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Pop century v All star resorts
- Thread starter jarr
- Start date
coltow
Well-Known Member
Expect alot of opinions.
I liked them both but for very different reasons. I liked Pop, it seemed quieter and the pool was much less crowded and the buses were fantastic. At AS the food courts are better and I think the themes are better, but the buses were vey crowded. I honestly believe that it all depends on when you go and who you go with. At busier times of the year Pop is probbly better, but if you're traveling with younger kids they'll like the themes at AS better.
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LoriMistress
Well-Known Member
I've stayed at the ASMu, and though it's a lot quieter and last bus stop for Disney Transportation--I would personally choose Pop. The reason is because Pop busses don't have to make stops to any other resorts, plus the resorts are newer.
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AEfx
Well-Known Member
As coltow said, there will be lots of opinions. 
Mine is that Pop is by far better, because :
1) It *ALWAYS* has a decicated bus. Sometimes the All-Stars do, sometimes they don't. Pop *NEVER* shares busses.
2) Pop is newer. They have refurbed some of the all-star rooms, but by and large the ones at Pop look and feel "newer".
3) Pop is generally quieter. While the theming of the All-Stars attracts tons of families, and of course Pop does as well, Pop seems to host many more older guests and even groups (the American Geriatric Association books there, LOL) than the All-Stars, which can at times feel like pre-school gone amuck.
4) You generally don't get the groups of rowdy teenagers at Pop like you do at the All-Stars on cheerleading or sports trips. Pop is occasionally used as overflow for those types of groups, but in over 3 months of staying at Pop since it opened I never encountered one group of cheerleaders practicing out side my room.
Now, as said above, you will get differing experiences. I'm sure many people have stayed at the All-Stars and experienced none of the negative aspects. I've stayed over three months at Pop since it has opened, though, and I've never encountered ANY of the negatives that one hears about from the All-Stars by staying at Pop, so the choice for me is easy.
Good luck whatever you decide,
AEfx
Mine is that Pop is by far better, because :
1) It *ALWAYS* has a decicated bus. Sometimes the All-Stars do, sometimes they don't. Pop *NEVER* shares busses.
2) Pop is newer. They have refurbed some of the all-star rooms, but by and large the ones at Pop look and feel "newer".
3) Pop is generally quieter. While the theming of the All-Stars attracts tons of families, and of course Pop does as well, Pop seems to host many more older guests and even groups (the American Geriatric Association books there, LOL) than the All-Stars, which can at times feel like pre-school gone amuck.
4) You generally don't get the groups of rowdy teenagers at Pop like you do at the All-Stars on cheerleading or sports trips. Pop is occasionally used as overflow for those types of groups, but in over 3 months of staying at Pop since it opened I never encountered one group of cheerleaders practicing out side my room.
Now, as said above, you will get differing experiences. I'm sure many people have stayed at the All-Stars and experienced none of the negative aspects. I've stayed over three months at Pop since it has opened, though, and I've never encountered ANY of the negatives that one hears about from the All-Stars by staying at Pop, so the choice for me is easy.
Good luck whatever you decide,
AEfx
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ThinkTink721
Well-Known Member
I have researched all of the value resorts & we picked Pop.
We also know someone who has stayed there & they enjoyed it.
Pop vs All-Stars:
Pop is newer
Pop has it's own buses
I prefer Pop's theming (although all of the value resorts are whimsical in their decor)
We have never stayed at a value resort - only a moderate.
It will be interesting to compare the two.
:wave:
We also know someone who has stayed there & they enjoyed it.
Pop vs All-Stars:
Pop is newer
Pop has it's own buses
I prefer Pop's theming (although all of the value resorts are whimsical in their decor)
We have never stayed at a value resort - only a moderate.
It will be interesting to compare the two.
:wave:
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sorceresssamara
New Member
My two cents
I have stayed at both resorts, in fact I am staying at Pop again in October.
*Pop is newer and still has that new feel to it
*The buses only go to Pop so you won't pull a swift move like me and getting on a bus that you think is going to the correct AS resort.
*The resort is pretty centralized and each area has it's own pool.
*To me the food court is comparable btn the two resorts.
*The resorts themselves are set up similarly
*Pop is definitely quieter because AS are used for the cheerleaders and such.
*They both have over the top theming, which I like at both.
