I nonetheless bear in mind the primary time I heard a scary story about Walt Disney World. I used to be a child, possibly round 10 years outdated, and my dad and mom have been speaking with a household that was staying on the new on-site price range motels. I don’t recall their laundry checklist of complaints, however the one has caught with me for years since: the bathroom exploded.
Stupid because it sounds, I imagined one thing just like the Hollywood Tower Hotel, however with exploding bathrooms. Everything I envisioned was nearly definitely unfaithful, however I used to be a child with a vivid creativeness. What’s notably aggravating (at the least for me) is that I nonetheless bear in mind this foolish dialog, however but I’ve zero recollections of Horizons. Memories might be merciless.
This isn’t the one horror story about Walt Disney World’s price range motels I’ve heard over time. When Sarah and I began returning as adults, there have been a lot extra tales we have been informed in regards to the overcrowded, soiled, poorly-maintained, low-quality motels. We even had our personal disagreeable experiences throughout Pop Warner and one other youth sporting occasion. It’s not simply us. I’ve learn reviews and seen questions on social media and on-line boards that primarily ask: are Disney’s All Star Resorts “good enough” for a household on a good price range touring to Walt Disney World?
Yes. That’s the reply to the titular query. Disney’s All Star Resorts are completely sufficient, at naked minimal. I’m not going to bury the lede, make insinuations, or lead you to query whether or not the All Stars are adequate, protected, scary, subpar, and so forth. The level of this submit truly isn’t to solid doubt in regards to the All Stars, however reasonably, debunk a few of these ‘horror’ tales, and recast Walt Disney World’s “budget motels” in a unique mild. In different phrases, we’ll clarify why the All Stars aren’t simply “good enough,” however reasonably, are truly good.
As background, we’ve stayed at each single one of many All Stars (Movies, Sports, and Music) a number of occasions in each the outdated and new rooms at every of the resorts. This consists of three stays within the final 12 months (household suite as soon as; commonplace rooms twice), with yet one more reservation on the books going ahead and possibly one other this 12 months after that. Bluntly, I’d not maintain reserving a selected lodge if it often (and even often) had exploding bathroom incidents.
With that in thoughts, let’s take this level by level and focus on the potential downside factors that Disney’s All Star Resorts don’t even have…
Maintenance & Upkeep – There was a time from the aughts proper up till the room overhaul started that the All Stars have been in tough form. Faded decor throughout, woefully outdated posters, and particulars that had not aged properly and have been in want of outright alternative.
As somebody who has truly stayed in shady motels round Orlando and Anaheim, I’d cease properly wanting calling the All Stars that, even at their lowest level. Truly sketchy motels have an unsafe and unsettling high quality to them; the All Stars by no means had that. They simply have been lower than Disney’s requirements.
That has modified within the final 5 or so years, and much more so within the final 12 months. Along with the room overhaul, frequent areas have been refreshed, outsized icons have been totally cleaned and given a recent coat of paint, and every part appears crisper and nicer consequently. There are nonetheless parts of the resorts which can be dated, however they’re little issues–small cues that the resorts have been in-built a unique period, and never main parts of the properties.
In quick, upkeep and maintenance at the moment are each bit nearly as good on the All Star Resorts as different resorts at Walt Disney World. There are not any noteworthy cleanliness problem, and to the extent that something is dated, the identical sort of factor exists just about each at Walt Disney World. One particular person’s dated element is one other’s nostalgia.
The outsized icons, exterior hallways, and common thematic fashion of the All Stars are definitely not for everybody, however “not to my tastes” is definitely not the identical as “poorly maintained.” In my view, the maintenance is not any higher or worse on the All Stars on common than different resorts at Walt Disney World.
Quality – Monorail loop and Crescent Lake space resorts are greater high quality than the Value Resorts. Regardless of thematic tastes, it’s truthful to say these are a rung or two above the Value Resorts. Those being extra luxurious or having a larger sense of immersion isn’t actually in query. They even have a greater set of facilities, indoor hallways, desk service eating places, and goal options which can be absent from the All Stars.
So this isn’t actually about that. When questioned in regards to the high quality of the Value Resorts, the main target (it appears to me, at the least) is much less in regards to the guidelines of facilities and extra in regards to the subjective aspect of issues. In explicit, the most typical question I’ve heard is whether or not the rooms are respectable.
