All Star Movies Resort Reopens in 2021
Today is shaping up to be one of those Walt Disney World news days. However, unlike most recent instances of this, the stories (thus far at least) are unequivocally positive.
Things started out with Walt Disney World releasing new 2021 discounts for the general public, Floridians, and Annual Passholders, with above-average savings for Winter and Spring 2021. Buried in that deal were details of another resort return.
Walt Disney World announced an opening date for another hotel: Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Not only is it coming back sooner than we expected, but it’s already available to book, and with discounted rates that amount to a silver screen steal!
This post will cover what you need to know about the return of the All Star Resorts, starting with the key detail: Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will reopen on February 9, 2021!
While we assumed that Movies would be first of the All Star Resorts to return, we frankly did not expect it so soon. The best-case scenario, in our view, was a reopening just in time for Spring Break and Easter 2021 with one more All Star Resort returning by October 2021. In our worst case scenario, All Star Movies returned for Christmas 2021.
Our fear was that Walt Disney World would keep the All Stars shuttered since the trio is so dependent upon youth sporting events held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, and that calendar has been decimated (at least right now) for the entirety of 2021.
Thankfully, that does not appear to be how things will play out!
All Star Movies is the logical choice because it’s the only one of the trio to complete the room redesign project prior to the closure of Walt Disney World.
As of March, work was entirely finished at All Star Movies and had yet to begin at All Star Sports. All Star Music was in progress, but we don’t know where things presently stand because this complex is closed off. We have no reason to believe that work has resumed, but who knows.
In case you missed it, these All Star room redesigns are akin to Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
We stayed in one of these new rooms at All Star Movies, which you can read about in our Photos & Video: Newly Reimagined Rooms at the All Star Resorts post. This is a huge upgrade from the previous design, which was more minor leagues than all-star caliber. Suffice to say, we’re fans.
That’s one big reason to book All Star Movies for Spring 2021.
Another is the price. During the Value Season, the Monday through Wednesday night rack rate at All Star Movies are $104 per night (see above). Unfortunately, the hotel won’t be open for much of the early Value Season, but this price point returns throughout the year.
This might sound like a lot, but there are a couple of things worth noting there. First, after discounts, this price is well under $100 per night ($72 per night is the best rate).
Second, because the discount has increased while rack rates have stayed flat, the overall prices are actually lower in 2021 than this year (and the resort won’t have any construction and presumably no youth sporting groups…two HUGE pluses!).
If you need additional “selling points” beyond the pricing, we have the Three Ds: Dining, Diving, and Ducks.
First, dining. World Premiere Food Court is surprisingly solid and offers great shakes and dinner specials. Obviously, this is not the epicenter of fine dining at Walt Disney World nor does it hold a candle to the undisputed champion of Value Resort food courts, Landscape of Flavors. However, it does have some tasty, comfort food meals at relatively reasonable prices.
If the food court isn’t good enough or is too pricey for you, it’s worth noting that the Newly-Rebuilt All Star McDonald’s is located just outside the All Star Resort Complex.
Unfortunately, All Star Movies is the farthest away from it, so it’s not within reasonable walking distance, but it is an incredibly convenient stop at the end of a long night if you’re driving.
Second, diving. Really this is the pools but I wanted to go with the catchy Three Ds.
The feature pool is the Fantasia pool, which is located directly behind the Cinema Hall lobby and food court, between the two Fantasia buildings. In my opinion, this is the best themed area at All Star Movies. To be honest, it might be the best-themed area at any of the All Star Resorts. It’s pretty cool.
Pools is a solid segue into our final D: DUCKS!!!
Here, we’re not talking about Donald’s Duck Dynasty at Disney World. We’re talking the Mighty Ducks. If you’re a child of the 1990s, you know what I’m talking about–one of the greatest films of our youth. If you’re sitting there in bewilderment or don’t get the iconic appeal of the Mighty Ducks, I’d very respectfully ask you to go get cultured. Arts education is important for everyone, and it’s never too late to start appreciating the finer things in life.
With that said, it wouldn’t be right to simply hype All Star Movies up without discussing its big downside: transportation. I’m not entirely sure whether to make a bigger or smaller deal about this than normal. With bus capacity limited and this being a bus-only resort, that could be a major headache.
However, Pop Century is already having issues with Skyliner capacity v. demand at rope drop, and that’s only going to be exacerbated once Art of Animation reopens. Consequently, we’re already recommending guests of those two resorts plan on driving or using Uber much of the time. We’ll likely end up recommending the same for All Star Movies, but there’s also an outside chance that bookings will be sufficiently low (especially on weekdays during winter and early spring) that the bus situation will actually be better at All Star Movies.
Regardless of all that, we’re excited that it’s returning so soon, and plan on booking one of those $72 nights early in 2021 to check things out for ourselves. We’ll keep you posted on developments with this and the other All Stars, and report back once we’ve done our stay at Movies!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited for the return of All Star Movies? Big fan of the Mighty Ducks, or do you hate things that are good and pure? What do you think of the new rooms at All Star Movies? What about the Fantasia pool or food court? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment and advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hi!
I’m staying at the all star movies resort in early April 🙂 Does anyone know if the food court is open?
Thanks!
Can anyone share the link for the resort rate calendar – like the screenshot shared in this article? I’ve searched for it online and on MDE and can’t find it. TIA!
So excited to get a reservation for a short stay here for 4 nights beginning opening day! Great rate for a refurbished room.
If you are an annual passholder at Disneyland can you receive a room reservation discount at a Walt Disney World hotel?
