Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Disney's All Star Movies Resort

I'm getting really excited about my upcoming trip to Walt Disney World for the Princess Marathon Weekend which I am partaking in with my daughter and I'm especially EXCITED about staying at Disney's All Star Movies Resort - it's one of the VERY few I haven't stayed at yet! So here's what I know about where I'm staying - all information and MORE can be found here on the Fairytale Dreams and Destinations website:


Location
Animal Kingdom Resort Area
Category
Value Resort
Theme
Giant icons representing the best of Disney are found on each building.
Central Building
Cinema Hall has Registration, dining, shopping and the arcade.
Resort Layout
Each of the All-Star resorts are adjoining.  Each has a central 
Main Building, with pairs of room buildings showcasing aspects 
of that resorts theme.
Toy Story, Fantasia, Love Bug, 101 Dalmatians, Mighty Ducks

Facts & History

Opening Year
1999
History Four years after Music opened, the final phase of the All-Star Resort complex opened.  A bit of a departure from it's older siblings, All-Star Movies is represented entirely by Disney characters.  Because of this, it also happens to be the most popular of the All-Star resorts.
Design Arquitectonica of Miami designed Disney's All-Star Resorts to reflect a number of America's most popular pastimes.
Christmastime Cinema Hall is decorated with Movie-themed ornaments.

Types of rooms

Standard  
260 Sq ft.  2 Double beds, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, wall hooks.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
260 Sq ft.  King bed, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, wall hooks.
Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
Preferred


260 Sq ft.  2 Double beds, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, wall hooks.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
260 Sq ft.  King bed, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, wall hooks.
Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
Sports: Surf’s Up!
Music: Calypso
Movies: Toy Story, Fantasia & 101 Dalmatians
Handicapped
260 Sq ft.  King, Roll-in shower & toilet, single vanity, table with 2 chairs, dresser with TV, nightstand, wall hooks.  Also has refrigerator.
Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.

Exterior Hallways

Additional fee for each person over 2 people per room.  No charge for children under 17 staying with adults.

All Disney resorts are smoke free.  Smoking allowed in designated locations.



Room amenities

Hair dryer, in-wall safe, iron & board, TV with limited cable, alarm clock-radio and phone with voicemail.  Toiletries: facial soap, body soap, shampoo.
Mini-refrigerators available for a fee (except family suite)
High-speed internet for a fee
Crib and bed boards/rails available by request
Connecting rooms available.  Put in your request when booking your room; they are not guaranteed.
 
Registration

Check in
room guaranteed by 3:00pm
Check out
by 11:00am
Late check out
can be requested the night before check-out
Early arrival
Be sure to Check-in at the Registration desk upon arrival,  the room may be ready early, or at the very least they'll give a phone number you can call from any house phone in WDW to get you're room number - therefore you don’t have to go back to the registration desk.
Express Check out
Upon arrival you can leave a credit card on your room account.  It can then be used to make charges to your room during your stay.  And then, the morning you leave, an itemized bill will be on your door handle.  If there are any problems, then you can contact the Front Desk - otherwise you're all set and can leave without going back to Registration.
Magical Express
For those of you flying into Orlando Intl Airport, Disney is making it even easier to get to their World.  You’re given special tags to put on your luggage.  Then when you arrive in Orlando, just get on the Magical Express bus – they’ll take you to your resort to check in.  You go off and have fun, and you’re bags show up in your room later that day.  Before your departure, you'll get a letter saying when you should be at the lobby to check your bags and catch your bus to the airport.



