iteachlit
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2005
- Messages
- 1,134
We arrived at All Star Movies just before 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 25. There were only a few people ahead of us in the check in line; we were checking in within five minutes.
We had two reservations, one for my family and one for my mother-in-law. We had requested non-smoking, connecting rooms. We also asked for the Toy Story building (requests were made before TS building was preferred). All of our requests were honored. The TS rooms did not add to the cost; we were billed the old, non-preferred rate.
The rooms were located on the first floor of the Woody building, rooms 7906 and 7907. R.C. was located right outside our window. Cinema Hall was just a short walk from the room, as was the Fantasia themed pool.
The rooms were clean, although 7906 had quite a bit of wear-and-tear. Black smudges marred the paint above the closet area and near the table. One of the chairs had a rather large chocolate stain on the cushion. There was quite a bit of dust in the dresser drawer handles, but I imagine that would be a tough spot to reach.
Posters often complain or ask about the paper thin walls at the All Stars. We had no noise problems. We did hear a few toilets flushing, but that was during the morning when we were already awake. I never heard any noise at all during the night.
The beds were small and fairly firm. I didnt have trouble sleeping, but were used to a queen at home, so it felt kind of tight. My wife often took the other bed (the kids were next door); we started to call each other Ward and June.
Are these rooms small? We did not feel cramped at all. The size is very similar to what one would find at any value hotel around the country.
The food court was always well stocked, and the checkout lines were speedy. We had lengthy waits a few times, especially at the Roxy. The grilled items took a long time to make. I appreciate the fact that the burgers, for example, were freshly cooked, but it was frustrating to stand in line. At one point, at least twenty people were in line waiting to order and ten others were waiting to receive their food.
The other frustrating thing about the food court was the station setup itself. I understand the reasoning: keep all of the grilled and fried foods together (Roxy) and the items that can be kept warm and prepared quickly should be grouped together (Majestic). The Lyric station had some of the more exotic items (vegetable sandwiches, for example). OK, makes sense, but this setup is bad for those who have kids. My son wanted a grilled cheese; I wanted a meatball sub. That means two, sometimes lengthy, waits in line. The same can be said for dessert. Want an ice cream treat to use as a dining plan dessert? Yet another line.
Look for my dining reviews on the dining board sometime in the next few days.
Both pools were nice, but frequently closed due to lightning in the area. No problem there. The Duck Pond pool was often more hectic than the Fantasia pool, so we didnt try it.
The grounds were very nice, although I should mention that Woody is currently being refurbished; hes hidden behind a big white baggy. There was more litter on the ground than what I have seen at other resorts, but I imagine that is a result of the size of the resort, not a lack of effort on the hotel staff.
Speaking of the staff, I found most of them to be indifferent towards their jobs and us. The food court cashiers were the nicest of the bunch, very friendly and happy. The rest of the CMs were no better than what one would find at a Super 8 or Motel 6. We went to the Grand Floridian for breakfast one morning; each and every CM we ran into said hello.
We also overheard many CMs talking about their work hours and how they wish they could go home. We all complain about our jobs, but its not something we should do in front of our customers. This was a dose of reality we were not looking for in the middle of the Disney magic.
Resort transportation was, for the most part, terrible. Ill post details on the transportation board. Our Magical Express experience was truly magical. Well done Disney and Mears! We also had a great experience on Delta.
Weather was hot (expected) with constant rain the first two days (odd). After that the weather settled into its normal pattern: storms in the afternoon and evening, perfectly hot and humid other times.
So would we stay at the All Stars again?
By the middle of our second day, my wife came right out and said that she would never stay at a value again. I wholeheartedly agreed with her. We stayed at All Star Movies because we needed two rooms. From now on, its a moderate or deluxe for us. In fact, we have already decided on the Wilderness Lodge for our next trip.
We had two reservations, one for my family and one for my mother-in-law. We had requested non-smoking, connecting rooms. We also asked for the Toy Story building (requests were made before TS building was preferred). All of our requests were honored. The TS rooms did not add to the cost; we were billed the old, non-preferred rate.
The rooms were located on the first floor of the Woody building, rooms 7906 and 7907. R.C. was located right outside our window. Cinema Hall was just a short walk from the room, as was the Fantasia themed pool.
