Help... Thinking of Changing my Resort and don't want to make a mistake

[coldasice880]

I am staying at Pop Century in about 50 days. I have stayed at Pop Century for the past two years and really want to change my resort this year to try something new. I called Disney to price an upgrade and can't afford that, so I am stuck with one of the All Star Resorts. I have heard that the All Star Resorts share bus service. I am afraid of this as having stayed at Pop there have been times where my little one's have had to stand on the buses, and that's without sharing a bus with other resorts. So, is it worth it to switch to one of the All Star Resorts and do you know what order the buses run in. What hotel do they go to first, second third? Thanks.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

Stay with Pop. It's the best value.

 

[btk2333]

Stay with Pop. It's the best value.

+1 I would definitely prefer Pop to the All-Stars at this point. Not having to share a bus is fantastic

 

[worldfanatic]

So, is it worth it to switch to one of the All Star Resorts and do you know what order the buses run in. What hotel do they go to first, second third? Thanks.

The buses hit Sports 1st, Music 2nd, and Movies 3rd.
This alone is a good reason to avoid Movies. Occasionally the bus will pull up, and there's very little room on board.

While I prefer Pop Century as my favorite value, I know it's nice to "mix it up" now and then. And It sounds like you'd enjoy a change.
I think you'll have a great time at one of the All Stars.

My favorite is All Star Music.
It's layout is different than the other 2 (designed front to back), giving it more of a resort feel.
I also love the music around the property.
It just seems to be more relaxed.

I'm part of DVC now and generally stay at those resorts. But at some point I plan to return to All Star Music and Pop Century again for a stay.

Wherever you wind up, Have Fun!!!

 

[wannabeBelle]

As much as I like Pop I do agree with mixing it up, to try out the different resorts. I like Music a lot for the theming, but see which is available , if you booked with one of the discount rates. That may determine what your choices are. I say let the Disney Gods have their say!!! It will be fun and let's face it, I have never had a BAD vacation onsite at a resort by Disney, so you wlll be fine. Enjoy your trip!!! Marie

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Out of the All-Stars I prefer Sports. The theming is the best I think, and you're the first one picked up/dropped off usually.

But in the end I would stay with Pop Century. Have been staying there for the past four years and love it so much better than the All-Stars!

 

[powlessfamily4]

Have you priced out Port Orleans?

 

[rkelly42]

Stay with Pop Century, it is the best out of all the value resorts in my opinion.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

Im with you as well I stay at POP every year, since it opened! Ive been staying there since 05 MIght have opened a lil before that! This yr I am staying at all star MOVIES I really like the layout and the cafe is so cute! But I am also DRIVING the bus situation is HORRIBLE when I stayed at ALL star Sports I waited from the parks a good 1 plus hrs to board to get home so think about that as well when you book! Keep us informed!

 

[coldasice880]

Have you priced out Port Orleans?

I priced out Caribbean Beach which is the same price as Port Orleans. The difference is an astounding $800. I can't afford to do that. The problem with us is that we have 6 in our family so we have to get two conjoining rooms.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Did you price the family suites at the All-Star? I've never stayed in one, but I have heard some good things about those.

 

[coldasice880]

Did you price the family suites at the All-Star? I've never stayed in one, but I have heard some good things about those.

I have not. I am wondering on whether to switch to a different value resort before I price that.

 

[WDWmazprty]

We've always stayd at Pop also, but our girls love it. Are you planning on being in your room a lot? If not, stay with Pop. Its a value resort, the bus service doesnt share; and they're all busy and packed at the end of the night, so it really doesnt matter. The food court, IMHO, is the best; and it looks great.

I would stay with Pop. :wave:

 

[JEANYLASER]

you must stay in POP! I love POP!

 

[smk]

It gets so tiring defending the buses at the All Star Resorts. They no longer share a bus but it is pointless to keep pointing that out. Sports did not share a bus last year in September, I always had a seat. However, when we stayed at POP the year before I never had a seat, waited forever for a bus and witnessed a near riot leaving the MK one night when no POP bus showed up for what seemed like forever leaving people frustrated enough to jump into a bus lane to try to hyjack a bus back to POP...I am not kidding.

