Not sure if you mean Allstar Movies, or Allstar Music, but I was having the very same problem. I have never stayed value before, and really didn't have any plans to do so, but this
free dining promotion, coupled with a value resort is just too great of a deal to go mod. or deluxe for us! That being said, I am slightly off put by the larger than life bright colored icons everywhere at the value resorts, but I chose Pop over the Music resort (which would have been my second choice, then the movies third) because it is the newest of the resorts, the themeing looks slightly more adult than the allstars (we are 2 younger adults with no children yet). I requested the '50 section, although it is not guaranteed, I think that one would be the most interesting for us. We were unconcerned with transportation efficiency as we will have our own vehicle with us, but I know some people are loath to use the Allstar buses as they are slower, most likely due to the large amounts of people staying at them. Also the food court didn't figure into our planning (I don't think we will eat there, except maybe a quicky breakfast ), but may in your case. The pool is important to us, although none of the value resorts blew me away with the pics I have seen of the pools. (I liked the looks of the ASMu resort's pool with Donald and his 2 south of the border pals, but I would have really wanted to stay in the Calypso building due to its theming, and the whole calypso building I had read was a preferred location-closer to buses/food court I guess-and I didn't feel the need to spend an extra $10 a night for that). Ok, well I probably haven't helped you out at all with my rambling...but good luck to your parents in their decision!
