I be mindful the primary time I heard a frightening tale about Walt Disney International. I used to be a child, possibly round 10 years outdated, and my folks have been speaking with a circle of relatives staying on the new on-site price range hotels. That they had a laundry checklist of proceedings, however the only has caught with me for years since: the bathroom exploded.
Silly because it sounds, I imagined one thing just like the Hollywood Tower Resort, however with exploding bogs. The entirety I envisioned used to be virtually for sure unfaithful, however I used to be a child with a bright creativeness. What’s specifically anxious (no less than for me) is that I nonetheless be mindful this foolish dialog, however but I’ve 0 recollections of Horizons. Recollections will also be merciless.
This isn’t the one horror tale about Walt Disney International’s price range hotels I’ve heard through the years. When Sarah and I began returning as adults, there have been masses extra stories we have been informed concerning the overcrowded, grimy, poorly-maintained, low-quality hotels. We even had our personal unsightly studies all through Pop Warner and every other early life carrying tournament. It’s now not simply us. I’ve learn experiences and noticed questions about social media and on-line boards that necessarily ask: are Disney’s All Celebrity Hotels “excellent sufficient” for a circle of relatives on a decent price range touring to Walt Disney International?
Sure. That’s the solution to the titular query. Disney’s All Celebrity Hotels are completely good enough, at naked minimal. I’m now not going to bury the lede, make insinuations, or lead you to query whether or not the All Stars are enough, secure, frightening, subpar, and so on. The purpose of this submit in fact isn’t to forged doubt concerning the All Stars, however relatively, debunk a few of the ones ‘horror’ tales, and recast Walt Disney International’s “price range hotels” in a distinct mild. In different phrases, we’ll provide an explanation for why the All Stars aren’t simply “excellent sufficient,” however relatively, are in fact excellent.
As background, we’ve stayed at each and every unmarried one of the vital All Stars (Motion pictures, Sports activities, and Track) a couple of occasions in each the outdated and new rooms at each and every of the accommodations. This comprises 3 remains within the closing 12 months (circle of relatives suite as soon as; usual rooms two times), with yet one more reservation at the books going ahead and most likely every other this 12 months after that. Bluntly, I’d now not stay reserving a specific resort if it incessantly (and even from time to time) had exploding rest room incidents.
February 13, 2025 Replace: The power–or lack thereof–of heart magnificence households having the ability to do Walt Disney International on the cheap has turn into a scorching subject due to an exposé within the Wall Boulevard Magazine. (See Walt Disney International is Anxious About Its Prime Costs and Disney Responds to Emerging Prices Complaint.)
Within the latter of the ones two posts, we extolled the virtues of the All Stars, in short explaining how they provide unprecedented worth for cash. We prior to now made the case for them a pair years in the past on this submit, which I felt used to be price revisiting with a couple of new updates since issues have modified since then. And actually, the price proposition for the All Celebrity Hotels (and staying on-site, usually) has progressed since then.
With that during thoughts, let’s take this level via level and speak about the possible downside issues that Disney’s All Celebrity Hotels don’t in fact have, in conjunction with the strengths they do possess…
Repairs & Repairs
There used to be a time from the aughts proper up till the room overhaul started that the All Stars have been in tough form. Light decor throughout, woefully old-fashioned posters, and main points that had now not elderly neatly and have been wanting outright alternative.
As any individual who has in fact stayed in shady hotels round Orlando and Anaheim, I’d prevent neatly wanting calling the All Stars that, even at their lowest level. Actually sketchy hotels have an unsafe and unsettling high quality to them; the All Stars by no means had that. They simply have been less than Disney’s requirements.
That has modified within the closing 5 or so years. At the side of the room overhaul, not unusual spaces have been refreshed, outsized icons have been totally wiped clean and given a contemporary coat of paint, and the entirety seems crisper and nicer in consequence. There are nonetheless components of the accommodations which can be dated, however they’re little issues–small cues that the accommodations have been in-built a distinct generation, and now not primary elements of the houses.
In brief, upkeep and maintenance are actually each and every bit as excellent on the All Celebrity Hotels as different accommodations at Walt Disney International. There aren’t any noteworthy cleanliness factor, and to the level that anything else is dated, the similar form of factor exists just about each and every at Walt Disney International. One particular person’s dated element is every other’s nostalgia.
The outsized icons, external hallways, and common thematic taste of the All Stars are on no account for everybody, however “to not my tastes” is on no account the similar as “poorly maintained.” Personally, the maintenance is not any higher or worse on the All Stars on moderate than different accommodations at Walt Disney International.