I enjoy both, but it's up to your personal preference. I would say if you have never stayed at Pop give it a shot or vice versa. I have not had a negative experience at either.
I have stayed at both resorts, in fact I am staying at Pop again in October.
*Pop is newer and still has that new feel to it
*The buses only go to Pop so you won't pull a swift move like me and getting on a bus that you think is going to the correct AS resort.
*The resort is pretty centralized and each area has it's own pool.
*To me the food court is comparable btn the two resorts.
*The resorts themselves are set up similarly
*Pop is definitely quieter because AS are used for the cheerleaders and such.
*They both have over the top theming, which I like at both.
I enjoy both, but it's up to your personal preference. I would say if you have never stayed at Pop give it a shot or vice versa. I have not had a negative experience at either.
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NortyUK
New Member
I stayed at Pop in Jan and Movies back in Dec 2005.
I really enjoyed both of them - however Pop was that bit better because of the buses. I thought that the food courts were pretty much the same.
I did think that Pop was more 'noisy' than Movies - i dunno why.
Tom
P.S. Are they ever going to finish building the second half of POP?
I really enjoyed both of them - however Pop was that bit better because of the buses. I thought that the food courts were pretty much the same.
I did think that Pop was more 'noisy' than Movies - i dunno why.
Tom
P.S. Are they ever going to finish building the second half of POP?
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frankd1962
Member
Stayed at ASMo in 2000 and Pop in June 2007, I like Pop because of the buses, the theme and it feels so much more relaxing there.
Buses: Like all others have said that it has a dedicated bus system to the places through out the Resort and the only thing you worry about over fill with people from your hotel.
Theme: each building areas have some hidden speakers that play music from that era the building (s) represent during the day. Nice Main building and all the gift shop and cafe in one area.
Relaxing: There a night or two where I couldn't fall asleep right away so I would take a walk at night along Memory Lane which borders the lake and read both signs of the signs that told some interesting facts. The only sad thing was being able to see the unfinished buildings on the Legendary side of the lake.
When I go back I'll be staying at Pop again and hope that Legendary is done by then.
Buses: Like all others have said that it has a dedicated bus system to the places through out the Resort and the only thing you worry about over fill with people from your hotel.
Theme: each building areas have some hidden speakers that play music from that era the building (s) represent during the day. Nice Main building and all the gift shop and cafe in one area.
Relaxing: There a night or two where I couldn't fall asleep right away so I would take a walk at night along Memory Lane which borders the lake and read both signs of the signs that told some interesting facts. The only sad thing was being able to see the unfinished buildings on the Legendary side of the lake.
When I go back I'll be staying at Pop again and hope that Legendary is done by then.
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Sunny D
New Member
I really think it depends on who you go with. I have stayed at all of the All-Star Resorts and Pop (twice). As a 24 year old I like Pop the best. There's a lake and bridge you can walk on and feed the fish and turtles and it is very relaxing. However, if there are young children going I recommend All-Star Movies. Kids will appreciate the theming much more.
Overall I think Pop is the better resort due to the reasons mentioned in previous replies (busses, newer resort, etc.). I think whatever you choose you'll be happy with because I have never had a bad time at any of the resorts.
Overall I think Pop is the better resort due to the reasons mentioned in previous replies (busses, newer resort, etc.). I think whatever you choose you'll be happy with because I have never had a bad time at any of the resorts.
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3fordisney
New Member
I've stayed at each all star once and Pop twice. We have gotten where we like Pop best. It has the best gift shop, the food court is great and the bus only goes to Pop and doesn't stop at other resorts, like the AS. We are planning on going back to Pop in April 08. The CMs at Pop dance to the hustle every evening at 6. It is so funny. The Cm's at the front desk and in the food court dance. Its great. I would recommend Pop over the others.
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rimousefan84
New Member
POP is pretty sweet. I love the fact that they have their own buses so you dont have to share between the other value resorts. For as many people that stay at the resort the lines have rarely been bad when we have gone. Well either one you pick you're still a winner because you'll be in Disney and I wont 
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mitchk
Well-Known Member
I've never stayed at POP, but I know there food court is a little different then the All Stars. For that alone, I go with All Stars, plus a lot of people say POP has it's own busses, but have you ever seen the bus lines at the parks for POP, sometimes they are extremely long (not saying the All Stars don't fill up too), and remember that at POP everyone staying at the resort shares the same food court. With the All Stars the food courts are separate throughout the 3. If you do go with an All Star resort, I suggest Sports, your picked up first, and droped off first. BTW, you should try doing a search on this topic, it has been discussed at least a dozen times in the last year or so. Regardless of where you choose to stay, have a magical time. :king:
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disneydudette
Well-Known Member
We stayed at Pop Century in January... we liked it... but are looking forward to trying an All Star.
