[MommyMoses]

We just got home from 3 days at All Star Movies. We had a great time at the parks, but I will not be doing the Value Resort thing ever again!

This was our 1st Value experience - after many many WDW vacations.

Here are my observations:

1. The staff/CM was not very knowledgeable about Disney happenings. When we arrived, we tried to buy our tickets there. We said we were seeking the Florida resident seasonal passes. We were told to get in the (long) Guest Services line. Once I got to the front of that line, I was told I had to buy them while I checked into my room. So, we waited in that line, only to be told that we would have to buy them at a park. Buying them at the park was not a problem, but it would have saved us nearly 20 minutes (with a heavy 3 year old on my hip) if the CMs had known their stuff.

2. There was NO TUB!!!
When we got to our room, that was the first thing I noticed. We have a preschooler who does NOT do showers, so this was not a good thing. Had I known about the lack of tub, I wouldn't have chosen to stay there. The shower was like the kind in gym locker rooms. There was nothing that separated the shower from the rest of the bathroom other than a flimsy shower curtain. The "shower" was just a hole in the floor - meaning that the entire bathroom got soaked.

3. Transportation was rare. What I mean is, we waiting long long times for buses to arrive.

4. Teenagers! No offense to any teens or parents of teens (I was one 10 years ago!), but it was NUTS! The entire resort was filled with Spring Breakers, cheerleading camps, etc. I know this is because the place is so cheap that this is where groups of kids go. But, our room was the only one on our "hall" that was NOT part of a huge group of high school kids. This meant that we were woken up at 10pm when they left to go out and then again at 6am (!!!) when they got back!

I hate to sound so negative, I really do. I had read so many wonderful reviews, but our experience was nothing like that. We will go back to paying a little more and getting a lot more!

[Dana]

Nancy -

I am sorry to hear of your bad experience at the AS. I have stayed there twice and never had a problem. They had tubs too. It's a shame that you couldn't be relocated to anther room. CM's usually do that if asked unless they are booked solid and it's impossible. I wasn't aware that you couldn't buy your tickets at the resorts. I have seen people doing it before. Maybe they changed that...:hmmm I am glad that you still managed to have a good time and have some excelent reviews in light of your poor experience at your resort. I look forward to hearing about the rest of your stay.

[Metalfan]

No tubs!?!??! Hmmmm never seen that before..And they wouldnt let you buy tickets there?! Hmm never seen that either...Im kinda with Dana on this one... :hmmm


Sorry you didnt have a good time at the resort!!!!!

[MommyMoses]

Yeah, they said we could buy "regular" tickets, Park Hoppers, etc, but not annual passes or the Florida "annual passes." I don't know why they would sell some and not the rest.

I thought at first that the shower deal was because it was a wheelchair accessible room. But then I realized that we were on the 2nd floor and the rest of the room would have been really difficult to navigate in a wheelchair (very high fit with a little stroller, even).

Ah well - live and learn - and return to the nicer resorts!

[goofygal1975]

Originally posted by MommyMoses

1. The staff/CM was not very knowledgeable about Disney happenings. When we arrived, we tried to buy our tickets there. We said we were seeking the Florida resident seasonal passes. We were told to get in the (long) Guest Services line. Once I got to the front of that line, I was told I had to buy them while I checked into my room. So, we waited in that line, only to be told that we would have to buy them at a park. Buying them at the park was not a problem, but it would have saved us nearly 20 minutes (with a heavy 3 year old on my hip) if the CMs had known their stuff.

2. There was NO TUB!!!
When we got to our room, that was the first thing I noticed. We have a preschooler who does NOT do showers, so this was not a good thing. Had I known about the lack of tub, I wouldn't have chosen to stay there. The shower was like the kind in gym locker rooms. There was nothing that separated the shower from the rest of the bathroom other than a flimsy shower curtain. The "shower" was just a hole in the floor - meaning that the entire bathroom got soaked.

3. Transportation was rare. What I mean is, we waiting long long times for buses to arrive.

Sorry to hear you had such a horrible time at the respot. Must be the spring break crowds, the months of march and april are alwasy busy!

1. I've learned that to get any discounts for Florida resident things, you have to buy them at the parks, not at the resorts. I had a tough lesson too by waiting in line at my resort.

2. You must have had a king size, handicapped room. Those are the only rooms with out tubs. they are easy access to people in a wheelchair to take showers. I'm sorry you couldn't be moved. i remember the days when my ds was young and wouldn't shower either!

3. The value resorts have the best bus transportation of all the resorts. More people stay there, so more buses are sent there. It does take more time during the busy season, of course.

I've stayed at all the value resorts and have never had any big problems. The buses do run slow (like when we went in June) when its crowded. That was my biggest complaint.

