Which All Star?

[EnchantedRose]

I haven't stayed at an All Star in a few years. Last time it was music. We are planning an Oct 14 trip....hopefully with free dining! Budget purposes, we are planning staying Value and pay to upgrade too the Regular Dining plan from the QSDP. We don't spend too much time in the room so I am fine with it for this trip since we are on a budget. (Driving & staying off property isn't an option for us) We are doing 10 days/9 nights.

I stayed in Music about 5 years ago, and sports I think about 8 years ago. We usually do Pop, and loved it until our last trip in Nov 13'. It was so packed, so crazy busy. The food court was insane, would take us 2 hours to try to get and eat breakfast. 3 out of 4 of us got sick, so we left that trip with a bad out look on Pop and we feel we need a break from it! lol. With all that said - which All Star would you pick? & why? My boys are 6 (celebrating his 7 this trip) & a 21 month old.

Thanks in advance!

 

[belledream]

All 3 All Stars are practically identical in resort layout. Lobby, rooms, shop, food court, transportation, etc. October is generally acknowledged as a good time to go in terms of value/crowds. That being said, there is probably very little difference and being overwhelmed by people should (hopefully) not be as much of an issue. I would recommend you pick whichever theme appeals most to your family! I've been to all three in recent years and have always loved my time there. I stay on property because I want to be immersed in Disney magic 24/7 and All Stars do just that.

Sports would be great for young boys such as yours, and the food court went through a recent refurb last year.
Music has a nice little fountain, and family suites. Also, this is the middle resort of the 3, so you may get lucky and be able to catch a bus to Sports or Music and walk to your room at Music if need be.
Movies has larger than life 101 Dalmatians and Toy Story characters! If I had to choose, this was probably my favorite because it screamed DISNEY! It's also the newest of the 3, though I feel like everything is well maintained.

 

[stevehousse]

Go with All Star Movie Resort in the Toy Story wing preffered room! The boys will love it! Literally look out your window at Woody and Buzz and the rest of the gang inside Andy's room.

You are also very close to the play ground, pool, and food court. 2 minute walk to all! Bus stop is also very close to the Toy Story wing. Maybe a 4-5 minute walk.

My boy loved staying there and we would happily stay again in the future and request that area of the resort. We did the same thing u r doing last year, with paying to upgrade the dining! Well worth it. Hope you have ur ADRs made, I believe your window is up!

 

[CaptainShortty]

As said above, all three are pretty much exactly identical minus the theming. I happen to be a big fan of Movies just because I like the themes better than music or sports but you really can't go wrong with any of them. See which themes fit your family the best and go with that one!

 

[EnchantedRose]

All 3 All Stars are practically identical in resort layout. Lobby, rooms, shop, food court, transportation, etc. October is generally acknowledged as a good time to go in terms of value/crowds. That being said, there is probably very little difference and being overwhelmed by people should (hopefully) not be as much of an issue. I would recommend you pick whichever theme appeals most to your family! I've been to all three in recent years and have always loved my time there. I stay on property because I want to be immersed in Disney magic 24/7 and All Stars do just that.

Sports would be great for young boys such as yours, and the food court went through a recent refurb last year.
Music has a nice little fountain, and family suites. Also, this is the middle resort of the 3, so you may get lucky and be able to catch a bus to Sports or Music and walk to your room at Music if need be.
Movies has larger than life 101 Dalmatians and Toy Story characters! If I had to choose, this was probably my favorite because it screamed DISNEY! It's also the newest of the 3, though I feel like everything is well maintained.

I'm actually leaning towards Sports!! I did some reading on the boards and found out that if the resorts share a bus, Sports is picked up first! With 2 kids, that's a plus for me. The food court refurb is a nice plus as well! We really don't spend too much time in the rooms....and since we are on a budget I am finding this is the best!

Go with All Star Movie Resort in the Toy Story wing preferred room! The boys will love it! Literally look out your window at Woody and Buzz and the rest of the gang inside Andy's room.

