All Star Music FAQ thread and tips

[sharadoc]

Are there pool activities ate ASMu year round, or do they only happen during the summer months?

Year-round! They were having dance parties, karaoke, trivia contest in January. They are great and I really recommend the resort.

 

[*Seanaci*]

double post

 

[*Seanaci*]

Quick question for y'all:

So, if I've read correctly, paying for a preferred room means that you'll be put in one of the Calypso buildings? I've looked at the map, and that looks like a great location, but is it worth it to pay extra for it?

We're tentatively planning a trip (our first ever to WDW!) for later this year, and it would be me, DH, and our almost-2 year old. I thought it might be good to try to get close to the main building since we'll have the little one with us. Thoughts?

When we go again, I'll be paying extra for a preferred room and requesting Jazz or Calypso buildings closest to the food court.

We got lucky (I didn't request a specific building or location) in December by paying for a Family Suite. Ended up in Calypso building 10, first floor nearer the parking lot. This made it really easy and quick to get back to our room after a late night at the parks with a 15 month old passed out in our arms or his stroller.

Are there pool activities ate ASMu year round, or do they only happen during the summer months?

We were there in December, and they had activites by the pool the whole time.

I have a question about the DME luggage service and ASMu. This is the first time we'll be sending our luggage through DME and I was wondering around how much time it has taken some of you here to get your luggage ASMu? Has anyone had bad experiences with it?

I'm always nervous about losing our luggage...

It is very rare (from what I hear) that luggage gets lost or goes MIA using DME.

We used DME back in December. There were 5 of us in our party and 3 suitcases marked with the special yellow DME tags. We got checked in, went to our room, settled in for a few, then off to the food court to get food. When we got back (15-20 minutes later, now about an hour and a half after touching down at MCO), two of our bags were in the room. When we called Luggage services, they said to call the airline and report it missing; however, luggage services took a description of our bag. After a long hour trying to get through to our airline to report the bag missing, they were wishy washy with helping us file the claim as we were at the hotel and not at the airport.

After much back and forth, and talking with hotel management, they offered to pay for a cab to the nearest walmart so DH and I could get clothes to replace what was missing. I so didn't want to do that as it would have cut into our fun money budget for the rest of the trip. But, just as we were getting ready to walk out the door, luggage services showed up with the missing bag.

After inspecting the bag, we found that the yellow DME tage had been ripped off and stuck in the front zipper part of the bag. So, we THINK it ws probably sitting at the baggage claim for United as an unclaimed bag.

Like I said, I hear it is rare for things like that to happen. And if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about losing luggage. The hotel staff/management was wonderful in helping us find the bag as well as their offer to pay for a cab for us to get replacement clothes.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Another question. We're a family of 7 traveling. My sister's family of 5 will be staying at the ASMu Family Suite and my mom and I have a standard room. When I made the reservations I requested close-by rooms. Is there anyway I can find out if this request has been fulfilled before I arrive or will I just have to wait until check-in to see what can be done?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Hey just a quick question. We stayed in a prefered room last time but I'm thinking about a suite. Is the fridge in the suite the small square one, or is it the taller rectangle dorm fridge?

taller rectangle

I have a question about the DME luggage service and ASMu. This is the first time we'll be sending our luggage through DME and I was wondering around how much time it has taken some of you here to get your luggage ASMu? Has anyone had bad experiences with it?

I'm always nervous about losing our luggage...

I've always received mine relatively quickly the 10 or so times I've used DME. But I always carry a change of clothes and kids PJ's in my carry on just in case-even when I don't use DME as the airline could easily loose the luggage too.

Another question. We're a family of 7 traveling. My sister's family of 5 will be staying at the ASMu Family Suite and my mom and I have a standard room. When I made the reservations I requested close-by rooms. Is there anyway I can find out if this request has been fulfilled before I arrive or will I just have to wait until check-in to see what can be done?

I think you'll have to wait. I stayed in a family suite last August with my family of 5 for 14 nights and 2 friends of ours joined us for 7 nights in the middle of our trip in a standard room. I had requested to be close on my reservation, I faxed a room request a few days before our trip and I think reminded them at my check in. Our friends were about 2 doors down from us.

