Resort Thread Disney's ALL-STAR MOVIES Resort

[SmallWorld71]

SmallWorld71[/COLOR] - That's my granddaughter. She know how to cheese it up when I pull my camera out!

By the way, she loves It's a Small World - the ride and the song. She says, "Mall word." That's the best she can do for now.

My grandpa took me on Small World over and over back on my 1st trip in the 70's. That's where my love of WDW started. Sounds like your granddaughter is hooked already.

 

[Goofy's Sis]

I noticed a hairdryer in the pictures--I thought they didn't have hairdryers at ASMo except by request? That looks like an on-the-wall dryer. Has there been a change? I've been trying to decide if I should chance requesting one, or just haul one along.

Also worrying about a coffee pot!

Thanks for the pictures, they are beautiful!

 

[MeMom]

Here are a few more. These are about all I have left, so I'll let someone else add more for now. Like I said, I'm going to be back in 40 days, so I'm sure I will have many more of Movies and other resorts to share. I enjoy taking pictures for many reasons. Keeping the magic alive for myself and for others is one!

Forgive the unclothed child. She had been in the water, and we were just letting her dry up good before dressing her again.

 

[jennykay]

MeMom-great pics! Thank you so much for sharing! I had been a little anxious b/c we stayed at Pop last year and really loved it. I didn't want to be disappointed. I guess I knew better, but still, those pics made me start getting all excited!

 

[MeMom]

I noticed a hairdryer in the pictures--I thought they didn't have hairdryers at ASMo except by request? That looks like an on-the-wall dryer. Has there been a change? I've been trying to decide if I should chance requesting one, or just haul one along.

Also worrying about a coffee pot!

Thanks for the pictures, they are beautiful!

The hairdryer was there when we got there - no request.
There is no coffee pot.

moparop - I didn't look for a microwave or toaster, so I can't say for sure. I didn't notice either one, but I wasn't really paying attention. I usually am only interested in getting my fruit in the morning and then heading out to the bus stop!

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures, everyone. I do love taking pictures of all things Disney, and if these have you more excited for your own Disney trips, then I am thrilled! Have a great time, all of you, on your upcoming trips. We'll be back in 38 days, 22 hours, and 2 minutes, according to our ticker. We're going to Pop this time, so be on the lookout for lots of pictures going up on that picture thread in July.

 

[jenseib]

Great pictures. You should start an AllStars Movie picture thread. I know last year I was looking for pictures of it and it was really hare to find any. I decided to go back to POp, since I knw we love it there. But your pictures make me think we may give it a try sometime. I did a quick stop in there last trip, but I do know I like Pops set up better, but I'm sure I would do fine at Movies too.

For those looking for Pop pics, there is a pop picture thread with tons of pictures.

 

[Magalex]

I actually think a "Just Value Resorts" Photo thread should be started. So all the great photos of the values can be shared.

 

[Scot-n-Michelle]

We just stayed there the beg. of the month - and we all LOVED it!!! It is very well themed - the kids had a great time there - we stayed in the Mighty Ducks - last place we wanted to be - and it turned out to be a great place - had the Mighty Duck pool to ourselves more then once - bus stops are not a far walk - sometimes we walked to the All Star Music stops!!! loved this place and will stay there again - next time we are going to POP!!! Everyone have a wonderful trip who is headed there!!

 

[Magalex]

Happy to read a good review

 

[SereneOne]

So glad I found this thread!

 

[Goofy's Sis]

My little trip is getting close! Departing Wednesday for a three-night stay--any last minute tips or questions I should consider?!!

 

[jrandtysmom]

I'll ask this here since I didn't see it before posting my other thread:

Is it really worth paying for the preferred room? I am staying at ASMo in Oct and the more I read the more I'm not sure I should pay the extra $70 for the preferred room. I originally did it so we could be in the Toy Story building (which is preferred) but as long as my boys get to see the Buzz & Woody outside I think they will be satisfied. Plus after some of the reviews I've read I'm thinking it might be nice to be in the Mighty Ducks building with the pool right there and from what it sounds like ASMu isn't too far of a walk if we want to catch the bus or visit that resort/food court, etc. Am I correct in all these things for anyone that has been there? Should I cancel the preferred, keep my $70 and request a room in Mighty Ducks?

Thanks!

 

[jenseib]

My little trip is getting close! Departing Wednesday for a three-night stay--any last minute tips or questions I should consider?!!

Well I'll give you some tips from my stay at Pop. I went to the Dollar Tree and got shoe storage bag that you hang from a rod. I then used it for my deoderant and makeup and combs ,etc, to keep it all in order and off the sink counter for more room. I jsut took out what was needed when I did need it. I'm not sure if AS's have the retractable clothes line, but if they do, I brought clothes pins to hang up wet things.

