All Star Music/Movies

[homer424]

Has anyone had experience in staying at either the All Star Music or Movies Resorts? We are going down for a quick trip for the Halloween Party in October(staying with family) but we want to return for a full vacation in February. We usually stay off-site but we wanted to do something different-and within budget! I appreciate any info you all have!

 

[VinnieG]

We always stay at the ALL Star resorts I personally like them. They are great to stay when on a budget and they are in my opinion alot of fun.Me & my family stayed at all 3 All Star resorts Movies,Music & Sports & they are all very good & always satisfied with the stay.

 

[tigger1968]

We have stayed at ASMusic several times and enjoy it. If you have children, they will love the place. The food court is pretty good, and the pool is nice. Transportation to the parks can be a bit of a pain, but I think it's not that bad, except in the morning. Rates vary with the seasons, so check to make sure you get the lowest prices. Check out www.mousesavers.com for more info on that. The rooms are small but quiet, and the cast members have always been very friendly.

 

[Dawn S]

The All-Stars are great. As far as the rooms go, they're glorified hotel rooms with better theming...nothing special about the rooms (but I love the Mickey wake up calls). The gift shops have just about everything. The pools are nice. There are great options for snacks & drinks. I liked the arcades quite a bit as well. The service is excellent.

Transportation can be a bit of a pain at times, depending on the crowds at the time you go, but here's a tip... I never felt the need to be at the park gates the second the opened. Some people feel very differently & I can understand that, but the way I see it, if you hop on a bus to get there WHEN they open, the bus will be crowded & miserable. Then, if you stay till closing, you'll get the same on the way back. Personally, I'd rather come an hour late, stay till closing & only deal with bus crowding on one trip instead of both ways. All depends on your preferences, I suppose.

 

[homer424]

Thanks for your input! I remember when they first opened and the travel agent we went to told us they were too "clownie" so I didn;t think about it. But we went to one(Music) last trip just to take a look around and it was cool! My daughter will be 3 on this trip there so she will probably get a big kick out of it.(I used to be a door opener myself but now having my toddler I tend to be more lax about getting there!) Thanks again

 

[BNCordeiro]

I stayed in the All-Star Movies for a week in 2000. I spent another week in the same resort in 2001. Both times I had an excellent experience. Also in 2000, I spent a week in the Caribbean Beach Resort.

Given the difference in price, All-Star Movies is a great value (literally, as a Value resort!) but I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

In a couple of weeks, I'll be staying in Port Orleans: Riverside, but that's really only because that's one of the Disney Cruise default resorts...if I had to pay outta pocket, All-Star Movies would again be on my short list.

Sure, it's not the Grand Flordian, it's not the Contemporary, or the AK Lodge...heck, it's not CBR or PO:R....but it is a darn good Disney resort!

 

[ConNH]

We stayed at ASMO in 2001 w/ my DH, DS (two and a half) DM and DN (four and a half) they loved itand so did I Ive stayed at a moderate resort befor and the room wasent much bigger. We are going agian in September w/ our new son and our four year old.
We got our room for a cheeper rate then it would cost to stay off site.

 

[danamarie27]

I have stayed at both the music and movies and loved them both. They are worth every penny and as much fun as the rest of the resorts. Enjoy yourself!!:animwink:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I stayed at the All Star Movies and didn't care for it at all...Granted, the theming is very fun and great for kids The bathroom was like a locker room bathroom (the toilet is on the same tiled floor as the floor in the shower) There was NO tub or even a SHOWER STALL, it was just a curtain.

We missed 2 dinner reservations because of the bus service...we waited 1 1/2 HOURS for a bus on 2 different occassions!!! I would definitely fit the extra dough to stay at a moderate...The next time we went we stayed at the Coronado Springs and it wasn't THAT much more money and had a blast!!!

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

WDWFREAK, it sounds like you were put in a handicapped access room. Anyway, i've stayed at all three AS resorts and have loved them all. My only complaint is that ASMovies seem to have the better food court. (better selection, quality, etc.) In the past 5 years that we have stayed there, the longest we have waited on a bus was 20 minutes. We did stay at CBR one year and the bus wait was longer there and the food court was not as good. So for the money, you can't beat AS.

 

[DisneyGal]

I have stayed at the All Star Movies and didn't care for it at all. For starters, I didn't like our room, and the bus service was terrible!! The wait for a bus was anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half!!! I have been back to Disney World since and stayed at a Moderate resort and have had a much better experience!!!!

 

[Smitty]

I have only stayed at the Sports resort, but I have played in all three. The All-stars are very nice. Sometimes they can be loud if there are lot's of kids and families there, but what are ya gonna do? The pools are nice and well themed. The food courts are pretty good. The only advice I would give is that if you want to make sure you can get a bus if it is the busy season, stay at the Sports. As far as I know if the buses are going to all three All-stars they pick up at the Sports first and if it gets full then they just go to wherever they are going. Just my advice. In general the All-stars are nice and a lot of fun!

