Personal All Star Sports experience. Just came home today.

[TheDizDad]

I can't say it was a great part of our trip. I'll say the resort is a 5 out of 10 But it did afford us to spend more $$$ in stores. If you are looking for a budget resort, Disney goes out of their way to let you know you are on the low end of the totem pole while staying at one of the All-Star resorts. They are the furthest away from the MK and probably Epcot. The bus service for the All-Star resorts is pathetic. We waited for a half an hour for a bus to Blizzard Beach, while during the wait, we saw 4 MK busses drive through the parking lot. (Blizzard Beach is within walking distance on a cool day) Finally a bus came with a driver named Carlos and my wife asked him what took so long, he said "no habla ingles", I was think ing to myself at that time that we better not be in an emergency situation with him not speaking english. He spoke spanish everytime he got on the PA system in the bus. We had another non-english speaking driver when we went to Epcot on Thursday. I also counted 4 different routes used, when coming back from the MK to A-S Sports. There is also nothing to block out the sun while you wait unless you stand against the wall of the hotel. If you do stand against the wall, you will lose spots to people that will stand in line. It gets very hot when it is already 85-90 degrees and equal the humidity at 9:30AM. It is a great way to start the day. When you get to your park of the day, you get dropped off the furthest away and in turn have to walk the furthest to get on the bus that goes back to your All-Star resort. The main pool at the "Sports" resort looked a pale yellow-green at night and it felt like we were taking a bath because of it's extra warm water temp. The "Goofy" pool is the one to swim in. It was virtually empty every time we went and the water was much clearer and cooler. The elevators are dirty and have a slight odor to them. I saw people every where hanging over railings, smoking and drinking, while they talked on their cell phones. Our room had a broken drawer, which they never came to fix. They charged us for a refrigerator that we paid for upfront. (have to call WDW tomorrow) When I made the reservations they told me that I could take the family swimming at any WDW resort as long as I was staying at one of them. Well we found out that was wrong, right away. The room was much smaller than described and the beds were old and deformed. The matresses curved upwards on the outer edges. On the first night we were there, we had dinner in the restaurant. After we ate our main meal we went a ordered 4 of the Waffle sundae's. Well it took over twenty minutes to get them, because she said she didn't hear me say I needed four of them. We were the only ones in line at the time and there are 4 of us. I found the constant language barrier troublesome at times. I noticed a lot of employees having trouble understanding me. I just figured that since the park is in the U.S. that I shouldn't have that problem. It's great that people from other countries want to work for Disney but they should be able to communicate the primary language. We found a boy that had lost his family but he spoke no english either. He held on to a pole for life as we helped find an employee that could talk to him and they did. I think he was from Norway. Anyways back to the A-S Sports resort. The restaurant is decent. The gift shop is terrific!! But the rest I found to exude the fact that I didn't pay a lot to stay there and Disney reminded me of it everywhere I looked and smelled, especially around the main pool. That includes about 70% of the people staying there. Next time I will stay at the Contemporary or the Yacht Club. The other reason we stayed there is because our son picked it, and he didn't like it either, he's 8. I'll give a full review tomorrow night talking about the Dining plan, restaurants and the parks. I am sure I forgot a lot. Any questions??

 

[DizGeek]

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Not sure about the rest, since I've never been to Sports, but the bus driver problem wouldn't really be connected to the resort itself, since as far as I know, they change routes all the time, so that would deal more with transportation than the Sports resort itself.

I do agree that it would be nice if the All Star bus lines had some kind of overhead cover- most of the other resorts do.

The rest of the problems I've had no experience with. I've stayed at Music and Movies, and found both of the rooms in great shape.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Well we almost always stay at ASSP. The value resorts are designed to walk in lay your head on the pillow wake up shower and go back to the park. If you are looking for more bells and whistle then you will need to pay for them. About the language barrier, that is just about EVERYWHERE anymore. But thy must speak english to work there, though it doesn't have to be its best. The busses are suppose to come every 20 min. Ok so you had to wait an extra 10 min.

I have ordered 4 cheeseburgers at McyD's and only gotten one but I doubt that is a language barrier.

I have never had a problem going to other resort pools. Its a little tricky on how to get to them since there are not busses from resort to resort. But we have swam in the Yacht and Beach club sand bottom pool several times.