Pop Century was just "too big" for us! The buildings are taller and closer together which made everything feel so tight and cramped. I thought the theme was down right tacky... and hated waking up to words like "duh" plastered on the side of the buildings. The "dancers" on each building was just a little much... and I felt Disney did a horrbile job with the theme. Thats of course, my personal opinion, but I guess it was just poorly "too over the top" for us.
We hated how the food court and gift shop were "connected" and there was just constant noise. The food court was decent though, plenty of seating, and we had no complaints! We did like the location by the lake and being able to see the tops of illuminations... but the "shells" across the way were just depressing!
The pools are great, and there are some fantastic theming elements. We had perfect bus transportation, but we've always had great luck with that! Overall we liked the resort... would definately stay there again... and who couldn't beat Twister?
I'm staying at All Star Music this September for a variety of reasons.
Overall.. the big thing is the renovated rooms. I loved the idea of the added privacy curtain, and the decor at ASmu is less motel like then Pops rooms. Still, a little on the vegas side though. The rooms have much more of a resort feel now... which goes a long way in my book.
The resort is also now playing pool side movies... woot! You're able to relax in the pool and catch a movie or two as the sun sets. One night they played Cars and then Pirate of the Caribbean. A nice added bonus for kids of all ages.
As of October, Disney's bus transporation system should be revamped and waits even across the board. Do I really think that will happen? No... but I'm sure I can expect some decent changes. I'm also used to the idea of multiple stops thanks to the majority of other on property resorts. Many resorts transportation systems make more then one stop for the buses... the Y&BC will often share with the BW and sometimes even the Swan and Dolphin. Polynesian will share with the WL on occassion, and due to the massive size of CBR, POR, and CSR, those resorts have several internal resort stops. Pop is one of the few resorts to be resort specific 24/7 with only one stop. That has its pluses, and negatvies as well.
I'm sure I'll come back from ASmu with disapointments... but as of right now, I'm not regreting my choice! Brand new rooms, pool side movies, and a little less "in your face" theming is sitting very well with me.
Pop Century was just "too big" for us! The buildings are taller and closer together which made everything feel so tight and cramped. I thought the theme was down right tacky... and hated waking up to words like "duh" plastered on the side of the buildings. The "dancers" on each building was just a little much... and I felt Disney did a horrbile job with the theme. Thats of course, my personal opinion, but I guess it was just poorly "too over the top" for us.
We hated how the food court and gift shop were "connected" and there was just constant noise. The food court was decent though, plenty of seating, and we had no complaints! We did like the location by the lake and being able to see the tops of illuminations... but the "shells" across the way were just depressing!
The pools are great, and there are some fantastic theming elements. We had perfect bus transportation, but we've always had great luck with that! Overall we liked the resort... would definately stay there again... and who couldn't beat Twister?
I'm staying at All Star Music this September for a variety of reasons.
Overall.. the big thing is the renovated rooms. I loved the idea of the added privacy curtain, and the decor at ASmu is less motel like then Pops rooms. Still, a little on the vegas side though. The rooms have much more of a resort feel now... which goes a long way in my book.
The resort is also now playing pool side movies... woot! You're able to relax in the pool and catch a movie or two as the sun sets. One night they played Cars and then Pirate of the Caribbean. A nice added bonus for kids of all ages.
As of October, Disney's bus transporation system should be revamped and waits even across the board. Do I really think that will happen? No... but I'm sure I can expect some decent changes. I'm also used to the idea of multiple stops thanks to the majority of other on property resorts. Many resorts transportation systems make more then one stop for the buses... the Y&BC will often share with the BW and sometimes even the Swan and Dolphin. Polynesian will share with the WL on occassion, and due to the massive size of CBR, POR, and CSR, those resorts have several internal resort stops. Pop is one of the few resorts to be resort specific 24/7 with only one stop. That has its pluses, and negatvies as well.
