All-Star Music vs. Pop Century Disney World Resort Guide 2023

Even if you’re the kind of person who simply uses their hotel room for sleeping and wants to spend as much time as possible in the parks, it’s still important to put some thought into which resort you choose to book.

Bus pickup in front of All-Star Music Resort

Not only does the price vary, but your entire experience will be different depending on where you choose. That’s why we suggest doing a bit of research to compare your options and help you pick the best resort possible for you and your family!

There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’re approaching this chaos-agent of a decision with as much logic as possible, so we’re breaking it down into five categories:

Common Ground
Theme/Rooms
Pools
Food
Transportation

We’re comparing All-Star Music and Pop Century to see which one will come out on top!

Common Ground

Both of these are 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 Resorts have strong theming that carries throughout the entire campus; this includes the huge statues you’ll see at each All-Star Resort as well as the theming for their rooms, pools, shops, and eateries. Pop Century also features vibrant architecture and decor, and despite not being an All-Star Resort there are many similarities.

Pop Century

At All-Star Music, room rates start at $132 per night, excluding tax, for Standard Rooms at the cheapest times of year — when the parks are least busy. The most expensive room rates here will run you about $574 per night — that’s for a Family Suite around Christmas, often the most popular time of year. A Standard Room sleeps 4 adults, while a Family Suite can accommodate up to 6 adults.

Pop Century has similar rates. Standard Rooms also start at $149 per night, and a Preferred Room for the same dates in December 2023 was just under $334 per night. Sometimes Disney offers special deals on hotels, usually during the off-season. This can bring the nightly rate down.

Theme/Rooms

Both of these spots have very different themes! However, both show off their theming through vibrant and larger-than-life decorations.

All-Star Music

All-Star Music is the only All-Star resort that offers Family Suites. These have a common space with two Murphy beds as well as a separate bedroom with a double or Queen-sized bed. You can see these rooms feature fun Disney decor with a music-themed spin!

Murphy Beds in Family Suite

The separate bedroom has its own TV, storage, and seating. The rooms all have a similar interior, whereas outside each building has a different design based on the area of the resort you are staying in.

Bedroom area

Family suites also include a kitchenette. Standard Rooms come with a small mini-fridge, but the suits have a larger refrigerator as well as a microwave and sink. They also come with 2 full bathrooms, so that means more space and less time fighting over the shower!

Take a Photo Tour to see an All-Star Movies Standard Room here!

All-Star Music Family Suite Kitchen

Outside is much more bright and colorful! Each area at All-Star Music is themed after a different genre: Country, Broadway, Jazz, Rock and Calypso. The decorations are perfectly suited to the theme and include massive maracas, a giant xylophone, and so much more.

Giant instruments!

We’ve never seen instruments so big!

Jazz-themed area

Pop Century Resort

Pop Century has a similar interior style, with a modern hotel finish that includes Disney art. The images are done in a vibrant pop art style and feature classic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Pluto.

Pull-Down Bed

Value Resorts have rooms that are often smaller than the rooms at Disney World’s Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. To save on space but still give guests the most amenities as possible, these resorts often use Murphy beds. These beds fold down at night for sleeping and fold back up during the day, revealing a table! Add two chairs and that’s some extra living space you didn’t have before.

When the bed is closed it turns into a table!

Just like other rooms, you’ll also have a TV, dresser, and bathroom. The bathrooms aren’t large but there is still a little bit of storage space for your products.

Full Room at Pop Century

The rooms are given a little extra personality thanks to the Disney art, like this pop art style mural of Mickey Mouse.

Take a Photo Tour to see ALL the details of a Pop Century Resort Standard Room here!

So fun!

Outside you’ll discover different areas themed to various decades throughout the 20th century. Starting in the 1950s and ending in the 1990s, each decade is represented here through larger than life building decor and themed amenities.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Over in the 1970s area, you can find an outdoor Twister board ready for playing! These resorts are so fun to explore; you never know what you’ll discover.

Wanna play Twister?

Results

When it comes to their theming these resorts are pretty evenly matched! Both have very strong theming that is expressed through statues and decorations that will delight guests of all ages, and their rooms are both modern, clean, and have similar amenities. In this category we’re going to have to give it to All-Star Music, purely because they do have the option of the Family Suites. For those traveling in larger groups this is a great budget option that gives you space for everyone without breaking the bank.