What you get at check in
Resort Map: shows All-Star Movies & layout of the 3 All-Star resorts.
Resort ‘newsletter’, Legend, includes dining, shopping, and recreation info for the resort.  Also has other important resort information and phone numbers.
"Your Guide to the Magic" with dining, shopping, recreation and WDW property map
WDW Theme Park times Guide
Key to the World -- your room key not only opens your room, but is also your early entry ID, charge-to-room card, and perhaps your theme park ticket – Don’t Loose It
If you drove, then you’ll get a parking pass – use it or your room key to park for free at the theme parks, and also to get through the security gate back at your resort.
What to ask for
Wild About Safety coloring book for kids (or big kids)
Theme Park maps
Any special activities at the resort, or kids activities

Resort amenities

Lobby Concierge
Your source for tickets, dining priority seating, dinner shows, recreation reservations, fishing or fireworks cruises, and other information
Business Services
fax & other limited services through front desk
Bell Services
Luggage delivered to your room periodically during the day.  For check out, call the night before to schedule a pick up
Valet Parking
Not available at this resort
Airline Check-in
On the day of your flight you can print out your boarding passes for select airlines.  Located inside Registration lobby.
Laundry
Located by each pool; Fantasia & Duck Pond
Fitness Center
Not available at this resort
Salon
Not available at this resort
Child Care
Not at this resort.  Call "Kid's Night Out" 407-828-0920
Misc Services
ATM, Pre-paid phone cards, & postal box are located inside Cinema Hall.  Stamps for sale in Donald's Double Feature.
Wifi
Not available at this resort
Ice & Vending Machines
Located near the elevators in each building.
Wheelchair rental
As a guest of the resort, you can request a length-of-stay wheelchair rental.  A refundable deposit is given at Lobby Concierge and you are given use of a push-style wheelchair for the length of your stay.  Available on a first-come first-serve basis.
 
Recreation

Pools
Fantasia Pool and kiddie pool
Duck Pond Pool
Water Pop jets located by the Love Bug
Life jackets available free of charge.  Located at each pool.
Arcade
Reel Fun Arcade located in Cinema Hall
Rentals & Sports
Not available at this resort
Picnic tables located between Cinema Hall & Dalmations 1.  No smoking.
The Real Spot outdoor dining area outside Cinema Hall.
Playground
Located by building 9
Jogging trails

A sidewalk runs along Buena Vista Drive, past Blizzard Beach to Coronado Springs Resort.



Children’s activities
By Main Pool, inquire with pool staff.  Also at Music Resort.
Hair wraps
Located by Fantasia Pool.
Caricatures/ pressed penny machines
Available inside the lobby
Disney cartoons
Played in the lobby and food court dining room
Other Entertainment
 There is a hammock between the Fantasia Buildings - next to Donald & Daisy.

Dining

World Premiere
Food court; all the usual fair with nightly specials.  Located at Cinema Hall
Breakfast 6:30am-11am
Lunch & Dinner 11am-midnight
Silver Screen Spirits
Full bar; beer, wine & frozen drinks.  Located outside World Premiere.
11:00am - midnight
All Star Pizza Delivery
In room delivery service.  Pizza, snacks, deserts, drinks
4pm - midnight
Refillable Mug
Available for purchase and use at each food court

Shopping

Donald’s Double Feature
Each resort has its own shop with All Star logo merchandise and standard WDW souvenirs, clothes for all ages, nick-nacks, etc.  Food, drinks, and various sundries available.
Package Pick-up
Packages sent to the resort from the Theme Parks can be picked up at the designated counter inside Donald's Double Feature.


Transportation

Monorail
Not available at this resort.
Bus
Bus Stop located out front of Cinema Hall
Service to all Theme Parks, water parks and Downtown Disney
Boat
Not available at this resort.
Walkway
Sidewalk leaves All-Star Resorts and passes Blizzard Beach ending at Coronado Springs.



Pros
Simple, cheep rooms for when you’re only gonna do the parks
Movies is probably the nicest of the 3 All-Stars.  Cinema Hall is a bit larger, therefore more accommodating for the crowds.  The building decor and landscaping is also better.
The icons are lots of fun – you can spend time exploring each section of the resorts
Cons
Immensely popular, the buses are always crowded for these resorts.   And the bus stops are not covered. 
Rooms are the smallest Disney rooms.  Simple amenities, but for a simple, quick trip that may be all you need.
Only counter service is available for dining.



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