I'm sure I'll come back from ASmu with disapointments... but as of right now, I'm not regreting my choice! Brand new rooms, pool side movies, and a little less "in your face" theming is sitting very well with me.
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CuriousDeGeo
Member
We've stayed at All Star Sports and Movies, and we've been to Pop twice, and although both had their own unique likeness Pop was better for us. It's newer and has excellent theming. We love the food court and shopping area and you can tell a lot of planning went into the decor of the lobby. We look at our hotels in WDW as a place to crash for the night and maybe a place to relax in the afternoon so we don't really go for the luxeries, but we have been thoroughly impressed both times we stayed at Pop Century.
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slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
We stayed at Pop Century in January... we liked it... but are looking forward to trying an All Star.
Pop Century was just "too big" for us! The buildings are taller and closer together which made everything feel so tight and cramped. I thought the theme was down right tacky... and hated waking up to words like "duh" plastered on the side of the buildings. The "dancers" on each building was just a little much... and I felt Disney did a horrbile job with the theme. Thats of course, my personal opinion, but I guess it was just poorly "too over the top" for us.
We hated how the food court and gift shop were "connected" and there was just constant noise. The food court was decent though, plenty of seating, and we had no complaints! We did like the location by the lake and being able to see the tops of illuminations... but the "shells" across the way were just depressing!
The pools are great, and there are some fantastic theming elements. We had perfect bus transportation, but we've always had great luck with that! Overall we liked the resort... would definately stay there again... and who couldn't beat Twister?
I'm staying at All Star Music this September for a variety of reasons.
Overall.. the big thing is the renovated rooms. I loved the idea of the added privacy curtain, and the decor at ASmu is less motel like then Pops rooms. Still, a little on the vegas side though. The rooms have much more of a resort feel now... which goes a long way in my book.
The resort is also now playing pool side movies... woot! You're able to relax in the pool and catch a movie or two as the sun sets. One night they played Cars and then Pirate of the Caribbean. A nice added bonus for kids of all ages.
As of October, Disney's bus transporation system should be revamped and waits even across the board. Do I really think that will happen? No... but I'm sure I can expect some decent changes. I'm also used to the idea of multiple stops thanks to the majority of other on property resorts. Many resorts transportation systems make more then one stop for the buses... the Y&BC will often share with the BW and sometimes even the Swan and Dolphin. Polynesian will share with the WL on occassion, and due to the massive size of CBR, POR, and CSR, those resorts have several internal resort stops. Pop is one of the few resorts to be resort specific 24/7 with only one stop. That has its pluses, and negatvies as well.
I'm sure I'll come back from ASmu with disapointments... but as of right now, I'm not regreting my choice! Brand new rooms, pool side movies, and a little less "in your face" theming is sitting very well with me.
Yeah, just for the record, the theming at the All-Star Resorts isn't exactly known for subtle understatement, either. That's just the way the Value resorts are. One person's sense of oversized whimsy is another person's garish and tacky.
We're DVC members, which means of course we're snobs
and as such have only checked out the Values in passing. Were we to stay in one, I'd probably choose Pop. Maybe it's a wrong assumption, and maybe it'll one day change, but it sounds to me (as others have said) that when large groups book Values (ala cheerleading competition or class trips, filled with rowdy kids and a disporportionate child-to-chaperone ratio) they tend to be booked in All-Stars. For that unsubstatianted rumor alone, I'd take my chances with Pop. Of course, we usually either drive down or rent a car, so if Disney transportation tends to be a disappointment, it wouldn't affect us too much as we'd just give up and drive.
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trendicoff
New Member
I'm really glad to hear you all had such great experiences at POP. I stayed there once, just a few months after it opened, and it was horrible. Not only did housekeeping only come every other day (as well as one day bring us a dirty towel) but we couldn't even find our building the night we checked in. None of the buildings had numbers on them, only the individual rooms. I was starting to worry that Disney had finally put in a trashy hotel, but I'm glad to hear thats not the case.
In any case, I love the All stars, but my opinion is a little stilted
In any case, I love the All stars, but my opinion is a little stilted
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lilmizpixie3
New Member
They are all pretty much the same, I personally like the all star movies the best. But I have also stayed at pop century and its very cool too.
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