There was some time that my reply would’ve been one thing alongside the strains of “it depends.” They have been cramped, darkish, dreary, outdated–like Motel 6 however with a couple of Disney decorations affixed to the partitions. Those unique rooms have been in line with what you’d discover at real-world motels, however Disneyfied.
The new rooms are a very totally different story. (For extra, see our Photos & Video: Newly Reimagined Rooms on the All Star Resorts.) We’ve now stayed in these many occasions (they’re just about the identical in any respect three All Stars), and have zero hesitations to return. The Family Suites at All Star Music have additionally been redone in the identical fashion, and are a marked enchancment.
All of those new rooms on the All Stars are an enormous improve from the earlier design, which was extra minor leagues than all-star caliber. The practical enhancements are super, with a wide range of space-saving upgrades that make the rooms really feel bigger. They additionally look brilliant and ethereal, which is a pointy distinction to the outdated fashion.
With that stated, we’ve discovered some diehard followers who’ve complained in regards to the new rooms, and others who name them sterile and hospital-like. Respectfully, we expect that’s principally the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. To that time, I chatted with a supervisor at All Star Sports in regards to the resort refurbishment throughout a current keep. She informed me that with just one (1) exception, the suggestions from precise visitors on the brand new rooms at All Star Sports has been universally constructive. Across the board on the All Stars, visitor satisfaction is up and Cast Members desire the brand new rooms, too.
Crowds – Another frequent previous criticism in regards to the All Star Resorts is the crowds. Packed swimming pools, overstuffed meals courts throughout peak hours, tons of individuals loitering across the frequent areas, chaotic lobbies, and large strains for the buses. We’ve skilled all of this stuff ourselves, so I do know they really occurred and weren’t exaggerated.
That has not been our expertise for the reason that All Stars reopened. In truth, it additionally wasn’t our expertise within the year-plus pre-closure, however we additionally at all times stayed whereas the room reimaginings have been taking place, which essentially diminished the general resort capability and, by extension, minimize down on overcrowding.
With that stated, I’m hesitant to attract any untimely conclusions right here. I do know at the least two of the All Stars have been working at diminished capability on account of staffing shortages and/or room refurbishments within the final 12 months. With the previous beginning to be resolved and the latter ending, occupancy might spike once more. I’m nonetheless skeptical that will likely be a frequent problem, although. (The worst we ever skilled was throughout Pop Warner, and that’s now hosted at Universal.)
Food – The meals courts on the All Stars are nothing particular. Suggesting in any other case would pressure credulity and solid my credibility into doubt. With that stated, they’ve all been refreshed within the final 5 years or so, and customarily are extra nice than they as soon as have been.
I can not converse to breakfast, because it’s been years since I’ve wasted my cash on powdered eggs and rubber bacon at a Walt Disney World meals court docket. (Aside from ‘special’ breakfasts, we do grocery supply and give attention to fruits, greens, and different wholesome meals for our morning meal.)
However, I do suppose dinner has improved. In addition to the stereotypical fare, these meals courts additionally serve up seared salmon, braised beef, pork loin, stir fry, and fried rooster. That’s higher than I bear in mind the choices being a decade in the past, however nonetheless hardly the head of WDW’s eating scene.
Failing all of that, there’s the reworked McDonald’s inside strolling distance of the All Star Resorts should you want a late night time Filet-o-Fish repair.
Transportation – There was a time after we in-built the price of two to a few taxi journeys with every keep on the All Stars, as bus strains over a sure size meant the waits could be unbearably lengthy. That was a few decade in the past–earlier than Uber and Lyft got here onto the scene. This was additionally at a time when shared transportation amongst all three All Stars was frequent, even throughout busier occasions.
We haven’t had this problem of late with bus transportation anyplace (Coronado Springs is the worst because of the addition of Gran Destino, and even that isn’t unhealthy by 2007 to 2015 requirements) at Walt Disney World. During our most up-to-date stays on the All Stars, buses have been frequent and environment friendly, and the one purpose pickup occasions have been ever inaccurate was when third-party Academy buses have been dispatched (these aren’t related to the wait occasions system), which was extra like a “bonus bus” versus an precise problem.
