LOVED POR, but what about ASMovies?

[ilovdisney2]

We just got back from a 7 day stay at POR and LOVED every thing about this resort. We loved the food court, the lay out of the resort (all the shaded areas, and land scaping) and we loved the boat to down town disney. We are planning on going back in December and I have promised my DD that we would stay at AS Movies this time. Will we be dissapointed? Please tell me any huge differences in the two resorts. I will be taking my 13 year old DS, my 10 year old DS, and my 8 year old DD and her 8 year old friend for my DD's birthday. We will have 2 rooms so the size of the rooms will not be that much of a big deal. We were going to check out movies while we were there but never got around to it. Please tell me if I should break her heart for our own good or let her have her wish...................

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm very reluctant to possibly be the source of your DD's heartbreak, but I find a BIG difference between AS and POR. Now, I'm comparing POR to ASMusic, maybe Movies is better, but one thing I noticed was that the CMs at ASMusic were youngest-and although DS is 19yo, if he acted so unprofessionally (giggling, more concerned with socializing than waiting on guests, I'd be very displeased). Service wasn't great. Also, there were alot of teenagers with unDisney language running around (if you know what I mean), and as a high school teacher myself and with no young children, I didn't expect to be as aware of it as some people might. I was only there because POR had displaced me, but I expected to like it-boy, was I disappointed! But I really hope you find others who may not have the same opinion-I hate to disappoint your DD, but that was my feeling.

 

[CamColt]

We stayed at POR(DXL) 2 times. We really liked it(obviously, if we went back again), never had any problems, and thoroughly enjoyed our stays there. Then we stayed at ASMO, and fell in love! I would have a hard time going back to POR now. Heres my comparison, for what its worth...

Theming/Disney Feel...ASMO was full of it, everywhere. To me DXL had nothing special. This was a big plus for us

Resort Size/Layout...ASMO much more compact and easy to navigate.

Bus Service...better at ASMO(never waited more than 10 minutes coming or going)

CMs...same

Food Court...same

Room Size...DXL was a little bigger, but not much to make a major difference. We had 5 people including a crib and a double carriage in our ASMO room and had no problem with space.

Entertainment...We really enjoyed sitting in the Lounge having a drink and watching/listening to Bob the piano player at DXL. In fact I have said before he is the only thing better at DXL than ASMO.

Restaurants...In our 2 stays, we never ate at the sit down restaurant at DXL, so that doesnt really affect my opinion. If having a sit down restaurant close by matters to you, take into consideration there isnt one at ASMO.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Laura's Dad]

I would have to say that PO-Riverside is a much better place to stay than the All-Star Music (or any other of the All-Star resorts). First of all, the rooms are more tastefully decorated, the resort center is much better, there is a full service restaurant and lounge with BOB that the All-Stars do not have. The atmosphere, themeing, and service is a cut above the All-Stars. The only experience we have had with the All-Stars was being herded like cattle from bus stop to theme park; and loud, small rooms. The pools are not nearly as nicely themed and the rooms ar garish. I know I will probably take some heat from All-Stars fans, but I love PO-R (Dixie Landings) and PO-French Quarter. Staying there is like staying at a deluxe at 2/3's of the price.

 

[ilovdisney2]

Could someone please tell me what the black spot on my envelope is? I don't see one on any other posts

 

[DMRick]

I thought the black spot means that you have posted in the thread. Not sure.

We are just back from POR. Loved the shade at the resort.
We love All Stars also, although it does have less shade. Food courts seemed to have the same food. CM's and hosekeeping was great at both resorts. Room was a tad smaller at AS, but nothing that would bother me. My grands much preferred the AS, and we had to go over and visit..I too love the Disney cartoon type of theming. AS did seem louder on the walkways..both were loud at the pools...main and quiet (so-called). Once we are in our room at AS, we heard very little if anything and slept the sleep of the dead!

 

[Ricola]

I would say, if the room size isn't an issue for you, and since DD is really excited about the ASMo, I don't think you'll be too disappointed staying there! After all, it's still Disney!

You can get obnoxious teens anywhere, as well as poor CMs. I'm sure there are wonderful things at POR that you will miss, but there will be things you find there that you like better.

You may have a little longer walk to the buses, and you won't have the lounge and full-service restaurants, or a slide at the pool, but you'll have the smile of your DD, which'll more than make up for it, I'm sure!

