Pop vs All Stars Movies

[SKYYCAMEL]

I'm currently booked at All Stars Movies in September. On this forum, I seem to see a lot more love for Pop then for ASM. I was just wondering if Pop was worth the extra $25 per night and, if so, why? FYI, it's just me and the wife. Thanks!

 

[WEDWDW]

The main difference to me is that POP has a beautiful Lake.

Also the All-Stars sometimes "share" buses while POP does not,BUT POP is 4 stories instead of 3 and therefore has more Guests so to me the bus situation is not a huge factor.

 

[pattyw]

We've stayed at both and do prefer POP. I think it's just more of a fun atmosphere! But I would have no problem staying at ASMO again. We did not get a preferred room(as we like to be in a quieter area) and we thought it was quiet, and the walk to the main building was not long. Also, when we stay at the values, we don't spend much time at the resort, so if that's the case with you, maybe save the $$ and splurge on a nice dinner!

 

[brockash]

I'm currently booked at All Stars Movies in September. On this forum, I seem to see a lot more love for Pop then for ASM. I was just wondering if Pop was worth the extra $25 per night and, if so, why? FYI, it's just me and the wife. Thanks!

We much prefer Movies - just seems more Disney to us and we like that it's a smaller resort and we just like the layout of the resort more. For us, the only thing Pop has over Movies is the bus situation and even then it doesn't seem like it's a huge benefit. Pop doesn't share with any resorts...ever (as close to never ever as it gets), Movies will sometimes share with the other All-Stars, but not at park closing.

Our next trip we're staying at Pop, but only because Movies didn't offer free dining and Pop did. We don't dislike Pop, we just really like Movies.

 

[WaukeshaRob]

We just got back a week ago from All Star Movies. Our last (and only other) Disney trip was in April of 2015 and we stayed at Pop. Based on comments, reviews, etc. we were a bit worried about staying at All Star Movies but we loved it. We originally chose Movies over Pop for the sake of staying somewhere different and because we thought our boys would love to stay in the Toy Story section (and they did love it!).

The differences that we found might also be due to different times of the year, but All Star Movies was a bit quieter than Pop. We also paid for a preferred room so we were in the building right next to the main building, which made it easy to refill our mugs, etc. In the entire time that we were there, we only shared buses with the other All Stars once.

Our room was a bit worn, but nothing terrible.

 

[JennyDrake]

Agree with WaukeshaRob:

Movies (and all the AS) will be quieter than Pop (see my signature--I have multiple stays at each of the values); I think you can't beat the theming at Movies for a 100% Disney fix.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I love both resorts. They're both quiet similar to be honest. I love Pop for the lake...if you can get a lake view, its so serene and pretty. Plus i love walking over the bridge to check out Art of Animation resort (I love their food court!). Plus the vibe at pop is awesome....love how the gift shop is connected to the food court. Having said that, yes movies is a smaller resort (a bonus) and it does have the classic disney characters. You'll definitely get your disney fix here. Plus since youre very close to both music & sports, you can easily hop over to check things out there if you wanted to. I love movies and would stay here again in a heart beat.

In your situation, $25 EXTRA per night for pop is honestly not worth it. I'd pick whichever cost less...I'd definitely just stay with movies. You will love it!

 

[loves to dive]

I haven't stayed at movies but have stayed at sports and Pop, given the choice and if I couldn't go up to a moderate, I'd probably choose whichever one is less. I liked Sports more than Pop, it was smaller which meant that the food court and public areas weren't as loud or as crowded as Pop. My room at Sports was a tad nicer than the one at Pop. I had no problems with the size of Pop, I really don't find the size of any of the resorts from deluxe down to value as that big and I certainly wouldn't pay for preferred at any of them. The view makes no difference to me in a value or moderate, since they have outside walkways, I don't open my shades any way, I'd rather people not look into my room as they are passing by and you pretty much have to step outside your room to see the view because of the walkway in front of your window.

 

[HopperFan]

Stayed at them all.
- POP was built later, has much nicer landscaping and lake with walking path.
- Have only experienced noise/people issues during BTG and that hits all the values (at AoA just the food court).
- We like 50's lake view, quiet, peaceful and rarely see other guests.
- Food Courts are comparable, only Sports & Music have never ones.
- Bus won't make or break but POP doesn't share. Not issue in am at AllStars but lots of sharing going back at night, rough at closing.
- Movies is VERY popular with young families ... POP doesn't have that feel, as adult group we prefer to avoid.
- POP is small footprint, no bad walks so that is a non-issue.
- Sports is our favorite AllStar (never thought I'd say that).
- $25 a night a big difference, def wouldn't pay it if it were Sports .... I might if Movies.
- NOTE: POP is supposed to start a renovation this month. It is being projected that the new rooms or some of the new rooms will have a Queen bed. This would be a huge perk for couples. BUT by September odds against you for a new room if they get started now.

 

[PinGorilla]

I've stayed at both and I really can't recommend one over the other as my wife and I enjoyed POP and ASM equally. You can't go wrong with either and I'd suggest sticking with your current reservation unless you've been there already. There was definitely less walking involved with ASM over PoP.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I've stayed at all the All Stars multiple times and POP multiple times. The are all pretty even for me but if I had to select a favourite it's probably the All Stars (music or movies). I don't enjoy how big and crowded POP is. This is probably why the All Stars have an edge with me. Each one is much smaller than POP but you have access to them all if you want. I always recommend that people select the theme that most appeals to them because the rooms are all the same and the amenities are also the same. POP does have the lake that the others don't but unless you jog or plan to take walks you might not ever see it.

Is it worth extra money to stay at POP? That's an absolute no. You would be further ahead to spend some extra on getting a preferred room at ASMo.

 

[joyjoy]

We've stayed at ASMu (2x), Pop, and ASMo. By far, our fave of these value resorts is Movies. My problem with Pop is, to me, the food court is overwhelming and crazy. Movies is smaller and cuter and more classic. All that said, I'm doing Disney these days with a little one. My daughter has a 3 y.o. and we took her for the first time last year and it was beyond magical. So much so we're going back again this Sept and staying at Movies again. We NEVER went back to back years in the past and preferred moderate or deluxe, but hey. Things change. Movies is awesome, though.

 

[SKYYCAMEL]

Thanks for all your replies. I feel better about choosing ASM now.