If you’re planning a trip to Disney World I am begging you to check out the All Star Sports resort. There are 4 types of resorts at Disney World; value, moderate, deluxe, and DVC. All Star Sports is one of the value options, along with:

• All Star Music
• All Star Movies
• Pop Century
• Art of Animation

There’s a few differences between each type of resort, the biggest though difference is the price. But first, let’s talk about what comes with that price.

Location and Theming at All Star Sports

The All Star Sports Resort is located at 1701 W. Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, in the Animal Kingdom/ESPN area of Disney World. Making it a short trip to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Blizzard Beach. It’s one of the southmost resort and fastest to venture off property as well, with just a short 15 minute drive to the closest Walmart.

But what All Star Sports, and most value resorts, are really known for is the larger than life theming. There are four sections each representing a different sport.

Surf’s Up!

The surfing themed area of the hotel is home to the main pool and the closest section to the lobby, food court, gift shop, and laundry facility.

Here you’ll find boardwalks, instead of sidewalks, lined by vibrant surfboards measuring 38 feet tall. More than 900 fish cut-outs line the railing of each building’s exterior walkways.

Hoops Hotel

Adorned with more than 70 basketballs, measuring more than 5 feet around, is the Hoops Hotel. Here, the buildings feature team pennants surrounding the top of each building.

Two bright red whistles measuring more than 60 feet tall are placed at either end of the courtyard. Alongside huge cheerleading type megaphones near each stairwell.

Touchdown!

Across from the pool is the football themed area, featuring a mini field – complete with a play mapped on the ground. I’m told this specific play is a fake-out, intended to deceive the other team. To me, however, it looks like a failed game of tic-tac-toe.

On either side of the field sits a football helmet, large enough for a 200 foot tall player, which house the buildings primary staircase. Goal posts rise from the ground at each end of the field, more than 3 stories tall!

Homerun Hotel

A smaller quiet pool can be found in the Homerun Hotel which is themed to baseball. Here the walkways are covered in chain link fence and lit by red hanging lights, making it feel like you’re in the dugout for your favorite team!

Speaking of teams, MLB pennants are prominently displayed along the top of each building – can you find your favorite? (It’s the San Diego Padres for us!). At the end of each building is a larger than life Coca Cola cup – big enough to hold 240 million gallons of soda!

Center Court

On the outskirts of the resort is Center Court featuring tennis theming. The courtyard is made to look like an actual tennis court and is home to statues of Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louis!

Along the rails of each walkway are 50 foot tall tennis racquets, and hundreds of bright green tennis balls.

During our visit we actual met Donald, Goofy, and Pluto on the court playing tennis! They were visiting the resort as part of the Character Caravan, which brings characters to select resorts each day to meet with guests!

All Star Sports Accommodation Options

There are 1920 room at the All Star Sports resort. Each room features two queen beds, 1 stand alone and 1 murphy style. Up to 4 guests would be able to sleep comfortably.

The footprint of each room is surprisingly spacious. Largely due to the foldout bed which Disney calls a table-bed, I promise it’s better than it sounds!

During the day you have a generously sized table with 2 chairs.

By night, a cute themed bed perfect for kids or bunkmates.

Inside the room you’ll also find an empty mini-fridge. Perfect for housing some light snacks or bottled water.

The primary bed is raised to allow suitcase storage, freeing up even more floor space.

Across from the beds is a large dresser vanity with 4 big drawers, a cupboard, and safe. The smart TV is hung on the wall above.

A small group of hooks are mounted on the nearby wall, for jackets and Loungefly’s you may need to store.

The bathroom is split into two areas. First is the sink, vanity, and closet area. There’s a small open closest for hanging any dresses, button downs, or other fancy clothing.

A huge mirror sits overtop of the sink, with a thin but long counter area. There’s plenty of storage above and below for keeping toiletries close at hand.

Trough a sliding door is the toilet and shower stall, complete with rainfall shower head.

And everyone’s favorite, H2O amenities.

Dining Options

The End Zone! Dining Hall is where you can find lots of quick service dining options. There are four windows with made to order options including pizza & pasta, sandwiches, American/bule plate, and dessert.

We've tried a lot of dishes from the End Zone, but the Impossible Meatloaf with garlic roasted greenbeans and mashed potatoes is by far the favorite. 

