You're standing under a three-story tall Dalmatian. Honestly, it’s a bit surreal. If you’ve spent any time looking at Disney World hotels, you know the Disney All-Star Movies Resort is basically the poster child for "Value" stays. But "Value" in Disney-speak doesn't always mean cheap in the real-world sense. It’s a specific vibe. You’re trading square footage and fancy spas for giant Buzz Lightyear statues and a food court that smells like maple syrup and chaos.
Let's be real. People book this place because they want the "Disney Bubble" without paying $700 a night to stay at the Grand Floridian. It’s the entry-level drug of Disney resorts.
The Reality of Staying at Disney All-Star Movies Resort
It's loud. It’s bright. It’s unashamedly kitschy.
The resort is partitioned into five distinct areas based on classic films: Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, Fantasia, The Mighty Ducks, and The Love Bug. If you end up in the 101 Dalmatians section, you are surrounded by 40-foot pups. If you’re in Toy Story, you’re walking under a massive door into Andy’s Room. For kids, it’s a fever dream of joy. For an adult who just wants a quiet glass of wine after walking 12 miles in Epcot? It can be a lot.
Here is something most people don't realize until they're dragging their luggage across the pavement: the layout is sprawling. It isn't just one big building. It’s a series of three-story T-shaped blocks. If you get stuck in the "Mighty Ducks" section, you’re looking at a hike to the main lobby, Cinema Hall, and the bus stops. Some guests actually prefer this because it’s quieter, away from the splashing of the Fantasia Pool, but your feet might disagree after a long day at the Magic Kingdom.
Those "New" Rooms Are a Game Changer
For years, the rooms here were... rough. We're talking carpet that felt like it had seen the 90s and never left, and double beds that were basically glorified cots.
Thankfully, the 2018-2019 renovations changed everything. Now, the rooms at Disney All-Star Movies Resort look remarkably modern. Gone is the carpet; it’s all hard surface flooring now, which feels way cleaner. They swapped the old beds for two Queen beds. One is a standard bed, and the other is a "Queen-size table bed" (a Murphy bed).
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This is huge.
When the Murphy bed is up, you have a functional wooden table for eating or working. When you need to sleep, you pull it down. It’s clever. It makes the roughly 260 square feet feel much bigger than it actually is. You also get a massive TV, plenty of USB ports for charging your devices, and a coffee maker. It’s basic, but it’s high-quality basic.
The Logistics: Transportation and Food
If you stay here, you are relying on the Disney bus system. There is no Monorail. There is no Skyliner. There are no boats. Just buses.
Sometimes, the three All-Star resorts (Movies, Music, and Sports) share a bus. This is the part where things get annoying. If Movies is the last stop on the loop, the bus might already be full by the time it gets to you. However, during peak morning and evening hours, Movies usually gets its own dedicated line. Expect a 20-minute ride to the Magic Kingdom and maybe 15 minutes to Animal Kingdom.
World Premiere Food Court
Don't expect fine dining. You are here for the "Secret Menu" (ask about the Roxy Cupcake or the Mac and Cheese Burger if they're running specials) and the convenience. The World Premiere Food Court is set up like a movie theater lobby. It’s functional.
- Breakfast: Mickey Waffles (obviously).
- Lunch/Dinner: Pizza, burgers, pasta, and sometimes a surprisingly decent salmon dish.
- The Refillable Mug: If you’re staying more than two days, just buy the mug. It’s about $22 and gives you unlimited soda, coffee, and tea at the resort for your entire stay.
One thing that genuinely surprises people is the "Movies Under the Stars" program. Every night, they set up a big screen by the pool and show a Disney flick. There’s something actually magical about floating in the Fantasia Pool while Moana plays on a giant screen. It softens the blow of the "Value" price tag.
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Why People Get This Resort Wrong
There is a common myth that the Disney All-Star Movies Resort is only for families with toddlers. That’s not true. I’ve seen plenty of solo travelers and "Disney Adults" staying here. Why? Because you get the same perks as the people staying at the $800-a-night Contemporary Resort.
You get:
- Early Theme Park Entry: You can enter any of the four parks 30 minutes before the general public. This is the difference between riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with a 10-minute wait or a 90-minute wait.
- Free Theme Park Parking: If you brought your own car, you don’t have to pay to park at the parks.
- Proximity: You’re still on Disney property. You don't have to deal with the soul-crushing traffic of International Drive or the I-4.
The downside? The walls are thin. You will hear the toilet flush in the room next to you. You will hear the excited 6-year-old running down the exterior walkway at 6:30 AM. Pack earplugs. Seriously.
Is "Preferred" Worth the Extra Cash?
When booking, you’ll see an option for a "Preferred Room." This usually costs an extra $25 to $40 per night.
Is it a scam? Not really. "Preferred" at this resort means you are in the 101 Dalmatians, Toy Story, or Fantasia buildings. These are the ones closest to the food, the lobby, and the buses. If you’ve spent 14 hours walking around Disney World, that extra 10-minute walk to the Mighty Ducks section feels like a marathon. If you have small kids or mobility issues, pay for the preferred room. If you’re young and trying to save every penny for churros, skip it.
The Competition: All-Star Movies vs. Pop Century
This is the big debate. Disney’s Pop Century Resort is usually only $20 or $30 more per night than Movies.
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Why would you choose Movies over Pop? Usually, it's the theme. Pop Century is "cool," but it doesn't have the literal Disney characters built into the architecture. If your kid is obsessed with Woody and Buzz, Pop Century feels generic by comparison. However, Pop Century has the Disney Skyliner—a gondola system that takes you to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
If you don't care about the Skyliner and you just want that classic, "in-your-face" Disney magic, stay at Movies.
Practical Insights for Your Stay
Before you click "book" on a stay at Disney All-Star Movies Resort, you need a game plan.
First, use the My Disney Experience app to do a mobile check-in. This allows you to bypass the front desk entirely. They’ll text you your room number when it’s ready, and you can unlock your door with your phone or a MagicBand. It saves so much time.
Second, consider the pool situation. The Fantasia Pool is the "feature" pool, meaning it has the fountain and the crowds. If you want a nap or a quiet swim, head over to the "Duck Pond" pool in the Mighty Ducks section. It’s shaped like a hockey rink and is almost always significantly emptier.
Third, the laundry situation. There are high-tech laundry rooms by the pools that actually let you check the status of your washers and dryers on your phone. If you’re doing a longer trip, this is a lifesaver. You can pack light and just do a load while the kids swim.
Final Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your time at the resort, you should:
- Download the My Disney Experience App and link your reservation immediately. This is how you'll order food at the food court to avoid the lines.
- Check the "Recreation Calendar" upon arrival at the lobby. It lists the movie schedules and any poolside activities like trivia or dance parties.
- Pack a portable power bank. While the rooms have plenty of plugs, the resort is big, and you’ll be using your phone for everything from maps to wait times.
- Order groceries via a delivery service like Instacart or Kroger. Having a case of water and some snacks in the room will save you $100 easily over a four-day stay, as Disney water bottles are pricey.
The Disney All-Star Movies Resort isn't luxury. It isn't quiet. But it is quintessential Disney. It’s a place where the floor-to-ceiling nostalgia makes up for the lack of a bellhop. If you go in knowing that it's a high-energy, high-theme environment designed for efficiency and fun, you’ll have a blast. Just remember to bring your walking shoes—those Dalmatians live further away from the bus stop than they look.