Dad and Family at WDW

Finally a Disney Guide with Dad-a-tude

All Star Sports Resort

Stadium Hall

The Stadium Hall of Disney All Star Sports Resort is the main gathering area of the resort. This is where you go to check-in, check-out, eat meals, shop, go to the arcade, ask questions and lots more.

The front desk counter can check in several families at the same time. There is also a guest services area where guest make check dining reservations, upgrade tickets, get park questions answered and much more.

See the End Zone Food Court for information about food

Shopping

Sport Goofy's Gifts and Sundries in Stadium Hall is the shopping area. You can find All Star Sports Resort branded merchandise along with the usual Disney themed souvenirs.

Shop till you drop.

Pools

The All Star Sports Resort has two heated pools. Surfboard Bay which has a kiddie pool, and Grand Slam with a water-spurting Goofy.

Lifeguards are on duty from 9:00am until 10:00pm, and they dance during some of the music. It's quite a show. Join in.

The pools are a great place for kids to burn off that last burst of energy before going to bed. Our teenagers loved the freedom of getting away from the parents and going out to the pool, even after a full day in the parks. We parents loved the fact that we could walk out the door and look down and see the kids.

Everything else

Inside Stadium Hall there is a great arcade. There are lots of video games, prize winning games, and fun for the whole family. (We always give the kids some discretionary money and most of it ends up here.)

Outside of the Stadium Hall you'll find the Team Spirits Pool Bar where you can purchase snacks and drinks. (Open seasonally.)

Laundry

Disney being thoughtful has even made two laundry room available. Oddly enough, their next to the pools. Bring lots of quarters and a bathing suit.

Child Care

There is no dedicated child care at the All Star Sports Resort. There are several child care services you can choose from. Here are just a couple that have good reputations

Kid's Night Out - In room childcare starting at $16.00 per hour
All About Kids - In room or in park childcare starting at $13.00 per hour.
Super SItters - In room or accompany to park childcare starting at $14.00 per hour

Transportation

Transportation from the All Star Sports Resort to the parks is by bus, and bus only. In the front of the Stadium Hall you will see the lines for the buses. Service is quick and efficient.

Bus routes are to the four theme parks, the two water parks, and Downtown Disney.

Getting to other Disney World resorts can be difficult. For example, there is no easy way to get to Jiko or Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. To get there you could take a bus to Downtown Disney where you would then change busses to the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

That's why Dad recommends a car at Disney World.

Buses can become very crowded during the park opening and closing times. You might have to wait for a couple of buses.

Benefits of staying in a Disney Resort

Staying in a Disney Resort comes with several special perks reserved for Disney guests.

Perks for staying in the All Star Sports Resort -

Disney's Magical Express - bus service to and from the Orlando airport. It's free.
Extra Magic Hours - Be admitted to the parks an hour before everyone else, or stay up to three hours after closing time.
Guaranteed entry into the parks - When the parks are almost at capacity Disney restricts entry only guests staying in Disney Resorts. (There are times when no one is allowed to enter.) See Dad's Guide to crowds.
On-line check in - In early 2009 Disney will start on-line check in for all of it's resort guests.

Dad's Bottom Line

For the price, the Disney All Star Sports Resort can't be beat. The food court is fantastic. The pools are large and clean. It's a lot of fun.

One note of caution - the All Star Resorts cater to large groups, sometimes those groups are not well chaperoned.