All Star Music FAQ thread and tips

[PrincessSuzanne]

Just called again today and was told by this CM that there are never any discounts on suites.

I don't know what to say, because I have the discount on my package ($250) and I have talked to others on here that were also able to get a discount.

Suzanne

 

[jonna30]

Just called again today and was told by this CM that there are never any discounts on suites.

When I booked our bounceback for next Sept with free dining I could have gotten the family suites. However, decided to go with 2 rooms at pop as they were less expensive. Free dining has not previously been allowed with the suites. So, maybe their policy is changing somewhat.

 

[helenk]

Going to the Allstar Music in less than 2 weeks and I am getting excited. My brother wanted to know what kind of alcohol they sell. I do not drink so I've never really paid attention. It seems I remember beer at the food court, do they sell wine or anything else at the store?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Just called again today and was told by this CM that there are never any discounts on suites.

I too just booked a family suite for August 08 with a AAA discount.

 

[Jill Schwartz]

Just booked a room only AAA rate for a Family Suites at the end of August. Not sure, but I think for a AAA rate it has to be Value Season??? And I think the AAA rate rooms often sell out early.

Jill

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Just booked a room only AAA rate for a Family Suites at the end of August. Not sure, but I think for a AAA rate it has to be Value Season??? And I think the AAA rate rooms often sell out early.

Jill

The AAA rate is different for each season, unless they have changed it for 2008 and that booklet isn't out yet, my AAA office still had the one for 2007. I just called WDTC this morning and they were sold out of AAA rooms for my April/May trip, but I still booked it anyway, hoping for some other discount, maybe AP Holders.

Suzanne

 

[honeyb4]

we just got back from a 6 night 7 day stay. we stayed in the calypso building facing the pool. the room was great- clean, decent sized, and not as noisy as i expected.

one tip- we ended up being on the afternoon housekeeping run which meant we missed it twice the first 3 days (kids were asleep after leaving for the park before 8) we were told that if you have young kids (and expect to be back for naps) to ask to be placed on the morning list.

we found the people to be helpful, the resort clean, the waits for the buses not bad (though my 3 yr old had to stand twice on the bus), the food decent (morning lines are tough if you are an early riser).

we also had a magical moment- my 1 yr old was playing peek a boo with a manager (who was behind me that I didnt notice as i was walking in from the pool to the main desks). they did this the entire corridor. as we got near the desks the manager dissappeared and reappeared with a plush mickey mouse for my daughter- she loved it!

if people have questions please ask- im new to posting here so not sure what others would like to know

 

[nklooz]

we just got back from a 6 night 7 day stay. we stayed in the calypso building facing the pool. the room was great- clean, decent sized, and not as noisy as i expected.

one tip- we ended up being on the afternoon housekeeping run which meant we missed it twice the first 3 days (kids were asleep after leaving for the park before 8) we were told that if you have young kids (and expect to be back for naps) to ask to be placed on the morning list.

we found the people to be helpful, the resort clean, the waits for the buses not bad (though my 3 yr old had to stand twice on the bus), the food decent (morning lines are tough if you are an early riser).

we also had a magical moment- my 1 yr old was playing peek a boo with a manager (who was behind me that I didnt notice as i was walking in from the pool to the main desks). they did this the entire corridor. as we got near the desks the manager dissappeared and reappeared with a plush mickey mouse for my daughter- she loved it!

if people have questions please ask- im new to posting here so not sure what others would like to know

Hi! We are thinking of staying at Music next Sept and I have a few questions, if you don't mind. I would prefer to not spend money on the preferred location, which I believe is Calypso, right? But, will if we really need to.

However, am wondering, the Jazz buildings look pretty convenient to food court, mail pool, bus stop, etc. How long of walk would you say they were?

Is Calypso truly worth the extra money?

How long were you bus rides to all of the parks & DTD and what was your typical wait at a bus stop going either way?

