Is the All-Star Movie Resort really all that bad? No Choice, we have to stay there :(

[ALK$Disney]

We are going with a large group and it was part of a package deal so we have to stay at the Disney All-Star movie resort. Not my ideal choice of a hotel, especially on our first trip to Disney World. I wanted to stay at the AKL, but was not offered as a part of our package deal, only the All-star movie resort.

I have been reading the reviews on Tripadvisor and it is getting a lot of bad reviews. I am almost at a point to cancel the entire trip after reading those reviews, but now I am commited. We are going to be there for 8 days and thats my biggest concern. I don't want to get stuck in a lousy hotel for that many days.

What do you guys think? Is it really that bad??

Thanks.

 

[Havana]

All Star Movies is the last on my list of disney resorts, but it isn't that bad. It isn't something that will ruin an entire trip.

I just know Disney can do better. I think Movies needs a refurb badly.
You will still have a good time! You will be on property, immersed in the magic!
Have a good trip

 

[Vijoge]

Well, it's no AKL . . .but you'll be fine. It's your basic Motel 6, only cleaner, with better food and a better pool, and better landscaping, and better gift shop...oh, did i forget to mention-it's at WDW!

 

[*disgal*]

We are going with a large group and it was part of a package deal so we have to stay at the Disney All-Star movie resort. Not my ideal choice of a hotel, especially on our first trip to Disney World. I wanted to stay at the AKL, but was not offered as a part of our package deal, only the All-star movie resort.

I have been reading the reviews on Tripadvisor and it is getting a lot of bad reviews. I am almost at a point to cancel the entire trip after reading those reviews, but now I am commited. We are going to be there for 8 days and thats my biggest concern. I don't want to get stuck in a lousy hotel for that many days.

What do you guys think? Is it really that bad??

Thanks.

Ok, I know it's been a while since we've stayed there but I thought it was nice. Now, the reason I don't want to stay there now is because we are a family of 5 (we stayed there when my youngest was in a crib) and the cost of two rooms would be ridiculous to pay for us when compared to what we could get off-site for half the price.

But I also have an opinion, and this will vary according to who you ask, that your first Disney trip should be onsite. I just think it gets you really into the Disney magic, you don't have to worry about driving your first time to Orlando, etc.

Have fun and enjoy!! You'll be at WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!

 

[ajh88]

I would also not fret about it. I haven't stayed at Movies, but we've stayed at Sports. I was also worried the first time - we had always stayed moderate before and I was worried about "downgrading", but we have had such a great time there. In fact, we typically choose value over moderate levels of on-property accommodations - our first deluxe stay is just a few months away!

It isn't perfect, to be sure, but I highly doubt it will ruin your trip. Have a great time at WDW!

 

[motherof4kids]

We just stayed at movies in Dec. I would not stay there again. But, if you have to be there make sure the beds are comfy early in the day so that if there is a problem you can resolve the issue before bedtime. My husband and I stayed there for anniversary and for 2 its not bad but I have 4 kids and would not bring them there. The good thing is that you are in disney. You will not be in the room much!!!

 

[Hemlock]

I wouldn't worry too much about the reviews on Trip Advisor, as I find some of their reviews are way off. In fact, alot of Disney resorts get negative reviews on Trip Advisor (even Disney deluxe).

I think that you will have good time at All Star Movies, especially of you are traveling with kids!

 

[MomofKatie]

The good thing is that you are in disney. You will not be in the room much!!!

ITA- if it was a resort stay where you were spending a huge amount of time in your room/at the hotel, the Value Resorts would not be a great choice. A WDW trip, though? You will spend almost zero time in your room. They are decent sized, clean, the beds are comfy, and the water is hot for showering. When I am at WDW, that's all I really care about.

You will be fine- no ruined trips because of the hotel.

 

[saintfan]

You are at WDW enjoy, relax besides when you close your eyes at nite the room looks the same as AKL

 

[Disney Commando]

We love All Star Movies, my son calls it the Herbie Hotel (Love Bug), we only spend maybe 7hrs total out of 24hrs (just to sleep and shower) but have never had a problem with anything.

The staff is friendly, it is smaller than the other value resorts, and it is abit more mellow (found Pop, Music & Sports are a bit more wild, never stayed at any of them, but have toured the Resorts

The biggest issue I have about All Star Movies is that the buses are shared with Music & Sports, and since Movies is the last stop the buses are pretty crowded or even full going and coming back from a park

I have stayed at The Contemporary a couple of times, before most of the Resorts were even built, I was young but found it over rated

 

[livvylivvie]

What do you guys think? Is it really that bad??

