Let's be real for a second. If you’re looking for high-end luxury, marble bathrooms, and a quiet lobby where you can hear a pin drop, Disney All Star Sports Resort Orlando is going to be your worst nightmare. It’s loud. It’s colorful. It is unapologetically "Disney" in that over-the-top, giant-iconography sort of way. But for a specific kind of traveler, this place is basically the holy grail of value.
I’ve spent enough time wandering the "Value" tier of Disney properties to know that people usually have a love-hate relationship with the All-Stars. Most folks choose this spot because it's the cheapest way to stay "on-property," which gives you those sweet perks like Early Theme Park Entry. That extra 30 minutes in the parks might not sound like much, but it’s the difference between walking onto Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and waiting two hours in the Florida humidity.
The Vibe Check at All Star Sports
Walking into the Stadium Hall lobby feels like stepping into a time capsule of 90s sports nostalgia. You’ve got giant surfboards, football helmets the size of small houses, and a food court that smells perpetually like Mickey waffles. It’s a vibe.
Is it sophisticated? Absolutely not.
Is it functional for a family of four who just wants a bed after walking 12 miles at Epcot? Totally. The resort is split into five distinct themes: football, baseball, basketball, tennis, and surfing. Honestly, the Touchdown! section (football) is usually the fan favorite because it’s closest to the food and buses. If you get stuck out in the Homerun Hotel area, prepare for a hike. It’s a bit of a trek when your feet are already screaming at you.
One thing people get wrong is thinking all the Value resorts are the same. They aren’t. While All Star Sports shares a lot with Music and Movies, it often feels like the "youngest" sibling. It was the first one built, opening back in 1994, and it definitely has that specific energy. You’ll see a lot of youth sports teams here during competition season—Pop Warner or cheerleading championships—which means the noise levels can hit "stadium crowd" volumes pretty fast.
What the Rooms are Actually Like Now
Thankfully, Disney finally finished the massive room overhauls a while back. Gone are the dusty floral bedspreads and the carpet that felt like it had seen too much. The new rooms at Disney All Star Sports Resort Orlando are actually sleek.
They use a Murphy bed system. Basically, you have one permanent Queen bed and one table that flips down into a second Queen. This is a game-changer for space. When the bed is up, you actually have room to move around without tripping over your luggage. The floors are hard surface now, too, which feels way cleaner.
The bathrooms are tight. There’s no sugarcoating it. It’s a one-person-at-a-time situation. But they did add plenty of cubbies and hooks, which shows someone at Disney actually thought about how people live in these rooms.
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A Quick Breakdown of Room Amenities:
- Mini-fridge: Small, but fits a half-gallon of milk and some water bottles.
- Cofee Maker: It’s a Cuisinart single-cup pod style. It does the job, but it won’t win any barista awards.
- Storage: Plenty of under-bed storage for suitcases. This is huge.
- Outlets: They went overboard with USB ports and plugs. You won’t be fighting your kids for a charging spot.
The Bus Situation and Transportation Logistics
This is where the rubber meets the road. All Star Sports is tucked away in the Animal Kingdom resort area. You are physically close to Blizzard Beach and Animal Kingdom, but you’re a haul from Magic Kingdom.
Buses are your only "free" option.
There’s a persistent myth that the All Star resorts always share a bus. Sometimes they do, particularly in the middle of the afternoon when it’s slow. But during the morning rush and park close, Sports usually has its own dedicated line. Pro tip: Since Sports is the first stop on the loop if they are sharing, you’re almost guaranteed a seat while the people at Music and Movies have to stand. Small wins.
If the bus line looks like a nightmare—and at 8:00 AM, it might—just call a Minnie Van or a standard rideshare. It’ll cost you twenty bucks, but it’ll save your sanity.
Eating at the End Zone Food Court
Don't expect fine dining. This is "fuel" territory. The End Zone Food Court is basically a massive cafeteria. You’ve got the classics: chicken tenders, burgers, pizza, and the aforementioned Mickey waffles.
They’ve leaned heavily into Mobile Order via the My Disney Experience app. Use it. Seriously. Don't stand in the physical line like a chump while everyone else just walks up to the "Pickup" window.