You are also very close to the play ground, pool, and food court. 2 minute walk to all! Bus stop is also very close to the Toy Story wing. Maybe a 4-5 minute walk.

My boy loved staying there and we would happily stay again in the future and request that area of the resort. We did the same thing u r doing last year, with paying to upgrade the dining! Well worth it. Hope you have ur ADRs made, I believe your window is up!

I wanted movies...however the boys won me over with sports. Even my hubby a non sports guy loved the look of it! Plus Sports has a soft spot in our hearts. When we were dating (and i was a CM) we actually went and stayed there for a few days! So it brings back memories! <3

As said above, all three are pretty much exactly identical minus the theming. I happen to be a big fan of Movies just because I like the themes better than music or sports but you really can't go wrong with any of them. See which themes fit your family the best and go with that one!

We've decided to go with Sports! For reasons mentioned above! I'm actually very excited!!! We were going to do a MOd resort, but when i did some number crunching....I came to the conclusion that paying to upgrade to regular dining plan and doing a value resort with the free dining (hoping it gets released)

 

[belledream]

I'm actually leaning towards Sports!! I did some reading on the boards and found out that if the resorts share a bus, Sports is picked up first! With 2 kids, that's a plus for me. The food court refurb is a nice plus as well! We really don't spend too much time in the rooms....and since we are on a budget I am finding this is the best!

Great choice! That's where I'm going this year too And you are correct, if buses are being shared between the three, they'll go Sports -> Music -> Movies, so you will very likely get seats. However, I haven't encountered shared buses in a long time, with the only exception being buses to Downtown Disney. Have a great trip!!!

 

[got2lovedisney]

My experience has been that Sports appears to get filled with "groups"(cheer squads and the like) and it much louder than Movies or Music. I usually opt for Movies if available but as OP have mentioned, it's about whichever theme appeals most.

 

[EnchantedRose]

Great choice! That's where I'm going this year too And you are correct, if buses are being shared between the three, they'll go Sports -> Music -> Movies, so you will very likely get seats. However, I haven't encountered shared buses in a long time, with the only exception being buses to Downtown Disney. Have a great trip!!!

Yeah, same here, but it's been a while since I've stayed at an All-Star. So just in case they decide to share....at least I have some peace of mind!

I am so excited - we weren't sure if we were going to go this year or not and I am so glad we are making it happen! Especially for my 6 years old that is DYING to spend his bday in Disney! I wish I could spend my birthday, but I am against going in august!

 

[EnchantedRose]

My experience has been that Sports appears to get filled with "groups"(cheer squads and the like) and it much louder than Movies or Music. I usually opt for Movies if available but as OP have mentioned, it's about whichever theme appeals most.

I have heard this too! I actually was trying to find out what time of the year this happens and couldn't really find anything. Any clue as to when?

 

[belledream]

Yeah, same here, but it's been a while since I've stayed at an All-Star. So just in case they decide to share....at least I have some peace of mind!

I am so excited - we weren't sure if we were going to go this year or not and I am so glad we are making it happen! Especially for my 6 years old that is DYING to spend his bday in Disney! I wish I could spend my birthday, but I am against going in august!

That sounds so wonderful! Hope you guys have a great time!

As to Sports being filled with groups, that is usually true. However, I think that mainly happens in May (graduation) and November/December (cheer comps). I wouldn't think that anything would be scheduled at the beginning of September when everyone just got back to school.

 

[disney4life2008]

Sports: New food court, better food options than the other 2, and the rooms are always clean.

 

[EnchantedRose]

That sounds so wonderful! Hope you guys have a great time!

As to Sports being filled with groups, that is usually true. However, I think that mainly happens in May (graduation) and November/December (cheer comps). I wouldn't think that anything would be scheduled at the beginning of September when everyone just got back to school.

That's what I was thinking!

Thanks again!

Sports: New food court, better food options than the other 2, and the rooms are always clean.