High quality
Monorail loop and Crescent Lake house accommodations are greater high quality than the Worth Hotels. Irrespective of thematic tastes, it’s honest to mention the ones are a rung or two above the Worth Hotels. The ones being extra sumptuous or having a better sense of immersion isn’t actually in query. They actually have a higher set of facilities, indoor hallways, desk carrier eating places, and goal options which can be absent from the All Stars.
Any other not unusual previous criticism concerning the All Celebrity Hotels that you must report below “high quality” is crowds. It was the case that packed swimming pools, overstuffed meals courts all through height hours, heaps of other folks loitering across the not unusual spaces, chaotic lobbies, and large traces for the buses have been issues. We’ve skilled all of these items ourselves, so I do know they in fact took place and weren’t exaggerated.
We’ve encountered this downside much less and no more on the All Stars lately. It nonetheless most probably is an issue every now and then all through height and summer season seasons, or when the ESPN Vast International of Sports activities is webhosting a big cheer or dance tournament. (Seek the advice of the ESPN WWoS calendar earlier than reserving if it is a worry.) However I stayed not too long ago all through a type of occasions and used to be pleasantly shocked–crowds weren’t unhealthy, and the youngsters (and their folks) have been higher behaved than I anticipated.
Reimagined Rooms
We’ve now stayed within the reimagined rooms again and again (they’re just about the similar in any respect 3 All Stars), and feature 0 hesitations to go back. (See our Pictures & Video: Newly Reimagined Rooms on the All Celebrity Hotels.)
All of those new rooms on the All Stars are an enormous improve from the former design, which used to be extra minor leagues than all-star caliber. The practical enhancements are super, with quite a lot of space-saving upgrades that make the rooms really feel better. In addition they glance vibrant and ethereal, which is a pointy distinction to the old school.
We’ve discovered some diehard fanatics who’ve complained concerning the new rooms, and others who name them sterile and hospital-like. Respectfully, we expect that’s most commonly the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. To that time, I chatted with a supervisor at All Celebrity Sports activities concerning the lodge refurbishment all through a up to date keep. She informed me that with just one (1) exception, the comments from precise visitors at the new rooms at All Celebrity Sports activities has been universally certain. Around the board on the All Stars, visitor delight is up and Forged Individuals favor the brand new rooms, too.
Meals High quality
The meals courts on the All Stars are not anything particular. Suggesting in a different way would pressure credulity and forged my credibility into doubt. With that stated, they’ve all been refreshed within the closing 5 years or so, and usually are extra delightful than they as soon as have been.
I will not discuss to breakfast, because it’s been years since I’ve wasted my cash on powdered eggs and rubber bacon at a Walt Disney International meals court docket. (Except for ‘particular’ breakfasts, we do grocery supply and concentrate on culmination, greens, and different wholesome meals for our morning meal.)
On the other hand, I do assume dinner has progressed. Along with the stereotypical fare, those meals courts additionally serve up seared salmon, braised pork, beef loin, stir fry, and fried rooster. That’s higher than I be mindful the choices being a decade in the past, however nonetheless infrequently the top of WDW’s eating scene. Failing all of that, there’s the made over McDonald’s inside of strolling distance of the All Celebrity Hotels if you want a past due evening Filet-o-Fish repair.
Transportation
There used to be a time after we in-built the price of two to 3 taxi journeys with each and every keep on the All Stars, as bus traces over a undeniable period intended the waits can be unbearably lengthy. That used to be a few decade in the past–earlier than Uber and Lyft got here onto the scene. This used to be additionally at a time when shared transportation amongst all 3 All Stars used to be not unusual, even all through busier occasions.
We have now now not had this factor of past due with bus transportation any place at Walt Disney International. All over our most up-to-date remains on the All Stars, buses have been widespread and environment friendly, and the one explanation why pickup occasions have been ever misguided used to be when third-party Academy buses have been dispatched (the ones aren’t hooked up to the wait occasions gadget), which used to be extra like a “bonus bus” versus a real factor.
We’ve had 0 issues making Early Access or ready in lengthy traces when leaving the parks. Likewise, noon waits had been bearable, with out a long gaps or inconsistencies. The one caveat I’d be offering this is that we’ve by no means left all through the morning rope drop rush–our journeys are all the time to reach for Early Access or later within the morning. Likewise, we by no means depart all through the post-fireworks mass exodus. I’d consider buses are nonetheless packed all through the ones height occasions, similar to all the time.
Any other caveat is that body of reference issues. I’m evaluating transportation on the All Stars nowadays to the way it used to be up to now. Buses are extra environment friendly in 2025 than they have been in 2015. For those who’re new to Walt Disney International and trip each day all through the rope drop and park ultimate rushes, you can be stunned at simply how busy buses are. Likewise, in case you’re evaluating the All Stars of nowadays to Pop Century of nowadays, your belief will probably be other.
