If you’re on a budget and NEED to get to Walt Disney World, your best chance often means choosing a Disney Value Resort. The All-Star Movies Disney Value Resort can sometimes be snagged during promotions for under 100 bucks a night. Offers access to pools, dining, bus transportation and the runDisney trail. But would we recommend it as your next value resort choice?
Disney All Star Movies Resort
Having stayed at all the Disney Value Resorts, we can safely say that All-Star Movies is generally a step up from the other two. While we adore All-Star Music for all the crazy and chaos, and can always bet on a cheap room at All-Star Sports, it’s All-Star Movies that’s often not included in deals, priced a little higher and harder to get. But why? Well, on our last trip we were able to grab a phenomenal deal, and stay here again. Our only previous experience was a short stint resort hopping here a few years ago. Here’s what we learned about All-Star Movies Disney Value Resort this time around.
The Atmosphere
As Disney Resorts go, All-Star Movies is well themed. Featuring areas honoring 101 Dalmatians, Fantasia 2000, The Love Bug, Toy Story, and The Mighty Ducks. With the exception of Toy Story, these classic films are dated and not really relevant to the current Disney Vacationer. That said, while we love these older flicks, this resort could use an update. And if your traveling with children who have never seen these films, don’t worry, they’ll tell you. Thankfully, we know that a refurbishment is on the way and saw evidence of the fresher looks at both all Star Music and Sports. While not a theme overhaul, just the fact that dining, amenities and rooms are getting updated is a good sign.
The Grounds
As with any Disney Value Resort you can count on a kids pool and main pool, multiple areas to walk through and enjoy and a main building housing; check-in, the gift shop, the poolside bar, and the main commissary. As an All-Star Resort, Movies is also part of the runDisney pathway that connects all three resorts and offers an opportunity for a nice run, walk or even stroll. You can also count on access to laundry, movie nights on the lawn and activities by pool.
The Rooms
The Disney Resort Rooms are undergoing refurbishment across the Walt Disney World resort properties. We were lucky enough to stay in a room already updated. Complete with two beds ( one that folds into the wall), console, tv and keurig coffee maker. We love that the coffee console comes with a drawer full of coffee, tea, and things you need to help get you through your vacay.
The bathroom area is separated from the main room by a sliding door, and then the tub and toilet are partitioned off by another door. This makes it super easy for multiple people all getting ready at once.
The Dining
The commissary at All Star Movies is called the World Premiere Food Court. Adorned with movie posters on the walls, you can get your Refillable Mug refilled here. Plus breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snacks. A basic food court menu you would find at any Disney resort, you can still count on mickey waffles, omelets, pizza, and burgers. And yes, you can even grab pasta and steak too. All the food was decent. We highly, highly, recommend the croissant egg sandwich if you can’t get over to Les Halles Boulangerie- Patisserie in Epcot, France. But, if you’re looking for the Gold Peak Tea options, you can only grab sweetened and unsweetened black tea here. Sure, this detail won’t make or break a stay for us, but being able to find our favorite green and white citrus teas over at All-Star Music Resort on our walk was a happy surprise. It really is all about the little things.
The Transportation
Disney Bus Transportation is your primary option to get to the parks. While you can always book a Minnie Van, the cost is enough that we’re usually just happy enough to wait the 11 minutes or so before another bus arrives. Thankfully, all resorts now have live updates of bus arrival times in the My Disney Experience App and on the digital screens at the bus stop. We do have to say, your transportation options should be a deciding factor regarding where you’ll stay. The All-Stars Resorts are perfect for a normal Disney family vacation that is 5 or more days long.
However, if you are planning a long weekend, or need to get a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Pass at the crack of dawn, there are other resorts on the boardwalk, monorail, Disney springs ferry stop or skyliner route that may prove more convenient.
The Best All Star Resort at Disney?
When it comes to the All-Stars Resorts at Walt Disney World everyone has their favorites. We’re by no means going to deem Movies the best, but just make a few points for you to consider. Whenever Free Dining Offers come around, All Star Movies is usually excluded from the offer. Rarely do we find rooms available at this resort, especially during peak season. Does this mean it’s better or just a favorite of the masses? Would we choose Movies over a Disney Value Plus Resort? No probably not, but it’s an awfully nice place to stay, on property, on the cheap if you’re heading to Walt Disney World.
Are All Star Resorts Good for Families?
All Star Resorts at Walt Disney World are essentially FOR families. Meaning that you can count on lots of families at these resorts no matter the time of year.
With kid-friendly activities all day long, the pools, and the food all centrally located, it’s easy for families to arrive, settle in and call it a vacation.
Pros and Cons of All-Star Movies Resort?
The lower cost of resort stay also draws lots of groups; cheer, basketball, toddlers in tiaras, etc. For this reason we absolutely stay away from them during the busy seasons. The summer, holidays, and spring break are nightmare times to be at the value resorts.
Your ability to enjoy a Disney Value Resort also depends on if you’re a Disney family or not. If you’re not a “Disney” family by nature and won’t go crazy over the fun theme-ing, crowded commissary with refillable mickey tumbler in hand, and the non-stop Disney radio music playing at the pool, then perhaps a moderate resort is more your style.
If however, you are absolutely all in, because you and the fam won’t really be “at” the resort anyway, since you’re in the parks all day, you might as well take advantage of the lower cost of these value resorts.
All-Star Movies Resort Review at Walt Disney World
Hopefully this has helped clear up everything you wanted to know about All-Star Movies Resort at Walt Disney World. If you have questions. Ask em. We’d love to know your favorite resort experiences! And anything we should try next.
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