I nonetheless keep in mind the primary time I heard a scary story about Walt Disney World. I used to be a child, possibly round 10 years previous, and my mother and father have been speaking with a household that was staying on the new on-site finances motels. I don’t recall their laundry listing 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 virtually definitely unfaithful, however I used to be a child with a vivid creativeness. What’s significantly aggravating (a minimum of for me) is that I nonetheless keep in mind this foolish dialog, however but I’ve zero reminiscences of Horizons. Memories will be merciless.
This isn’t the one horror story about Walt Disney World’s finances motels I’ve heard over time. When Sarah and I began returning as adults, there have been loads 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 experiences and seen questions on social media and on-line boards that basically ask: are Disney’s All Star Resorts “good enough” for a household on a good finances touring to Walt Disney World?
Yes. That’s the reply to the titular query. Disney’s All Star Resorts are completely satisfactory, 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 ample, secure, scary, subpar, and so forth. The level of this publish really isn’t to forged doubt in regards to the All Stars, however relatively, debunk a few of these ‘horror’ tales, and recast Walt Disney World’s “budget motels” in a distinct gentle. In different phrases, we’ll clarify why the All Stars aren’t simply “good enough,” however relatively, are really 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 previous and new rooms at every of the resorts. This contains three stays within the final 12 months (household suite as soon as; normal rooms twice), with yet another reservation on the books going ahead and doubtless one other this 12 months after that. Bluntly, I’d not maintain reserving a specific resort if it often (and even sometimes) had exploding rest room incidents.
With that in thoughts, let’s take this level by level and talk about the potential drawback 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 nicely and have been in want of outright alternative.
As somebody who has really stayed in shady motels round Orlando and Anaheim, I’d cease nicely 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, widespread areas have been refreshed, outsized icons have been completely cleaned and given a recent coat of paint, and all the things seems to be crisper and nicer because of this. There are nonetheless components of the motels which can be dated, however they’re little issues–small cues that the motels have been in-built a distinct period, and never main elements of the properties.
In quick, upkeep and maintenance are actually each bit pretty much as good on the All Star Resorts as different motels at Walt Disney World. There are not any noteworthy cleanliness difficulty, and to the extent that something is dated, the identical sort of factor exists just about each at Walt Disney World. One individual’s dated element is one other’s nostalgia.
The outsized icons, exterior hallways, and common thematic type 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 motels at Walt Disney World.
Quality – Monorail loop and Crescent Lake space resorts are increased high quality than the Value Resorts. Regardless of thematic tastes, it’s honest to say these are a rung or two above the Value Resorts. Those being extra luxurious or having a better 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, a minimum of) is much less in regards to the guidelines of facilities and extra in regards to the subjective aspect of issues. In specific, the commonest 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 traces 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 step with what you’d discover at real-world motels, however Disneyfied.
The new rooms are a completely completely 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 type, 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 purposeful enhancements are super, with quite a lot of space-saving upgrades that make the rooms really feel bigger. They additionally look vibrant and ethereal, which is a pointy distinction to the previous type.
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 predict 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 latest keep. She informed me that with just one (1) exception, the suggestions from precise company 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 want the brand new rooms, too.
Crowds – Another widespread previous grievance 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 widespread areas, chaotic lobbies, and big traces for the buses. We’ve skilled all of these items 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 reality, 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 occurring, which essentially lowered 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 a minimum of two of the All Stars have been working at lowered capability resulting from 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 shall be a frequent difficulty, 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 forged 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’t communicate 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 courtroom. (Aside from ‘special’ breakfasts, we do grocery supply and concentrate on 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 hen. That’s higher than I keep 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 transformed McDonald’s inside strolling distance of the All Star Resorts when you want a late evening 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 traces 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 widespread, even throughout busier occasions.
We haven’t had this difficulty of late with bus transportation wherever (Coronado Springs is the worst because of the addition of Gran Destino, and even that’s not 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 motive pickup occasions have been ever inaccurate was when third-party Academy buses have been dispatched (these aren’t linked to the wait occasions system), which was extra like a “bonus bus” versus an precise difficulty.
We’ve had zero issues making Early Entry or ready in lengthy traces 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 go away in the course of the post-fireworks mass exodus. I’d think about buses are nonetheless packed throughout these peak occasions, identical to at all times.
Another caveat is that body of reference issues. I’m evaluating transportation on the All Stars as we speak to the way it was previously; my notion is that it has improved as Disney has contracted with third occasion bus firms whereas additionally relieving pressure on the system due to the Skyliner. If you’re evaluating the All Stars of as we speak to Pop Century of as we speak, your notion shall be very completely different.
