OK, Sell me on the All Stars and which one.

[Ratpack]

Due to impending job loss, our trip this year may have to be more budget oriented. We usually stay at WL but we need to cut costs. Aside from being cheaper, what are the pros and cons of the All Star resorts and which one is the one to choose? I am currently leaning toward the ASMo but I know this is the last stop on the buses, picking up and dropping off. Is this a problem?

Thanks!!

 

[cindy_k]

Actually the All Stars have the best bussing on property. Probably because there is so many more people there in the overall. But the busses come quicker and there are more of them.
Some times the three resorts share a bus, but not always.

Each resorts of course has it's large Icon Themeing which the kids love. I'm not that picky about food, and prefer to eat some meals cheaper than others... so the large food court is a big bonus to me. We usually eat breakfast there before we head to the parks.

I would recommend trying to get a building near the main blding, since that is where the Food court and the busses are.
The walk back to a room some distance from the main building can become tedious.

I have stayed at ASSports during Presidents Week and never had a problem with noise or crowds. We had a room in the Football building which is a nice spot at Sports near the main building and the Baseball pool.

If you are really concerned about room size, you can usually get two connecting rooms at All Star for the price of one room at a Moderate. This gives you two bathrooms, two TVs, and a little more elbow room. We've done this a couple of times, and it works out nicely.

Have a good trip!

Cindy in NY

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Ratpack
Due to impending job loss, our trip this year may have to be more budget oriented. We usually stay at WL but we need to cut costs. Aside from being cheaper, what are the pros and cons of the All Star resorts and which one is the one to choose? I am currently leaning toward the ASMo but I know this is the last stop on the buses, picking up and dropping off. Is this a problem?

Thanks!!

I wouldn't worry about the transportation. Despite being the lowest priced room on property, the All-Stars actually receive the best bus transportation. Busses run probably twice as frequent as Wilderness Lodge. (However, this is due to crowds... so, be forewarned... there will be crowds)

Another thing to note... Movies is NOT always the last... During the morning Magic On Demand, depending on the season and demand, often times each All Star gets thier own busses. However, as demand lightens, they sometimes do share. One more thing, when they do share, many busses are dispatched to do the All-Stars in reverse... Movies, Music THEN Sports.

Out of the three All-Stars, I'd definetly say that Movies would be my favorite themed one to stay at, but unfortunetly, the two times that I've had family down here, we've only been able to get Music. When my family is down, we always use Disney Transport to get around, even though my parents rent a car, and I have my car. We just find it easier to let someone else do the driving. I personally have never waited more than 8 minutes for an All-Star bus (coming or going). The most I've ever waited was about 16 minutes at Wilderness Lodge for a Downtown Disney bus, and that was only because I had JUST missed it.

 

[jiminyfan]

We were a deluxe or moderate resort family until this past fall when I made my wife take a chance on All-Star Movies. At $49 a night plus tax ($54 plus change total) she was willing. Much to her surprise she really liked it, in fact we just got back from 11 days at Music. We are returning for 14 nights this Novermber.

While on the last trip I checked on the comback offer and this is what I found:
AKL Savannah view for 14 nights - $2758 plus change
All-Star Movies: $745 plus change for the same 14 nights.

With the saving I can take my parents along in THEIR own room and do a lot of nice meals including Wine Dinners.

Good deal for us.

Bus service was fantastic both trips no wait longer than 10 minutes if that.

Decent food court - Steak sandwiches are very good.

Nice themes - little gaudy but hey it's Disney.

More drawer space than moderates and some deluxes.

Is that enough.

 

[Brianhog]

Seems not everyone will agree with me on this but here are my thoughts. We have stayed at the all star sports about five times now. Been in the basketball, football and tennis and all have been fine. We like to stay away from the main building at the all star as there is not as much noise and the walk really is not that much. I guess it could be different if you had young childern. In our 5 stays sometimes each hotel gets its own bus but there has been times one bus stops at all three hotels and it has always stopped at sports first. In those case it can be a problem because by the time it gets to the next hotel (music I think) it would almost be full and forget about getting on it at the movies. I will say this Disney seems to be pretty good about bringing in extra busses if that starts to happen but somethings it might take a little time for them to do that. Generally this is probably not going to happen but I have seen it a few times. As a side note we have always gone in mid March and the first week of June which is not there business season. Maybe it is different if you are there during there peak season.

 

[vicnmickey]

The whole resort is awesome. The theming is great at each of the All Star Resorts and very well done. I don't think you will be disappointed at all.

 

[Magic2000]

We've stayed at the All Star Movies twice and I have to agree with the above posters - it has some of the best bus transportation! I found the busses better than some of the transportation at the moderate or deluxe we've stayed at!

In our two stays (both the week AFTER Thanksgiving), we've maybe shared a bus two or three times. Most of the time, we went straight to the parks. And we always had direct bus service to the hotel from the parks.

My little girl LOVES this hotel - she had a blast playing by the "TV set" right outside the 101 Dalmations building. She would always give the little puppy a hug every time we passed, and of course, had to pretend she was on TV.

The food court was pretty good, and at a decent price. We got pizza delivered to the room one night - it was pretty good, but a little pricey!

All in all, I think the All Stars are a great value - Allison and I are planning a trip just for Halloween - and we'll be back to the All Stars!

 

[Ratpack]

Well, I am almost completely convinced. Now I just have to wait on the codes, with no codes, it won't happen either way. But I still have to say that if I can go deluxe, I will. Guess I am spoiled with WL. Thanks for all your info!!

 

[grinningghost]

We stayed at ASMu in 2000 and loved it. And that was even after being put in the Country Fair Building which was quite a hike to the bus stop. We're staying at ASMo this time and I expect to have just as great an experience.