Are the All Star Resorts THAT bad?

[allstarfan707]

I think your grandkids are going to have the time of their lives!! They are going to love the themes and feel so comfortable. I take my kids their everytime because I know they love it and when their happy, we are happy. We are going back in about a week and a half and they asked for All Star sports in the football buildings. This will not be a place your grandchildren will ever forget.......they will talk about it for years to come.

Have fun and enjoy, you are very good grandparents for giving them such a nice treat!!

 

[buzz5985]

I was very nervous the first time I stayed at ASMo. I was pleasantly surprised. We are neat, so everything gets put away, luggage stored, etc. We let my DS pick the resort, he was 4 his first trip. 2nd trip we split between ASMo and AKL. He told us the animals would probably rather be over at the Dalmation buildings.

I am a vary light sleeper on vacations. I normally work 11 pm - 7am, so I never really switch over, and I don't notice a lot of noise and we were right on Andy's room, the first time and on the backside of the dalmation buildings the 2nd time.

I think the kids really enjoy the All Stars - and that's the most important thing. I'm nervous now - we just bought into DVC and are worried my son would rather be at the all stars. LOL

 

[Aisling]

We stayed at All Stars for our very first trip to WDW in 2000, with an 8 year old and a 13 year old, DH and myself. I loved the atmosphere there better than I did a subsequent stay at the Beach Club! The "noise" is families and kids laughing and having fun, which was not a bother for my family, although some people didn't like it at all. The Disney feel was so there! The room was large enough for my family of 4 to be comfortable for a 5 day stay. If it were a longer stay, a larger sized room would have been preferable, but it worked out so well Especially if you're in the parks most of the time, All Stars is an inexpensive and fun alternative to the moderates.
We're staying at AKL this trip, but I would love to stay at Pop Century, which is an All Star equivalent. I love the All Stars.

 

[KathyFP]

I have never stayed at an AS. Personal prefernce because I like to lounge in the hot tub after a long day at the park and they do not have a slide at the pool.

The most important point made aby an earlier poster is that Disney has something for everyone.

I am sure your grandchildren will have a great time no matter were you stay.

 

[mbb]

....we would choose to stay at a "preferred building" though...the Calypso at Music...JMO, the standard rooms are just a little too far from the main building and bus stops for us. At the end of a commando day, an extra 10 minute walk carrying two little ones is a walk too far We would always pay the little extra for that convenience.

Wherever you stay, though, It's all Disney!!
Enjoy!

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by susy
I don't find the rooms small, but then I'm small. A family of heavyset people might find it cramped.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by StrwLady
My experiences with the All Stars is from 2 years ago. Unless things have changed I would never compare them to a motel.

From Merriam Webster:

Main Entry: mo·tel
Pronunciation: mO-'tel
Function: noun
Etymology: blend of motor and hotel
Date: 1925
: an establishment which provides lodging and parking and in which the rooms are usually accessible from an outdoor parking area
------------------------------------------
From the Mobile Travel Guide:

Motels
Accommodations are in low-rise structures with rooms easily accessible to parking (which is usually free)
Properties have outdoor room entry and small, functional lobbies
Service is often limited
Dining may not be offered in lower-rated motels and lodges
Shops and businesses are found only in higher-rated properties, as are bellhops, room service, and restaurants serving three meals daily
-------------------------------------------

So as you can see, they are a MOTEL. The corridors are on the outside. They offer only basic amenities. So calling them a MOTEL is a highly accurate statement.

I would compare them to maybe a Holiday Inn Express at best, a Red Roof Inn at worst.

Anne

 

[anna8062]

We stayed in the All Star Movies in January 2003 and we loved it. It was very cold so we only tried swimming once(the pools are heated), but the run back to our room was cold. The room was very clean and the cleaning staff created a scene with the girls toys every day. The girls looked forward to coming back to our room just to see what the maid had done with their toys. The food court was great and convient , and we are going back this January and my family is booked at ASM again! We love it.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by ducklite
I would compare them to maybe a Holiday Inn Express at best, a Red Roof Inn at worst.

{snip}

Magical Memories from...BCV, BC, BWV, BWI concierge, YC concierge, Polynesian concierge, GF (concierge and non-concierge), AKL (concierge and 2 BR suite), POFQ, AS, SoG, Vero Beach

Gee Anne ... not everyone can afford concierge at BWI, YC, Polynesian, or the GF. Most folks can't even afford those places without concierge. While I'm sure the OP found your input valuable, can't you just leave it with "it's not my cup of tea"?

 

[missypie]

My prediction: You may not love the All Stars, but the kids will have a great time. I haven't stayed at one but I've seen lots of pictures and the theming looks "over the top", which the kids will probably love.

Yes, kids remember stuff, but what THEY think is a great hotel is not what I think is a geat hotel. If you ask any of mine the best hotel we've ever stayed at, they would all tell you the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. They messed up our reservation and "upgraded" us to this very weird hospitality suite with a Murphey bed and a HUGE hot tub. We had to have 3 roll away beds to sleep everyone, but the kids thought that that gigantic hot tub was the coolest thing in the world.

 

[safetymom]

robinb, I agree with you. The All Stars has never pretended to be anything but a value resort.

I found the All Stars to be nicer than a lot of hotels that I stay in for business.

