Value Resort

Be a star — or pay tribute to Disney stars — at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, a cinema-themed property that transports families straight onto the big screen.

Bright lights and movie marquees welcome guests to a larger-than-life movie set, featuring a multitude of photo opportunities for aspiring celebrities and scrapbook-creators. From the 35-foot-tall Buzz Lightyear adorning the “Toy Story” block to a humongous “Herbie the Love Bug” — five times the size of the original — a variety of colorful icons provide super-sized scenery for capturing special moments of fame.

Opened in 1999, with a room renovation completed in 2011, the 1,920-room Animal Kingdom area property is one of four Walt Disney World Value category resorts, offering a basic, but comfortable home-away-from-home at prices that fit a conservative family budget. Money-saving perks, like complimentary transportation and free parking, help stretch family vacation dollars, and onsite benefits, such as remote airline check-in and early and late theme park entry privileges add priceless convenience for traveling clans.

A superbly themed food court provides variety, as well as value, and after a long day at the theme parks, kids can kick back in one of two themed pools and an onsite arcade, climb and slide at the playground, or pose for the camera in a variety of settings, from movie kiosks and glowing marquees to recreated scenes from favorite Disney films.

Renovated in 2011, accommodations are located in five pairs of three-story buildings, each adorned with larger than life icons playing homage to a range of popular Disney films, including "101 Dalmatians," "Toy Story," "Fantasia," "The Mighty Ducks" and "The Love Bug."

Standard Rooms
Standard rooms are compact and basic, but smartly designed for traveling families, with child-friendly features, like rounded furniture corners and paper cups instead of the glass versions commonly provided in upper level Disney properties. Decor matches the cinematic theme -- comforters, wallpaper border and wall art are decorated with images depicting Disney films, and black-and-white bathrooms feature filmstrip borders.

Most standard rooms (260 square feet in size) contain two double beds and sleep up to four, plus one crib sleeper under the age of three. Each room contains a single vanity positioned outside the bathroom (compared to the two found in most moderate and deluxe Disney properties), a hair dryer, a table with chairs, a mini-fridge, an alarm clock and a wall safe. Coffeemakers are not available. There is a surcharge of $10 per person, per night for more than two adults in a standard room, though honestly, more than a couple will stretch the limits physically, as well as figuratively. Connecting rooms are available

An additional fee per night for a "Preferred" location in either the "Toy Story," "101 Dalmatians" or "Fantasia" block will get you close to Cinema Hall, the main pool and the bus stop. Rooms in the "Mighty Ducks" section are close to the Duck Pond pool, and are within easy walking distance to both the main building and the Calypso Pool at All-Star Music Resort next door, where regularly scheduled activities are held.

Guests of any category room can request complimentary bed rails and Pack 'N Plays, and all accommodations feature free Wi-Fi.

Fantasia Pool
Swim a spell with Fantasia-loving friends at this magically themed pool, featuring more than 230,000 gallons of liquid fun. As Sorcerer Mickey presides over the aquatic symphony, streams of water shoot from the director's podium. Unlike feature pools at most Deluxe category Walt Disney World resorts, as well as at the Moderate category Caribbean Beach Resort, the Fantasia Pool doesn't offer zero-entry, but nearby, you'll find a small, round kiddie pool and play area with a cool "arctic" edge for little ones. Nearby, a giant "iceberg" houses restrooms and a laundry room. On select nights, families can also float in the pool while they watch movies under the stars.

Duck Pond Pool
In the "Mighty Ducks" section, a smaller hockey rink-shaped Duck Pond Pool offers additional opportunities for game play. A "Mighty Ducks" movie theme and a comical Goofy posing as a goalie pack plenty of appeal for kids, as well as adults. Fashioned to resemble a locker room with decorative helmets, lockers and hockey sticks, a nearby restroom and adjacent laundry room welcome "Donalds," "Ducks" and "Daisys."

