Pop Century or All-Star?

[CMouse]

I was looking at the Value Resorts and saw that Pop Century is a bit more expensive than the All-Star hotels. Is there a reason for this? Are the few extra bucks worth it? I heard that the buses are much quicker for Pop Century because all the All-Star hotels share the same buses, is this true? I want to book a room for 3 people and those two are my top choices, and was wondering if you guys could help me make a decision. We don't really care about the pool or all that stuff since we are probably just going to be there long enough to sleep and shower.

 

[princessmommy]

Pop century doesn't share buses. All three all star resorts do.
Because of this Pop can get away with charging a little more, but it's totally worth it for the dedicated bus
Have a magical day!

 

[Fizban]

Pop is absolutely your choice, just stay away from the rooms around 1350 and 1351 area. To take advantage of all your dis-time stay POP as Princessmommy stated they don't share a bus where the All-stars do.

 

[Kate Alan]

Pop Century for sure. Having a dedicated bus line that doesn't share with any other resorts is worth the few extra bucks a night you pay versus staying at All-Stars. It's my go-to resort of choice when I travel to WDW.

 

[Plowboy]

Pop, for all the reasons previously stated. Try for a top floor room in either the 50's or 60's facing the lake.

 

[HollyAD]

Pop is worth the extra money! You are right about the buses not being shared. There is nothing more miserable then not being able to get on a packed bus because it has picked up at other resorts. Or having a line to get to the bus that's the size of the line at TSMM! Yes, there is a little exaggeration there but not much. I have also always liked the food court and pool better than the All Stars. I have stayed at all of them.

 

[daisyduckie]

Pop century doesn't share buses. All three all star resorts do.
Because of this Pop can get away with charging a little more, but it's totally worth it for the dedicated bus
Have a magical day!

Not true. It is rare for the All Stars to share a bus. I've stayed multiple times at different All Stars, and most of the time each resort has it's own bus. I prefer a much smaller All Star resort over the larger Pop.

Plus part of the reason the Pop is more is the different tax rate, as it is in a different county.

 

[belledream]

Not true. It is rare for the All Stars to share a bus. I've stayed multiple times at different All Stars, and most of the time each resort has it's own bus. I prefer a much smaller All Star resort over the larger Pop.

Plus part of the reason the Pop is more is the different tax rate, as it is in a different county.

I've stayed at all 3 All Stars over the past 3 years and can echo your experiences. Never shared a bus going to and from parks - only Downtown Disney. I think they share at certain times of day/accommodating certain crowd levels, but it's not dramatic as everyone makes it out to be - at least in my experiences.

I've also stayed at Pop, and it is newer than the All Stars, but is there actually much difference between Pop and the All Stars? Not really. For a few extra dollars, it might be worth the peace of mind regarding buses. It depends on you!

 

[Kate Alan]

Not true. It is rare for the All Stars to share a bus. I've stayed multiple times at different All Stars, and most of the time each resort has it's own bus. I prefer a much smaller All Star resort over the larger Pop.

Plus part of the reason the Pop is more is the different tax rate, as it is in a different county.

It may be dependent on the time of year, or capacity - I've stayed at all three All Stars multiple times as well, and each time there were shared buses between resorts and the parks. I have heard of others like you who had direct bus service during their stay though.

I've also stayed at Pop, and it is newer than the All Stars, but is there actually much difference between Pop and the All Stars? Not really. For a few extra dollars, it might be worth the peace of mind regarding buses. It depends on you!

That's exactly it for me - the peace of mind of taking out the guesswork on whether bus sharing will occur or not. However, the All Stars are fun resorts in their own right and I agree that they are comparable to the accommodations at Pop.

 

[disney4life2008]

I only stay at sports and in the last 5 resort staya there the last 2 years, i think we shared a bus leas than a handful of times. Sometimes the magic kingdom will share on evening emh nights but even that was rare. Sometimes animal kingdom shares in the morning and i think you share leaving the park but its never been a problem.

 

[CMouse]

Thanks for all the info everyone, we officially booked a room for 8 nights at Pop Century Resort!
46 days left to go!!