Please tell me about ASMusic.

[fiveforall]

My family(DH, DD-8, DD-5, DS-3) and I, along with my mom and stepdad will be sharing two rooms at ASMusic in Oct. What can you tell me about it? Any tips? Anything that my kids would really like there? What about the pool(s)? Do they have a poolside bar? We'll have our own car---should we take it or utilize the bus service? Thanks in advance for any info you can give me!

 

[TLinden16]

I stayed at the All Star Music Resort a couple of years ago, and found it to be clean and comfortable. We stayed in the Jazz Inn, close to the parking lot. We had adjoining (not connecting) rooms. One of the biggest complaints I seem to hear about the All Star Resorts is the noise level. We were on the first floor, and we never heard a peep from anyone. I think the noise would be a lot worse near the pools than near the parking lot or garden areas.

There are two pools in the resort. A larger one shaped like a guitar, and a smaller piano shaped pool. The guitar pool was always crowded and loud, but my niece and nephew (ages 8 and 5) loved it. There is a small poolside bar at the guitar pool. We never went to the piano pool.

My niece and nephew loved the larger than life jukebox and cowboy boots. They were amused by the drums that hid the stairs in the Calypso building. We had a lot of fun walking around and checking out the other buildings.

We alternated between using our car and the buses. If we were going to be staying at a park until closing (i.e. for Fantasmic at MGM or Illuminations at Epcot), we found it easier on the kids not to have to wait for the buses. The bus transportation is very good, and I usually use it with Disney, but on the trip when we stayed at the All Star Music Resort, we found it easier to take the car.

The food court was good. We had a couple of good breakfasts there, and it was nice to be able to grab snacks when we got back from a day at the park. If you drink coffee or soda, make sure you buy a refillable mug. If you fill it just five or six times, it pays for itself.

Karen

 

[Madi100]

We also stayed in Music a few years ago. It was just my husband and myself. We stayed in Calypso and loved it. We stayed when it didn't cost extra to stay in the first building. So if you don't want to pay the extra $10 a night for the room, then request the Jazz building. I think that is the next one in line. It can be quite a walk otherwise.

We went in September, and it was really quiet. Not a lot of people. We didn't notice any noise at all, even with the people there.

 

[fiveforall]

Thank-you for the responses! I appreciate your help!

 

[Bill From PA]

Here's another vote for Jazz, we stayed there twice. If you get tired of food court grub, your car will get you to a McDonald's just outside the gate to AllStars, just a little too far to walk for many folks.

Bill From PA

 

[jennymouse]

Your kids will just love it. I took my granddaugter there when she was 6. It was the first time I'd taken her to WDW for more than just a day visit...and the first time I'd stayed at a WDW resort since I was way young and stayed a couple nights at CR. It was just her and I and it was soooo magical. DGD loved the theming and playing with all the kids at the pool. We stayed in Jazz building too. The transportation was great, the food court great, the price was great, it's clean and I feel it has lots of magic to it. We've since stayed at AKL, Poly and BWV and while I prefer the deluxe resorts, my DGD still talks about the ASMu. I own DVC now and next June, when I take DGD back, I might stay the first couple nights at ASMu before moving over to BCV....just for old times sake.

 

[KDawnLily]

We stayed at ASMu in Feb this year and we loved it.
The pool by the Calypso building features a water fountain with the Three Cabellaros shooting water out of their pistols. The pool is great for the ages of your children(my DS was 5 when we went). The 'quiet pool' is the piano shaped one closer to the rear of the resort.
Great Photo Ops all around the All Star resorts. The themes are so Disney.
The food court was great when we went. Not too busy at all (even with the Cheerleading competitions happening and most if not ALL the squads were staying at the ASMu)and the selection was vast and the servings were large enough to share at reasonable prices.
We were in the preferred building Calypso on the Ground floor facing the pool and with all the talk of the noise at the ALL STARS it surprises me.. we didn't hear a thing- even with the teens swimming at all hours of the night.
The arcade area in the Melody Hall was a great draw for my DS at the end of each 'early' day. He played, collected tickets and took some great little souvenirs home.
The check in area features an area where the kids can sit and watch classic Disney 'toons which certainly helps if there is a little line to check in. We arrived at approximately 11am and we waited about 20 minutes to pre-check in(then we went off to the food court for much need lunch).
There are opportunities to have charicatures drawn for you, hair wraps, there is a bar by the pool to relax with a cool one, great outdoor tables to sit and enjoy the resort atmosphere.
All in all the ASR's are great esp. with your children being so young. It feels like you never leave the parks with all the excitement around the resort.
Also, having stayed at deluxe resorts in the past the ASR's are a refreshing look at WDW- it allows you to see it from a younger more excited POV(IMHO). You can let your kids be kids at this resort and everyone there seems to do this. Even the Empty Nesters and Adult only travellers we met enjoyed the look of excitement on the children's faces at the ASMu when we were there.
We had a room that could connect to the one next to us and we didn't hear a peep from the guests who were in that room- except in the am or pm outside the room saying good morning or good evening of course....That is another thing we loved about the ASMu- We were lucky enough to be surrounded by very friendly neighbours.
Can you tell I love the ASR?
Ack- I'll stop now before I write an unsolicited brochure for WDW.
Have a safe and happy vacation at WDW!

