disney resorts dilema

[joevob]

This is my first time staying on disney property.We are four adults and three small children.I can not decide between the moderates and the All Star. I am specifacly interested in the difference between the pools, and the general ambiance of these different resorts. I would like to know about resort resturants and pool side bars. I am arriving in early May. Thanks I have learned much about Disney from these boards.

 

[crazelion]

I say go with one of the All-Stars resorts. My personally favorite is the All-Star Sports Resort. The is really cool. And me and Mom love the food court and the bus service is excellent. Espicaly if only in room to shower and sleep.

 

[gatormouse]

Welcome Joevob!
You have definitely come to the right place to get a variety of opinions about the various Disney resorts! Coming here has certainly helped us make our decisions with these same questions, and we have never been disappointed. We have never stayed at any of the All Star resorts, because they are just not our personal taste, but others will tell you they will not stay anywhere else! I have heard that children love them because of the theming, and adults love them because of the price! We like the moderates for the same reasons! We love them all, so we make our final decisions based on the discounts available at the time we go. As a first timer, all you can really do is stay glued to the boards, and make your decisions based on what is most important to the group you are traveling with. This website is full of wonderful information regarding resort theming, pricing, location to the parks, restaurants, etc. All Disney resorts are wonderful, so whatever you decide, I am sure you will all have a magical time!

 

[Janet2k]

Joevob, welcome to the Dis! You probably don't know this but the owner of this website is a travel company called Dreams Unlimited Travel. They specialize in Disney vacations. A year or two ago they did an "around the world" tour where they stayed in (slept, ate, had fun) all of the WDW resorts (including the DCL cruise line). I am going to post a bunch of links to their webpages that are devoted to the All Stars Resorts and a few of the moderate resorts. I would suggest you go to the Dreams Unlimited Travel website www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com for any and all of your Disney travel needs. I used them for my last vacation and they were wonderful, in my humble opinion.

Dreams Unlimited Travel's All Star Movies webpage

Dreams Unlimited Travel's All Star Music webpage

Dreams Unlimited Travel's All Star Sports webpage

Dreams Unlimited Travel's Coronado Springs Resort webpage

Dreams Unlimited Travel's Caribbean Beach Resort webpage

Dreams Unlimited Travel's Port Orleans - French Quarter webpage

Dreams Unlimited Travel's Port Orleans - Riverside webpage

On each of those webpages, on the left-hand side, will be a link to streaming video of that particular resort. There are also links that will take you to more in-depth information regarding the resort. Enjoy!

 

[Janet2k]

Here is info regarding Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds:

Dreams Unlimited Travel's Fort Wilderness webpage

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

The moderate pools all have slides and are themed like the resorts. The grounds are lush and beautifully landscaped. Things are spread out and don't get noisy. I hear the All Stars can get noisy with the pool right by the buildings. Check out the pictures and decide what you like! Have fun!

 

[ducklite]

The ambience at the AS Resorts is in my opinion crowded and almost franticly paced. The rooms are quite small. I can't stand the garish decor at the AS either. It hurts my eyes.

The poolside bar at the AS has very limited hours, and closes if the weather is bad. At the moderates there is also a lounge off the lobby that stays open regardless of weather.

The pools at the AS aren't really themed, they are just pools. There are no slides. At the moderates they have theming, and are beautiful. At the moderates there are other recreational activities that vary from resort to resort, fitness centers, playground areas, cane pole fishing, bike rental, etc. At the AS the only activity is swimming, and the pools are generally very crowded.

Also, we've found the noise level at the AS to be unacceptable. It is the number one reason I won't ever stay there again. I've never been bothered by noise at the moderates.

If you can afford a few extra dollars per night, stay at a moderate.

I compare the All Stars to a Red Roof Inn or Fairfield Inn. Basic room, no extras. The moderates are like a Holiday Inn or Hampton, basic room with a few extras.

Anne

 

[n2mm]

Which ever you decide (and I've stayed at a lot of them) I noticed that you are planning on going in early May. If you mean THIS May I hope you have ressies at each already and planning to cancel, because you choices may be limited. I tried to change my early May ressies at the All Star (from Music to Movies) and was told that the All Stars are sold out for the first week of May. So, whatever you decide, you better get going in making those ressies. BTW, the kids will love either, but if you are interested in adults relaxing, go for Dixie Landing/Port Orleans. One of the most relaxing resorts with great pools and a wonderful foodcourt, along with a sit down restraurant which is great. JMO

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi Joevob! Welcome to the DIS boards! Last year I was new here and learned SO MUCH about Disney World and the resorts that I decided to put together a small web site myself with my pictures and some info.

I have never stayed at one of the All Stars, but I've stayed at Caribbean Beach twice, most recently last month! I LOVE this resort, and I invite you to check out my web site! The links are below. To see my pictures from last May, click on the first link below. To see my CBR site only, with pics from last month, click on the CBR icon below. I also have some parks and restaurants pics too.

Happy planning!!!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

With the All Star Resorts, there are only food courts...no full service, sitdown restaurants... so if you are looking for that in your amenities, then you might want to go with the moderates. Also, the moderate resorts have slides at the pools. The moderates are more laidback, and not as loud and frantic as the AS. The rooms at the moderates are larger, and most have 2 sinks instead of 1, which is nice. The AS do have the oversized, bright icons that the kids seem to love, though.

 

[dove]

Definately go for the moderates! We found the All Stars to be noisy, and we felt cramped (we have 2 kids). We have stayed at several moderates but enjoy the Coronado the best. We would probably pick POR if the Coronado was not available.