Back in December 2024, I was able to stay at the Disney All Star Sports Resort while on a short (48 hour) solo trip. Today, I thought I would share my thoughts on that experience.
Disney All Star Sports
Previously, I posted an All Star Resorts Overview with a brief look at each of the three themed value resorts. At the time, I had stayed at Music and Movies, but not sports. So, since I finally checked off Sports, I thought it was time to review them separately as well.
The Resort
Just a brief reminder, this is one of the three All Star Resorts on property. Each one is considered a “value resort” due to them typically offering the cheapest rates on property. They are each highly themed to their respective namesakes with big statues around the resorts to fit the theme. Unfortunately, a recent room refurbishment made each of the rooms identical and almost exactly the same as those found at Pop Century (murphy bed/table). However, the artwork is the same across the three All Star Resorts. So, the theming currently ends once you step inside the room.
All Star Sports has various sports themed sections around the resort. These include: baseball, basketball, football, surfing, and tennis. For my visit, I stayed in the tennis section. I enjoyed this because there’s a scene depicting Donald and the nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie) playing tennis/baseball outside! I love Donald Duck, so it was nice to see him as I came and went from the room.
The Room
As I stated above, the rooms across the All Star Resorts are now nearly identical. In fact, aside from different artwork, they are almost exactly the same as those found at Pop Century Resort. So, if you are expecting a unique room, then this isn’t the resort for you. However, they have all been recently refurbished and are in decent shape – especially for the price.
Just like at Pop Century, there’s one regular queen sized bed. Then, there’s a pull down bed that’s also a table when not in use. This was a fine set-up for my solo trip. However, it’s not ideal for trips with my mom when we both want a regular bed for a good’s night rest. I will definitely nap in the pull down bed or sleep a single night in them though.
All Star Sports Food
A quick note about the food here. Your only option at value resorts are the quick service food courts. However, I was happy with the food I ate from here. For dinner on arrival, I selected a grilled half chicken meal. The chicken was tasty and not dry. For sides, I got green beans and mashed potatoes. The green beans were ok and I liked the mashed potatoes.
For convenience, I also ate breakfast here on the day of my departure. I got a signature Mickey waffle breakfast. My waffle was classic and good. The scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and tots hit the spot and fueled me for hours! It was quick and relatively affordable by Disney standards.
Overall, you won’t find anything too exciting here. However, it’s great for when you are in a hurry to hit the road or theme park. Plus, it’s more affordable than some options in the parks.
Pros
- Cheaper rates – I have to list this as a pro. The All Star Resorts consistently have the lowest rates of on-site hotels. If budget is a big concern, then consider an All Star Resort.
- On-site perks – I love to stay on-site due to the free park transportation alone. It makes this solo female traveler feel safe. I also like the 60 days out dining perk.
- Fun theme – This is the perfect place to say for any sports fan. Although, I’m not a big sports fan and I enjoyed seeing Donald in the tennis section.
- Newly refurbished rooms – It’s a cheaper rate, but not necessarily a cheap feeling room.
- 1st Bus Stop – Sometimes, they combine the buses for the three All Star Resorts. If that’s the case, then Sports is the first stop! That’s pretty convenient when you come back late at night and are tired!
Cons
- Noise – I travel with a white noise machine to attempt to drown out some noise. However, I was still woken up by a crying child at 5 AM while staying here. So, don’t expect quiet privacy here. You will hear others and they will probably hear you.
- Popular with sports team and tour groups – Due to the lower rates, all three resorts are popular with tour groups. However, Sports is especially popular with sports groups, in particular those competing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Maybe keep an eye out for competitions to plan your trip around if you are staying here.
- Murphy bed – While I appreciate the use of space in the recent refurbishment, I would prefer two real beds for trips with my mom or longer trips.
- Buses can be crowded – Being the first stop can mean that you have to fight the crowd to actually exit the bus. Also, there can be long waits for said bus.
Is Disney All Star Sports Resort worth it?
I found the nightly rate here to be acceptable and it’s part of what encouraged me to book this trip. The room was adequate for a solo two night stay. The theme was cute. I appreciated the on-site perks. However, if I was going for a longer stay or going with family, I would probably opt for a resort with two real beds.
Have you ever stayed here? What was your experience like?
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