Resort Category: Value Resort
Pros:
- Big bang for the buck! You get all the on-site perks and full Disney experience for a very low price!
- Great Disney theming that children love! Can you believe they have 51 ft tall tennis rackets?!
- Best transportation out of the 3 All-Star Resorts. It is the 1st pick up and drop off!
- TIP: When you stay at one of the All Star Resorts you have full access to pools, dining and recreation at all 3 All-Star Resorts!
Cons:
- Shared bus transportation with other All-Star Resorts can be time consuming.
- Small rooms.
- No Table Service Restaurants.
- Thin walls so you may need a sound machine to drown out your neighbor's noise!
- H2O-brand shampoo, conditioner and body wash mounted to shower wall so you cannot take "souveniers" with you!
- This is where large groups from cheerleading, dance, etc. competitions will stay. You may want to check for these events before booking as the food courts and bus stops get very congested!
Resort Area: The All-Star Resorts are all closest to Animal Kingdom.
- TIP: If you are driving yourself follow the signs that say "Animal Kingdom Area Resorts"!
Resort Overview:
- Themed after different sports including Tennis, Basketball, Surfing, Football and Baseball!
- Check in: 3:00pm
- Check out: 11:00am
- 1920 guestrooms consisting of 10 3-story buildings each holding 192 rooms.
- There are 2 elevators in the middle of each building as well as stairs.
- Self Service Laundry Rooms near both pools.
- Credit/Debit Cards accepted for washers, dryers and soap machines.
- Cost: $3/wash and $3/dry cycle; Laundry soap, softner and dryer sheets sold for approximately $1 a piece. You can purchase a $7 laundry card at the front desk that will get you one wash, one dry and text you when your clothes are done.
- Disney uses a technology called "LaudryView" that allows you to monitor the availability of the resort's laundry equipment. View LaundryView website here.
Resort Map
Typical Floor Plan:
- Room Amenities:
- Alarm clock with radio, 1500 watt wall mounted hair dryer, In-room safe, Free WiFi, Iron & ironing board, Mini-fridge, Full length mirror, Telephone, and H2O-brand bar soap, shampoo and conditioner.
- NO Coffeemaker or Microwave!
- Bathroom Details:
- Shower with a bathtub (wheelchair accessible rooms have roll in showers and no bathtub) and toilet separate from a single sink with mirror above it and dressing area.
- A curtain separates the dressing area from bedroom so 3 people can get ready at the same time.
- Very good water pressure but could vary from building to building.
- Shower curtain rod angles out to give more room while showering.
- ROOM TIPS!
- No Queen Beds so if you are tall the double beds may be uncomfortable.
- Cots only allowed in king bed rooms because of the fire code.
- The double beds will not move so if you are trying to fit a twin blow up mattress between them it won't work! You can, however, move the furniture and it will fit.
- Preferred rooms can be noisier because they are closer to the main building and pool. Requesting the 3rd floor will help you get a quieter room.
- Transportation Options: Bus only to all theme parks and Disney Springs.
- Buses for Magic Kingdom typically start around 6:30am for early morning breakfast reservations in the park or monorail resorts.
- Buses for Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios typically start aroud 7:00am for early morning breakfast reservations in the parks.
- The buses typically run 60-90 minutes before and after park opening and closing.
- Always expect to wait at least 20 minutes for the bus and if it comes sooner or happens to be there when you show up consider yourself lucky! The early morning buses seem to come more frequently than the afternoon when it is not so busy.
- Plan on leaving the resort 90-120 minutes prior to any dining reservations elsewhere!
*Typically there is not a designated bus from the resort to the water parks!
- To get to Blizzard Beach: Take a bus from All-Star Sports to Animal Kingdom then take the bus to Blizzard Beach from there.
- To get to Typhoon Lagoon: Take a bus from All-Star Music to Disney Springs then take the bus to Typhoon Lagoon from there.
*ESPN Wide World of Sports: Buses only available from the 3 All-Stars (Movies, Music and Sports), Caribbean Beach and Pop Century Resorts Thursday - Monday 5:00 - 11:00pm.
- These buses also run 1 hour prior to the opening of the Sports Complex when events are taking place until 11 p.m. or Sports Complex close, whichever is later.
- TRANSPORTATION TIPS:
- Consider taking an Uber especially if you have dining reservations at another resort. There are no buses that will take you directly to a resort. The Ubers are generally <$10 no matter where you go on Disney property!
Table Service: No
Quick Service:
- Mall style food court
- Consists of 5 stations all selling different types of food, such as pizza at one, burgers at another, etc....