We’ve had zero issues making Early Entry or ready in lengthy strains when leaving the parks. Likewise, noon waits have been bearable, with no prolonged gaps or inconsistencies. The solely caveat I’d provide right here is that we’ve by no means left in the course of the morning rope drop rush–our journeys are at all times to reach for Early Entry or later within the morning. Likewise, we by no means depart in the course of the post-fireworks mass exodus. I’d think about buses are nonetheless packed throughout these peak occasions, similar to at all times.
Another caveat is that body of reference issues. I’m evaluating transportation on the All Stars at present to the way it was previously; my notion is that it has improved as Disney has contracted with third get together bus firms whereas additionally relieving pressure on the system due to the Skyliner. If you’re evaluating the All Stars of at present to Pop Century of at present, your notion will likely be very totally different.
Guests – Few issues drive me crazier than visitors passing judgment or casting aspersions on their fellow visitors at Walt Disney World. There’s a perception amongst sure those who they’re “too good” for a Value Resort or wish to keep at a dearer lodge not for any substantive causes, however so that they aren’t round “lower class” visitors. This sort of sentiment or the concept that Walt Disney World must be much more costly to cost out “undesirable” visitors (these are all air quotes, by the best way) is absolute nonsense at finest, and downright offensive at worst.
Money doesn’t purchase class. The reverse can be true: an absence of cash doesn’t imply an absence of sophistication. Bad habits transcends earnings ranges, and if something, there’s a straight line between greater costs and extra entitled visitors. Beyond that, whose place is it to cross judgment on the working class household that skimped and saved to afford a ceremony of passage journey for his or her children to Walt Disney World, however might solely afford the All Stars? Are they any kind of ‘worthy’ than the center class dad and mom who maxed out their bank cards to remain on the Grand Floridian?
This entire dialog makes me uncomfortable, however it’s however value addressing as a result of I’ve heard loads of derogatory phrases to explain the All Stars and their supposed clientele. It’s all BS. There is not any materials distinction within the nature of visitors at any of the resorts. I’ve witnessed obnoxious and drunken habits out of enterprise folks on the Yacht Club and Gran Destino Tower, and have loved completely peaceable stays on the All Stars. To be certain, the decibel stage is greater when these resorts are internet hosting youth occasions, however it’s attainable to get fortunate or unfortunate with visitors behaving badly at any of the resorts. People are alike throughout.
Value – This is one other one the place body of reference issues. If you’re a big get together pricing out trip residence leases as a substitute and also you’ll be renting a automotive regardless as a part of a Central Florida trip, your perspective will differ dramatically from a smaller get together that will not lease a automotive and is staying solely inside the Disney bubble.
If you’re evaluating an off-property trip residence rental, it’s at all times going to come back out forward relative to on-site Walt Disney World resorts. Those houses are nice for bigger events, providing tons of house and personal facilities. If you’d in any other case want a number of commonplace lodge rooms or a multi-room unit at Walt Disney World, you’ll pay much less off-site. There’s no two methods of slicing it–and that’s not a comparability distinctive to the All Stars.
A state of affairs we’ve now skilled a number of occasions, which is definitely what prompted this entire submit, carefully resembles the latter circumstances as a smaller get together. We’re taking a visit in late spring that will likely be centered on Walt Disney World and have already decided that it’s less expensive for us to not lease a automotive. In pricing out lodge choices, the least-expensive resorts within the Flamingo Crossings or Disney Springs areas are $115/night time, with the suites we like all costing over $150/night time. Decent off-site lodging are at the least $100/night time. To be certain, there are cheaper choices, however nowhere we wish to keep.
By distinction, All Star Movies has a median fee of $121/night time with an Annual Passholder low cost. Obviously, the common vacationer will not be an Annual Passholder, so let’s use most of the people provide as an alternative, which will increase the fee to $128/night time. That’s nonetheless solely a $13/night time surcharge over the choices at Flamingo Crossings or Disney Springs, the place we’d be utilizing Uber or Lyft twice per day at a median price of round $15 per journey (we depart early and keep late, so surge pricing could be unlikely to use).
That alone makes the All Stars extra cheap, and it’s earlier than even accounting for Early Entry or different perks. I’d additionally add the whimsical resort grounds and enjoyable swimming pools as strengths of the All Stars. Even extra subjective and maybe controversial, however I additionally desire the brand new commonplace rooms on the All Stars to most of these at Disney Springs or Flamingo Crossings, and I’d additionally reasonably use the Disney buses reasonably than Uber or Lyft (particularly from Flamingo Crossings, the place pickup occasions are sometimes prolonged).
