My knowledge of value resorts at Walt Disney World is limited; my last stay in that category was at Pop Century in 2008. I had never stayed at an All-Star resort until my recent trip to Orlando in September. It was a quick one-night stay on a solo trip, so I didn’t feel the need to splurge. In total, I only spent about six hours in my room during the trip. Even so, I still have plenty of thoughts about Disney’s current approach to its value properties. They have made strides in certain areas, while struggling with others.
My standard room was located in the Mighty Ducks section of Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and was part of a major recent refurbishment. Instead of carpets and over-the-top theming, the redesign employed a minimalist approach. The hardwood floors eliminated the grossness factor of hotel carpets, but it also diminished the atmosphere. Opinions vary widely among Disney fans on whether this change is the right direction for value rooms.
My goal for this brief sprint through the parks was to find the cheapest possible on-site room. Discounts were available for moderate and deluxe rooms, but not for value resorts. This meant paying the $137 rack rate for a Friday night stay in September. I could have found a cheaper and nicer room off-site, but that wouldn’t allow for Extra Extra Magic Hours at the Studios. Since a primary goal was seeing Galaxy’s Edge during that time, I wanted the on-site perk.
Check-in and Dining
An easy time-saving move is using online check-in, which allows you to skip the line at the front desk and go directly to your room. I arrived around 11 a.m., so my room wasn’t ready. The weird thing was that I never received a notification when it was good to go. Disney sent three texts reminding me it was still being prepared, but that was it. I did feel safe in assuming everything was set when I finally returned to the hotel at 11 p.m. I just had my bag stored while I visited the parks on my arrival day.
The All-Star Movies lobby (pictured above) is what you expect from a value resort. It was empty when I arrived at midday and ventured to Disney’s Hollywood Studios early the next morning, so I never saw it at a peak time. It’s a fairly small building with quick access to the nearby arcade, restrooms, and the food court. The employees were friendly, though I did have some challenges finding someone to retrieve my bag around 4:30 p.m. before I boarded Disney’s Magical Express the next day.
The primary dining spot at this resort is the World Premiere Food Court, which is bright and a little much. I did appreciate that the size doesn’t overwhelm you because it’s split by sections via this drink kiosk like you can see in the picture. Since I spent nearly all of my time in the parks, I didn’t eat here. The menu includes mostly standard fare, but it offers plenty of variety. Even picky eaters should have plenty of choices. The movie-themed carpet also might induce a few headaches in sensitive guests.
Navigating the Resort
The biggest downside of the All-Star Movies Resort is its size, which can lead to long walks from the car or bus stop at the end of the night. When I returned after a full day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot, my feet were struggling with the distance to my room. This is the big perk of spending a little extra for the Preferred Room. That choice places you in the closer buildings instead of at the outskirts like me.
One tip that I should have listened to is the close proximity of the All-Star Sports bus station to the Mighty Ducks building. If you end up staying there, you’ll save time and energy by taking the bus from the Sports resort instead. Despite the long walk, I enjoyed seeing the large-scale decor on my quiet stroll late at night (and early the next morning). The giant dalmatian provides a lot more charm when you’re one of the few people awake. There are some great photo spots throughout the grounds.
This photo gives you a better idea of the large scale of this resort. The buildings are fairly spread out, which partially avoids the feeling of staying in a gigantic motel. The exterior doors and bright lights make that more challenging as you near the buildings. If you don’t plan to spend much time at the resort, it’s still an easy way to gain access to the important perks of staying on site. There is plenty of Disney theming outside, but not the same comforts here.
The Refurbished Room
I have mixed feelings about Disney’s approach to upgrading their rooms, and that aligns to general sentiment that I’ve heard online. Everything is quite functional, with plenty of outlets and more space to walk inside the room. It’s more than just two beds with a few narrow pathways. The main reason having a bed that can fold up or function like a table, which is a smart choice from Disney. You can see the main Disney theming with the picture of Mickey, Donald, and Minnie directly above the bed. Families might be disappointed by the change to a more conventional look.
This shot offers a better look at the floors, which are now hardwood. What makes this room less inviting is the style of these floors, which feel cheap and too bland. They help to contribute to the lack of life within the design. I did not expect something on par with luxury hotels, but this room felt dead and needed something else. It was hard to relax because it was so utilitarian. You can see the table I mentioned earlier and the larger space because of it, so it’s not all bad news.
One of the best changes in this room is the shower, which is a huge step up from the bathtub in the previous version. The triangles reminded me of Spaceship Earth, and it’s a comfortable space. This shower represents a serious upgrade that doesn’t make you feel cheap. I needed a comfortable shower after spending a full day in the Florida sun. With strong water pressure and plenty of space, the shower totally delivered.
Not everyone is such a big fan of Disney’s choice to move away from individual bottles of shampoo and other toiletries at some resorts. This was my first experience with the dispensers for H20 products, and it worked out fine. While I enjoyed taking home large quantities of body wash and shampoo in the past, it’s more environmentally conscious to take this approach. I know it’s also a cost saver, but I’m okay with this choice.
Serving Its Basic Purpose
I didn’t love my experience at the All-Star Movies Resort, especially when you consider the significant price. It was not a pleasant night sleep, largely due to issues with the thermostat. I couldn’t move the temperature below a certain point, and it remained 77 in the room the entire night. That felt quite unpleasant after baking in the sun all day. For that reason alone, I’m unlikely to stay in a value resort in the future.
With that said, this resort fulfilled a need for this different type of solo trip. My goal was to visit as cheaply as possible while staying on site, and I should have expected a few hindrances to a relaxing vacation. If I did this type of trip again, I would likely spend a little more and stay at a moderate resort. Between the long walks and the mundane decor in the room, there was enough to discourage a repeat visit. It all depends on what you’re seeking on your Walt Disney World trip, however. I hope my experience and these photos have helped to make your decision a little easier.
What do you think of the All-Star Movies Resort?
Related Articles: All-Star Movies
The Tomorrow Society Podcast, Episode 82: Galaxy’s Edge and 30 Hours at Walt Disney World
Leave a Reply