Value resorts and picking one

[Mayl]

Well, we read up on all the reviews for the values and basically ended up back at square one..

Background. Wife, myself and two kids under 9 years old. We have done POR, FW Cabins, CSR for the last three visits to Disney

We are going in January of 2008 and figure we would try a value resort this time as in the past the in laws went with us and we wanted/needed more room.

Here is my take on values and trying to see what others think

POP: most popular. Seems due to having their own bus route. Beyond that, not sure what the appeal is.

All-music: good reviews but not sure if the theme would appeal to the kids

All-movies: best theme for my family, but have not heard one thing either way about this resort.

The combined buses really has scared my wife and if we go value, I will need to build a big case that it is not an issue ore my wife will so go POP

The pools are also a big factor as my kids love and I mean love hitting them. Food courts are ok. We would use them for breakfast mostly.

So what you all think.

 

[eventsdj]

I say go POP for a value.

 

[SweetSpellsSweetie]

I enjoyed All Star Sports because it is first on the bus route...first to be picked up, first to be dropped off - out of the three all stars.

Pop is just a liitle closer to everything though, so we tend to stay there if we do value - because we use the buses and then travel time is not as long.

 

[Irishhockey]

First of all... congrats on getting to plan another vacation We were in the same situation (minus the kids) and decided on ASmu:

ASmu just underwent a huge room renovation early this year which included brand new furniture, carpet, decor, and linens. The new rooms have a more "resort" feel then what you'll find at Pop and especially at Asmo, as well as a privacy curtain similar to what you can find at the Moderates. Comparing just the rooms, I did feel I'm getting "more for my money" with ASmu.

Second, ASmu now plays nightly poolside movies at the main pool area which can include cars, pirates, nemo, etc. Factor in the new afternoon pool games and again, ASmu was more "value for my money" compared to Pop.

I know the All Star's have a lot of negative rep... but I'm choosing to overlooking that for this trip. We stayed at Pop in January... and while we enjoyed it, we do feel we can get more value for my money with ASmu. Pop has it's advantages for sure... single bus stop, larger food court, 3 pools, newer resort, more appealing theme, and like you said a much better review history. ASmu isn't perfect... with the risk of large sport/school/tour groups, theme, and bus situation. Theres pluses and minuses with each resort... guess it just depends on what your willing to overlook/risk.

More and more reviews I read for the All Stars show very little frustration with the bus system though. I know Disney is in the process of releasing a new busing "system" that will keep resort waits between 5 and 15mins at ALL resorts, including the All Stars.

ASsp is also undergoing the refurb and does have a much stronger theme appeal. This could be a nice meet in the middle considering that it is the first to be picked up and dropped off when the resorts share.

Have fun!

 

[phillyatdisney]

I enjoyed both the ASSports and ASMovies, they both are very similar but the sports is closer and first for bus pickup. Staying at sports, music, or movies allows you to go to all three, they are very close. If I had to decide I would pick Sports..

Good luck and have fun....

 

[marvin12]

I have stayed at the asmu and we were very pleased with the buses, I see you stayed at por. to me it's no different,instead of many stops there are only 3 at the allstars the buses seem to come by more often. I think your children would love the asmu, the pool is really cute.

 

[marvin12]

I should have been more clear the 3 stops are allstar sports,asmu,and asmo.

 

[kikiq]

We were impressed by ASMU from our one night stay. There is plenty for the kids to do, loved the games they played with the kids, watched nemo the night we were there and the rooms were nice. As for transportation, the only bus that ASMU shared with the rest of the values was the bus from DTD. On Sunday afternoon, we just missed the ASMU bus, so we took the ASSP/ASMO bus, got off the first stop and walked maybe 5 minutes to our room in Calypso.

 

[salmoneous]

Keep in mind the resorts are 98% the same. It can be fun trying to choose based on that last 2%, but it's not anything to stress about. Just pick one and have a great vacation.

 

[SweetSpellsSweetie]

Second, ASmu now plays nightly poolside movies at the main pool area which can include cars, pirates, nemo, etc.
QUOTE]

I didn't know about the night time movies. That sounds fun!! I may just have to see about switching over to ASMovies instead of POP.