Any other things I should know if trying to make the decision on 1.) whether to try a value after doing POR (moderate) and 2.) if Music is the right choice.

I have heard it is 1 of the more peaceful values, which, was why I was choosing it, plus, the renovations. Do people agree?

Also, how are the pools? Are they super crowded? Can you find chairs if you hit the pool around 1 or 2?

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[nklooz]

Ok, after reading all of this thread, even more excited about ASMusic.

Does anyone have an update on if the pilot pool entertainment/night time movie program is becoming permanent?

I HOPE SO!!! That sounds great!

 

[lovesdumbo]

the food decent (morning lines are tough if you are an early riser).

What time was the food court crazy?

Loved the story about your DD's magical moment!

Hi! We are thinking of staying at Music next Sept and I have a few questions, if you don't mind. I would prefer to not spend money on the preferred location, which I believe is Calypso, right? But, will if we really need to.

However, am wondering, the Jazz buildings look pretty convenient to food court, mail pool, bus stop, etc. How long of walk would you say they were?

Is Calypso truly worth the extra money?

How long were you bus rides to all of the parks & DTD and what was your typical wait at a bus stop going either way?

Any other things I should know if trying to make the decision on 1.) whether to try a value after doing POR (moderate) and 2.) if Music is the right choice.

I have heard it is 1 of the more peaceful values, which, was why I was choosing it, plus, the renovations. Do people agree?

Also, how are the pools? Are they super crowded? Can you find chairs if you hit the pool around 1 or 2?

THANK YOU!!!!

First I need to tell that I've never stayed at ASMu but.....you do understand that if you requested Jazz there is no guarantee that you'll get it. I didn't get what I was hoping for at ASMo a few years ago and most recently at POR I asked for any of 3 buildings and got about as far from food court as possible. I wish POR had preferred rooms-location not just view.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[honeyb4]

jazz was maybe another 2 or 3 min walk (if you got one of the closer rooms.) we paid for the preferred and would again- just to be sure we didnt end up the last set of rooms in the place (which would be our luck).

we didnt use the pools during the afternoon but when we came back to our room midafternoon it wasnt overly crowded- nor was it at night (we went twice between 8 and 9 pm)

the ride to mk was about 20 min and epcot/mgm were about 15. We never waited more than 15 min anywhere- and most of the times less than 5 min. my only complaint about the buses were some of the other people. I know that others may disagree- but I believe if you have an able teenager- they should give their seats up to just about anyone (elderly, young, pregnant) if someone has to stand. Most people did squeeze and hold their kids so that others would be able to sit- and overall the buses were positive.

we arent people to spend alot of time in our rooms except for sleeping- and this was more than sufficient. I honestly dont think i would spend the money on a higher level resort- because we wouldnt make use out of it.

 

[honeyb4]

the food court was pretty jammed from 7-9:30 most days (we were never there after that). the wait for food could be up 10 min and another 5 or 10 for check out.

 

[Mickey_Lynne]

I am staying at the ASMu in a family suite with my family in 8 days. This is our first trip to WDW and the ASMu family suites seemed the most perfect fit for our needs. My mom is coming with us and she will be in a ECV and I have 3 daughters ages 16, 14 and 10. I love everything I have seen and heard about the ASMu suites.

 

[Jchance]

We stayed at asmu this past summer and we were given the country resort in the back, It was not that bad if you don't mind the walk, but next time I will pay the extra for the preferred room. It is well worth it in my opinion.

 

[juligrl]

Hi! We are thinking of staying at Music next Sept and I have a few questions, if you don't mind. I would prefer to not spend money on the preferred location, which I believe is Calypso, right? But, will if we really need to.

It depends - if you're spending the majority of time at the resort and going back and forth from your room to the food court then you might want to spring for the preferred building. If you're more like my family though and basically spend the majority of your days walking around the parks then what's another short jaunt to your hotel at night (and we were back in the country section so it was a jaunt).

