Are you planning your next trip to Disney World?
All-Star Resorts
When it comes to that planning, choosing where you’re going to rest your head is crucial. The great thing about Disney World property is that you have a lot of options for where to stay, including hotels for lower budgets. Any way you slice it, you have to weigh the pros and cons carefully. To that end, let’s dive into what might just be the biggest headache you’ll be dealing with if you opt to stay at Disney World’s cheapest resorts — transportation.
So, you’re thinking about booking a stay at one of Disney World’s budget-friendly All-Star resorts? Well, we’ve got to talk, because there’s one big thing you’ve got to know about before you book your room — transportation. Trust me, it’s not all pixie dust and magic when it comes to getting around Disney World from these cheaper digs.
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Let’s talk about the transportation scene at the All-Star resorts.
Far, FAR Away
Picture this (Star Wars fans will get this reference): you’re all excited to hit up the parks, but then you realize your All-Star resort is basically on the other side of the Disney Galaxy from all the main spots.
All-Star Movies
Yep, these digs are nestled a bit further out from most of the action, meaning you’re looking at some decent travel time just to reach the parks.
Buses, Buses, Buses
Depending on where you stay on Disney property you can be within walking distance of the Skyliner or Monorail, which are both pretty convenient ways to travel between the parks and resorts. That’s not the case with the All-Star Resorts.
Disney bus
Say hello to your main form of transport — the Disney buses. They’re not too shabby, but they’re definitely the workhorse of transportation here. Expect to wait a bit for them to swing by, and if it’s peak time, you might find yourself standing for the entire ride.
All-Star Movies
Also, the bus may make multiple stops on the way.
Time Might Not Be On Your Side
So, how long does it take to get from your All-Star pad to, say, the Magic Kingdom? Just go ahead and plan on the trip being around 20-30 minutes, give or take. EPCOT might clock in at a similar time.
Bus stop at All-Star Movies
You know what? You might as well just assume that trying to travel to any of the four parks could take anywhere from 15 to 35 minutes, depending on traffic and such. Keep this in mind especially if you’re trying to make it in time for various reservations.
Other Options
Now, if you’re not vibing with the whole Disney bus scene, you’ve got a couple of other tricks up your sleeve. Bringing your own car or renting one could be a game-changer. It’ll give you the freedom to zip around as you please.
Don’t forget to factor parking fees into your budget!
Also, rideshare services like Lyft or Uber can be pretty convenient to get around Disney World if you’re willing to pay for the rides. You’ll just have to keep in mind that surge pricing could also be a factor and if you plan to skip the buses altogether, renting a car for your trip could be cheaper than multiple rideshares each day.
Disney World Rideshare sign
So, there you have it. Staying at the All-Star Resorts can be a fantastic way to save money on your Disney World trip. However, you’ll have to be aware of the transportation limitations. If battling bus crowds and longer travel times isn’t your idea of a magical vacation, you might want to consider a different Disney resort with alternative transportation options.
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Until then, stay tuned to DFB for more.
What Is “Sleep Tourism,” and Should Disney Hotels Join the Trend?
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Will you be staying at the All-Star Resorts on your next trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Another bus issue we encountered, the bus stops for All Stars were the last, farthest away pick up spots in the parking lot. After a long day at EPCOT in particular, you are exhausted but have to hussle past the deluxe hotels, past the moderate hotels, then you get to the value bus stops. After falling in love with the Skyliner, it might be hard not to at least stay at Pop Century or Art of Animation, or even upgrade to the Caribbean Beach moderate hotels, or dare I say, the Riviera!
Once you get on the bus at All Star Music it only takes 10 minutes to get to Magic Kingdom. At least that’s how long it took last Spring Break in 2023.
NO plans to stay at an All Star Resort. As mentioned in the article, transportion is a bugger and you are far away from everything. They are also very large and spread out and you may very well have to walk a long, long way to get to your building at the end of a day walking in the parks. Exhausting. Another thing is that the All Stars are where many of the school groups, sports groups, dance groups, groups, groups, and groups opt to stay as it is the most affordable option. If you enjoy a noisy boisterous resort, this might be the one for you. If I was going to stay at a value resort, I would definitely chooose Pop Century. It has some of the same issues, but at least you have the skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
We have stayed at All Star Resorts as a family and I stay often on solo trips. I have no complaints on the buses there. Yes it can be a hike at the end of the day to buses at the parks but it’s all part of it and I know it’s coming. I would rather ride the buses than drive myself and risk being in a vehicle accident. That would really be a disaster on vacation. It took less than 10 minutes to get to All Star Movies from Animal Kingdom this past crowded week!! That’s a win for us!!
All Stars Movies is my favorite! I stay there every year. The All Stars have the advantage of having a McDonald’s right in the entrance.
We like All Star Movies especially, and love Pop Century and Art of Animation too. And we drive, so the transpo options aren’t a problem. BUT – we have had to park ridiculously far from our room at All Star (once I swear I actually had to park closer to a different All Star resort than my own), and even the closest spaces are somehow not ‘close’ to any rooms at the value resorts. And as others have mentioned, there are often HUGE, nosiy group crowds at All Star, which doesn’t help with the parking or anything else you may be trying to do at the resort. For us, the resort is really a place to sleep and shower, and we’d love to save some money by staying at the value resorts, but we’re just not willing to brave the parking issues or crowds anymore. I just hope we’re not priced out of the Fort Wilderness cabins on our next trip.
I’ve stayed at all of the All Stars hotels over the years as well as a few deluxe. I have to disagree a bit about the transportation. I found the transportation from All Stars to be faster than waiting for the Deluxe etc. transportation. I once Granted it can be crowded but there always seemed to be more busses for these hotels. I once waited almost an hour for a bus to Port Orleans while I watched five or more busses headed to All stars. I even spent a hurricane at All Star Music and the care and concern was terrific. By staying at All Stars I was always able to stay a day or two more, and had money for extras in the parks/food.
Having your own car or renting a car might give you more time flexibility, but parking costs serious bucks every day you’re there so that is definitely a consideration.