Smitty

 

[VacationMan]

Yet one more opinion on the "All Stars", as we are from chicago and have stayed at any one of the all-star resorts over the years easily over a dozen times....

A) Use to be a much better value when: 1) Disney packages actually could be delivered to the room from the parks. and 2) Early entry was offered by Disney.

B) Watch out for the "Flag People".... For those of you who don't know, MANY TOUR GROUPS USE THE ALL-STAR RESORTS. Frequently ( on at least 3 sperate trips to disney spread over 2 years) we have been in a "building" of the allstars with a tour group of 12-15 year old South American Girls... Yikes... what a PAIN. Loud, obnoxious, non-caring kids.... :wave: Don't Get me wrong.... no "profiling" or biggotry here... but over multiple years the SAME thing... this is/was a trend, and an obvious one ... not a one time shot :wave: This made the evenings VERY LOUD and difficult for US to relax (with kids), and frankly the grounds of the building were noticably littered and beat up as opposed to other trips to Allstars.... These are the same tour groups that roam the parks with "Flags", or "Umbrellas"... that typically crush into rides.

C) Bus service here really is not the best.... I'd suggest taking your car you used to get to Disney, and driving to all the parks... As you will get to park for free, and save A LOT OF TIME FROM WAITING FOR A BUS AT PARK CLOSE OR OTHER POPULAR TIMES TO LEAVE THE PARKS. Think about having to wait near an hour to get on a bus.... then only 1 bus stop at the Allstar resorts... then if you are the farthest walk..... After a full day in the park its a killer to get back to the room.

D) Definately MASS DINNING experience. The Cafeterias are just that... if thats the environment you want to eat in... or the food you wish to eat.... its fine... but if you want to sit down and eat (at typical disney prices) make reservations at other disney restaurants... or better yet, stop at the McDonalds right on the road to the AllStars and pick up a value meal. Carefull - The McDonalds typically closes at 10PM, yet the cafeterias stay open later... with pizza delivery typcially till midnight.... possibly 1 am on at least 2 occassions

E) POOLS... just typical pools, with few if any ammenities (Slides, water features) compared with mid-priced or premium hotels. ususally VERY CROWDED durring the summer... especially if under the B) conditions above.... the smaller 'local' pools under B) conditions get SWAMPED!

Hope this gives you a few insights to the Allstars.... We just recently have started staying @ "nicer than cheap" non-disney hotels again when we go to Orlando, after staying exclusively on-site for the past 5 years (about 10-12 trips) due to the Declining value offered by Disney at their hotels Since September.... we were there 2 times - non-disney).

 

[MKCustodial]

Originally posted by VacationMan
B) Watch out for the "Flag People".... For those of you who don't know, MANY TOUR GROUPS USE THE ALL-STAR RESORTS. Frequently ( on at least 3 sperate trips to disney spread over 2 years) we have been in a "building" of the allstars with a tour group of 12-15 year old South American Girls... Yikes... what a PAIN. Loud, obnoxious, non-caring kids.... :wave: Don't Get me wrong.... no "profiling" or biggotry here... but over multiple years the SAME thing... this is/was a trend, and an obvious one ... not a one time shot :wave: This made the evenings VERY LOUD and difficult for US to relax (with kids), and frankly the grounds of the building were noticably littered and beat up as opposed to other trips to Allstars.... These are the same tour groups that roam the parks with "Flags", or "Umbrellas"... that typically crush into rides.

Seems to me you ran into one of the dreaded Brazilian tour groups... :lol: Interesting, because, to my knowledge, they don't usually stay in-property, since even the Value resorts can get send the tour packages' prices through the roof.

Well, I guess I should apologize in the name of my compatriots, even though I stopped going to WDW through groups for that very reason. But, as I've stated before in some thread, I think I should say it again. Most of those young kids are probably in the first and only trip of thei rlives, at least to the US, and WDW scpecifically. Most of them are 15 years olds, and that birthday equals to the American sweet 16. Usually, they have to choose between a huge party or WDW, and of course they choose the trip. In many cases, the WHOLE family has to cheap in, and by whole family I mean uncles, aunts, grandparents... Are we poor? I don't know, I'd say we have cifferent classes as every other country, but dollar rates make WDW a really difficult and coveted dream.

Understand, I'm not defending them at all. During my time as a CM I used to hide my nametag when I spotted the groups because they'd make such a fuss for seeing a Brazilian working there that it was literally impossible to keep working. All I'm trying to do here is to show you all the other side of the group reality. And in fact, if you really pay attention on your next trip, you'll see that there are fewer groups and in less number. That's not only 9/11's fault, but also the hard economic time we're facing down here.