All-Star Music Resort - Calypso Pool
At the main pool at Disney's All-Star Music Resort next door, kids and families can take part in planned activities from mid-afternoon to late night. Activities range from bingo, scavenger hunts and trivia contests to dance parties, complete with water balloon tosses and hula-hoop challenges. After sundown, G- and PG-rated movies are projected on an inflatable poolside screen.

None of the All-Star resort pools offer slides -- a recreational feature exclusive to Moderate and Deluxe level Disney properties. Life jackets are available at the arcade with a Resort ID. Towels aren't provided on the pool deck, so bring one from your room. Swim diapers are required for non-potty trained children and can be purchased at Donald's Double Feature (open 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.), along with sunscreen, souvenirs and infant and toddler essentials.

Pool hours are 8 a.m. to midnight, and lifeguard hours vary by season.

Reel Fun Arcade
Located in Cinema Hall, this family-fun zone features around 60 games. Hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Playground
Between the "Fantasia" and "Toy Story" sections, a playground for ages 2 to 12 contains climb and slide structures for younger and older kids, plus bench seating for parents.

Caricature Connection
In Cinema Hall, a Caricature Artist creates playful renditions of parents and kids enjoying their favorite sport, hobby or occupation. Choices range from black and white face portraits to full-body color pictures (fee). Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. daily.

Temporary Tattoos
Next to the Fantasia pool, your kids can get a tattoo of a princess, a pirate or a favorite character. Easy to apply, quick-dry tattoos are $5 to $10 each. The stand is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Complete with a cinema reel and a marquee proclaiming, "That's a Take" and "You'll go Far!," the movie-themed kiosk provides an amusing backdrop for family photos.

World Premiere Food Court
Bright lights and glowing movie marquees welcome guests to this cinema-themed food court, featuring four themed stations: Pizza & Pasta (Majestic), Grill (Roxy), Deli & Salads (Lyric), and Coffee, Bakery & Ice Cream (Rialto), as well as a refrigerated Grab and Go Market (Grand). Standouts for adults include a cheesesteak sub with peppers and onions, turkey and muenster sandwich on foccacia with freshly made chips, and a "create-your-own-salad" with a choice of grilled salmon, chicken or London broil. Nightly specials, like carved pork loin, oven-roasted chicken and roast turkey with side dishes, such as mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, provide a taste of home on vacation.

Kids' breakfast choices include Mickey waffles with bacon, while latter day options cover the usual standards like PB&J, cheese pizza and macaroni and cheese, as well as junior versions of the adult chicken and turkey dinners. Kids' lunches and dinners (ages 9 and under) come with grapes and carrot sticks, as well as a choice of milk, bottled water or apple juice. A cookie or a soft drink may be substituted.

A Grab and Go Market offers healthy snacks like fresh fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, whole fresh fruit and carrot and celery sticks, and a special Grab and Go "Kids Corner" features yogurt and packaged treats, like pudding, gelatin and cookies -- streamlining the snack selection process for those on the Disney Dining Plan.

When it's time for dessert, visitors will find a number of options, from Mickey bars from the freezer case to homemade ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes and fresh-baked brownies from the Ice Cream Shop.

In the dining room, cinema lighting, a faux movie camera and chairs with "film strip" backs set the scene for casual family meals. If you're dining with preschoolers, head to the back of the room, where you'll find crayons and coloring pages. as well as a big screen displaying Disney cartoons on a continuous loop. Plenty of high chairs and booster seats are on hand, and additional seating is available outdoors on the patio. The food court itself can be very busy during peak times, particularly in the morning. Escape the crowds by arriving early, or else pick up ala carte items the night before and enjoy a peaceful meal in your room.

Food Court and Beverage Island hours are 6 a.m. to midnight, and specific hours vary by station.

