Which value resort did/would you choose??

[DISNEYmooner2008]

DF and I will be honeymooning at WDW in January and staying at AKL. This is our first trip to WDW and we are sooo happy!!! We are also planning on booking a package for 2009 around September and will be accompanied by my parents who have also never been to WDW. We will need to book a value resort and were just wondering which you would/did choose and why?? Thanks so much!!!

 

[Shmily1]

Out of the value resorts, I have stayed atleast 5 times at Pop Century (too many times so it gets cloudy!) but have never stayed at the All Stars. I love Pop! It is the atmosphere that is so awesome. The food court is good and you can find anything in the shop including Mickey Crocs (that's where I got mine last Christmas!). If you stay in the preferred rooms, you will be closer to the bus stop and the main building. We stayed there last Christmas but we were not around the pool and were on the third floor so it was very quiet... except for us coming back from MVMCP about 1:30 am!! The busses are dedicated to Pop so no other resort is on your bus and only one stop for all, unlike the All Stars. It's just soooo convenient!

This Christmas, we are staying at ASMu. I chose this one because my DS and DD love music and I thought it would be fun to try something different. It looks like the same design as Pop but smaller so we decided to try it. Also, ASMu was recently rennovated.

Hope this helps. Have a great time andcongratulations on your wedding!!!

 

[spiceycat]

stayed at all the value resorts.

Pref Pop.
lake views - are standard
love Lady & tramp - so having their Icons on my building BIG PLUS +
like food court
love the frozen cokes
the staff is wonderfully!!!

if you go take some time and look around - it is a fun resort to look at.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I've stayed at all of the values over the years and have for a long time preferred Pop Century over the AllStars - however, after our trip in September (DH & I) we've decided to try AllStar Music in January for our quick getaway. I really like Pop, but it's huge, food court and shopping are fantastic but there are tons & tons of people all over that resort. When we went it was the tail end of free dining & it was full. However my biggest complaint overall was the amount of unsupervised kids running around the resort, especially up & down the hallways after 10pm. Inconsiderate neighbors slamming doors constantly (they'd put the lock flipped out so that the door didn't close) and this was late at night too. We also chose a preferred room, but didn't feel that was what we received - I did write Disney and a really great Disney rep called, we talked - totally understand the areas they consider preferred over what I considered preferred for the money - so this time we decided to try Music since it's recently been refurbished. It all just depends on what theming you'd like & how many people you want to interact with while at the resort. Keep in mind that POP doesn't share buses with any other resort so that is a plus over the AllStars.

Have a great time at Disney....................

 

[debbiedana]

I haven't stayed at any of the All Stars but I just love Pop. Nice food court and retail, clean as can be, dedicated buses that run very frequently, fun theme and great CM's make this my resort of choice.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Seems like the consensus so far is POP

 

[Dengar]

The only one I stayed at was the Pop Century.

The rooms are quite small, but I bet they all are. The main lobby is really nice too, it's fun to just look around the place. Also, if you plan on going with your parents.. I'm sure they'll have a grand time looking at all of the sceneries.

You can look off from a distance, and see the "Legendary Years." It's like an unfinished addition to the hotel (not a Disney expert, as you can see ), which is pretty much like an old ghost town. Also, at some parts.. I believe you can see the Sorcerer's Hat (or is it Spaceship Earth?). It's pretty far away, but still enjoyable to take a few minutes to look at.

Also, if you plan to goto the parks.. come back to the hotel and rest.. the Pop Century is awesome for that. You don't share any bus's with anyone else, except people from your hotel. So it's usually pretty pleasant, and not all that crowded. Of course, at the end of the day (usually around 9pm/10pm) it's really crowded.. and expect to wait in line!

 

[jennilynn510]

DF and I will be honeymooning at WDW in January and staying at AKL. This is our first trip to WDW and we are sooo happy!!! We are also planning on booking a package for 2009 around September and will be accompanied by my parents who have also never been to WDW. We will need to book a value resort and were just wondering which you would/did choose and why?? Thanks so much!!!