Visitor “High quality”
Few issues pressure me crazier than visitors passing judgment or casting aspersions on their fellow visitors at Walt Disney International. There’s a trust amongst positive folks that they’re “too excellent” for a Worth Lodge or need to keep at a dearer resort now not for any substantive causes, however in order that they aren’t round “decrease magnificence” visitors. This kind of sentiment or the concept Walt Disney International must be much more costly to value out “unwanted” visitors (those are all air quotes, via the way in which) is absolute nonsense at highest, and downright offensive at worst.
Cash does now not purchase magnificence. The other could also be true: a scarcity of cash does now not imply a scarcity of sophistication. Unhealthy conduct transcends source of revenue ranges, and if anything else, there’s a instantly line between greater costs and extra entitled visitors. Past that, whose position is it to move judgment at the operating magnificence circle of relatives that skimped and stored to come up with the money for a ceremony of passage shuttle for his or her children to Walt Disney International, however may just solely come up with the money for the All Stars? Are they any further or much less ‘worthy’ than the center magnificence folks who maxed out their bank cards to stick on the Grand Floridian?
This complete dialog makes me uncomfortable, but it surely’s however price addressing as a result of I’ve heard a variety of derogatory phrases to explain the All Stars and their intended clientele. It’s all BS. There is not any subject matter distinction within the nature of visitors at any of the accommodations. I’ve witnessed obnoxious and drunken conduct into bankruptcy other folks on the Yacht Membership and Gran Destino Tower, and feature loved completely non violent remains on the All Stars. To make certain, the decibel degree is greater when those accommodations are webhosting early life occasions, but it surely’s imaginable to get fortunate or unfortunate with visitors behaving badly at any of the accommodations. Persons are alike in all places.
On-Web page Perks
There are numerous on-site perks for visitors staying in Walt Disney International lodge accommodations. The entirety from the Disney Eating Plan to on-site reserving home windows for Advance Eating Reservations to loose parking and extra. We’re now not going to run thru all of that, as that is already lengthy and we now have a separate information to Staying Off-site vs. On-site at Walt Disney International.
Suffice to mention, the advantages that we view as Most worthy, particularly from a cost-conscious viewpoint, are those who prevent time ready in line. There’s Early Access, which is the 30 minute head-start earlier than off-site visitors can rope drop each and every of the parks. That is no treasured in all 4 parks due to TRON Lightcycle Run switching to standby. As we’ve stated earlier than, we expect many fanatics actually underestimate the price of Early Access. I adore it, and generally favor Early Access plus savvy standby technique and staying past due to paid FastPass.
The most obvious downside with staying off-site is that you can not do Early Access. Your highest case state of affairs is arriving for rope drop, which nearly forces your hand to shop for Lightning Lane Multi-Go (LLMP) if you need a extremely productive day. The issue there, although, is that off-site visitors also are at a drawback with LLMP because of the on-site reserving window!
As mentioned in Most sensible 10 Pointers & Methods for Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney International in 2025, lots of the preferred Lightning Lanes are completely long past by the point off-site visitors can e-book them. The secret’s that greatest perk of staying on-site, together with on the All Stars, is saving time ready in line…and basically.
Worth for Cash
A state of affairs we’ve now skilled a couple of occasions, which is in fact what precipitated this complete submit, is discovering that similar off-site accommodations can’t compete with the All Stars on all-in charge. In pricing out resort choices, we’ve discovered the least-expensive accommodations within the Flamingo Crossings or Disney Springs spaces are $115/evening, with the suites we adore all costing over $150/evening. Respectable off-site lodging are no less than $100/evening. To make certain, there are inexpensive choices, however nowhere we need to keep.
In contrast, All Celebrity Motion pictures has a median charge of $121/evening with an Annual Passholder bargain. The typical vacationer isn’t an Annual Passholder, however even common public room-only reductions solely building up the price to $128/evening. That’s nonetheless just a $13/evening surcharge over the choices at Flamingo Crossings or Disney Springs, however charge is now not the similar as worth for cash.
Whilst you keep off-site, you’re paying for most likely transportation to and from the parks. That implies renting a automobile and paying for parking (doubtlessly at each your third-party resort and the parks) or the usage of rideshare. The latter is generally the inexpensive possibility, and we’d be the usage of Uber or Lyft two times in line with day at a median charge of no less than $15 in line with shuttle. That still method no noon naps!
