

All Star Resorts
The All-Star Resorts are three separate value resorts, Music, Movies, and Sports, in the Animal Kingdom Resort area. These are the most cost effective, hotel style lodging on Walt Disney World Property. Though the theming at all three is different, the style, setup, and amenities are almost identical. If you are looking for all the perks of staying on site, but amenities at the resort do not matter, these are the resorts for you. I would highly suggest these resorts for people who spend most of their time in the parks and do not plan on having a rest day at the resort. If you would like a rest day, I would suggest looking at the other value resorts or upgrading to a moderate level resort.
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Which to choose? All of the All-Stars are so similar and have the same amenities, you really cannot go wrong, if this is the category you are interested in. Generally, the big differences are in the theming. What appeals to your family more? However, currently, these resorts are undergoing a refurbishment. While the refurbishment is going on, I would suggest choosing the resort with the refurbished rooms and a main pool that is open. At the moment, only All-Star Movies is completely refurbished. All-Star Music is currently undergoing refurbishment in their standard sections, the preferred sections are complete. Its main pool is scheduled to be closed from September 2020 to December 2020. As a result of the current construction, I would avoid this resort, unless you are looking for budget friendly family suites, as they are completely refurbished. My second choice, after All-Star Movies, would be All-Star Sports. Just make sure you read the differences between the updated rooms at Movies versus the older rooms at Sports. I would highly suggest sticking to Movies as the updates are really good and include basic amenities like the addition of coffee makers in room.
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When to visit? There are several things to think about when considering staying at an All-Star Resort. First, these resorts are used frequently by groups visiting for competitions or conventions. Check crowd calendars for when things like cheer and dance competitions are happening in Disney, because most of those participating will be housed at the All-Stars. That will make them very busy and there might be limited availability. Second, all the rooms are outside, there are no interior corridors. Unless you pay for a preferred room, your walk could be fairly long from the main building where transportation is to and from the parks. In the rainier months, summer into fall, this is just something to keep in mind when booking. Third, if you are looking to save money, you can snag a standard room at these resorts for less than $100 per night if you book during ‘slower’ times at Disney. Times like early to mid January, Sunday to Thursday, you can find rooms for $99 per night. If there is a room discount happening during this time, I have seen rooms for as low as $84 a night, making staying on site at an All-Star a steal.
ALL STAR RESORT THEMING
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ALL STAR SPORTS
The first resort you will pass on your way in is All-Star Sports. Stadium Hall is the main building where check-in is located unless you are checking in as part of a large group, then you will go to Celebrity Hall which is located in the back of the resort. The main pool, Surfboard Bay Pool, is in the Surf’s Up area right outside of Stadium Hall. It is in the shape of a wave with three huge surf boards around it. This is considered a preferred location. If staying preferred you can request this area, just be aware some people complain that facing the main pool can be loud. I prefer to be right on the pool and use a sound machine at night. There is a kiddie pool located here too. The other sections are themed based on sport. The Touchdown! Section has a fun football field in the courtyard area to play and run around on. The Homerun Hotel section has the second pool and can be requested during online check-in if staying in a standard room.



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ALL STAR MUSIC
In the middle, you will find All-Star Music. This has the fewest preferred sections. Only Calypso is considered preferred and its refurbishment is complete, as is the Jazz section. The main pool, which is in the shape of a guitar, is also scheduled for a refurbishment from September 2020 to December 2020, though this may change with the closure due to COVID 19. The other sections all make a circle around the quiet pool. They is Jazz Inn, Rock Inn, Country Fair, and Broadway Hotel. If staying Standard, I would generally request Jazz Inn because it is closest to the main areas. Construction was occurring in the standard sections prior to the closure. If you would like a standard room, I would suggest booking at one of the other All-Stars until Music is complete.



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ALL STAR MOVIES
This is the last resort in this section and the only resort that is completely refurbished. The main hall is Cinema Hall and is where everything is located. Once you pass through Cinema Hall, You’ll find yourself at the main pool in the Fantasia section. Like the other All-Stars, this is where all the activities will be, you’ll find a kiddie pool here, and the pool bar is close. All-Star Movies has three preferred sections: Fantasia, 101 Dalmatians, and Toy Story. I always like to request near the pool, but the theming in the Toy Story section is really fun and complete with a door to Andy’s room. The quiet pool is in the Mighty Ducks section. You can request this area if staying in a Standard room. The final section is Love Bug themed.