About the pools. FL board of Health has set guidlines on public pools. They are tested every morning and once again during the day. The lights they use in the pool are yellow and with a blue bottom it might reflect as green.

"You can only please half the people half the time, you cant please all the people all the time"

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I can't believe any Disney CM would tell you that you can swim in another resorts pool. Maybe another All Star resort, but pools are for resort guests only.

I haven't stayed at the ASSP in years, but we were at ASMU last year and I was impressed enough to go back again this year. (We usually split stays between POR and a deluxe) No smells, very clean, rooms like new, and a great food court.

As for a language barrier, welcome to Florida!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

We have been to all of the ASresorts and we loved everyone of them. No particular problem. The place was always really clean and, the CM's very friendly. Since I get up really early in the morning, I happened to see many times the pools being cleaned and the area being picked up and the chairs being replaced.

We just spent 13 days at ASMu and I cannot say I had anything to complain about. One day our room was not cleaned well. You could tell it was not our usual Mousekeeper....he/she did not even take the tip.

I have gown accostomed to the ALL stars and i had planned on trying the POp next trip....I am still not sure if I want to lose the familiarity that I have with the resorts yet.

 

[helenk]

Staying in a deluxe will not change the language barrier situation, in all of the resorts and all of the parks there are CMs whose first language is not English.
I do agree about the bus stops at the value resorts, it would be nice if the area was shaded. I stayed at the Allstar Music in July, and that really was my only complaint. The water in the main pool was not refreshing, but hey the average temp was well over 90 degrees each day. I would think that even the pools at the deluxe resorts had rather warm water.
As far as being far from the parks, well it was close to AK and Blizzard Beach. Again some resort is going to be far from at least one of the parks, AKL is pretty far out, if you stay at one of the MK resorts, then you are going to be far from AK and MGM.
The nice thing about Disney is that there are value, moderate and deluxe resorts. Enough to make everyone happy, or at least most people happy. I've stayed at all levels and if I make a last minute trip, then the values are just fine, if I plan my trip well in advance then I go for a moderate or deluxe.
...
Hopefully your trip was great otherwise

 

[DizGeek]

Folks...dont bother....just do as I did.

 

[*Fantasia*]

 

[hokiefan33]

I can't say it was a great part of our trip. I'll say the resort is a 5 out of 10 But it did afford us to spend more $$$ in stores. If you are looking for a budget resort, Disney goes out of their way to let you know you are on the low end of the totem pole while staying at one of the All-Star resorts.

Not sure if you thought you would get sympathy or not, but what did you expect? You ARE staying at the least expensive on-site property, not the Grand Floridian. And service and amenities generally are equal to the price you pay. Pay more, get more. It makes sense. If you want to come back at night, swim, shower, sleep, then get up the next day and be in the parks all day, like my family does, then these are the resorts for you. We have stayed at ASSports the last 2 years, and are staying there again in about 3 weeks, and we have loved it both times. No smells, nothing has been broken, beds and bedroom are fine, everything works, nobody made us feel like 2nd class citizens, pool was great after a hot day in the parks, bus service was fine (both coming and going). Here's a hint on bus service by the way - start a little earlier than 9:30, and you'll have less time to wait! You are on the low end of the totem pole at the All-Stars, but I definitely don't think Disney goes out of their way to let you know that.

 

[kmebee]

I know I'm probably wasting my time but here goes...
First, be thankful that you can afford a family vaca to WDW. There are many people that can't - even by staying at a Value Resort.
Second, if you can "afford" to stay at the Contemporary or any moderate or deluxe resort, do us all a favor and stay there. More room for those of us who prefer/wish to stay there!
Third, language barriers are to be expected most anywhere these days, not just WDW and especially not just at the value resorts.
And finally, I have stayed at the AS resorts in the past, as have SEVERAL people I know, and no one has ever had these types of problems. As a matter of fact, last time I was at ASSp there was something broken in our room and maintenance was up in no time to fix it. We were NEVER made to feel like the "low-end" traveler just because of where we were staying.
I think someone has "issues" and not just with WDW value resorts.

 

[kelscross]

Not sure if you thought you would get sympathy or not, but what did you expect? You ARE staying at the least expensive on-site property, not the Grand Floridian. And service and amenities generally are equal to the price you pay. Pay more, get more. It makes sense....

Not necessarily....remember the super long thread about my trip to the GF? That is the expectation and that was my point.

