We just got back from a stay at Sports. I can't compare, b/c we've never stayed on property before. In general, it was just what I expected. I've often stayed at Quality Inns, and the like. All I'm really looking for on vacation is a clean place to sleep.
The beds were comfortable, the room was small, but big enough for me, DH, DS and our stuff w/ a little room to spare. The sink area is tiny, but we're not high maintenance... the first ride is going to give me "crazy hair" anyway.
I've heard complaints about noise, but we had no major problems. The pool did get a little loud at night, but DH wasn't bothered at all, and, since I'm a light sleeper, I always bring ear plugs just in case.
The CM's were very friendly and accomodating, the transportation was excellent. We only waited a long time for a bus twice. Once very early in the morning, and once leaving a park right after fireworks when we didn't make it on the first bus. All told, no big deal. (And, by a long time, I mean 15 - 20 minutes.) The food court was good too. Not fine dining, but definitely enough food to make a QS credit worthwhile if you are doing the dining plan.
That said, we did have one major issue w/ Housekeeping. Dirty sheets when we turned down the bed our first night, and it took 3 phone calls, 1 visit to the front desk and 1hr and 10 minutes to get clean sheets. Very frustrating, but I can't judge the hotel on 1 incident, and the rest of the stay was very nice.
We're leaving in 36 hours! I will definitely try to request a refurbished room. Thanks for all the great pictures and info-We can't wait. Will post our own review and maybe pics when we get back!
We just got back, and many of the rooms have been re-furb'd. We stayed in one of them, and it was very nice. (Small, but new-ish... pretty much what I expected from a value.) But, I do know that one of the Touchdown's has not been done yet. I think Bldg 7 is refurb'd, but Bldg 10 is not.
Hope it helps!
I'm always surprised at the bad press it gets on these boards. My family's favorite section is the baseball one (Homerun Hotel). Partly because we are huge baseball fans, but mostly because the kids like swimming and it is right by the less busy pool. 
I think it gets bad press and the only reason I can think is that it is the oldest of the three All Star resorts. We stayed there in August and our room was just fine. We stayed at Movies in April and our room there was dirty and the room wasn't in good shape at all. I really don't want to stay at Movies again but we are staying at Sports again from 12/8 to 12/15 and very excited about it!
Why bother to unpack. The pool table has been out of order for nearly two months now. 
from Nov 12 - Nov 15. So, I did not have the pleasure of seeing the decorated room. As a matter of fact, I didn't bump into any Dis-ers at all!! 
At least not that I'm aware of.