I found the refillable mug to be one of the best things out there. LOL!
I think AS's also have hair dryers now in the rooms. If they are anything like Pops they have NO power. I borught my own from home on my second trip becuase the first time I would have wet hair all the time becuase it took forever to dry. And my hair isn't that thick.

Are you going with little ones?

 

[Goofy's Sis]

Jen, thanks for the hairdryer answer! I think I'll take my chances and save the space in my suitcase.

No little ones this time! My family has had several magical vactions over the years, DH and four sons. We've stayed in moderatesCarribean Beach, Port Orleans, and the FW cabins. Our boys are teens & 20s now, in high school, college, launched, engaged, and every variation thereof! We were there last year, one last WDW family trip with just us, had a great trip at the Caribbean Beach, which is where we started in 1990 with little boys and babies.

This trip is different--16 y/o's high school marching band is taking a Florida trip [we're from St. Louis], and we just recently found out they are performing at MK in the parade next Thursday! I was devastated at not being there to see this most magical moment in my favorite place of all, started pouting immediately. So...this trip is my surprize Mother's Day gift, which we shouldn't spend this $$$ on, but it's a once in lifetime chance! DH is chaperoning, he'll be with 90 kids on a smelly bus for a week. I'm flying in alone, with another band mom, just for 3 nights, really just to watch the performance--anything else is a bonus!

So, we're doing this on a shoestring budget, with the goal to simply be on the WDW grounds. Me and a friend, no kids with us! We'll meet up with DH and the other adults in the park during the day, but this will be my first time there without family in tow. DH and I always talk about getting there someday as a couple, but this little trip is something totally unexpected, and therefore very, very different than my usual Disney experience, which I love to plan every detail and anticpate for months.

Anybody there on May 29, watch for the cute tuba player on Main Street--I'll be curbside, the adoring mom with the video camera, remembering when he was a toddler in a stroller watching it the first time...

Should be fun--I'm looking forward to checking out the All Star resorts.

 

[L8ter]

thanks for the pictures MeMom!
we are staying at ASMo for the first time this September and i've been second guessing myself ever since we booked the trip.
the pictures make me think that we made the right decision!
we thought our DS would like it the best out of all the resorts because of the themeing.
and to save $$ at the same time with value pricing? Bonus!
thanks again!

 

[Goofy's Sis]

I agree about the pictures, thanks MeMom for getting us all excited--a picture is truly worth a thousand words! [But I'm not so sure about that giant jack-in-the-box, he looks a little scary to me.]

jrandtys--I have a preferred location booked only because that's what they had available in the "package" deal when my DH booked it, although we've since changed it to a room-only booking, so it probably wouldn't matter. I've talked to a lot of people, and it seems the consensus is that it's not that much farther even from the Herbie buildings, and you've got it right that Mighty Ducks has some real advantages in being just as close to ASMusic.

I guess it depends on your family's needs, if a couple minutes more walking distance matters--with little ones, or limited endurance, all those steps do add up over a Disney day, no doubt! If the $$ are the most important factor, I would probably save it to spend elsewhere. Time matters too--in the big picture, you have to weigh the $70 against the minutes saved--if you have several kids to multiply those walking minutes by, or kids old enough to get to food court alone, those minutes are very valuable!

I'll try to clock it on my pedometer for you, see how many "steps" difference we're talking! I think the answer is different for an adult trying to get as much activity as possible for a couple days, than it is for an exhausted 5 year-old or the parent who ends up carrying him that last 100 yards every night for a week--I can clearly recall trips when I would have gladly paid $10 on the spot to shorten that late night walk!

 

[Momejules]

Should I cancel the preferred, keep my $70 and request a room in Mighty Ducks?

I have to say that we have stayed in each of the themed buildings at All Star Movies and we love Toy Story the best. It always seems to be a little quieter than other areas of the resort IMO. This August will be the third year in a row we have gone that we will request Toy Story. It is sooo much closer to the pool, kiddie pool, food court, front desk and food court than mighty ducks, which seems minimal now, but after a long hot day at the theme parks, who wants to walk any more than they have to. Just my opininon, but my 3 kids loved walking through Andy's Room every morning before going to the parks. It was worth the extra money for that little bit of magic they felt like they had each morning. Hope this helps, but either way, Have a great vacation!!

 

[moljammom]

Good evening - thanks for the welcome memom.

We are staying in the preferred room. With the AAA discount the cost was the same as the regular price of the non-preferred room. With little ones we thought it was worth it.

Someone mentioned loving the mugs. With 2 little ones I am trying to decide if a mug would be worth the purchase. When I stayed at Sports over 6 years ago you could put milk in the mug. Is this still an option?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[c2mh]

Bumping! We are taking our 1st family vacation in a couple of months and would like to learn all I can about ASMo.

Thanks!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Thinking about staying at All Star Movies in January 2009. . . Thanks for all the great info!