Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Review: Best Value Overall

If you’re visiting Disney World on a budget or just don’t like spending a lot on your lodging, I’ve got the perfect resort for you!

Many folks in this scenario think there’s no way they can stay at a Disney resort, but this resort typically runs for around $160 and discounts are regularly available. I paid less than $100 during my stay to review this budget option!

So if you’re not sure which value resort you want to stay at, check my Disney All-Star Sports review for the scoop on whether this budget hotel is a good pick or a place to avoid.

An introduction to Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Disney’s All-Star Sports is one of three All-Star resorts and one of five value resorts at Disney World.

The resort features a sports theme throughout the resort, with five groups of buildings: Center Court, Homerun Hotel, Hoops Hotel, Surf’s Up!, and Touchdown!.

I’ll be honest, I’ve avoided reviewing this hotel because I thought I wouldn’t like it and didn’t want to waste my money staying here when I had plenty of other options that I knew I’d enjoy.

But to my surprise, I enjoyed it and dare I say, I’d stay here again! Let’s jump into my review of the Disney All-Star Sports Resort.

Check-in

Check-in time is at 3 PM, falling in line with other resorts on Disney property (save for the Deluxe villas, which are 4 PM).

A few days before arriving, I did mobile check-in. This usually ensures my room is ready by the time I get there, which is usually somewhere around 11:30 AM.

Unfortunately, that was not the case this time, and I had to wait around for a few hours before I could get into my room and freshen up before hitting the parks.

I don’t think this is a con, as I still got into my room around 1:30-2 PM, which is early, but I suspect this might be common for this hotel.

This resort is very popular with school and youth groups, such as dance or cheer teams, soccer tournaments, and guided tour groups.

As luck would have it, there were both school groups and Brazilian tour groups during my stay, which meant fewer rooms available to turn over for incoming guests, as I was arriving mid-week.

Anyway, the wait wasn’t all that bad. I hit up the End Zone Food Court for lunch and coffee and then did some work in the lobby.

There was a super fun cast member in the lobby doing cheers with a few of the little kids, which is something I normally wouldn’t have witnessed since I’m rarely there.

But this time I got to see a cast member bring a little magic to kids and parents, who got relief from bored kids.

There was even a little girl from Brazil whose mom said didn’t speak English, but he still got her doing some cheer moves along with the others.

I wish I had gotten his name so I could have notified Disney about this sweet moment!

Resort theme

Going into this stay, I assumed I’d be bored with the sports theme, but I enjoyed it. I don’t know why I assumed it’d be the opposite – Disney always does well with themes!

Everything is sports-themed, with sections themed after football, baseball, tennis, basketball, and surfing.

When you walk out of the main lobby, aka Stadium Hall, you’ll be in the surfing section, where there are giant surfboards, shark fins, and giant lifeguard chairs. Part of the walkway is even modeled after the wooden boardwalks you often find at big beaches in the US.

To the left is a giant football field with rooms on each side. If you walk through, you’ll then hit Homerun Hotel, where there are bleachers, giant baseball bats, and a smaller pool.

If you walk straight past the surfing section, you’ll find the tennis section on the left, and the basketball section straight back. In between these two sections is a fun Mickey statue that you can take photos with.

Guest rooms

At Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, there are standard and preferred rooms. Overall the rooms themselves are the same. The only difference between the two is the proximity to Stadium Hall.

Surf’s Up! and Touchdown! are comprised of preferred rooms, while Center Court, Homerun Hotel, and Hoops Hotel are all standard rooms.

I stayed in Center Court when reviewing this resort, and although it was considered a standard room, the walk was still pleasant – even after a rope drop to fireworks with sore feet kind of day.

All rooms include 1 Queen bed and 1 Queen-sized Murphy bed, which are quite comfortable despite being the cheapest rooms at Disney.

Each room also has a beverage station with a coffee maker, mini fridge, and storage space. There are even coffee and tea sachets, as well as shelf-stable creamer and sugar packets!

Across from the beds is a large flat-screen television, as well as a dresser with storage space, extra pillows, and a personal safe.

Moving over to the bathroom, you’ll find a mini open-concept closet, iron, ironing board, hair dryer, tissues, and hand soap.