- Breakfast: 6:30am - 11:00am End Zone Breakfast Menu
- Lunch 11:00am - 5:00pm End Zone Lunch Menu
- Dinner 5:00pm - 12:00am End Zone Dinner Menu
- Late Night Dining (See Dinner Menu)
- Average Price: $6.00 - $15.00
- Dining Plan: 1 Quick Service Credit; DDP Snack Credit Available
- Tables in Wonderland Discount: Yes; No restrictions
Pool Bar: Grandstand Spirits Bar
- Serves refreshments ranging from non-alcoholic smooties to beer, wine and margaritas!
- Hours: 11:00am - 12:00am (weather permitting)
- Dining Plan: No
- Tables in Wonderland Discount: No
Room Service: Pizza Delivery
- Includes not only pizza but chicken wings, salads, sandwiches, desserts, beer, wine, and sodas.
- Delivery can take up to 90 minutes so you may be better off ordering from an outside pizza delivery service like Dominoes or walking to the food court.
- Price: Expensive! For example, a medium 16" cheese pizza costs approximately $14. They add an 18% tip, $3 delivery charge and 7% sales tax. Minimum order is $15.
- To order press "In-Room Dining" on your room phone.
- Hours: 6:00pm - 1:00am
- Dining Plan: 2 Table Service Credits that includes 1 pizza, 2 non-alcoholic drinks and 2 desserts.
DINING TIPS:
- Kid Meals include a drink and 2 sides yet the portions are not far off from the adult size one!
- If you are on the Dining Plan make sure you grab a "to go" drink from the cooler plus fill up your refillable mug!
- If you are on the Dining Plan you can order adult menu items for the kids which are plenty to share. This will help you save credits!
- Biggest item to split if paying cash: Chili Cheese Footlong! Its HUGE!
- Tables in Wonderland discount available here without added gratuity due to the lack of an available Table Service restaurant.
- If you have your own car and want to save some money there is a McDonalds right down the street!
General Pool Info:
- Open year round and heated to 82°F/28°C!
- NO Hot Tubs/Jacuzzis!
- NO Waterslides!
- Showers, Lockers, Restrooms and Laundry Facilities nearby.
- Lifeguard Availability and Hours subject to change but plan on at least 9:00am - 8:00pm and as late at 11:00pm during peak seasons.
- Complimentary Towels provided at pools.
- Life Vests of all sizes located at all pools.
- Infants/children in diapers allowed in all pools with a Swim Diaper on.
- Pool Toys allowed including noodles.
Main Pool: Surfboard Bay Pool
- Located behind Stadium Hall and between the 2 Surfs Up buildings.
- There is a shallow kiddie pool located nearby for the little ones!
- Holds 242,471 gallons of water!
"Quiet Pool": The Grand Slam Pool
- Shaped like a baseball diamond!
- Features Goofy on a pitching mound throwing a stream of water at swimmers!
- Located between the 2 Homerun Hotel buildings.
- Holds 119,000 gallons of water!
- Considered a "quiet" pool therefore loud play and splashing is discouraged.
- In my opinion, it feels like a more lively, upbeat pool without the poolside activities!
Movies Under the Stars:
- Complimentary Disney movies played on select evenings.
- Typically movies start at 7:30pm yet times vary so check the recreation guide or call the front desk before heading down!
- Located on the Surfboard Bay Pool deck.
Jogging Trail:
- 1 mile path that connects all 3 of the All-Star Resorts.
- I was surprised to see that this" trail" is actually the sidewalk in front of the resorts on a main road.
- Not the most scenic jogging path for sure!
Playground:
- Located behind the Surfs Up building near the Touchdown Hotel.
- Has 2 different playsets, one for smaller kiddos and another for the bigger ones.
- For ages 2-12 only.
Arcade: Game Point Arcade
- Located across from the End Zone Food Court in Stadium Hall.
- Must purchase a rechargeable Game Card and add game points with a credit card or cash at the kiosk inside the arcade.
- TIP: You can use the Game Card at other resort arcades.
Scheduled Activities:
- Located on the deck of the Surfboard Bay Pool.
- Activities vary but some examples are arts and crafts poolside, relay games, scavenger hunts, ring toss, bingo, trivia, cookie decorating and tie dye clothing*.
*Additional charge.
- Sport Goofy Gifts and Sundries:
- Located in Stadium Hall just past check-in.
- Items include the typical souveniers, swim toys, luggage, sundries, diapers, wine, beer, hard alcohol, cigars, sunscreen and medication.
- Prices are pretty standard Disney rates. Try your best to come prepared is all I have to say!
- Handicap Accessible Rooms:
- Approximately 200 handicap-accessible rooms available.
- Some rooms have roll-in showers.
- Hearing assistive devices in some rooms for hearing impaired.
- Most handicap accessible rooms have 1 king bed yet some have 2 double beds. Most rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed yet there is a handful that have both 1 king and 1 double bed.
- Both pools have a chair lift that can lower you in the shallow end of the pool.
- Sharps containers are available upon request at no extra charge.