For those that stay at the GF or Poly just mention that a value resort is not for you.

 

[Terk-1]

We stayed at the Movies in 2001 and had a great time. The room was good (we were in the Toy Story area) and was close to the foodcourt, main building, bus stop & pool. The food in the foodcourt was very good and I found the buses not bad, compared to some other resorts. If I had to choose one of the All Stars to stay at again, it would be the Movies. This is laid out alot better than the Music.

 

[Lucky4me]

If my 8yo dd had the choice between AllStars and the GF concierge she'd pick AllStars. You can't beat the themeing for kids. We stayed at Old Key West this year and she begged to go see Woody. Yes it may be considered a motel, but so what? Whatever makes the kids happy is what I say. Wasn't it all started by one man who wanted to keep the child alive in all of us?

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by robinb
Gee Anne ... not everyone can afford concierge at BWI, YC, Polynesian, or the GF. Most folks can't even afford those places without concierge. While I'm sure the OP found your input valuable, can't you just leave it with "it's not my cup of tea"?

I've stayed deluxe, but I've also stayed moderate and value. You chose to turn a blind eye to that in my sig. Perhaps you missed in my post that the value resorts would be quite suitable for the OP's needs. Or were you so intent on flaming me that you forgot to read that part?

The OP asked for an honest opinion, which I gave in a manner to manage his expectations. My second post was in response to another poster who posted inaccurate info. What is wrong with comparring the value resorts to two well known chains which they are quite comparable to? Or again, are you just looking for something to bash me about? Others mentioned issues with the value resorts such as noise crowds, but you chose to ignore them and target me. If you don't like my posts, then simply don't read them.

I never mentioned concierge service in either of my responses on this thread, I don't know why you did either.

Anne

 

[DisneyLisa]

Originally posted by ducklite
My second post was in response to another poster who posted inaccurate info. Anne

What the other poster posted was her opinion...why can't you leave it at that. Sorry...I usually avoid controversy on these boards but I'm sick of you jumping in with your negativity on every thread (as well as correcting everyone...who made you the Disney expert?). Post your opinion once & leave it at that. Let everyone else offer their opinions and the original poster can make up his/her own mind. Why does everything have to be a debate with you?


OK...done...my rant for the year. My apologies to everyone.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by DisneyLisa
What the other poster posted was her opinion...why can't you leave it at that. Sorry...I usually avoid controversy on these boards but I'm sick of you jumping in with your negativity on every thread (as well as correcting everyone...who made you the Disney expert?). Post your opinion once & leave it at that. Let everyone else offer their opinions and the original poster can make up his/her own mind. Why does everything have to be a debate with you?


OK...done...my rant for the year. My apologies to everyone.

I hardly jump in on every thread. I also have many positive opinions. Am I not allowed to state my opinion anymore unless it's positive? That would be censorship, and wouldn't give people who visit these boards and ask for help very good information, would it?

If you don't like posts, simply don't read them.

Anne

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

Shops and businesses are found only in higher-rated properties, as are bellhops, room service, and restaurants serving three meals daily

Well, since the AS's have shops, limited room service, limited bellservices, serve three meals a day (even if it is counter service) and don't have miniscule lobbies, I guess they are at least high-end motels.

I always see posts of people comparing the All Stars to Motel 6, Econo Lodge, Howard Johnson's, etc. Where is the Motel 6 with the landscaping, huge themed pools, food choices that the AS resorts have? For as low as $49 a night.

Disney calls them value resorts and that is what they are. They are extremely popular with children and many adults. They fill a niche and no one is forced to stay there.

We will be at the Grand Floridian and Yacht Club over Thanksgiving and I'm sure my 3 year-old would rather be back at the All Star Movies at the "doggie hotel".

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Dixie Luvr 98
Well, since the AS's have shops, limited room service, limited bellservices, serve three meals a day (even if it is counter service) and don't have miniscule lobbies, I guess they are at least high-end motels.

I agree with this 100%. They certainly are high end for a motel. I would never argue that statement

Anne

 

[kashkdz]

We stayed at ASMovies our last trip and though it is considered a 'value' hotel by Disney standards, my kids (DS8,DD5) and my wife and I just loved it. Sure it does not have the services and amenities that a deluxe hotel would have. But, my kids just loved the all the themes of Mighty Ducks, Fantasia, Toy Story, etc. We enjoyed the pool at the end of the day, walked the grounds, ate at the on site restaurant, and played in the arcade. All the hotel staff were very friendly and helpful. The point is that the fun factor of a Disney (or non Disney hotel), may not always be measured in dollars, rather theming at a cheaper hotel may be more entertaining, than more formal theming at a deluxe hotel. After all, yes this is a family trip, but if the kids are not overly enjoying themselves, that is a big factor. And I can easily say, they absolutely loved the hotel and our whole trip for that matter. We probably would of stayed there again on our next trip, but now our whole family, which includes my DS3 will be joining us. Also, I second the poster who said that they'd rather stay at a 'value' hotel more often, than a 'deluxe' less often.

Anyway you look at it, you're in the World...enjoy !

 

[legs22]

The best thing Disney did was build the value resorts so that the dream of staying on Disney property became a reality for people who couldn't afford the higher priced resorts.
I finally got the popular AS Movies for my Jan. stay!