That on my own makes the All Stars extra cheap, and it’s earlier than even accounting for Early Access or different perks. I’d additionally upload the whimsical lodge grounds and amusing swimming pools as strengths of the All Stars. Much more subjective and in all probability arguable, however I additionally favor the brand new usual rooms on the All Stars to maximum of the ones at Disney Springs or Flamingo Crossings, and I’d additionally relatively use the Disney buses relatively than Uber or Lyft (particularly from Flamingo Crossings, the place pickup occasions are steadily long).
To be honest, this glosses over so much introduced via 1/3 get together accommodations. This comprises the entirety from desk carrier eating choices to resort loyalty rewards to loose breakfasts and most likely a lot more. Nonetheless, if the price of a regular room at a 3rd get together resort is $30 or much less in line with evening than the most affordable Worth Lodge, I’m reserving one of the vital All Stars each and every unmarried time. The price of transportation makes them equivalent, and all else thought to be, I’ll take the All Stars on steadiness. That’s simply me, although.
All Stars vs. Pop Century
The comparability the place issues get trickier for me is the All Stars vs. Pop Century. The cost hole between those can range, however I’ve incessantly discovered it to be about $30 to $50 in line with evening after reductions. For a similar dates because the above comparability, it’s a $40/evening distinction.
For us, the important thing distinction between the All Stars and Pop Century is the Skyliner. The gondolas are a game-changer for us, and we’ve prior to now long past so far as to mention that we favor the Skyliner to the monorails (out of doors of hurricane season). Worth is within the eye of the beholder, however having Skyliner get right of entry to to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is completely price $40/evening to us.
The Skyliner makes Early Access more uncomplicated and extra predictable (on the two parks the place I feel it’s Most worthy), facilitates noon breaks (from the only park the place they’re Most worthy), and makes it easy to do a pleasant breakfast or dinner at a number of other accommodations.
In truth, I feel Walt Disney International fanatics take as a right simply how spectacular and extraordinary it’s for Worth Hotels to have get right of entry to to this type of streamlined transportation possibility. Gondolas are nonetheless a rarity in the USA, or even the place they’re extra not unusual, they’re dear to make use of. Are there another budget-friendly accommodations that provide novel transportation?
In the long run, the solution to the titular query is an emphatic sure…as established via the fourth paragraph of the submit and strengthened with the concrete and tangible examples of ways the All Celebrity Hotels have progressed. Bus transportation, rooms, upkeep, and extra have all progressed via leaps and limits within the closing a number of years on the All Stars.
That units the degree for what’s virtually a wholly separate query, which is whether or not the All Celebrity Hotels are aggressive relating to bang for dollar. Regardless of their costs having long past up significantly from the halcyon days all through the Nice Recession when rooms have been incessantly below $80/evening (I swear they have been $49 at one level), so too have just about all accommodations round Central Florida.
For the reason that and the enhanced high quality of the rooms, transportation, on-site visitor perks, and general revel in on the All Stars, I feel a compelling case will also be made for plenty of events to make a choice the All Stars over off-site lodging. That’s with out even addressing the emotional and subjective facet of items–that emotional pull to be within the Disney Bubble.
After all, there’s the comparability to Pop Century, that different (common) Worth Lodge at Walt Disney International. That is the purpose at which the comparability turns much less favorable, and the place I feel Pop Century’s top rate pricing is justified. After all, cheap minds would possibly fluctuate at the worth added via the Skyliner (or any of the quite a lot of variables mentioned–and even overpassed–right here).
With all of that stated, we come complete circle to the query of the name. For those who’re a frugal traveler short of to get the “complete” Walt Disney International revel in however not able to splurge or spend further on Pop Century or every other higher-tier lodge, the most affordable accommodations on-site are in fact excellent. They’re now not my first and even 15th selection amongst on-site lodging I’d make a choice at Walt Disney International if cash have been no factor, however I don’t to find myself incessantly profitable the lottery, so worth does subject to me. I additionally don’t really feel like I’m compromising at the high quality of my general revel in when staying on the All Stars. If I did, I wouldn’t stay reserving them!
Making plans a Walt Disney International shuttle? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney International Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Evaluations. To economize on tickets or resolve which kind to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to start out is our Walt Disney International Shuttle Making plans Information for the entirety you want to grasp!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever stayed at any of the All Celebrity Hotels in the previous few years? What did you call to mind the standard? What concerning the resort(s) as a complete? How do you assume those choices examine to 3rd get together or off-site lodging? What about relative to Pop Century or higher-tier accommodations at Walt Disney International? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluate that the All Stars are in fact excellent resort choices for the ones short of to be within the Disney bubble? Listening to your comments about your studies is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas or questions underneath within the feedback!
