All-Star Resorts for couples ... Headache or happiness?

[ScarletIndigo]

I've read very mixed reviews about the All-Star Resorts, with families who have young children usually giving them the highest marks. Nonetheless, for our first trip as a couple (albeit a couple on a budget!) my DF are staying at the ASMu Resort.

Not very romantic, you say? Maybe not ... But cramming the four WDW parks, Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and "La Nouba" (whew!) into an 8-day/7-night stay made us realize that the time we spend in the resort will almost exclusively be reserved for sleeping and maybe an occasional quick bite to eat.

I expect noise, lotsa kids, and probably a fairly large crowd, now that the "Fairytale Vacation Package" has made its debut. Originally what we thought would be a lull in late September/early October will probably prove to be a bit more crazy, but (at least in my eyes) sometimes craziness can contribute to the excitement!

I'd love to try one of the moderate or even deluxe resorts, believe me. I'm sure we'll be visiting a few of them for some romantic dinners, and I've no doubt that I'll be looking forward to booking our stay at one of them next time 'round. But seeing as we managed to get our entire vacation (plane tickets, 7-night ASMu reservation, UPH tickets, Universal & IOA tickets, and "La Nouba" tickets) under $1800 total, we can take all that saved money and put it toward the Contemporary next time around! ;-)

But until then, has anyone else experienced an All-Star Resort as a couple? We're both in our mid-20's and are decidely young at heart, so I'm hoping a dip in the kid-crowded guitar pool and eating at a food court so loud you can't even hear yourself think will still manage to be fun ... I hope! ;-)

Let's hear your stories!

 

[clkelley]

We stayed there for our 10th anniversary as a couple at All-Star Sports in Feb 00 and then again as a couple at All-Star Movies in April 03.

We found the resort to be fine!!

During the Feb 00 trip, we stayed in bed till 11am, then headed out for the parks, eating lunch once we got out. We always had dinner at the parks or a deluxe resort. (We do that even with the kids with us). We came in late from PI most nights, and didn't use the pools, so the crowds were not an issue for us.

In April 03, we only had four days and were with another couple who had never been. We were up at "0 dark thirty" every morning, were one of the first ones in the food court for breakfast. Had lunch and dinner out at the parks and resorts and got in rather late each evening, and sat by a deserted pool for 30 minutes to unwind with a drink before going to bed.

From the looks of your itinerary, you'll be in the same situation we were, so go to All-Stars and enjoy!!

If you want any peace near your room, don't request a courtyard view. The backsides of the buildings are quite peaceful and have some nice wooded views. Rooms near the "second" pool tend to be quieter as well.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Hi clkelley! I liked your "0 dark thirty" -- that sounds exactly like what we'll be doing!

Thanks for the tip about courtyard views ... When I booked our room, I specifically asked for preferred location, only because I want to be as close to the busses and food court as possible, so we can get up early, grab a quick bite, and make our getaway to the parks on the first bus o' the morning. ;-) It might not be the most quiet of locations, true ... But at least we won't have to make that dreaded feels-like-a-mile-long trek from the farther buildings, which I've heard plenty about! Yikes!

 

[puffkin]

You will have a GREAT time! We had almost the exact same itinerary on our first trip (just two twenty somethings) and we had a great time at the ASMo. The Movies is the most popular with families, and Sports for the teens. Music is the more adult themed one of the three anyway. My suggestion would be to have it noted on your reservation that you would like a quiet area on the third floor. That way, you won't have to listen to the turbo flush toilets in the morning. Also, we noticed that the pools were always full, even late at night, so I would request an area that isn't near a pool. Also, since you have a very ambitious schedule, the convenience of the food courts at the All Stars are great! Relax, and don't worry. You will have a great time!

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Thanks Puffkin! All these tips are awesome ... DIS board members are definitely the kindest and most helpful people on the planet! ;-)

I'm off to read your trip reports ... Take care!

 

[Hillbeans]

Scarlet,

As long as you know going into this trip that there's going to be lots of kids and probably noise outside your door you'll have a good time. I would expect that about 75% of the people staying there have kids, and some people (hard to believe) don't like to vacation with a hotel full of kids. I have a 2yo and would feel guilty if I had the room next to yours...kids of all ages can be pretty noisy. Granted, that could be at the ASM or the Grand Floridian!

Just my .02 cents

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi,

You sound very easy going and seem to know what to expect already... people like you have incredibly good holidays.

Have fun - don't worry about a thing,

>>^..^<<

 

[Kim&Chris]

It sounds like you have very realistic expectations, so you'll be fine.