We LOVE pop...this january will be our 4th stay at the resort. I have to agree to save your money on a preferred room its not that much closer & being newly weds i would want to be as far away from screaming kids as i could get.

 

[Tine731]

Based on the info you have provided....4 adults and no kids....I would choose Music. Out of the values this is the most quite and laid back. There is a Dis'er (I can not remember their screen name) that LOVES All Star Music and provides alot of great info on this resort. Maybe someone here could provide a link to her threads. Pop is large and loud...its great fun if you have kids but for your parents 1st trip I would choose something a a bit more "calm".

 

[minnie61650]

All Star Music is my Favorite Disney owned resort.
It tends to quietest and most relaxing of the value resorts.
DH and I enjoy relaxing by the pools and seeing the resort lit up at night.
All Star Music also has more landscaping, trees, and greenery than the other values. I love the rose garden by the Broadway section of ASMU :

Photo from allearsnet

All Star Music just underwent a refurbishment of all of the rooms and was completed in June 2007.


Here is a website with photos of the newly refurbished rooms at All Star Music.

Look at the Jazz Inn section with new posted:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_asmu.htm




Here is a list of differences between the two resorts.

Pop is newer.
Pop was built in 2003.
All Star Movies was built in 1999.
All Star Sports and Music were built in 1994.

All Star Music is undergoing a refurbishment of all of the rooms and was completed in June 2007.


All Star Sports is slated to be refurbished between June 2007 and Feb. of 2008.

Pop has a lake. The All Stars do not have a lake.

When staying at the All Stars you use any of the All Stars pools.
The 3 All Stars are within easy walking distance of each other.

The gift shops are separate from the food court at the All Stars.
The gift shop and food court are combined at Pop.

Pop has 2,880 guest rooms. 4 floors in each building.
Each of the All Stars has 1,960 rooms. 3 floors in each building.

Both Pop and the All Star rooms are 260 square feet.

The beds at the All Stars are movable.
The beds at Music have the new pillowtop matresses and are very comfortable

The beds at Pop at bolted to the floor.
The matresses at Pop are the old style and according to many are quite hard.

The far bed at an All Star is closer to wall. And the near bed is not as close to the doorway as it is at Pop

The far bed at Pop is pulled away from the wall more. The near bed is closer to door.
http://allearsnet.com/acc/asmv59.jpg
http://allearsnet.com/acc/popcent56.jpg

For most people that would not make a difference but since I need an EVC
the bed being so near the door at Pop makes it more difficult for me to back my EVC in.

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[Koda]

We have stayed at both POP and ASMu, with our kids, and loved both. If it was an adult only trip, I would definitely choose ASMu. This resort has more of a relaxed atmosphere, and was a bit quieter. We stayed in one of the Jazz buildings (not preferred), and had only a few minutes walk to the food court and buses. I agree with previous posters that the POP food court is larger, and offers more of a selection, but the ASMu food court had some good choices (the chicken penne alfredo was great!).

Have a great trip, wherever you stay!

 

[alldiz]

I have only been at POP....it was good.

Nice to have a large indoor checkin/store/foodcourt....place to hang
if it rains...

No shared buses....

I agree about Asmu.....many things I have read say that value is the quietest...Maybe a AsMu suite would be best.

If free dining is going on....POP will be a ZOO....although I'm sure all
the values will be.
Happy planning..
Kerri

 

[Disneycrazycrewuk]

Our 1st trip last sep we stayed at Pop Century. We loved this resort because of the larger than life figures and the comfy rooms.
This year we will be staying at all star sports,wished we had of been going back to pop again but i know we will never find out what other resorts are like if we never try them.
Sep 08 we will be staying at the cbr as this looks such a gorgeous resort.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

So it looks like POP is the best overall value resort, but ASMu is the best value resort for adults. This trip will be me, DH, and my mom and dad who have never been to WDW - this will be me and DH's 2nd trip. I guess ASMu is looking like the best option for us. Someone mentioned ASMu Suites. Does anyone know the price comparison beween that and a regular room??