- In-Room Options: Easiest option when staying at a resort that does not offer it on-site and relying on Disney transportation.
- Kid's Nite Out offers sitters that are insured, bonded, screened, reference checked, police-checked and CPR certified. They are all older than 18 and will take your children to the theme parks (you pay) or other places you request. They will NOT transport them in private vehicles, take them swimming or give them baths. They do offer bilingual sitters.
- Sitters are male and female.
- Base Rates per Hour
1 child $18
2 children $21
3 children $24
4 children $26
5 or more children Call for rate - 4-hour minimum
- Payment by Credit Cards Only.
- Transportation fee $10; Before 7:59am or after 8:59pm extra $2 per hour; Additional fee for holidays and special events.
- Cancellation Guidelines: 24 hour advance notice (48 hours on holidays)
- Gratuities Accepted.
- They request a meal be provided for the caregiver if a shift of 6 or more hours is needed.
- Fairy Godmothers (no website) offers sitters that are insured, bonded, screened, reference checked, police-checked and CPR certified. They are all older than 18 and will take your children to the theme parks (you pay) or other places you request. They will not transport them in private vehicles or give them baths. Swimming is at the discretion of the sitter. They do offer bilingual sitters.
- All sitters are female.
- Base Rates per Hour
1 child $16
2 children $16
3 children $16
4 children $18 - Additional Charges: Transportation fee $14; After 10pm extra $2 per hour.
- Cancellation Guidelines: 3 hours before service.
- Payments with Cash or Traveler's Check only
- Kid's Nite Out offers sitters that are insured, bonded, screened, reference checked, police-checked and CPR certified. They are all older than 18 and will take your children to the theme parks (you pay) or other places you request. They will NOT transport them in private vehicles, take them swimming or give them baths. They do offer bilingual sitters.
- On-site Child Care Options: This is a good option if you have your own car and can drop the kiddos off before heading out! Ideal for people with dining reservations at a Monorail or Boardwalk Resort!
- Camp Dolphin: Located in Dolphin side of Swan and Dolphin Hotel, 1st Floor
- Hours: 5:00pm - 12:00am
- Cost: $12 per hour, per child. A kids meal can be included for an additional $10.
- Ages: 4 - 12 years old, potty trained
- Activities: Arts, crafts, movies, board games, video and arcade games, nightly themed activities with prizes/souvenirs and a Disney movie!
- Phone Number: (407) 934-4241
- Reservations required.
- TIP: If you dine at Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s bluezoo or Il Mulino New York Trattoria OR if you have a service at Mandara Spa you will receive up to two hours of complimentary time at Camp Dolphin. You must present your receipt at time of child pickup. (One child admitted for each adult entrée purchased. One child admitted for each spa treatment of 75 minutes or more.)
- Pixar's Play Zone: Located in the Contemporary Resort
- Hours: 5:00pm - 10:30pm
- Cost: Flat rate of $65 per child (plus tax).
- Ages: 4 - 12 years old, potty trained
- Activities: Bonnie's Play Room will have several toys the kids can play with then they can head to the Living Room for Space Ranger Training where they will learn to "identify and battle enemies of the Star Command”! Woody and Jessie will teach the kids the “ropes of the Wild West during Woody’s Roundup” followed by a sing along! The kids can also go to the Radiator Springs Racetrack to build their own racecars to race in the "Piston Cup Challenge" down a soapbox derby racetrack! The night will end with an Incredible Dance Party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Incredible! Arcade games, dinner and dessert are included!
- Phone Number: (407) 824-KIDS
- Reservations Required by 5pm for same day services.
BREAKING NEWS ALERT!
- DISNEY OFFICIALLY CLOSED LILO'S PLAYHOUSE, SIMBA'S CLUBHOUSE AND SANDCASTLE CLUB ON JULY 31, 2018!!
- PIXAR'S PLAY ZONE AT THE CONTEMPORARY IS THE ONLY OPTION BESIDES CAMP DOLPHIN AT THE DOLPHIN HOTEL!
Room Rates:
- $110 - $210 (rack rates) depending on the season and type of room.
- Annual Passholders or Florida Residents can get rooms as low as $99 on select nights!
Self-Parking Fee:
- $13 per night (sales tax included).
- Celebrity Hall Construction:
- This area is where large groups will check in seperately from the regular check-in desk.
- Located in parking lot behind Center Court Buildings.
- Construction should not be heard between dusk and 9am.
From the Eyes of a Child!
From a Child's Mouth to Your Ears!
- What Joslyn Liked the Most: "I liked the fields the most!" (We kicked field goals and threw a football on their football field! She also did some gymnastic moves out there!)
- What Vince Liked the Most: "I liked throwing the football the most".
- What Joslyn Liked the Least: "There is nothing bad about it there!"
- What Vince Liked the Least: "Leaving!"