FW Cabin or All Star Suite?

[drewc]

Hi,

We are currently booked in a FW cabin for a few days in August, before we do a DVC stay. We are a family of 5, with kids aged 11, 9 and 7.

We are mainly interested in the suite setting because of the sleeping arrangements, and for the kitchenette to have breakfast before we head out.

We've been to FW a couple times already, and we really love the resort. We enjoy the boat to MK, the campfire, riding around in the golf cart, etc. However, I'm wondering if the Family Suite at the All-star Music resort might be worth a try. With AAA rates, I could save $200 or so (not to mention the golf cart rental).

Here are my perceived pros and cons for each place. Can any one offer advice, or set me straight if I'm way off base?

FW Cabins:

Pros: great setting, convenient to MK, campfire program, kids activities, uncrowded and relaxing, shady and cool, kitchen in cabin for breakfasts.

Cons: Higher price, "need" to rent a golf cart (I know it's a want, not a need!), less private for the adult's quarters (i.e. DW and I are sleeping out in the "living room"), Murphy bed is only a double bed and not a big one.

AS Family Suites:

Pros: Lower price, plus save on golf cart rental, adults have separate bedroom, with QUEEN size bed, handy kitchenette would be fine for breakfasts, pools look like fun.

Cons: Please note that this is just my perception, not first hand knowledge: More crowded, chaotic, long bus lines coming and going, just not as relaxing as FW.

So, bottom line - if I switch reservations from FW to AS Family Suite, will I be ok with it, or will I regret it? Thanks!

 

[Belle_20]

I've only stayed at FW before so i'll defintely vote for FW because I love it. I laughed when you said you need a golf cart because thats what i thought. I had one reserved but cancelled it when we arrived because of the price, but they looked like so much fun! I almost regret it.

I've looked into the family suites before and they look fun and they also have another pro: 2 bathrooms! But I love the setting of FW because you are seperated in your own "little home" lol

 

[minnie61650]

We Love All Star Music!

I have stayed at all levels of Disney Resorts. My favorite Disney owned resort is All Star Music.
It tends to be the quietest and has the nicest landscaping of all the values.



DH and I enjoy the landscaping and peacefulness of All Star Music.
We enjoy relaxing by the pool (there are plenty of chairs and lounges), and the beautiful lighting at the resort by night.

------------------------------------

All Star Music is quieter because more couples stay there.

Bus rides are quite short from the ALL Stars according to PassPorter.com

All Star Buses-CBR buses---POPbuses--PO buses--- Contemporary
MK 20 min---- 20 min-----25 min------10 min---20 min(mono)
Epcot 10 min-- 15 min-----20 min------10 min---15 min
MGM 10 min----12 min-----15 min------15 min---20min
AK 10 min------20min-------15 min----15 min---20 min
DTD 15 min----20 min------20 min-----15 min---35 min

It only takes 10 minutes to get to Epcot, MGM and AK from All Stars.
MK is 20 min away. That's the same amount of time it takes on the monorail from the Contemporary.

A WORD ABOUT BUS SHARING

To me Bus Sharing at the All Stars is really a non issue.

In the mornings during Park opening hours each All Star usually has a dedicated bus.
During mid day it is usually just our stop and maybe one more on the way to the parks. On the way back sometimes it is all 3 but often Sports and Movies share and Music has it's own bus back. Each of the All Stars usually has it's own dedicated bus back from the MK.
That is a big plus. It seems like the Music bus stop usually has the shortest of the three All Star bus lines.

I guess some people who stay at POP see all 3 All Star names on the return sign of our bus stop when they head to the POP bus stop and think All Stars also has 3 stops on the way to the park.
(Even when we stop at another AS resort to load up it has not taken more than 5 minutes and we are on our way!)

The pools at The All Stars are very kid friendly.

When staying at the All Stars you can use any of the All Star pools.That means 3 main pools ,3 quiet pools and 3 kiddie pools to chose from.


I have visited WDW more than a dozen times with the 1st time in Oct. 1971. It was brand new. I've stayed at FW, Disney Inn, a few the of Hotels on hotel Blvd., CBR and the towers at the Contemporary. I got to see the MK from my balcony at the Contemporary and I'm happy I got to experience it once. I just prefer the All Star Resorts.
The theming is pure Disney.

My last 7 visits have been at The All Stars and during the fall of 2005 when we took dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3(at the time) for 8 nights we stayed at the All Stars Music. I thought about AKL and even though we can well afford AKL I just wanted Alex to experience the Disney Magic at the All Stars on his first visit.

Have fun at WDW wherever you choose to stay!

 

[minnie61650]

Family Suite info:

DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) in Sept. of 2006.

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no metal bar to hurt the sleepers back.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

They:

-Sleep up to 6 (plus one child under age 3 in a Pak-n-Play crib)
-Studio amenities and separate sleeping areas giving more privacy than a standard room.
-Queen bed, full-size pullout sofa, convertible ottoman & chair sleepers (4 separate sleepers)
-Private master bedroom and family room have 27” flat CRT TV and high speed Internet access.
-Kitchenette with microwave, small refrigerator (4.3 cu. ft) and coffee pot
-Two-full bathrooms


Here is my review of the Suites:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[drewc]

We usually are up and out the door pretty early (we like to make it to rope drop). Will we come across long bus lines at this time? I understand that is going to happen if you stay in a park to closing, but I'm more worried about early morning. At other times, a little wait doesn't bother me.

 

[clkelley]

If you are up and out in time to make Rope Drop, then nope, the bus lines will be fine. The food court is also manageable at that time.

Also the secret to avoiding the long lines at park closing is to stay in the park for at least an hour after closing. That gives the lines time to dwindle down.

 

[CinderellaPrincess22]

I would most deffinetly go with the All-Star.

Does anyone know how good the DL Hotel is?

 

[drewc]

Thanks. I think I'll call and make the switch tomorrow.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I would go with the cabin.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I recommended the cabin to a co worker and she was not happy. I didnt know to tell her she needed the golf cart and she said it was not possible to walk to the pool and the bus routes were long. My cousin always stays in the family suites and sings their praises. I would probably go with the family suite if I were you unless you will have a car or rent the golf cart thing.

 

[drewc]

I made the switch. I figure its only 3 nights, and we'll see how it goes. The layout looks great, and it will save another couple hundred dollars in all. If we fall in love with the place, even better.

I wasn't able to get the AAA rate on the family suites. The CM I talked to said they never have discounts on the suites, but I've read otherwise on these boards. No big deal, as I'm still saving.