 

[Doc CW]

All-Star Movies is my favorite I like the theming the best

 

[minnie61650]

So it looks like POP is the best overall value resort, but ASMu is the best value resort for adults. This trip will be me, DH, and my mom and dad who have never been to WDW - this will be me and DH's 2nd trip. I guess ASMu is looking like the best option for us. Someone mentioned ASMu Suites. Does anyone know the price comparison beween that and a regular room??

Just an FYI



For comparison, the price of a Family Suite is $9-11 more then 2 Standard Rooms, or $13-15 less the 2 Preferred Rooms, depending on season.



Note: there is no extra fee for extra adults in a Family Suite.
1-6 adults can stay in a Family Suite at the regular rate.
The values charge $10 extra a night for each additional adult .
(only 2 adults are included in the room rate.)

AAA now has dicounts on the Family Suites.
Codes and other discounts have also been offered.
Keep your eyes open for specials!


Remember a fridge is included in AS Suite.

Fridges cost $10 a night to rent when staying at a value . Don't forget the Queen size bed,a coffee pot and microwave are also in Family Suites.
The Family Suites are located in the Calypso and Jazz buildings. Those buildings are the buildings which are nearest to the main pool ,food court and bus stop.
That means less walking to and from your room!

Here is the website for the 2007 & 2008 room rates:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-2007.htm
------------------------------------------------------------

DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) in Sept. of 2006.

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no metal bar to hurt the sleepers back.
The sofa folds out and sleeps two. Both the chair and ottoman also fold out into a twin bed and each sleep 1 person.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

Here is my review of the Suites:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Just an FYI



For comparison, the price of a Family Suite is $9-11 more then 2 Standard Rooms, or $13-15 less the 2 Preferred Rooms, depending on season.



Note: there is no extra fee for extra adults in a Family Suite.
1-6 adults can stay in a Family Suite at the regular rate.
The values charge $10 extra a night for each additional adult .
(only 2 adults are included in the room rate.)

AAA now has dicounts on the Family Suites.
Codes and other discounts have also been offered.
Keep your eyes open for specials!


Remember a fridge is included in AS Suite.

Fridges cost $10 a night to rent when staying at a value . Don't forget the Queen size bed,a coffee pot and microwave are also in Family Suites.
The Family Suites are located in the Calypso and Jazz buildings. Those buildings are the buildings which are nearest to the main pool ,food court and bus stop.
That means less walking to and from your room!

Here is the website for the 2007 & 2008 room rates:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-2007.htm
------------------------------------------------------------

DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) in Sept. of 2006.

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no metal bar to hurt the sleepers back.
The sofa folds out and sleeps two. Both the chair and ottoman also fold out into a twin bed and each sleep 1 person.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

Here is my review of the Suites:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

Thanks for taking the time to give me all of that info!! DH and I would rather have a totally separate room and since a family suite is still more expensive than two rooms at ASMu we will probably just go with two rooms.

 

[minnie61650]

Thanks for taking the time to give me all of that info!! DH and I would rather have a totally separate room and since a family suite is still more expensive than two rooms at ASMu we will probably just go with two rooms.

I agree. In the case of 2 couples I would do the same. The Family Suites are a great option for couples with children. The parents can have their own bedroom area and know the family will still be together.
When families opt for connecting rooms they do not always get connecting rooms and then the parents have to split up.

Have fun at Disney!

 

[MickeyNicki]

The first time we stayed onsite was at ASMu because the rate was $49 per night and we do not like sports and the movies was full.

Our second value stay was shortly after POP opened and I was dying to stay there because of the theming.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

It looks like ASMu is the way to go!! Thanks everyone!!!