I be mindful the primary time I heard a frightening tale about Walt Disney International. I used to be a child, possibly round 10 years outdated, and my folks have been speaking with a circle of relatives staying on the new on-site price range hotels. That they had a laundry checklist of proceedings, however the only has caught with me for years since: the bathroom exploded.
Silly because it sounds, I imagined one thing just like the Hollywood Tower Resort, however with exploding bogs. The entirety I envisioned used to be virtually for sure unfaithful, however I used to be a child with a bright creativeness. What’s specifically anxious (no less than for me) is that I nonetheless be mindful this foolish dialog, however but I’ve 0 recollections of Horizons. Recollections will also be merciless.
This isn’t the one horror tale about Walt Disney International’s price range hotels I’ve heard through the years. When Sarah and I began returning as adults, there have been masses extra stories we have been informed concerning the overcrowded, grimy, poorly-maintained, low-quality hotels. We even had our personal unsightly studies all through Pop Warner and every other early life carrying tournament. It’s now not simply us. I’ve learn experiences and noticed questions about social media and on-line boards that necessarily ask: are Disney’s All Celebrity Hotels “excellent sufficient” for a circle of relatives on a decent price range touring to Walt Disney International?
Sure. That’s the solution to the titular query. Disney’s All Celebrity Hotels are completely good enough, at naked minimal. I’m now not going to bury the lede, make insinuations, or lead you to query whether or not the All Stars are enough, secure, frightening, subpar, and so on. The purpose of this submit in fact isn’t to forged doubt concerning the All Stars, however relatively, debunk a few of the ones ‘horror’ tales, and recast Walt Disney International’s “price range hotels” in a distinct mild. In different phrases, we’ll provide an explanation for why the All Stars aren’t simply “excellent sufficient,” however relatively, are in fact excellent.
As background, we’ve stayed at each and every unmarried one of the vital All Stars (Motion pictures, Sports activities, and Track) a couple of occasions in each the outdated and new rooms at each and every of the accommodations. This comprises 3 remains within the closing 12 months (circle of relatives suite as soon as; usual rooms two times), with yet one more reservation at the books going ahead and most likely every other this 12 months after that. Bluntly, I’d now not stay reserving a specific resort if it incessantly (and even from time to time) had exploding rest room incidents.
February 13, 2025 Replace: The power–or lack thereof–of heart magnificence households having the ability to do Walt Disney International on the cheap has turn into a scorching subject due to an exposé within the Wall Boulevard Magazine. (See Walt Disney International is Anxious About Its Prime Costs and Disney Responds to Emerging Prices Complaint.)
Within the latter of the ones two posts, we extolled the virtues of the All Stars, in short explaining how they provide unprecedented worth for cash. We prior to now made the case for them a pair years in the past on this submit, which I felt used to be price revisiting with a couple of new updates since issues have modified since then. And actually, the price proposition for the All Celebrity Hotels (and staying on-site, usually) has progressed since then.
With that during thoughts, let’s take this level via level and speak about the possible downside issues that Disney’s All Celebrity Hotels don’t in fact have, in conjunction with the strengths they do possess…
Repairs & Repairs
There used to be a time from the aughts proper up till the room overhaul started that the All Stars have been in tough form. Light decor throughout, woefully old-fashioned posters, and main points that had now not elderly neatly and have been wanting outright alternative.
As any individual who has in fact stayed in shady hotels round Orlando and Anaheim, I’d prevent neatly wanting calling the All Stars that, even at their lowest level. Actually sketchy hotels have an unsafe and unsettling high quality to them; the All Stars by no means had that. They simply have been less than Disney’s requirements.
That has modified within the closing 5 or so years. At the side of the room overhaul, not unusual spaces have been refreshed, outsized icons have been totally wiped clean and given a contemporary coat of paint, and the entirety seems crisper and nicer in consequence. There are nonetheless components of the accommodations which can be dated, however they’re little issues–small cues that the accommodations have been in-built a distinct generation, and now not primary elements of the houses.
In brief, upkeep and maintenance are actually each and every bit as excellent on the All Celebrity Hotels as different accommodations at Walt Disney International. There aren’t any noteworthy cleanliness factor, and to the level that anything else is dated, the similar form of factor exists just about each and every at Walt Disney International. One particular person’s dated element is every other’s nostalgia.
The outsized icons, external hallways, and common thematic taste of the All Stars are on no account for everybody, however “to not my tastes” is on no account the similar as “poorly maintained.” Personally, the maintenance is not any higher or worse on the All Stars on moderate than different accommodations at Walt Disney International.