We stayed at the AS Movies in 2001 and, to tell you the truth, left with very mixed reviews. On one hand, the food court was surprisingly good (great selection, great value). On the other hand, we both got about 5-6 hours sleep at night because parents tend to let their kids run wild at these resorts. I know it's Disney, and I know that kids have alot of pent up energy, but I was so angry because the kids kept running up and down the corridors all through the night, screaming and banging on doors. In fact, one other guest finally opened his door and yelled at the kids.

I will keep my fingers crossed that your visit will be much better than mine was

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Hi guys! Thanks for your kind words! I'm the easy-going one out of the two of us, and I'm trying to instill the whole "live for each moment" attitude in DF, so hopefully a dose of WDW magic (boisterous kids and all!) will do the trick.

And no worries about the noise. If all goes my way, DF will need to get used to the idea of kid-sounds when I insist on having a few crumbsnatchers of my own in the future! ;-)

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Hi Kim&Chris,

Looks like you'll be enjoying WDW almost the same exact time as DF and I! Can't wait to read your trip report!

Thanks for crossed fingers, and best of luck on your vacation as well!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Wow, I hadn't noticed your countdown timer! Don't forget to wear your lime green ribbon.....seems there will be lots of DIS members in WDW around this time

Have a great vacation!!!!!!!!

 

[ScarletIndigo]

::Scarlet's newbie status on the DIS boards are about to show their true colours::

Lime green ribbon???

 

[Kim&Chris]

When DISers visit WDW, they tie a lime green ribbon (like curling ribbon for gifts) to their purse, backpack, stroller, etc. It's a way of recognizing each other!

For as long as I've been a member of these boards, I've only once met a person who also had a lime green ribbon tied to their purse. It was nice to walk up & say "hi"!!

 

[caitycaity]

hi scarlet --

dh and i are 26 and 24 and we've stayed at ASMu twice. I found them to be fine for what they are. we only had noise issues on one night, and while there were a lot of kids around, that didn't bother us.

lime green is the "color" of the dis. often, people will wear lime green ribbons when they go to the parks to signify that they are a member of the dis so other members can stop them and say hello.

 

[susy]

Relax and have fun! I've read many complaints the the WL is noisy and my mom just came back from the Boardwalk Inn and she said it was crawling with kids!!!!

My DH and I stayed at CSR by ourselves and there weren't that many kids there, but it may be because it is a convention resort. However it SEEMED like EVERY child we saw on the whole trip was having a tantrum of some kind!!!!! I swear, every kid I saw was miserable! That includes our night at the Poly (we had dinner at Ohana and walked aorund). I think because we didn't have our little one to look after, we noticed the other kids more.


We have stayed at the AS three times and enjoy it. Its a value hotel, so there aren't many amenities It seems like I never use those extra amenities anyway when at the mods or deluxe!

Bring a humidifier to block out noise and you will be fine . I also bring my own pillow, because the pillows are FLAT. If I have those two items, I sleep perfectly!

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Thanks for the tip about bringing a humidifier, Susy! That's an excellent idea.

The noise shouldn't bother me much. I typically wear earplugs as it is ("Dear Fiance" has a bit of a "dear snore" -- hehe!)

And thanks for the heads-up about the lime green ribbons! I'll definitely be showing off my DIS board pride! ;-)

 

[Cindy B]

We were two thirty somethings a while back (2001) and we were at ALl Star Sports. We were in the Basketball area,, and the Surfs Up area.

We had no problem whatsoever.

 

[dansyr]

It is just me and my dbf ...both in our early 30's but also kids at heart and we loved AS's. I honestly prefer ASmovies but we have also stayed at music. The resort is really not all that noisy. I would request a top floor room though ....they seem to be quieter. Here is something you might want to consider....maybe a gold or silver plan add on. We stayed at movies in March with the gold plan....which we would never have been able to afford at the deluxe resorts. It felt like a deluxe vacation....only on a budget. We saw la nouba ....ate at the best restaraunts ...and the food court ....and had the best time. It can be really romantic if you take a late nite stroll around the resort or hang out by the pool bar .

 

[tinkerbee]

John and I are in our mid 20's and really enjoyed the all stars. We stayed there for 9 nights in 2001 and it was a great trip. I found the bus systems to be one of the best of the hotels we have stayed at. (OKW, Riverside, Fort Wilderness, and Movies). It seems like they have more buses. The food court is great and the grounds are fun. The pool was a little crowded but I expected that. We had a king size bed so it was a hadicapped room so no bathtub but that was fine. The only problem I found was kids screaming passed our room at 12:30 but it only happend one night. Plus we were on the ground floor near the food court. And you can hear the toliets flush some times but you get used to it. It's a wonderplace to stay if your on a budget or not.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We are a middle aged couple and have had a blast at ASMo, and a great time at ASMu.
Like you, we are at AS to shower and sleep.
The best service we have ever had at any WDW resorts we stayed has always been at the AS, so far.
We wouldn't hesitate to stay at any of the AS.