Hiya Dawn,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! My family stayed at
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort last spring, and we were enchanted by the colorful, larger-than-life movie icons all around the resort. So much fun!
I love this question, because everyone vacations differently, and it really comes down to your priorities. Depending on the length of your stay, you could save a lot of money by staying in a Standard room, and that can add up to a lot of Mickey-shaped treats! But, your comfort is valuable too. I tend to select Standard rooms because I actually love wandering around Walt Disney World Resort hotels – I don’t mind a longer walk to the pool, bus, or food court, because I love to explore, look for Disney details, people-watch, and enjoy the weather (especially early mornings, when it’s cool and I can spot a cotton candy sunrise).
Having said all that, if you have
little ones who will have very tired legs (and maybe very tired tempers too) at the end of a Disney day, a Preferred room might be totally worth it for you. There is one bus stop at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, and it’s in front of Cinema Hall. Unless you’re driving your own car, you’ll want to consider the walk to the bus stop, which you might do multiple times a day if you’ll be taking a mid-day break (which I highly recommend). Also, if you think you’ll be heading to the
World Premiere Food Court multiple times a day, you’ll want to factor in that walk, too.
Dawn, refurbishments are also underway at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. I don’t know if you’re planning to visit soon, but right now, your odds of getting a refurbished room are currently slightly higher if you select a Preferred room. I recommend searching the internet for images of the refurbished rooms and comparing them to the current rooms – in my opinion, the refurbishment is a huge improvement (and you’ll find coffee makers in the refurbished rooms, which is a game-changer for me). No matter whether you choose
Standard or Preferred, be sure to call (407) 939-1936 to add a note to your reservation requesting a refurbished room – while those requests can’t be guaranteed, it’s worth asking!
I hope this helps you make your decision. One thing is for sure: there are so many
benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, and you’re going to love your stay! Please come back and see us if we can help as you make this decision and continue to do your planning and Disney dreaming.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn