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Before I get stated, I would like to apologize to those who love All-Star Sports. Don’t get me wrong: I like many parts of this resort but while I do enjoy sports, this resort just isn’t my favorite among all the choices available. As the name implies, this resort is themed with the sport enthusiast and athlete in mind. There are open areas for practicing routines and really getting into a sports-mindset! In fact I remember one morning starting quite early with cheerleaders practicing outside our door. This resort attracts many sport groups from around the country such as cheerleaders, dance teams, soccer and baseball players, etc.
Several years back (ok a lot of years – she’s 31 this year), we took our 18 year old daughter and a girlfriend of hers for their first adult trip. We booked an All-Star Sports room for them while we stayed in the French Quarter. They were on their own so they had to get themselves up the morning, figure out food for the day (we supplied $20 each every day for them to eat on), keep up with their room keys and park passes. I had purposely booked Sports thinking the girls would enjoy being around people closer to their age. But it turns out that neither of the girls were sport enthusiasts and there were more families with a little younger age group. In looking back I can see the reason why, with the football field, the more open areas bright colors, the younger generations really enjoy it!
After checking-in, check out the Sport Goofy Gifts and Sundries for all the great sports apparel and those much needed snacks for your room later. Next to Gifts & Sundries is End Zone Food Court with similar food found at the other All-Stars Resorts, such as pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and pasta. The atmosphere continues the theme with bright red and blue colors setting off the giant ball players on the walls all around. Right across the hall is the Game Point Arcade, just perfect for un-used energy at the end of the day. Similar to the other All-Star hotels, there is an adult beverage Team Spirits as you exit the main building just before getting to the Surfboard Bay Pool.
This resort has 5 pairs of themed buildings; Surf’s Up, Hoops Hotel, Center Court, Touchdown and Home Run Hotel. As you exit the main building giant surfboards and swimming fish greet you on each side towering over Surfboard Bay Pool beckoning you to hang ten! The area around Surfboard Bay Pool is my favorite area in this hotel. The palm trees surround you, while the surfboards and wind sails take me right to the beach! This is my place to hang ten, chill out and soak up the warm Florida rays.
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As you walk past the main pool, you find Mickey on his pitching mound sitting right between The Hoops Hotel buildings and Center Court with their huge tennis rackets. The second and smaller pool is the Grand Slam Pool sitting between the Home Run hotels. As the name implies, this pool is shaped like a baseball diamond with Goofy all ready at the pitcher’s mound right in the middle. Beware – Goofy isn’t pitching baseballs, but rather squirting water at swimmers.
One of the best areas for kids to run is located between the Touchdown buildings. The football field has the defense and offense X’s and O’s scattered around giving the kids plenty of hiding and climbing places. The padded rubber football fields allow for little ones to run without parents worrying about falls.
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From previous experience, visiting groups do stay at other resorts on Disney property, but this hotel seems to attract more than its share. The large groups can seem at times to take over this resort, but if you are not planning to spend a lot of time at the resort or you enjoy the younger groups, then this one is your place to stay. For me, I think this resort should have been built closer to the ESPN Wide World of Sports, but hey – no one asked me! 🙂
One positive thing I did notice when I stayed at Sports is the fact this hotel seemed to be the 1st stop for the buses. This works well in the mornings going to the parks and then again when you are really worn out in the evening – you have the advantage of exiting the bus first.
While this isn’t my favorite among the All-Star hotels, the value rates are very attractive and if you are looking for an inexpensive place to lay your head in the evening and love the sports theme surrounding you, then this is the place for you.
Hang ten fellow Disney Dudes!
Debbie and her husband live in Collegedale, TN where her youngest son is going to college. She is a huge Disney fan who dreams of someday retiring and working as a tour guide at Walt Disney World. She has enjoyed many trips to WDW with children, grandchildren and sometimes adults only. It is her ultimate goal to make sure everyone who visits WDW has the same magical time that she enjoys every time she visits.
