Fantasia Mickey water fountain

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Review

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Disney vacations can be expensive. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, then consider booking a stay at one of the Disney World value resorts. Best of all, being budget-minded at Disney doesn’t mean boring. With clean and modern rooms, colorful exteriors, and nods to classic Disney films blown up to massive proportions, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort offers a comfortable and convenient place to rest your head at wallet-friendly prices.  

So, how does the Disney All-Star Movies Resort measure up to other value resorts at Disney World? Who should stay there? Read on as we pull back the curtain on everything you need to know about this Disney movie hotel. 

Staying at the Disney All-Star Movie Resort 

There’s no better way to save a few bucks on vacation than by opting to stay at a more modest hotel, and the same thing is true at Disney World. Value resorts offer all frills-free accommodations with all the necessary comforts and larger-than-life theming made for families with young children. While the Art of Animation Resort may be the most obvious choice when it comes to affordable Disney magic, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is also filled with character. Disney characters, that is!

Big dalmations sitting outside of All-Star Movies Hotel

Similar to its sister resorts, All-Star Music and All-Star Sports, each area of Disney’s All-Star Movies Hotel is inspired by a Disney movie. Stories-high icons and colorful exterior treatments make this whimsical hotel an ideal place to snap some selfies or the perfect family photo. Keep in mind that as the All-Star Resort opened way back in 1994, some of the films featured may not be familiar to kids these days, but that doesn’t make the hotel any less enjoyable. 

The Toy Story section is easily the most impressive. There you’ll find characters like supersized versions of Woody, Buzz, Rex as well as some massive blocks and green army men on patrol. With its black-and-white spots and a stampede of puppies, kids will also enjoy the 101 Dalmatians area. 

Your room could also be in one of the more nostalgic neighborhoods. Thanks to Sorcerer Mickey and his horde of out-of-control brooms, Fantasia is probably the most familiar. It’s also arguably the most desirable location as it’s home to the Fantasia Pool and just a short walk away from Cinema Hall.

And while The Mighty Ducks and Herbie: The Love Bug might not be recognizable to younger Disney guests, adults are sure to appreciate walking through the iconic duck-shaped hockey mask or below that adorable Volkswagen Beetle. 

Disney All-Star Movie Resort Rooms

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort has earned a respectable 4.0 on TripAdvisor. Don’t worry about agonizing over which room you should book, as similar to the other Disney World All-Star Resorts, there are only a couple of room types to choose from. Regardless of whether you go for a standard or preferred room, at a cozy 260 square feet, All-Star Movies rooms are among the smallest on Disney property. So, we highly recommend them for small families, a couple doing Disney on the cheap, or some grown-up friends doing a budget-friendly adult Disney trip.  

Though the building exteriors are inspired by different classic Disney movies, each of the guestrooms offer the same simple, streamlined look inside. Rooms at All-Star Movies are bright and airy with espresso-colored woods, pops of color, and clean, modern lines. Playful touches starring some beloved Disney characters like wall art and the headboard for the pull-down bed provide just the perfect touch of pixie dust and keep the room from feeling too plain. 

Hotel room with one bed

In general, all standard and preferred rooms at All-Star Movies come with the following amenities: a hairdryer, iron, ironing board, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, in-room safe, telephone with voicemail, and free Wi-Fi. 

All-Star Movies Standard Room

  • Comes with 1 king bed or 1 queen bed & 1 queen-sized table bed
  • Sleeps up to 4 adults 
  • Views of the parking area, pool, or courtyard

All-Star Movies Preferred Room

  • Comes with 1 king bed or 1 queen bed & 1 queen-sized table bed
  • Sleeps up to 4 adults 
  • Views of the parking area, pool, or courtyard
  • Near Dining, Transportation, and Shopping Outlets at Cinema Hall

Disney All-Star Movies Resort Prices

Some people like to splurge on plush rooms or decadent dining. And while it is certainly possible to have a luxury Disney vacation, you’re not going to find it at Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort. More supporting cast than leading role, All-Star Movies is one of the cheapest hotels at Disney World, with rooms averaging around $124 a night. It’s this wallet-friendly price tag along with its bright, colorful theming starring popular Disney movies that makes it a great choice for both families traveling with young children and those looking for Disney magic on a budget. 

