Help, should we switch from All Stars to Moderate?

[figment27]

Hi,
We are a party of 3, a very dear friend, her 12 year old grandson and myself.
We have ressies at All Stars Sports for Oct. 6 - Oct. 13th.
This is the first trip for my friend and her grandson in over 10 years
I just read that "he Cross Country Classic takes place Oct. 8-9 at the sports complex and will include close to 300 high school and college programs from across the country and as far away as Canada."
Does anybody know how this will impact our stay at All Star Sports?
I ave read the noise level can get excessive, and, also, the kids in large groups such as this are often unsupervised late at night.
Do you think we should upgrade to a moderate?
Staying at a moderate. with the new discount code. will cost about the what we would have paid with a AAA discount alone at All Stars.
I know the 12 year old would really love the theming of the All Star Sports. I just don't know what kind of experience it would be if large numbers of HS/College kids are occupying the resort.
If you do believe it would impact the stay in a negative way, which moderate would you suggest?
Thanks for any input you can offer.
Figment

 

[currycook]

To my friends I am a Disney "Junkie" and have been asked this question on several occasions. I always recommend to them to spend a few extra dollars and go up to the moderate.

Chances are you may not experience any problems, but I personally would not chance an important trip. Also I think you get much more for your money with the moderates. I would go with either of the PO moderate resorts. Just my own view but its based on years of trips and what I would do myself or if I had friends coming over.

 

[sjw4870]

If the cost is the same to stay at All Star than it is to stay at a moderate, i'd definitely take the moderate. No question about it.

 

[klb5]

There are other events at WDW besides the parks that affect the hotels, check w/ Disney sports complex to see if there is anything that would also make a difference,, the values are usually the ones to see the difference in attendence or TYPE OF CROWD.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

How about checking out Pop? Groups don't usually stay there, and with codes you might get a good price.

T&B

 

[figment27]

Thanks for all the great responses!
If it were up to me alone, I would change to the moderate, but, I also need to consider my friend and her grandson.
I will talk to her in the morning, and relay your suggestions.
I didn't realize that POP would attract less large groups than the All Stars.
I have checked what special events are going on at the Wide World of Sports on that weeked, and all I see now is the 10k run for a cure events.
I just know the 12 year old would LOVE the theming at All Star Sports.
I have stayed at the CBR in the past, but I have recently read some negative reviews regarding the overall vastness of the moderates and the long walks to the food courts, pools, bus stops.
We will mostly be using the room for sleep and showers. We intend to be in the parks most of the time so amenities other than cleanliness and quietness of the room are non-essential to us. A good night's sleep is paramount!
If we decide on a moderate, which would the 12 year old enjoy mmore?
Thanks again,
Figment

 

[tar heel]

As the mother of three boys, I can tell you that the 12-year-old will love the theming at All Star Sports for about 10 minutes. Once you've seen it, you've seen it. He'll like the pool slide at CSR or POR for a heck of a lot longer.

We stayed at All Sports when a group of 200 so high school students were there. They essentially took over the baseball pool not because they were troublesome kids but because of the sheer numbers. One of our neighbors complained about the noise -- I really didn't have any problems with that.

I've stayed at all the moderates except POFQ and I can't comprehend choosing All Star Sports instead unless it was because of $. There is a LOT of quality difference between the value resorts and moderates -- rooms are bigger, pillows are better, towels are half-way decent, you get bottles of shampoo, landscaping is nicer, there's more food options, pools are much better and have a hot tub and slide.

 

[webray]

I would say no..don't switch. The all star sports is excellent. The resort is laid out so conveniently..no matter what building you are in you are no more than a few minutes walk from everything. The food in the food courts is very good.

Moderate resorts..hubby and I think they are highly over rated. Large and sprawling..we have tried them all, some twice..and have made the decision..no more moderates for us. The food in food courts is not all that great either.

Now..we have stayed at the sports..dozens..yes dozens of times. There have been large groups there plenty of the times and we have never had a problem with noise..ok..not never..only once in all the years we have been staying there..and this was the cheerleading competition..(whatever it was)..these girls were loud and obnoxious..up all hours of the night..running around..screaming and giggling. It was so annoying. Other than that..we have never had a problem with noise at the all stars. We stay in both preferred..and wherever they will put us..lol.

Good luck.

 

[figment27]

Thanks for the feedbck webray.
One thing, were the CM's notified of the "noise" probelm that one time? If so, how did they address the situation?
Figment

 

[rockin_rep]

I agree with webray. I would not switch.

IMHO, the all stars have more disney magic. The moderates, (and deluxe!) while very nice, could be located virtuatlly ANYWHERE on the face of the earth! Lovely and sprawling and soo much like a zillion other resorts in resort areas. When you're at the all stars, you KNOW you're at disney. It might not make a difference but IMHO, i never want the magic to end.

Have fun whatever you do!

 

[Leota]

I would switch to CSR for a 12 year old boy - My son was 12 when we stayed at CSR & he loved it. We stayed at Sports when he was 11, and we both agreed we would only go back to a value resort if it was the only way we could go to WDW - It's just too darn noisy for us. I could hear toilets flushing & drawer slamming in the rooms above/below us. Some folks get up earlier than me. Cool for them, but I want to sleep in if I've been out late the night before.

The pool & the dual arcades at CSR are particularly appealing to a 12 year old boy - The food court, Pepper Market, is huge & my son loved the variety. One night, we ate a PM late & heard kareoke (sp?) from the bar near PM & it was hilarious! My son still talks about that. We also had alot of fun scootering around the resort - you can rent bikes to do the same, or even water mice. You sure can't do that at the values. At 12, depending on his height - he may be able to drive his own water mouse - my son's favorite thing to do. That would make for an amazing memory for him.

Whatever you do, enjoy!

 

[rockin_rep]

Just a little FYI -- many school groups also stay at the moderates. We stayed with a church group at the CBR in '93 and were overwhelmed with bands, choirs etc. floating around. Still had a great time but the walk to the food court, busses etc. is lengthy. Also when at Port Orleans Riverside, we encountered similar groups. Not a problem either, but just wanted you to be aware.

For us, we're too exhausted each night to hear anything, anywhere! But sooo very worth it! And i would much rather have more fun money for souvenirs etc. then where i lay my head...JMHO!

Regardless where you stay, you will have a great time!

 

[HopperFan]

We stayed at ASMu during a cheerleader competition. Was very noisy late at night as they all practiced outside. Food Court was impossible to get into, so we ate off site. During the day they were all occupied, so our park trips were pleasant.

Our local HS does a track meet there in spring and there wasn't enough room at AS so they bumped up to CSR. (last year they stayed at CBR with lots of other schools) DS said there were a couple schools staying there but not many. Track meets last a fairly long time so they were busy from early am till mid-late afternoon on Saturday.

DS also does cross country and meets tend to be only few hours long. Most meets are early am, and good athletes will be in bed early. Since it is school time I think most will arrive Th pm or Fri and be leaving Sunday. The only night I think it will be an issue will be Sat night after meet and they are all having fun.

To answer the one question - these are HS & college kids with few chapersones (just coaches) due to their age. They will probably be easier to deal with because they will split up and be all over WDW.

Personally, I would bump up to moderate. POR is the farthest from the venue, so may be a good option. I also think they would probably limit the number of school groups at CSR because of the business atmosphere. The 12 year old will love the CSR pool and all the amenities!!!

 

[ElizabethB]

Since that event is going one while you're there, change now to a moderate. Do not hesitate. Change!

I agree with the poster who suggested Coronodo Springs Resort. It's a good choice with a pre-teen boy. And they are unlikely to put school groups there since it is the "convention trade moderate". The dig pool is alot of fun. And it is absolutely beautiful at night with all of the lights shining on the lake.