Guests – Few issues drive me crazier than company passing judgment or casting aspersions on their fellow company at Walt Disney World. There’s a perception amongst sure those who they’re “too good” for a Value Resort or need to keep at a costlier resort not for any substantive causes, however so that they aren’t round “lower class” company. This sort of sentiment or the concept Walt Disney World needs to be much more costly to cost out “undesirable” company (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 revenue ranges, and if something, there’s a straight line between increased costs and extra entitled company. Beyond that, whose place is it to move 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 mother and father who maxed out their bank cards to remain on the Grand Floridian?
This complete dialog makes me uncomfortable, but it surely’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 company 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 degree is increased when these motels are internet hosting youth occasions, but it surely’s potential to get fortunate or unfortunate with company 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 occasion pricing out trip house leases in its place 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 occasion that will not hire a automotive and is staying completely throughout the Disney bubble.
If you’re evaluating an off-property trip house rental, it’s at all times going to come back out forward relative to on-site Walt Disney World motels. Those properties are nice for bigger events, providing tons of house and personal facilities. If you’d in any other case want a number of normal resort 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 situation we’ve now skilled a number of occasions, which is definitely what prompted this complete publish, carefully resembles the latter circumstances as a smaller occasion. We’re taking a visit in late spring that shall be targeted on Walt Disney World and have already decided that it’s less expensive for us to not hire a automotive. In pricing out resort choices, the least-expensive motels within the Flamingo Crossings or Disney Springs areas are $115/evening, with the suites we like all costing over $150/evening. Decent off-site lodging are a minimum of $100/evening. To be certain, there are cheaper choices, however nowhere we need to keep.
By distinction, All Star Movies has a mean charge of $121/evening with an Annual Passholder low cost. Obviously, the typical vacationer just isn’t an Annual Passholder, so let’s use most of the people provide as an alternative, which will increase the associated fee to $128/evening. That’s nonetheless solely a $13/evening surcharge over the choices at Flamingo Crossings or Disney Springs, the place we’d be utilizing Uber or Lyft twice per day at a mean value of round $15 per journey (we go away early and keep late, so surge pricing could be unlikely to use).
That alone makes the All Stars extra affordable, 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 want the brand new normal rooms on the All Stars to most of these at Disney Springs or Flamingo Crossings, and I’d additionally relatively use the Disney buses relatively than Uber or Lyft (particularly from Flamingo Crossings, the place pickup occasions are sometimes prolonged).
To be honest, this glosses over lots supplied by third occasion motels. This contains all the things from desk service eating choices to resort loyalty rewards to free breakfasts and doubtless far more. Nevertheless, if the price of an ordinary room at a 3rd occasion resort is $30 or much less per evening than the most cost effective Value Resort, I’m reserving one of many All Stars each single time. The value of transportation makes them equal, and all else thought-about, I’ll take the All Stars on steadiness. 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 fluctuate, however I’ve often discovered it to be about $30 to $50 per evening after reductions. For the identical dates because the above comparability, it’s a $40/evening 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 want 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/evening to us. The Skyliner makes Early Entry simpler and extra predictable (on the two parks the place I believe it’s most respected), facilitates noon breaks (from the one park the place they’re most respected), and makes it easy to do a pleasant breakfast or dinner at a number of completely different resorts.
Honestly, I believe Walt Disney World followers take with no consideration 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 widespread, they’re expensive to make use of. Are there every other budget-friendly motels that supply novel transportation?
Heck, simply have 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 a minimum of $100 evening (the most cost effective monorail loop rooms v. Wilderness Lodge, which can be a Magic Kingdom space resort; an imperfect comparability, however the very best we are able to do). In gentle of that, $40 for the Skyliner appears completely honest. Beyond that, there are different minor causes I’d want 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 publish 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 virtually 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 often beneath $80/evening (I swear they have been $49 at one level), so too have just about all motels 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 believe a compelling case will 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 believe Pop Century’s premium pricing is justified. Of course, affordable minds could differ on the worth added by the Skyliner (or any of the assorted variables mentioned–and even neglected–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 cost effective motels 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 difficulty, however I don’t discover myself often successful 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 motels 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 kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a singular have 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 all the things you should 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 resort(s) as an entire? How do you suppose these choices evaluate to 3rd occasion or off-site lodging? What about relative to Pop Century or higher-tier motels at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation that the All Stars are literally good resort 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!