Planning a Walt Disney World vacation for a large family can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding accommodations that don’t break the bank. Fortunately, Disney’s All Star Music Resort offers a fantastic solution: the All Star Music Family Suites. These newly reimagined suites provide ample space for up to six adults, making them the most affordable option for larger groups seeking to stay on Disney property. In this comprehensive review, we’ll take you inside these budget-friendly suites, compare their value against other Disney accommodations, and help you decide if they are the perfect fit for your next magical getaway.
Following a recent refurbishment, every All Star Music Family Suite has been updated with a fresh, modern design, mirroring the style of the standard rooms at All Star Movies and Music Resorts. This renovation has significantly enhanced the appeal of these suites, transforming them into a compelling option for families seeking both space and value. Originally converted from standard rooms in 2006 in response to guest demand for larger accommodations, these suites have now been brought into the 21st century, offering a blend of functionality and comfort.
While Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is also known for its family suites, the All Star Music Family Suites present a different proposition, particularly for budget-conscious travelers. Let’s delve into what makes these suites stand out and whether they live up to the hype.
Price Point and Value Proposition of All Star Music Family Suites
One of the most significant draws of the All Star Music Family Suites is their affordability. Typically, nightly rates hover around $394 during the regular season at Walt Disney World. However, savvy travelers can find even better deals, with prices dropping to approximately $310 per night during the off-season. Even during peak times like New Year’s Eve, rates can reach $554, but this is still competitive compared to other on-site family accommodations.
It’s important to note that these are rack rates, and discounts are frequently available, especially at the All Star Resorts. During a recent stay, we secured a rate of just $290 per night, demonstrating the potential for significant savings.
When comparing costs, the All Star Music Family Suites consistently come in lower than the family suites at Art of Animation Resort (Cars, Finding Nemo, or Lion King suites), often by around $35 per night or more. Even renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points for a one-bedroom villa at a comparable resort may not offer the same level of savings.
While Art of Animation boasts Skyliner access and DVC resorts offer more luxurious amenities, the All Star Music Family Suites provide an unbeatable value for families prioritizing budget without sacrificing the convenience of staying on Disney property. If your primary goal is to find the least expensive family suite within Walt Disney World, All Star Music is undoubtedly your top contender.
Checking In and First Impressions at All Star Music Resort
The check-in process at Disney’s All Star Music Resort is designed for convenience. Utilizing online check-in through the My Disney Experience app is highly recommended to bypass potential queues at the front desk, especially during peak hours. Upon arrival, a text message alerts you when your All Star Music Family Suite is ready. With MagicBands or the app’s digital key feature, you can head straight to your room in the Calypso section and unlock the door, streamlining the arrival experience.
For those who prefer traditional check-in, the front desk is available, but lines can be lengthy, particularly at Value Resorts. Opting for online check-in is a time-saving strategy to kickstart your vacation smoothly.
Stepping onto All Star Music property evokes a sense of nostalgia for many Disney veterans. For those who frequented the Value Resorts in their younger years, the All Stars hold a special place. The recent renovations across the Value Resorts, including the All Star Music Family Suites, have breathed new life into these properties. While retaining their classic charm, the resorts now boast modernized rooms and refreshed grounds. The oversized icons, a hallmark of the All Stars, have received attention, contributing to an overall improved aesthetic. Although some dated elements remain, the general atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming.
Dispelling Myths About Value Resorts: The All Star Music Experience
Despite occasional criticisms labeling the All Stars as “overpriced motels,” a stay at All Star Music reveals a different reality. Having experienced numerous budget accommodations, it’s clear that the All Star Resorts are a significant step above typical motels. The amenities offered, including themed pools, landscaping, and dining options, surpass those found at most standard motels. The playful, oversized décor, while perhaps not to everyone’s taste, adds a distinct Disney flair that appeals to families.
Historically, common concerns regarding the All Stars revolved around maintenance, cleanliness, crowds, and noise, sometimes linked to large groups attending events at ESPN Wide World of Sports. However, during recent stays, these issues have been minimal.
The most valid historical critique of the All Stars focused on the guest rooms themselves, often described as dated and uninspired. Thankfully, the recent room overhauls, including the reimagining of the All Star Music Family Suites, have directly addressed this concern.
To give you a visual tour before we dive deeper, here’s a video walkthrough of a renovated All Star Music Family Suite:
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The transformation is undeniable. The new family suites are a considerable upgrade from their previous iteration, offering enhanced comfort and functionality.
Inside the Reimagined All Star Music Family Suites: Features and Layout
Previously, the All Star Music Family Suites felt somewhat like an afterthought, a quick conversion of standard rooms. The renovation has rectified this, creating spaces that are purpose-designed for families. These 520-square-foot suites now boast impressive features, including two full bathrooms and a well-equipped kitchenette.
The kitchenette includes a microwave, a full-sized refrigerator and freezer, a sink, and a single-cup coffee maker. This is a significant upgrade, allowing families to prepare simple meals and snacks in their room, further contributing to cost savings.
The main bedroom area in the All Star Music Family Suite features a comfortable queen bed and a 55-inch flat-screen TV mounted above a dresser. The second sleeping area ingeniously utilizes two queen-size Murphy beds that fold down from the wall, each also accompanied by a 55-inch flat-screen TV. One of the two bathrooms includes a convenient tub-shower combination, while the other offers a walk-in shower.
Living and Sleeping Space Transformation in All Star Music Family Suites
The most dramatic changes in the reimagined All Star Music Family Suites are evident in the living area. The previous layout featured a traditional pull-out sofa bed and chairs that converted into single beds. While offering theoretical flexibility, the comfort of this furniture was lacking.
