All Star Movies Vs. Dolphin or Swan

[Mr. Buzz Light Beer]

I am currently booked to stay at the All Star Movies 10/13 through 10/21. I am going with my sister and her two daughters ages 13 & 20, my mom and my wife and our two kids. ages 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. We stayed at the All Star Music last year and it was great. Here is my question. I am paying $103 per night at ASM (includes taxes and trip insurance.) My wife, sister and mother are all Nurses and we can get a room at the Dolphin or Swan for $129 plus taxes etc. I have left a deposit ($300) for a three rooms at ASM and I don't know if I can get it back, if I wanted to, but is the Dolphin/Swan so much better that I should look into it. All Star Resorts are so kid friendly I am hesitant to change. I don't know if I can get a room with a view of EPCOT or MGM for the discount rate but it is much closer to the parks. Anybody's thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. P.S. This site is Great.

 

[zagafi]

Personally, there's no way I'd pay that much for one of the All-Stars. The rooms are tiny, and while the *outside* decor is fun, the room interiors hurt my eyes.

I think you can do much better that time of year. You might want to see what discounts are available. You can probably get a moderate for around $99 during your time frame.

 

[tdelano]

Mr Buzz,
I can't comment on the All-stars because I have never stayed there, but I spent a week at the Dolphin last Dec. with kids 9,10. 13 and we could not have been happier! We felt like we got an AWESOME deal with the teacher discount. You just cannot beat the location. We walked easily to the boardwalk, Beach club, even to Epcot, the boat is right there for MGM and Epcot which means very little time spent on the bus! The pool is one of the nicest we had ever swam in, sand beach and play area for the little ones. I can't say enough positive things about it!!

 

[robinb]

Welcome To DIS!

I have stayed at the All Stars and at the Swan. I like them both for different reasons. So, which one is best for you? The little kids won't care about the resort and the older kids will appreciate the Swan/Dolphin better IMO. The adults will also like the S/D better because of it's location. My vote would be to move your reservation . Be aware that you will lose your trip insurance premium paid.

If $$ is a problem, you may want to check www.mousesavers.com for WDW discount codes. You may be able to shave the price on the All Stars to a more reasonable level.

 

[hellow]

We faced the same dilemma and came up with another conclusion. We have middle-school aged kids and decided to go with All Star Movies instead of the govt rate for Dolphin for the following reasons:

1. You also have to add in the $8/day resort fee to the $129 per night at the Dolphin which you cannot waive. (At least according to the reservationist I talked to)
2. With kids, the food court at All Stars is a much more economical route than the expensive restaurants at the Dolphin. We will be staying there for 7 days, and we could burn through a lot of money in just occasional meals at the resort.
3. Even though my kids are 12 and 15, they really like the atmosphere at the All Stars. They have said they feel more comfortable in that atmosphere over the "deluxe" hotel.

My husband and I stayed at the Dolphin for our anniversary and really enjoyed it, but just didn't feel like it was the right choice to spend even a little extra per night to stay there with the kids. That is just our opinion, and a lot depends on your family's preference for accomodations. From a budget perspective, however, you really need to consider items 1 & 2 to make a good decision.

 

[dreamflight99]

I have never stayed at the AS resorts, but have stayed at every other Disney prop (W/exception of the AKL). The Dolphin is heavenly!

The Teachers discount rate is an amazing rate for this Deluxe resort. The $8 fee is easily waived at the desk upon check-in to the Dolphin/Swan. Recent guests have reported no problems with this request. Also, the food courts are certainly very also reasonable for children, but Tubbi's is also quite feasible. You will receive a 20% discount off of all food at the Restaurants with a Disney Club card! So, a large pepperoni pizza is about $8.00 at Tubbi's! It's piping hot, fresh and delicious! There are kids meals and pricing appropriate for children in every restaurant (except Shula's), even on the Room Service menu!

I would have to choose the Dolphin/Swan over the AS resorts every time. The Location ALONE is a major factor! I just returned from more than a 7-week sojourn...including more than a month at the Dolphin. The transportation to the parks is liberating when compared to the All Stars/other resorts. I watched time and time again, as the empty bus pulled up promptly for the few guests waiting at the Dolphin/Swan depot...only to see the huge crowd of disparaged guests staring in frustration from the over-crowded bus depot for the All stars resorts. The A/C boat transportation to MGM and Epcot are the best kept secrets in all of Disney World!

I would suggest you TRY the Dolphin/Swan...you'll never wish to stay any place else!

 

[heidihiden]

I agree with all of the posts. Stay at the Swan or Dolphin. The deluxe resorts are so much nicer and the conviences are many. There is also great nightly entertainment at the Boardwalk is just a minute away. The pools are great. The kids will love the pool at the boardwalk and beach club. With disney you can cancel your trip up to 48 hours out without penalty. So you should be able to get your money back on the rooms.. You will most likely lose you money for the insurance but that I'm sure is not much. In the future book with disney directly. Check out some discount codes on mousesavers.com That is a great website. Also check out wdwig.com another great site.... Have a great trip!!!