Resort refillable mugs can also be purchased here. These are single priced keepsake mugs that you can use over and over for the length of your stay. It gives you access to unlimited soda, tea, and (most importantly) coffee.

Recreational Activities

All Star Sports hosts a variety of activities each day including mini pool parties, campfires, and a s’more station on select nights. It’s the best way to start (or end) your stay at Disney!

Pools

There are 2 pools at the All Star Sports resort. The main, larger, pool is located near the lobby and food court in the Surf’s Up! section of the resort. Here you’ll find a full service poolside bar, featuring a number of specialty drinks themed to the resort.

Dive-in movies are played on a projector screen select nights, and can be seen from the water or lounge chairs around the pool’s parameter.

A smaller quiet pool, shaped as a baseball diamond, can be found in the Homerun Hotel. I absolutely love the theming here! From the oversized scoreboard and grandstands, to the base lines painted on the bottom of the pool. I cannot get over the attention to detail.

Arcade

Inside the main lobby building is the Game Point Arcade. It’s home to all your favorite video games and pinball machines, as well as a photo booth and some new instant classics.

Transportation

The All Star Sports Resort offers complimentary transportation to each park by bus. Guests can travel to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom as well as Disney Springs.

Buses to each location leave every 15 minutes. Service to the theme parks begins 45 minutes prior to park opening, and continues 1 hour past close.

Buses to Disney Springs are available starting at normal opening hours for Disney Springs. You can catch a bus back to your hotel up to 1 hour after Disney Springs closes.

Nearby Attractions and Facilities

All Star Sports is a value resort, its a great option for any one on a budget. And if you’re on a budget, you’re going to love that McDonalds is right down the street. Walking distance to discount meals.

This is a big win as Disney food can get expensive fast. The drive-thru is also extremely convenient if you have a car and are driving to the parks, just swing by on your way out.

While the resort is on property, it’s right on the edge of that Disney bubble. Making it easy for guests with cars to pop-out to Walmart, Target, or any number of nearby restaurants.

Experience and Service

Your room might come at a discounted price, but the service is still top-tier. Starting with the baggage service available outside the lobby. Just pull up and drop your bags off before checking in for your room.

Baggage attendants make several delivery rounds each day though, so don’t expect your luggage to be delivered immediately. It could be up to five hour before you see your suitcase, so be sure to bring a small bag with anything you need before then.

Check-in is a breeze in this newly renovated lobby. The staff while ask for your ID and credit card before providing information about your room location and how to access. A viewing area is available for all showing Disney cartoons to keep littles entertained while parents check in.

If, like us, you prefer a no-contact check-in option you can do so on the My Disney Experience app. Just open the app, up to 30 days, before your arrival and answer a few questions. Your room number will be assigned near check-in at 3:00pm. Then open the door with either your connected Magic Band or the Disney app.

Check-out is even easier. Open the My Disney Experience before check-out at 11:00am, and you’ll receive a notification that you’re good to go.

Pricing and Value

Here’s the kicker – you get all of this value for as low as $150 per night. Rates vary depending on when you are visiting, with the highest we’ve seen around $250 during the height of the holiday season.

Prices are valid for up to 2 adults, with a small surcharge for additional guests 18 or older.

Preferred Rooms

While there is just one room layout at All Star Sports, there are both standard and preferred rooms.

The preferred rooms are located in buildings 1, 6, 7 and 10 which are the Surf’s Up and Touchdown! sections of the resort. These rooms are situated closer to the food court, pool, transportation and lobby.

Tips and Recommendations

The All Star Sports Resort is the most affordable option on property at Disney World. It’s amazing to have immersive theming, complimentary transportation, and on-site amenities at these price-points.

What All Star Sports is not, is a luxury hotel. You won’t find concierge service, fitness center, or hot tub here. But you don’t need any of those at Disney, when you’re spending most of your day in the parks.

Here’s our top tips to make the most of your stay at All Star Sports:

• Plan your trip during early spring or summer
• Check for discounts – there’s almost always a deal
• Check for discounted Dining Packages
• Decorate your door and window! All Stars is a great place to celebrate. We’ve seen banners, balloons, streamers, and even pin trading boards!

