Disney's All-Star Sports Resort vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

Photo: Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Value Animal Kingdom Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

All-Star Sports

Value

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

All-Star Sports

Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

All-Star Sports

Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

All-Star Sports

None

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

All-Star Sports

2 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

All-Star Sports

Pool

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

All-Star Sports

No

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

All-Star Sports

First bus stop on the shared All Star loop so buses fill here first

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

A value resort near Disney's Animal Kingdom with oversized sports theming across baseball, football, basketball, surfing, and tennis sections.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

Amenities

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail

Other

  • Gift Shop

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

  • First bus stop on the shared All Star loop so buses fill here first
  • Very affordable rates, often under $150 per night with discounts
  • Includes on-site perks like Early Entry and free Disney transportation
  • Refurbished rooms are a significant upgrade from the original design
  • Large Surf's Up pool accommodates big crowds well

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

Cons

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

  • Frequently hosts youth athletic tournaments creating noise and crowds
  • Decidedly early-90s feel in the lobby with faded athlete photos
  • Food court quality is consistently below expectations
  • No Skyliner or monorail, bus-only transportation to parks
  • Common areas can be very loud especially at night

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

On-Site Dining

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

  • End Zone Food Court

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

  • Grandstand Spirits

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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