kids at the pool, bus transportation pretty good, cast members nice.

 

[DizChick05]

I think you should go to Pop Century, because it is the newest of the disney resorts and also because everyone i've talked to said it was a great resort! If your resort choices are flexible, I'd suggest the BoardWalk. It also has some great munchies as you stroll up and down the BoardWalk! All in all i'd say the Pop Century. I hope you have some fun in the sun!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

I strongly suggest POP. I've never been there, but I've most definetely done my research. POP's less crowded crowded: not good!), has more rooms, has good variety in "years" and I do believe its own bus system. I was gonna stay there, except my mom suggested the Poly. Best of luck with your choice and have fun!

Tiger