ASSports or ASMu or OKW

[czmom]

Edit: I have booked ASMu, but now have an opportunity stay at OKW for just a little bit more. I do not know much about OKW, other than it is a large property. If anyone has stayed at both and can compare, I would love some insight.

Which one is better?

I am taking my DD5 on a surprise trip August 6-10. Both resorts are the same price, but I am not sure which one to pick. My main concern would be transportation. I believe the All Star Resorts share buses, but ASSports is picked up and dropped off first. Will that be an important factor in August?

Is ASMu generally quieter?

Also, I noticed there is a basketball tournament finishing up the day before we arrive. Will both resorts be packed with kids staying to visit the parks after the tournament ends? Looks like a pretty big AAU tournament.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We've stayed in both - mostly Music as you can see from my signature.

For us Music has always been quieter HOWEVER - when we stayed in Sports we were by the pool and on our last full day/ night a huge crowd of teens showed up (some kind of cheerleading / band thing). If there's a sports related activity you should probably expect AS Sports to be crowded as the groups do tend to tryto stay there (according to CMs).

For us (and if you look in the AS Sports main thread - my post was yesterday or the day before) the beds in Sports were more comfortable and the plumbing was quieter. The food court in Sports was smaller than Music but seemed to offer all of the same foods

We've never taken the bus so I can't comment on it (we drive).

We had a great stay at Sports but love Music too. In September we'll be staying in Movies then hopefully trying out AoA. For me Music still feels like "home" but Sports was a lot of fun to visit.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We have stayed at all three of the All Stars, Music four times and its our favorite.

They do share busses, but not as often as you'd expect. Our experience has been that during the peak times of the day and night, especially at park closing, they don't share.

When they do, Music is the second, our experience has been that we almost always got a seat when the bus got to Music. Also, if the bus is full or close to full, the driver will not go onto Movies.

We almost always shared busses going back to the resort for our midday break which was no big deal. Often the bus was mostly empty.

What I like about Music is the pretty grounds. But we did enjoy Sports very much to and if you are worried about the bus sharing thing, being first on the route would maybe put your mind at ease. The nice thing about the All Stars is that they are sister resorts so you can use the amenities at any of them. Music is nice since its in the middle and an easy walk over to either of the other two.

 

[AristoCatsMarie]

I have stayed at both granted when I stayed at Sports it was my high school senior trip (June). Sports seemed to have a lot of kids and attract the Cheerleaders and such coming for the ESPN thing where Music did attract some kids but I would not say it was as noticeable. I like Music a lot out of the value resorts I've been to (the two All Star resorts and Pop) it would be my favorite. The decor is great, the crowds are pretty good,the noise level was okay, and it's right smack dab in the middle of the other two. Granted this was in January, I don't know how it would be in the summer.

 

[BebopBaloo]

They are both nice. Music is my favorite though. As for buses, as others have stated, it really isn't a big deal to share with the other All Stars. We've had good bus service at all three of the All Stars. Sure there will be the occasional slower to arrive bus, but we found those to be few and far between. I think you'll be in good shape with whichever resort you choose.

 

[tripletots]

Which one is better?

I am taking my DD5 on a surprise trip August 6-10. Both resorts are the same price, but I am not sure which one to pick. My main concern would be transportation. I believe the All Star Resorts share buses, but ASSports is picked up and dropped off first. Will that be an important factor in August?

Is ASMu generally quieter?

Also, I noticed there is a basketball tournament finishing up the day before we arrive. Will both resorts be packed with kids staying to visit the parks after the tournament ends? Looks like a pretty big AAU tournament.

Thank you for your help!

I just reserved 2 standard rooms at Music for 11 nights in mid-August. I asked about the last time Music was renovated the CM said 3 years ago. Sports, Movies, and then Music being the last. I hope that means the beds are comfy as well.

 

[czmom]

Thank you all for your help! Sounds like ASMusic will be great!

Now if only a cool front will come through in August...

 

[Random Ninja]

Thank you all for your help! Sounds like ASMusic will be great!

Now if only a cool front will come through in August...

With Florida weather, you never know...