I prefer to save that little bit of $ and use it towards souveniers - plus with having been there on free dining, I figured the exercise couldn't hurt.

However, am wondering, the Jazz buildings look pretty convenient to food court, mail pool, bus stop, etc. How long of walk would you say they were?

The far end of the Jazz building was probably about mid way to our room. If it's considered "preferred" (I don't know if it is) it shouldn't be. I thought it was convenient to... the fountain.

Is Calypso truly worth the extra money?

Again, it depends on your preferance and Disney vacation style.

How long were you bus rides to all of the parks & DTD and what was your typical wait at a bus stop going either way?

We were just there last week for free dining and the buses came along pretty regularly every 5-10 minutes or so. Not saying that we were always able to get on - at peak times there were longish lines for the buses and I won't stand with two small children - figure on 15-20 minutes give or take depending on factors like bus lines and parties requiring special assistance. Our longest wait was an absurd 45 minutes! Thank goodness that was the exception and not the norm.

As far as travel time I think most destinations were 15-20 minutes away - straight to the parks.

Expect long bus lines coming home if you stay anywhere 'til close (and that's with buses coming frequently).

Any other things I should know if trying to make the decision on 1.) whether to try a value after doing POR (moderate) and 2.) if Music is the right choice.

I loved POFQ for its theming and its compact size and would go back there again in a heartbeat (I really miss that there are no hot tubs at the values), but if staying at a value means I can extend my trip I'll do that.

That said, theming is lost on children, how much time do I actually spend at the hotel anyhow, and my 4 year old doesn't do waterslides. I'm content staying at the values right now and getting the longer vacations.

ASMu was fun - lots of activities going on around the resort - nice staff - clean - no complaints. We took a trip next door to check out ASMo too and our 4 year old loved the theming.

I have heard it is 1 of the more peaceful values, which, was why I was choosing it, plus, the renovations. Do people agree?

Also, how are the pools? Are they super crowded? Can you find chairs if you hit the pool around 1 or 2?

Where we were (second floor back side of country fair) was very quiet. We were out of the hustle and bustle of all the activities going on up by the guitar shaped pool and calypso buildings and food court.

We never had a problem finding chairs by the pool. The guitar pool at night (when they were showing movies there) got a little "crowded", but the piano pool was never "crowded".

 

[Lintasare]

My sister and I are going to be at ASMu on the 22nd of this month through the 29th. This is our third time staying there and we absolutely love it. Yes I admit around the pool and in the food court in the morning it can be a bit crazy but that is all part of the magic. The past two trips we stayed in Calypso (before they turned it into suites) and in Broadway. I gotta say I don't remember there being alot of noise when we stayed in Calypso. I loved Broadway even though it was a bit of a walk from the main building. But hey with the dining plan we needed our exercise to burn off all those delicious calories. I can't help but wonder what building we will be in this time. Honestly I would love to be in Broadway again.

The staff at ASMu is awesome. Even the guy manning the check in desk at 3 in the morning when we were waiting for our ME bus to take us back to the airport.

Only 3 days till check in...I can hardly wait.

 

[aubriee]

All rooms have hairdryers at ASMu, and the family suites have TWO hairdryers Can't wait! Going in about 5 weeks!

As for king beds? I could have sworn that no rooms at the values have kings- no matter what room. All the beds at the values are FULL's unless you get a family suite which has a Queen for the main bed.

I had a king bed at AS Sports this past May.

 

[two*little*birds]

Someone told me the new family suites have the option of a king bed as well. Is this true?

Thanks

 

[MickeyRN]

We are leaving in 2 hours and will be at ASMU from 9/20-9/27 After reading this thread I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Someone told me the new family suites have the option of a king bed as well. Is this true?

Thanks

Not to my knowledge, they have a queen bed in the bedroom, but it would be nice to know. I won't get to find out until April unless someone else can tell us.

Suzanne