 

[SPINNER]

WE HAVE STAYED in many resorts from FLORIDIAN to the CAMPGROUND...could not get into a moderate resort, asked for what was DIXIE LANDINGS...ONLY thing available was an all star....
the rooms were tiny, dingy and ugly...stained wallpaper and rugs... THOUGHT the whole complex sucked.....after two days called guest services and told them I WAS NOT HAVING the DISNEY EXPERIENCE, GET ME OUTTA THERE...
got into carribean....loved it....
after driving 1200 miles in two days, I WANT SOMETHING NICE AND IT WAS NOT THE ALL STAR ANYTHING...
THIS JANUARY, booked a month at FT. WILDERNESS, one of our favorites.......
after our trip, I WROTE DISNEY of my compliants.....

never got a reply........that was my experience.......
SPINNER

 

[dreamflight99]

So sorry to read of the terrible disappointment you experienced at the All Stars resort. I have stayed at the Carribean Beach resort, and LOVED IT! The rooms are spacious and roomy, the colors are bright and well-themed, and the food court is awesome! Not to mention the Castle-type pool with the fun slide, and the beautiful lake (fed turtles by the shore), with the boats and nice walking path...etc., etc.

Ft. Wilderness is also a fabulous resort. Are you staying in the Cabins? My girlfriend's family recently stayed in a campsite/RV and raved about the service and the privacy. They are going back in December.

Hope your stay at Ft. Wilderness is a Magical one!

 

[jgates]

If everyone is willing I would do the Swan/Dolphin. We loved it. I can't say enough about the place.

Refillable mugs: $10 @ Tubbi's. They are up by the checkout so make sure you go get one before you start filling up a disposable pop cup. These more than paid for themselves (even walking from Swan to get them filled) and we still have a nice souvenier.

Go the ESPN club on boardwalk and maybe split a meal. They are pretty filling. My ds & I had Nachos 2 times for a meal which were pretty reasonable compared to rest of menu. I think we could have split the order but i wanted mine a little different.

We didn't have Disney Club so we paid full price for our pizzas but they WERE GOOD! My 18 year old bottomless pit couldn't finish a whole one so usually dd & I got something smaller (like fruit) and we shared the pizza.

 

[Kitten516]

Personally we really like the deals we get at the all stars. 4 nights 220$ after taxes. We were able to get a really good discount. I would not even think about paying $100 a day for the ***. For only around 20-30 more a night I would stay at the swan or dolphin. If you could get a better deal at the ALL Stars I would stay there.

 

[Gillian]

I know a lot of people like the Movies resort, but have you tried to get a better rate at one of the other all stars? You should be able to do a little better at music or sports! That would be the least expensive way to go.

It looks like October is a popular time this year. From what I've heard, there isn't a lot of availability for the beginning part of your trip.

I guess I'd try for sports or music at a lower rate, and the go for S/D. I think the location is great,but they may be busy with conventions at that time & not offer the teacher rate.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[SPINNER]

HAVE STAYED IN CABINS AND ON CAMPSITE, WITH A CLASS B....
THIS TIME WE HAVE a class A and will be in loop 400 for month of January....waiting for the sept discounts to come out...
probably the most comfortable and inexpensive of all resorts.....then heading to the keys in FEB...have never had a vacation this long...
you are never too old to have a happy childhood...........SPINNER

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by heidihiden
The kids will love the pool at the boardwalk and beach club.

Sorry, pool hopping IS NOT allowed unless you are a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) member.

The CM's will check for resort ID, especially at the Yacht & Beach Club's Stormalong Bay.

We are also Swan and Dolphin fans....you get so much more for a little extra money and it's so worth it! Your comparing a value resort (All Stars) to a deluxe resort. To me, there is no comparison!

 

[dandelion]

Originally posted by Blondie
Sorry, pool hopping IS NOT allowed unless you are a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) member.

And actually my DD loves the pools at the S/D complex. She was 4 and 5 at the times of her two stays there. There are numerous hot tubs, a shallow kiddie pool, and a fairly warm water 3' pool. They all surround a pretty grotto - and there's a slide she could do when she was 5 also.

The convenient transportation to MGM and Epcot will be a big plus with your little ones, it's very easy to "stroll" them home after Illuminations.

We like Tubbis too, also there's a little room in the minibar fridge for small bottles of milk or juice - we've never been charged for using the space.

I've also had the resort fee waived at every check-in, 5 times for me.

So, I guess I'd go with the S/D too, especially if you can get the $129 rate. Good luck.

 

[pooh2001]

We had the teacher rate at the Dolphin this past June.
The kids loved the pool. It has a water fall, volleyball net, a slide (FREE use of
life vests for little guests), shallow (4 ft) sections - deeper sections (I think 6 ft),
and 3 acres of water. That's just the grotto pool. There is a large hot tub, a very large
kiddie pool (1 ft of water) and a 6 lane lap pool (over 16 yrs to swim).
There is a sandy beach to play on.

Rent a Swan shaped paddle boat at the S/D. Rent a bike at the Boardwalk to
ride around the wooden path (goes by S/D, Boardwalk, Y/B). Rent a water
sprite at the Y/B.

Take an evening stroll around the resorts ( S/D, Boardwalk, Y/B).

Get a DC card to have 20% off your meals.

BRING you own breakfast cereal, bowls and spoons.
Buy milk at tubbies. Have breakfast in your room.

BRING some snacks from home for evening.
Get the refillable mugs for a drink - soda, coffee, tea, lemonade
at Tubbies.

Have pizza at Tubbies one night for dinner - under $10.
Use your refillable mugs for free drinks.


Go to the Dolphin Fountian. USE the DC card. For $5 your child
under 12 (I think) gets a hamburger or grilled cheese, a drink,
chips and a small ice cream. A wonderful BLT is $5 with the DC card.
Again refillable mugs for DH & me (can fill up at Tubbies and bring them
into the Dolphin Fountain). Cost of our meal ... $20 plus tip.


Unless your heart is set on a value resort. Try the S/D.
I think you'll enjoy it