You are a star, at Disney's All Star Music Resort.
Written: Oct 01 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Once you arrive, Disney will plan your events, and take you there.
Cons: You have to go to Pleasure Island or another resort for any night entertainment.
The Bottom Line: It is on Disney property. A value resort, but you get the whole Disney package with it. If you don't have a vehicle, then eating will be expensive.
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| Susie-34668's Full Review: Disneys All Star Music Resort |
I opened up the travel section, of the local paper about a month ago, and couldn't believe my eyes. A quarter page advertisement for Walt Disney World.
It stated "Florida residents enjoy a neighborly rate this fall. Value resorts from $49 per night. Call your Disney Travel Planner at 407-939-1305." At the bottom it had the 'small fine print'.
I showed it to my husband, and then phoned the number. A really nice young lady answered all my questions. Len and I had a choice to go to either the 'All-Star Music Resort', or the 'All-Star Sports Resort'. I love music and dancing so it was a really easy choice for me.
She took my booking over the telephone, gave me a reservation number. Told me the full total including taxes, and asked for a credit card for the deposit of 1 nights accommodation. Also informing me that I could cancel up to 5 days prior to our visit for a full refund.
Just a week later I received a package from Disney. It was my reservation in writing, plus a personalized trip planner. Very professional.
The trip.
We packed Tuesday morning and headed off to Orlando. Stopped off at our favorite Golden Coral for a late lunch. Then we entered Disney property via Hwy 192, just west of the I 4. The signposting was really easy to follow.
We were stopped at the gate to the All-Star Resorts. Showed the guard our letter and continued to the parking lot. The lobby, gift shop, video arcade, and food court/restaurant are housed in the main building.
It was 2pm and check in was after 4pm. The lobby was quiet so I asked if our room was available. The receptionist was very pleasant. Asked our preferences. We wanted non-smoking, king-size bed, and on the top floor. I also checked to see if we had a fridge. She said we could rent one for the 2 nights at a cost of $21.40. I told her that I needed it for my husband's insulin. She said it would be complimentary. We were given a 'Welcome' package, and 2 card keys for the room.
We followed the map and found our building. Rock Inn. We wanted to check the room before taking our suitcase, and small bags up. Disney put the parking lot at one side, and the elevator in the middle. Kind of a dumb thing to do.
When I got to the room the door was ajar. Dirty linen on the floor. A cart was outside. I checked around and found the lady doing another room. I asked if she would complete ours first. This she did.
The room was small but a great theme. There were 2 full size beds, not the king. I said to Len, we had better stay here as the fridge would be on the way. We unpacked and decided to check out the restaurant area. Got back to the room a couple of hours later, and still no fridge. Phoned the lobby and it arrived within 5 minutes.
Our 'Welcome' package had every thing you could think off. Maps of the immediate area, and the whole Disney complex. A transportation guide/map explaining which free transport to take for each resort/park, and so much more.
We got a bus to Pleasure Island and it was easy to find for our return trip. The same the following day with Epcot. Just one thing to note, if you are going at peak times, you may have to stand in the bus.
More about the resort.
Our room.
It was fine for 2 nights. The carpet was stars. The curtains had sheet music on them. The drawers for putting clothes in were really cute. They looked like boxes, put side by side and on top of each other. The bed covers and wallpaper in the bathroom had pictures of singers (Little Richard, Ray Charles, etc.) jukeboxes, dancers, and all things connected with music. At the end of the room was a space for hanging clothes, and a small wall safe (free). A vanity and single basin.
The bathroom contained the bath (tub), with a shower over it, and the toilet. On the outside of the bathroom door was a mirror. A really pretty one over the vanity, that looked like a dressing room one. Great angled lights over it.
Parking lot.
Plenty of room in all the parking lots. There were 10 building in each of the All Star Resorts. The Sports one backed on to ours and the building looked identical.
Amenities.
A swimming pool was located in the middle of building 3,4,5,6,7, and 8. This was shaped like a piano. For 1,2,9, and 10, a large pool and a kiddie pool. This was close to the main building. We would have enjoyed walking this area and using the pools, if the rain had not been so frequent.
The restaurant/food court.
On our first visit we purchased a Disney Cup for $10.99 + tax. This was a refillable cup for the whole length of your stay. You could have coffee, tea, soda, hot chocolate, and wash your cup out at the cleaning station. If we had been staying for 1 or 2 weeks like most we would have got one each. I purchased one, and cleaned it for Len, if he wanted a diet soda.
The food was similar to the parks. Very average and extremely expensive. I felt really sorry for an English family, paying $1.69 for a small box of cereal, then having to buy a carton of milk. No free milk with the drinks, only non-dairy creamer.
We ate a dinner there. Len had sausage and peppers for about $6. I had shrimp pasta on a small plastic plate for $9. You see what I mean.
The theme was great. Record designs on the carpet. Really high walls. Metal looking ceilings. Huge cut out idols. A really large television at one end, showing, you know what? Disney films.
The Gift Shop.
As with all Disney stores, very expensive.
Departing.
Wednesday night I phoned for the express check out. We had paid for the 2 nights on a credit card, when checking in. I had not charged anything.
When we woke up the message button was lit up. I listened to the message and it said 'No need to go to the lobby, we had a nil balance, and could keep our card keys as a souvenir.
We packed our few things and Len decided to start taking them to the vehicle. He found an envelope hanging on our door. It was a bill for $21.40 for the safe. It stated that $76.52 would be charged to the credit card.
I think most of you know me by now. Off I went to the lobby. It was 8.45am so really quiet. The receptionist had a job to sort out the problem for me. Len parked up and came in, and I was still standing there. 5 pages of bills later and a telephone call, and I owe nothing....... Just waiting for that credit card bill to come in now. Who knows.
Final thoughts.
Disney is wonderful. Their resorts are fun, bright, up-beat, delightful. The staff go out of their way to please you. Definitely a 5 star for this. Then the waiting for the fridge, the wrong beds, the mix up with the bill, would be a 3 star. Overall, I will give a 4 star. One of the best couple of days I have had.
Florida residents check this out at disneyworld.com. If you are paying full price, you might have to think again.
Thanks for taking the time to read. I have at least another 1,000 words I could write, so if you need more information, please e-mail me, or leave a comment.
Susie.
Recommended:
Yes
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