Very Disappointed with All Star Sports

[jchick]

Okay, this is a vent, I have to get it off my chest. We stayed at the All Star Sports this past week and I hated it. We got there, they had to give us a smoking room, then switch us to another room the next night (we had to repack everything...a big hassle!). Anyhow, it was like staying at any budget motel on the interstate, with a Disney themed design. Bus rides seemed to take forever....moral of my story...you get what you pay for! We will not do it again. I know my signature only shows two trips to Disney, but that's with my family (husband and kids), I grew up going to Disney with my parents and stayed at several of the moderate priced resorts which were MUCH BETTER! I honestly think we would have been better off to have stayed offsite if we couldn't afford the moderate resorts for this trip.

We did spend a lot more time in the room than we normally would have because we have a toddler (long naps, early to bed).

I'm wondering if anyone else was disappointed with one of the Buget resorts? Or am I just hard to please?

 

[daisyduck123]

I agree that the moderates are better...that's why they cost more.

We've stayed at POP three times & did enjoy it. But this past May, we spent 9 days at CBR & decided that was WAY nicer for us than POP. We thought we'd always be moderate (or maybe even Deluxe ) from now on. Actually, we just bought into DVC last week...so I know where we'll be from now on!!

 

[robinb]

I happen to like All Star Sports. Then again, I am a big sports fan. I found the busses to be fine during the park "rush hours", but slow on the off times. I agree with the smoking room thing. That can ruin your whole trip, even if they can move you the next day. It sounds like they were very crowded. Live and learn, I guess. You now know that you would prefer a Moderate resort over a Value resort. There is nothing wrong with that . You'll just have to save some more $$ for your next trip . Or, if you're serious about staying off-site, there are many condos that are a fraction of the cost of even a Value resort.

Good luck planning your next trip!

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, we had that same smoking room scenario happen to us at POFQ a couple of years ago.

 

[Syrreal]

Dh and I refer to the values as "the slums"
Whenever we go down, we try as hard as we can to stay ANYWHERE else onsite. They really are our last resort.

 

[flortlebap]

Dh and I refer to the values as "the slums"
Whenever we go down, we try as hard as we can to stay ANYWHERE else onsite. They really are our last resort.

I think that's a little harsh!

There was absolutely nothing wrong with our room at POP. It was easily on a par with the mods, although much better than the All Stars.

 

[coolbeans]

Our first family trip we stayed at All Stars Movies, It was great! For the amount of time we spent in the room I had no complaints. We were in the parks and pool so much the room was strictly for the basics, sleep, shower, change clothes. (we had our 8 year old DD with us), My husband, however, has decided he wants to try a mod next time but for the experience. DD will be older and would love a slide at the pool. DS will be too little to mind either way.

 

[beattyfamily]

I just stayed at All Star Movies for the first (and probably last) time this past (end of) August.

Mind you we are spoiled being DVC members and enjoying Boardwalk, Beach Club, Contemporary, and GF to name a few.

We hated it. Other than the cute theme of Fantasia, Toy Story, Dalmations etc...we didn't really like it at all. Of course, it was better than not being at Disney at all though.

The biggest complaint was the bus transportation. We waited 45 minutes twice and always had at least a 20 minute wait. It seemed far from every single park.

It didn't have that magical 'Disney' feel that other resorts do.

I will not say I'd never stay there again, but I'd much rather try Coronado Springs, Pop, or just stay at the Boardwalk/Cont again, but if they were doing free dining and we were short on cash or it was an 'extra' trip (besides our annual family trip) maybe we'd stay there again. Maybe, but not likely.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Okay, this is a vent, I have to get it off my chest. We stayed at the All Star Sports this past week and I hated it. We got there, they had to give us a smoking room, then switch us to another room the next night (we had to repack everything...a big hassle!). Anyhow, it was like staying at any budget motel on the interstate, with a Disney themed design. Bus rides seemed to take forever....moral of my story...you get what you pay for! We will not do it again. I know my signature only shows two trips to Disney, but that's with my family (husband and kids), I grew up going to Disney with my parents and stayed at several of the moderate priced resorts which were MUCH BETTER! I honestly think we would have been better off to have stayed offsite if we couldn't afford the moderate resorts for this trip.

We did spend a lot more time in the room than we normally would have because we have a toddler (long naps, early to bed).

I'm wondering if anyone else was disappointed with one of the Buget resorts? Or am I just hard to please?

We weren't exactly thrilled w/ All Star Sports when we stayed there. It's not bad as a couple or even with 1 child, but once we had 2, it's just too cramped.
This is why we switched to staying off-site and renting a private single "pool home".
You can get a 4br, 3ba almost new home with your own screened in pool for about what you'd pay for a moderate hotel. That means about 1800 sq. ft. compared to 350-400 sq.ft of a hotel room. The closer neighborhoods are about 3 miles to MK. When the kids get tired, we put them to bed and can still have some time alone. The kids love having a pool right there.
We feel it's worth giving up any on-site perks for the space and privacy.
If you're interested, check out the Orlando Hotels and Attractions threads and people can recommend rental companies. We like villadirect.com and have used them 3 times.
We'll never go back to 4 of us crammed into a little hotel room!

 

[LaraK]

We stayed at All Star Movies the first time we stayed on-site. We had rented a car because we were going to visit family after our DW vacation. We only rode the bus once and switched to the car. We have now vowed to rent a car anytime we come until we don't need strollers any longer. The room was OK (DH used to work for a large upscale Hotel chain and we've stayed at a lot of very nice hotels). We tried a moderate the next time....love it! This time we're going to split between a delux and a moderate (WL and POFQ). We can't really afford a delux the whole time.