All stars are all close to each other, so if one bus is full, hop on another All Star bus and walk to your resort. We have taken a Music bus back and were staying at Sports. They all practically share a parking lot and the walk is not any farther than staying at POP and having to walk from the bus drop off to a room by the lake.

Stay wherever you want to stay. I liked POP ok but Sports is my favorite so I woud chose Sports over POP anyday. However, neither choice is bad.

 

[Jon_in_NC]

Agree

It gets so tiring defending the buses at the All Star Resorts. They no longer share a bus but it is pointless to keep pointing that out. Sports did not share a bus last year in September, I always had a seat. However, when we stayed at POP the year before I never had a seat, waited forever for a bus and witnessed a near riot leaving the MK one night when no POP bus showed up for what seemed like forever leaving people frustrated enough to jump into a bus lane to try to hyjack a bus back to POP...I am not kidding.

All stars are all close to each other, so if one bus is full, hop on another All Star bus and walk to your resort. We have taken a Music bus back and were staying at Sports. They all practically share a parking lot and the walk is not any farther than staying at POP and having to walk from the bus drop off to a room by the lake.

Stay wherever you want to stay. I liked POP ok but Sports is my favorite so I woud chose Sports over POP anyday. However, neither choice is bad.

I agree. The AS bus service bashing is getting old and really not accurate. I stayed at AS Sports in August of 2009 and just did a few nights at POP in February 2011. For it to be a supposedly slower time of year in February (Feb 27-March 1), the bus service was definitely worse at POP than it was at AS Sports in a busier time of year. The waits to and from the park were noticeably longer and the crowds to get on the busses were greater. When at AS Sports I always had a seat to get to the parks and we rarely stopped at another AS location. At POP we sometimes had to stand on a bus to get to the parks or either wait for a second bus because the one to get on was already to capacity. Whenever I do value again I will most certainly choose AS Sports. It seems to be less crowded, more adult to a degree, the rooms themselves have been refurbished and in my opinion are nicer than POP's rooms now. But of course, it is all a matter of personal preference and each value has their attraction by most people.

 

[plaz10]

Let's be very honest. Both resorts are value...cheapest. So yes both are going to be very busy because they are what people can afford (myself included...staying at POP for the 4th time in May) Both resorts have similar themes in having giant icons around the resort. Both are going to have crowded buses (shared or not) because of how popular the cheaper resorts are. It's all so very dependent on the day/time/park/month you are visiting. I've waited in line for 3 POP buses until I got on one and stood the whole way home and I've gotten on the first one and had my choice of seats. I'm sure this is the same for all star resorts. Sometimes it's crazy crowded and you may share buses/have to stand/have to wait. Sometimes it's easy to walk right on and have a half full bus. There are not any BIG differences between the resorts...we're not comparing POP to the Poly or anything.

If I were you, I'd switch to all stars just to change it up a bit. If you are wanting a change and can't upgrade - then all stars is your only option. I personally love POP and if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But it sounds like you are looking to try something different, then I'd try all stars. If you hate it, don't go back...but you'll never know until you try. Plus the family suites may be something to check out with a larger family and only all stars have them right now (art of animation will have them!) Have fun!

 

[WDW_Emily]

The buses hit Sports 1st, Music 2nd, and Movies 3rd.
This alone is a good reason to avoid Movies. Occasionally the bus will pull up, and there's very little room on board.

While I prefer Pop Century as my favorite value, I know it's nice to "mix it up" now and then. And It sounds like you'd enjoy a change.
I think you'll have a great time at one of the All Stars.

My favorite is All Star Music.
It's layout is different than the other 2 (designed front to back), giving it more of a resort feel.
I also love the music around the property.
It just seems to be more relaxed.

I'm part of DVC now and generally stay at those resorts. But at some point I plan to return to All Star Music and Pop Century again for a stay.

Wherever you wind up, Have Fun!!!

Agree with everything here. Pop Is my favorite but music comes next.

They also have movies by the pool every night at music! and It definitely does seem more relaxed.

 

[cheezedoodle20]

August

I have been there in august and it isn't that bad. I am wondering if after the special ends for March 27 if there will be any new ones

 

[Mori Anne]

I LOVE Pop. But it is nice to mix things up. I'd go with (if it were me) Music. I like movies, but the buses do tend to be a little crowded to say the least.