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ROOM CATEGORIES & AMENITIES
There are two main categories of rooms at the All Star Resorts: Standard and Preferred. The only difference between the two, besides the price, is the location. Preferred locations will be closer to the main building, larger pool, and transportation than the Standard rooms. Preferred rooms are about $20 to $30 more per night than Standard.
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In these two room categories, you will find roughly the same amenities, with only some differences based on whether your room is refurbished or not. Currently, only All-Star Movies is completely refurbished. Most of all All-Star Music is refurbished as well. All Star Sports will be completed after All Star Music is complete.
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Non-refurbished rooms will feature two full size beds, a mini refrigerator, a TV, a small table with two chairs, and some storage. The bathrooms do not have a door to separate them from the main area, they only have a curtain. In refurbished rooms, you will find a queen bed and a queen murphy bed. When the murphy bed is folded up, there is a table and more space for a pack n play or stroller. The bathroom has sliding doors to create separation between it and the room and to give more privacy for the toilet area.The decorations are cleaner looking and there is still storage and a tv. Another notable difference is that refurbished rooms have coffee makers. For coffee in non-refurbished rooms, you will have to go to the food court and it is not complimentary.

Above is an example of a refurbished room at All-Star Movies.
Picture from Walt Disney World New Today

Above is a non-refurbished All-Star room.


The only other category available is the family suite at All-Star Music. These are located in the Jazz and Calypso sections. The family suites sleep 6 adults and have been recently refurbished. They are one bedroom suites with queen bed in the bedroom. The main area has two Murphy style beds that pull down over the table and the couch. There are two bathrooms and a small kitchenette area. These used to be bare bones suites, but the refurbished models are gorgeous and they are about $150 per night more than a standard All-Star room. If you have a party of six, I would suggest getting a family suite instead of two separate regular rooms. You'll get more amenities for not much more in price.
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Pictures courtesy of Walt Disney World News Today
TRANSPORTATION
The All-Star resorts only have one form of transportation, buses. Depending on the time of year and crowd levels, they sometimes have designated busses and sometimes they share with each other. This is not really an inconvenience because they are all extremely close and in one big line. I, generally, do not mind bus transportation. Just remember, if traveling with a stroller, the stroller must be folded up to go on the bus. If you have a double stroller, I recommend using a side by side. They can be folded up and fit nicely under the seats on the lower levels of Disney buses. Magic Kingdom will be the furthest park from these resorts, so make sure you plan appropriately when making dining reservations and fastpasses.
DINING

Like with all value level resorts, the All-Stars only have food courts, which are quick service, grab and go options, and a pool bar at the main pool. Each All-Star has its own food court in the main building that is themed based on the resort. The food options are fairly limited, but since you most likely are not spending much time at your resort, this probably isn’t a huge deal.
AMENITIES
All All-Star Resorts have two pools and guest staying at any of the All-Stars can pool hop between the three resorts. The main pool in each resort is in the preferred section near the main building. This will be where all the activities are and just outside the gates to the pools you will find the pool bars. The pools have minimal theming and no slides or splash pads. The second pool at each resort is much smaller and located in one of the standard sections. These are considered the quiet pools. There is laundry located at each pool for guests to use, as well.
Every All-Stars resort has a playground, located near the preferred sections and an arcade in the main building. Between the buildings you will find some theming elements, which make for great photo-ops and sometimes, like the football field at All-Star Sports, a fun play area, as well.
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There will be fun activities at all of the resorts. These activities are listed in the main building and/or near the main pools. One activity you’ll find at each resort, and at every resort on property, is movies under the stars.
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Though there are not many extras at the All-Star resorts, you will still have all the perks of staying on Disney property: 60-day dining window, Magical Express, complimentary transportation to the parks, and more. For the price, the perks of being on site, in my opinion, cannot be beat and definitely make these a great value and option if you are trying to reduce costs while at Disney.
Some amenities may be reduced or unavailable during your 2021 stay as a result of safety measures to stop the spread of COVID 19. Please always check Know Before You Go on the Walt Disney World website before traveling for the most up-to-date information.