While a stay here is affordable all year round, remember that room rates are subject to change depending on things like when you plan to travel, meaning that prices will increase over the busy season and drop during the slower times of the year. Unlike most of the other Disney World hotels, you can’t pay for a certain view. However, you can opt to pay for the convenience of a room that’s close to all of the essentials. 

Standard rooms are the cheapest option at All-Star Movies, with rates starting in the low-to-mid $100s in the low season up to the high $200s over the busy season. Preferred rooms, in contrast, are the priciest room type at the resort, typically available for around the mid-to-high $100s during the slow months or the low $300s over the busy winter holidays.

Below are rough price ranges for what you can expect to pay at All-Star Movies in 2023 (plan for slightly lower rates in 2022):

  • Standard Room: $128 to $289
  • Preferred Room: $155 to $323

Disney World All-Star Movies Resort Amenities

Everything comes with a price, and that includes value resorts at Disney World. So, while you won’t need to fork over extra cash on pricey room rates, you will need to sacrifice some convenient perks and additional comforts like expanded meal options, over-the-top pools, and a bunch of recreational activities. That being said, the Disney All-Star Movies Resort still has all the essentials for your next Walt Disney World vacation. 

Dining at All-Star Movies

As a value resort, this Disney movie resort doesn’t have a variety of dining options like the dinner shows or signature restaurants you might find at the moderate or deluxe Disney World hotels. However, you will find the necessities, namely a counter-service restaurant and, of course, a pool bar

If that isn’t enough to satisfy you and your cast, keep in mind that All-Star Movies is just a short drive away from the delicious restaurants found at the Coronado Springs and Animal Kingdom Lodge resorts, while a McDonald’s is within walking distance. Or, for something more substantial, consider taking the bus to Disney Springs or Disney’s BoardWalk for even more tantalizing Disney dining experiences. 

World Premiere Food Court

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, World Premiere Food Court dishes up fast, affordable, all-American favorites from morning to night. In the AM, stop by this quick-service restaurant for hearty breakfast classics like Mickey Waffles and breakfast sandwiches to fuel your day in the park. Lunch and dinner feature more family-friendly eats like burgers, pizza, and daily roasted specials in the evenings. 

Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar

Overlooking the Fantasia Pool, the Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar is the perfect spot for a relaxing intermission during a fun-filled day or a grown-up nightcap once the credits have rolled. Although you can’t get anything to eat here, there are plenty of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to choose from, from smoothies and bottled water to beer and cocktails

Disney All-Star Movies Pools

Things can get pretty hot around Central Florida during the summertime (or really any time). Aside from soaking up as much glorious A/C as possible, there’s no better way to cool off than with a dunk in the pool. (Pro Tip: We like going back to our hotel room during the afternoon when the sun is at its peak for a swim and a nap to beat the heat.) 

Located in between Cinema Hall and the Fantasia building, the All-Star Movies feature pool is called the Fantasia Pool. Taking its inspiration from the film of the same name, the understated Fantasia Pool features a fountain starring Sorcerer Mickey, with a kiddie pool and water play areas also nearby.

For a more secluded swim, you can also check out the Duck Pond Pool. Younger hotel guests may not appreciate the theming here, but the older, wiser guests will, as the pool is designed to look like a hockey rink from the classic Disney movie, The Mighty Ducks

Other Recreation at the Disney World All-Star Movie Resort 

Unlike the deluxe and moderate resorts, Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort and other value hotels keep things simple (and budget-friendly) with a streamlined menu of recreational offerings. There’s no better place to catch alfresco screenings of family-friendly flicks than at this Disney movie resort, so be sure to check out Movies Under the Stars at The Reel Spot neighboring the World Premiere Food Court. Kids will also enjoy climbing around on the playground between the Toy Story and Fantasia sections of the hotel or testing their luck at the Reel Fun Arcade. Adults staying at All-Star Movies can run the stress of the day away and keep their workout schedule intact along a one-mile jogging path through Disney’s All-Star Resort. 

