Staying at a Value Resort at Walt Disney World is a bit of a gamble if you don’t know what you’re getting into. Most people look at the price tag of the Disney All-Star Music Resort and assume it’s just a cheap motel with a few plastic statues of clarinets out front. It's more than that. It’s also less than that. Honestly, it depends on whether you're the kind of person who spent $800 a night at the Grand Floridian last year or if you're just happy to have a clean bed that doesn't require a cross-town bus ride to get to the Magic Kingdom.
The All-Star Music Resort sits right in the middle of the All-Star trio, sandwiched between Sports and Movies. It’s often the quietest of the three. Why? Because sports teams usually pick Sports, and families with toddlers gravitate toward the 101 Dalmatians at Movies. Music is the middle child. It’s a little more relaxed, a little more melodic, and, since the massive room refurbishments were completed a couple of years ago, it’s actually one of the smartest plays for a budget-conscious Disney trip.
The Reality of the Refurbished Rooms
Forget the old, carpeted rooms with the floral bedspreads that looked like they hadn't been washed since The Lion King premiered. Those are gone. Thank goodness. The new rooms at Disney All-Star Music Resort are streamlined, hard-floored, and surprisingly functional. They use a Murphy bed system. You get a queen bed, and then the dining table flips down into a second queen bed. It’s clever. It makes the room feel twice as big during the day when you're just trying to organize your park bags or eat a quick breakfast of overpriced cereal from the food court.
But here is the catch. These rooms are tight. We’re talking 260 square feet. If you have four adults in one room, you’re going to be bumping elbows. A lot. It works for a family with two kids, but if you’re traveling with your adult siblings, you might start looking at each other’s throats by day three.
The bathroom setup is actually the MVP here. There’s a sliding barn door that separates the vanity area from the bedroom. This means one person can be shrieking because they can't find their MagicBand while another person is actually getting ready in the mirror without being seen. The shower has those built-in pump dispensers for Sea Marine shampoo and body wash. Some people hate them; I think they’re fine. They save space.
Family Suites: The Hidden Gem
If you need more space, Disney All-Star Music Resort is the only one of the three All-Stars that offers Family Suites. These aren't just slightly bigger rooms. They are two standard rooms knocked together, sleeping up to six people. You get two full bathrooms. That’s the selling point. Two bathrooms. When you’re trying to get to a 7:30 AM rope drop at Hollywood Studios, having two showers going at once is the difference between making it for Slinky Dog Dash or waiting 120 minutes in the Florida sun.
The suites also have a "kitchenette." Don't get too excited. It’s a microwave, a small sink, and a coffee maker. It’s perfect for heating up leftover pizza from Intermission Food Court, but you aren't going to be cooking a Thanksgiving dinner in there.
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Transport and the Dreaded Bus Lines
Let’s talk about the buses. It’s the one thing everyone complains about. Because All-Star Music is a Value Resort, you don’t have the Monorail. You don’t have the Skyliner. You have the bus. That’s it.
During peak times—think 8:00 AM or right after the fireworks at Epcot—the lines are long. Sometimes, the three All-Star resorts share a bus. Music is the second stop. This means in the morning, the bus might arrive from All-Star Sports already half-full. In the evening, you might have to sit through the Sports drop-off before you get to your bed. It’s annoying. It’s a "you get what you pay for" situation.
Pro tip: If you see a massive line for the Music bus at the parks, check the line for All-Star Sports. If it’s empty, hop on that one. It’s a five-minute walk between the resorts. Your legs will hurt, but you’ll be home 20 minutes faster.
The Layout: Calypso vs. The World
The resort is laid out in a long, linear fashion. If you’re staying in the Country Fair or Broadway sections, you are a long way from the lobby. I’m talking a 10-minute walk. That doesn't sound like much until you’ve walked 22,000 steps in Animal Kingdom and realize you forgot your refillable mug in the room.
- Calypso: These are the "Preferred" rooms. They cost more because they are closest to Melody Hall (the food and buses).
- Jazz Inn: A good middle ground. Close enough to be convenient, far enough to avoid the noise of the main pool.
- Rock Inn & Broadway: Theming is cool, but the walk starts to get real.