 

[aimee11621]

I don't want to sound like a snob but the lines for the buses and the food court can get really long. Noisey!!

Lots of noise and kids big and small. Conventioners too, lots of them you will see them everywhere.

Try the moderates even if they have a big convention you will have a good time.

Stay away from the values, if you will be spending sometime at the hotel.

Moderates are always worth the difference.

Although we can't afford to spend too much on a hotel we always try to stay at a moderate. Peace a quiet and the themeing is great.

Stay at the value only if you will be just sleeping and the essential.

 

[leighe]

I would definitely switch to a moderate. I just don't care for the Value resorts - rooms too small, too noisey, etc. The theming is wonderful, however, so I may change my tune when I have kids. The moderates are just more relaxing - which is important to me after a long day in the parks.

 

[AimeeM]

Ive stayed at Moderates and Values.. and I personally dont care for the Moderates. We had to book at moderate with our cruise, and I was anxious to see the bigger, better moderate room. I was shocked when I walked in and saw that the room really isnt all that much bigger. Same size beds, same amount of dresser space, same size tv, same size table and chairs. I noticed a bit more room between the door walking in, and the beds. You get an extra sink too. Thats it. The pool was closed at PO FQ, so we had NO pool, or had to take the boat to PORS. I thought the food court was much smaller at PO and we never wanted to use the sit down restaurant. We have always loved the food court variety and prices. I thought the bus system at PORS was worse too. I found that traveling around to the many many stops around PO took forever. If you stay at POP, you have your own bus with no other stops. If you stay at SPORTS, you are the first on going and the first off coming home as most buses do stop at all the all stars now. I dont think weve ever waited for a bus at any value resort longer than 15 minutes or so. Ive waited that long and longer at PO too. Figment, you said you basically wanted somewhere to sleep and shower.. All you need is a value resort! In 6 stays at the values, I have never been kept awake by noise, and I HAVE been there with the cheerleaders. I have heard an occasional toilet flushing, but only when its pefectly quiet in the room, when everyone's asleep and the tv is off. Its never been something that kept me awake, or woke me up. The moderates have a slide at their pool, but value resorts are themed great!! We have stayed at Movies, Sports and POP. My kids ( and 2 are DD's that are 9 & 10) loved sports. We stay in the football section when we stay there. Its right next to the food court, but still considered 'standard view'. The giant sports icons are great. My kids love walking around and looking at everything. We have never been a family to come back, relax and swim at the resort. The kids do swim on occasional evenings when we come back early enough. There is a pool bar at the values ( and POP has a bar inside too). We only need a place to sleep and shower too and all of the values that we have stayed at have been perfect! iM SPLURGING ON a trip with my kids and my parents this thanksgiving by staying at the dolphin, but when hubby goes in January, we will be getting 2 rooms at Sports or POP. I dont think you will be disappointed in the values. We can get rates with out AP of 49 bucks a night per room!

 

[O2BNWDW]

My DH and I stayed one night at ASmu for a late check in....WE swore NEVER again. The food court was no where near as good at POR and the rooms were small. IMHO I felt the transportation at AS was actually slower than POR. As for theming, well I happen to think ALL of the resorts have great theming.

Now I cannot vouch for any other moderate resort except POR, but only because I LOVE that resort so much it was hard for me to book any of the others. (at least that was prior to becoming a DVC'er)

I have never had a problem with the transportation system and the ride to DTD is sure to please your 12 yo. The pool is quite nice. At POR there is something for everyone young and old!

I say GO and have a blast!

 

[nowellsl]

I would switch to Pop Century - it's still a value resort but I have also heard that they won't be putting groups there. The theming is like all-stars. I really like all-star music but lately have picked Pop Century because the bus service is better and I like the location better.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

If the costs are about the same, I would go with the moderate EVERY time!