All-Star Movies Hotel Disney Merchandise Locations

Whether you’re searching for a Disney movie-themed memento or a place to pick up something you forgot at home, Donald’s Double Feature has it all. Ideally located in Cinema Hall next to the Disney All-Star Movies food court, this merchandise outlet is also a convenient place to waddle through before jumping on the bus to the parks if you’re in need of a snack. 

Complimentary Transportation to and from Disney All-Star Movies

Guests staying at Disney World resorts are able to use a variety of free transportation offerings. The only complimentary transportation available at All-Star Movies is the Disney bus system. Busses stop here outside of Cinema Hall, with routes running to each of the Disney theme parks and the Disney Springs entertainment district. 

Routes are subject to change and busses may occasionally make stops at each of the other All-Star hotels before heading on to its ultimate destination. And although they’re not actually located at the resort, guests can also take advantage of other Disney transportation services like boats, the Disney Skyliner, or the Monorail

Disney All-Star Movies Resort FAQs

Want to know more about Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort? Read on for answers to some commonly asked questions. 

What is Disney All Star Movie Resort close to?

The All-Star Movies hotel at Walt Disney World is part of the Animal Kingdom Resort Area, with the closest attractions being Blizzard Beach Water Park and Winter Summerland Miniature Golf. If you’re feeling up to it, you can even walk there in around 20 minutes. All-Star Movies is also nearby the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, making the hotel a popular choice for school groups, sports teams, and international tour groups. 

Is all of All Star Movies refurbished?

Yes! Although the hotel originally opened way back in 1994, All-Star Movies has a decidedly updated look. As of the hotel’s March 2021 reopening, all of the All-Star Movies rooms are newly refurbished, with much of the renovations being completed while the resort was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Can you walk from All-Star Movies to Animal Kingdom?

Unfortunately, even though the Disney World All-Star resorts are part of the Animal Kingdom Resort Area, it is not possible to walk to the Animal Kingdom Theme Park from All-Star Movies. 

Does Disney All Star Movies have a fridge?

Yes, all of the All-Star Movies Resort rooms come with a mini-fridge perfect for stashing some snacks or a few beverages. 

Can you request a microwave at All-Star Movies?

No. Although you aren’t able to request a microwave in your room at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, microwaves are available for guests’ use at the World Premiere Food Court.  

Does the Disney All-Star Movie Resort have free breakfast?

Nope. Unfortunately, none of the Disney-operated hotels at Walt Disney World offer free breakfast. That being said, there are some very affordable breakfast options at and near the Disney All-Star Movie Resort including the food courts at each of the All-Star Resorts and a large, newly renovated McDonald’s that’s just a short walk or even shorter drive away.  

How long is the bus ride from All-Star Movie Resort to Magic Kingdom?

Buses tend to arrive at the Disney bus stop at Cinema Hall around every 20 minutes, so keep this in mind when planning out your day, especially when there are plenty of people waiting for the bus. Once you’ve had a seat, you can expect the journey to the Magic Kingdom to take between 20 to 25 minutes. 

Well, shoestring travelers and Disney film fans, we’ve reached the credits for our whirlwind tour around the All-Star Movies Resort at Disney World. With larger-than-life icons of beloved Disney movie characters and cheap rooms that don’t skimp on the essentials, it’s the perfect stay for small families, especially those with young children and those looking for Disney magic at wallet-friendly prices. 

While you’re there, make the most of your time at Walt Disney World with our 1-day plans for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Then, save even more cash by booking our discounted Walt Disney World tickets

Have you ever stayed at All-Star Movies? Which of the movie-themed areas is your favorite to stay in? Are you excited to try the refurbished rooms? Let us know in the comments!

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort Review
The Final Word
All-Star Movies is a Value Resort when you just need the basics: a bed, a bathroom and transportation to and from the parks.
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