Feel the beat, pump up the jam and spin that record because you've just entered Disney's All-Star Music Resort! Located near Animal Kingdom, this Disney value resort is a sister hotel to Disney's All-Star Sports and Disney's All-Star Movies. Decorated with larger-than-life drum sets, jukeboxes and bongos — as well as a guitar-themed pool — Disney's All-Star Music offers a fun, energetic landscape for music lovers of all genres and ages! The resort's official tagline is "Let the rhythm move you," and we couldn't agree more. Let's get ready to groove because we're about to drop some hits and lay some tracks. That's just my silly way of saying: here's everything you need to know about this resort (cue: Tad rolling his eyes).
History and Overview of Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort opened to guests on Nov. 22, 1994 (can you believe this resort is already over 30 years old?). As briefly mentioned above, this hotel is part of the trio of All-Star Resorts (Music, Movies and Sports). All-Star Sports opened a few months before Music, with Movies not opening until 1999.
The resort opened to accommodate more guests and a rapidly expanding Walt Disney World! Today, the All-Star Music remains one of the most booked resorts on all of property due to its status as a value resort and recreational offerings. Whether it's snapping a selfie in front of a giant guitar, grabbing a late night snack at the Intermission Food Court or seeing where you and your friends place at the Note'able Games Arcade, this resort is hoppin' all the time.
You'll enter the resort near Melody Hall, which houses the lobby, gift shop and food court. Right outside the front of Melody Hall, you'll find the bus stations for the main mode of transportation to the parks (more on that later). The first thing you'll see upon exiting the back of Melody Hall is the Calypso Pool, which is shaped like a giant guitar! To your right is the Singing Spirits Pool Bar and to your left is first aid.
Disney's All-Star Music Resort is huge, and it has five themed areas: Calypso, Rock Inn, Jazz Inn, Country Fair and Broadway Hotel. The Calypso-themed area is closest to the main lobby, followed by the Jazz Inn a little further down. Past the Jazz Inn section and to your left is Broadway Hotel. Further down is Country Fair and all the way to your right toward the back of the property is Rock Inn. Each section is themed, so expect to see maracas in the Calypso section and giant top hats in the Broadway Hotel area.
If you or anyone in your party has mobility concerns, request a room in Calypso or Jazz Inn to minimize the amount of time you have to walk. Leap and I once stayed in the Rock Inn section, and it took about 15 minutes to get back to our room at the end of our night.
Disney's All-Star Music Resort Rooms
Disney's All-Star Music Resort has 1,604 rooms, offering ample availability for any guest who wants to book a stay — and speaking of, did you know you can save some green when you book through Undercover Tourist?
There are three main room types: standard, preferred and family suites. The standard rooms offer views of the pool, courtyard or parking lot. They comfortably sleep up to four adults and offer one queen bed and one queen-sized table bed.
Preferred rooms, on the other hand, offer the same views and sleep options. However, they are usually closest to the lobby. Remember how we said to request a nearby room if necessary? These will likely be the rooms you're assigned. Both standard and preferred rooms are 260 square feet. They both have an in-room safe, iron and ironing board, beverage cooler, hairdryer, telephone and Wi-Fi.
If you're traveling with tadpoles or simply want more space, you'll love the Family Suites. These rooms are 520 square feet, almost double the size of the other options — and sleep up to six adults. They, too, come with one queen-sized bed but two queen-sized pull-down beds, as well.
Family suites offer the same amenities mentioned above, in addition to a kitchenette, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and two full bathrooms.
Transportation at Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Unlike some of the other resorts on property, buses are the only complimentary transportation option offered at Disney's All-Star Music Resort. Pickup and drop-off are located outside Melody Hall.
Buses typically run every 20 minutes. However, you should keep in mind that you will have to share this route with the resort's sister hotels. The All-Star Music is usually the second pickup and dropoff, so you'll be making a stop at All-Star Sports before heading to Magic Kingdom, Disney Springs or elsewhere on property.