When it opens will the food court open too?
Hi Tom
Thanks for the heads up. I was able to switch to all star movies and saved three hundred dollars right away. There is very likely going to be a discount Coming up for September too.
It’s looking good! If covid disappeared all would be well.
I loved the Value Resorts and I have stayed at some time in almost all of the Disney hotels. ( The only resort I really didn’t like was AKL as it is too dark for me. I am hoping when they remodel they brighten the lights. It was depressing! ). But I really hate the new rooms with their one good bed and the drop down table-bed. I have slept on the table one 3 times in the past 2 years and they are yucky. Also the bare floors are cold and unwelcoming. But that said, I can hardly wait to go back to the ASM!! (By the way, the NBA players compared the deluxe resorts to Holiday Inn!)
So it seems like if you are staying at WDW in the near future, it’s best to drive to the parks….so much for that “staying in the bubble” premium (and we’ve stayed on site 4 of our 5 visits).
Pete: We just got back on Friday from a four night stay at BCV. We walked to Epcot, but did take a bus to AK and MK. We didn’t head to the parks until around noon each day and didn’t do many attractions (we mostly dined at the parks). The buses were mostly empty when they picked us up at the resort and mostly empty when we returned to the resort. The trip back to BCV from AK on our last full day, close to park closing time still got us a seat on the bus, but they were the last two seats on the bus.
I’ve been told that USA Field Hockey expects the Disney Showcase tournament scheduled for 1/29-2/1 to happen as planned, but haven’t seen official word from Disney.
I think that many people often look down on the Allstar resorts when they are actually what is advertised. A Value Resort. Family members and I have stayed there many times and have found them to be a great value when you plan on spending most of your time in the park. This value has been less so in recent years when compared to non disney resorts but more so when staying on property. I would much rather stay in one of the monorail resorts but, I would rather spend that money on eating at the better restaurants. I have divided feelings on the remodel. I dislike that that you lose the table if both beds are used. I need some place to put all the stuff my wife gets for scrapbooks. I also wish Disneys’ small fridges actually cooled. I also miss coming back to the room and finding towel art on the bed or in the window. I always find your opinions to be a great value and spot on.
I understand what you’re saying and I agree, they aren’t ghettos! BUT when you are trying to sleep after walking 12+ miles in the heat, crappy, small mattresses, mediocre HVAC, and way too much noise from inconsiderate people and the big gap under the door don’t make for a good experience. In the past, the advantages of being on actual Disney property offset some of the negatives. Not nearly so much these days. A $75 room is pretty attractive, compared to $200 at a moderate and I like your assessment of being able to spend more money on delicious food…
I’ll never fully get the snobbery leveled at the values. They aren’t luxury hotels but in the past, when on-site stays offered more value, they were typically priced right for what they offered, which was a motel with fun theming. They are certainly a much better value than the moderates which are still motels at their core and simply don’t offer enough over the values to justify their price. I can easily justify paying $100-$150 to stay in a motel, but paying upwards of $300+ to stay at a moderate, which is still a motel, seems crazy to me.
Have stayed at Values 3 of our 4 resort stays (including 2 of the 3 All Stars).
At the end of the day, it’s just a place to crash for the night (we tend to rope drop, take a mid day break, and go back to the parks).
I’ve thought the All-Stars were clearly not as good as Pop Century and Art of Animation, which I thought gave you more bang for the buck with their superior facilities and theming (respectively, in my opinion).
Now, with the better decor, the possibility of better transportation with the other All-Stars closed (and the smaller size than the other two closed), and the sheer audacity of $79 a night, I’d definitely consider ASMo once it opens.
Just got back yesterday from staying at Pop Century for first time. Lines for Skyliner were unbelievable for early morning to get to studios, we took Uber.. Bus lines going to magic kingdom early morning were very long, however only waited maybe 10 minutes, they were loading 2 buses at a time, and there was a long line of buses lined up to pick people up, very well organized. No line for Skyliner later in day. Stayed at all star music this past February before COVID started, had towel animals everyday, but I tip mousekeeping every day.
Lines early morning for rides were short, but by mid day got pretty long, but nothing like pre-Covid. We enjoyed the Cavalcades a lot, came through frequently. For us, Disney magic still there, just had to look at it differently, we knew what was missing and were ok with it. I know others are not, but going now is a choice, postponing is best for some.
I think that a lot of families will be glad to see Movies open up next year.
That IS good news! Signs of Disney upping capacity and relenting on the things keeping folks away, and confidence in the economy allowing more folks to travel, whether domestic or international. Maybe ole Bob has some inside info…
I’ve never stayed at A. S. Movies, but A.S.S. is my absolute last choice. That’s just a horribly overpriced Motel 6. Pop is great, stayed there a couple times. These AP prices are good though, and should entice people to stay. It shouldn’t cost more than $75 for a no-frills basic room. The new decor looks a lot nicer than A.S.S. which is a selling point too.
All- Star Sports. Best resort abbreviation in all of Walt Disney World. You can’t convince me I’m wrong.
Also, I’m 12.
In these trying times, we must take humor wherever we can find it!
Pop and all star movies have the exact same room. When I stayed at pop the doors would slam all day and night. All star movies seem like a smaller resort which I like better. I usually go solo so the amount of time spent in the room is to sleep. Cannot beat the price. Downside food court was the worst.
I’m trying to book this resort and its saying its still not open when I put in dates after February
Tom,
How do you access the monthly rate calendar that you screen shot?
Thanks Ed, I have the same question!