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While there is much to love about staying on property, the location of Disneyland gives you many more affordable options. Disneyland can get expensive between the cost of tickets, and food, and souvenirs. So it comes as no surprise that pricing is a major factor in the decision of where to stay. There are a ton of hotels in the Anaheim area, but some have an exclusive partnership with Disney. These properties are deemed to be a Disneyland good neighbor hotel and offer perks and amenities to maintain the magic.

Why Choose a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel

The most common reason for selecting a Disneyland good neighbor hotel for your stay is the amount you can save over a Disneyland resort hotel. Staying on property can easily run you over $200 per night, and if are not intending to spend your time inside your room this is a hefty price tag.

There are hundreds of hotels and resorts in the Anaheim area surrounding Disney, but only the Disneyland good neighbor hotels have been vetted and approved by the Disney company. So, these are businesses that you can trust. They have a reputable history and Disney approved customer service. Many of these hotels also have theming that rivals Disney itself and some extra magic to book.

Some choose to stay at a Disneyland good neighbor hotel to take a break from Disney. Spending a full day inside a Disney park filled with crowds, heat, and lines can be exhausting. Sometimes you really need to remove yourself from the situation to truly relax and appreciate your vacation.

Let’s take a look at some of our favorite  choices for a Disneyland good neighbor hotel.

Candy Cane Inn

Where it’s at

The Candy Cane Inn is a moderately priced Disneyland good neighbor hotel located less than a half mile from the parks.

What’s included

Transportation to and from the parks is complimentary as is the impressive continental breakfast. You’ll also find a mini-fridge and coffeemaker in all resort rooms. A stay at the Candy Cane Inn also includes free Wi-Fi so that you can keep in touch with everyone back home.

What you need to know

Candy Cane Inn offers studio style suites with either a single king or dual queen beds. The décor is outdated but the hotel overall is very well kept.

>>Price: Rooms generally vary between $120 and $150 dollars

Why we love it

While the themeing leaves something to be desired, the proximity to the parks and price point are dreamy. Throw in that continental breakfast, which you can enjoy by the pool and we don’t even miss having hidden Mickeys in the carpet.

Castle Inn & Suites

Where it’s at

Right across the street from Disneyland, it’s actually closer to the park entrances than some of the Disney hotels.

What’s included

Castle Inn & suites includes a mini-fridge and coffee maker in all rooms, as well as access to free Wi-Fi. One amenity you will not find in many hotels on this list is smoking & non-smoking rooms. This may be a plus for some and a negative to others.

What you need to know

This Camelot themed hotel offers standard double bed rooms as well as several suites which can accommodate up to 6 guests.

>>Price: Rates vary between $120 per night for standard rooms to $250 for suites. Be advised these rates may fluctuate and this is only an approximation, there are also several discounts available including military and AAA.

Why we love it

While it is not a Disney hotel this Disneyland good neighbor hotel offers consistent and immersive theming. The hotel’s location is within walking distance, if you so choose, and the price is a bargin – specifically for suites that price in under some of the least expensive standard rooms at Disney.

Desert Palms

Where it’s at

Less than a half mile from the park entrances, and right around the corner.

What’s included

As with many Disneyland good neighbor hotels on this list, the Desert Palms includes a mini-fridge and coffeemaker in all rooms. A microwave is also available in each room. Wi-Fi and hot breakfast are complimentary as well.

What you need to know

The Desert Palms offers a wide variety of rooms from studio style to multi-room suites, each available with standard or bunk beds.

>>Price:  Standard rooms on average run $140 and suites (some with full kitchens) can run up to $260 on average. However, there are many discounts available when you book direct that can reduce the cost by as much as 25%.

Why we love it

The large family suites can accommodate a crowd, and the full kitchen available in some suites gives you options outside of expensive theme park food. The hot breakfast is unique to the property, going above and beyond the cereal and bags normally found at competitors. Many of the rooms look out onto the Disney property and give you a glimpse of the fireworks as well.

Embassy Suites

Where it’s at

Embassy suites is located about 5 miles south of the Disneyland resort. They do offer a daily shuttle to and from the parks which, at the time of this writing, is $6 per person per day.

What’s included

Your stay at the Anaheim South Embassy Suites by Hilton includes a hot cooked to order breakfast, in room safety deposit box, and complimentary cocktails during the evening reception.