Thanks for the review though. I've stayed at all of the values except ASSP and I know what you mean about the bus stops etc. Otherwise our stays were fine. I did notice much more drinking and carrying on at the ASMO then the other resorts I've stayed at but it was confined to the bar area.

Here's what I have learned though. You can't post a negative review on this board or you will get flamed. I hope you enjoyed your trip overall though.

 

[minnie61650]

Sorry you did not have a great stay at the All Stars.
Even if you stay at a deluxe resort you are not allowed to pool hop.
However, if you stay at an All Star resort you are welcome to use any of the other All Star pools or the pop up fountains at the All star Movie resort.
The All Star resorts are actually my favorite.
The one downside is the fact they do not have a shady area to wait for the buses.
Bus times from the All Star resorts to the are actually among the shortest.
Bus times according to PassPorter.com

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

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

I am 55 year old and travel several times a year. I often stay at 4 star hotels.
So the deluxe resorts do not have anything special for me.
All Star is like being in the heart of Disney's Magicand that is where I want to be.

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 theaming is pure Disney.
My last 4 visits have been at The All Stars and this fall when we take dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3 we are staying 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.
Where else can one find Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse at the pool?
I can hardly wait.
Linda

 

[tammy]

 

[Bete]

I've done over two dozen trips and I've stayed almost everywhere at DW.
I like saving the money by going value resort; we can afford the GF. We use the resort to sleep and clean-up; so, it meets my expectations for the $$. If I really felt the room was bad (beds and dresser, etc.) I would request to change the room, as soon as possible. If I have a broken drawer, I would probably use the other drawers and skip one drawer. I never stay at a value resort expecting to enjoy the resort 100%. It's basic necessities and you don't pay much considering you are on Disney property. You need to do your homework before the trip to figure out what might be best for your trip.

I expect to be the farthest away from most of the parks because you are paying less at a value resort. There are tons of maps available showing locations of all the resorts and their proximity to each park. If my park strategy is to mostly go the MK and/or Epcot, I probably would consider a closer resort. I don't know how you expect to have the same bus schedule (or even close) for Blizzard Beach as MK. I think a 4:1 ratio sounds about right to me.

I never feel like a second class citizen at the value resorts. I love having extra money to buy more souvenirs, go on Disney tours, take a fireworks cruise, enjoy better dining, etc.; because, I saved enough by staying at a value resort. I think the trade-off is just fine. I never go to DW with the idea I'm going to be staying around the resort. I'm there to go to the parks.

 

[dyna]

Sports is fabulous love it. I agree language is a problem most everywhere now.

NEVER have I had anything broken in my room at Sports the beds are the most comfy I've slept in anywhere do wish there was a Queen sized bed but at disney usually tired enough that it don't matter that the bed a bit crowded.

IF you not happy with the budget hotels PLEASE go on over to the more expensive ones someone will be happy to take your room.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I can't believe that nobody has jumped on the "pool hopping" that was mentioned more than once in this thread.

 

[ls1222]

Thanks for your reply!! I'll be sure not to post any opinions on our hotel stay at POR next month (at least negative comments). I'm not sure why people are getting so worked up over the OP's personal opinion!!

We have not stayed at any of the value resorts. I personally like the extras that you get at the moderates. I hope the other parts of your trip were enjoyable.

 

[brerrabbit]

Anybody notice the OP has like 2 posts? Come on guys there is a 99.9% chance this guy is pulling your collective legs. I will not spend time defending the value resorts. I have stayed there, they are fine. Nuff said. There are so many people ready to jump on people around here about pool hopping, refillable mugs, and other "hot button" issues that many forget this is an anaomous posting board where some people get a great deal of joy pushing everybody's buttons and watching the ensuing fireworks. Heck I love to watch the show myself. I'll just grab the popcorn and a coke and sit back and watch the rest of the fun so, carry on.

 

[Fast Pass]

Sorry you were not satisfied did you talk to a manager? Disney tries to make things that are wrong right.
I have never felt like a second class citizen at the All Stars(I have stayed at the Movies a few times).
The bus situation I can't comment on but I have never had a problem with any of the drivers. In fact some of them are halarious!
They do need some shaded cover at the bus stops.It can get very uncomfortable real quick in the summer.
Oh well, hope you had a good time any way!
I noticed you have 2 posts so WELCOME!