 

[dwfanatic]

We have stayed at ASMo, CSR, aand ASSp. While the AS's seemed to just entrench you in the Disney magic, CSR was a bit more "unDisney like"- Don't get me wrong, I loved CSR- especially the pool and water mice, but if you want in-your-face Disney, then ASMo is great. When we are on vacation with DS,6, we act 6 as well!! We loved ASMo, and I even liked ASSp a bit better! I do not think you will be disappointed. Just remember that there will be lots of kids at the AS's. We have never had problems with noise levels or crowds, but there are lots of kids.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I know exactly what you are going through. We stayed at DxL and just fell in love. One of my favorite themes is the Old South and I think DxL does it up right. We loved everything about this place, the landscaping, the pool, the lobby, the rooms, the restaurant, and the food court. Maybe because it was our first time together as adults to go to WDW, but we thought we would never want to stay anywhere else. But then on the next trip we split between DxL and WL. OK. Now we have a new favorite. WL is AWESOME!!

The NEXT time we were taking all three children and needed to save some money. We were going to go offsite, but after one night I said forget it. I always said I would never want to stay at an Allstar resort. Didn't think I would like it. Well, compared to staying offsite, I would have taken anything Disney, so ASMovies is was!!

We were SO SURPRISED! CM's were great (my kids even got a balloon at check-in, never got that even at the lodge), mousekeeping did their specialty with the towels and my DD's stuffed animals just like at the other two resorts. Food court was just as good, just busier in the mornings. My kids loved the pool and the room was immaculate.

Now, keep in mind, this isn't DxL. The landscaping hasn't won any awards although it is neat and clean. But, come on, what child doesn't love a giant icon of Buzz and Woody!!?? We thought it was fun and the icons didn't get on my nerves as much as I thought they would .

We were saving a lot of money, too. My husband thinks that anytime we have the kids along, we should stay there (next trip is a surprise adult trip to WL). You can't beat the price for what you get, considering you are on Disney property.

I say give your DD her wish. Especially with two rooms and two bathrooms, you should be happy there.

 

[jims123]

My family thought there was a big difference. We will pay the extra for a moderate every time (and money is an issue with us). The moderates are resorts and the budgets are motels with nice theming. The service is better and you have much more pivacy. The all starts always seem very crowded and you can hear the room next door. The guests even seem nicer at the moderates. Also the pools have slides at the moderates wich is important for the little ones.

 

[Nolcrest]

Well, I've only stayed at PO, so I know how beautiful it is. I've never been to ASMO. But Id think I'd look at it from the perspective of a child. The kids are young and would probably love the theming at AS. Since you're getting 2 rooms anyway that won't even be an issue. My vote would be to do what the children want - since she is choosing for her birthday. The kids will grow up once day and life will be peaceful like PO but we may miss the mischief and fun of ASMO. There will always be time for PO but the kids will one day outgrow Woody, Pongo and gang.

 

[pReTtYpRiNcEsS]

My family has stayed at both the all-star resorts (movie/music) & the CSR... My little bro (about 9-ish at the time of the trips) loved both and prob wouldn't have cared except that the CRS had a slide.

On the other hand: My parents and I decided that we would never go back to Allstars.. perhaps we just lwere unlucky and stayed there at a bad time, however, all three times it was nosiy in the foodcourt, the pool, and rooms next door. This is not relaxing to come home to after a long day in the parks! lol This is my parents reason... My reason is that i fell in luv w/ CSR! Its amazing! I just love looking over the lake @ night and seeing the casitas all lit up, goin down the slide, hanging out on the hammocks at the beach, or sitting in the PM (their strange food court) and listening to a mexican-ish band (hehe)... and the amazing part is doing all of this in peace and quiet! lol and not (even though i am a teen .. lol) having teens and younger kids screaming and yelling and crying! lol I know this post isn't about CSR, (so ill get off my soapbox!) but im trying to point out that i think the 'extras' @ the mods make the stay special for the adults/older kids, but your DD won't mind a bit.. unless she too misses the slide

 

[robinb]

I would say the only thing your kids might miss would be the slide. Other than that, kids don't care about tastefully decorated rooms, the "Old South Charm" of the resort or sit-down restaurants. IMO, they will love All Star Movies! The giant cut-outs are right up their alley. The pools are still fun. The food court is bigger (and better, IMO).

It's not a big deal ... ff they don't like it then you'll know for next time . I think you'll have a great time!