regretting booking ASMu...help!

[bali]

Hi friendly board members --

I just booked the FTP at ASMu for October, and I might be regretting it. This was an unplanned trip (and money's TIGHT), but I couldn't pass up the "best offer ever" -- especially considering the fact that vacation days just happened to work out, and a possible job change next year might prohibit another trip to WDW indefinitely. SO, after hemming and hawing between an AS and a moderate, I chose the AS hoping to spend the extra money on some really great dinners and backstage tours in the parks.

In your opinion, did I make the right choice? Or should I try to switch the reservation to a moderate (a difference of about 300 dollars, total)? Is the theming at ASMu going to make two adults with no kids absolutely crazy after a week?

 

[Demosthenes]

Originally posted by bali

In your opinion, did I make the right choice? Or should I try to switch the reservation to a moderate (a difference of about 300 dollars, total)? Is the theming at ASMu going to make two adults with no kids absolutely crazy after a week?

Not knowing your tastes of course, I can only spak for DW and I. We hated the All Stars. We spend a lot of time at our resort. We like to swim, we like to go boating, we like to play tennis, we like to go jogging. The All Stars just don't offer the kind of recreation we're looking for. Also, the food at the All Stars is vey expensive and very poor. Many people talk about the bargain of the food courts at the All Stars, but we found them to be pricey for what you get, and in pretty poor quality. Also, if you want something beyond a food court meal, you were forced to take some convoluted bus trip to another resort or theme park. I know that others will disagree with me, but I'd rather stay off-site than at the All Stars. These hotels remain packed year round, with what I consider poor theming and few amenities. It is definatley worth it to us to upgrade to a moderate from the All Stars/ Now, if you don't care about room amenities, if you eat away from your resort most of the time, if recreation to you means the parks, then the All Stars can fill that niche without a problem.

 

[FINFAN]

First off, WELCOME! Secondly, that's just a little trip buyers remorse..it will go away VERY quickly, especially if you spend a lot of time on these boards! We stayed at ASMU in July/01, and loved it. We have 2 kids, but I would have enjoyed the theming even w/out kids. We did a split stay at the Contemporary for the 2nd half of our trip and as much as we also loved it for MANY MANY reasons, I did miss the palm trees and more relaxed atmosphere at ASMU. Well, both were relaxing, and room size at CR was to die for, but if I had to find a small minute detail that I would change it would be to have more natural light in the CR food court. There were PLENTY folks at both places w/out kids. We were in Calypso bldg. 10 room 501 facing the pool. Short walk to food court. Gotta love those Mickey Waffles in the a.m.!
The Moderates have a bit more room in the room itself, CBR especially from what I have read on these boards, but I feel all of the theming of all resorts applies to all ages in one way or another, it just depends on what you creature comforts are and personal prefferences. I think you made a wise choice especially if this trip is tightening the belt a bit. Go and Enjoy!

 

[ASFCurly]

I was at WDW for 9 night recently and stayed at ASMu, I really liked it, but then again I really like the Contemporary and dislike the Poly, the Grand Floridian, and the Beach and Yacht Club, and the Boardwalk.

 

[AuntMinnie]

DH and I stayed at ASSp when we had no kids. DH wanted to get "football", but instead we wound up in tennis or hockey, I can't even remember. After we put our stuff in our room ( a million rooms at ASSp but we were impressed with the expanse of it.) DH couldn't have cared less if we were in the "Pen Cap building of the All Star Desk Resort"

When we went (mid-October) it was warm, but not too crazy hot that I remember. So we "did" long days w/o feeling the heat was getting to us. We got up early to catch first bus to parks, park hopped all day, came back quick to get ready to go to PI. We got in late, left early, needed a clean convienent place to sleep and were satisified.

We had some breakfast stuff with us and ate that on the way to the bus in the morning. We never ate at the food court but many others here have, and I haven't seen too many bad reports.

It sounds like you will have a really full schedule and not be spending a lot of time hanging out at your resort. If you aren't sure of when you will be going back again you will prob be doing the parks as opposed to lounging around the resort. Then your idea of saving $$ to spend on really cool extras is great. It is a very large resort. The worst would be if you got a room that was far from the bus stop, but your walking all day any way so even that's not the end of the world.

If doing other activies (spa treatments, golf, water sprites) I still don't think it's that big of an ordeal for 2 adults to hop over to what they wanted to do.

