Calling all Value resort experts

[eeyore1226]

Well, this is it....after an awfully stressful couple of months (Hubby's mom died, house broken into, me sick) we decided to book a long weekend at Disney and we leave on Thursday 5/16. Now, don't get me wrong..we are not above the value type resorts by any means but have always started our vacations booking them but ended up changing the ressie to either a moderate or deluxe - usually a deluxe if the price was right. This time it's a unexpected trip - we are planning a week in July/Aug anyway at AKL so we decided to book at the ASMU with an annual pass code. I gotta tell you I'm getting a wee bit nervous although my daughter cannot wait to jump into that piano pool. We are generally quiet people and love all things Disney; tell me I'm worrying for nothing - please. For those All Stars experts out there - tell me all I need to know to take full advantage of this resort Thanks!!

 

[bobcat]

I've stayed at both movies and sports and would stay there again. The resorts are lively but that is part of their appeal. The rooms are ok for a short stay although I wouldn't want to spend a 10 day trip in one since they are on the small side. The busses are plentiful and the food court is great.

Have a great trip.

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello eeyore1226-
We've stayed at AllStar Movies, but I think you're worrying for nothing. The value resorts are very nice and full of the disney magic that you'd expect in a disney resort. If you prefer quiet, tell them at check-in and they'll put you in a room further from the pool and food courts. These resorts are so compact, that the most remote rooms are only a 2-5 minute walk to the pools and food court. These value resorts don't have hottubs, pool slides or sit down restaurants, other then that, it's pure disney. I'm sure you'll enjoy the ASMu for your long weekend. Think of it as another resort notch in your belt. We go in 2 weeks and can't wait. Please post how you find the ASMu.

P.S.-You're worrying for nothing!!!

 

[eeyore1226]

Thanks for your replies you guys...I feel a lot better now about the ASMU stay. My 11 year old is very happy now since it's 5 days out and I can't change our reservation with a penalty. I need a Disney fix sooooo bad; I am going with an open mind for sure. I'll post when we get back to let you know how we make out. I'm sure we'll be fine after reading the responses. I'll say hi to Mickey for you

 

[Poohnatic]

My last four trips have all been to the three All Stars, and I keep going back (again in June).

You've got nothing to worry about. The rooms are small, yes, but for two adults, the space is ample (add two small kids for a week and it will seem a little cramped towards the end).

You may want to call the room assignor this week-if you want to be in a quiet area, we stayed in Broadway and found it to be out of the way and peaceful. We thought the little courtyard at the Jazz in was really nice (think New Orleans). If you want to be close to Cinema Hall, ask for Calypso.

Food court is decent-average food, okay prices. Best deal we had was getting the refillable mugs. We also opted for a fridge in the room ($10 a night), which was filled with yogurts, cheese, wine and fruit from the Super Wal Mart in Kissimmee. My kids were able to snack in the morning, and then we'd do an early lunch in one of the parks. There's also a McDonalds on Buena Vista Way, just outside the gate to the All Stars if the food court is not to your liking.

Hope your trip is enjoyable.

Suzanne

 

[TimNDansMom]

We have stayed at ASMu the last 3 trips in an effort to keep our costs down and for the amount of time we spend in the room it has worked out well for us (2 adults and 2 teenagers). Because the rooms are a bit smaller, I found that by keeping our things organized, using the drawers and storing the bags under the beds, we had ample room.

As stated above, it's a lively resort but if you want assured quiet just ask to be away from the main pool areas. We've stayed in Jazz and Country Fair so far and our rooms pointed into the quiet little courtyards. We really like the food court and end up eating most of our meals there because it was so convenient for coming and going on the buses.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Terk-1]

I've stayed at the Movies last September and really enjoyed it. I did not feel that staying in the value resort gave me any less Disney World appeal as staying at any of the other resorts. The rooms were nice and we found the food in the foodcourt to be very good. The transportation was good and the rooms were very clean.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by eeyore1226
...My 11 year old is very happy now since it's 5 days out and I can't change our reservation with a penalty. ...

Just so you know, your AP rate reservation is through CRO. Although it is true that there is a cancellation penalty within 5 days of arrival, there is no penalty to change your reservation right up to day of arrival. This differs from the WDTC penalty of $50 to change the reservation within 5 days(DC) or 45 days(regular).

Just thought you'd like to know.

 

[MEM]

I admit to being a "snob" about the AllStars, having stayed at PORFQ my first visit to WDW. The AllStars sounded like unbridled chaos and crowds.

However, when the $49 rate for ASMu came out this past January and I could combine it with $99 airfare from Boston, well, my fears vanished. My DH, DS and DD were all very pleased with ASMu, and we stayed in Broadway. The walk to the food court was very pleasant, and I took the route through the rose garden. The piano pool was not heated but the guitar pool was, and it was quite lovely.

Bus service was excellent, much better than PORFQ and we liked the food court better too. The food at PORFQ always tasted like microwaved meals. At ASMu, my kids enjoyed watching their Mickey waffles made fresh every morning and the pizza was always reliable.

With regard to the dance teams and cheerleaders I had feared, well, they were there in droves but well-behaved.