 

[mtemm]

sorry your stay wasn't a pleasant one. we chose a delux for our first visit with the kids (we've been pre-kids several times) because we knew with little ones we'd be spending a lot of time at the resort. at least I assume we will, we leave in 3 weeks. I have little desire to stay at the value resorts, although I know many people have had wonderful experiences there. I think they are probably wonderful for those looking to save money, but also those who are only looking for a place to sleep. great the disney offers different options.

 

[shaylahc1]

I've stayed at both the values and the moderates, and I have to disagree with the person who called them "the slums" We actually thought the moderates were overpraised....same long lines for buses, same crowds & crappy housekeeping. The filthiest Disney hotel we stayed at was Port Orleans. OTOH we LOVED the POP! We most recently stayed at the ASMusic which I thought looked like it was in dire need of refurbishment. Otherwise buses were efficient, rooms were immaculate, and otherwise we had great service and a great time

 

[Syrreal]

I think that's a little harsh!

There was absolutely nothing wrong with our room at POP. It was easily on a par with the mods, although much better than the All Stars.

It's just personal preference really.
DH and my preference is to avoid the values like the plague.

Every time we go there we can hear the neighbors- and not just their toilet flusing (you hear that no matter what from what we affectionally call the "soul sucking toilet") but I don't need to hear every single conversation our neighbors have.

We are the people who if we stay there are always trying to get the absolute furthest building from everything so that the noise levels are decreased.

The only thing I don't have a complaint about with the values is bus service. It's always been pretty quick. And if it's too crowded we always knew another bus was coming soon so we didn't feel the need to have to cramp into an already dull bus for a 20 min ride.

 

[pumba]

I guess this is why we are all individuals.......we all like different things. We have been 20 or so times to Disney and stayed on site all visits. WE have stayed at deluxe and moderates and values......just depends what you want out of your stay. We dont spend alot of time in the hotel so values worked for us the last few times.....we have had good and bad experiences at the deluxes too.....so its okey to be different.......
If we all liked the same hotel .....we would never get in......

 

[laceemouse]

MMMMmmmmm, just bought the new UG, for 2007,and they tested the sound blocking at every resort. They felt that the values were more soundproof than the mods or deluxes. When the doors open to the outside they have to be thicker for fire protection. Many, many folks have complained about the thin walls at some of the deluxes. Oh well, guess everyone has different experiences.

 

[chorlick]

As I've posted before, we HATED it! We stayed there one night....driving in, got there late, had ressies for the Poly Concierge....figured it would be ok for one night. That would allow us to get our tickets and be ready for the park the next day. It was DISGUSTING! The carpet smelled of mildew, the bathroom was dirty, the rooms were so small. It reminded me of a cheap hotel that you see in B movies. Never again!!!!!!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

We stayed at POP in August and found it to be very clean. The only thing I would change maybe is reserve a preferred room, ours was so far from where you ate and picked up the bus. I stayed at All Star Sports years ago and found it to be fine at that time. The value resorts are far away from everything. But still I won't get on a crowded bus where I have to stand, I wait for the next one. I wish I could stay in a hotel on the monorail line. It seems so much easier to get around. There was only one day that we waited forever for a bus, my kids had gotten off and said there was a child on there that screamed the entire time he rode, well that driver never came back, LOL, no one came, so we had another driver call for a bus. Next year we are trying All Star Movies, we have never stayed there before. It would be nice to be able to afford the more expensive hotels, but for us, just being able to go every year is something we look forward to.

My complaint, though, was there was a family smoking outside 2 doors down, we had a non smoking room. There should be a section of rooms that allow smoking, not mixed in with the non smokers. Unless they requested a non smoking room and just smoked outside.

 

[Faerie]

Thank goodness Disney has so many choices For my DBF and I, values are the way to go. We're in our late 20's, no children and we sleep and show in the room. I perfer having the extra money for nice meals or fun stuff at the parks. I've stayed at all three All-Stars and Pop and haven't had a bad experience at any of them. I heard my neighbors more when I stayed at OKW and POR than at any of the values. Guess it really comes down to personal preference.

 

[HayGan]

I just came back from my first visit to a value (POP) and as a self-proclaimed resort snob, I have to say that it wasn't as bad as I expected. I actually kind of enjoyed it. I did think that the rooms were VERY small and somewhat noisy. It was just my mom and I so we just had enough room for her and I and her electric scooter. I couldn't imagine DH and I spending a week in that room with our two growing boys (especially given the samll double beds.) Also, I didn't know a toilet could be that loud!!! The only noise I really noticed was from the outside. You could definitely tell when the buses had arrived as the herd of "elephants" headed down the outside walkway

On the other hand, we found the room to be clean and adequate to spend a minimal amount of time in. We stayed in the Tramp building in the 50's section and I didn't find our walk to be bad at all. We were both really impressed with the bus system. We never had had long waits. While some of our buses were crowded they weren't horrible.

I would definitely consider POP again in the future for another trip with just my mom and I or just me and the kids

OP, I'm sorry to hear that your trip wasn't as magical as you wanted to be. I can only hope that your next one is better

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I'm sorry you didn't like your stay at the All Star Sports. I stayed there about 9 years ago and really liked it at that time. I really like Pop, and am staying there again in December, but for next summer, we're going to stay at a moderate. Thinking of POFQ or maybe the Coronado Springs, which looks beautiful. I want to try some of the resorts that I've never been to. I have stayed off site also, but it doesn't feel the same to me. It doesn't feel like Disney.