Everything You Need to Know about Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort!
Walt Disney World hosts more than 20 official resorts. They vary in size, scope, and pricing.
Sometimes, that last aspect matters the most, as we all want to spend a bit less on our vacation. Disney fans know the best places for cost-cutting trips.
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Yes, the Disney All-Stars hotels embody the Moderate Tier pricing that makes Disney more affordable for guests.
Today, we’re going to talk about one of these properties so that you can decide whether it’s right for you.
Credit: Disney
Here’s what you need to know about Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort.
The Location
Something to understand about the Walt Disney World campus is that it’s massive in size. A popular stat that gets thrown around is that it’s twice the size of Manhattan.
So, where you stay does matter in that it determines your travel time. One of the unwritten truths about Disney vacations is that you’ll spend plenty of time on buses.
You’ll find All-Star Sports on the southernmost tip of the Disney campus. All three All-Star resorts reside in this area, with All-Star Music closest to the main road.
Photo: Disney
All-Star Sports sits close to a connecting road and possesses arguably the best logistics of the three properties.
You’re nearly equidistant from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Google indicates that you’re 2.7 miles away from Animal Kingdom and 3.3 miles from Hollywood Studios. That proximity reduces the time you’ll spend on buses.
Meanwhile, EPCOT and Magic Kingdom require a bit more travel. They’re 4.8 and 5.0 miles away from the hotel.
EPCOT
Image Credit: Disney
You should expect a sub-10-minute bus ride to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. EPCOT and Magic Kingdom will take about 15 minutes.
Two other spots you may visit are Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney Springs. Both of them are close-ish to All-Star Sports.
Image Credit: Disney
There’s another facet of this conversation I’ll discuss in the final section.
Overall, All-Star Sports features a convenient location for most Disney attractions.
Photo: Disney
Theming and Amenities
You may not think about it much, but Disney has created plenty of sports movies and cartoons over the decades.
So, the sports theme here proves unexpectedly appropriate. You’ll discover tributes to The Mighty Ducks, Herbie the Love Bug, and others here.
Photo : Disney
However, the core Disney characters appear throughout the facility. You’ll find Donald Duck and his nephews playing tennis and baseball.
Mickey Mouse strikes a pose, too. Also, signature sports equipment like basketball hoops and football helmets play an integral part in building design.
Photo: Disney
Basically, if you like sports, you’ll feel right at home here. Even if you don’t, the adorable visuals are friendly enough that you won’t mind them. You might even enjoy them!
As for the amenities, I think this one’s the plainest in the Value Tier. There’s just not a lot happening here even though Disney recently redesigned it.
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Pictures of memorable sports sights adorn the walls. We’re talking about Albert Pujols swinging a bat, the Williams sisters dominating at tennis, and Muhammad Ali striking a pose.
Your primary destination in the lobby will be Sports Goofy Gifts and Sundries. It’s the resort’s general store.
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Since All-Stars properties include thousands of rooms, the general stores include everything anyone might need on vacation.
The theming here is also entertaining, as the posters highlight iconic moments from Disney cartoons.
Another place you may visit a lot is End Zone Food Court. Disney has designed it to satisfy any kind of dietary preference.
Including salads, I count 29 potential entrees on the official menu. If you can’t find something to eat here, you’re beyond hope.
Photo: Disney
The Pools
Disney has designed its All-Star resorts to feature sections of buildings. It wants guests to stay close enough to a pool that they don’t need to walk far, though.
Generally, there’s a main pool to satisfy all guests and a backup one for convenience and smaller crowds.
Photo: Disney
At All-Star Sports, the main pool is Surfboard Bay. Honestly, it’s just a gigantic pool with a few surfboard statues near the water.
You’ll love hanging out at the pool and taking a swim. The one great part is that the entire area looks like a giant wave, thereby reinforcing the surfing theme.
Photo: Disney
As far as theming goes, this is barebones Disney, though. Similarly, the quiet pool named the Grand Slam Pool won’t wow you.
Disney built a diamond-shaped pool to fit the baseball theme. And yes, there’s a pitcher’s mound!
Photo: MILITARYDISNEYTIPS.COM
Again, this pool is perfectly fine but nothing special compared to other Disney pools in the area.
Remember that Disney allows pool hopping if you want something with better theming! I’d suggest a Moderate resort.
Photo: www.destinationsinflorida.com
The Cons
This isn’t really a pros and cons discussion per se. Still, I want to bring your attention to a couple of potential drawbacks at All-Star Sports.
I believe in transparency and setting expectations at the right levels. I’d rather you be pleasantly surprised during your trip than disappointed.
So, you should know that the transportation at All-Star Sports may drive you nuts. Frankly, it’s the most consistent complaint I hear about All-Star properties.
All-Star Sports possesses the best logistics of the bunch, as it comes first on the bus route. You’re unlikely to face overly full buses here.
Still, being first served comes with a downside. During slower periods, the All-Star hotels share buses.
When that happens, you’ll spend 10-20 minutes on the bus before you start your trip to a theme park or Disney Springs.
Photo: Instagram/Disney Springs @dwmdigital
You must wait for the bus to drive to other All-Star properties and then for guests at other resorts to board.
As for the other negative, it’s a potluck kind of deal. All-Star Sports resides close to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.
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Not coincidentally, many of the families traveling for these events stay at All-Star Sports. As you likely know, a lot of the ESPN complex events are for children.
So, when you stay at All-Star Sports, you’ll be inundated with kids having the time of their lives. They WILL be loud.
Photo Credit: TouringPlans.com
Plan accordingly. If you’re a light sleeper, All-Star Sports may not be for you. Conversely, if you’re a sports fan, you’ll love the kinetic energy here!
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