Bottom line: yes, they're obnoxious, loud and behave really bad, cutting in lines and offending people. So just do what I do, turn around and go to some other attraction. They usually follow a scpecific pattern, hitting the huge rides early in the morning. Use Fastpass, I doubt they're doing it. As for the resorts, yeah, I imagine how hard it must've been for your kids to sleep. But remember you're on WDW, you'll find a way to put into those bad things behind.

Oh, and sorry for the long rant-post! :lol:

 

[bearboysnc]

We recently stayed at All Star Sports During a very busy weekend. And had a good time.

1. It's the first bus stop of all three A.S. motels. So you'll always have a seat.

2. It's the identical as the other resorts, except for the theming. But for some reason not as popular, so it was less crowded. There was no line at check in/out. The "cafeteria" wasn't as crowded.

3. There wern't as many "kiddies" as the other A.S. motels. There were more teens and young families, so screamin kids wern't underfoot.

4. I don't go to WDW to lounge in my room, I go to see the Parks. All I need is a place to sleep, shower shampoo and shine. This was very clean, cheap, easy access. If you need the luxury items, this is not the place for you.

 

[sig]

Originally posted by tigger1968
We have stayed at ASMusic several times and enjoy it. If you have children, they will love the place. The food court is pretty good, and the pool is nice. Transportation to the parks can be a bit of a pain, but I think it's not that bad, except in the morning. Rates vary with the seasons, so check to make sure you get the lowest prices. Check out www.mousesavers.com for more info on that. The rooms are small but quiet, and the cast members have always been very friendly.

Why is the transportation to the parks a pain? Is it different than from the more expensive resorts?

 

[MKCustodial]

The All-Starts are way back by AK, and the same bus services the 3 resorts, so some people tend to complain they're always crowded, and too far apart, and that there's a long walk from the bus stop to the buildings.

Personally, I didn't have any problems with the transportation system, as usual.

 

[2much2do]

Just wanted to add my two cents: We just got back from a two week stay at All-Star Movies, and absolutely LOVED it!! We have also stayed at the All-Star Music several times. Also wonderful experiences. We found the bus service to be excellent both ways and during the day as well. Never longer than a 20 min. wait (and that was at closing, they were very quick in the AM). The themeing at Movies blew my four year old son away (we stayed at Toy Story). The service was excellent, and the food at the food court was great as well (although we only ate there twice, as we prefer to try all the variety at the sit down restaurants at the parks and other resorts).
I agree with several things already mentioned. We go to Disney to see the parks, not to lounge around and linger at the resort. All Stars is perfect for us. Our kids love them! The person who had the toilet and shower but no tub, you got a handicapped room. All the other bathrooms do have a tub, and a nice one too! All you had to do was call up the front desk, and ask for a room change. Same thing for the loud Brazillian tour group neighbors. All you have to do if you are ever dissatisfied with a room at a Disney resort is call up the front desk, explain the problem and ask for a room change. THEY WILL ALWAYS DO IT!!! Why stay in a room you are not happy with???? It is Disney, value resort or not, they always want to make you happy, so just ask!!!

 

[MKCustodial]

Originally posted by 2much2do
Just wanted to add my two cents: We just got back from a two week stay at All-Star Movies, and absolutely LOVED it!! We have also stayed at the All-Star Music several times. Also wonderful experiences. We found the bus service to be excellent both ways and during the day as well. Never longer than a 20 min. wait (and that was at closing, they were very quick in the AM). The themeing at Movies blew my four year old son away (we stayed at Toy Story). The service was excellent, and the food at the food court was great as well (although we only ate there twice, as we prefer to try all the variety at the sit down restaurants at the parks and other resorts).
I agree with several things already mentioned. We go to Disney to see the parks, not to lounge around and linger at the resort. All Stars is perfect for us. Our kids love them! The person who had the toilet and shower but no tub, you got a handicapped room. All the other bathrooms do have a tub, and a nice one too! All you had to do was call up the front desk, and ask for a room change. Same thing for the loud Brazillian tour group neighbors. All you have to do if you are ever dissatisfied with a room at a Disney resort is call up the front desk, explain the problem and ask for a room change. THEY WILL ALWAYS DO IT!!! Why stay in a room you are not happy with???? It is Disney, value resort or not, they always want to make you happy, so just ask!!!

Amen! :sohappy:

By the way, long time no see!

 

[disneydudette]

Think about having to wait near an hour to get on a bus.... then only 1 bus stop at the Allstar resorts... then if you are the farthest walk..... After a full day in the park its a killer to get back to the room.

Is this true.....were going down with two younger children...9 and 7..well not younger..but they act it.....were staying at the ASMO and would find it a major pain to have to walk to the resort form every bus trip....