Values: ease of access to MK/EPCOT

[Cubbiecakes]

Hi folks,

We’re doing a very quick trip next May. For the following three resorts, which one tends to have the best access to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT?

• All-Star Movies
• All-Star Music
• Pop Century

We won’t have a car this trip, so we’re trying to figure out which resort will give us the least headaches as far as transportation goes.

Any comments/suggestions?

 

[Marionnette]

Hi folks,

We’re doing a very quick trip next May. For the following three resorts, which one tends to have the best access to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT?

• All-Star Movies
• All-Star Music
• Pop Century

We won’t have a car this trip, so we’re trying to figure out which resort will give us the least headaches as far as transportation goes.

Any comments/suggestions?

Disney transportation is hit or miss at all of the resorts. Unless you are within walking distance (and none of the Value Resorts are) you're at the mercy of the bus system.

However, while the AllStars sometimes share buses, POP always has its own dedicated buses.

 

[OKW Lover]

Agree with the PP that you really can't decide on a resort based on transportation. There is just so much variability. At best, Pop Century is a bit closer to the MK & Epcot. Doesn't mean its faster or easier to get there though.

 

[stinkpickle]

Uber. For MK, just have them drop you off at the Contemporary and walk over.

 

[Huff]

They are all going to be about the same since all require use of the Disney buses.
If flying into Orlando it's a free Disney bus ride to/from your resort at All Stars or Pop.

As stated All Stars do share buses sometimes but its not often. At park opening and park closing or other busy times they have dedicated buses same as Pop. At slower times the All Stars might share buses. While I like the Pop resort a bit better than the All Stars, it is a huge resort and can be more crowded in the food court and bus lines to return at park closing.

Once at MK or EP its an easy ride on the monorail to get from one park to the other.

 

[DazzleT]

Will the pop gondola be open by then?

 

[Pmlocke]

POP obviously due to its' nearness to both EPCOT and MK is the clear winner for easier access to these parks. I also agree with many of the above attached comments that the All Stars share-only when ridership is very low such as in the middle of the afternoon when you can find 2 or 3 riders on the bus. Huff did make a good point. In the morning, POP has, if the hotel is full, people coming out of 2,880 rooms looking to catch that bus to the MK or EPCOT. AS Music on the other hand only has 1,604 rooms, that equates into less people jockeying for those few bus seats-not to mention the limited seats in the dining hall, gift shop, pool, and those horrible bus lines at closing. I have stayed at POP and AS Music and found that we like Music much more. Our preference. Not trying to cause any undue influence on anyone and I am not saying POP isn't as good or nice as Music, just that my wife and I prefer Music, that's all.

 

[GreatLakes]

I've had good bus experience at POP and agree with a PP that said not to let this be your deciding factor. I would go strictly by which resort had the better price and if that isn't different enough to make a decision I'd go POP since it is newer and I just like it a little better.

 

[Marionnette]

Will the pop gondola be open by then?

Disney has not committed to a completion date for the Skyliner system, but my guess would be no. I'm basing it on the rumored completion of the Riviera resort, which is supposed to be in the fall of 2019. The gondolas pass thru the Riviera station, so I would not expect them to be operating until late 2019.

 

[fla4fun]

I've had good bus experience at POP and agree with a PP that said not to let this be your deciding factor. I would go strictly by which resort had the better price and if that isn't different enough to make a decision I'd go POP since it is newer and I just like it a little better.

I just returned from 11 days at Pop and the only bus issue was the long walk to the temporary stops at DHS. I have actually had worse bus service at deluxe than at values. At the values I think they are more prepared to move large numbers of guests quickly, as opposed to a more laid back approach at the higher levels. I really like that the values have organized, roped off queues at the resort instead of the free for all bus loading at the mods and deluxes.

If you were going to spend most of your time in one park (for example, a four day trip to focus on Food and Wine at Epcot) then I would pick the resort based on the proximity to where you are spending your time. If you plan to visit the parks evenly, then any resort will be as good as the next from a transportation standpoint.

 

[Poutine]

If all all-stars are sharing, go for sports, first stop.