Do you have a favorite Disney World hotel?
All-Star Resorts
We know you’ve got to really consider the budget when planning your Disney World trip, and we find that a lot of people choose the Value tier of the resorts. And there’s no shame in doing that since they still offer the same Disney World experience for a fraction of the cost of the Moderate or Deluxe tier resorts. For that reason, many choose to turn to the All-Star Resort hotels since they have budget-friendly prices and larger-than-life Disney theming. But before you book a stay at one of the All-Star Resort hotels, there’s one thing you seriously have to consider (and it’s not what you think)! Let’s talk about it!
As we said, we’re talking about the All-Star Resort hotels with their budget-friendly prices and larger-than-life Disney theming. There’s one significant concern that many guests overlook, and surprisingly, it’s not the crowds. The real issue is transportation.
Crowds Aren’t the Real Issue
Yes, the All-Star Resorts are popular, and they can get crowded, especially during peak times like school vacations and special events. However, Disney pros know how to get around this.
Crowds
With a bit of planning, you can avoid the busiest times. For example, sporting events, which often bring large groups to the All-Star Sports Resort, are scheduled well in advance. If you check event calendars for ESPN Wide World of Sports, you can strategically schedule your Disney World visits to avoid those peak times. We also warn you here on the blog when there are large competitions coming up that will fill the hotels and make the parks more crowded, so subscribing to our newsletter is a great idea to keep up with those schedules! You can subscribe by clicking here!
The Real Problem Is Transportation
Sure, you can plan for crowds (like we said, do your research on the sporting events that come to Disney World that tend to bring in more people), but the bigger hurdle is actually getting to the parks themselves.
You won’t find the Skyliner at the All-Star resort
Unlike other Disney resorts, the All-Star Resorts don’t have access to the Skyliner, monorail, or boat transportation. You’re reliant on buses, which can get crowded, especially during peak hours.
Only Having Buses For Transport Means…
Long Wait Times: As we said, the buses can be crowded, especially during peak times, which can lead to long wait times. It’s not uncommon to wait 20 minutes or more for a bus, only to find it already packed when it arrives.
Extended Travel Times: The All-Star Resorts are also located farther from the parks than most other Disney World hotels, which means you’ll have much longer travel times once you finally get on the bus. For example, a trip to Magic Kingdom can take upwards of 30 minutes (not including the time you waited for the bus).
Inconvenient Transfers: Also, if you’re going to park hop, you need to be prepared for the inconvenience of transferring between buses. Like everything else, this can also add a significant amount of time to your travel.
Disney bus
So What Can You Do?
If you’re set on staying at the All-Star Resorts, here are a couple of things you can do to make the most of your stay:
Plan for extra travel time: Don’t underestimate how long it can take to get to and from the parks by bus. Be prepared to leave for the parks earlier than you might at other resorts.
Utilize Disney World’s app: The My Disney Experience app allows you to track wait times, park hours, and more which can be a lifesaver.
Use Ride-Sharing Services: If you want direct and faster transportation, you could consider using ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. While this adds to your transportation costs, it can save you a lot of time, especially for those early-morning or late-night park visits.
All-Star Movies
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The PROS And CONS Of Staying At Disney World’s Value Resorts
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Weird- I never saw a bus take 30 minutes to the Magic Kingdom from All-Star Movies- it was usually under 20. It was Animal Kingdom Lodge that took the longest.
The adoration of the Skyliner on DFB always kind of surprised me, as it leaves out that you have to wait in big lines to start AND end your day, milling through a giant queue just to get to a park/hotel. Oftentimes the line is HUGE- if you wait until close at EPCOT, it’s a 30-40 minute wait! I’m guessing you guys have only ever used them mid-day or something.
We live in Florida and are AP holders, so we don’t find it an inconvenience using the buses as our main form of transportation. We don’t “cram” our day for multiple parks so that we are cutting times to be where we need to be so close that we may not make it! The only inconvenience that I have found is having to go back to a Disney Springs to get back to your resort if you have planned a dinner at another resort. I sometimes wish that the buses ran from one hotel to another. However, at other times, I kind of like the extra time to let my feet relax!
We have only stayed at the All-Star Sports and didn’t think the bus was bad, the app was really good at letting us know when the bus would be at the resort and the parks.
I often stay at Pop Century and never had a transportation problem, though buses can be crowded at end of day. They come quickly at all times of day. Never stayed at the All Stars but have stayed at Coronado with several stops. So what!? I’m not driving, I can look around and it’s air conditioned!. Perhaps it’s only my perspective but, unlike DFB, I’m not trying to get to wdw….I’m already AT wdw!! I’m on vacation and not rushing anywhere. My vacay started already. I love any transportation where I can look around, maybe seeing parts of wdw I wouldn’t otherwise. I consider the trip part of the journey! Dfb goes on and on about the skyliner but I’ll never get on it! It breaks down too often (or stops running during frequent lightning), has long lines and I don’t like heights. I also love taking boats anywhere and the monorail is fun! It’s all part of the wdw experience! People should relax and enjoy! Forget adulting…Stop stressing…Escape reality….Be a Kid Again! PS I agree with the person who wishes buses went from hotel to hotel. Me too! ☺