Hello Whitney,
Thank you for coming to the Disney Parks Moms Panel to get advice and recommendations as you decide on your resort hotel. I am happy to say that I have stayed at both
Disney's Pop Century Resort and
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, so I would love to offer my personal thoughts on each one.
Since both resort hotels are value level resorts, many of the amenities, room size and configuration are pretty equal among them. So, I will offer my suggestions based on other criteria to consider. I love the location of Disney's Pop Century Resort and its proximity to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. So, transportation to both of these theme parks could take slightly less time than from Disney's All-Star Movies Resort. However, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort is closer in proximity to Disney's Animal Kingdom. They are both pretty equidistant from Magic Kingdom.
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort theming is better suited for younger kids in my opinion. I do not think that my young children really "got" the theming of the different decades depicted at Disney's Pop Century Resort. They absolutely loved exploring the different larger than life statues and photo opportunities from their favorite Disney classic movies such as 101 Dalmatians and Fantasia.
Both resorts have fun and lively pool areas with tons of pool activities throughout the day and Movies Under the Stars at night. Be sure to check with guest services for times when you arrive. I did like the fact that you could rent a surrey bike just across the way from Disney's Pop Century Resort, at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. This is not available at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort.
I hope this offers some perspective as you ponder which is best suited for your family.
~Allison L