The new design replaces these with two queen-size Murphy beds. One Murphy bed cleverly transforms from a comfortable couch, while the other converts from a dining table with seating for four. This dual-purpose furniture maximizes space and functionality. While the table might be slightly compact for a suite designed for six adults, it’s a significant improvement over the small, cramped table in the older suites.
The Murphy beds, while featuring thinner mattresses than dedicated beds, offer a surprisingly comfortable sleep experience – a vast improvement over the previous furniture. While not luxurious, they are perfectly adequate for a restful night after a day at the parks.
Each Murphy bed is flanked by bedside tables and cubbies, complete with conveniently placed outlets and USB charging ports – a welcome addition for modern travelers with multiple devices.
Aesthetically, the All Star Music Family Suites now embrace a brighter, more contemporary color palette, dominated by white with accents of red, orange, and lime green. Disney touches are incorporated through artwork featuring Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck above one Murphy bed and music note characters above the other.
Lighting in the renovated suites is significantly enhanced. Sconces by the beds and uplighting from the Murphy bed units offer adjustable and mood-setting options, moving away from the harsh, bright lighting often found in budget accommodations.
Bathrooms, Storage, and Kitchenette Enhancements in All Star Music Family Suites
The reimagined All Star Music Family Suites prioritize versatility and storage. The main living area seamlessly transitions from a daytime living space to a nighttime sleeping area in moments. Ample storage is incorporated throughout the suite, including a dresser under the larger television, open corners for luggage, and various cubbies.
The bathroom adjacent to the living area features a modern vessel sink, an illuminated mirror, a make-up mirror, and a walk-in shower with a glass door and rainfall showerhead, a step up from standard Value Resort bathrooms. Notably, a proper sliding door now separates the bathroom from the main room, offering improved privacy compared to the previous curtain.
Moving into the second half of the suite, the layout has been thoughtfully reconfigured. The main bedroom and bathroom are now connected directly, a more intuitive arrangement than before when the kitchen acted as a corridor between them.
The main bedroom in the All Star Music Family Suite feels more custom-designed than simply a standard room component. The headboard has been uniquely redesigned, and a comfortable chair has been added. While the artwork featuring Mickey and Minnie is consistent with other All Star rooms, the specific touches in this bedroom are appreciated.
While slightly smaller than a standard room when viewed independently, the main bedroom efficiently utilizes space. It incorporates the same functional design elements as the renovated standard rooms, including under-bed luggage storage, television-mounted storage, shelves, and numerous USB ports.
The attached bathroom mirrors the style of the other suite bathroom, with a walk-in shower replacing the tub-shower combination. A larger mirror is featured, with a slight reduction in storage space, a reasonable trade-off given the overall ample storage within the suite.
Positioned between the two bathrooms is the kitchenette. A standout upgrade here is the full-sized refrigerator, a significant advantage for families wanting to store groceries and prepare some meals in the room.
The kitchenette also includes a standard Value Resort microwave and coffee maker. While functional, it’s worth noting that other family suite options at Walt Disney World and in the Orlando area are increasingly offering more comprehensive kitchens with stoves or ranges. For guests who prefer to cook full meals on vacation, the All Star Music Family Suites kitchenette might be somewhat limited.
Overall Impression and Value of All Star Music Family Suites
With the exception of the standard kitchenette appliances, the All Star Music Family Suites offer substantial functional improvements with virtually no downsides. The reimagining has truly “plussed” these rooms, enhancing them in numerous small but impactful ways.
Some guests have noted that the new Value Resort rooms can feel somewhat sterile and lacking in theming. While a touch more color could enhance the ambiance, the All Star Music Family Suites are no less themed than their predecessors. The previous rooms were always more utilitarian, with limited thematic elements.
The older rooms felt dated and cramped. The new suites, in contrast, feel bright, spacious, and modern. While nostalgia for the older rooms exists for some, objectively, the reimagined suites are far superior.
Concerns about laminate flooring increasing noise levels are valid, particularly on lower floors. However, personal experience has not indicated significant noise issues. The laminate flooring is undeniably more hygienic and easier to maintain, a practical advantage in a budget-friendly resort.
Choosing between the old and new All Star Music Family Suites is a clear choice – the reimagined suites are significantly better in both form and function. They transform the All Star Music family suite from a somewhat basic option into a genuinely appealing choice.
Final Verdict: Are All Star Music Family Suites Right for Your Family?
Families considering All Star Music Family Suites should be aware of the convertible living space. The Murphy beds, while functional, mean that the living area is primarily a sleeping area at night, lacking a dedicated lounge space during those hours. This is a common feature of family suites at Value and Moderate resorts, including those at Art of Animation.
For comparable features without convertible spaces, guests would need to consider Deluxe Villas or Disney Vacation Club accommodations, which come at a significantly higher price point. While DVC villas and Deluxe resorts offer more luxury, the All Star Music Family Suites offer numerous functional improvements that arguably make them a strong contender, especially when considering value.
Ultimately, the choice extends beyond just the room itself. Resort amenities, dining options, and transportation also play a crucial role. In these areas, All Star Music may not compete directly with Art of Animation or DVC resorts.
However, when cost is the primary factor, All Star Music Family Suites emerge as the clear winner. For families seeking an affordable on-site family suite at Walt Disney World, All Star Music delivers. The recent reimagining has elevated these suites from merely budget-friendly to genuinely “good” options. With the understanding of the value proposition and minor trade-offs, the All Star Music Family Suites come highly recommended for budget-conscious families seeking a comfortable and spacious stay at Walt Disney World.
For further planning, explore our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page, Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews, Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets, What to Pack for Disney Trips, Walt Disney World Ride Guides, and our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for complete vacation planning resources.