High quality
Monorail loop and Crescent Lake house accommodations are greater high quality than the Worth Hotels. Irrespective of thematic tastes, it’s honest to mention the ones are a rung or two above the Worth Hotels. The ones being extra sumptuous or having a better sense of immersion isn’t actually in query. They actually have a higher set of facilities, indoor hallways, desk carrier eating places, and goal options which can be absent from the All Stars.
Any other not unusual previous criticism concerning the All Celebrity Hotels that you must report below “high quality” is crowds. It was the case that packed swimming pools, overstuffed meals courts all through height hours, heaps of other folks loitering across the not unusual spaces, chaotic lobbies, and large traces for the buses have been issues. We’ve skilled all of these items ourselves, so I do know they in fact took place and weren’t exaggerated.
We’ve encountered this downside much less and no more on the All Stars lately. It nonetheless most probably is an issue every now and then all through height and summer season seasons, or when the ESPN Vast International of Sports activities is webhosting a big cheer or dance tournament. (Seek the advice of the ESPN WWoS calendar earlier than reserving if it is a worry.) However I stayed not too long ago all through a type of occasions and used to be pleasantly shocked–crowds weren’t unhealthy, and the youngsters (and their folks) have been higher behaved than I anticipated.
Reimagined Rooms
We’ve now stayed within the reimagined rooms again and again (they’re just about the similar in any respect 3 All Stars), and feature 0 hesitations to go back. (See our Pictures & Video: Newly Reimagined Rooms on the All Celebrity Hotels.)
All of those new rooms on the All Stars are an enormous improve from the former design, which used to be extra minor leagues than all-star caliber. The practical enhancements are super, with quite a lot of space-saving upgrades that make the rooms really feel better. In addition they glance vibrant and ethereal, which is a pointy distinction to the old school.
We’ve discovered some diehard fanatics who’ve complained concerning the new rooms, and others who name them sterile and hospital-like. Respectfully, we expect that’s most commonly the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. To that time, I chatted with a supervisor at All Celebrity Sports activities concerning the lodge refurbishment all through a up to date keep. She informed me that with just one (1) exception, the comments from precise visitors at the new rooms at All Celebrity Sports activities has been universally certain. Around the board on the All Stars, visitor delight is up and Forged Individuals favor the brand new rooms, too.
Meals High quality
The meals courts on the All Stars are not anything particular. Suggesting in a different way would pressure credulity and forged my credibility into doubt. With that stated, they’ve all been refreshed within the closing 5 years or so, and usually are extra delightful than they as soon as have been.
I will not discuss to breakfast, because it’s been years since I’ve wasted my cash on powdered eggs and rubber bacon at a Walt Disney International meals court docket. (Except for ‘particular’ breakfasts, we do grocery supply and concentrate on culmination, greens, and different wholesome meals for our morning meal.)
On the other hand, I do assume dinner has progressed. Along with the stereotypical fare, those meals courts additionally serve up seared salmon, braised pork, beef loin, stir fry, and fried rooster. That’s higher than I be mindful the choices being a decade in the past, however nonetheless infrequently the top of WDW’s eating scene. Failing all of that, there’s the made over McDonald’s inside of strolling distance of the All Celebrity Hotels if you want a past due evening Filet-o-Fish repair.
Transportation
There used to be a time after we in-built the price of two to 3 taxi journeys with each and every keep on the All Stars, as bus traces over a undeniable period intended the waits can be unbearably lengthy. That used to be a few decade in the past–earlier than Uber and Lyft got here onto the scene. This used to be additionally at a time when shared transportation amongst all 3 All Stars used to be not unusual, even all through busier occasions.
We have now now not had this factor of past due with bus transportation any place at Walt Disney International. All over our most up-to-date remains on the All Stars, buses have been widespread and environment friendly, and the one explanation why pickup occasions have been ever misguided used to be when third-party Academy buses have been dispatched (the ones aren’t hooked up to the wait occasions gadget), which used to be extra like a “bonus bus” versus a real factor.
We’ve had 0 issues making Early Access or ready in lengthy traces when leaving the parks. Likewise, noon waits had been bearable, with out a long gaps or inconsistencies. The one caveat I’d be offering this is that we’ve by no means left all through the morning rope drop rush–our journeys are all the time to reach for Early Access or later within the morning. Likewise, we by no means depart all through the post-fireworks mass exodus. I’d consider buses are nonetheless packed all through the ones height occasions, similar to all the time.
Any other caveat is that body of reference issues. I’m evaluating transportation on the All Stars nowadays to the way it used to be up to now. Buses are extra environment friendly in 2025 than they have been in 2015. For those who’re new to Walt Disney International and trip each day all through the rope drop and park ultimate rushes, you can be stunned at simply how busy buses are. Likewise, in case you’re evaluating the All Stars of nowadays to Pop Century of nowadays, your belief will probably be other.
