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For families and travelers seeking that special Disney magic without breaking the bank, Walt Disney World’s Value Resorts make experiencing the theme park destination surprisingly affordable. These five hotels – Art of Animation, Pop Century, and the All-Star Resorts – capture the spirit of Disney whimsy in oversized icons and vividly themed environments. Though value resort rooms may be smaller and amenities limited compared to Disney’s luxury hotels, the price tags dip as low as $100 per night. That leaves more money to splurge on park tickets, souvenirs, and all that fairy dust magic across the Disney parks.
Value resorts focus on the fundamentals – comfortable beds, cafeteria-style dining courts, and transportation to the attractions. The real pixie dust gets sprinkled over guests through the over-the-top theming. Larger-than-life statues of Disney characters tower over resort pools while pop culture relics from Mickey Mouse phones to Foosball tables adorn building exteriors. It’s endless eye candy for kids and kids at heart. That theming magic combined with wallet-easy rates makes value resorts a prime choice for families wanting to experience the Disney universe without draining their vacation budgets.
Read on to discover why value resorts have become so popular and how to unlock their low rates for your next Walt Disney World getaway.
What Is a Value Resort?
Disney World operates 5 affordably priced “value resorts” including All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports along with Art of Animation and Pop Century. These hotels provide basic yet comfortable rooms starting at around $100 per night. Value resorts appeal to families and budget-focused travelers seeking Disney magic without luxury amenities. Their standout theming incorporates oversized animated icons, themed pools, and decor celebrating movies, music, sports, animation, and pop culture.
These resorts provide budget-conscious travelers a way to experience staying at an “official” Disney hotel at a fraction of the price of Disney’s deluxe resorts. Value resort rates typically start under $200 per night. Value resorts offer important perks like:
- Transportation via bus to the Disney parks and Disney Springs
- Themed hotel environments with Disney magic
- Affordable pricing for families and travelers
- Iconic resort theming and decor
The value resorts category appeals to guests who:
- Prioritize park time over hotel time
- Want to save money on a Disney World stay
- Are traveling with family/kids
- Enjoy Disney theming on a budget
By staying at a Disney World value resort, you still get certain perks of an “official” Disney resort while keeping costs low. Though value resort room sizes tend to be smaller with fewer amenities compared to Disney’s moderate and deluxe resorts, value resort hotel pricing reflects the differences in amenities. The 5 value options share many similarities but also have unique distinctions between one another in terms of theming, room layouts, amenities, and more.
Value Resorts Room Sizes, Layouts, and Amenities
Disney World’s value resorts provide more basic room accommodations than moderate or deluxe resorts, with smaller square footage and limited amenities. However, value resort rooms do include certain convenient amenities.
Room Size and Layout
- Standard rooms approximately 260 square feet
- Mostly double bedrooms sleeping up to 4 people
- Some family suites available sleeping 6
- Rooms typically include:
- Two double beds or one king bed
- Small table with chairs
- Dresser/wardrobe storage
- Television
- Mini-fridge
Family suite layouts include:
- Master bedroom with queen bed
- Separate kids room with two twin beds
- Pull-out sofa bed
- Two bathrooms
In-Room Amenities
Value resort rooms provide the following amenities:
- Coffee maker
- Iron/ironing board
- Hair dryer
- In-room safe
- Mini-fridge
- Internet access
While value rooms offer these convenient features, they lack amenities compared to pricier resorts like:
- Room service
- Turn-down service
- Multiple rooms
- Balconies
- Plush furnishings
- Luxury bath products
The value resorts make up for simpler rooms through imaginative, Disney-themed exterior building decor and features. Moderate and deluxe Disney resorts emphasize luxury amenities inside guest rooms over themed exteriors.
| Standard Room | Family Suite | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Approx. 260 sq ft | Varies, larger than standard rooms to accommodate more people |
| Beds | Two double beds or one king | Master bedroom with queen, separate kids room with two twins, pull-out sofabed |
| Sleeps | Up to 4 people | Up to 6 people |
| Amenities | Coffee maker, fridge, TV, WiFi, hair dryer, safe | Same as standard plus multiple bathrooms |
Value Resort Theming and Common Features
Disney World’s value resorts provide vibrant Disney theming and features to enhance the guest experience, despite having smaller rooms and fewer amenities than moderate and deluxe resort options.