Inside the shower, you’ll find shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Disney switched to refillable pump bottles long ago, so you no longer get minis that you can take home.

Last, but not least, Hey, Disney!, the Disney-fied Amazon speakers have finally been rolled out to all hotels, so you’ll now find that here, as well.

Pools & recreation

Inside Stadium Hall, you’ll find the Game Point Arcade, where there are tons of classic arcade games perfect for a rainy day or while waiting for your room or departure transportation.

Right behind Stadium Hall is Surfboard Bay Pool, as well as a kiddie pool.

It was very cold when I was there (and I’m a lifelong New Englander who’s used to the cold!), but there were still a few people splashing around!

The cast members made the most of it, as well, and still held the dance parties, trivia, etc. Honestly, Disney World would not be as enjoyable as it is without all of the wonderful people who work there.

Also in this area is a fire pit, a giant Connect Four, a ping-pong table, and other life-sized games.

From there, if you go left and walk straight through the Touchdown! football field, you’ll find the Grand Slam Pool. It’s smaller and more quiet – unless there’s a large group staying there, which is sometimes the case!

Hidden between the football and tennis sections is a playground for small kids. And over in the basketball section is a basketball hoop.

Last but not least, there’s also a trail for running or walking that takes you from All-Star Sports, past All-Star Music, and to All-Star Movies.

Food & drink

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort has one dining option, the End Zone Food Court.

It’s much like other quick-service, cafeteria-style dining options throughout Disney World. The food is quite similar, although there are usually a few exclusive items, such as the themed cupcakes.

One difference compared to the other All-Star resorts is that you can access Grandstand Spirits, the pool bar, from within the food court! There were even tabletops set up so you could relax and have a drink while you waited for someone.

I often do a mobile order at the end of the park day, but on this occasion, since my room wasn’t ready right away, I sat down to have a meal upon arrival.

I had the barbecue beef mac and cheese, which I’ve had at other All-Star resorts. It was as good as usual, although they didn’t have the scallions, which are my favorite topping!

I also had a Joffrey’s Shakin’ Jamaican cold brew in a can, which was a lovely delight. I’m so happy they finally have iced coffee options at the food courts now!

Transportation & parking

Parking is free for registered guests, so if you get a rental car or drive in, you’ll have somewhere safe to park.

As with all other Disney resorts, guests get free bus transportation to and from Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs.

This resort has a dedicated bus, although in the past would share with the other All-Star resorts.

Occasionally if you stay in the parks way past closing time, the last bus out will stop at all 3 All-Star resorts. But nowadays, it has its own bus service during the more busy hours.

Shopping & souvenirs

At Sport Goofy Gifts and Sundries inside Stadium Hall, you can pick up souvenirs, pre-packaged snacks, and drinks, as well as items you may have forgotten at home (sunscreen, toiletries, etc).

Also in the lobby is a pressed penny machine with 8 unique designs, as well as a collectible medallion machine with 4 of 12 designs available throughout Disney World.

Pros and cons of Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Alright, now that I’ve gone over all that this resort has to offer, let’s go over the pros and cons of staying here.

Pros

One of the biggest pros of Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort is the price. I paid $86 per night for my stay, which is an absolute steal.

Granted, this is due to a sale for annual pass holders, but getting the room this cheap here for non-pass holders is not unheard of!

Overall, this resort often has the cheapest rooms of any resort at Disney World. Unless you want to camp in a tent at Fort Wilderness Campground, that is.

The theming is super fun, even if you’re not a big sports fanatic. There are photo ops galore throughout the resort, which makes for a fun activity on check-in or check-out day.

Cons

The biggest con to staying at this resort is that it’s quite popular with school and youth groups.

Unfortunately, sometimes these kids are not as well-behaved as they should be – or are just a tad overwhelming to deal with when they congregate in large groups and don’t pay attention to those around them.

It also only has 1 quick-service dining option, so options are limited for food. But honestly, they have a ton to eat, both healthy and indulgent!

Is Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort worth it?

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort. I went into my stay assuming I’d never stay there again, but I will be back the next time I need a cheap room.

If you’re on a tight budget, this place fits the bill and comes with quite a lot given how cheap it is.

So next time you’re planning a trip to Disney World, give this resort a try. You just might be as delighted as I was!