The rooms were clean, although 7906 had quite a bit of wear-and-tear. Black smudges marred the paint above the closet area and near the table. One of the chairs had a rather large chocolate stain on the cushion. There was quite a bit of dust in the dresser drawer handles, but I imagine that would be a tough spot to reach.
Posters often complain or ask about the paper thin walls at the All Stars. We had no noise problems. We did hear a few toilets flushing, but that was during the morning when we were already awake. I never heard any noise at all during the night.
The beds were small and fairly firm. I didnt have trouble sleeping, but were used to a queen at home, so it felt kind of tight. My wife often took the other bed (the kids were next door); we started to call each other Ward and June.
Are these rooms small? We did not feel cramped at all. The size is very similar to what one would find at any value hotel around the country.
The food court was always well stocked, and the checkout lines were speedy. We had lengthy waits a few times, especially at the Roxy. The grilled items took a long time to make. I appreciate the fact that the burgers, for example, were freshly cooked, but it was frustrating to stand in line. At one point, at least twenty people were in line waiting to order and ten others were waiting to receive their food.
The other frustrating thing about the food court was the station setup itself. I understand the reasoning: keep all of the grilled and fried foods together (Roxy) and the items that can be kept warm and prepared quickly should be grouped together (Majestic). The Lyric station had some of the more exotic items (vegetable sandwiches, for example). OK, makes sense, but this setup is bad for those who have kids. My son wanted a grilled cheese; I wanted a meatball sub. That means two, sometimes lengthy, waits in line. The same can be said for dessert. Want an ice cream treat to use as a dining plan dessert? Yet another line.
Look for my dining reviews on the dining board sometime in the next few days.
Both pools were nice, but frequently closed due to lightning in the area. No problem there. The Duck Pond pool was often more hectic than the Fantasia pool, so we didnt try it.
The grounds were very nice, although I should mention that Woody is currently being refurbished; hes hidden behind a big white baggy. There was more litter on the ground than what I have seen at other resorts, but I imagine that is a result of the size of the resort, not a lack of effort on the hotel staff.
Speaking of the staff, I found most of them to be indifferent towards their jobs and us. The food court cashiers were the nicest of the bunch, very friendly and happy. The rest of the CMs were no better than what one would find at a Super 8 or Motel 6. We went to the Grand Floridian for breakfast one morning; each and every CM we ran into said hello.
We also overheard many CMs talking about their work hours and how they wish they could go home. We all complain about our jobs, but its not something we should do in front of our customers. This was a dose of reality we were not looking for in the middle of the Disney magic.
Resort transportation was, for the most part, terrible. Ill post details on the transportation board. Our Magical Express experience was truly magical. Well done Disney and Mears! We also had a great experience on Delta.
Weather was hot (expected) with constant rain the first two days (odd). After that the weather settled into its normal pattern: storms in the afternoon and evening, perfectly hot and humid other times.
So would we stay at the All Stars again?
By the middle of our second day, my wife came right out and said that she would never stay at a value again. I wholeheartedly agreed with her. We stayed at All Star Movies because we needed two rooms. From now on, its a moderate or deluxe for us. In fact, we have already decided on the Wilderness Lodge for our next trip.
) and the trash around the resort. I couldn't believe all the smoking that was going on everywhere you looked! 
And then just tossing the butts on the ground--no wonder the CM can't keep up with it. People are so lazy--there were entire trays of meal remains left both inside and outside because the family couldn't walk over to the trash and toss it away??? We didn't experience any issues with the pool, transportation, friendliness, etc. We choose the ASMo for our home base each trip because it allows us to stay 11 days instead of 4-5 at one of the pricier resorts. To each his own...WDW certainly gives everyone their choice 
I didn't.
We got 1113 and 1114, facing parking lot (view did not matter).
. There are TONS of mildew cleaners on the market and all that you have to do is point and spray. You don't even have to SCRUB!!!!!!!! I live in Houston, Tx. It's hot and humid, just like florida. I have white tile, white grout, and 5 in a family who use the showers in our home daily. Guess what.... NO MILDEW!!!!!
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