 

[czmom]

bump with new question in first post

 

[jodywgirl]

We have stayed at all star movies and old key west. Old key west is so big we waited all the time for buses and it took a long time to get around all the stops. On the other hand we never waited that much for buses at all star movies. if you want a kitchen OKW is nice but I thought the beds were awful the ones at ASM was better. We will be at All Star Musics next week. I am going to try to do a trip report when I get back.

 

[KatMark]

We have stayed at all thre and would never stay at a value again (we've skipped a trip rather than stay at a value--not our vacation style at all). Our last two visits have been at OKW and we love everything about it.

 

[EpcotBill]

I've never stayed at OKW but I have stayed at all 4 Value resorts. If I had a chance to upgrade to OKW for a reasonable amount of money I would jump at the chance. I have visited OKW to eat at Olivia's and just explore the property. It's a beautiful resort. Yeah, I wouldn't hesitate to take an upgrade from any Value resort to OKW.

 

[Woosterguy]

We had our first stay at OKW in Feb. and it was great. Bus service was excellent. Yes, depending on which bus stop you use you can spend a little time going around the resort but because of the resorts location, it's still a quick trip to most any of the parks by bus.
No doubt in my mind, if it was just "a little bit" more, I'd be at OKW.

 

[KatMark]

We had our first stay at OKW in Feb. and it was great. Bus service was excellent. Yes, depending on which bus stop you use you can spend a little time going around the resort but because of the resorts location, it's still a quick trip to most any of the parks by bus.
No doubt in my mind, if it was just "a little bit" more, I'd be at OKW.

Agreed; we had great bus service overall, and the boat to DTD is a huge plus. We were at All Star Music for one night last month so we coudl go to DTD, and I couldn't wait until we left the next morning.

 

[czmom]

Thanks for all the replies! It would be $170 more than ASMu for 4 nights.

I know there are 5 stops at OKW vs. the 3 at AS. Somewhere I read that it takes 25 minutes to pick up at all the stops at OKW. This will be my first onsite trip and I am already a little hesitant about waiting for the bus to start with. Our last trip we stayed at WBC and drove and had a wonderful experience. This will just be a mommy-duaghter trip so I am going for convenience. No matter what, I know we will have a great time!

 

[KatMark]

Thanks for all the replies! It would be $170 more than ASMu for 4 nights.

I know there are 5 stops at OKW vs. the 3 at AS. Somewhere I read that it takes 25 minutes to pick up at all the stops at OKW. This will be my first onsite trip and I am already a little hesitant about waiting for the bus to start with. Our last trip we stayed at WBC and drove and had a wonderful experience. This will just be a mommy-duaghter trip so I am going for convenience. No matter what, I know we will have a great time!

I was at OKW in September with my hubby and then again in January with my friend and her two girls (ages 5 and 7). The buses did not in any fashion take 25 minutes to get around all the stops. We were the first or second stop picked up and we were out of the resort within 15 minutes, if not sooner. The ride itself was no more than 10 minutes to any park.

 

[czmom]

I was at OKW in September with my hubby and then again in January with my friend and her two girls (ages 5 and 7). The buses did not in any fashion take 25 minutes to get around all the stops. We were the first or second stop picked up and we were out of the resort within 15 minutes, if not sooner. The ride itself was no more than 10 minutes to any park.

This makes me feel much better!!!

 

[twinboysmom]

I would keep your reservation at music. I love OKW and would stay there again in a heartbeat. But, I think music might be a better fit for you and your daughter. I think the layout of the all stars makes it very easy to get around, even in the standard rooms. The food court and buses are an easy walk. OKW, a little more spread out. Also, OKW does not have a food court. There QS, IMO, is horribly lacking and inadequate. Also, most of the buildings at OKW do not have elevators. I can't remember how old you said your daughter was, not sure if you will need a stroller or not, but nothing worse than having to hike up 3 flights of stairs at the end of the night (we stayed 3rd floor for 10 days here, it got old quick). And I echo the PP about the beds at this resort. They may be better now but they were the worst I have ever slept in at any WDW resort.