These are very nice properties and the other posters have done a nice job highlighting the strengths and weaknesses. I can only say that growing up, before Disney offered anything other than the Polynesian and Contemporary, we used to have to stay off property and have found memories of Ramada Inns and Holiday inns with pools. Seeing the Pop Century, I think it is a wonderful option and you and your family will enjoy.
I've never had a problem staying at the All Stars. Yeah, the bus ride is pretty long, but like any hotel that I'm staying at - I'm there to sleep. Since I'm <25, renting a car isn't a cheap option, so I do like the frequent Disney transport (even though buses, especially to the All Stars, can get very full very fast).
They're pretty basic hotels - they have food courts for dining, a couple of basic pools, nothing overly special. If you can get a room at a moderate resort for $20 or so a night more, I'd do that (Caribbean Beach is a big resort, but at least has a restaurant, a nicer pool area, nice area to walk around, and is more centrally located, especially to Epcot and MGM Studios).
Of course, none of these compare to the Epcot area luxury resorts - love these just for the convenience where I can walk to the back door of Epcot and it's a short boat ride to MGM.