Visitor “High quality”
Few issues pressure me crazier than visitors passing judgment or casting aspersions on their fellow visitors at Walt Disney International. There’s a trust amongst positive folks that they’re “too excellent” for a Worth Lodge or need to keep at a dearer resort now not for any substantive causes, however in order that they aren’t round “decrease magnificence” visitors. This kind of sentiment or the concept Walt Disney International must be much more costly to value out “unwanted” visitors (those are all air quotes, via the way in which) is absolute nonsense at highest, and downright offensive at worst.
Cash does now not purchase magnificence. The other could also be true: a scarcity of cash does now not imply a scarcity of sophistication. Unhealthy conduct transcends source of revenue ranges, and if anything else, there’s a instantly line between greater costs and extra entitled visitors. Past that, whose position is it to move judgment at the operating magnificence circle of relatives that skimped and stored to come up with the money for a ceremony of passage shuttle for his or her children to Walt Disney International, however may just solely come up with the money for the All Stars? Are they any further or much less ‘worthy’ than the center magnificence folks who maxed out their bank cards to stick on the Grand Floridian?
This complete dialog makes me uncomfortable, but it surely’s however price addressing as a result of I’ve heard a variety of derogatory phrases to explain the All Stars and their intended clientele. It’s all BS. There is not any subject matter distinction within the nature of visitors at any of the accommodations. I’ve witnessed obnoxious and drunken conduct into bankruptcy other folks on the Yacht Membership and Gran Destino Tower, and feature loved completely non violent remains on the All Stars. To make certain, the decibel degree is greater when those accommodations are webhosting early life occasions, but it surely’s imaginable to get fortunate or unfortunate with visitors behaving badly at any of the accommodations. Persons are alike in all places.
On-Web page Perks
There are numerous on-site perks for visitors staying in Walt Disney International lodge accommodations. The entirety from the Disney Eating Plan to on-site reserving home windows for Advance Eating Reservations to loose parking and extra. We’re now not going to run thru all of that, as that is already lengthy and we now have a separate information to Staying Off-site vs. On-site at Walt Disney International.
Suffice to mention, the advantages that we view as Most worthy, particularly from a cost-conscious viewpoint, are those who prevent time ready in line. There’s Early Access, which is the 30 minute head-start earlier than off-site visitors can rope drop each and every of the parks. That is no treasured in all 4 parks due to TRON Lightcycle Run switching to standby. As we’ve stated earlier than, we expect many fanatics actually underestimate the price of Early Access. I adore it, and generally favor Early Access plus savvy standby technique and staying past due to paid FastPass.
The most obvious downside with staying off-site is that you can not do Early Access. Your highest case state of affairs is arriving for rope drop, which nearly forces your hand to shop for Lightning Lane Multi-Go (LLMP) if you need a extremely productive day. The issue there, although, is that off-site visitors also are at a drawback with LLMP because of the on-site reserving window!
As mentioned in Most sensible 10 Pointers & Methods for Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney International in 2025, lots of the preferred Lightning Lanes are completely long past by the point off-site visitors can e-book them. The secret’s that greatest perk of staying on-site, together with on the All Stars, is saving time ready in line…and basically.
Worth for Cash
A state of affairs we’ve now skilled a couple of occasions, which is in fact what precipitated this complete submit, is discovering that similar off-site accommodations can’t compete with the All Stars on all-in charge. In pricing out resort choices, we’ve discovered the least-expensive accommodations within the Flamingo Crossings or Disney Springs spaces are $115/evening, with the suites we adore all costing over $150/evening. Respectable off-site lodging are no less than $100/evening. To make certain, there are inexpensive choices, however nowhere we need to keep.
In contrast, All Celebrity Motion pictures has a median charge of $121/evening with an Annual Passholder bargain. The typical vacationer isn’t an Annual Passholder, however even common public room-only reductions solely building up the price to $128/evening. That’s nonetheless just a $13/evening surcharge over the choices at Flamingo Crossings or Disney Springs, however charge is now not the similar as worth for cash.
Whilst you keep off-site, you’re paying for most likely transportation to and from the parks. That implies renting a automobile and paying for parking (doubtlessly at each your third-party resort and the parks) or the usage of rideshare. The latter is generally the inexpensive possibility, and we’d be the usage of Uber or Lyft two times in line with day at a median charge of no less than $15 in line with shuttle. That still method no noon naps!