- Country Fair: The outskirts. It’s quiet, sure, but you better have sturdy shoes.
The theming is loud. Literally. Huge cowboy boots, giant electric guitars, and a jukebox that’s taller than your house. It’s "Old Disney" styling—bold colors and oversized icons. It’s not sophisticated. If you want sophisticated, go to the Riviera. If you want your kids to scream "Look, a giant drum set!" then you’re in the right place.
Eating at Intermission Food Court
You aren't going to find a Michelin-star meal here. It’s a food court. But as far as Disney food courts go, Intermission is solid. They do a decent breakfast bounty platter. The burgers are standard Disney fare—thin patties on brioche-style buns.
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The real winner is the mobile ordering. Use the My Disney Experience app. Order your food while you’re walking back from the bus stop. By the time you get to the counter, your chicken strips will be waiting. If you don't mobile order, you will stand in a chaotic line of tired parents and crying toddlers for thirty minutes. Save yourself.
Pools and Recreation
There are two pools. The Guitar-shaped pool is the "feature" pool. It has a fountain of the Three Caballeros (Donald, Jose, and Panchito) spraying water at everyone. It’s crowded. It’s loud. There are poolside activities like trivia and "name that tune" blasting over the speakers all afternoon.
If you want to actually relax, head to the Piano pool. It’s shaped like a grand piano. It’s usually much quieter. There aren't any fancy slides here—Value resorts don't do slides—but it’s a place to soak your feet after a long day.
Movies Under the Stars happens most nights near the Calypso pool. They set up a big screen and show Disney classics. It’s one of those "free" perks that actually feels magical. You can grab a drink from the Singing Spirits pool bar, sit on the grass, and watch Moana while the humidity finally starts to drop.
Is it worth it?
The Disney All-Star Music Resort occupies a specific niche. It’s for the traveler who views the hotel as a place to sleep, shower, and change, and nothing else. You aren't paying for the ambiance of the lobby. You’re paying for the "Purple Signs."
The "Purple Signs" are the internal Disney road signs. Staying here keeps you "on-property." You get the Early Theme Park Entry, which gives you a 30-minute head start on the crowds. You get the free transportation. You get to stay inside the Disney "bubble" where the outside world doesn't exist for a few days.
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For some, the lack of a sit-down restaurant or a gym is a dealbreaker. For others, the $150-$250 price point (depending on the season) is the only way a Disney vacation is even possible.
Things to watch out for:
- Cheerleading and Dance Competitions: Groups often stay here in the spring. If you happen to book during a massive youth competition, the food court will be overrun with teenagers. Check the ESPN Wide World of Sports calendar before you book.
- Noise: The walls aren't exactly soundproof. You will hear toilets flushing in the room next door. You will hear people rolling their suitcases down the external walkways at 6:00 AM. Bring a white noise machine or use a fan app on your phone.
- The Fridge: It's a "beverage cooler," not a true refrigerator. It doesn't get cold enough to keep raw meat safe, but it's fine for milk, water, and yogurt.
Moving Forward with Your Booking
If you've decided that All-Star Music is the right fit, your next move should be looking at the specific room types. If you have more than two adults, seriously consider the Family Suite. The extra bathroom alone justifies the price jump.
Check for "Room-Only" discounts. Disney frequently drops 15-25% off the nightly rate for Value resorts during the "shoulder" seasons like late August, September, and January. Never pay the rack rate if you can help it.
Once you book, download the My Disney Experience app and get familiar with it. You can check in right from your phone and go straight to your room. They’ll text you the room number. You don't even have to talk to a human at the front desk. That’s the dream after a long flight.
Pack a power strip. Even with the new room designs, there never seem to be enough outlets for two phones, two watches, a tablet, and a camera battery. And honestly, bring your own coffee. The stuff in the room is... let's just say it's an acquired taste.
Staying at All-Star Music is about managing expectations. It’s bright, it’s loud, and it’s undeniably Disney. It’s the functional choice. If you go in knowing that the bus ride might be long and the room will be small, you’ll have a great time. Just don't forget where you parked your car; those parking lots are massive and all look exactly the same at midnight.