To be truthful, this glosses over rather a lot provided by third get together resorts. This consists of every part from desk service eating choices to lodge loyalty rewards to free breakfasts and possibly way more. Nevertheless, if the price of a typical room at a 3rd get together lodge is $30 or much less per night time than the most affordable Value Resort, I’m reserving one of many All Stars each single time. The price of transportation makes them equal, and all else thought-about, I’ll take the All Stars on stability. That’s simply me, although.
The different comparability, and the place issues get trickier for me, is when evaluating the All Stars to Pop Century. The value hole between these can range, however I’ve continuously discovered it to be about $30 to $50 per night time after reductions. For the identical dates because the above comparability, it’s a $40/night time distinction.
For us, the important thing distinction between the All Stars and Pop Century is the Skyliner. The gondolas are a game-changer for us, and we’ve beforehand gone so far as to say that we desire the Skyliner to the monorails (outdoors of storm season). Value is within the eye of the beholder, however having Skyliner entry to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is completely value $40/night time to us. The Skyliner makes Early Entry simpler and extra predictable (on the two parks the place I feel it’s most useful), facilitates noon breaks (from the one park the place they’re most useful), and makes it easy to do a pleasant breakfast or dinner at a number of totally different resorts.
Honestly, I feel Walt Disney World followers take as a right simply how spectacular and unprecedented it’s for Value Resorts to have entry to such a streamlined transportation possibility. Gondolas are nonetheless a rarity within the United States, and even the place they’re extra frequent, they’re expensive to make use of. Are there some other budget-friendly resorts that supply novel transportation?
Heck, simply take a look at Walt Disney World earlier than the Skyliner was added. The solely resorts with non-bus transportation to the parks have been all Deluxes, and the surcharge for monorail entry was at the least $100 night time (the most affordable monorail loop rooms v. Wilderness Lodge, which can be a Magic Kingdom space resort; an imperfect comparability, however the very best we will do). In mild of that, $40 for the Skyliner appears completely truthful. Beyond that, there are different minor causes I’d desire Pop Century to the All Stars, however they’re all considerably overshadowed by the Skyliner.
Ultimately, the reply to the titular query is an emphatic sure…as established by the fourth paragraph of the submit and strengthened with the concrete and tangible examples of how the All Star Resorts have improved. Bus transportation, rooms, upkeep, and extra have all improved by leaps and bounds within the final a number of years on the All Stars.
That units the stage for what’s nearly a wholly separate query, which is whether or not the All Star Resorts are aggressive by way of bang for buck. Despite their costs having gone up significantly from the halcyon days in the course of the Great Recession when rooms have been continuously underneath $80/night time (I swear they have been $49 at one level), so too have just about all resorts round Central Florida.
Given that and the improved high quality of the rooms, transportation, on-site visitor perks, and total expertise on the All Stars, I feel a compelling case might be made for a lot of events to decide on the All Stars over off-site lodging. That’s with out even addressing the emotional and subjective aspect of issues–that emotional pull to be contained in the Disney Bubble.
Finally, there’s the comparability to Pop Century, that different (common) Value Resort at Walt Disney World. This is the purpose at which the comparability turns much less favorable, and the place I feel Pop Century’s premium pricing is justified. Of course, cheap minds might differ on the worth added by the Skyliner (or any of the assorted variables mentioned–and even missed–right here).
With all of that stated, we come full circle to the query of the title. If you’re a frugal traveler desirous to get the “full” Walt Disney World expertise however unable to splurge or spend further on Pop Century or one other higher-tier resort, the most affordable resorts on-site are literally good. They’re not my first and even fifteenth alternative amongst on-site lodging I’d select at Walt Disney World if cash have been no problem, however I don’t discover myself often profitable the lottery, so worth does matter to me. I additionally don’t really feel like I’m compromising on the standard of my total expertise when staying on the All Stars. If I did, I wouldn’t maintain reserving them!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about resorts on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every part it is advisable know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you stayed at any of the All Star Resorts since their room reimaginings? What did you consider the room high quality? What in regards to the lodge(s) as an entire? How do you suppose these choices evaluate to 3rd get together or off-site lodging? What about relative to Pop Century or higher-tier resorts at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation that the All Stars are literally good lodge choices for these desirous to be within the Disney bubble? Hearing your suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas or questions beneath within the feedback!