 

[kbeverina]

My daughter and I stayed at All-Star Music over spring break for three nights before checking into VWL. It's the first time we've stayed at All-Stars (we need more room with the whole family) and we absolutely loved it.

We arrived about 11pm and had our packet ready and waiting from online check-in. The CM at the desk gave us our room number and circled an area in Jazz Inn. I was confused and told her I'd booked a preferred room. She asked me if I had the paperwork and I did and got it out. Then she said that we'd been upgraded to a Family Suite. I kind of hesitated for a second, which probably seemed rude, but I was thinking what a waste it was to give us a Family Suite when there was just the two of us and some other family would appreciate having it. Then I realized how late it was so I smiled and said we would take it.

Here are some of the pictures we took:

 

[kbeverina]

 

[kbeverina]

Our Mousekeepers were great. And they went crazy with towel animals every day:

 

[kbeverina]

Around the resort:

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

This is an odd request, but does anyone have the pictures of the standard room bathrooms? The bathroom is my favorite part of all hotels!

 

[kbeverina]

Piano Pool:

Calypso Pool:

Food Court:

Check-In:

 

[pmdeve]

We are leaving in a couple of weeks. I thought I was excited before, but now I see your pictures, I'm bouncing off the walls. These pictures are great and really show the suite. Thanks.

 

[lookingforward]

Great pictures! We have stayed in the family suites twice and LOVED it. The hotel is so much fun for kids, the pool activities are great. I tried to book it this weekend but it was sold out!

 

[Eli's 1st trip]

Wow, thats great that you got upgraded to a Family Suite....

 

[kbeverina]

Thanks!

I would personally choose the Family Suite over a standard room at a moderate.

 

[fan4wdw]

Im super excited for our upcoming trip. I've been a lurker on this board for years but just joined. It will be my daughter, myself, my sister & my niece on this trip. We arrive on June 11th - 18th & my 8 yr old daughter wants to request the Broadway section based on the photos of the theming we've seen. I would have wanted a preferred room in Calypso but the resort is apparantly booked solid that week. I'm very afraid of the crowds in the parks & just found out we will be there for the Star Wars thing which the 8 year old girls have ZERO interest in lol.

Im hoping the walk from Broadway isint too terrible, but I'm sure we will have an awesome time!!

 

[Goofy22]

Im super excited for our upcoming trip. I've been a lurker on this board for years but just joined. It will be my daughter, myself, my sister & my niece on this trip. We arrive on June 11th - 18th & my 8 yr old daughter wants to request the Broadway section based on the photos of the theming we've seen. I would have wanted a preferred room in Calypso but the resort is apparantly booked solid that week. I'm very afraid of the crowds in the parks & just found out we will be there for the Star Wars thing which the 8 year old girls have ZERO interest in lol.

Im hoping the walk from Broadway isint too terrible, but I'm sure we will have an awesome time!!

Broadway isn't bad at all! It's Calypso then Jazz then Broadway! It is to the left of the Piano Pool!

 

[pegryfun]

Im super excited for our upcoming trip. I've been a lurker on this board for years but just joined. It will be my daughter, myself, my sister & my niece on this trip. We arrive on June 11th - 18th & my 8 yr old daughter wants to request the Broadway section based on the photos of the theming we've seen. I would have wanted a preferred room in Calypso but the resort is apparantly booked solid that week. I'm very afraid of the crowds in the parks & just found out we will be there for the Star Wars thing which the 8 year old girls have ZERO interest in lol.

Im hoping the walk from Broadway isint too terrible, but I'm sure we will have an awesome time!!

We stayed in the Broadway building last Sept. and I timed my walk to the main building and with my short legs, it took me 7 minutes. Not bad at all.

 

[Haley/Hayden Mom]

I requested the Country Building because my oldest plays the fiddle and she really wants to stay in the building with the giant fiddle on it. I know it is a little further back and hopefully will be a little quieter. Has anyone else stayed in the Country building and can tell me about it?
TIA

 

[mandanjeremy]

just subbing, as well be there in sept.