Oh My! Soooo Don't worry about it, hunny!
For our first trip we stayed there. I have to tell you, maybe I am easy to please, but I LOVED it! We really didn't spend much time in our room, We were at the parks! and We came back to the room in the afternoon, so Our kids could have a nap and swim. My Son LOVED it!! it was perfect for him! He loved seeing the toy story section! If you have kids, they are going to love it! don't cancel, They food was Just fine, We mostly ate at the parks or at one of disneys resort restaurants. But we ate a few meals at the movies resort, and it was good. pretty much the same as any other food court at Disney.
You are going to have a blast! And you'll probably be so tired after the long day at the park, you won't even notice that the rooms are a tad smaller then others.
ENJOY!!!
I'd stay there again!! Any place at Disney is Magical!!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Well, I don't know how wealthy you are, because that certainly would make a difference. People on here post with such disdain for the value resorts, but many of us really quite enjoy them. Maybe it is based on what you can afford (me-not much, certainly not deluxe, although I wish I could), and what you expect. We know we can't afford much, so would rather have 8-10 days value, than 4 moderate or 1 to none deluxe. We do enjoy them, but we don't hang out in the room. We go for all of WDW, and enjoy all the parks and other things. It is not a "hotel as destination" trip.
I hope you really enjoy your trip. There is so much to do.
And next trip you can go for AKL!

 

[jake&samsmom]

We have stayed only in Deluxes (AKL, OKW) and Values (AS Music, POP), but my kids would tell you they love all of them equally! The Values have Disney theming that the Deluxes do not have. They even like the food court and gift shops at the Values better. Bus service maybe better at AKL, but hardly enough to worry about! Unless you are staying in your room all day, you shouldn't fret. Enjoy your stay, it will be fine!

 

[ToddyLu]

We stay at AKV now since we are DVC members--but the first night on our last trip was at POP. We love the value resorts. They are Disney all the way. Before Pop opened we only stayed at Movies. I loved the colors, activity, food court. Things are what you make them. Use this trip to get your barrings--without wasting a bunch of money. When you go for your second trip--you will know more what you want to do and then spend more time at the resort--not trying to rush around--because you have been before. I hope that makes since--so for a second trip, you can spend the money at AKL. I have stayed in lots of hotels all over the world and all the Dsiney hotels are terrific to me for different reasons. Embrace your resort--feel the Magic.

First trips are awesome, overwhelming and very tiring. WDW is so huge that you have to see it to believe it. I can assure you, at the end of the day, Movies will be a beautiful beacon in the night.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

ITA- if it was a resort stay where you were spending a huge amount of time in your room/at the hotel, the Value Resorts would not be a great choice. A WDW trip, though? You will spend almost zero time in your room. They are decent sized, clean, the beds are comfy, and the water is hot for showering. When I am at WDW, that's all I really care about.

You will be fine- no ruined trips because of the hotel.

Exactly ... there's so much to see and do that the only time you'll be in your room is to sleep and shower.

We tend to agree with those that say the reviews on Tripadvisor are not always accurate. Yes the 'All stars' resorts aren't luxury accomodations, but it is still of the high standard you would expect from Disney. It's not really the place to spend a few weeks relaxing by the pool, but that's not what Disney is all about is it! The rooms are clean, very colourful and motel like, and have plenty of space. Don't give it a second thought.

 

[OrangeCat04]

Don't worry at all... there are pros and cons to all of the Disney Resorts. The rooms are very clean at ASMovies and the cafeteria was very good and convenient!!! Have a great time

 

[cglaura]

Not sure if you saw this thread yet...lots of info.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=6778927#post6778927

And this has pictures, but of all the All Stars, so you have to wade through them to filter out Movies.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1849588

I think you will have a great time! If you go expecting the worst, then you'll be sure to find it....so keep a good outlook, you are on vacation not at home working!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

All Ears also has great photos of the resort ...

http://allears.net/acc/asmvss.htm

 

[cjstarr]

We stayed last June 2010 at the Movie Resort and like a few have stated it was not that bad. The food court was good, the service was great, and the CM's were fantastic For the most part we were not in the room except to sleep as we spent most of out time in the parks every day.
The only thing that I did not like was having to wait on the bus. The Movie resort is at the end of the line and some days we would watch the bus head our way only to pull through and keep on going because the other 2 resorts guest would fill them up. This could make for a long wait
Other than that we loved our stay there
When we go back we are thinking of staying at POP, POR, or POFQ.
I think in the end you'll have a great trip and stay at the Movie resort

 

[taliategan]

I stayed on-site only once and it was at a value - All Star Music. The rooms are fine - if you are OK with a Hampton Inn, Courtyard type hotel, the rooms are similar although there is not a frig or microwave in the value rooms. The value resorts are very large and have a number of separate buildings. If you have the option to get a preferred room, you may want to select that option as it will put in the building closest to the main building where the hotel registration, restaurant, gift shop and bus stops are located. It may cost another $ 10 a night. If you end up in one of the back buildings it can take a while (5-10 minute) walk to get to the main building. The thing I don't like about the values are the crowds - the rooms themselves are fairly quiet, but there always seems to be a lot of people in the common areas like the pools and restaurant. Once I get out of the parks, I would prefer to be in a quieter and smaller hotel.