Happier with my choice knowing the food court is new. I looked online at the menu, they have some good things. Right now I will take any food court but POP! our last trip it was so busy, messy, dirty. I know it's hard to keep up with it...but until that trip I had never had any issues with Guests. That trip...people would KILL to get their mugs refilled!

 

[disney4life2008]

That's what I was thinking!

Thanks again!





Happier with my choice knowing the food court is new. I looked online at the menu, they have some good things. Right now I will take any food court but POP! our last trip it was so busy, messy, dirty. I know it's hard to keep up with it...but until that trip I had never had any issues with Guests. That trip...people would KILL to get their mugs refilled!

POP is nice but to me it is severely over rated. I have only stayed at sports the last few years. The new food court is amazing - though now its been open a few months so it may not be as sparkling as it was in January. But the food choices are good and the grill everything is made to order. Given the new refill requirements - the stations were clean because it takes a learning curve and its hard to fight when you have a time limit in place.

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

My experience has been that Sports appears to get filled with "groups"(cheer squads and the like) and it much louder than Movies or Music. I usually opt for Movies if available but as OP have mentioned, it's about whichever theme appeals most.

When I took my kids and stayed at an all star we were always in movies

 

[disney4life2008]

That sounds so wonderful! Hope you guys have a great time!

As to Sports being filled with groups, that is usually true. However, I think that mainly happens in May (graduation) and November/December (cheer comps). I wouldn't think that anything would be scheduled at the beginning of September when everyone just got back to school.

This is a true statement. For some reason a lot of people stay at Sports during special events. But the absolute worst is Pop Warner and anything cheerleading related.

 

[belledream]

This is a true statement. For some reason a lot of people stay at Sports during special events. But the absolute worst is Pop Warner and anything cheerleading related.

Well, ESPN Wide World of Sports hosts many sporting events throughout the year, so I get that teams would find it cool to stay at Sports Luckily, I have never encountered anything of the sort, but I have heard horror stories about Pop Warner. Quick Googling...looks like it's December 6-13 this year. Avoid avoid avoid!

 

[DisneyFreak23]

We stayed in All-Star Music in the Calypso building (closest to the food court and guitar pool) and loved it.
We are going back there in a few weeks. I'm sure the others are just as good but we have no complaints.

 

[EnchantedRose]

POP is nice but to me it is severely over rated. I have only stayed at sports the last few years. The new food court is amazing - though now its been open a few months so it may not be as sparkling as it was in January. But the food choices are good and the grill everything is made to order. Given the new refill requirements - the stations were clean because it takes a learning curve and its hard to fight when you have a time limit in place.

This coming trip will be our 7th trip as a family and we have done pop 3 out of our 6 past trips. I know it wasn't the resorts fault with some of the things that happened to us. But our last trip we left saying the same thing!! It was so crazy! I cannot even begin to imagine how crazy it gets during busy times!!!

Yeah the more I think about it, the more excited I am getting about Sports. We had no issues with the RFID mugs, as I had read about them before hand, but there were people that didn't get it due to a language barrier or just not reading the instructions and they would try OVER and OVER to fill their mugs when they couldn't. Best one was this gentleman who just picked up a mug - it wasn't activated - and he was upset as to WHY he couldn't get soda!

This is a true statement. For some reason a lot of people stay at Sports during special events. But the absolute worst is Pop Warner and anything cheerleading related.

Ohhhh I have heard about Pop Warner!!! I think i'm safe with the time I am going! I hope! lol

 

[disney4life2008]

Well, ESPN Wide World of Sports hosts many sporting events throughout the year, so I get that teams would find it cool to stay at Sports Luckily, I have never encountered anything of the sort, but I have heard horror stories about Pop Warner. Quick Googling...looks like it's December 6-13 this year. Avoid avoid avoid!

Ironically, while I do not like sports during POP warner - the parks are still pleasant and the weather/decorations are amazing

 

[Redsky89]

They are all pretty much the same hotel aside from the themes. I've stayed at Pop Century and Sports the most I believe.