Which value resort should I pick

[morningdove]

I just booked a week at the Pop in January for myself, dh and 9 year old dd. Now I'm wondering if I should have picked the all star movies resort. Can anyone give advice on what their favorite one is and why? This is a surprise Christmas present and I want everything perfect. Please help.

 

[spiceycat]

lots of people love the Pop - others hate it.

I love it.

Lake, food court, bus service for me all have been great. Also loved their pools. the quiet pools are different. they have steps on all 4 sides. the lifeguard are watching little ones only. Adults are on their own. most adults however are fine. the water level is 4'.

Yes, the food court can get busy.

I haven't ever had a long wait for a bus here. I use my timer on my watch - so I know not guessing. the longest wait was 12 minutes to the MK.

I like the layout better than the All stars.

the all stars food court was never not busy - or it seemed that way.

Pop Century food court is busiest (my time not WDW) between 7:30 to 9:30 am - then at night between 5:30 to 7:30pm - then again at 9:30 to 11:00pm

 

[kellyf2626]

DH and I stayed at ASMusic one year, and thought it was great! We are staying with my family for a few nights at Pop in June 2006, and we started to get nervous reading some of the posts on the boards about Pop.

But...there are positive's and negative's about all places, and everyone has their own opinions. So, I think it will be fine. I compare it to reading some posts on restaurants - so many people don't like Alfredo's or San Angel Inn...and these are two of our favorites!

So, I think Pop will be great! Wish I could give you more info, but I am interested in hearing what others think!

Have a great trip!

 

[eam]

I love the POP!!!!! We stayed in the 70s section on the 4th floor.

The buses were horrible the first week in Oct. -- luckily we drove and used our car after one day with the buses.

Everyone was very friendly.

Be sure to make your ADRs!

 

[iluvcountry]

I think there are more big groups at All Stars, while Pop Century doesn't have as many. But both are nice.

 

[RoseRoni2]

I love the Pop, crowds at the food court are bad, but the food is good.

 

[NotTooGoofy]

I've stayed at both POP and ASMov and to me they are basically the same in terms of amenities, transportation, etc. I probably like the POP food court better than ASMov due to its size.


One thing I learned during my last stay at POP is not to get a room facing a pool. If the weather is warm, you can usually hear people outside swimming even after midnight, particular when the parks stay open late. The walls aren't so great keeping the noise out. But still, the value resorts are nice places to stay.

 

[RoseRoni2]

I agree with the last post, I had a room facing the pool and there were people in the pool well after midnight. It was hard to get to sleep.

 

[spiceycat]

so don't get the preferred view at Pop

 

[lustergirl]

Just came back from a week at the All Star Sports Resort- absolutely loved. The beds were small but we didn't spend much time in our room anyways. We were in the surf's up building which was real close to the lobby, food court, and the pool. We had a wonderful time. We never waited for a bus more than 5 minutes. Sports is first in line to get picked up and dropped off. I can't say enough about this resort.

Lisa

 

[DisneyDavO]

I just booked a week at the Pop in January for myself, dh and 9 year old dd. Now I'm wondering if I should have picked the all star movies resort. Can anyone give advice on what their favorite one is and why? This is a surprise Christmas present and I want everything perfect. Please help.

:
thewave:
We stayed at Pop last year and we thought it was great! We stayed at All Star 2 years ago, and thought it was great also. We had no problems with the buses at Pop, nor did we have any long waits in the food court. The best thing about the Pop is you can choose which decade you want to stay in, and its almost like being there!

 

[eblack0409]

DH and I just got back from our honeymoon and stayed at POP...we loved it...we had our own buses, which I think with the All Star resorts you share.

We are going back in May for our anniversary and will probably stay at AS Music....just to see what another resort it like. :thewave:

 

[music54]

i stayed in assp columbus day weekend-very last minute trip
it was the only hotel with rooms available
i had never stayed in value before
and though we had problems i think they were just bad luck
room keys didnt work for 2 days-sat outside room in the rain waiting for someone to let us in
and the safe was broken
they were small problems that can always happen
i was really impressed
for an admitted hotel snob i had a great time
and want to try a value again-looking to stay at pop for the spray fountains
but if i was to stay at an all star i would pick the sports because you are 1st picked up and ist dropped off at the busses

 

[katgarbars]

We stayed at All Star Movies last year, DD7 loved it.
This year we couldn't get the AAA discount there so I had to talk her into staying at Pop Century. Haven't stayed there yet. But in my opinion, a child would prefer the Movies, the older ones may prefer Pop. The kids seem to "get" the theming at Movies better.

 

[lovinthemouse]

We have stayed at ASMU and movies. All are Ok have about the same to offer. But the buses are soooo crowded and the wait time is long. I talked with a lady when we were at movies and she had stayed at Pop the year before and was much happier with the buses. If you have your own car I am not sure it would matter much.

 

[luvsdiznee]

I have stayed at all of the ALL Stars and my family stayed at POP last Dec. We loved it! The lake is nice and you can see fireworks from Epcot. My kids and father (60+) loved the arcade. Not sure if this is important to you but there is a bar inside next to the food court if you would like a cocktail at night. The All Stars only have pool bars. There are also squirting fountains that are pretty cool. I think your 9 year old will love POP!

 

[shelton463]

I can't provide a comparison, but we stayed at POP last year and are going back in less than 3 weeks. We love it! The food court IS busy, but we never had trouble finding a table and the food was really good. We went in February during President's Week (typically a pretty crowded time to visit)and didn't have any trouble at all with buses, never had to stand and never had to wait for more than 10 minutes or so. My 7 yo DS loved the arcade as well. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will have a great trip!

 

[morningdove]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Well we finally booked for 7 nights Jan. 12 to the 19th at PoP Century. Thanks everyone for the help.