If I’m going to Disney World’s All-Star Resorts, it’s probably against my will.

Alright, that may be a slight exaggeration, but when I say that these hotels aren’t anywhere near the top of my list (and probably not at the top of many people’s lists!), that’s quite true. All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, and All-Star Sports may be the cheapest of the Disney World resorts, but sometimes that means dealing with some super cringey things when you stay there!

Lots of Large Groups (Especially Cheerleaders!)

Since these are the cheapest of the Disney World hotels, we see a LOT of groups staying here, especially during cheer and dance competition season. In fact, whenever there’s a large convention or competition at Disney World for teens, these resorts will fill up quickly.

This can make it difficult to actually snag a room at these resorts, but if you’re already there, it can mean that the pools, lobby, and dining hall are all crowded during your visit. And in the case of cheer squads and dance teams, we’ve often seen them out practicing on the lawns during the day — that may wreak havoc on your midday nap schedule!

The good news is that these hotels aren’t usually packed with groups all year round! You can look at cheer and dance competition schedules for the Central Florida area online, and you can often find calendars that list other major high school-age events — that way, you can avoid staying here during those times.

Buses, Buses, and MORE Buses

If you’re planning to stay at the All-Stars, one important thing you need to know before booking is the transportation situation. Here, you won’t have access to boats, the Monorail, or the Disney Skyliner…it’s ALL Disney buses, all the time.

Yep, the only complimentary transportation method to and from these hotels is the Disney bus, and that’s a deal-breaker for some people. However, this can be a good thing! It means that you won’t be subject to weather-related transportation shutdowns. And in general, Disney buses are fairly reliable — they come frequently and often come on schedule. The Disney World bus system is vast and easy to use for the most part!

WAY Too Much Time Spent on Those Buses

Continuing on the subject of buses, you’ll be spending quite a bit of time on them! Why? Because the All-Star Resorts are far from…well, pretty much everything. They’re located at one of the furthest points on Disney property, and that means your ride to the parks (and especially to Disney Springs, which is on the opposite side of Disney World) can be VERY long.

This can be even worse during the slower times of the day, because then Disney will often group stops together. If you try to go back to your hotel midday, you may find that you’re on a bus that stops at all THREE All-Star Resorts, and that can be tedious if your hotel is the last stop.

So what’s the upside here? Well, you’re in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area, so you’re still closer to that park (and subsequently Blizzard Beach!) than most hotels around Disney World. Also, the All-Stars are the closest to the Disney World McDonald’s location. So if you’re in the mood for a late-night snack on the drive back to your resort, you can take your car through the drive-thru.

Adding Even More to Your Step Count

Another potential downside to staying at the All-Stars is that the property is fairly spread out. Some of the hotel rooms are a decent distance from the lobby, and with the bus stop at the front of the resort, the walk can be laborious at the end of a long day in the parks.

If this is a problem for you, the good news is that you can pay slightly more to upgrade to a Preferred Room — it’ll get you a better view and closer to the lobby and bus stop. That can be a real lifesaver if you’re planning some long days in the parks!

Pretty “Meh” Food

The final cringey thing we have to mention about the All-Stars is the food situation. Each of these hotels only offers a giant food court-style dining spot for meals, in addition to a small pool bar at the main pools. Unfortunately, this means your dining options are limited and sometimes pretty basic.

On a positive note, this means that the food at these spots tends to be fairly crowd-pleasing. Everyone in your group should be able to find something that caters to them! They’ll have everything from burgers and comfort food to some simple international dishes. And if none of that is up your alley, the food courts have substantial grab-and-go sections with sandwiches, prepackaged snacks, salads, and more.

So as you can see, the All-Stars may not be for everyone, but they’re definitely the perfect choice for some people! You just need to know the pros and cons before you book.

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Have you ever stayed at the All-Star Resorts before? Tell us in the comments!