Interestingly, the food court has some of the best "secret" values on property. The large pepperoni pizza is actually decent and can feed a family of four for way less than individual entrees. Also, the refillable mugs are a must if you plan on spending any time at the pool. You pay one flat fee and get unlimited soda, coffee, and tea for your entire stay.
The Pool Scene: Surf’s Up!
The main pool is the Surf’s Up! pool. It’s huge. It’s surrounded by giant fins. It is also incredibly loud because there’s almost always a "Pool Party" with a DJ playing Disney hits at 2:00 PM.
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If you want something quieter, head over to the Grand Slam pool in the baseball section. It’s shaped like a diamond and usually sees way less foot traffic. Go there if you actually want to read a book.
Wait. One thing.
None of the pools at All Star Sports have slides. If you want a pool slide, you have to upgrade to a Moderate resort like Coronado Springs or Caribbean Beach. It’s a small detail that matters if you have kids who live for the "big splash."
Is the "Value" Actually a Value?
Let’s talk numbers. You can often find rooms here for under $160 a night depending on the season. In the world of Orlando, that’s competitive. In the world of Disney, it’s a steal.
But you’re paying for the "Bubble." You’re paying for the fact that you don't have to deal with outside traffic, you get free parking at the theme parks (which saves you $30+ a day), and you’re immersed in the brand.
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If you’re someone who spends 14 hours a day in the parks, Disney All Star Sports Resort Orlando makes total sense. Why pay $600 a night for the Grand Floridian if you’re only there to sleep and shower? However, if you plan on taking "resort days" to lounge by the pool and relax, you might find the concrete-heavy landscape of Sports a bit depressing after a while.
The Reality of Group Travel
You need to check the calendar. I cannot stress this enough.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is literally right down the road. This means All Star Sports is the "home base" for almost every major youth sports event. If you book during the Cheerleading Worlds or a massive soccer tournament, the resort will be overrun.
The food court will be a sea of jerseys. The pools will be packed. The hallways will be noisy at 11:00 PM.
Check the ESPN Wide World of Sports schedule before you hit that "book" button. If there's a massive event, maybe look at All Star Movies instead. It’s usually slightly quieter because the sports teams prefer, well, the sports-themed resort.
Strategic Tips for Your Stay
To get the most out of this resort, you have to play the game right. It’s about managing expectations and using the systems Disney has put in place.
- Request the Right Building: If you want quiet, ask for a room facing the parking lot or the woods in the Hoops Hotel or Center Court sections. If you want convenience, pay the extra "Preferred Room" fee to be in Surf's Up! or Touchdown!.
- The "Walk to Music" Hack: If the bus line for Sports is a mile long at Magic Kingdom, check the line for All Star Music. The resorts are right next to each other. You can often hop the Music bus and take a 5-minute walk across the parking lot to get back to your room at Sports.
- Refillable Mugs Work Everywhere: Your resort mug works at any Disney resort food court. If you’re visiting the Contemporary for dinner, you can top off your soda there.
- Amazon Fresh/Instacart: Don't buy a $5 bottle of water in the gift shop. Have a case of water and some snacks delivered to the Bell Services desk. They’ll hold it for you, and it’ll save you a fortune over a five-day trip.
- Skip the Mousekeeping: You can opt-out of daily housekeeping (depending on current Disney policy) for a small credit or just to keep people out of your space. Regardless, they’ll still pop in to empty the trash and replace towels every couple of days.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Dates: Go to the Disney World website and look at the "Value" season rates—typically late August, September, and January.
- Verify the Sports Calendar: Cross-reference your dates with any major competitions at the ESPN Wide World of Sports to avoid the "teen takeover."
- Download the App: Get familiar with the My Disney Experience app now. You’ll need it for Mobile Ordering at the End Zone Food Court and for checking bus wait times.
- Pack a White Noise Machine: The walls are thin. If your neighbor decides to watch ESPN at 1:00 AM, you’ll be glad you have it.
- Book Your Park Reservations: Even with a resort stay, ensure your park tickets are linked and you know which days you’re hitting which parks to maximize that Early Entry perk.
Disney All Star Sports Resort Orlando isn't a luxury destination. It’s a tactical choice. It’s for the family that wants the magic without the $4,000 price tag for the hotel alone. Go in with that mindset, and you’ll have a blast. Go in expecting the Ritz, and you’ll be miserable before you even unpack.