WDW All Star Movie Resort before cruise

[DisneyMK46]

We just booked this resort for one night along with the Disney ground transportation to the port. Now we are having buyers remorse overthinking if its really worth it....
Has anyone stayed here to provide any insight? Is it true you do get an earlier PAT/Boarding group when you book Disney transport? We are a family of 4.
Any advice would be so helpful and appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Yes. We did this in February and it was great! We stayed at All Star Movies and met in the lobby a5 9:15. Bus left around 10:00.

We were not assigned an actual PAT as guests using Disney transportation can access the port terminal as soon as their bus arrives. We were given BG 4 and entered the ship at 12:01 based on my video entering the ship.

We would do this again, 100%!

 

[DisneyMK46]

Yes. We did this in February and it was great! We stayed at All Star Movies and met in the lobby a5 9:15. Bus left around 10:00.

We were not assigned an actual PAT as guests using Disney transportation can access the port terminal as soon as their bus arrives. We were given BG 4 and entered the ship at 12:01 based on my video entering the ship.

We would do this again, 100%!

THANK YOU so much! This helps a lot. How did you find the resort itself? Some mixed reviews on it on trip advisor vs the other value resorts. It is only for a night so i guess it really does not matter but still want our little ones (7 & 8) to have the best time. Thanks again for your comment!!

 

[auntlynne]

I would not book the hotel just for an earlier ship boarding.

If the resort is right for you, great idea.

It is farther from the port than staying near the airport (more travel time, sometimes pickups at multiple resorts, adding travel time). You also have to drive to the resort when you get off the plane.

All-Stars are basic and getting older (we had to change rooms due to mold/mildew smell in 2021). I still like that they are cheaper and would still stay there.

They have large pools.

You start your trip in the Disney bubble.

I would consider how long the travel day is to get to Orlando, from front door at home to arrival at hotel room. If really long or just coming in late, will the kids (and adults) be cranky - taking away from the fun? For some kids, just flying / travel can be the fun.

There is plenty of lodging near the airport - most with free shuttles from the airport and back again in the morning to catch the Disney bus (but requires a PAT). Or you can use a car service or alternate shuttle (like GoPort) for possibly lower cost.

We just opted to stay IN the airport at the Hyatt for our next cruise. We have a late arrival and are treating ourselves to the extra cost instead of being more exhausted by more transportation after landing in Orlando. First time we are doing that after bunches of cruises.

Just looked at TripAdvisor. 4-stars. Lots of reviews. Remember, this is a budget hotel. Most of the low ratings had nothing to do with the rooms. If not doing the parks, nothing concerning that aspect would apply. Look for actual info on room / property conditions. Great hotel? No. It’s a motel. It’s older. If something is glaringly wrong, ask to move. They may or may not be able to accommodate. The same applies to many hotels.


You have until 3 days pre-cruise to cancel transfers. Hotel per the stated cancellation schedule.

Think about it. Did you have other options you were considering?

 

[CarolynFH]

Being new to DISboards, you may not know that there’s a thread dedicated to the AS Movies - https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-all-star-movies-resort-information-questions.670903/. You’ll find lots of information there! In particular, you might want to read the last few pages and ask questions there - the first post hasn’t been updated recently, so there may have been some changes.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We just booked this resort for one night along with the Disney ground transportation to the port. Now we are having buyers remorse overthinking if its really worth it....
Has anyone stayed here to provide any insight? Is it true you do get an earlier PAT/Boarding group when you book Disney transport? We are a family of 4.
Any advice would be so helpful and appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Are you flying into MCO? If so, have you factored in the added cost to transport your party to the WDW resort plus the one-night stay there compared to just booking the MCO Hyatt? The Disney transportation from the Hyatt to the port costs the same as the resort to port transportation, so that’s a wash.

 

[DisneyMK46]

Are you flying into MCO? If so, have you factored in the added cost to transport your party to the WDW resort plus the one-night stay there compared to just booking the MCO Hyatt? The Disney transportation from the Hyatt to the port costs the same as the resort to port transportation, so that’s a wash.

HI, we are actually flying in the week before and staying at a timeshare near Disney. So the move to the Allstar resort is very close and convenient. We will be taking the transport to the airport on the way back so it works out for us

 

[jimmymc]

You're not guaranteed an earlier time by booking at a Disney resort. I've heard of guests being picked up at 12:15 and not arriving at the ship until after all groups were called. You also don't control your pickup time.

I do think staying there is worth it just because of the convenience of being pickup up right at the resort. Otherwise you'd have to get a ride back to the airport to take the transfers, and I like being in the Disney bubble and being able to visit the parks and Disney Springs easily.