Pizza Delivery and Pick-up
If you're too tired to trek to the Food Court, All-Star Pizza Delivery will deliver a variety of pizzas to your room, along with salads, sandwiches, dessert, beer, wine and soft drinks. Hours are 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. There is a $15 minimum and a $1 delivery fee, and an 18 percent service charge will be applied. Alternatively, you can skip the add-on charges and get a pie to go from the Food Court Pizza Station (open 11 a.m. to midnight).

Additional All-Star Dining Options
Food courts at the neighboring All-Star Music and All-Star Sports resorts offer different décor and similar menus, with some additional options. Fan favorites include chicken wings at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort's End Zone Food Court. Note: The Intermission Food Court at the Disney's All-Star Music Resort will be temporarily closed from August to December 2014.

For a single price (price dependent upon number of days), you can purchase a refillable mug, good for free unlimited refills on hot and cold drinks at All-Star Resort Food Court beverage islands.

All About the Extras
Aspiring stars and scrapbook creators will find a multitude of scenic settings for capturing vacation memories. Larger than life icons, like a giant Woody and Buzz Lightyear ("Toy Story") and Pongo and Perdita ("101 Dalmatians"), are complemented by decorative details like film strip railings and race flag ("The Love Bug"), alphabet block ("Toy Story") and cheering fans ("Mighty Ducks") building borders, and special touches, like dog bones stamped into concrete walkways ("101 Dalmatians"), provide added appeal for devoted fans.

If you're celebrating a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary, "Celebration" buttons are provided (with advance notice), and in Cinema Hall, a mini theatre and a photo gallery of screen stars set the scene for a movie-themed getaway.

Overnight guests enjoy a number of special perks, like early-entry and late-stay theme park privileges (Extra Magic Hours), free onsite transportation, free parking, the ability to make FASTPASS+ reservations 60 days in advance and the opportunity to participate in a Disney Dining Plan with a Magic Your Way Package. Additional family-friendly privileges include online room check-in (up to 10 days in advance), resort airline check-in (a big help for families) and airport transportation service via Disney's Magical Express.

Fitness Trail
A paved jogging trail (approximately one mile) runs along West Buena Vista Drive, from Disney's All-Star Sports Resort to Disney's All-Star Movies Resort.

In-Room Babysitting
Kids Nite Out, an independent agency, provides in-room resort childcare. Rates are $16 per hour for the first child, with a four-hour minimum and a $10 caregiver transportation fee.

The Art of Smart Timing
When traveling to Walt Disney World Resort, it's best to avoid peak travel periods. Generally, these times include holidays and the summer months -- in other words, any time schools are out of session. If you do opt to visit in summertime, pack sunscreen, hydrate frequently and, unless you want to squander your souvenir money on ponchos at the parks, don't forget your raingear.

Fortunately for travelers on a budget, some of the least expensive times to visit Walt Disney World theme parks tend to coordinate with dates when crowds are the lightest. If your kids aren't in school yet, September is a great time to visit. Another prime time is after Thanksgiving through early December. While traveling sports youth groups are known to visit the All-Star properties during some of this period, All-Star Movies Resort seems to be exempt from a large-scale invasion.

Getting There
From Orlando International Airport (MCO), free roundtrip airport transportation via motor coach is available to guests (advance reservation required; limited hours) via Disney's Magical Express.

By car, take the South Exit Road from Orlando International Airport to SR 417 Toll Road (GreeneWay) West and follow signs to Walt Disney World/All-Star Movies Resort.

Getting Around
Free transportation to and from all Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney is provided by bus. A bus stop is located just outside Cinema Hall. The stop isn't covered, so be prepared to brave the elements. Ponchos and sunscreen are a World traveler's friends and for kids, activities, such as bubbles, will help to ease the wait. For those traveling with children under 3, a stroller is a must.

For Mom and Dad
At the Silver Screen Spiritc Pool Bar, windows open to the food court as well as the area just outside the Fantasia Pool, and you can order beer, wine and frozen alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. Bar stools feature filmstrip backs -- a nice decorative touch. It's open daily noon to midnight, except Sundays, when it opens at 1 p.m.