What you need to know

There are only suites and no studio style rooms. However the suites are reasonably priced and offer a luxurious style. Many of the rooms also provide a view of the Disneyland fireworks, available by request for an additional fee.

>>Price: Dependent upon the suite style and dates selected you can expect to pay between $200 and $300 dollars. This is impressive when considering the cost of a standard room at a Disneyland hotel.

Why we love it

You had us at free cocktails. A custom made hot breakfast certainly doesn’t hurt. More over though, the Embassy Suites offers a relaxing atmosphere to unwind after a long day in the parks. Access to view the Disneyland fireworks from your room also means you can leave the parks before the mass exodus at the end of the night. If you’re still not convinced you can get more details about this hotel from our friend Practically Perfect Meg in this post.

Howard Johnson

Where it’s at

A short 8 minute walk away from the Disneyland park entrances.

What’s included

When you stay at the Anaheim Howard Johnson you have access to free Wi-Fi as well as an in room safe and single serve coffee maker. This hotel is also home to 2 pools, one designed with kids in mind and the other to enjoy in tranquility.

What you need to know

The kids pool is a mini water park, and any kid in your party is bound to fall in love. There is a full range of room types, from studios to suites, to accommodate any party size.

>>Price: Standard rooms fall in around $200. Suites trend upwards around $400, however many of these include private balconies as well.

Why we love it

That kids pool though. Even the Disneyland pools can’t compete with the splash pad playground at the Howard Johnson. The rooms are large, clean, and decorated with fun colors.

Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate

Where it’s at

Just shy of 15 minutes away on foot, this Disneyland good neighbor hotel is .7 miles from the Disneyland resort park entrances.

What’s included

You can start your day the right way with the Residence Inn’s complimentary hot breakfast. Each room also includes a full kitchen, giving you full control of your food on your vacation.

What you need to know

All the rooms are suites and have a full kitchen included; however there is a studio style suite that consists of just 1 room. 2-room suites are available and can sleep up to 8. The Residence Inn offers a kid’s 2-room suite where 1 room has bunk beds and kid friendly décor.

>>Price: There are extreme fluctuations with the rates, from as low as $175 upwards to $500 on popular dates for single room suites. Family suites, consisting of 2 bedrooms start around $350.

Why we love it

Large rooms make a Disney vacation affordable for big groups. The standard rooms are priced higher than we’d like to see, but the family suites are a steal when you consider the cost of 3 separate hotel rooms at another location.

Final Thoughts on Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels

Staying at a Disneyland good neighbor hotel is a great alternative to staying on property at Disneyland. With so many options within just a short distance from the parks, and plenty of amenities to chose from you can’t go wrong!

Be sure to join us next week when we’ll be taking a closer look at Disneyland dining, talking all about table service and reservations.

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Disneyland Resort is considerably more compact than Disney World, but there’s still quite a bit to prepare for – especially if you’re used to Disney World. The unique accessibility to the two-gates at Disneyland resort permits completely unique strategies.

One thing that makes Disneyland completely unique is its proximity to the rest of the world. The entire Disneyland property, parks and Disney resort hotels, are nestled in the heart of Anaheim.

Why Pick the Disney Resort Hotels at Disneyland

There are many choices for where to stay during your Disneyland Resort vacation, including a number of non-Disney properties. However, none of these options provide the same perks and convenience of the Disney resort hotels.

Extra Magic Hour

When you stay at one of the three Disney resort hotels at Disneyland you get to enter the parks an hour before they actually open. This is a HUGE deal, because with a full hour you can knock out most, if not all, of the more popular rides. The available park alternates, meaning you can only access one park early per day. Also important to know is that the park will admit Disney resort hotel guests 15 minutes before the extra magic hours even begin.

Park Proximity and Special Entrances

The best part of staying at one of the Disney resort hotels is that you stay inside the Disney bubble. You can start your day with a wake-up call from Mickey and walk directly to either park, Disneyland or California Adventure, in less than 20 minutes. Between the Disney resort hotels and Disney parks is the downtown Disney area. Downtown Disney is a magical mall with a selection of restaurants, shops, and even a movie theater. You’ll have easy access to this area of the property as well when you stay at one of the Disney resort hotels.