Resort Theming
The theming at value resorts is centered around:
- Oversize, animated icons representing movies, music, sports, animation, and pop culture
- Distinctive themed areas, pools, and decor
For example:
- All-Star Movies showcases Disney films
- All-Star Music highlights musical genres
- All-Star Sports features sports themes
- Art of Animation spotlights animated Disney movies
- Pop Century celebrates pop culture by decade
Common Features
In addition to theming, value resorts offer:
- Themed pools
- Food courts for convenient dining
- Arcades and playgrounds
- Parking and laundry facilities on-site
- Access to transportation to the Disney parks
The imaginative theming and amenities help create a magical, budget-friendly Disney retreat for families and travelers focused on spending more time at the parks than the hotel.
| Resort | Theme | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|
| All-Star Movies | Disney films | Larger-than-life film props |
| All-Star Music | Music genres | Jukebox pool |
| All-Star Sports | Sports | Surfboard Bay pool |
| Art of Animation | Animated movies | Oversize character statues |
| Pop Century | Pop culture history | Through the decades facts and trivia |
Comparing and Ranking Value Resorts
If you’re deciding to stay at a value resort, we’ve got you covered on everything you need to know. In the below section, we’ll cover the best value resort to stay at so that you can still get a taste of the Disney bubble.
Resort Popularity
In terms of overall guest popularity and occupancy rates:
- Art of Animation and Pop Century tend to be the most popular value resorts
- All-Star Sports is typically the least popular of the value resort options
This is likely because Art of Animation and Pop Century offer additional amenities like suites and the Skyliner transportation system. Their theming also appeals strongly to kids and families compared to the more sports-centric All-Star Sports.
Recent Refurbishments
Ongoing resort refurbishments can impact value resort rankings and availability:
- In 2023, Pop Century completed a major room refurbishment project with upgrades to beds, carpets, and amenities
- All-Star Movies also just completed refurbishments to its hotel rooms and lobby areas
- All-Star Music rooms have not been updated in several years
So guests looking for the most recently refurbished rooms may prefer booking Pop Century or All Star Movies over other value options in 2023/2024.
Dining Variety
For food court dining, Art of Animation and Pop Century offer the most variety like:
- Made-to-order pasta bowls
- Build-your-own burgers
- Rotisserie chicken
- Pizza and flatbreads
- Salad bars
- Dessert stations
Here are some key points about dining variety at Walt Disney World’s value resorts:
- All the value resorts (All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports; Pop Century; Art of Animation) offer large food courts with a variety of quick-service dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Food courts provide a cafeteria-style experience with different stations, including burgers, pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, and more. They offer convenient, affordable meals.
- In addition to food courts, some value resorts have pool bars, coffee shops, or grab-and-go markets for snacks and light fare.
- Dining variety is more limited at value resorts compared to moderate or deluxe resorts. Table-service restaurants are very rare.
- Pop Century and Art of Animation tend to offer the most diverse quick-service dining among the value resorts based on guest reviews. Their food courts provide the widest range of cuisines.
- Value resort dining plans are available to add prepaid meals and snacks to your stay. These can help families budget for food at the resorts.
The All Stars have simpler food court menus focused on traditional fast food like burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and basic pizza. So guests wanting more diverse dining may favor Pop Century and Art of Animation over other value resorts.
