If you are looking for the least expensive accommodations at Walt Disney World, Disney World’s Value Resorts will help you stick to your budget. But how do you choose between two popular resorts? Today, we’ll take a look at Disney’s All-Star Movies and Disney’s Pop Century hotels.
Both resorts offer unique themes and while they have many of the same amenities, there are also some differences that you should know about.
We want to help stretch your vacation dollars because trips to Disney World can be costly. Not surprisingly, hotel expenses can take up a big portion of your travel budget. We want to help you make the right decision for your family, so you can choose wisely between All-Star Movies and Pop Century!
The best way to tackle such a massive decision like this is with as much logic as possible, so we broke down this comparison into five categories: Common Ground, Theme/Rooms, Pools, Food, and Transportation.
Let’s see how these two resorts match up!
Common Ground
Both of these hotels fall under the category of Value Resorts at Disney World. That means they will both be at a comparable price point, with similar room sizes and amenities. Disney’s All-Star Movies and Disney’s Pop Century have strong theming found outside, in the rooms, and throughout the gift shop, food court, and lobby.
Each resort is divided into different areas with the names matching their themes. This can help guests navigate when wandering around these often large resorts! Because of their kid-friendly decorations and amenities, you are more likely to see families with children at these resorts, as well as traveling groups from schools. With so many young people around it can get hectic, so don’t be surprised if it’s a little noisier here than at other resorts!
At All-Star Movies, room rates start at $128 per night excluding tax for their Standard Rooms at the cheapest times of year when the parks are least busy. The most expensive room rates here will run you about $323 per night — that’s for a Preferred Room around Christmas, one of the more popular times of year. Both of these room types can sleep up to 4 adults.
Pop Century has slightly higher rates. Standard Rooms start at $174 per night in value season, and a Preferred Room with Pool View will cost about $403 per night during the December holiday season.
Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests
Theme/Rooms
All-Star Movies and Pop Century have completed room refurbishments, and both have standard rooms measuring 260 sq. ft.
Pop Century
Get ready to roll through the decades and celebrate everything fab, nifty, and altogether GROOVY from the 1950s through the 1990s at Disney’s Pop Century Resort!
The Standard Rooms at Pop Century come with either a king bed or a queen bed and a queen-size murphy bed that becomes a table when not in use. We love the Mickey pop art above the bed! It fits in perfectly with the theme of the hotel and is a nice touch from the room’s renovations.
![](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-wdw-disneys-pop-century-resort-room-tour-full-room-view_-700x525.jpg)
Full Room
The kitchenette area has quite a few amenities including a mini fridge, coffee maker, cups, and an ice bucket.
Click HERE for a Photo Tour of a Pop Century Room
From the 1950s through the 1990s, various areas of the Resort represent the different decades. They’re characterized by larger-than-life icons from the time periods!
It’s well worth exploring the entire Resort to spot them all!
All-Star Movies
The rooms at All-Star Movies were recently updated. They have a modern design with pops of Disney art — when you pull down this Murphy Bed it reveals a mural of Huey, Dewey, and Louie!
These rooms, while smaller than those at Moderate or Deluxe Resorts, still have plenty of space for your belongings. They are functional and include large TV’s, multiple storage options, and generously sized showers.
Take a Photo Tour to see even MORE details of an All-Star Movies Standard Room here!
Outside of your room, you can explore the resort to discover larger-than-life versions of characters from classic Disney films like 101 Dalmations, Toy Story, Fantasia, and many more. The buildings in each area are also decorated to fit the theme of the movie!
Results
It’s a tie! Now that All-Star Movies has received a room makeover, both resorts offer welcoming and updated accommodations.
The PROS And CONS Of Staying At Disney World’s Value Resorts
Pools
If you thought the giant outdoor were the full extent of these resorts’ strong theming, just wait until you see their pools!
Pop Century
Spend an afternoon taking a DIP in the main Pop Century pool: the Hippy Dippy Pool! This pool is over 235,000 gallons. Nearby, there is a splash pad for little ones.
The other pools include the Bowling Pool in the ’50s section and the Computer Pool in the ’90s area.
All-Star Movies
Fantasia is another classic Disney film that deserves an entire pool themed after it. Sorcerer Mickey and his enchanted brooms have settled at All-Star Movies at the Fantasia Pool! Just as it was in the movie, Mickey’s enchantment also got out of hand at the resort and created a pool for guests to enjoy (but we’re grateful for the oasis!).
The giant broomsticks carrying buckets of water can be spotted next to the pool which has a massive curtain framing the Sorcerer Mickey fountain. At the Fantasia Pool area you’ll also find a small kiddie pool and play area for the little ones to splash around in.
Results
This is a tough decision because value resort pool areas do not include slides, etc.! However, adults and kids seem to really love the theme of the Fantasia Pool!
10 Hidden Secrets About Disney World Pools
Food
Again, both of these resorts have similar dining options! With one food court option and a pool bar each, let’s take a look and see if we can spot any differences between them.
Pop Century
Connected to the lobby and main check-in area is Everything POP Shopping and Dining. It boasts a full food court open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. The menu offers classics such as pizza, pasta, burgers, and more. You may even find a late-night snack, like Everything Pop’s signature snack: Tie-Dye Cheesecake!
Guests can also grab a drink outside at Petals Pool Bar located by the Hippy Dippy Pool.
It’s FAR OUT!
Find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at Disney’s Pop Century Resort HERE.
All-Star Movies
All-Star Movies has a food court that’s appropriately named World Premiere! The dining space is decorated with movie posters that are worth a visit themselves.
Cuisine here is all-American for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Saunter on over to the Fantasia Pool to find the Silver Screen Spirits pool bar!
You can pull up a chair and have a seat at the bar or take your purchases with you back to your lounge chair or table for a more relaxing vibe.
Results
Both resorts offer a food court and pool bar. You won’t find table-service restaurants at the value resorts. We’re going to give this one to Pop Century due to its proximity to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Being able to walk to another resort opens up your dining options!
Find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at All-Star Movies Resort HERE
Transportation
Disney World has several transportation options, but not every type stops at every resort. Of course, both resorts offer Disney’s bus transportation.
Pop Century
Disney’s newest form of transportation, the Disney Skyliner, hosts a station located between Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. This is a HUGE perk for Pop Century guests that makes getting around Disney World a whole lot easier (and fun!).
From Pop Century and Art of Animation, the Skyliner goes directly to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort where guests can then transfer to Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT.
Additionally, guests have access to Disney Bus Transportation to and from the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
All-Star Movies
This value resort offers bus transportation only to all Disney World destinations.
Results
For Disney transportation, Pop Century comes out on top due to the convenience of the Skyliner!
Your Guide to Walt Disney World Resort Transportation
The Winner
In this comparison, Disney’s Pop Century wins because of the Disney Skyliner and proximity to Art of Animation for additional dining! However, if budget is your highest priority, you’ll save money by staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies. These resorts are very similar — enjoy your stay!
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Do you have a favorite between these two resorts, or is there another one that stands out more? Comment your thoughts below!
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