Furthermore, it's worth noting that your travel time to and from the parks might be a little bit longer than you're expecting, especially if you have never stayed here before. The All-Stars are closest to Animal Kingdom, which is about 10 minutes away. Hollywood Studios is about 15 minutes, while both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom are about 20 minutes. I mention this because, if you have a reservation at Be Our Guest Restaurant, for example, you may have to account for close to an hour's worth of transportation time. Plan ahead and, if necessary, consider a Minnie Van to save time.
Amenities, Recreation and Shopping at All-Star Music Resort
In addition to the in-room amenities, guests of the All-Stars Music are treated to:
- Free visit to one of the water parks on check-in day
- Complimentary standard, overnight parking
- 24-hour ATM
- Online check-in
- Housekeeping
- Currency exchange
- Mail services
- 24-hour self-service laundry and dry cleaning services
- "Hey Disney!" voice assistant
It's already been mentioned, but because of how cool it is, it's worth mentioning again: THE GUITAR-SHAPED POOL! Also known as the Calypso Pool, not only is it shaped like a guitar, but it also features statues of the Three Caballeros. This is the main pool on property and at 251,418 gallons ... it's sure to make a splash! Guests can enjoy relay races, themed games and trivia at the Calypso Pool. If your tadpoles are too young to swim in the big pool, make your way toward the kiddie pool located near Melody Hall. For those looking for something a bit smaller and (perhaps) less crowded, check out the Piano Pool.
Dry off and hone your gaming skills at the Note'able Games Arcade outside the food court. Or start your morning on the one-mile jogging trail. Little ones will leap and laugh at the nearby playground, and the whole family can relax and unwind with Movies Under the Stars and roasting marshmallows by the campfire on select nights.
No stay at a Disney World hotel is complete without a souvenir to bring home. Get all your shopping done at Maestro Mickey's — the resort's signature gift shop! Here, you'll find the standard Disney souvenirs such as plushes, Mickey ears, mugs and shirts. Like all the other resorts, you can find resort-themed items here, as well. The gift shop also sells items you may need, such as sunscreen, in case you run out.
Dining at Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort only offers one main dining option — the Intermission Food Court. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you'll find your standard food court-style eats here such as bacon cheeseburgers, pizza, salads, chicken strips and hot dogs. For breakfast, your tadpoles will love the Mickey-shaped waffles!
The food court also sells refillable mugs for $22.99, which can be used for the entire length of your stay. The menu has plant-based options such as vegetable breakfast quesadillas and Mediterranean curry-chickpea salad. The food court is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Save some time and order ahead with Mobile Order.
The Singing Spirits Pool Bar, open between 12 p.m. and 11 p.m. sells mainly snacks and alcoholic beverages. Leap usually orders a Coors Light while I sip on the Pineapple Mule. Lily loves the Lava Smoothie — raspberry with pineapple and coconut while Tad munches on a Mickey-shaped pretzel.
What to Consider Before Staying at All-Star Music Resort
The top factor to consider is the price. The All-Star Music is one of the most affordable resorts on property at less than $200 a night. With seasonal deals, you can snag a reservation here for as low as $150 a night! This price point is great for larger frog families. Plus, it may eliminate the pressure to soak up time at the resort to get your money's worth as might be the case with more expensive hotels on property.
The resort's proximity to Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach is also great, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time there. This resort is also close to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex ... which brings us to the next point.
Because of their affordability, the All-Star Resorts, including the Music, play host to those competing in a sports event or competition. Baseball, cheerleading, basketball and many other sports teams stay here during the spring and summer. Furthermore, many high schools book these resorts for their senior trips. While the All-Star Music has played host to these events for years now, it's still something to consider, especially if traveling with young tadpoles. You may not want to be surrounded by a bunch of excited teenagers when you're trying to get your little froglet to sleep.
All in all, All-Star Music is a fun, eccentrically themed hotel that will appeal to kids and adults. The rooms are spacious and, considering the price, are extremely budget-friendly without sacrificing that magical Disney feeling. For larger families, it is the best option at the lowest price point due to the family suites that can sleep up to six adults. Plus, you still have access to Early Theme Park Entry, Lightning Lane and other on-site benefits.
Have you ever stayed at Disney's All-Star Music Resort? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
Related: How to Pick the Best Walt Disney World Value Resort for Your Family
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Hoppy planning!