That on my own makes the All Stars extra cheap, and it’s earlier than even accounting for Early Access or different perks. I’d additionally upload the whimsical lodge grounds and amusing swimming pools as strengths of the All Stars. Much more subjective and in all probability arguable, however I additionally favor the brand new usual rooms on the All Stars to maximum of the ones at Disney Springs or Flamingo Crossings, and I’d additionally relatively use the Disney buses relatively than Uber or Lyft (particularly from Flamingo Crossings, the place pickup occasions are steadily long).
To be honest, this glosses over so much introduced via 1/3 get together accommodations. This comprises the entirety from desk carrier eating choices to resort loyalty rewards to loose breakfasts and most likely a lot more. Nonetheless, if the price of a regular room at a 3rd get together resort is $30 or much less in line with evening than the most affordable Worth Lodge, I’m reserving one of the vital All Stars each and every unmarried time. The price of transportation makes them equivalent, and all else thought to be, I’ll take the All Stars on steadiness. That’s simply me, although.
All Stars vs. Pop Century
The comparability the place issues get trickier for me is the All Stars vs. Pop Century. The cost hole between those can range, however I’ve incessantly discovered it to be about $30 to $50 in line with evening after reductions. For a similar dates because the above comparability, it’s a $40/evening distinction.
For us, the important thing distinction between the All Stars and Pop Century is the Skyliner. The gondolas are a game-changer for us, and we’ve prior to now long past so far as to mention that we favor the Skyliner to the monorails (out of doors of hurricane season). Worth is within the eye of the beholder, however having Skyliner get right of entry to to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is completely price $40/evening to us.
The Skyliner makes Early Access more uncomplicated and extra predictable (on the two parks the place I feel it’s Most worthy), facilitates noon breaks (from the only park the place they’re Most worthy), and makes it easy to do a pleasant breakfast or dinner at a number of other accommodations.
In truth, I feel Walt Disney International fanatics take as a right simply how spectacular and extraordinary it’s for Worth Hotels to have get right of entry to to this type of streamlined transportation possibility. Gondolas are nonetheless a rarity in the USA, or even the place they’re extra not unusual, they’re dear to make use of. Are there another budget-friendly accommodations that provide novel transportation?
In the long run, the solution to the titular query is an emphatic sure…as established via the fourth paragraph of the submit and strengthened with the concrete and tangible examples of ways the All Celebrity Hotels have progressed. Bus transportation, rooms, upkeep, and extra have all progressed via leaps and limits within the closing a number of years on the All Stars.
That units the degree for what’s virtually a wholly separate query, which is whether or not the All Celebrity Hotels are aggressive relating to bang for dollar. Regardless of their costs having long past up significantly from the halcyon days all through the Nice Recession when rooms have been incessantly below $80/evening (I swear they have been $49 at one level), so too have just about all accommodations round Central Florida.
For the reason that and the enhanced high quality of the rooms, transportation, on-site visitor perks, and general revel in on the All Stars, I feel a compelling case will also be made for plenty of events to make a choice the All Stars over off-site lodging. That’s with out even addressing the emotional and subjective facet of items–that emotional pull to be within the Disney Bubble.
After all, there’s the comparability to Pop Century, that different (common) Worth Lodge at Walt Disney International. That is the purpose at which the comparability turns much less favorable, and the place I feel Pop Century’s top rate pricing is justified. After all, cheap minds would possibly fluctuate at the worth added via the Skyliner (or any of the quite a lot of variables mentioned–and even overpassed–right here).
With all of that stated, we come complete circle to the query of the name. For those who’re a frugal traveler short of to get the “complete” Walt Disney International revel in however not able to splurge or spend further on Pop Century or every other higher-tier lodge, the most affordable accommodations on-site are in fact excellent. They’re now not my first and even 15th selection amongst on-site lodging I’d make a choice at Walt Disney International if cash have been no factor, however I don’t to find myself incessantly profitable the lottery, so worth does subject to me. I additionally don’t really feel like I’m compromising at the high quality of my general revel in when staying on the All Stars. If I did, I wouldn’t stay reserving them!
Making plans a Walt Disney International shuttle? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney International Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Evaluations. To economize on tickets or resolve which kind to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to start out is our Walt Disney International Shuttle Making plans Information for the entirety you want to grasp!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever stayed at any of the All Celebrity Hotels in the previous few years? What did you call to mind the standard? What concerning the resort(s) as a complete? How do you assume those choices examine to 3rd get together or off-site lodging? What about relative to Pop Century or higher-tier accommodations at Walt Disney International? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluate that the All Stars are in fact excellent resort choices for the ones short of to be within the Disney bubble? Listening to your comments about your studies is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas or questions underneath within the feedback!