Keep you ressie, spend your money on all your fun ideas, I'm sure you won't regret it

 

[PaulaJ]

Bali... I don't think you'll regret booking ASMu (which I feel is the best AS for adults). We've stayed from deluxe to budget. Two of our favorite trips were ones spent at the all stars! On these trips we needed 2 rooms, and $ was an issue. We were pleasantly surprised at what our $ could buy..the pics really do not do this resort justice. I really like pools, and ASMu had 2 choices that were very satisfying. There were some pretty spots on the grounds. The food court was adequate, but with what we saved, we were able to spend on more park meals! The transportation here was quick and convenient. The rooms are no big thrill, but for me, few hotel rooms are. I'm a CBR girl at heart, but wouldn't hesitate to go with All Stars again, if the savings made the trip doable. Take that $300 and have some great dinners, and buy yourself something special! Paula (P.S. I think it's great that WDW offers choices for all budgets...a big range of amenities, but all with their own special touch of Disney magic!) (P.P.S. We liked the Calypso bldg...very close to pool, food court, bus stop, parking lot, but yet when that door closed it was SILENT!)

 

[Shells9]

I think you will be okay. In my opinion, it is worth it to pay the extra and get in the Calypso building. It can be quite a hike down there to those big ole boots (Country Fair) after a day in the parks! The rooms are kind of smallish, but if there are just two of you, you should be fine. The themeing on the outside of the buildings is kind of fun, too.

I say keep your ressies at ASMu, and eat your good meals like you planned!

 

[monalsw]

bali,

i did just the opposite of what you did, for our upcoming trip! we were at asmu in february and got a come-back offer on our door. i had to book the next trip before we left, in order to get the discount, so i booked po-r for this november. we had visited there and liked the atmosphere and pools, so decided to give it a try.

when we got home, i thought about it more and decided that we don't spend enough time at the resort to justify the extra money.
it really adds up because we stay 10-14 nights. so i called and changed our nov ressie back to asmu, saving at least $400.

in making the decision, i decided that: 1.) we spend more time at the parks than at the resort, 2.) when we're at the resort, we're either sleeping or swimming and asmu pools are awesome!, 3.)i'd rather spend the money on shopping or eating, and 4.) we loved asmu!

one tip---we were in the broadway building, which is quite a hike from the main pool, food court and bus stop. in november, we're staying in the preferred building, calypso, which seems well worth the extra $10 a night.

try the asmu and enjoy the money you'll save!

 

[BethC1952]

We were three adults (all past 50!) at All Star Music in the Jazz building last December, and we thought it was great. We were only there for one night, but we're going back again for three nights this December. I have some pictures here if they'll make you feel better!

Beth

 

[jkovick]

DH and I have stayed in All Stars several times--both with kids (niece,nephew, godson) and without. While the All Stars don't have all the features of a Deluxe or Moderate, ask yourself this.... How much time do you spend at your resort? It jsut depends on what type of vacation you are planning. If you are gonna spend a lot of time out of the parks then upgrade. If it is mostly a place to sleep, shower and catch breakfast you will be glad to have the extra $$ for nice meals etc.

 

[Miscrapper]

I think theming at Music is more adult than Movies or Sports. We stayed there with our dd's in 2000 and found the room large enough for 4 of us with suitcases, cooler etc. Our kids thought pool was fun. We only ate one meal at food court and I was not impressed but all other meals we ate at other resort or parks.

We are going back this year with extended family (3 rooms) and with FTP it is not that much to go to moderate, but we got Movies which I think all 4 kids will love! We plan to be in parks as much as possible so it will be fine!

 

[PrincessAurora]

I started out my WDW "Career" at ASMu (Calypso building), moved to Port Orleans, then to Wilderness Lodge and haven't looked back.

Is it because ASMu sucks? Naw. Not at all. The theming was fine. The kids not hugely distracting. The Mousekeeping great (this has been the ONLY resort where I have gotten towel animals). The food was OK. It was cheap and I was glad to be at WDW. OUr room was even on the ground floor across from the "loud" pool and we were able to sleep (and nap during the afternoon) just fine. Jazz is a great themed section and is by the "quiet" pool.

Port Orleans is quiet, small, beautiful - the best of the French Quarter at Twilight. Just lovely (a boat to DTD), a great theme pool, carriage rides, bike rentals, charming rooms and friendly Mousekeeping.

If money is tight and you won't be in your room except for sleeping, ASMu shouldn't drive you crazy. It is a fine budget resort and you can spend some extra cash on a nice dinner for the two of you.

 

[Maverick]

I get confused as to why there is such a debate between value, moderate and deluxe resorts at WDW. I've always felt it comes down to what you are willing to spend vs. what you would like to get.

I still think there is a bed in every hotel room at WDW. How much do I really want to pay for that bed? I can resort hop during the day to another hotel if I'd like to play at their arcade, eat at their food court, rent a little boat, etc.

We've stayed at the All-Stars 4 years in a row (5th to come!) and have also experienced the Poly and CBR in the past.

Bottom line? We'll spend less for the bed to have more to spend on something else. Each person is different, though, so you'll have to ask yourself which is more important. I can't imagine coming home from WDW disappointed because of the hotel choice one makes unless service or the room conditions are awful, in which case, it should be brought to the hotel's attention to resolve while there.

