Not all Disney World Resorts are created equal. We’re sharing what makes Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort a budget-friendly favorite — and what might make you think twice before booking.

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is often the favorite of Walt Disney World’s Value resorts, thanks to its incredible character-themed decor, larger-than-life statues, and immersive atmosphere that appeals to families, adults, and Disney fans of all kinds.

But is it really worth your money? From amenities and convenience to value for your budget, All-Star Movies has both standout perks and notable drawbacks. We’re breaking down everything you need to know before you book — so you can decide if this Disney resort is the right fit for your trip.

The Pros of Staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Photo by Danny Shuster

Incredible, Immersive Resort Theming

When it comes to theming across the resort, All-Star Movies is, well, a total star! Of all of the Value resorts, it’s home to some of the best theming (the only other resorts that might measure up are Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort). After all, who doesn’t want to feel like they’ve been transported right into the action of their favorite Disney animated film?

Guests of all ages absolutely adore the larger-than-life Disney-animated icons sprinkled across All-Star Movies Resort. You’ll encounter statues that feature characters and props from films like The Love Bug, Mighty Ducks, Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, and Fantasia –– and each section of the resort makes for some fantastic photo opportunities.

If you’re someone who want an Instagram-worthy place to stay, it’s hard to top the character-centric theming you’ll find at this resort! Even if you aren’t a huge fan of the characters themselves, the bright, bold colors of the resort and its decorative building exteriors make for eye-catching backdrops.

Budget-Friendly Pricing

Okay, this is technically one of the best reasons to stay at any Disney World Value resort, but we still think it’s one of the biggest pros of All-Star Movies: The room rates are nicely affordable. If you’re visiting the resort on a budget, All-Star Movies offers great bang for your buck. You’ll find reasonable pricing year-round, and you can stay on-property without overspending.

Additionally, the recently renovated rooms –– which are similar to those at Pop Century –– offer solid value for the per-night cost. There’s enough space in a standard room to comfortably fit up to four guests, plus a crib for an infant.

Plus, if you’re visiting with kids (or anyone who loves a good pool!), there are two pools at All-Star Movies to enjoy: the Fantasia Pool and the Duck Pond Pool. The Fantasia Pool is also home to a smaller kiddie pool and a water play area, and there are poolside activities available regardless of where you want to splash around.

Premium Perks for Less

Speaking of amenities like the pools at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, there are plenty of premium perks to be had at this hotel! Although you’re spending less and staying at a Value resort, you’ll notice that Disney doesn’t skimp on all of the top-tier offerings of any other onsite resort here. And that means you can enjoy many of the same perks of pricier hotel options without spending more.

For example, you’ll enjoy standard Walt Disney World Resort hotel advantages like:

• Early Theme Park Entry, which provides an extra 30 minutes of access to the theme parks
• Hey Disney voice assistant
• Complimentary transportation around Walt Disney World Resort from theme parks, hotels, and Disney Springs
• Onsite dining options

Plus, at All-Star Movies, there’s so much to explore! Here, guests can enjoy extra perks like campfire activities, movies under the stars, a kid-approved playground, jogging trails, and even the Reel Fun Arcade.

The Cons of Staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Photo by Andy Sanchez

Long Walks… and Bus Wait Times

All-Star Movies is a sizable resort, which means there’s quite a lot of space to explore –– but all of that space means you might find yourself taking quite a long walk from the check-in desk or bus loading area. It can take a few minutes to get from your room to other locations on property, especially if you’re staying farther away from Cinema Hall. It might not seem like a big deal, but after hitting thousands of steps in the theme parks each day, you may want a shorter walk (especially if you’re hauling a lot of gear or young kids!).

Preferred rooms at this resort do sit closer to both dining and transportation, so if you’re someone who has mobility concerns or simply doesn’t want to walk long distances, you may want to consider booking one of these versus a standard room.

Additionally, along with longer-than-typical walks around the resort, you’ll also want to keep bus wait times in mind. All-Star Movies is often at the end of the bus route, which can mean a longer-than-usual wait (especially during slow times of the year when All-Star bus service is consolidated for all three resorts) to get to and from the resort.

Limited Transportation Options

Speaking of transportation, it’s worth noting that your transportation options are limited when staying at All-Star Movies. There’s only one mode of complimentary transportations, and it’s buses. At times, you might encounter a lengthy wait time to get to and from the theme parks and resort.

What drives up the wait time? Well, sometimes buses are shared across all three All-Star resorts, making waiting for a bus even more challenging –– especially when All-Star Movies is the last resort to be picked up or dropped off.

No Pool Slides

While the two pools located at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort are themed well and very cute, they do have one shortcoming: Neither pool has a slide.

However, this isn’t atypical of the resort category. Pool slides are only available at Moderate or Deluxe resorts; no Value resort on Disney World property has pool slides. If a slide at the resort pool is a must-have, consider booking a higher-tier hotel.

Should You Book a Stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort?

Value resorts can be a great fit for those looking to stay on Walt Disney World property without spending a lot, and they offer plenty of extras over off-site hotels. At Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, the theming, multiple pools, and uniquely Disney perks offer plenty of great reasons to book a room.

However, if you want to be able to get to and from your resort quickly or want more transportation options, you may want to consider staying elsewhere. Overall, we think All-Star Movies is a great pick for anyone who’s looking for solid value and classic Disney theming. Need a resort that will accommodate more people, but with that Disney animation feel? Consider booking a room at Disney’s Art of Animation instead.

Can’t decide where you should stay? Let the experts at The Vacationeer help! As WDW Magazine’s travel agent partner, The Vacationeer offers expert tips, tricks, and insights that’ll make booking a Disney World Resort a total breeze. Plus, it’s completely free to enlist their help – just fill out this form.