We have reservations at ASMo in November. At this time, I cannot justify spending extra for a moderate. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Poohbear123]

I have been staying at the All Stars since 1996! I ALWAYS stay in Sports, but will be staying at MUSIC in June! I LOVE these hotels!

 

[jiminyfan]

WE are in the same boat, we usually stay at Coronado and the deluxes, but wanted to save soem $$ on this trip and take my mother along (two rooms for almost the price of a moderate), so we are in the ASMovies. My wife was worried about staying at All-Stars after we are used to the others. It seems as if she has no worries, but for me IT'S DISNEY - who cares. the more I save on the room the more I have to do other things.

 

[RUDisney]

I think you have to be honest with yourself. If you weren't at Disney, would you stay in an EconoLogde? I found AS Sports to be like an EconoLodge with a theme. Clean... yes. Convenient... no. We had stayed at POFQ prior to our last trip and loved it. I found the resort to be so far (on the busses) away from everything, compared to POFQ. I confess, I like amenities and there aren't many at the All Stars, hence the price. When we walked out of the food court to get to our room and saw the pool with all of the screaming kids, I said to my DH, well, we won't be swimming here. I could only imagine how many kids had used the pool as the, ahem, facilities. Maybe not, but that was my impression.

Maybe it would have been different if we had kids with us and the kids would have gotten excited about the theming, but as adults, we weren't "into" it. We liked sitting in the lobby listening to the pianist at POFQ so we could unwind after a day in the parks.

I'm not trying to trash on the All Stars, but if you're used to moderates and deluxes, or at least, better-brand hotel chains, you have to ask yourself if you will be disappointed with the resort. We were. We survived the week and had a wonderful vacation, but when all was said and done at the end of the day, I wanted a little luxury, and I was willing to pay for it.

The only reason we stayed at this All Star was because it fit into our vacation schedule and was available. There was no room at any of the other resorts when I booked our vacation. My husband asked me to change our plans in the future if we couldn't stay where we want, when we want. He doesn't want to stay at anything less than a moderate ever again.

JMHO

 

[RussH]

I just got back Saturday from my 7th stay at ASMu and as always it was perfect. Arrived at around 3pm for check-in and the really nice CM looked and found a room that was ready. As soon as she said Country Fair I busted out laughing then she smiled and said we can never get anyone to take those buildings when they have been here before. Found me a King in bldg 2 Jazz after 30 seconds.
Being the summer heat hit early the pool was never crowded. Unlike some of the other resorts I have stayed at there are always lounge chairs available.
I like the food court better then others especially Pepper Market. Longest Bus wait during the entire trip was 12 minutes for a long before opening MK. I hope that the bring back the $49 rate in early Jan.
Have fun it is a nice resort.
RussH

 

[nakk823]

Just back from ASmovies and was pleasently suprised. The food court was great the pool was great the room was clean the buses ran well ..................no complaints.

Just enjoy!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

we stayed at ASMO april 13th -19th, there was 4 adults and no kids and we absolutely loved it could not have asked for better service and the food court was great and very convenient, the bus service was also very good. i would love to stay at the AS again. we were like 4 kids when we first saw it i was so amazed with the theming. it just makes you feel like a kid again,and who dont wont to feel that way,LOL

 

[crazelion]

I loved All-Star resorts. It has a awesome pool and fablous food court that appeals to kids taste. Also to very picky adults like me an mom. Alot people can found something wrong with anything no matter how perfect it is. What I like about Disney is that have Resorts for different people.

I'm planning a trip for 2003 so far moderates and deluxues Resorts don't appeal to me. I think I will stick to All-Star Resorts.

 

[Steffi]

If it means you can afford an extra Disney trip...then I'm all for the All Star Resorts! I love the moderates & deluxes, too...but for a spontaneous weekend that doesn't kill your budget...All Stars is the way to go

 

[Ballybunion3]

We stayed at All Star Sports, and I must admit I expected it to be tacky. But to my delight, the themes worked very well, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere of the place was just wonderful. We walked through the other All Stars resorts, and I liked the Music theme the best.

The pools are great (and very clean). We stayed there the week after Easter - the busiest time of the year - and the pool was crowded but not overly so.

I can't say enough about the value - 49$ - unbelievable!!

 

[jiminyfan]

When we walked out of the food court to get to our room and saw the pool with all of the screaming kids, I said to my DH, well, we won't be swimming here. I could only imagine how many kids had used the pool as the, ahem, facilities.

Wow, I never knew that just because kids were staying at a moderate or deluxe hotel, they will not use the pool as, ahem, a facility!!! LOL - sorry, but kids are kids and you never know who will use the pool as a facility -money doesn't always buy potty training.

 

[helenk]

I have stayed at the All Star sports, the GF and the YC. The children were just a noisy at each of the resort pools...hey they are kids and just having fun. I have read various posts where the pools at different resorts had to be closed temporarily due to some one pooping in the pool, and these were not just the AS pools.
I thought the transportation from the YC was tedious, we always shared a bus with the BC, and the swan and dolfin, it took forever to get any where.
the buses from the AS were great and we were there over 4th of july!
My son and I are going this December and since the trip was a last minute decision we will be staying at the AS Music and I am looking forward to it.