Honestly??? I've never heard of a child who hated or was disappointed in a trip to Disneyworld because their parents sucked at picking the right WDW property hotel to stay at.

hee hee

Just my .02.

Maverick

 

[MHopkins2]

Bali - like Demosthenes said, if you're someone who wants to eat (well) at your resort and explore the recreational options, you should probably stay somewhere else. However, if you're like me, and you like to eat at a different resort every night and have no time for water mice and the like, you will do just fine at the All Stars. I have stayed at the Poly, Beach Club, and All Star Music, and frankly I think the only thing really lacking at the ASMu is on-demand luggage help. (Because I'm a princess and I don't like to carry my own stuff. *foot stomp*)

Re kids and noise, I'm a childfree-by-choice person, and I haven't found the ASMu to be any more kid-overrun than anywhere else in the World. And the soundproofing is amazing - I had a room there that faced the "loud" pool, and once you shut the door you don't hear a peep.

 

[Disneylvr]

DH and I booked the FTP for October and were also staying at All Star Music. I guess I read too much on this Board and ended up switching to Caribbean Beach. If it was just DH and I we probably would of stayed with ASMu, however we will be bringing our infant daughter, who will be 7 months old at that time, and we will be spending lots of time at the resort when things get to be too overstimulting for her at the parks. I thought the more subtle themeing at CBR would be more relaxing for the family and the bigger room better for the pack n play. So for you, it all depends on how much time you plan to spend at the resort and in the room. If it if primarily for sleeping then you will be fine at All Stars. DH have stayed at Movies 3 times and Music once and had positive experiences.

 

[palmtreegirl]

This was an unplanned trip (and money's TIGHT),

Based on this statement- Yes you made the right choice!

While we love the deluxes, we've taken a few trips when money was tight and stayed at the All-Stars with no regrets! This was back when we didn't have kids yet and had a more commando style vacation style.

In your opinion, did I make the right choice? Or should I try to switch the reservation to a moderate (a difference of about 300 dollars, total)? Is the theming at ASMu going to make two adults with no kids absolutely crazy after a week?

If you can swing the 300 with no problem then I'd definitely go with a moderate just because it provides a more relaxing atmosphere and it's very romantic. We recently when on a budget trip to the POR and had a wonderful stay.

If your looking for a place to crash- then go with the All-Stars. If your looking for a more relaxing, romantic atmosphere AND can swing the extra 300, then definitely go with a moderate!

Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!!

 

[Tara]

The only bad service we've ever received at WDW resorts was during 2 different stays at AS resorts (Movies in 99, Music in 01). Simply put, I will never stay at one again. Even when we are at the parks all day and just use our rooms for sleeping, that needs to be in a relaxing place, and AS resorts don't spell "relaxing" to me. I've found AS resorts crowded, noisy, lacking in food options, isolated from the parks (except AK), and cramped in terms of room size. This is just my humble opinion and I sometimes feel guilty about posting this sort of thing, but it's the truth. If AS is all I could afford, I'd either stay fewer days, stay offsite at a nicer hotel, or try to figure out what to eliminate to be able to upgrade to at least a moderate.

 

[scarlett873]

DH and i spent our honeymoon at the ASMu! we were back in the broadway section overlooking the courtyard area between the 2 broadway buildings. we were very close to the parking lot and close to the "quiet pool". we went in september and found it to be very quiet...we ate in the food court twice and were satisfied with the meals there. it was just like buying food in the theme parks to us...we took the Disney transportation on the first day there. and then decided to use our own car. we were close enough to the parking lot and it was much easier for us than relying on Disney's busses. we got free parking at the parks since we were resort guests. we were both very happy with our stay and would stay there again! the only thing that DH didn't like about the resort was the lack of a hot tub. we like to wind down after a busy day in a hot tub...next trip we are trying the Dolphin...we would like to try all of the resorts someday!

i don't think that you made a bad choice at all!

 

[susy]

If this will be your last trip in a long time, I would go with the moderate. I have no problem with the AS, but I think your vacation will be more relaxing at a mod. I like CSR because of the pool , hot tub, quiet pools, beautiful architecture and the overall "deluxe" feel of this mod. JMO.

 

[mat2672]

Someone else made a good point. If the $300 isnt too big of a deal, then go for the moderate (carribean beach), but it really does depend on what you look for in your hotel. If its just a place to sleep and you dont need overwhelming theming, then Allstars is fine. After staying at deluxes and moderates, we tried the allstars and it seemed a little sterile when we were checking in, but at the same time it still had that disney feel and the rooms were very clean and bright. But, if you like the boating, biking, and all that stuff you might be better off at a moderate or perhaps renting vacation club points from a DVC member and staying at a deluxe for little more than a moderate. I thought the food court food was about as good as your going to get at any of the food courts. No matter what though, I'd stay at the allstars before Id stay at any 5 star hotel offsite!!