Package Delivery

Another great perk of staying on sight at the Disney resort hotels is package delivery. All shops throughout the parks participate and will have your purchases brought directly to your hotel room! That means no more lugging around bags full of souvenirs, especially if those for people back home. All you have to do is ask, and then voila! You’re free to go about your day and visit all your favorite attractions without worrying about how to store your bags.

Exclusive Reservations

When at the Disneyland resort there are a number of events and attractions you may want to make reservations for. Some of these include popular table service restaurants, dinner and a show packages, dessert parties, the Bippity Boppity boutique and many more. Unfortunately, there are only so many reservations in a day. However, Disney saves a certain number of those reservations to be booked exclusively by guests staying at the Disney resort hotels. If there is something special you would like to do on your trip, staying at one of the Disney resort hotels is a great tactic to try and secure that reservation.

Stay and Play Inside the Magic

The Disney resort hotels are downright phenomenal. Would you expect anything less? From the moment you walk into the lobby you know that you are in Disney. The Disney resort hotels are filled with fun theming and the attention to details transports you to a different time. Each resort has its own pool area as well and once again Disney proves they know how to make magic.

There are so many wonderful reasons to consider staying at the Disney resort hotels! Let’s take a closer look at the unique offerings of each resort.

Disneyland Hotel

Where its at

The Disneyland hotel is located furthest from the park entrances at the far west end of the Downtown Disney area. The hotel is placed directly across from the Downtown Disney self-parking area and just around the corner form the Earl of Sandwich.

Theming

This was the first of the Disney resort hotels, its theming is derived from Disneyland park itself You can see this especially in the sorceror’s hat at the main entrance and the monorail themed water slides in the pool area. Another nice touch is the LED headboards that display your very own mini fireworks show right in your room.

Price Point

Disneyland hotel falls right between Paradise Pier and the Grand Californian in terms of price. The prices will, of course, vary depending on the date and room type but you can expect to pay no less than $300 per night for a standard room.

Why we Love it

Just like Disneyland park the Disneyland hotel is the original, and you cannot find that authenticity anywhere else in the world. It’s also home to one of the infamous Disney lounges, Trader Sam’s. Those firework headboards don’t hurt either.

Paradise Pier Hotel

Where its at

Paradise pier hotel is located behind its namesake, the Paradise Pier area (soon to be Pixar Pier) on the west side of California Adventure park.

Theming

This resort is themed as a seaside getaway. The most influential statement piece is a stature in the lobby of Goofy with surf boards, but continues throughout the resort with playful colors and beach ball shaped pillows in the rooms.

Price Point

As the least expensive of the Disney resort hotels at Disneyland you can expect a standard room to price just below $300 per night. Again, pricing will vary based on dates and room types.

Why we Love it

The beachy theming is so fun, but pales in comparison to our favorite part of this resort – the view! While it does cost a little extra you can request a room facing the parks to look right down into California Adventure, and even catch the nighttime show. You can head to the rooftop pool for a great view of the Disneyland park fireworks as well.

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Where its at

Disney’s Grand Californian is located just outside of the California Adventure park, in fact you’ll be able to see rooms from many areas inside the park.

Theming

The themeing at the Grand Californian is rustic elegance with an emphasis on craftsman style architecture, which is a fancy way of saying you’ll feel like you’re staying in a 5 star campground cabin. It is ultra-lux and will add a touch of grown-up magic to a fun filled vacation.

Price Point

There’s no putting this lightly, the Grand California is expensive. But you have access to one of the best Disney hotel resorts pools, the most upscale restaurants on property, and a private entrance to California Adventure. There are ways that you can save money at this property such as renting DVC points, which can save you up to 50%! You can learn more about that here. On average a standard room at the Grand Californian costs at least $400 per night, when you book direct through Disney.

Why we Love it

The Grand Californian is drop dead gorgeous. It is the most elegantly themed of the Disney resort hotels and will elevate the experience of any trip. We absolutely recommend renting DVC points to book this resort, which brings the cost much closer to that of the other resorts mentioned. Check out this review from Veravuse Wow Travel to find even more to love about the Grand Californian.

Final Thoughts

Staying at one of the Disney resort hotels is a fail proof upgrade for a memorable Disney vacation. There are plenty of other options in the area, but for us the special Disney touches are worth the extra expense. However, if you’re working on a budget or simply can’t justify the expense stay tuned as we’ll be taking a look at the off-property resorts of Disneyland next week.

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