All Star Movies or Holiday Inn DS

[SwanVT2]

We love DS and want to be close but at the same time will miss Disney theming and I love the Dalmatians (are they only preferred rooms). How are the buses from Movies to DS? Are there pretty walking paths? How is the food court?

Looking at Thanksgiving week as a reschedule of cancelled Feb. 2025 trip. I see Holiday Inn has larger rooms and balconies, which are nice. We do like a hot tub, too. But I have read mixed reviews on cleanliness and elevator. Another option is Island/Tower room two queens Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace, but I would want to make sure we had an island room because I don't like the noise in the tower and it seems like this is not guaranteed. Lazy river is tempting though.

Thank you for any input!!

 

[elvispursley]

Just for the transportation alone I would choose any AS resort. Unless you’re driving or renting your own car, you’d be better off with Disney buses, imo. Using an offsite hotel shuttle has absolutely zero appeal to me nor do I feel it’s a benefit as the schedule of those shuttles is limited and a lot of them you need reservations. I’d take ASM any day all day.

 

[SwanVT2]

Just for the transportation alone I would choose any AS resort. Unless you’re driving or renting your own car, you’d be better off with Disney buses, imo. Using an offsite hotel shuttle has absolutely zero appeal to me nor do I feel it’s a benefit as the schedule of those shuttles is limited and a lot of them you need reservations. I’d take ASM any day all day.

If we stay at a DS resort, we would use Uber. We are only going to MK and AK for parks, then a day at Discovery Cove.

 

[Skippyboo]

Bus stop at DS is out in the far loop so there’s a bit of a hike to it. The All Stars food court is basically burgers, tenders , pizza. Mickey waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage etc. You could walk around the resort and the other All Stars but it’s nothing super scenic mostly landscaping, other buildings with their large sculptures.

If you want onsite and easy access to DS , I would look at POR Riverside.

I like the Drury at DS. I have stayed there multiple times ahead of Disney cruises. Super clean, large pool with hot tub. Breakfast included. Evening snacks and drinks included.

 

[HopperFan]

We love DS and want to be close but at the same time will miss Disney theming and I love the Dalmatians (are they only preferred rooms). How are the buses from Movies to DS? Are there pretty walking paths? How is the food court?

I believe that Dalmatians, Toy Story and Fantasia have preferred rooms.

 

[hsmamato2]

I personally love the Holiday inn near DS-stayed there quite a few times and It's always been clean and enjoyable- buses to parks are every hour on the hour (they schedule them and you reserve a time ahead) and walking to Springs is a plus!

 

[Beachmom0317]

we stayed at shades of green once and while it's a lovely resort with large rooms we really just missed the Disney theming! My kids love wearing magic bands every day and unlocking the door. But it depends I guess on how much time you will spend in the room and how frequent your visit DS

 

[brockash]

We love DS and want to be close but at the same time will miss Disney theming and I love the Dalmatians (are they only preferred rooms). How are the buses from Movies to DS? Are there pretty walking paths? How is the food court?

Looking at Thanksgiving week as a reschedule of cancelled Feb. 2025 trip. I see Holiday Inn has larger rooms and balconies, which are nice. We do like a hot tub, too. But I have read mixed reviews on cleanliness and elevator. Another option is Island/Tower room two queens Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace, but I would want to make sure we had an island room because I don't like the noise in the tower and it seems like this is not guaranteed. Lazy river is tempting though.

Thank you for any input!!

100% All Star Movies.

 

[SwanVT2]

100% All Star Movies.

Why? Thanks!

 

[brockash]

Why? Thanks!

To be in the bubble. We will always choose a Disney hotel over anything else. Even Swan and Dolphin or Shades of Green are nice enough and in Disney property, but we'd rather stay at a value than those just because we don't getcthe same Disney feel.

 

[stinkpickle]

I wouldn't mind staying at Disney Springs area, good neighbor hotels. I just wouldn't rely on their transportation. I would factor in the price of an Uber ride each morning when comparing rates to an All Stars resort.

 

[SwanVT2]

I wouldn't mind staying at Disney Springs area, good neighbor hotels. I just wouldn't rely on their transportation. I would factor in the price of an Uber ride each morning when comparing rates to an All Stars resort.

We only have two park days planned

 

[Dug720]

I wouldn't mind staying at Disney Springs area, good neighbor hotels. I just wouldn't rely on their transportation. I would factor in the price of an Uber ride each morning when comparing rates to an All Stars resort.

And remember that the drop-off point for an Uber at MK will actually be at the TTC - so you have to factor in the time for the monorail or ferry from there.

I'd always pick almost anything on Disney property over Holiday Inn. Not a fan of theirs.

 

[hardcorestitch]

We love DS and want to be close but at the same time will miss Disney theming and I love the Dalmatians (are they only preferred rooms). How are the buses from Movies to DS? Are there pretty walking paths? How is the food court?

Looking at Thanksgiving week as a reschedule of cancelled Feb. 2025 trip. I see Holiday Inn has larger rooms and balconies, which are nice. We do like a hot tub, too. But I have read mixed reviews on cleanliness and elevator. Another option is Island/Tower room two queens Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace, but I would want to make sure we had an island room because I don't like the noise in the tower and it seems like this is not guaranteed. Lazy river is tempting though.

Thank you for any input!!

If you’re looking at transportation to the parks, DO NOT GO FOR THE HOLIDAY INN DISNEY SPRINGS! They contract a terrible bus company that claims to be picking up people from the parks every 30 mins but they lie and show up well over an hour! Not to mention, they also lie that they can’t put Holiday Inn guests on one of their buses even though THERE IS SPACE and NOT MANY FOLKS FROM OTHER HOTELS WERE ON BOARD.

If I were you, I would definitely go for the All Star Movies resort. You can trust that Disney actually runs sufficient amounts of buses to the parks and back and not leave you at risk of heat exhaustion.

 

[SwanVT2]

And remember that the drop-off point for an Uber at MK will actually be at the TTC - so you have to factor in the time for the monorail or ferry from there.

I'd always pick almost anything on Disney property over Holiday Inn. Not a fan of theirs.

Have you stayed at their property? Thanks for the input!

 

[Dug720]

Have you stayed at their property? Thanks for the input!

No - I've had too many bad experiences with Holiday Inns in the past. They get no more chances.

 

[stinkpickle]

And remember that the drop-off point for an Uber at MK will actually be at the TTC - so you have to factor in the time for the monorail or ferry from there.

I'd always pick almost anything on Disney property over Holiday Inn. Not a fan of theirs.

I take Ubers to the Swolpin for breakfast and use Boardwalk's or Yacht Club's bus.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Also Holiday Innhas 2 locations considered Disney Springs/ DisneyWorld area…be very careful … even the Holiday Inn close to Universal was not good experience for me…

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Based on you only doing 2 parks and using Uber I would stay at HI which I think is much better for DS