value resort comparisons?

[Giselle22]

I am planning a large family trip to WDW in mid-January 2013--we'll be staying at one of the villas once everyone arrives, but my mom and I are going to go a few days earlier than our families so we can participate in the half-marathon, and are going to book a room at one of the value resorts for our first couple nights. I seem to hear a lot of good things about pop but I feel like I don't see as many comments about the all-star resorts. Are there very big differences between the resorts/rooms? Do you prefer pop or all-star, and why? Thanks!

 

[jaminmd]

I am planning a large family trip to WDW in mid-January 2013--we'll be staying at one of the villas once everyone arrives, but my mom and I are going to go a few days earlier than our families so we can participate in the half-marathon, and are going to book a room at one of the value resorts for our first couple nights. I seem to hear a lot of good things about pop but I feel like I don't see as many comments about the all-star resorts. Are there very big differences between the resorts/rooms? Do you prefer pop or all-star, and why? Thanks!

I can only answer you about POP. I've stayed at all three levels of WDW resorts and we loved POP, with the exception of the full size beds. The rooms were refurbished last year and they were very clean and nice. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

 

[Millie12591]

I think the reason you don't see as many posts about all star is due to the fact that it's not as new as POP. POP has a better overall feel. If you mean all stars as in all the resorts, music, movie, etc. then yes, POP has an over all feel of better quality. Most people take their little kids to Movie's, the sports one doesn't have an appeal to a lot of women.

POP on the other hand has an appeal everyone can enjoy. I know it use to be that the other all star resorts were older and a bit on the run down side compared to POP, now that they have refurbed the rooms I'm not sure what the consensus is.
Also the food courts in the all stars compared to POP is a big difference. POP's food court is pretty darn good, I don't hear that about the all stars resorts.

You may want to note the buses are shared through out All Stars, POP has it's own bus and doesn't share with other resorts. Major plus in my book when we were looking at which value to stay in.

I'm not sure when you will be staying in WDW, but the Art of Animation will be open May 31st, and I believe the standard rooms The Little Mermaid rooms(not just the suites) will be open Sept. 15. Might be nice to stay there if you love new resorts and that fact that they are celebrating The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo, and Little Mermaid movies. I think they are taking reservations now and Art of Animation AofA has it's own bus too.

Have a magical time now matter what resort you pick!

 

[maxiesmom]

Also the food courts in the all stars compared to POP is a big difference. POP's food court is pretty darn good, I don't hear that about the all stars resorts.

You may want to note the buses are shared through out All Stars, POP has it's own bus and doesn't share with other resorts. Major plus in my book when we were looking at which value to stay in.

I want to say that I love the food courts at the All Star Resorts. The hot Italian sandwich is soo good! Plus the rotisserie chicken is good too.

Also, it is simply not true that the All Stars share a bus. Sure they do doing off peak times, but most of the time each resort has its own bus. Which is a plus, because then you have way fewer people competing for those bus seats!

Even after saying all of that, I have to admit that for my next trip I am torn between the All Stars and Pop too. I love the All Stars (the referbed rooms look great, btw) but I think the Pop just plain looks fun. Hard choice!

 

[reindeer]

I am in the minority. I don't like pop. I thought it was too big, too crowded, the food court was so crowded we would have to walk around for 5 minutes just to find a table, and the buses may not share but they are packed and would often have to wait for a second bus. I prefer Music when staying at value resorts. It is a tad smaller and a good choice for adult only groups.

 

[Giselle22]

Thanks all for the feedback! Sounds like, since the all-star resorts have refurbished their rooms, any of the value resorts would be a good choice, especially since we'll only be there a couple nights. I would like to stay in one of the new little mermaid rooms...we'll have to decide if the slightly higher cost is worth it for our short stay Otherwise I suppose I'll just pull up a lot of pics and look them over with my mom and decide that way

 

[FancyNancy]

I can tell you that I am a complete girly girl and so is my daughter and we both love All Star Sports! It's clean and bright. The grounds are very well kept and easy to navigate and the End Zone Food Court is fabulous I'm sure the other ones are nice too. But I always try to book AsSports.

 

[dclfun]

I like both Pop and ASMu. ASMu had lots of fun activities the last time we were there, but I think Pop has them now too. I like the grounds, the rooms are clean and really pretty since the refurb and the biggest plus...comfy beds when you get back tired and weary. At the end of the day, I'm always tired and weary. I also like ASSports but they often have cheer or football groups which can sometimes be noisy. It's usually happy noise though if that makes a difference!. If you are going for the Marathon you might see if they have a special resort and pricing just for those who are doing the event.

 

[twinboysmom]

We personally think they're all about the same. If pressured to choose a favorite I would choose movies. I like the layout of all the all stars over pop, but movies layout for us wins hands down. It is also the most recently renovated, completing in November of 2011. As for buses, we have stayed at all and I don't find much difference. While pop may only service pop, I still found their buses crowded and we had to wait at times for the next one. As for all stars sharing, they only share during non peak times so not too big of a deal (like from 11am -4pm or so). I would choose whichever theme you all like and go from there. Have a great trip!