 

[pat fan]

Another big thumbs up for the Music! We will be there very shortly as you can see from my ticker

We stayed in the Calypso building on our first trip in 1999,and are paying the extra $10 to stay there this trip.To me,$10 is worth not having to schlepp a mile after walking in the parks all day or being able to pop to the food court for breakfast items quickly.Gotta get the jump on all those silly people sleeping in on their Disney vacations you know!

besides all the great info already provided,the laundry room is next to the main pool also.You can throw a load in and then swim for a while,it's great!

Another tip is to buy your milk in the gift shop,not the food court.It's cheaper there for some reason,although I don't really know why they even sell milk in the gift shop to begin with .

Enjoy your stay,I can't wait for mine!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Shells9]

I agree about the $10...it is so worth it for us! The first time were at Rock Inn, and we were wishing we had Calypso. Jazz would not be bad, but anything past Jazz would be a very tiring walk after a day in the parks!

We've been to ASMu twice this year, and both stays got favorable reviews from all of us. DD is 6, and she loves the guitar pool. The food court had ample selections, and we only had one bus problem (waited a LONG time for an Epcot bus with PS time getting closer and closer!). The room was always clean and the staff very helpful.

 

[Mermaid02]

I am so glad to find this thread- we are staying at AsMu in 68 days! My dream is to stay at the Poly.... but until then, any room in WDW is better than staying home!

 

[grinningghost]

We truly loved ASMu. It's clean, comfortable and very whimsically themed. The only complaint I had was our building location. We were in Country Fair, which is a REALLY LONG hike to the food court and buses. Not fun when it's pouring rain (which was everyday ) or after a long day in the parks. If they put you in Country Fair, beg for something else.

The pools were great. The main pool was very busy most of the time, but the Piano pool was much more peaceful.

The main building has an arcade which the kids love and the food court was excellent. They serve pretty much anything you could want. Buy a refillable mug your first day - they are so worth it, as drinks aren't cheap in WDW.

Bus service was great. I've heard complaints, but we never had any problems. Only once did we stop at the Contemporary to pick up guests, and that took about 5 extra minutes, no big deal. Other than that, we did share our bus with the other All Stars, but that didn't make any difference.

I hope you have a wonderful, magical time - ASMu is very, very Disney!

 

[fiveforall]

Thanks to everyone for the great tips!

 

[mazzarafe]

We stayed there last October and we enjoyed it. I had requested (when I made my ressie) to be in Jazz as close to the main building as possible. Well when we checked in we were upgraded to Calypso!!! What a great surprise that was. We were on the parking lot side so it was very quiet. As I had heard the same thing about noise, but this was a budget trip and hey I was at Disney so I could care less.

The first night it took DH some getting used to the bed as he has a not so great back and the change was noticed from our bed at home. Also wasn't happy about not having his extra pillow. Next morning I left a note on my mousekeeping envelope to bring us 2 extra pillows and that made him all better. He's just spoiled from being at too many deluxe resorts.

We found the food court great and reasonable. DD wanted a child's portion of chocolate chip pancakes (only listed on adults menu) and they had no problem with it. And the mugs work out great especially if you drink coffee. Maybe someday they will come out with a smaller, cheaper childs version because I think the one they offer is just not worth it for the younger ones.

Enjoy your trip!