At least you were able to enjoy your time at the parks during your short stay!! And its good to hear you'll still be going back!:)

[coasterman2002]

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience at the All-Star resort. I've never stayed at a value resort and don't plan to anytime soon. I'm also sorry that you had to deal with all of the college and high school spring-breakers during your stay. I haven't run into that problem because the spring-breakers don't fork out the money to stay at the deluxe resorts. I won't go to WDW during spring break because of all the crowds that flock to the parks. I'm glad that you had a good time even though you didn't love your resort:)

[BDavis932]

Sorry you had a hard time. We've stayed at the All Stars many times and always had a tub. You must've had a handicapp-accessible room. All the others have tubs.

Yes, you can get all your tickets at all resorts except for AP's and FP's...that rule applies at all resorts.

[disneyguy]

Sorry to hear about all your problems. I agree that after years and years of wonderful Disney service I did notice a decline in the service, but not only at PC (where I was staying but in the parks too). I think that it is a matter of you get what you pay for. The service was the biggest thing about a Value resort that I did not like. At PC, we had no problem at all with transportation and those rooms do have tubs and showers. I was glad to have the tub since we both got sick while we were there, and that is something that just makes me feel better. I would say that right now is a bad time to stay at any of the All Stars because there is a big Cheerleading competition going on at Wide World of Sports. Also, PC is not equipped to handle big groups so you don't get that there. Don't give up on Values, try PC!

[cbeccaboo2]

Sorry your visit to Movies so bad. I have stayed there x2 and have nothing but grand reviews. I sure wish that your time there was better. You did indeed have a "Handicapped" room. They are the only ones that have just showeres. We always stay in Mighty Ducks due to they try to keep it for adults only or away from large groups. I don't know where you were, but if you want to try again, ask for Mighty Ducks.

Glad you did have fun in the parks though.

Becca

[MerlinMatt]

That's a bummer. Every now and then you'll meet a CM (or two) who isn't quite up to snuff.

I've only stayed at the All-Star once, but I'm going back in May happily.

I agree about the kids. I swear, some of the kids there looked barely old enough to be out alone. But we had a room on the second floor in the back of Touchdown and it was quiet back there.

As far as the tub, sounds like you got one of the handicap accessible rooms. They may or may not have been able to resolve that for you if they were booked solid, but for future reference, just be sure to ask for that when you book.

Your experience with the buses is entirely different from mine, although I didn't go when it was that mobbed either.

I'm sorry the room aspect was so bad. :( I hope the rest of the trip went well.

[MickeyMamma]

Sorry you had a bad experience.

At the Value Resorts, as was already mentioned, the King size rooms have that issue with the shower/tub. I was put in one of those rooms once since we wanted the king bed, but with DS (1 at the time) we needed the tub and switched to a 2 bed room to get it. I would have thought that they would have at least switched you to one of those.

Yes, sadly I have noticed some declines in service. My only suggestion would be that you double check things that there is a line for. Most things can be taken care of at the Check-In desk, even ticket purchases, if you push them to do it. For the AP type passes (Seasonal included) it is true that you have to get them at the parks or a couple of specific locations only.

Looks like they need to work on training their staff better.

[eeeee]

We have only stayed at the AS. I did notice crowd noise. There was a large group of kids in March. I think it was the Cheer group. That can be a bummer especially if you plan on going to bed before midnight. I almost called the front desk but didn't. We also had very loud upstairs neighbors. We heard every footstep. But overall it was good. I did notice long lines at check in. When I stay at Saratoga Springs in Dec. I'm sure I will notice a differece.

But hey, it was a cheap room on property. Again, no overall complaints just a few problems.

[CaribBeachNut]

I am sorry to hear you had a bad time. I have often thought about trying a new resort "just for change", but decided to look them over while staying at CBR. That way, I can see for myself without taking any chances. My philosophy is that we pay a lot of $ for these vacations. Why should we be disappointed? When you find a winner whether it is a restaurant, hotel, rental car co. or whatever, stick with it! Vacation should be a nice relaxing time to forget your everyday troubles, not create new ones. Perhaps this philosophy will work for you next time.

[Disneybound]

I stayed at the All Star Sports for the first time last July.
We usually stay at the Grand Floridian. Obviously, that is quite a change.
However, our stay at the All Star Sports was great.:D

Our son was not as happy with the pool as it was so crowded....
and even he preferred the calmness of the Floridian.

If going to WDW meant having to stay at a value resort, we would do it again. We learned that we would have to get 2 rooms that joined so that we would have more room. That would still be less expensive than a one nights stay at a deluxe resort.

I am sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience.

[cindy1970]

I stayed at all star music once for one night and it was a little dissappointing. I think maybe if I had kids I would stay there and get two rooms maybe but then again I think I might stay outside of the park if that were the case and get a nicer hotel. But people rave about the AS resort so it appeals to some people which is a good thing. Disney has a resort that fits all kinds of people.