Best Value Resorts For:
- Families: Art of Animation and Pop Century for suite availability, theming, and skyliner access
- Couples: All-Star Music or Movies for more adult-oriented themes
- Budget: All-Star Sports and All-Star Movies for the lowest average rates
- Transportation: Art of Animation and Pop Century due to Skyliner access to Hollywood Studios and Epcot
General Value Resort Rankings
Based on a combination of room rates, amenities, transportation, theming, and overall guest ratings, the Disney World value resorts can be ranked in order from highest to lowest like:
| Rank | Resort |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pop Century |
| 2 | Art of Animation |
| 3 | All-Star Sports |
| 4 | All-Star Music |
| 5 | All-Star Movies |
Pop Century ranks highest with its recent room refurbishments, Skyliner access, and expanded food court. Art of Animation scores points as well for its suites and theming appealing to kids. The All-Stars offer a very similar overall experience, with Sports edging out Music and Movies slightly because of its attractive price.
4 Booking Tips for Value Resorts
Disney World’s value resorts already provide hotel stays at budget-friendly pricing compared to other Disney resorts. But you can maximize savings even more with certain booking strategies.
1. Take Advantage of Discounts
Disney offers promotions and packages that bundle room discounts with perks like dining plans and park tickets. These can offer significant savings compared to room-only rates.
- Check for deals like “room and ticket” packages
- Consider the Disney Dining Plan when applicable
2. Use Authorized Disney Vacation Planners
Booking through an authorized Disney travel agent is free and can provide extra insight on finding discounts at value resorts.
3. Visit During Less Busy Times
Value resort prices are based on demand. Visiting when crowds are lower yields cheaper hotel rates at Disney.
- Avoid holidays and peak summer weeks
- Early fall and winter are generally less busy
4. Focus on the Parks, Not the Hotel
The key draw of value resorts is their convenience of being right in Walt Disney World at an affordable price. Guests not planning to spend much time relaxing at the hotel can save substantially versus deluxe hotels.
Final Thoughts
Disney World’s value resorts offer a uniquely affordable way for families and budget-focused travelers to experience a magical Disney hotel stay near the parks. By providing smaller, simpler rooms and limiting luxury amenities, value resorts achieve rates typically under $200 per night. Key highlights of Disney value resorts:
- Imaginative theming and Disney magic
- Transport to Disney parks via free buses
- Standard room rates starting under $200/night
- Family suites fitting up to 6 people
- Dining via large, vibrant food courts
While rooms may be smaller and have fewer amenities than Disney’s moderate or deluxe resorts, value resorts focus on the fundamentals at an inexpensive price point. For travelers prioritizing park time over hotel time, Disney’s value resorts allow you to stay immersed in Disney theming while saving money for other vacation expenses. By staying at an official Disney World resort like a value hotel, guests can take advantage of key perks like transportation as well as 30 days early access to FastPass+ ride reservations. Value resorts strike an ideal balance for many families and groups seeking the full Disney experience in an affordable package.
FAQs
With 5 different value resorts, it can be difficult to know which one is best. Find the most commonly asked questions below.
What are Disney World’s economy or budget resorts?
Disney’s economy or budget resorts fall under the wider “value resort” category. These hotels provide basic yet affordable accommodations starting under $100/night during slower seasons. Rooms are smaller with limited amenities compared to moderate or deluxe hotels.
What is a Disney resort hotel versus a non-Disney hotel near the parks?
Disney resort hotels like the values are owned and operated by Disney and located on Walt Disney World property. They offer perks like free transportation to the parks. Non-Disney hotels are separate third-party properties not run by Disney located around Orlando near the Disney parks.
Do value resorts offer free Magical Express airport transportation?
Yes, complimentary Magical Express buses provide transportation to/from Orlando International Airport for guests staying at any Walt Disney World resort hotel. This includes the value resorts.
What are the room renovation schedules for value resorts?
Disney schedules periodic room refurbishments for the value resorts:
- Pop Century rooms renovated in 2023
- All-Star Movies renovated in 2022
- Art of Animation, All-Star Sports/Music not scheduled yet
